Admit it: sometimes you wish you were as intelligent as Tony Stark to have someone like J.A.R.V.I.S. at your side to sort your business’s schedule, plan out appointments and calculate taxes. Well, while we might not have that kind of technology today to wait for us on hand-and-foot, there is such a thing as a virtual assistant, which is the next best thing to living like Iron Man.

Many are convinced that virtual assistants are the future, and the reality is that a good majority of professional relationships are starting off as virtual. Having a full-time, physical assistant can certainly have it perks, but hiring a virtual assistant may be a better option in most cases. Too often do entrepreneurs wait to get the help they need because they assume that hiring a full-time assistant is the only choice they have; however, this is not the case at all.

Cost

There are plenty of perks to using a virtual assistant. While cost-effective, flexible, and with the commitment to learn, a VA can accomplish nearly anything a full-time assistant can while not actually being required to show up at the office. In addition, because virtual assistants and independent contractors do not have to go through the same employment procedures that a full-time employee would, you are only required to pay them for services rendered. So, in a sense, hiring a VA can be much less expensive than a full-timer, as you only need to pay them when you actually need them— no valuable time lost.

You also won’t need to worry yourself about withholding income tax, superannuation, Worker’s Compensation insurance, new computer, or office equipment or timely payroll processing or PAYG statements. And, since your VA won’t be hired as a full-time employee, you will not be responsible for providing them with health benefits or sick and vacation days.

Training & Space

One of the biggest perks of hiring a virtual assistant is that he/she is already skilled enough and is accustomed to an online working environment, therefore, that time saved by eliminating formal training will give your business the opportunity to get the important tasks done more quickly.

While there is a slight chance that you’ll need to communicate what your business is all about, it’s less likely that you’ll need to worry at all about their skills and qualifications.

How much money would you say you spend on each new employee that joins your business? Depending on what their responsibilities are, the average cost of hiring a new employee is usually in the thousands of dollars. Not only do you have to consider their yearly salary; you’ll also need to think about the equipment a new employee will need to fulfill their duties.

On the other hand, with a VA, those expenses go completely out the window. They will (and should) usually have their own reliable computer and internet connection.

Learning How to Delegate

Contrary to popular belief, having an assistant isn’t all about barking orders at someone. It’s more like inviting someone you trust to contribute to your success, and delegating is a crucial art you’ll need to learn if you’re going to hire a virtual assistant.

For many,finding a new employee that fits with the team you already have can take some time, something that you don’t normally have, which is precisely where a VA can help. As a professional, hiring a VA can be a wise investment, as a skilled assistant is something definitely worth paying for.

Dean Olsen, an enthusiastic writer who dedicates his time to researching topics on the progress of communication within technology and its relation to business practices. You can read more of Dean’s work on his blog at GlobalTollFreeNumber.com

The kids are out of the house, and you finally get the chance to move overseas. Maybe for a few months, maybe forever. You’ve already created a packing list, but there’s one item that you’re just not sure you’ll need—your smartphone or tablet. They can be a useful tool when you’re in a new country. But with the wrong service, they could be a useless money pit.

Library on the Go

When moving abroad, you don’t want to take your entire house with you. Heavy things like books can be difficult to haul around. The upside of taking a smartphone or a tablet on your trip is that either device can function as a traveling library while taking up just a small corner of your suitcase. Download your favorite guidebooks to the reader on your phone and virtually fold down your favorite pages. Use an app like Word Lens to translate signs and menus. Read reviews of area restaurants and entertainment with Trip Advisor or another travel app. You’ll feel at home in no time.

You can even use your smartphone to help you learn the language faster. With the free Google Translate app, you can speak up to 50 words into your phone, and the app will translate them for you. All of a sudden, asking directions, booking a train ticket, or getting to know the friendly couple at the edge of the bar just got easier!

Escape Roaming Fees

The downside to taking your smartphone or tablet abroad is the potential of roaming fees. According to travel writer Rick Steves, roaming charges in Europe can be high, but if you have an unlocked phone, you can replace your SIM card with a card made in that country to make calls at a more affordable rate.

Depending on your provider, you can avoid roaming charges altogether. T-Mobile, for example, recently announced a change to their roaming policy. The company, which also offers a wide selection of travel accessories—everything from Bluetooth headsets to Muse mini speakers—has lifted roaming charges in 100 countries. According to CNET, T-Mobile customers can text and access data without paying roaming fees. The company simplified its calling charges as well by setting them at a consistent 20 cents per minute.

Go Unplugged

Moving abroad should be an exciting experience. For some, this means enjoying a new environment with all the comforts of home, while for others, it means going unplugged. If you prefer the latter, consider leaving your electronics at home and get fully immersed into your travel adventure. Contact loved ones from local phones, or send them letters and emails from Internet cafes. However, if you do choose to go unplugged, it means that you will need to bring paper versions of all of your travel guides and translator tools.

If you don’t have access to free roaming, make sure that you download the data you are going to need while roaming. That way, you can pull up your map or itinerary without paying roaming fees.

Paige Hornell — Teacher, International Traveler, Margherita Pizza Connoisseur

Photo credits: Nate & Tilly Ritter

Social media networks can be a lot of fun – not to mention useful – but you really need to make sure you take steps to stay safe. Knowing how to avoid social media scams is an important skill to have in the Information Age. The good news is that it’s not that difficult to avoid them if you use common sense and are careful when you’re online. We’ve put together a list of several specific tips you can use to make sure you don’t run into any problems.

How to Avoid Social Network Scams

Here’s a look at some specific ways that you can avoid scams no matter what social media network you visit frequently.

• Privacy Settings – The first thing you’re going to want to do is spend some time learning about the privacy settings for whatever site you’re on. For some – like Facebook – this can take quite a bit of time before you understand, but it’s essential if you want to protect yourself from scams.

• Know Your Friends – While you may want to get as many “friends” as you can, this isn’t really that smart. Try to only allow people you really know in real life to be part of your social circles online.

• Ignore Unknown Links – If you see a link from a source you don’t recognize, ignore it or delete it if possible. Following links from strangers online is usually not a good idea on social media sites.

• Avoid Public Computers – Like public bathrooms, you should avoid using public computers as often as possible. You never know if one is infected with a keystroke logger that will allow others access to your social media accounts.

• Be Cautious – This is common sense, but it can be easy to get caught up in the moment online. Learn to take your time and not get involved – by clicking links – until you know exactly what’s going on and that you’re dealing with someone who can be trusted completely.

• Software and Firewalls – You should also make sure your anti-virus programs are up to date with their definition file. Additionally, you might think about installing a firewall so that you can add another layer of protection between you and the bad guys online. Luckily, you can usually find free software that will help protect you. Just make sure you set it up correctly.

By following the advice above, you’re going to be able to avoid the scams while still being able to keep up with the fam. You don’t need to avoid social networks completely, but you should be very selective about which sites you visit and how you interact with people you might not know personally.

Written by: Maegred Mithi is working in copper industry. Her job is to buy ethanol and remove the rust from the raw copper. She is also studying on line reputation management, because she has special interest in online world algorithms that affects the search engine results.