Real Home-Based Businesses You Can Start Today
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Do Work-at-Home Jobs Exist?
If you are one of the many people in the U.S. who have been laid off in recent months, or if you've lost your job permanently or you just would like to be able to work at home instead of trotting off to an office, you probably already know that the internet is infested with scammy, spammy "work-at-home" job "opportunities" that are nothing more than thinly-veiled attempts to get you to part with money you no longer have (or never had in the first place).
These "opportunities" are only opportunities for the individual or company hawking the product you supposedly need to get started. Whatever they are trying to sell you, be it an affliate marketing plan (Start your own online business! Earn thousands your first month!), a medical billing or transcription course (Learn medical billing at home! Earn thousands your first month!), or a multilevel marketing spiel (Let me, personally, show you how to earn thousands your first month! Be my slave! Give me money! Recruit others!); you realize pretty fast these aren't real jobs.
They aren't even real small businesses.
They're just spammy huckster crap come-ons.
Most people who want to work at home are looking for an actual wage-earning telecommuting job. Such jobs do exist, and in fact, some great articles have already been written right here at HP about the different kinds of legitimate work-at-home jobs (many of them in the fields of customer service and virtual assistance), and how you can get them and what they pay. Some of these jobs even provide limited benefits and withhold taxes like a regular office job would; others send out 1099 forms at the end of the year and you must deal with paying income taxes yourself.
There's nothing wrong with these kinds of telecommuting jobs. They all allow you to earn money while working online at home, but they usually don't pay very well. Call center work out of your own home typically pays a dollar or two less per hour than it would if you drove to a call center and plugged in for eight hours. Virtual assistant work is harder to get and the pay is all over the map. You almost always have to provide your own equipment for these jobs, and use your own electricity, and you aren't reimbursed for any of that--in fact, you aren't even competitively paid in hourly wages (in most cases).
That works out for some people, and if it works for you, great. But the truth is. you don't really need a job to work at home, you just need an idea and a willingness to try it out. Starting a service-based home business is a lot less complicated than most people think it is, and often no initial investment at all is required. Basically you decide to do something you like or are especially good at for money, you get yourself a few clients, you get paid a couple of times, then you go ask an accountant how much you need to send Uncle Sam every three months.
Seriously, that's about it.
Sure, you can make it complicated. And if you become very successful you'll probably want to find out how to expand your home business without getting into too much trouble with the IRS or losing your shirt financially. But if all you really want to do is work out of your house in your own time in your own way, it really isn't necessary to comb the internet for a work-at-home job.
All you really have to do is just start working out of your house.
Ten Easy Home Businesses You Can Start
Tutor/Private Instructor Do you play a musical instrument? Are you expert at math, English, a foreign language, writing, accounting, yoga, meditation? Any area of expertise that you possess can be shared with others for a decent fee, and usually a half hour session is sufficient. Wouldn't you rather teach four or five half hour sessions of your specialty at $25 or $30 a pop (that's two and a half hours of work) spend fourteen hours taking phone center calls in your home?
Professional Organizer Not everybody us naturally neat. In some major metropolitan areas, you can make very good money by taking a look and the messy closets of busy rich people and redoing them so they look nice and are easy to maintain. If you're the kind of person who thrives on pulling order out of chaos, this could be your thing. All you really need to get started are some business cards and a few good first clients.
Local Travel Guide If you are lucky enough to live in a high tourism area, or if you have special skills in hunting, fishing, hiking, or mountaineering, you can hire yourself out as a guide and do what you love at the same time. Walking tours are popular in historic areas, and you don't need anything but initiative to get started hosting them.
Pet Sitting/Dog Walker If you love animals and are in reasonably good shape physically, this job can be a lot of fun. If you get together a decent client list, you will soon be worth your weight in gold, as grateful pet owners who have to travel or work long hours come to rely on your to keep their best friends fed, walked and happy.
Web Designer Right now, so many people want a website and have no clue, I mean no clue. (I am one of these people.) A high school student who lives in the same Michigan metropolitan area as I do started a part-time FaceBook design service just for fun, and was so deluged with orders that the business currently has receipts of over $100,000 a year. She's not a web genius or anything, she hit a niche in that market and made some real money. Elance.com always has more work posted for freelance web designers than any other category.
