Write off your home office in your taxes is a benefit of working from home

A huge perk that can save you some cash is writing off your home office in your taxes. That's right, any space that you use to work can be deducted as a business expense. You can also deduct things you bought for your home office during the last tax year, like a desk or a chair, which can help you save on your next tax return. The portion of your rent or house payments that goes towards your home office can also be deducted. So if your office is 100 sqft of 1000 total, then 10% of your housing expenses can be deducted*.

*Check with a certified accountant to ensure you follow all tax laws.

Live anywhere and have no commute

Another huge benefit of working remotely is that you can work anywhere that you have a stable internet connection. In some cities, high rent is pushing remote workers to more affordable cities and suburbs. This trend could continue if rent prices stay high and remote work stays in the future. This can help keep your living expenses more affordable since you don't have to be located in the heart of New York or Silicon Valley.

And you'll also have no more commute if you're remote. Commutes can have a negative affect on your health, especially if they're long and stressful. Plus, every moment you're not spending in your car is an extra moment you can do something else. Not having a commute allows you be more productive with your time overall.

Increased productivity and mental health

People are more productive at home. If it's slow at work, you can do stuff around the house. You can get a load of laundry done. Stuff that was reserved for the weekends can now be done throughout the week. On top of that, there's also less office distractions. No longer can someone just pop into your office and start up a conversation, so you can stay more focused on the tasks that you need to focus on. Fifty-one percent of workers reported that they were more productive working from home than from the office.

On top of the productivity bonus, workers have also had mental health benefits from working from home. Workers who work from home reported that they're more satisfied than their counterparts in the office. With mental health being as important as it is, this could be the biggest benefit of working from home.

Overall, working from home has many benefits that should be considered as companies decide whether or not to return to the office. The pandemic accelerated the trend of more people working from home than ever, and it could be a positive change.

A lot of people are struggling as the virus continues to force temporary and permanent closures of many places of work. Only a couple of weeks ago, ​1.5 million Americans​ filed for unemployment. In May, unemployment rose to an ​estimated 16%​; inching closer to the unemployment records of the Great Depression. Even if people were able to hold onto their jobs, many were forced to take pay cuts as businesses try to tread water as we wait for the end of the pandemic. According to​ Pew Research​, roughly half of lower-income Americans reported job or wage loss due to COVID. This leaves an already vulnerable population in even greater danger of not being able to afford basic necessities. Many people are unable to afford their monthly rent or mortgage payments, leaving them at risk of eviction. Many states have set up rules banning eviction during this time, however a lot of those are expiring soon and we could have a large homeless problem looming in the distance.

Steps the Government is taking to Solve Eviction troubles

With so many people out of work or taking pay cuts, it's no wonder that people are finding it difficult to make their rent payments. Not only is there the danger of being uprooted from your home, but the hit to your credit that comes from an eviction may make it difficult to secure mortgage financing or a new apartment in the future.

However, as many people know, the federal government stepped in with the CARES Act. Not only did this provide stimulus checks and different relief packages, but it also ​temporarily banned​ evictions and late fees as well. This protection from eviction gave a great deal of peace of mind as we battle this pandemic, but unfortunately it is due to run out on July 25. On the 25th, landlords are required to provide a 30 day notice to vacate before they are allowed to file for eviction. This makes the true first day of evictions August 24th.

Unfortunately, these protections only apply to complexes that receive federal funding as a part of Section 8 housing or other government assistance programs. To find out if your complex is included in these terms, the National Low Income Housing Coalition has created a ​search tool​ where you may be able to find your complex if it is multifamily.

Luckily, the House of Representatives proposed an ​eight month extension​ of these services. However, there has been little progress in pushing this bill through, so it would be unwise to assume that the extension will come through. On a similar note, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said that Congress will decide on the date of the ​next stimulus check in July​. With July just having started, we should be hearing more about this in the coming days. Again, we would strongly urge you not to count on this check coming in, as nothing has been agreed upon yet so we can't be sure the eight month extension or the stimulus check will be coming in on time. 

At the local level, many states have also banned eviction during this time. You can see if your state has a ban on evictions or if you are at risk ​here​. Some state's eviction bans have expired and those who are not covered in the federal bill are at risk of getting kicked out of their home. However, other states have chosen to extend this while the pandemic continues to affect many of us. 

