Computer

• For many work-from-home businesses, a computer with high-speed Internet access is a necessity. With a computer set-up, you can earn a living through building websites, writing articles and content for blogs, or telecommuting from a job in a regular brick-and-mortar building. If you have an office set up in your home and you follow the guidelines put forth by the Internal Revenue Service, a portion of your utilities and mortgage can be tax deductible.
  
  

Telephone

• If you're going to work from home, you'll need a telephone to keep in touch with those clients who won't want to send emails or text messages. However, because text messaging has become an important part of staying connected in business, it is a good idea to have a telephone which also has text messaging capabilities. In addition, if you live in rural areas where landlines might go down often, having a cell phone with text abilities can help you reach a client in a pinch.
  
  

Accounting

• Even though you're working out of your home and some of your income might be in cash, the Internal Revenue Service must be informed of any money that you earn. For this reason, it's a good idea to invest in either the services of an accountant or to actually get some accounting software for the business. By keeping records of business expenses, you can save money when it comes time for taxes, and you'll be able to track how well you are doing financially at any given time. You should also keep any receipts for items, equipment, office supplies and any other business-related expenses that emerge.
  
  

Mindset

• Working from home enables you to have a lot of freedom, but at the same time, in order to be successful at your home business, you need to operate it professionally. While you can set any hours that you'd like, it's important to make sure that you stay focused during the periods when you're working. Getting into a "work" mode helps to ensure that you don't find yourself scattered into too many areas.