With the onset of college, you likely ditched your tried-and-true backpack for a chic carry-all or satchel to tote your everyday essentials. But with the backpack having made a major comeback over the last couple of years, there’s no better time than now to revert back to the classic sac. The fashion-forward options are endless, so you can scoop up a style you’ll use for years to come. But the real kicker is that they boast plenty of space for your laptop, whatever the size, so you can make sore shoulders (a common problem with shoulder bags) a thing of the past. Below, we’ve listed our favorite toss-on-and-go bags large enough to fit your 13-inch and 15-inch laptops. Scroll down to shop the ultimate busy-girl bags.
STATE BAGS The Heights Lorimer Backpack
This simple, lightweight classic is compact and has a padded laptop sleeve. It’ll basically be your LBD of backpacks.
Everlane Modern Snap Backpack
Not only will this backpack’s simple design give you zen, but you’ll also have peace of mind knowing it was made ethically.
Herschel Supply Co. X Hoffman California Fabrics Heritage Backpack
Everything’s coming up roses with this fun floral printed backpack that is sure to brighten your day.
Madewell Canvas Backpack
We love the minimal look of this backpack. It’s simple — sturdy leather straps, front pocket, main compartment big enough for the essentials, and vintage-inspired foldover top.
Baggu Drawstring Backpack
We love a backpack with a pattern. Just imagine how cute it will be once you add your favorite patches and pins!
Kate Spade New York Watson Lane – Hartley Nylon Backpack
We love to hit the snooze button (more than once). So when it’s time to make haste, it’s nice to rely on a colorful staple that adds a pop of pizzazz to any rushed outfit. This crimson backpack will do the trick!
Fjällräven Kaken Backpack
Laptops don’t always belong on a desk; that’s why they’re called laptops! When work escapades beckon you to the park, woods, or beach, this adventure-ready backpack is ready to pack your computer for the ride!
Parker Clay Miramar Leather Backpack
This adjustable backpack/tote combo is made with premium Ethiopian full grain leather and makes a stylish accessory during workday commutes or weekend adventures.
Away The Backpack
Your favorite suitcase brand also has a backpack that’s perfect to accompany you on your daily adventures. It has a padded laptop sleeve and a clean, sleek look.
AER Fit Pack 2 Backpack
This backpack has a mesh pocket at the bottom to hold any footwear, and the large exterior pocket provides plenty of room for stuff you need to access easily.
Tumi Voyageur Halle Nylon Backpack
Streamlined and sleek, this bag also has leather trim, plenty of pockets, and striking hardware. You’ll look effortless carrying it around town.
Herschel Supply Co. Little America Backpack
Embrace your wild side with a little pop of animal print. This classic backpack has a laptop sleeve, drawstring closure, and cool leather accents.
Timbuk2 Parkside Laptop Backpack
Swap your old bike messenger bag for something with two straps. It’ll keep your tech safe, and it has an on-strap bottle opener for happy hour on the go.
ban.do Get it Together Backpack
The name of this eye-catching metallic backpack will remind you of its purpose: Get it together.
Rebecca Minkoff Medium Darren Convertible Leather Backpack
If you’re not ready to fully commit to two straps, this convertible leather bag will let you have the best of both worlds.
24 + 7 Small Backpack
This quilted backpack is lightweight and water-resistant, and even though it has a camouflage pattern, it will definitely get you noticed on the street.
Tumi Georgica Mica Backpack
This leather backpack is the elegant work accessory you’ve been looking for. There’s also a removable pouch that can double as a wristlet.
Modcloth Authentically Academic Backpack in Chestnut
Channel your inner academic with this vintage brown leather backpack. It’ll make you feel more scholarly just carrying it around town.
Cuyana Leather Backpack
Go from weekday to weekend with this gorgeous Italian pebbled leather, which has detachable back and top shoulder straps.
Topo Daypack
Durable enough to take on a day hike, yet streamlined enough to carry to the office every day.
STM Grace Pack
Charge and protect all your tech in one swoop. This pack has a cable routing system built in that allows you to charge all of your devices without getting tangled up in cords, and it also has a suspended pocket to keep your laptop padded and away from unnecessary harm.
Welcome to Selfmade Finance School, our new money series with Block Advisors to help small business owners with their tax, bookkeeping, and payroll needs year-round. This week, we explore the tax implications of bringing family members into your business.
