Poll: What percent of your income do you spend on office tools (software, hardware, desk, etc.)? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "What percent of your income do you spend on office tools (software, hardware, desk, etc.)?".
This poll was originally submitted by tilakahuja. View the poll results »
| | | | | Just about 5% | Dec 24, 2014 |
I'm including the tech support I pay for when I get a new computer every 3 years.
| | | | | How about coffee? | Dec 24, 2014 |
If coffee is an office tool, the figure would be more than 5% )
| | | | Paul Lambert 
Sweden
Local time: 07:29
Member (2006)
Swedish to English
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| Great benefit of this job | Dec 24, 2014 |
As a business, freelance translating has the distinct advantage of having low overhead costs.
[Edited at 2014-12-24 14:57 GMT]
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Tina Vonhof (X)
Canada
Local time: 23:29
Dutch to English
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Some years nothing, some years more, for example when I buy a new computer. I have never averaged it out as a percentage per year.
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In general, my office supplies are limited to paper, plastic sleeves, toner cartridges, envelopes, staples, clips, which I buy once a year. I have never average it out as a percentage of my income, but I suppose it’s less than 1%. This will boil down to a very different number when in 2 years or so I’ll buy a new computer…
| | | | | Once you're set up... | Dec 24, 2014 |
Like, once you have your hardware and software, you're set up, and then most expenditures involve office supplies such as paper, toner and ink, and then Internet and phone services which you would probably use anyway. So the first expenditure on these things is going to be much higher than later on. Of course you need to replace old equipment, updated your software etc.
| | | | Sheila Wilson
Spain
Local time: 06:29
Member (2007)
English
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| Other business-related expenses | Dec 24, 2014 |
Not that much, in percentage terms, on tools etc. But I'm probably attending the ProZ.com conference in June 2015. That will eat up a substantial percentage but then it will be a holiday of sorts and set against tax.
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Mario Chavez (X)
Local time: 01:29
English to Spanish
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| Percentages make me wonder | Dec 24, 2014 |
So, this poll question is straightforward and honest, but intrusive. I've known translators who are still using years-old computers and software; they don't feel the need to upgrade every year. More power to them.
I only upgrade my software programs if a project so demands it. For example, I was very happy with InDesign CS5.5, but then a medium-sized project for an established client prompted me to spend on a shiny new copy of InDesign CS6 (well, the standard Creative Suite anyways)... See more So, this poll question is straightforward and honest, but intrusive. I've known translators who are still using years-old computers and software; they don't feel the need to upgrade every year. More power to them.
I only upgrade my software programs if a project so demands it. For example, I was very happy with InDesign CS5.5, but then a medium-sized project for an established client prompted me to spend on a shiny new copy of InDesign CS6 (well, the standard Creative Suite anyways), about $400. But the payday for the project justified the outlay.
I am unconventional when it comes to money: I don't carry a budget (I used to, when I was in my infancy as an independent translator). I know I am doing well if I can continue to set aside money for retirement and for my rainy day fund. So, I guess I would be concerned about setting a percentage for this kind of expense if and only if I followed a budget. ▲ Collapse
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I don't spend a lot on computers since I build and fix them myself. I made my desk too, thanks to my years as a carpenter. I have upgraded some of my software to better support new projects - my app, new websites, more design tools for my wife, and so on. Luckily I get a lot of discounts from school, and some of my clients give me free stuff.
Oh and a new cell phone
| | | | Balasubramaniam L.
India
Local time: 10:59
Member (2006)
English to Hindi
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SITE LOCALIZER
Many of us think that being freelancers, we don't incur much overheads, but this is incorrect. For the last few years I have been maintaining accurate accounts of office expenses, and they tell a different story. I spend roughly 30% of my earnings in office related expenses. True, they include many more things than what the poll poster has mentioned (software, hardware, office furniture, etc.), and includes such expenses as phone and internet expenses, bank and paypal charges, maintenance and in... See more Many of us think that being freelancers, we don't incur much overheads, but this is incorrect. For the last few years I have been maintaining accurate accounts of office expenses, and they tell a different story. I spend roughly 30% of my earnings in office related expenses. True, they include many more things than what the poll poster has mentioned (software, hardware, office furniture, etc.), and includes such expenses as phone and internet expenses, bank and paypal charges, maintenance and insurance expenses, office clean up, payments to reviewers, proof-readers and editors, and the like, but they are substantial.
Last year I redid my office space and put in place a local LAN and upgraded my computers and incurred substantial expenses.
Many of the translators who work for 2 and 3 cents per word don't build in these expenses into their costs and eventually end up with diminished capacity to work, as their equipment wear out and they have no money to upgrade them.
As a rule, you should change your computers every three years to keep them tip-top, as your bread and butter depends on them.
You also need to maintain emergency funds for the rainy days. ▲ Collapse
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