A few weeks ago, I read a blog post over at Zen Habits about going Google-free. Leo’s post proposed that it could be dangerous to give all of your information to, and rely so heavily on, one corporation.

While I found the post interesting, I obviously have no such reservations about allowing Google to run my life. I rely heavily on Google Search throughout the work day (in fact, I just used Google’s blog search function in order to track down Leo’s post so that I could link to it here). I keep track of all of my blog subscriptions with Google Reader. And, when researching practice management services the other month, I came to the conclusion that it would be most cost-effective (aka “free”) to run my business using a mix of Gmail, Google Calendar, and Google Docs.

And now, there’s GQueues.

GQueues is like the perfect offspring of Ta-da Lists (which I’d sort of gotten lazy about updating) and ping.me (which I was using as a reminder service for paying my bills, but which closed down last month). It’s not a Google product, but was created using the Google App Engine platform. I use it to create various to-do lists. It’s perfect, because it integrates with my Google Calendar, and allows me to set up e-mail alerts. It’s simple, but it’s also everything I need. (Seriously. I want to make babies with it.)

You can do so much more with it if you so choose. You can share your lists with others. Add tasks to your to-do lists from your task bar, using the GQueues bookmarklet. Tag your queues. Assign projects and tasks to others…

GQueues recently came out of Beta (which was completely free), and added a paid option. At just $25 a year, I think it’s totally worth it. But that’s just me. You should check it out!

Related: Resource Roundup: 4 Time Management Applications

[Photo via]

My husband and I have been living in our one-bedroom condo for almost four years now.

When we first moved in, we agreed to forgo the formal dining room in favor of a home office, and so we set up our desks in that space so that we were sitting back-to-back, each of us facing the opposite wall.

Over time, I’ve had less and less patience with this arrangement. Two litter boxes sit to the immediate left of my desk, guaranteeing that there is always a light dusting of litter beneath my feet, and a faint eau-de-cat-poop lingering in the air. The space is also pretty tight. If I shift my chair just slightly, I either bang my left elbow into the china cabinet, or bang the back of my chair into my husband’s. Our office also opens up into the living room, making it impossible for Michael to unwind in front of the television if I happen to be working (he apparently hates the wireless headphones I bought him).

I’ve taken to working from the bedroom on my laptop, sitting cross-legged on my bed with a breakfast tray propped up before me. The ambiance is definitely more pleasant — I have a large window to my left, and the absence of litter boxes is a joy — but it has its own problems, the main one being a perpetually stiff knee and a tight lower back.

So sometimes I bring my laptop to Barnes & Noble, where I work for a frenetic two hours before my laptop battery dies.

Honestly? I feel as if I’m in workspace limbo.

But we’ve been looking at houses lately. Not because of my workspace woes, but because we plan to start procreating, and living in a one-bedroom condo with three cats and a kid seems ridiculous. And since we’re upgrading anyway, we haven’t been looking at anything with less than three bedrooms. This leaves one room for us, one for our child-to-be, and one for the office of my dreams.

This makes me giddy. Because, aside from the thrill I’ll derive from finally having my own washer and dryer, I’ve been daydreaming about that future office of mine.

Are you in workspace limbo, too? Do you have a dedicated workspace in your home? Do you only work in co-working spaces or cafes? Where do you feel at your most productive? And will you ever upgrade? (You show me yours, I’ll show you mine!)

Related: Product Placement: My Dream Office

I don’t replace my keyboards because they’ve stopped working. I relpace them because they’re so disgustingly filthy they’re beyond all hope.

I have a bad habit of snacking at my desk, working through lunch with a sandwich at my side, spilling coffee droplets, cookie crumbs, etc. Once, when I was still working in an office, I even spilled an entire mug full of tea with honey onto my keyboard. All of the keys got stuck.

Then, I was lucky enough to be contacted by the PR contact for Kensington, who offered to let me try out their new, washable keyboard. This struck me as the best idea ever.

If you’d like to read my full review, you should head on over to Nerve’s Tools of Attraction blog.

If you don’t give a damn about the full review, I’ll just let you know that the keyboard has received a thorough cleaning and continues to do its job. You can pick up one of your own for $39.99 at the Kensington website. It’s well worth the investment in my opinion (that is, if you share all of my bad eating-at-the-desk habits).

Related: Product Placement: Avoid Freelance-Induced Carpal Tunnel, Product Placement: Plug It In

The other week, my husband bought me a laptop, which was just about the most exciting thing ever in the world. (He’s so good with gifts; last year, he got me a GPS for my car and, the year before that, my Nikon D40X.)

It meant that I could be mobile…if only I had something to carry it in.

I considered laptop sleeves and then quickly dismissed them. While they were sleek, chic, and came in tons of fun designs, carrying one in addition to my usual load of crap made me feel like a bag lady.