Personal Chef If you love to cook and/or have strong opinions about food, but can't afford to go to France to attend cooking school, you might well have a future as a personal chef right here right now. Because a personal chef generally cooks in the client's kitchen, you don't have to worry about whether your own kitchen meets local standards for hygiene and safety (meeting these can be expensive). You don't have to show up every day either. Many personal chefs spend an afternoon cooking for the entire week, then freeze and label the meals.
Tech Writer Lots of technical writing is outsourced. If you are the sort of person who can describe in plain English how to do things or assemble things or understand and use software, you can pick up technical writing work at www.elance.com, www.guru.com, or www.odesk.com.
Event Planner Planning weddings, graduations parties, anniversaries, corporate celebrations, and community events requires a capacity for organization, detail, and quick thinking, but the start up costs are almost nil. One you are able to successfully plan a few major events, word or mouth will get you a steady stream of clients.
Gardener You don't have to own lots of heavy equipment to install and maintain perennial and/or organic vegetable gardens. In some large cities, the installation and maintenance of small organic vegetable gardens is very, very hot--the ultimate in local food eco-chic. Even if you don't feel ready to take on that kind of responsibility, if you enjoy weeding and maintaining your own garden and would like to make some money doing that for other people, all you really need is a business card posted at local garden centers to have more work than you can handle from April through October.
Concierge/Personal Assistant Lots of people hire themselves out to run errands for professional persons, couples, and families, who don't have time to take care of any number of tasks. Typical tasks that might be assigned include making travel arrangements, party arrangements, picking up laundry or cleaning, personal shopping, grocery shopping, and postal errands. Find a few really good clients can keep you in work indefinitely.
Why Work for Yourself?
Because, seriously, why work for someone else who can't even pay you ten bucks an hour after you dragged your sorry butt through college, wracked up all kinds of student loan debt, and bought yourself a monkey suit and a professional resume? Seriously, ten bucks? Give me a break! That someone else will in all likelihood require monthly ritual abuse in the form of a 'performance review' you which you will always fail, and will have a dress code for you to follow and a list of really annoying rules that everyone who works there spends half their life trying to break.
That someone else (especially if the someone else is a corporation, which it probably will be) will also arrange your working day so as to make it necessary that you spend anywhere from 15 to 55 minutes working off the clock, and if you complain about that you will be reminded that lots of other people would be glad to have your job. Required work off the clock is the number one complaint across hourly wage jobs right now. Technically it is illegal, but it takes a long time to bring a class action suit and win it. Corporations know this. If you have to work for free for even part of your day, shouldn't it at least be work doing something you love? Something that directly benefits you?
Clients can be demanding, and the truth is that there will be weeks in which you work much harder for yourself than you would at a traditional job. But the rewards are great. You can usually charge two or three times as much as what any hourly wage job of the same type will pay, sometimes more. You can offer the part of you that is most uniquely you instead of committing to doing some rote task you don't even care about. And best of all, you will meet a lot of interesting people, some of whom will become your friends and colleagues.If you ever decide you want a 'job' in your area of expertise, nothing impresses like a successfully run business of your own, and chances are good that if you are excellent at what you do you will be offered regular opportunities to work for others in the course of developing your business.
I have personally worked as a gardener and a writer on my own, and while I wouldn't say either was easy, I would say both were much more rewarding than any 'job' I have ever had. (Except Public TV. I kind of liked working for PBS.) As wages fall and more and more people find themselves at loose ends, my own hope is that more people will find ways to earn a living that are not dependent on corporate America.
Which brings me to the final perk of working for yourself: It's harder to get laid off or fired. A corporation can let you go in a moment, but when you are self-employed, all of your clients have to fire you in order for you to be out of work. And if any of your clients turn into a constant hassle, you can fire them.
How's that for a change of pace?
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Hi, good piece and timely, also. What do you think of this promotion, which popped up in a Google ad above your hub?
http://stimulus-grants.net/?t202id=66063&t202k
Just curious if you think this is real.
--Ann
Pam: Good suggestions! Did you know there is a social network called Meetups, and folks create a topic for the gathering and can charge a small fee, but must provide the space, be it their home or rented place for members to meet. My sis has started several, some are for dancing, others to meditate, and with one business meetup, she already has 110 members. http://www.meetup.com/.