What you can do to avoid being evicted

Besides the banal advice of saving money and going on unemployment if necessary, there are a few ways in which to prevent yourself from being evicted. Many companies have created resources available to the public for those encountering financial hardship due to COVID or otherwise.

If the pandemic has caused you financial hardship and you need assistance buying more time to pay your bills ​Do Not Pay​ is here to assist. Do Not Pay is an online chatbox which accesses national legislation to help you with legal tasks ranging from contesting a parking ticket and now financial relief from the pandemic. One of the beautiful things about this company is they may ask for a $3 "donation" every month, but they will not charge you until you're back on your feet. This ​article by Dale Smith​ goes over their offering a bit more completely.

Another resource available to you in your time of need is ​211​. 211 is a crisis management and aid website that provides you with the tools you need to weather the storm. From housing expenses to basic needs like food, water, and healthcare, 211 can put you in contact with the right people to make sure that your situation does not spiral out of control.

If you are to the point where you have been evicted or have been forced to move out, ​JustShelter​ can help. JustShelter is a service that will allow you to gain access to the correct people to speak to in order to find yourself a temporary housing situation. Until you get back up on your feet, you can rest easy knowing that there is a group that will help you to keep a roof over the heads of you and your family.

A lot of us are struggling to make it through these uncertain times. However, there's also a lot of people out there who want to help. If you are scared that you may be evicted from your home, don't hesitate to reach out to someone. Many Americans are facing similar situations and support from others is incredible important in difficult times like these. 

In the past month, many issues affecting black Americans have come to light. One that is especially troubling is the reality of income inequality in America. Though we have made some improvements in terms of representation, the structures are designed in a way that discourages overcoming the racial wage gap. While all POC groups experience income disparity with their white counterparts, the problem is most persistent and extreme with black Americans. The worst part is that even though we've made progress in the last century, the income gap is still as bad as it ever was. 

Is there really income inequality?

Short answer, yes and it's bad. A ​2016 study​ found that white families have a typical net worth that is 10 times that of black families. That's an astonishing difference for two groups of people and it may be getting even worse. From 2007 to 2013, white wealth declined by only 26%, in stark contrast to black wealth which declined 44%. In fact, black people are more than twice as likely to have a ​net worth of zero​ as compared to their white counterparts. For two groups of people that have been in America for as long as they have, one group has seen many more opportunities opened up to them and have raced ahead because of it. 

Where did this income gap come from?

Income inequality has been passed down from generation to generation, dating all the way back to slavery. Even though slavery ended over 150 years ago, black citizens have still seen their opportunities curbed. Even though black Americans were now free, they were still far behind whites in terms of wealth. Now they had to start from nothing, while America had over 100 years of prosperity. There is no one certain cause of income inequality, but it arises from major systemic issues throughout the last few centuries. 

In the years following freedom, blacks also had to fight discrimination from other laws, like the ​Jim Crow laws​. These laws made segregation legal in states across the US. This would prevent many black families from getting  the same service as white families. While they were required to have access to many of the same services, those for black people were normally funded less than white families. This included schooling options. Black people were forced to attend different schools than white people, most of which had far less funding than white schools, limiting their education opportunities. Employers also weren't required to practice anti-discrimination in their hiring processes, making it difficult for black people to get better jobs.

Even recently, discrimination came in the form of ​redlining​. Redlining is the practice of not offering services to people from certain areas, effectively creating a red line of an area that won't be served. Redlining has prevented those from lower income neighborhoods to have access to certain services. And, as you guessed it, these lower income people are more often than not black. 

Won't this just get better with time?

Many people hold the idea that as the next generation takes control of the country, black Americans will be given more opportunities and the gap will settle over time. However, according to the only thing that can test this theory, the trends of income disparity, this issue is not getting any better by leaving it to work itself out. According to ​PEW Research​, black people in the 90th percentile of income only earn 68% of what white people earn, and that percentage hasn't changed since 1970. This means that even those in higher paying jobs are still far behind their white counterparts. This is not a simple case of a group of people not getting an opportunity, because the people who have been given opportunities are still not able to bridge the income gap.

