Work at Home New Book Explores Ways to Earn Cash Without a Commute

Tory Johnson

by Tory Johnson
If you truly believe in your head and your heart that now is the right time for you to make a go of making money at home, there are four main categories you should consider. You’ll be able to adapt one of these paths to your own interests and goals.

Ask the Boss. If you’re working and satisfied with your job, but not its location, this could be your easiest path home. Your immediate job is to convince your boss that you can be just as effective, maybe even more so, working from your spare bedroom as your third-floor cubicle.

Fill a Need. Many companies of all sizes look for individuals who can work from home: people to answer calls, provide sales or customer service, give technical assistance or perform virtual office tasks such as making travel arrangements. There are also companies, law firms, government agencies and non-profits willing to set workers up at home. You could be their next hire.

Be Your Own Boss. Obviously, if you’re running the show you get to say where you work, right? This could be the right time to launch a small business based on a professional skill or personal passion, hobby, craft or service that you can provide. It doesn’t have to be a huge venture requiring a large capital investment and a five-year plan. It might be as simple as planning children’s birthday parties for busy moms or driving seniors to doctors’ appointments.

Become a Direct Sales Pro. Think beyond Avon, Mary Kay and Tupperware. The number of companies selling their products and services outside of stores, in peoples’ homes or online has mushroomed tremendously. If you’ve got a passion for wine, spa treatments or educational toys, just to mention a few categories, there’s a company out there that wants to put your passion to work. Start-up costs are usually small and you can set your own hours and schedule. Direct sales can be a second job to fund a fantastic vacation or pay off debt. Or it could be your breakthrough career—the one that gives your life meaning, satisfaction and bucks for your bank account.

Each path has its pros and cons. So does working from home in general. It’s a lifestyle for many, but not everyone. Obviously before jumping into something like this you’ll want to ask a lot of questions about yourself and whether you’re cut out for the challenges of work at home. Only when you have honest answers and you’ve done your research on the viable options that exist will you get a realistic idea of your chances for being happy and succeeding.

Will Work From Home: Earn the Cash Without the Commute (Berkley, $14.00) will be available in August. Purchase it online or at your favorite local bookseller. You’ll also find videos on many legitimate work at home options online at womenforhire.tv.