By Jill Bernardi-Bromwich

As a work at home mom of a two year old boy, I would like to share with you five main benefits I have found working at home. The benefits include: time with your family, less stress, saving money, less commuting and the bonus of tax deductions.

The number one benefit of working at home is having more time to spend with your family. Although you may have quality time to spend with your children when you work out of the home, it is not the same as having both quality and quantity time that you gain being home with them. You get to share in their joys and sorrows. It is amazing to be able to see the advancements and growth stages of a child. From rolling over to taking their first steps you do not have to wonder what milestone your child has achieved, while you sit at your desk at work. As a work at home mom you can see it for yourself. One minute they are babbling as a tiny baby and the next minute they are speaking in complete sentences, rhyming or even making up their own stories. My son communicates with me daily in complete sentences and sometimes his vocabulary amazes me, especially for a two year old.

I have often listened to my friends worrying about going back to work when their maternity leave is finished. They have to worry about who will be minding their child and if they can trust them whether it be a friend, nanny or a daycare environment. This can create much stress. Although there can be stress involved with being a work at home mom, it is different. You have to coordinate your work time with spending time with your children, but you do not have to rush around to get the children ready for daycare, pack lunches, or make sure they are dressed appropriately for the weather.

Another benefit of being a work at home mom is saving money, because first of all you do not have to pay for daycare or for someone to mind your child. This cost can be in excess of three hundred dollars per week! With the ever-increasing price of fuel these days, you also save money by foregoing a daily commute.

The fourth benefit of being a work at home mom is not having to deal with the stress of a daily commute. You can decide each day if you want to go out or not. How great would it be not to have to cope with morning traffic especially if you are not a morning person? Instead you can get up with your children and work at a schedule that you choose. You can spend a quiet morning reading with your children and then plan to work in the afternoon. You can take breaks during the day and spend time with your child. It is completely up to you. Also, you do not have to worry about anyone telling you what time to arrive and what time to leave during the day. You only have to answer to yourself, your family and plan around your own schedule with your children. After a long, stressful day at work, you do not have to drive home in bumper to bumper traffic, this in itself can create much stress and as a work at home mom it is not something you have to worry about. Commuting in traffic can take time out of your day that would be much better spent with your children.

Finally, the next best thing about working from home and a surprising benefit to most are the taxable benefits. Most people are afraid of tax issues when they work at home but soon come to appreciate the tax deductions. Did you know you may be able to write off so many things including your electrical bill? You mayb be able to write off a portion of your expenses every month. Let’s say that your office is about thirty percent of your living space, well then you can write off thirty percent of your electrical bill. You may also write off monthly purchases that are directly related to your business. As well as your electrical bill, you can write off a monthly portion of your water bill, your home and car insurance, your telephone bill plus many more. You can even write off household items that you use to clean your office. If you go out for lunch or dinner and discuss your business you can write it off. Just remember to include the date, the person’s name and explain what you discussed; you could make a note on the back of your receipt if you like. You may write off landscaping and office renovations if you are having meetings in the home, since of course you want your house to be presentable to your potential clients. Don’t forget to include training books and DVD’s that you are using to research and learn more about your business. If you are serving coffee or tea to your clients these items may be included. Also, paper, ink and other office supplies may be tax deductible. I met with an accountant to discuss this tax information when I first began working at home.

Jill is a graduate of the University of Guelph and has been a stay at home/work at home mom since her son was born. She earns her home-based income as a marketing executive in the wellness industry and loves it. The products she markets are safe for family and the environment. You can visit her website at http://www.getwithitgogreen.com

Please note: This article is not intended to give tax or financial advice. Please contact the IRS (irs.gov) or a competent tax practitioner for tax and financial advice suitable for you in your own particular situation.