Yep! Thank you for a wonderful Hub! You've described only ten of the myriad things people can do for money on their own the very day they got the pink slip and step into earning a living without even cashin their last check yet.
Doing other people's laundry for them and delivering it is something Kitten did for a while with great success, she was overbooked. She got tired of doing it and moved on to copywriting, which is the other lovely thing about self employment. If you decide you are tired of doing that line of work, pick sometihng else and refer your clients out as you shift gears and phase out the old gig to pick up the new.
Do that a couple of times and it starts to sink in that self employment is real security. It becomes a mental habit to decide "Okay, how much money do I want and how do I feel like getting it?" and look for markets or opportunities among a diverse range of abilities than to define yourself narrowly doing the same thing all the time.
I know some successful self employed people do several of those things at once -- might be event planner, dog walker, personal assistant and tech writer depending on what's going well and what they feel like doing. Sometimes these small home businesses don't bring in enough to live on by themselves but having a diverse set of them can bring more real security.
When I was in New Orleans as a street artist I also traveled to media conventions to sell celebrity portraits in graphite, ran art classes for up to six people at a time for which I was studying two weeks ahead of the class to have the project prepared and material understood, tarot reading in a tea shop and on Jackson Square, and one memorable day sat out getting cash for playing "House of the Rising Sun" on my guitar two days after I finally learned the dang song so that I could put "street musician" on the list of things I did while writing my novels and getting ready to sell them.
It was fun. It only stopped being fun when I got so sick I literally could not do anything, but that's disability -- without the disabilities I would never have been broke or homeless. I noticed this in the shelter. I was the only one among thousands of homeless people who came and went who had those self employment at varied skills backgrounds.
Some other good ones. Sell jewelry. It takes some capital to take up doing good costume jewelry like using silver findings and semiprecious stones, but not much to get a few good beads and make some earrings, sell those to purchase some findings, bootstrap that up from inexpensive but attractive beads into the actual nice carnelians, onyxes etc. Get a rock tumbler and throw lots of pebbles into that and put the dish of those out at fifty cents or a dollar each depending on size and how pretty they are once polished.
The jewelry thing especially has one really good one -- learn to do the decorative chain mail headdresses and hand flowers and the market demand is way higher than supply. There are some websites online where you can buy preformed links in various metals and those sites have some instruction and links to instruction sites on how to use them. Some investment but the high priced items sell well especially at conventions or for wedding gear -- many New Age brides prefer a crystal and chains headdress to a traditional veil and then continue to wear it on special occasions.
Oh yes. If you can sew, do alterations and that's another demand exceeds supply one. Many dry cleaners and bridal shops like having someone they can refer to. Depending on skill you can earn some errands level pay for basic mending or go on up into very high end bridal alterations and corseting as one old friend in New Orleans specialized in.
Literally anything you're good at can probably be turned into a home business as long as you wrap your head around the tax stuff and are capable of enough self discipline to spend your at-home time doing the work rather than just farting around on the net or playing games. The folks I knew who failed were the ones who spent more time playing Diablo than doing their work -- that is literally the most and only important thing to make self employment a success.
What sells or not and what's cost effective is constant trial and error and includes "what's cost effective in terms of fun vs. aggravation." Experience will lead to a level of starting up gigs where you can walk away from lucrative-but-aggravating gigs in the knowledge some next one will be just as lucrative but more suited to who you are as a person. Everyone's talents are different.
It's a wonderful way of life that often leads to less relying on credit and more good budgeting too -- it's amazing how making business purchases cost effective teaches good habits about all the personal spending too.
Ann, far as I know that is pretty close to spam / scam
Not heard of this site www.odesk.com so thanks for a new lead
Thanks pgrundy for great info! Very useful for many in these times.
I myself have been a home tutor and found it paid me well in addition to being free to do other things.
Loved this hub!!!
Self employment=Self Reliance!
TMG
Great hub.
I have been woring fom home online since Feb 2005 and I have to say I will never go back to the corporate world. People say get a good job but I alsays ask why? A job is paying you for your time to do thingsfor someone else. When you work for your elf building your business you earn what you are worth which is always more than a job will pay you for your time! And wehn done right a business that you own and run will never fire you or lay you off like a corporation will.
