9-11 And Your Checking Account

Imagine a catastrophic event triggering the government to change the rules covering your checking account. Actually, you don t have to imagine it because it happened in New York on 9-11.
The ensuing halt to commerce in the immediate days after 9-11 (about four total) was enough of a catalyst for our otherwise sloth emulating elected Congressional representatives to pass an act that would ensure the transfer of checks between financial agencies would not again be disrupted by catastrophe, act of God, or dumb luck.
The act is called The Check 21 Act and went into effect on October 28, 2004. It created a new negotiable instrument called the substitute check so that once a customer s check is deposited, the funds will be available in a matter of hours. This is obviously a plus for the party to whom written.
Float time, the once magical free ride, has virtually disappeared. Not in every instance but you can bet your bottom line, in most. This is a minus unless your bank isn t using the substitute check negotiable instrument.
Asking your banker is your only way to know for sure. Of course, if you have been reading your statements, the answer may be right in front of you. But, it may not. So, repeating myself, ask your banker.
If your bank is using the substitute check, it is electronically transferring funds instantly between the account on which the check is drawn and the account into which it is deposited. Some would say that is nothing more than a simple bank transaction.
I would agree but the kicker is the original paper check never changes hands. If you see an inherent problem, welcome to the club. However, this article isn t about problems, inherent or otherwise, with electronic facsimile substitute checks, it is about you knowing about the new procedure put in place by the government to insure commerce continues even under the most dire of events.
You can learn more about the Check 21 Act by visiting the Federal Reserve at:
www.federalreserve.gov/paymentsystems/truncation/default.htm
I don t know about you, but I believe being forewarned means being forearmed.



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Thinking of Becoming a Virtual Assistant? 5 Facts You ll Want to Know

Starting a home-based Virtual Assistant (VA) business has many similarities to starting any other type of home-based business. It also has several unique features that you should clearly understand before you begin. When you become aware of these five unique business traits, you ll be able to research the profession with your eyes wide open and decide if being a VA is right for you.
1. What is a Virtual Assistant anyway?
Every VA s first and most prolonged challenge is that Virtual Assistance is a profession that is in its infancy and it still rare to meet prospective clients who know what a VA can do for them. In order to convert prospective clients into paying clients you ll need to do a lot of educating about what Virtual Assistance is and how it can support businesses. Some self-employed entrepreneurs know they need help but they can t fathom receiving that support virtually. You ll need to become well-versed at how you can make their business lives easier and communicate that message ongoingly until it sinks in.
2. You say tomato .
There are as many potential VA services as there are VAs and VA clients. Figuring out what it is you can do best and where you want to focus your services is imperative. Clearly define what you do (and what you won t do) and your potential clients will be more likely to understand how you can help them.
3. Your call is important to us.
When I first started as a Virtual Assistant, many of my clients assumed that because I was virtual and sat at my computer all day that this must mean I provided computer technical support. This confusion is common and can often be difficult to train your clients that what you do is different than tech support. If you wish to provide computer technical support in addition to your VA services, that s fine too. But know what you re getting into first.
4. The two-headed monster
Any self-employed entrepreneur with a home-based business can tell you that when you become self-employed you need to become practiced at two very different skill sets. The first is being good at what you do for your clients. The second is being an entrepreneur. This includes doing all the things it takes to juggle multiple clients and take care of your business as the same time. Often we are fantastic at the first skill, but dismal at the latter, leaving our own bookkeeping piling up for months or years, feeling stymied by the marketing we need to do to fill our practices or finding ourselves under-charging for our services. Having a coach or a VA mentor is a great way to become skilled at both these essential business elements.
5. Is anyone out there?
Even for those of us who are introverted, working alone at home five days a week can lead to thoughts of running away and joining the circus just to have some interesting company for a change. You will need to build a strong community of peers around you and schedule time to get out of your home-office and interact un-virtually with others. Fortunately there are more VA organizations and associations, both virtual and not, popping up all over the globe as the profession gains notoriety and visibility.
Armed with these five points in mind, I hope you ll be more able to clearly decide if building a Virtual Assistant business is the best next step for you. Working at home as a VA is a tremendously rewarding and fulfilling occupation for many. If you choose to join us, welcome!