No. I needed a catchall…preferably one that did the job, and looked damn good while doing it.

Enter the Lapsac.

A combination purse/laptop bag, the Lapsac has a front access pouch that you can easily slide your laptop into, leaving the rest of the roomy tote available for all the stuff you usually put in your purse. The pouch fits laptops up to 17 inches, which was perfect for my 15.6-inch widescreen.

Looking at the size of the bag, I was  bit worried it would be uncomfortable to carry around, but the straps fit snugly over my shoulder and — as long as I don’t carry my laptop around for ridiculously extended periods of time, it feels lighter than air!

I actually squealed with excitement when I first received it in the mail, and then walked around the condo with it over my shoulder, just for fun.  Now that I’ve used it a bunch of times, I’m still in love.

Ladies, I’d strongly consider the Lapsac if you’re looking for a stylish bag that can still fit your other things.

[$68, Nanda Home]

Related: Product Placement: Laptop Sets Me Free

I’ve raved about my Nikon D40X in the past. About how — even for non-photographers — having a good camera can be invaluable when it comes to blogging, marketing materials, and more.

Now that I’ve unearthed my husband’s dust-covered tripod and used it to shoot some photos for an upcoming blog post over at Nerve, I’d like to rave about that as well.

If you’ve got jittery limbs (too much coffee?), a tripod can lend a steady hand, marking the difference between a blurry photo (What!? It’s artsy!) and a fabulously crisp and clear one.

While there are plenty of ridiculously priced tripods online, you can find much cheaper ones that do the trick. Such as this highly-rated one over at Amazon, which comes with its own carrying case:

[$20.35, Amazon]

Photojojo also has some cute and quirky tripods on their site (they’re the masters of cute and quirky camera supplies):

[$23, Photojojo]

[$10, Photojojo]

[$30, Photojojo]

Happy photo session!

Related: Product Placement: The Digital Camera

I’ll admit it.

I only wanted my husband to get his laptop fixed so that I would never have to leave the cozy safety of my bed ever again.

I loved propping up several pillows behind my back, setting up the small breakfast-in-bed tray, and writing, tweeting, and surfing Etsy to my heart’s content. It was relaxing, and appealed to my inherent laziness.

So it drove me crazy that he was taking his sweet old time replacing his laptop’s defunct power cable.

Then he presented me with an early birthday gift, and suddenly the possibility afforded by mobility seemed limitless!

He picked me up this Acer AS5516-5474 and, after amusing myself for some time with its bubbles screensaver, I began to think of all the places I could go with my laptop:

• the local park: I’m often reluctant to head back indoors after my morning walks, and usually think wistfully of how nice it would be to have a laptop to take to the local park. Now I do!
• Panera Bread: Well…Panera Bread or any other establishment offering free (or cheap) WiFi. I love my cats, but it would be nice to surround myself with human beings every once in awhile.
• Meetups/Tweetups: My husband and I attend a web designer/blogger meetup every month at Panera Bread, where participants bring their laptops and show off their gadgetry and web work and trade troubleshooting tips.
• trips into the city: I live in the NJ suburbs, but sometimes have to travel into NYC for appointments or social engagements. When I end up with time to kill, I usually feel lost without a home base, despite the book I always carry in my bag. I’d feel much better if I was getting work done.
• vacations and other long-distance trips: As a blogger with a daily quota, time away often translates to pre-trip stress, due to all of the stockpiling that has to be done. Being able to take my work with me eases that stress.

Where do you like to take your work?

[$18 for set of 3, Etsy]

I carry a polka-dotted notebook in my purse at all times. There is a collection of moleskines on my desk. And I have the NiteNote tucked away in a drawer underneath my bed.

But that’s not all. In my hall closet, there is a large plastic container filled entirely with blank notebooks, some purchased in various B&Ns and stationery shops…most gifted to me by those who are aware of my enduring notebook love.

You’d think that would be enough to last me a lifetime, but I’m always on the lookout for something new, cute, and small enough to fit in my purse.

Which is why I’m digging these Bright Ideas pocket notebooks on Etsy. Because lord knows I could use a few more bright ideas.

[Via Design Dish]

Related: Product Placement: NiteNote, Product Placement: Freelancedom Survival Kit

Just a week ago, I linked to my review of the Peek Pronto over at the Modern Materialist.

I had been eager to review it as an alternative to the  iPhone or BlackBerry but, in the end, I found it wanting.

In fact, I even went off on a minor rant on how having such a device made me feel more immobile, rather than mobile.

I know that not all of us have this problem, though, which is why I’m trying to reach out to all of you smartphone users in a different way.

After the jump, 5 reasons you shouldn’t spend money on a smartphone:

1.