Great stuff here, PG. I've thought about being a web designer, but I don't know HTML. I put an online mall-type website together several years ago using a free service - I didn't need any HTML knowledge - and the site's design and look got raves from visiters and other webmasters, as well as a few web awards (I know those aren't real hard to get but it was still cool). Do you think someone who doesn't know HTML could ba a professional web designer?
Great! I work from home and love it. There are so many possiblities if you just look around and explore all the options.
Thank you everyone for the positive comments!
Teresa--I know what you mean about Elance. I fire about every sixth or seventh client there. It's kind of like standing on a corner in a Dickens novel hawking writin'! lol! Some days I feel like I'd do better picking pockets, but this year is much better than last year, and next year will be better than this year. I do thinks it gets easier and better over time.
Anne--That looks like a real spammy ad. I don't really have much control over what Google slaps onto my hubs--it's buyer beware, basically. Personally I never click on Google ads, anywhere, ever, but lucky for me other people aren't like I am. Don't believe that crap though--I mean, it's junk, of course.
Violetsun--I've visited Meetup but I never thought of using it that way. There's a ghostbuster group in my city that I keep meaning to join that posts there. What a resourceful person you are. Thanks for the tip!
Robert--GREAT ideas, great ideas. I've always wanted to make jewelry. I spend so much time writing, I never seem to get to anything else but I'd like to. My eldest daughter also did laundry for awhile, pick up and delivery included, and she had the same experience--more demand than there were people doing it. When I was working as a gardener, same thing--way more demand than people working.
TKIMWRSVC and Purple Pearl--Thank you for reading this and taking the time to comment. I appreciate it a lot.
Money Guy--Amen, amen!
Chris Stirling--Whenever I feel discouraged about writing for a living on my own I think of my cubicle at the call center and it snaps me right back into shape. I don't ever want to see another cubicle again. I'm 55 so I figure, I can do this. I can make enough to stay out of corporate America. I'm determined to do it--I hated my last 'job' so much, there are no words. Working for yourself is much better. Not easy, but better.
CW--You could totally do it, dude. Seriously, I've been thinking of taking some classes on it myself (they're tax deductible!) because I could get more and better paying work with both skills in my pocket. Go for it, you'd be great.
RGraf--I confess I love working at home too. It would be very, very hard to go back to a job at this point, especially with spring planting coming up. I have to spray the apple trees this week while its sunny. They take so many kinds of spray. Can't do that from a cubicle five miles away!
Great Hub PG. I have always believed I am the luckiest guy to be self employed and I have the greatest job. I buy art for other people. I started doing it for friends a couple of years ago, I would see something I thought they would like or go well in their space and buy it and they would pay me for it and throw a little extra cash my way for my troubles. Word eventually got around and then I started traveling to cities all over the United States and then eventually Europe as well and I would buy art for clients and they would pay me a commission. I would be doing the work for them essentially. Now I have a great relationship with a lot of galleries and so work comes easier. With the internet and MMS on the cell phones, now I can take pictures of some art and email or text it to my clients and they can tell me then and there if it is something they would like. It's a great gig but I have always wanted to write and still itching to do so. The grass is always greener huh? Thanks. PJ
What a cool job! I know a guy who does something similar with antiques, and he does very well for himself. BTW cool screenname--"Fight Club" is one of my favorite movies ever. "Choke," another great Pahlaniuk novel is coming out as a movie soon too I think.
Thank you for some great suggestions. I am working on doing more freelance writing to replace a part time position wage.
Great stuff as usual pgrundy. It should be helpful to lots of people.
Great hub Pam!!! This is very helpful; and when we get to Okla, I will be doing a variety of things, hoping more than one source of income will keep us in a few bucks. Great thinking and thanks for sharing it with us!!!
Thanks CWB, Marisue, and Trish. Good luck Trish & Marisue! CWB--I hope it is helpful. We are all gonna need lots all the help we can get, I fear.
My favorite work-at-home job: Blogging and/or hubbing. :) Pay is not that great, yet though. :)
Hi Pam! Great hub as usual! I wrote a hub a while back titled "Work for me or work for Thee?" In which I talked about the advantages of being an employee, an independent contractor, and completely self employed.