Even those that do make it out of their lower class status, find that it can be difficult to stay there. For black Americans that make it from lower-class to middle-class, they find that their kids or grandchildren fall back into poverty. A ​Brookings study​ found that 7 out of 10 black children that are born into the middle-class fall back into poverty. Even worse, half of all black children born into poverty, stay in poverty. They have limited upward motion and seemingly more downward motion. 

According to an article from ​Psychology Today​, black Americans had "less than one-tenth of the wealth that white families possessed in 1963 and, in 2016, they still had less than one-tenth." This issue is not only pervasive, but it's not getting better. This is not something that we can close our eyes to and hope it passes. Rather, recent unrest in our communities stemming from the unequal treatment of black individuals should be a wake up call that these issues need to be addressed. A doctor does not administer medicine to treat only the symptoms of the patient if the cause of the symptoms is curable. A doctor will treat the illness that is causing these symptoms and cure the patient.

What can we do to fix income inequality?

Recognizing that there is an issue is the easy part. Looking for ways to solve it is a lot more complicated. Many different people have their own views and opinions on what can lower the income gap. There have been countless ideas ranging from letting it sort itself out all the way to ​reparations​.

Reparations would include direct payments to black people who have been most affected by racial injustices over the last few centuries. ​Critics of reparations claim​ that it will be difficult, especially to decide who is eligible for reparations. While ​proponents argue​ that black people cannot close the gap, caused by centuries of setbacks, by just working harder. Likely the solution is somewhere in between, but, like many things, there is no clear cut right or wrong answer. 

However, the first step in working towards a solution is to recognize that there's a problem. As a country that touts equality as a right for all citizens, it's hard to look at such issues and think that inequality isn't still a struggle for many. 

Last week, the House of Representatives passed the HEROES Act and now it's up to the Senate to push the bill further along. This bill would provide over ​$3 Trillion​ in relief, including some much needed student loan relief, hopefully. The bill looks to send more stimulus checks and expand unemployment benefits. It also includes some student loan relief for certain borrowers. While the bill has yet to pass and is subject to change, there's still hope for those struggling with student loans.

What the HEROES Act means for your student loans

The ​HEROES Act​ that passed the House also includes relief for many student loan borrowers. Most Americans making under $100K a year can expect another $1,200 stimulus check. However, some may even be eligible for up to $10,000 in student debt relief. 

The CARES Act (the first coronavirus aid bill) originally suspended all interest and payments on federal loans until September. The new HEROES Act extends that through September 2021, a whole extra year of relief. It also expanded that suspension to include Federal Perkins Loans and other loans that weren't originally covered. 

Another benefit is that the new act also covers ​private student loans​. That's right, payments and interest will also be suspended if you hold private student loans. Student debt relief for private student borrowers like this has never been available before. The $10,000 in student debt cancellation will also cover private student loans if you are eligible. 

What should I do about my loans?

Well if you have federal loans and don't have to pay interest on them, it can be a great situation. However, it's still wise to pay down the debt when possible, because when interest starts up again, it can build up fast. Although, if you expect further relief in the future, like debt cancellation, you can always wait and see.

One way you can pay off the debt and wait to see what happens is to just put the money aside. If you save some extra money that you would put towards paying off your student debt. You can put that change in a ​high-yield savings account​ to accumulate some interest and wait to see if you even need it. 

Be warned, this bill is still ​being reviewed​ by Senate and can change or get wiped away completely. While it includes many student loan benefits, there is a chance that the final version (if there is one) may not include some or all of the benefits listed.

With most people locked inside on a stay at home order, many people are finding themselves going crazy with all their free time. We're discovering that cabin fever isn't made up and we're just waiting for this nightmare to end. However, the best (and hardest) thing to do during this time is to stay busy and distracted. With some of the down time you have, it could be the perfect time to focus on yourself. 

Learn New Skills or Develop a Hobby

This crisis is actually a great opportunity to explore your interests and develop new skills. Many websites, such as ​Coursera​, allow you to audit classes and learn new skills for free. You can also look up tutorials and start working with other types of software. If you want to get into photo editing, you can look for some free software like ​GIMP​. There's software out there for any type of hobby you can think of, so now is a great time to start honing in on that hobby. Who knows, it could even turn into a career for you. 