Let me ask: Why did you become a freelancer in the first place?

I know that at least some of you did it in order to make money doing something you’re passionate about, all while restoring yourself to a healthy work/life balance.

What I find with smartphone owners is that, as soon as they purchase their smartphones, their entire life revolves around their smartphone. They’re constantly checking their smartphone, looking for new apps for their smartphone and, when around other smartphone owners, comparing smartphones.

Is it possible that, once you purchase a smartphone, you become too busy staring at the screen to enjoy the scenery? You might as well still be sitting in a cubicle.

2.

Now that you’re staring at the smartphone screen all the time — a necessity when forced to leave your computer behind — there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be able to respond to all business-related e-mails immediately, and answer all business-related calls, well, outside of business hours.

You are so. plugged. in.

But when you don’t set boundaries with your clients, their expectations for your responsiveness can become too high. And they won’t think twice before ringing you up late at night, when you’re out at a nice dinner with your loved ones, on vacation.

There’s such a thing as being too available.

3.

Not to mention the fact that your expectations for yourself become too high.

I know. Us freelancers tend to love our work so much that we don’t know when to stop. Which is why we work nights, weekends, vacations, etc., focusing on our work at the expense of all else.

Congratulations, you’ve just become your own worst boss.

4.

You already own a computer. Perhaps you even own two, or three (or 10).

Is it really necessary to spend a few hundred bucks on a new phone, plus the additional monthly fees for Internet access? Seems pretty pricey for someone who doesn’t know where their next paycheck is coming from, especially when they’re just starting out.

New freelancers sometimes let the excitement of starting their own business get a little out of control. They suddenly begin to think that they need every pricey doodad and ergonomic chair out there. Immediately.

Please draw up a business plan and budget first, and then decide what’s necessary to spend money on before you even earn your first dollar.

(Note: I still use the most basic flip phone. Because I am cheap. This hasn’t hurt business at all.)

5.

Finally, you may not have noticed, but your family left you. Like, weeks ago. When you were busy playing Wheel of Fortune on your BlackBerry during dinner. You told them that, as a freelancer, you’d have so much more time to devote to them, but it was all lies. And they have left, all heartbroken and disenchanted.

I mean, it’s almost as bad as that time you were addicted to WOW.

Actually, maybe you do need that smartphone. After all, what else do you have to turn to now that your loved ones have left you?

Related: Product Placement: Peek Pronto Not Pronto Enough

I was thrilled to have a chance to review the Peek Pronto. Loath to spend money on a smartphone, the cheaper plan for this standalone e-mail device seemed ideal.

In the end, though, even that small cost proved to be not worth it.

Head over here to see my full review.

I’ve already written in the past about the importance of being prepared. A huge part of that for me has been the greedy consumption of books: how-tos, self-helps, career guides, etc.

I’ve read so many that I think it’s about time for a roundup. After the jump, the 20 books that helped me build my freelance life…and that could very well help you too!

1. Your Money or Your Life, by Joe Dominguez and Vicki Robin:

money, finances

Idealistic and quite…intense…this book opened my eyes to the wastefulness I’d allowed in my life. It brought back all of the buyer’s remorse. While I didn’t go all the way with it, the mere act of tracking my purchases on a day to day basis made me more mindful of my spending…more thoughtful about the things I chose to spend my money on. It’s a good thing to have a handle on when you’re about to leap into self-employment.

2. The Money Therapi$t, by Marcia Brixey:

money, finances

After getting a handle on how to spend my money today, Brixey’s book helped me to get a handle on the mess I had already created for myself in my past. I learned about the files I should keep or toss, my credit score and the things that affect it most, and more. In addition, the worksheets throughout the book helped me to realize how much I was risking in my future for the pleasures of instant self-gratification.

3. One Person/Multiple Careers, by Marci Alboher:

business, career

This is the book that made me feel vindicated in my multitude of interests and goals…all of the things my husband said made me unfocused. It advocated job juggling, and tackled the tough questions, on establishing credibility, maintaining balance, and more.

4. The Boss of You, by Lauren Bacon and Emira Mears:

business, career, entrepreneurship, self-employment

Thinking of starting your own business? This book is the definitive how-to, from A to Z. In this book, I learned how to figure out my start-up costs, draw up a budget, make my business legit, build relationships with clients and customers, handle invoicing, and more.

5. & 6. The Well-Fed Writer and The Well-Fed Writer: Back for Seconds, by Peter Bowerman:

writing, copywriting, business writing, freelance writing, freelance, business

Though I’ve never been much interested in corporate copywriting, these books taught me the importance of setting quantifiable goals, cold-calling, marketing materials, rates, and more.

