It’s Not Millions, but You Can Make Decent Money from Home
January 27, 2010 – 3:54 pmSure, we’d all like to be the next Bill Gates; working feverishly in our garages to create the next mega product that will change the world. But in reality, when you are up to your elbows in after school activities, diapers and paying bills, all you need is a dependable job that will get you from point A to point B.
Let’s be honest, working from home, while sounding glamorous to our office dwelling friends, is tough. Aside from the obvious challenges of trying to balance child and home care with work, you need to find a job that will pay decent money on a regular basis.
According to a recent article in MSN Money (http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/CollegeAndFamily/RaiseKids/4realJobsYouCanDoFromHome.aspx?page=2), stay at home workers need to be realistic about expectations. Author Liz Pulliam Weston explains that folks who find the most success working from home are typically well-educated, have strong business skills and have had success in a previous workplace.
Workers with a sturdy amount of self-discipline is another “must” if you want to work from home. You need to be able to police yourself to ensure that office work is completed in a timely manner and not put off so that you can fold laundry or start a new home improvement project.
Weston also wants readers to understand that working from home doesn’t mean that you’ll necessarily pull in big money. She concurs with what WAHM is constantly telling readers–be on the lookout for scams. She says that if a job promises huge financial rewards, it’s probably too good to be true. The same goes for paying large sums of money up front before starting work…do your research and listen to your gut.
Working from home may not pay millions, but with diligent work and persistence you can make a large contribution to your family’s financial stability.
Gina Ragusa is a freelance writer and mom from sunny (and sometimes not) South Florida. Her 15 year experience ranges from writing about banking to tattoo parlors.
4 Responses to “It’s Not Millions, but You Can Make Decent Money from Home”
Hey I was just wondering with the Freelance writers positions, do you have to have alot of experience writing in newspapers and magazines or is it pretty basic stuff that if your educated enough you can do it?
Just wondering. Thanks.
By Kaylene Christensen on Feb 1, 2010
Hi Kaylene, Most freelance writing positions require that you have a background and degree in journalism or communications. You also should have at least two to three years experience as a writer. One way to get experience from home is to contribute to websites such as eHow or try sites like Suite101 or Associated Content. Good luck as a writer!
By Gina Ragusa on Feb 3, 2010
I highly agree with you that there is decent money to be made, but it is only going to happen if it is accompanied by hard work. I have been a stay at home mom for more years than I want to tell you. For many years I tried just about all the “stay at home opportunities” just to find out that I had just paid another “stupid tax” as Dave Ramsey calls it. I have a large family, and they have always been my top priority, but income generation became necessary .As the kids grew so did the expenses. The best advice I can offer anyone, is don’t chase those pie in the sky claims, they don’t work, you have to. Start preparing by taking classes, read, read, read! I have lots of recommended reading that will be a great benefit to anyone who needs to learn skill or acquire more knowledge. I am just in the process of setting up my website, but I welcome all of you to check out the reading list your will find there. Enjoy your kiddos they grow too fast.
By Grace Becker on Feb 11, 2010
Great post. I’m a stay home, self-employed mom struggling not to return to corporate or any other 9-5 for that matter. I want my 9-5 to be my own mind, hands, brain, etc. I know it’s a huge effort and I keep telling myself w/God all things are possible…keep moving forward and not stop. I also asked God for wisdom, focus, orderliness (still a work in progress) and discernment to move forward and accomplish my goals. Hopefully the combination works. Be blessed in your endeavors - we’ll make it somehow!
By Quenette B. on Feb 25, 2010