Many members of the work-at-home crowd put the needs and wants of our families ahead of our own. While there are always things we want and need for ourselves and our businesses, those things are often put at the back of the line.
This holiday season, I encourage you to invest a little in yourself. Buy something to boost your business or pamper yourself. You are the CEO of your home business, family and life. You deserve it!
Here are some of my favorite things to get you excited and get those wheels turning. (Note: Some of these items were provided to me at no charge for review purposes.)
Office space
Laptop desk – These days I find myself working more and more from my desktop. Most of us would rather not be locked in an office in the corner than sitting in a cubicle. Sometimes you just need a change of scenery. I love this laptop desk from LapGear. It has a mousepad and storage pouch. It is very affordable.
Silent keyboard – I type a lot while working from home, and the constant clicking drives my husband crazy! Cherry has a great new keyboard available with a “silent switch” that pretty much eliminates that repetitive noise.
Productivity Timer – In recent years there has been a lot of emphasis on being aware of your time. As remote contractors, it’s easy for time to get away from us. It’s very easy to get sucked down the rabbit hole and lose an hour or two before you realize it. This hourglass timer comes in a set of two; One 25 minutes and one 5 minutes to help you complete those tasks seamlessly. They are black and gold too – very classy!
health
Gym membership – We all know the dangers of sitting too much yet many of us spend most of our day. I get a lot of mileage out of my YMCA membership and love that there are so many group classes available at different times and for different fitness options. I’m even taking tennis lessons through the Y this year. My other favorite gym is Title Boxing. My husband joined earlier this year and loved it so much he convinced me to start going with him. Love it! They offer kickboxing, boxing and now MMA classes. You just drop in and spend 30 or 60 minutes on the bag in a group setting with an instructor. This is a great workout. You have to try it. If you’re worried about not fitting in, don’t be. At our gyms and at the times we attend, it’s usually mostly women and many in their 40s, 50s and even 60s.
Grubhub Gift Card – Let’s be honest. Sometimes time slips away from us and before we know what hit us it’s dinner time. Other times, we don’t have any leftovers for lunch. Grubhub is a great online restaurant delivery service that lets you order fast – healthy – food for delivery or pickup in over 1,100 cities nationwide. This is a gift that will be much appreciated.
Stainless steel tumbler– We all know we need to drink more water. And we’ve all heard the dangers of drinking and eating from plastic. We love our stainless steel tumblers with their stainless steel straws.
Business is essential
Erin Condren Planner – Every year I order a new planner and notebook from Erin Condren. These things are heavy duty and last up to several vacations and conferences each year. They help me stay focused on the projects I’m working on and want to complete.
Trunk Club – I used to be a Stitch Fix fanatic but have seen the quality and selection of their items go downhill. Then I found the trunk club! I love this service. It’s from Nordstrom’s many brands you’ll recognize (and easily find again if you’re a repeat shopper). Items are usually quite affordable as well. (I’ve been sent many tops for under $20.) As someone who has a really hard time finding clothes that flatter my body type—pear—I appreciate a stylist who knows exactly what will work.
backpack – For years I’ve carried my leather laptop around in a tote bag. While I love this tote bag, it gets so heavy when you’re at a conference for five days of networking and changing seminar rooms. I’m going to backpack a laptop. My back and shoulders can no longer take the tote bag.
Gender Identity Theft Protection – As remote workers, we share a lot of personal information online. With the recent Experian breach, we started looking at identity theft protection. Insurance Zander offers not only monitors your Social Security number, but also helps you recover if anything happens. It’s recommended by Dave Ramsey and covers a family – kids included – for under $13 per month. They even help you with “wallet protection” if your wallet is lost or stolen.
Time to unplug
Key West Aloe – Winter is almost here and that means dry, itchy skin. This gift set from Key West Aloe may be just what you need. The lotion contains aloe vera, vitamin E and antioxidants. The hand cream is nice and thick but absorbs quickly. I really like the scent. It is light and clean.
Travel gift card – If you’re buying a gift for your stay-at-home wife, consider a travel gift card. Maybe you can take an extended trip with him to a conference he wants to attend. My husband always travels with me to conferences. We usually stay a few extra days earlier or later or both. It’s been a great opportunity to check out some of the places on our wish list I almost always book through Expedia.
Spa Gift Card – I’m not much for manicures and pedicures but I love a nice long massage. It’s something I treat myself to often, especially considering how tense and sore my neck and shoulders are from being in front of a computer all day. If she doesn’t have a spa of her choice, opt for a Groupon somewhere local. They always have awesome deals on massages available.
What’s on your wish list this year?
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