7. The 4-Hour Workweek, by Timothy Ferriss:

career, business, entrepreneurship, self-employment, work/life balance

There were many things about this book that I didn’t agree with but, I have to admit…it was definitely food for thought. Despite our differences in opinion, I loved Ferriss’s willingness to bring us back from the brink of fear as a means of moving forward. I was also intrigued by his committment to outsourcing.

8. Career Renegade, by Jonathan Fields:

business, career

This book fired me up more than anything else, renewing my motivation when I needed it most. I also loved its chock-full-of-resources content. More than any other book I’ve read, this entire book was like a giant resource section…the kind you find — quite abbreviated — at the backs of other books.

9. The Renegade Writer, by Linda Formichelli and Diana Burrell:

writing, freelance

This is a book I read way before I ever left corporate life. I used it as a guide at a time when I was slipping personal essay-writing and magazine pitching into the cracks between work and sleep. Its pages are dog-eared in a number of places, reminding me of a time when I was new to query letters, writers’ contracts, editing processes, online portfolios, and more.

10. The Anti 9 to 5 Guide, by Michelle Goodman:

career

I developed a major freelancer-crush on Michelle Goodman as soon as I opened her first book. It was the impetus to my leaving full-time book publishing, and it taught me about developing action plans, the possibilities of the patchwork paycheck (whether through telecommuting, job sharing, temping, etc.),  researching your target market, drawing up a business plan, low-cost publicity tactics, and more.

11. My So-Called Freelance Life, by Michelle Goodman:

career, freelance, self-employment

This followup to Goodman’s first book takes the next step, diving fully into a full-time freelance lifestyle. It’s the book I wish I had when I first made that particular move. In it, I learned more about targeting my dream clients, the various permutations of the home office, making your business legit, naming your price, and accepting or rejecting projects.

12. The Art of the Interview, by Lawrence Grobel:

writing, journalism

One of the more niche books on my shelf, Grobel’s book taught me about self-confidence, preparation, and just about anything else I’d hoped to know about interviewing. It taught me to enjoy the interviews I conducted a whole lot more…to treat them like interesting conversations.

13. Work It!, by Allison Hemming:

career, employment, job-hunting

My husband bought me this book for Christmas. I didn’t take it personally. It reminded me that I couldn’t allow myself to get lazy about finding new work, I couldn’t get lazy about keeping my resume updated, and I couldn’t get lazy about any of my business correspondence…most especially my query letters. It also taught me how to close the deal.

14. Ready, Aim, Specialize!, by Kelly James-Enger:

writing, freelance, business

While, by this point, so much of this books seems no-duh, it forced me to think about where my knowledge lay, and then showed me how (with resources) I could break into specific areas of writing.

15. Test-Drive Your Dream Job, by Brian Kurth:

business, career

I was way excited when I first came upon Brian Kurth’s Vocation Vacations site, and then even more excited to find that he had a book in which he shares generously his test-a-dream-drive tips. In the pages therein, I learned how to find a mentor (or at least score an informational interview), and I also learned of the tough questions I needed to ask myself before considering a change in career.

16. The Forest for the Trees, by Betsy Lerner:

writing, publishing, book publishing

This one’s another oldie (but goodie). An editor’s advice to writers, Lerner eloquently pinpoints the great paradox of writing (“the great paradox of the writer’s life is how much time he spends alone trying to connect with other people”), while letting writers in on the secrets of the editing process…from pitch to publish, as it were.

17. What to Charge, by Laurie Lewis:

business, entrepreneurship, self-employment, freelance

Home stretch guys! I bought this book in order to answer the one question I always had trouble asking of myself: How much am I worth? Lewis taught me that there are many ways to arrive at an answer.

18. Spunk & Bite, by Arthur Plotnik:

writing, style

I’ve never been one for style or grammar guides (I simultaneously chafed at and loved Stephen King’s On Writing, but that could have been merely because I loved Stephen King), but my love of language, and the ways in which words can be strung together to create something beautiful, led me to love this book. Within these pages, Plotnik reveals “the secrets to attention-grabbing, unforgettable writing.”

19. Get a Freelance Life, by Margit Feury Ragland:

freelance, writing

I bought the book because I loved the site (Get a Freelance Life was put out by mediabistro). It didn’t let me down. It contained helpful interviews with other freelance professionals, tips on setting up your home office, networking advice, writer-specific tips, and more.

20. ProBlogger, by Darren Rowse and Chris Garrett:

business, blogging

Finally, we have ProBlogger, actually the secret catalyst behind this post. His blog taught me everything I know about blogging, and his book taught me even more. I used it to launch Freelancedom, and I still have yet to make use of its sections on monetizing your blog. It’s a resource I’ll always have use for.

…

Any books I’m missing here? Any I should definitely be reading? Let me know!

New: Breakneck Book Report: Pamela Slim’s Escape From Cubicle Nation