I prefer self employement for the reasons you mention and also for the fact that when the job is done, you don't have to look busy or find more work to do in order to satisfy a boss! You can go home, you can do ther things, or you can start the next project or job if you have one, all on your schedule, not on that someone else's. And if you have some event you want to attend, like a child's recital or ball game, you need not ask anyone's position. You just consider yourself 'booked up' for the time, and go!
Also, if you make your quarterly tax payments, you should be ok, especially if you also have a traditional job where withholding is done. But do be sure to talk to a tax professional if you're not sure. I did, and it helped me greatly, as taxes were one of my main concerns in starting my flyer distribution business. And, even if you don't itemize, (And I don't.), you can still deduct mileage expenses and health insurance premiums if you buy your own policy.
Luckily, the employer through which I have my traditional job, is very flexible and allows me freedom to set my own hours, so long as I put in 40 in a week. And since I work outdoors, distributing flyers, I am free from the office/cubicle life and don't have to adhere to a dress code. Then, my clients for my on-the-side flyer distribution self employment add additional income.
But I did work in an office once, for 13 years, and in various types of call center environments at different times, and while the employers were generally good to me, I still had to endure the dress codes, some office politics, the occasional overbearing or micromanaging supervisors (Though most were good. I was lucky that way.), and having to fight for time off or raises, so I certainly understand what you must have gone through at your last job. It's also why I decided that I wanted to work outdoors, either walking or driving, and no selling. So far, I've gotten what I wanted. I just need to make a bit more money, (and hopefully not lose what I have to the recession!), and I'll have it made!
I like your ideas and the ones suggested by some of the other hubbers' comments. I've also found that there are books on the subject of business startups. One I have is titled " Adams Businesses You Can Start Almanac" by Katina Jones. I don't know if it's still in print. Mine was published in 1996, so it is probably dated, but it has lots of good ideas, and also breaks down the ideas based on startup costs. And, it also has suggestions for how much to charge, again, these might now be higher due to the inflation since 1996, but I think it is still a good guide.
Again, great hub!
I enjoyed this hub very much. I am a coach and trainer. I keep shifting around what I do and who I do it with and who I do it for. I like being self-employed vs. being a contracter. Suits my independent nature.
Just read two good books on this topic: Mommy Millionaire and Will Work from Home.
Kate
Thanks PG. I'm thinking of learning HTML too (I learned some basics but since I didn't need them, didn't bother any further). Know of any good online classes?
You know, I never considered online classes, but that's a great idea. I don't know of any, but I'm going to look into it. I can't believe I never thought of that option. Thanks!
Hi Pam,
I work part-time as a self-employed hypnotherapist, although I have to say that clients are thinner on the ground these days since money got tighter. Alternative therapies can be quite well-paid, but you are dependant on a good flow of clients, and unlike beauty therapy etc, once you've cured your client there's no repeat business.
A friend of mine used to use a nappy service which I always thought was quite an enterprising, if a little smelly, way to earn a living. (I think you guys call them diapers! LOL!) Anyway, the dirty terry nappies are collected, and dropped back clean. All very green, but maybe quite labour intensive!
Hi Amanda,
I'm really interested in hypnosis and have thought about taking formal instruction many times. I think it is really effective for a lot of problems, often working much more quickly than conventional psychotherapy or even drug therapy. I've never done anything with it though. I'd love to.
I have to admit, I'm not getting rich working for myself. But my stress level is 1000% lower and I love being at home. I can work in the garden, walk the dog, cook, listen to the news--and still get my work done. Plus, I figure I save at least $200 a month in gas, food, clothes, stuff I don't spend money on because I'm not out running around. So far I make about what I made at the bank, on my own. I'd like for it to be more, but I'm happy with what it is.
Pam! On this topic--you should check out my article on Liveperson--that is a business that can be started today :) it's a tutoring & information service that connects experts to clients.
Check it out -- http://hubpages.com/hub/Tips-And-Advice-For-Succes
OH! doi, by the way--awesome article :)
good mastery of words and ideas. I wish I could write so clearly.
