With companies cutting back on full-time employees and office space, freelancer numbers sky-rocketing and home offices becoming extra bedrooms to be sublet, work will only become more mobile in 2009. That’s why we’ve devoted the year’s first edition of our weekly finance listicle, Big Money Mondays, to finding the best and most personalized item every mobile office requires: a briefcase.

Whether sitting aboard your favorite mode of commuter transport, strolling down to the local cafe to bum some wireless, walking into a contract re-negotiation or tempting thieves with explosive decoys, briefcases are an easy visual shorthand for you and your business. As such, they should be in keeping with your style, outlook and attitude. With these possibilities in mind, Listicles presents 12 briefcases for success.

The I Have Nothing To Hide Briefcase

For complete transparency in all your transactions. Also good if you sell chickens or chicken wire.

The I’m So Resourceful I Brought My Own Chair Briefcase

Just remember to take your laptop out before you plop yourself down.

The Obviously My Work Is Crappy Briefcase

This model does away with bathroom breaks, paper shredders and photocopier pranks. You may want to invest in a good plunger though.

The If I Don’t Get Hired at Least I Have Firewood Briefcase

We can’t decide whether this is the Swedish furniture design of briefcases or the wood-paneled station wagon of briefcases, but we would totally dig a job applicant who showed up rocking this number.

The Is This Thing On? Briefcase

For the budget office doing away with projectors and Power Points, this stately briefcase is an instant charisma-booster for the analog presenter.

The Lead Pointers Are the Laser Pointers of the 21st Century Briefcase

We always found that people paid more attention to armed employees, so we’ve carried weapons into every meeting we’ve attended since 2003 (don’t worry, the safety’s pretty much always on).

The Congratulations On My New Job/Bonus/Promotion Briefcase

Project confidence and entice hungry co-workers with this delicious briefcase. Just don’t forget to pack cutlery and paper plates.

The Hard-Worker and Hard-Boozer at the Same Time Briefcase

Whether winning over the office alcoholics or moonlighting on moonshine, mixing work and pleasure has never looked so classy (especially with that stainless steel mixer).

The I Won the Rat Race So Now I’m In the Go Kart Race Briefcase

Stay .18 seconds ahead of the competition with this speedway briefcase (hybrid version coming Spring 2009).

The I’m Subverting Corporate Culture With My Ironic-Cool Briefcase

Comes with designer vintage Adidas sneakers, deluxe MySpace account and your choice of neon 80s sunglasses (not shown).

The I Like My Workload Medium-Rare Briefcase

You can’t afford an expensive lunch every day, which makes cooking at the office the perfect solution for cost-cutting employees. Just make sure you leave ample cooling time before putting your laptop in there.

The I Bring Home the Bacon Briefcase

If your best friend at the office is the person with the BBQ briefcase, then this lean, honey mustard model is for you (tofu and chicken versions coming soon).