If you need a change of pace, consider starting a new job or a side gig at home. Work-at-home jobs were becoming the norm even before the events of the past year, and there are more opportunities to find or start one than ever. With a small investment in office supplies, you can embark on a new journey toward financial independence. Here’s the equipment to buy to start a new career at home.
Laptop Computer
If you aren’t hired by a company that assigns you a laptop, pick up one now. A fully loaded laptop computer makes you relevant and reliable for any number of work-from-home gigs. From writing and editing to crunching numbers and creating spreadsheets to art and design to so many other jobs, a laptop is the Swiss army knife of the stay-at-home employee. So long as you have the Microsoft Office Suite of programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, Outlook, etc.) it doesn’t matter if you have a PC or Mac. You should buy a laptop with an updated OS, 1Ghz-2Ghz processor, 1GB of RAM, a large enough monitor, and virus and spyware protection.
3D Printer
When you buy a 3D printer, you’re setting up a slew of fun new at-home printing gigs. If you’re a designer, add the fact that you can print out prototypes and models for your clients to your list of services. Become a printing press for local businesses, printing out all sorts of personalized promotional merchandise and giveaways for them to hand out to their own clients. Create and print out replacement parts for equipment used by other people and businesses. Naturally, you can also rent out time and materials to hobbyists, engineers, designers, and others who don’t own a 3D printer of their own.
Car Detailing Equipment
Have the space and zoning to handle a car or two in your driveway? Start up a car detailing service. Some people will pay top dollar for a thorough cleaning of their car. Most car detailing equipment is basic: buckets and sponges, car cleaning solutions, chamois cloths and gentle towels, a vacuum, and so forth. Foam cannons are another great investment—they gently blast and lift grime, grit, oil, and more from a car’s surface and allow it all to be hosed off and away.
Podcast Production
Here’s one or two more pieces of equipment to buy to start a new career at home: an audio interface and a pair of microphones. While a personal podcast tends to fall into the realm of a hobby or pastime rather than a career, offering your services as a podcast producer for local businesses is a worthwhile endeavor. Most companies may not be aware of how a podcast for their business is a good way to get the word out on their products and services and to promote their people as leaders and subject matter experts. Podcasts are cheap to produce and host too. If you have the skills to produce a podcast, get the word out!