Thanks Charlene. good info with the fax and netbook, i will look into it too. i have a magic jack at home, so at least my phone cost will be cheap. i also got google voice, which lets me use my cell phone, but gives me a new phone number. that way it is like having a business and a personal phone - in one. and its free too, how great. charlene, besides these obvious costs (paper, phone, ...), E&O ins, is there anything big i am forgetting? i am doing a research on taxes now. trying to figure out a % range i will have to put aside. i agree with you on office ally. it is my first and only software i have ever used, but i've started feeling it, when my brain and fingers are quicker than all the steps i need to take to get from point A to point B with OA.. they've served me well, but i need to start looking at something better.