Quote of the Day!

"Talent develops in tranquillity, character in the full current of human life." - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Learn Photoshop!

Photoshop offers so many features that it may be overwhelming at first; therefore, start slow. There are a vast number of "how to" online articles to assist you every step of the way. Also, local community colleges offer Photoshop classes to teach you the basics like correcting color casts, sharpening your photographs and more. A class can be very beneficial to some while others may wish to experiment with one feature at a time. Libraries, book stores and e-books are other options to learn Photoshop basics and tricks such as removing dust or scratches from your photo.

Adobe Photoshop Tools

Adobe Photoshop supplies plenty of tools to help intensify any image. There are an assortment of drawing tools to take advantage of such as airbrush, paintbrushes, pens and pencils. These handy tools will assist any image creation you dream up. The pattern stamping and erasing tools make it achievable for you to correct or enhance images. You will have the power to reproduce sections of particular images and draw specific shapes such as squares, circles or rectangles.

The Photo-merge tool grants you the ability to take respective images or photos then stitch them together. When you compound these photos into one, you can create beautiful panoramic images.

Retouching Your Photos

You will have fun editing your photos with numerous image retouching tools that Adobe Photoshop provides. Once you master these powerful tools, your friends will be convinced that you possess the gift of taking great photos. Removing unsightly red-eye from each subject in your photo is easy. Removing annoying dust specks without upsetting the image takes seconds. Re-sizing, rotating and cropping your images will allow your photos to stand out.

A Quick Photo Enhancing Tip

To get started, a quick edit tip for photos that are too dark is to click on the Menu at the top of Photoshop, go to Images, go to Adjustments, and finally, click on Curves. Here, you can adjust the lightness and darkness of your photograph by clicking on the diagonal line near the midpoint. When dragging the tip towards the top left corner of the photo, your image will brighten. Be sure to check the preview box initially so you can view the changes as you go. If you're pleased with the photo, simply click okay. Other great features to learn are the Sharpen feature and the use of the Crop tool.

Quote of the Day!

"All glory comes from daring to begin." - Eugene F. Ware

Money Saving Tips and Home Business Tax Deductions

Rule #1 - Keep all records of everything!

This should go without saying, but it's surprising how easy it is to lose track of receipts, bills, and other information that is business related. Don't throw out anything if it has to do with your business. Utilities, homeowners insurance, property taxes, office supplies and equipment, keep every single receipt.

Get your files organized!

Be organized right from the beginning, and take care of things the moment they come in. If it needs to be filed, file it. If it needs to be answered, answer it. If it needs to be trashed...you get the picture!

Prove your home business qualifies!

To be eligible for the home office tax, you must be able to show that the area of your home used for your office is "regularly and exclusively for your office", and not used for other things. So if your office is also the family room, you won't qualify. Make sure you have a room in your house that you can call "your office".

If you have a Child Day Care:

If you want to deduct the use of your home for a day care facility, you must be properly licensed by your state first. You cannot claim your day care under the Home Office Deduction if you are not licensed. So in that case, I'd say it is definitely worth taking the extra effort to get your license, as this exemption can really help you out at tax time!

Ordinary and Necessary Expenses:

Expenses can be deducted if they are "ordinary and necessary". Ordinary means that anyone else with a business like yours would have the same expenses, so your expenses are not unusual for your business. Necessary means that you had to spend this money in order to operate your business. You could not operate your business without spending this money on these things. Also, you must be able to back up your claims that you would not have had the expense if you hadn't started this business.

Some common deductible expenses might include:

Advertising - This includes business cards and letterheads, ads in newspapers, on television, radio, etc.

Accounting/Bookkeeping - If you had to pay someone to keep your books for you, or prepare your taxes, that would be deductible.

Bank Service Charges on your business checking account.

Car/Truck Expenses if your vehicle is used for your business.

Conferences that you may attend pertaining to your business.

Annual Credit Cards Fees for your business credit cards.

Depreciation on your business equipment or furniture.

Special classes or seminars you attend related to your business.

Equipment (including computers).

Home Office Furniture - you desk, chair, etc.

Home Office Expense (if you qualify)

Insurance

Interest on business credit cards or loans.

Legal and professional fees.

Licenses or fees for your business.

Maintenance and repairs on equipment

Office Supplies

Internet Fees if you can prove you must be online for your business (such as Web design)

Postage

Printing/Copying

Rent of space, furniture or equipment

Telephone (if only used for your business)

Travel expenses related to your business

Uniforms or special clothing (such as steel-toe workboots)

Utilities - Electricity

Wages paid to employees

Quote of the Day!

"Time sets the stage; fate writes the script; but only we may choose our character."


~Liam Thomas Ryder

Franchise?

Many people out there searching for there own home business will look into franchise opportunities. There are many franchises out there willing to sell one to you if you have what it takes and of course the usual fees that come along with one.

   Before making a decision on a franchise that you like, make sure you do your research and find out what is going to be involved before heading in with both feet, blinded.

• How many hours will you have to put into it?
• How much will you need to put down and how much money will you need in your savings and in loans besides the liquid cash?
• How many employees if any, will you need to hire?
• Is your current lifestyle going to match what it takes to get the job done and will it be worth it?
• How much competition is out there for a business like this?
• Can you really afford this amount and not risk everything you own, like your retirement?
• Do your research on the need for your business and how successful other businesses like this are.

Make sure you know all the facts before you give all your money and time.

Quote of the Day!

"In the hopes for reaching the moon, men fail to see the flowers that blossom at their feet."
~Albert Schweitzer