Good God, don't tell her that! Now we'll never hear the end of it... ;-)
As unemployment numbers are rising so are the numbers of those who are striking out on there own. I personally took that plunge well over a decade ago and have never turned back. If you think this move will mean working less and making more you will be mistaken. But the freedom of setting your own hours and priorities are well worth it to me.
Erick I agree--I haven't really counted up how many hours I work, but I'm pretty sure it works out to more than I worked at my 'job'. I will never go back though. It is so much more satisfying working for myself, at something I care about, at home.
Pam, thanks for all the ideas all written down in one place. If I ever get the time to take and really get into the various options I have, then I will be really happy. I am going to bookmark this and refer back to it in a few days.
Great article, Some of the suggestions are great and clear. one thing you covered a little bit, is that you need to treat it like a job, that way you'll get real results!
Thanks for the article once again, it was nice and clear, and got the point across.
Great ideas. I worked as a personal tutor for ages 5 to 20+ and put myself through college with the earnings from that job. Word of mouth from my clients got me 40 hours a week at one time.
I also started my own clowning business. I would do face painting, balloon folding and bring an arts and crafts project for children's birthday parties. I charged $50 for the first hour and $25 each additional hour. Clients signed a contract and paid 50% down, refundable only if I had to cancel. Most parties went 2 1/2 to 3 hours. This business flourishes in places that aren't economically stressed.
great idea and excellent work out...thanx for sharing....
have a look on this... i am sure you will love it....
http://hubpages.com/hub/Worlds-Most-Expensive-iPho
thanx
Greetings from the Russian hinterland! If I did not know what you are talking about the U.S., would have thought it was back on Russia. Let the long overdue, but we have the same problem. My main work is seasonal - from April to November, and winter forced to leave. And I was the second year - the long winter evenings, nights trying to build your own Internet business. But so far, unfortunately only for the soul ...
Excellent Work for net Communications
Kashinath
PGrundy, I didn't mean to neglect this hub that you wrote between the one about wages and the one about socialism. I think this topic is very important, too, and I appreciate the fact that you are covering it.
I agree that more of us would be happier working for ourselves. However, these work-for-yourself opportunities that you describe above are really jobs working for someone else. I mean, not as an employee, but also not as a producer. Every single one of the opportunities you mentioned is a matter of providing a service -- and a luxury service at that. You are counting on the fact that there are lots of people who ARE employed, and who don't have time to do things for themselves (sort out their closets or walk the dog) or who want to improve themselves (learn a foreign language or some other skill you have and they don't). If the economy collapses, everybody is going to be sorting out his own closet, and learning a foreign language might still be done, but not in exchange for money.
I've had these momentary delusions myself. I mean, I live in a community of around 400 people and none of them know any Hebrew. They all go to Church, and they all read their Bible, and wouldn't it be better to read some of it in the original? You'd think I'd be able to make a killing with private Hebrew lessons. There's just one problem -- nobody would pay good money for something he doesn't really want or need, especially when people are struggling to put food on the table. I understand that. I know there is no market for Hebrew lessons. Or lessons on translating metrical poetry or on how to teach a chimpanzee to write -- or any of my other wonderful, one-of-a-kind skills.
There is a music teacher who gives private lessons in our community. My daughter takes lessons from her. She is a good teacher, but she doesn't make $30.00 an hour for the lessons. It's $8.00 for a thirty minute lesson. I pay her $32.00 every four weeks. Clearly, she isn't making her living this way. She has a husband who supports her.
One of the things people don't realize is that the more educated you are, if you work at your profession, what you do is parasitic of what the people who support you do. This is why teachers have traditionally been dependent on the wealth of the community in which they lived, and a teacher in a rural district is paid less than a teacher in an urban district. This is also why the number of teachers that any community can support is limited. In order that one teacher may work exclusively at teaching, many, many families must till the soil.
That's an interesting take as alway, Aya. Thank you for posting it. I've worked as a gardener and a writer for about $25 an hour and had more work than I wanted. I don't have the ideological restraints that you do, so I'm glad to take the money. Clearly, in a poorer or more basic world, it won't work anymore, but I live in this world, here, right now. So far, working this way better than sitting in a cubicle with a headset welded to my ear.
What a person is able to charge and get for a service, as in all things, depends on demand and to a lesser degree on the skill and reliablity of the person providing the service.
