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

I was totally planning on attending a networking event tonight. I had already RSVPd. I’d put it into my Google Calendar. I’d e-mailed the info to a few friends. Then I began losing momentum…

I was afraid to go alone. I didn’t feel like taking a bus into the city, especially during rush hour. My energy levels were low, anyway, and there was work I could get done if only I stayed at home.

I put on a dress in order to motivate myself. After all, who wants to waste a pretty dress by not leaving the house?

I took the dress off.

Then I noticed that I was having a good hair day. Could I possibly waste a good hair day by not leaving the house?

Yes. Yes I could.

If only I could find a networking group closer to home.

Despite completely insulting “jokes” about NJ’s status as the armpit of the northeast, it seems that one can find totally respectable networking events there.

Which means that your odds are probably even better. Especially if you do a search on one of these sites:

Craigslist: I like Craigslist. It has a page for New Jersey. Not only that, but it even has separate pages for Central Jersey, the Jersey Shore, North Jersey, and South Jersey. NYC, eat your heart out. Search for your own geographic area. Then, follow the links for “groups” or “events” (listed under “Community”) to see what’s going on in your neighborhood. If things seem slow, feel free to suggest or start your own group or event.

EventBrite: This site is like an Evite for networkers and professionals. One can plan and prevent events here — and even search for events by location and keyword.

Ladies Who Launch: Here’s one for the ladies. The site is a hub of information and resources for female entrepreneurs, and it also allows you to search for events by geographic location. Events are scattered, but it’s still well worth checking out of you’re looking to connect with like-minded, oh-so-awesome women.

LinkedIn: I know, I know. I should be using LinkedIn to build my professional network. Everyone else is. Guys. It’s tough enough balancing the blogging and the Twitter. But don’t follow my example. LinkedIn has a great Events feature now, browsable by keyword and location.

MediaBistro: While the bulletin boards at mediabistro only have location-specific sections for the major cities, it is possible to connect closer to home by searching their media events by state, type, and keyword.

Meetup: Can’t find the group for you, despite a thorough search by topic and location? You can easily start your own Meetup group. The only catch? Group leaders are now required to pay: either $19 for one month, $45 for three months, or $72 for six months.

NetParty: On NetParty, you can find business and social networking events for young professionals. If you don’t see your city on their list, you can suggest it to them, in order to aid them in planning future events.

Twitter: I know that you’re sick of hearing about Twitter but, in case you haven’t noticed, I’m on it, and I use it heavily. I’ve previously blogged over at TwiTip on taking your Twitter networking from online to in-the-flesh. Now, planning tweetups — or searching for already-existing ones — is even easier with twitvite.

Are there any resources I’m leaving out? (Maybe that’s the reason I’m sitting home alone.) If so, please do leave a comment!

Related: Build Your Own: Writing Group, How to Market Yourself: Getting Out More

[Image via]

Since scheduling my days into blocks of time dedicated to specific projects, I’ve been much more productive (we’ll discount the latter half of May for a multitude of reasons…), miraculously finishing up projects that had previously kept on falling to the bottom of my list of priorities.

Hallelujah!

While I have my personal schedule stored only in my noggin, on my weaker days (like that day I got sucked into a Tales from the Darkside marathon after sitting in front of the TV for a lunch break), I probably could have benefited from some sort of time management application.

Because I hope you can succeed where I have failed, I present to you 4 time tracking applications that will help you stay on…well…track:

1. SlimTimer: This online time tracking application lets you create (and share) tasks, time your work (by clicking on a task when you start working, and when you’re done), and run reports. Create an account and you’re good to go! [FREE]

2. Timepost: Timepost is a time management system that not only allows you to track your time, but also has idle detection that enables automatic pausing of your timer when you’ve been away from the computer for a certain length of time. [$39]

3. 88 Miles: This is another tracking system that allows you to punch in and out of projects as you work on them, set time budgets for various projects, run reports, send invoices, etc. [FREE-$75/month]

4. Toggl: Finally, here’s the one my hubby recommended to me (he uses it with his own freelance work but, like a good wife, I ignore most of his suggestions; perhaps you’ll listen to him instead). Toggl is a simple app, with one-click time tracking, and can be embedded just about anywhere. [FREE]

Have the lowdown on an app or software download I’ve missed? Have a better way of tracking your time? Please share! Before I stumble across Darkside again!

Related: RoundUp: 7 Invoicing Apps That Will Get You Paid

A week ago, I posted here about an invoicing error I had made, mentioning that I was lucky to have covered my ass in the service agreement I had drawn up.