The question for today is this: Does hiring your family members make sense for your business? Let me be clear. This is not a piece about whether hiring your family members makes sense for your relationships with those family members. As someone who is part of a family business, I could fill up a lot more than 600 words on my opinions about that. For today's purposes, we focus on whether it makes sense from an overall "good business and tax implication" perspective. As it turns out, there is a decent amount of tax nuance when it comes to employing your family. Let's break it down based on relationship to the employee:
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Spouses Who Are In Business Together
Personally, if I had to be in business with my husband, it would not go well. However, many couples build viable, strong businesses together and I say, good for them! Depending on how you have your business entity structured, it will make a big difference on the tax treatment of you and your spouse working as partners. Because a business jointly owned and operated by a married couple is generally treated as a partnership for Federal tax purposes, the spouses must comply with filing and record keeping requirements imposed on partnerships and their partners. The election to file two Schedule C (Form 1040) forms, (one for each spouse) permits certain married co-owners to avoid filing partnership returns, provided that each spouse separately reports a share of all the businesses' items of income, gain, loss, deduction, and credit. Under the election, both spouses will be subject to self-employment tax and on net earnings from self-employment and receive credit for Social Security earnings.
One Spouse Employs Another
If you have a dynamic where your spouse is an employee of your business, then your spouse's wages are subject to income tax withholding, Social Security and Medicare taxes. If you are self-employed (not a corporation or a partnership), your spouse's pay does not have to be included in your federal unemployment tax account (FUTA) contributions and payments. However, if your business is a corporation or a partnership you must include that spouse's pay in your unemployment tax contribution calculation.
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You Employ Your Child
First, let's be clear. I work in my family business, but I am an adult, so I am treated just like a normal employee. However, if you, for example, run a family restaurant and want to hire your children under 18 to work for you, there are some tax benefits. But first, you should check with your state for rules on how many hours minors can work (in non-agricultural jobs) and reference the Fair Labor Standards Act for information on limitations on the kinds of work children can perform.
"This is an often overlooked or under-utilized strategy. Paying your children for true services they provide in your business can be a powerful tax-saving tool," says Cathi Reed, Block Advisors Regional Director. "If you are a sole-proprietorship or single member LLC, and the child is less than 18 years of age, the business is not required to withhold FICA or payroll taxes. The child can use his or her standard deduction against income you pay."
You Hire Your Parent
Oh dear. If you are brave enough to do this, know that you will need to pay Social Security and Medicare taxes on your parent's wages and make the appropriate withholdings, but you don't have to pay unemployment taxes. Now all you have to do is convince your parent that you are the boss. Have fun with that!
Is Hiring Family Members Worth It For The Tax Benefits?
"There are some positive tax advantages to hiring family members. It's important to treat a family member like any other employee. Hiring your children can result in substantial savings for businesses. Make sure your child has real, age-appropriate work to do and a reasonable pay rate, comparable to other employees. Consult with a Block Advisors small business certified tax pro to ensure that you are complying with all requirements," advises Reed. "Block Advisors, a team within H&R Block, is dedicated to meeting the tax, bookkeeping and payroll needs of small business owners year-round. To start working with the tax experts at Block Advisors, visit blockadvisors.com."
In my opinion, you should not hire a family member solely because of the tax benefits. You should always hire based on whether that person is right for the job and keep in mind how this hire could materially impact your relationship with that person and others in your family. Finally, as I mentioned, make sure you have a tax professional on your team when making these determinations. As you can see, things can get a little tricky!
*All details were sourced from IRS.gov and blockadvisors.com
The opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect those held by Kestra Investment Services, LLC or Kestra Advisory Services, LLC. This is for general information only and is not intended to provide specific investment advice or recommendations for any individual. It is suggested that you consult your financial professional, attorney, or tax advisor with regards to your individual situation. Comments concerning the past performance are not intended to be forward looking and should not be viewed as an indication of future results. Securities offered through Kestra Investment Services, LLC (Kestra IS), member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Kestra Advisory Services, LLC (Kestra AS), an affiliate of Kestra IS. O'Keeffe Financial Partners and any other entity listed herein is not affiliated with Kestra IS or Kestra AS Investor Disclosures: https://bit.ly/KF-Disclosures