The way things are going, Aya, many of us WILL be tilling the soil. At least in your part of the world you have soil to till. It's a little trickier when your gardening is done in a few pots on a small concrete terrace!
Pam, I do get what Aya is saying here, and it brought it home to me that many of my own ideas are about providing services. In a way, I think we've allowed manufacturing and production to disappear overseas to such an extent that we've actually stopped considering them as an option. Interesting times.
I think I get the point too, but my main focus here is things people can do easily, without a lot of capital, without much in the way of start-up costs, without owning land or owning much of anything, really. The theoretical end of it all is very interesting, but as you say, not everyone can grow all their own food and have chickens and what have you. People who live in apartments paycheck to paycheck who have just lost their jobs still need to eat.
I'm not proposing everyone start a service based business as a way to create a whole new society. I'm just saying, hey, you got laid off. You can still make some money without the IRS crawling right up your butt. Here's how. That's all I'm saying here.
Everyone is so extreme anymore. I find it enormously frustrating.
Sorry Pam
I didn't mean to be extreme. I'm on your side, Honest! Your ideas are great, and a lot of them will be a useful nudge in the right direction for people reading this hub. There still is some money around. I'm constantly amazed when walking round Brighton, just how busy the bars and restaurants still are. I think for the DINKys (Double income no kids) things are probably still fine and dandy. Deterioration is still creeping relatively slowly here in the South-East, and service industries are surviving so far.
I guess what I was thinking is, once we've unbuilt all that we've known to date, where do we go from there? At some stage we have to go back, if not to the beginning, at least to some mid-way point.
Oh I agree Amanda. I'm not irritated with you. Aya and I just have this ongoing thing whereby she tries to convert me to her view of things and I try to say no nicely over and over again, and sometimes I get irritable, mostly because I really don't see HOW we can undo everything and eliminate wage labor without people starving and dying and engaging in horrible tragic violence. If someone has a sense of how it will happen without that, I would love to hear it, I seriously would! I didn't mean to snap at you, OR at Aya either. I'm sorry if I sounded snappish.
The trouble as I see it is that 1) most people do not own enough land to be self sustaining and have no chance of ever owning enough land for this, and 2) most people have no skills for sustaining themselves if they did own land. It's not like it's easy. Sure you can grow vegetables, get some animals, hunt, forage--but you know, there's a reason why for millenia people lived in small tribes. The population we have now just isn't sustainable in that way. So how do I get enthused about some kind of back to nature renaissance when I know that WAAAAAY before that ever happens lots of people will suffer and die under desperate circumstances? I have no enthusiasm for it.
But beyond that, I have a different less severe view about what is valuable, what is possible, what is parasitic and what isn't. Sometimes the all you can do is the next right thing and leave the long view to fate. For me, the next right thing was getting out of that cubicle at that Satanic bank. But will small service-oriented work dry up eventually? Who knows? Maybe. Maybe not. Nobody knows really. Today I have to eat and pay bills, so this is how I'm doing it. So far, so good. (Plus we are planting a garden again this year too!)
Working home is actually taking a risk unless you have plenty of loyal clients to your business. I'm still looking forward to getting many benefits from the company i'm working in, but really wish to start working at home.
Thank yoru for your thoughts eyewearspy. Everything is a risk anymore. Good luck in your new job.
LOL Pam, Aya does not always communicate her views in a way that you used to. I often understand her better, probably because of ESL :)
I think all what she is saying that she thinks most of the jobs you are describing here will become obsolete in a few months, and demand will shift to much more basic things like shoe repair :) Words like "parasitic" is rather an attempt to categorize jobs than an attempt to put a moral label on them :)
Oh, and I am afraid it will not come without blood...
Wonderful article and absolutely great ideas!!! :)
I've worked for myself or for my own company for many years since leaving a big corporation. What I would suggest is to steer clear of home businesses that require a lot of investment in equipment, software etc. The problem there is that your costs are high whether you're busy or not. But if you can provide a knowledge-based service then, between jobs, your outlay reduces to what you need to live day to day.
u can even add Internet Marketing (SEO, PPC) in ur list
Misha--I think you put your finger on something and it is very helpful thank you. I am always interested in what Aya has to say but sometimes I feel like we are speaking two different languages. It never once occured to me that maybe that is because we are! lol!