Meditate 

Meditating can be a great way to help with that cabin fever. I know how it sounds, but it can be a ​useful tool​ to help you clear your mind and relax. Taking 10 minutes a day to sit and clear your mind will fill your day and give you more clarity. Sometimes, we can be overloaded with distractions and it's hard to know what to do next. Meditating can bring the clarity you need and help relieve some of the stress of social distancing.

Stay Active in your free time

For a lot of us, quarantine has also affected our ability to workout, since all the gyms are closed. But just because you can't go to the gym, it doesn't mean you can't stay active. Companies have posted their workouts online or on an ​app for free​. They have workouts for everyone that you can explore. 

Sure it may not be the same as the gym, but it keeps you active and can help alleviate some of the stress of being inside. On top of clearing your mind, exercise can also help your ​brain and prevent disease​.

Other ways to stay busy with your free time

If none of the above sound interesting to you, you can also stay entertained in other ways. Celebrities are starting to host ​live concerts​ on apps such as Instagram. Of course, you can also distract yourself by ​playing games or FaceTiming with friends​. With the Internet and other tools available, there's no end to what you're able to do with your time. You can even hop on the trend of baking bread.

A lot of us have a lot of free time on our hands right now, so why not try something new? You never know, you may find something that you like.

With fears of coronavirus rising and no end in sight, things are starting to look scary. Grocery stores are running out of ​toilet paper​ and we're being asked to start social distancing, a term you've probably never heard of before. Essentially, social distancing means keeping your distance from others, where it's likely the disease can be spread. This can include spending more time at home than usual to ensure you don't catch (or spread) the pandemic. During this time, you may find it difficult to stay occupied, but here's some activities that can keep you busy. 

Work on developing some new skills

With the extra free time you will get while you are in quarantine, you can work on developing some extra skills you've been wanting to learn. Take time to work on a project or take free online classes to learn something new. There's plenty of online resources, such as ​Coursera​, that will teach you new skills for free.

You can also take the time to work on a personal project that you've been wanting to get started. Projects are a great way to learn while also building something of your own. So, if you've had an idea recently, you could focus on building it with your down time.

Read a book while social distancing

Another great way to pass the time is to start reading. Whether you're a fan of fiction or non-fiction, reading a book is an ideal activity for a day at home. It works especially well as an alternative to binge-watching your favorite Netflix shows. In fact, Scripps ​warns​ against excessive screen-time, which can cause headaches, eye strain, and insomnia. The answer to this is just spending some entertainment time the old-fashioned way: with a good book.

With social distancing you may not want to run to the store for a book, but you could add it to your shopping list for the next time you're going on a supply run anyway. If this isn't the option for you, it might be time to order a Kindle or similar digital book device so you could order some books online. Many companies are also stepping up to aid in social distancing, such as the ​Quarantine Book Club​, which allows you to join book discussions through Zoom with the authors of several different books.

Play some board games with a small group of friends

While social distancing means that you should stay away from others whenever possible, spending a bit of quality time with a small group should be fine as long as they or someone they contact do not have underlying conditions which could put them at higher risk. To avoid those pesky screens, you can take along a board game or two for entertainment.

Toilet paper might be out, but your local Walmart, Target, or Barnes and Noble should still have a healthy stock of board games. To adhere to social distancing you should stay at home as much as possible, but if you need to leave for supplies anyway you could always add Scrabble (and some books) to your shopping list. Just don't add Monopoly, nothing good could come of the combination of quarantine and an over-zealous banker.

Have an online hangout with your friends while social distancing

Even though you may not be able to see your friends in person, you can do the next best thing and hangout with them online. With the technology available, it's easier than ever to get a large group of people on a video chat. 

This could even be as simple as playing a game online with your friends. Some people have even gone as far as hosting online ​trivia nights​. There's a host of ways that you can interact online and keep your distance.

Moving forward, we don't know how this virus will progress, so it is highly recommended that you stay inside as much as possible.

 However, this time inside doesn't need to be time spent staring at your ceiling. You can make it through social distancing with just a little creativity and open-mindedness. We have to trust that the social distancing we are doing will pay dividends later, and if we keep on top of it (and keep washing our hands), we can hopefully slow the rate of infection.