Because I hate to bring up a problem without providing a concrete solution (and because my contract advice probably leaves much to be desired), here is a roundup of sites that offer sample contracts and contract-related advice:

• The Editorial Freelancers Association has a sample letter of agreement, and another sample of a contract dealing with on-site work.
• The Graphic Artists Guild has a sample artist/client agreement.
• Creative Business has a ton of downloadable forms for the creative worker’s use.
• Keep Your Copyrights is like the mother lode of sample contracts. Check out their sample contracts here.
• And Nolo is an online legal resource; their contract advice can be found here.

Any fabulous resources I’m missing out on? Please share!

Related: My Invoicing Error

Saving money can be difficult even at the best of times. When your paychecks pop up irregularly, and at odd times, it can be downright frustrating.

Lately, I’ve been struggling to pay down my credit card debt and cover all my bills. I’ve been unable to contribute to the mortgage since October, and I’m desperate to save up money for both a house and my career coaching certification. With so many things to save for, retirement can seem miles away.

Lord knows, though, I don’t want to be living paycheck to paycheck like this into my 90s. Which is why Freelancers Union’s announcement of a freelancers retirement plan is so intriguing.

According to the site (which compares their plan with a solo 401(k), a SEP IRA, and an IRA), there is a minimum contribution of $0, with a maximum of $16,500, along with an automation aspect that would allegedly make investing in your future even easier.

I’m impressed by the fact that Freelancers Union is stepping up to the plate with an easy plan for freelancers but, as Thursday Bram mentions in a post on her own blog, “there are many freelancers who will be able to save more money with a SEP IRA or another account. It will simplify retirement savings for many people, but I do think it’s worthwhile for freelancers to talk to a financial planner before deciding one way or the other.”

I’m pretty clueless when it comes to these things myself, but I would like to share some additional resources for those looking to start investing in their own retirement:

The Motley Fool: This site, dedicated to providing financial solutions to all sorts of investors, includes 13 steps in order to retire in style, and an IRA Center.

Internal Revenue Service: Ah, yes. The IRS can be our friend. This government site has an entire Retirement Plans Community, along with a page on the different types of retirement plans.

360 Degrees of Financial Literacy: This site is chock full of helpful articles, such as “Understanding IRAs,” and also has a shitload of available tools, such as a comparison of traditional and Roth IRAs, a Roth IRA Calculator, a Traditional IRA Calculator, etc. FAQs also cover IRAs and other retirement saving options extensively.

Bankrate.com: Bankrate.com is a media hub of information for all sorts of financial queries. Their section on retirement includes news articles and tips, a variety of retirement calculators, a search engine for certified financial planners, and more.

The Money Therapi$t: I’ve already mentioned this book here and here, but it bears repeating: This is a great resource for those looking for a one-stop-shop for all their financial questions. Plus, author Marcia Brixey will be able to point you toward even more great resources, both online and in print!

Related: Home-Schooled: 20 Books To Build Your Freelance Life Upon, My 5 Favorite Things In: The Money Therapi$t, How to Give Yourself a Sweet Benefits Package

[RCA Rp5022 64 Mb Voice Recorder With Usb, $19.98, Amazon]

[Olympus TP-7 Telephone Recording Device, $17.71, Amazon]

I’ve been doing a lot of interviews lately and, to get the job done, I’ve been using the items above.

My voice recorder (new versions are available) has a ton of storage place, allows me to place markers within my sound files, and includes a USB port for uploading to my computer. My telephone recording device also works like a charm, one end plugging into my recorder, the other going into my ear, allowing me to record all of my telephone interviews. Both of them being quite cheap, I’d recommend them to any writer on a budget.

But once the interviews are done, the worst part still remains: transcribing.

After the jump, a few resources for those who wish transcribing could be easier, or for those who’d like to outsource it altogether!

Voice Recognition Software:

Dragon NaturallySpeaking, $89-$649:

Lydia Dishman first recommended this software to me and, upon conducting a web search, I found that the rest of the world was apparently gaga over it as well.

Basically, Dragon’s software is supposed to be tops, even with recorded conversations. Buyer beware, though: Some users insist that it still works best as a note-taker, for use by one person speaking to it over time. These tough customers insist that no software exists that can work as well as human transcription outsourcing services.

Virtual Assistants:

(prices listed below are estimated averages)

• AssistU, $20+/hr.
• International Virtual Assistants Association, $20+/hr.
• Virtual Assistant Association, $35-$70/hr.
• Virtual Assistant Networking Association, $35/hr.