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How I Became A Notary Public

I m a stay at home mom and I have an in-home notary business. Well, actually it is a little more than just "notary" work, as I also walk borrowers through the process of signing their loan documents. I began by searching the net for any and everything I could find regarding notary publics and loan documents. It took months of research before I would even allow myself to start looking for clients and then a few more months to get up enough nerve to make those "cold contact" calls. But with each call, things became a little easier. I ll have to admit that sometimes I wish I took the easy way out and begged my friend for all the information, but I saw too many friendships end because of petty rivalry once business picked up, so I decided to start from scratch and learn everything I could. And boy am I glad that I did. Because all that research paid off in more ways that I can count. As I learned, I grew more knowledgeable and more confident in my abilities, which has allowed me to expand beyond my own limitations.
At first I was excited about this new venture, but when I learned that there were well over 72,000 notaries in the state of California alone I began to get really worried. I thought I had better jump on this wagon fast, before there were no more jobs left for me. I was on the computer every moment of every day. I wasn t quite sure what I was looking for, but I knew it was out there somewhere. Eventually I began to hit pay day and all my efforts began to pay off. But I still felt pressure as I waited for clients to call for my services. Then one day, I got a taste of what it would be like to be gone all day and all night. I didn t get to see my babies (5 and 9) and by the time I got home, even my husband was in bed. That s when I realized that as much as I wanted this business to take off ground floor, I wanted to be a stay at home mommy more.
So, I sat down and re-evaluated what I wanted out of life. I realized that I wanted to be readily available for my kids and husband, but I also wanted a career I could call my own. So, I decided to continue to pursue this business, but do so on my own terms. I would only accept jobs that worked around my family life and I would not take more than two jobs in one day. And to this day, I am glad that I made that choice.
California still has 72,000 notaries, but what I learned is that not all notaries are in my line of work. In fact, there are only about a third that do my line of work. And of that third, I can still choose how much money I make in any given month by how many hours I am willing to put into it. And best of all, succeeding in this business adventure has allowed me the strength and courage to try other avenues, such as writing a book entitled, "Tid-Bits for New Signing Agents". Whatever you do in life, do it on your own terms. If you want to work less hours and spend more time with the family, you can do it. It s all about choices.
Alyice Edrich is the editor of The Dabbling Mum , a free parenting publication, and the author of several work from home e-books designed to help parents earn extra cash while spending more time with their children. To learn more, visit her at http://thedabblingmum.com/ebookstore



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How I Used Aromatherapy and Feng Shui in my Home Office

Is your home office nothing more than a cramped corner of a guest bedroom or kitchen? I used to live in an old arts and crafts style ranch, circa 1928. What the rooms lacked in space, they did make up for in charm (as anyone who loves old homes can attest to). There was one corner of my very small guest room that became my first home office. It consisted of my laptop on a small, antique desk with the printer next to it on the floor. I used a beautiful, antique bench for my desk chair.

In the beginning, the functionality of the room wasn t a concern, but as my business grew, I realized I needed to make some changes to maximize the efficiency of my workspace. The space also had to have the right feel if I was going to spend long hours there.

I am a true believer in alternative therapies such as aromatherapy, therapeutic touch, feng shui, and all things organic. I decided to use some of these simple, yet effective means to maximize the efficiency of my home office.

My antique desk and bench were causing me to have back and wrist pain, which took me way too long to figure out. As a long-time fitness addict, I didn t realize that my toned muscles would get sore in front of a computer, but they did indeed. Reluctantly, .I replaced the antique desk and bench with a small, but ergonomically friendly desk and chair. That alone was a huge help! (Plus the antiques were happy to be back in their original locations, where they could resume their original jobs as eye-catching room d cor.)

My feng shui and hippy friends advised me how to rearrange the workspace to give it the feel I needed to keep me coming back to a workspace I loved. Whenever I worked, I lit my favorite aromatherapy candle. My senses were sharpened, and I felt serene while performing my business tasks.

I was told to rearrange the room so my desk faced the door. This was to increase my feeling of security. If you can t arrange your room in this fashion, you can place a mirror next to your computer or on the wall near it to have the ability to see the doorway. This will produce the same result.

Water symbolizes abundance and creativity. I placed a beautiful ocean picture from a recent trip to Aruba in front of my computer. That was easy enough, and it made a nice focal point for those staring off into space moments. No more blank walls for me!

The hardest part for me was de-cluttering the area (I m not really into cleaning.) My friends said all those papers and junk laying around the already cramped area only served to heighten my anxiety and impede my work efficiency. I had to learn to throw things and put papers in the recycling bin. They said it was really important, so I did it. I now find if I take five minutes at the end of a work session to clean up, the maintenance is really manageable, even for me.

Lastly, I added small green plants on the windowsill and next to my screen. Plants bring an immediate calming effect. They also added some life to what might have been an otherwise sterile work area.

I can honestly say I loved my fist home office. You can apply these principles to your office or work cubicle to get the same results. Have fun and good luck!



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