With the economy the way it is, there are so many of us who have been laid off and trying to find an alternative employment, and trying to make ends meet. If you are one of those even remotely thinking of or interested in working from the comfort of your home, you will be excited to learn of the number of opportunities that exist.
Being laid off is no longer one of life’s injustices – who knows it could just be a blessing in disguise.
In spite of the scams that exist online in the name of work-at-home opportunities, there do exist legitimate wage-earning telecommuting jobs, which is what most people want to get into. Many of these jobs are in the fields of virtual assistance and customer service and some of them even offer limited benefits in the form of withholding taxes or sending out 1099 forms.
In spite of these jobs being genuine, they don’t pay very well and they are hard work. In most cases, you will have to get your own equipment and spend for electricity, and these expenses are not reimbursed. In fact, the hourly wages are not competitive enough. However, this works out for some people and if you are one of them, sure go ahead.
But frankly, if you want to work from home, you don’t really need a job, all you need is an idea and the willingness to try it out. Starting a service based home business is easier than most people realize and can be done without any investment. All you need to do is find a few good clients, get paid and share your income with Uncle Sam – as simple as that.
Here are ten home-based businesses that are very easy to start:
Web Designer – Every small business owner knows the importance of having a web presence but many have no clue how to go about setting up a website. Web sdesigners earn thousands of dollars and you can too, if you have the skill. You can offer your services through your own website or through any of the freelance sites online. This can earn you some good money.
Freelance Writer – Lots of online content is outsourced. If you have a passion for writing, you can pick up several writing jobs online. Sites like www.guru.com, www.elance.com or www.odesk.com are just a few of the freelance sites. Many writers earn a full-fledged income just following their love for writing.
Local Travel Guide – If you happen to live in a tourist location or if you are good at hiking fishing or hunting, you can offer your services as a guide and pursue your hobby while earning money. One of the most popular are walking tours in historic places and you need nothing to get started, except of course your eagerness and some knowledge.
Dog Walking or Pet Sitting – Your love for animals can be translated into a profession. You will have to find good clients and show that you care for their pets, and you will have pet owners falling all over themselves to get you to help them.
Personal Assistant – You can offer your services to run errands for professionals or families, who have no time to take care of things. These tasks can be anything from making travel arrangements, shopping, paying bills, party arrangements etc.
Teacher – Are you great with a piano? What about math? English or some foreign language? Teach people how to do what you are good at and earn money by doing so. You can make as much as $30 for a half-hour session, and if you spend about 4 or 5 hours a day, just imagine the kind of money you could be making.
Cook – If you are interested in or have a talent for cooking delectable food, then you might as well become a chef. There is no investment as you are not going to buy anything, as the kitchens you cook in belong to your clients. Many personal chefs cook for an entire week, label the meals and freeze them. You can take up a few clients this way.
Gardener – Organic vegetables are gaining popularity and you can take advantage of this. Even if you don’t want to install and maintain your own garden, which may require some work, you can always do that for others. To find clients, you can have your business card posted at the local garden centers.
Event Planner – Weddings, parties and celebrations of all sorts need a great deal of planning and people who can afford it, hire out these jobs to specialists. You can be the go-to-person who takes care of everything related to major events and if your clients are satisfied, your name will spread like wild fire through word-of-mouth and you will end up with more work than you can handle.
Baby Sitting – This is something that has been around for a long time but there is always the need for more babysitters, with people getting busier. If you love kids and have the time to take care of them, this could be perfect for you. The rich are willing to pay any price to find a good and honest person to look after their children while they are away. Land yourself some rich clients, and your life is made.
There is really no need to work for others, when you can earn a high hourly wage doing what you love. I don’t say this is going to be any easier, as there are all sort of clients and some weeks, you may be having more work than can be handled, but it is still worth it for the great rewards. You can double or even triple your hourly wages you earn at your job. You also get to meet a lot of interesting people and improve your connections, which could come in handy. And the best part is that you can “fire” your clients, if you are not happy.