Paraglider, AE, & Viva--thanks for your thoughts on this. I am worried about people here right now, how they will survive. I was just trying to be helpful. Service based businesses are the cheapest to start, but yes, in a few years they many vanish. Still, for today it's a week's groceries, the electric bill, whatever.
I used to go to a "real job". I made $35K a year in my old fancy job where I have to wear coat and tie, and slave for 8 hours a day and deal with stupid bosses. I know the company's client got charged $150 per hour for every hour of work I do on their project, but I only get 1/10th of that.
I quit that job, and have been working for myself at home in my own business for the past 9 years now. I don't make $35K a year... I make $15-$20K a month. I even started another new business and that one brings in an extra $5K-$7K a month.
I will never work for somebody again.
Nice picture. I love the location of the computer stuff. It feels so relax while woking.
A subject that is on the front burner these days. Too many people looking to "work at home" for the first time really don't want "to work". They think they should be able to just sign up and check the mailbox for a check. If you are fortunate enough to find a legitimate opportunity, it will be work. Fantastic hub as always. Enjoyed it.
Thanks Bill. I think I do work harder from home than I did at the bank. I probably put in more hours than I think I do at home. I don't keep very close track. But I like it much better. You're right--you can't just check your mailbox and hope money is there. You have to actually do the work first!
Excellent hub that is very useful for these days. It's good to point out that hard
work will get you everywhere. Alot of those "get rich" schemes out there fail to mention this because it doesn't market well.
Thanks for the info!
-TRiG
Hi TRG--Yes I think you are right. My experience with working for myself has been that the trick is to just start working--for myself. But it does involve actual work!
Nice Nice Nice!!!
really great hub which has attracted lots of constructive comments - I've worked fro home as a langugae teacher and translator, now I blog and Hub - couldn't work for anybody else ...
Great advice and really packed with information. Enough for you to really think about. Again thanks.
I've been a home based business owner for going on 5 years on a full time basis. I could not imagine ever going to work for someone else. I do not consider myself to be self employed, which in my mind is not much different than being employed by someone else. You are still trading hours for dollars. If you don't work, you don't get paid.
You mentioned google ads in this discussion, and that is a good example of residual income. It is small increments, but a good writer can really make some good money with Google Adsense. I am a strong believer of taking something that you love and turning it into a business. When you are passionate about what you are doing, you never are really working, and the money comes in increasing amounts.
Yes, there are a lot of scams out there, but there are legitimate ways to make money online as well. People need to do their research and choose wisely. It is easy to get caught up in hype and it is those "dream seekers" that end up buying dream after dream. Be realistic, choose a niche that you are passionate about and that you have some knowlege about and learn how to market yourself.
JMHO
Hi Karen,
This is my second year writing for money, and most of my income is still project-related, but it is increasing. I do have to work to make money, but I'm also seeing my residual income go up this year, and I recently got a website up (finally) that I am neglecting badly, but I got it functional anyway. I never charge an hourly rate, but I do project work. For me it is worth it because I get to do work I care about not just rote BS I dont' care about. I see myself moving toward doing more of what I want for more money bit by bit. I don't look at it like if it isn't working today it isn't working. Even vegetables have to have time to grow! lol! Thanks for your thoughts and best of luck to you!
Very good post PJ. Thanks a lot.
Hi pgrundy,
I sure didn't mean to imply that making money from home comes fast or without effort, just that it can be done, and the scams can be avoided. I think that you are a fine example of taking something that you enjoy doing and building that into a business. You are clearly an outstanding writer, and your income is increasing. Over time, I predict that you will find ever increasing ways to monetize your work, and your income will continue to grow even on days you don't actually write.
I'm really enjoying reading your hubs!Karen
Thanks Karen!
The best thing about self employment is that you can take a break when ever you want and it gives you a feeling of independence.
I enjoy reading this, great list of business ideas to start with and also like your arguement of working for self instead of somebody who can't pay ten bucks an hour. the days of working a job for 30 years and retiring are over in this day and age.
Lots of fantastic ideas here, from both you and your readers. Of course! Your topics always generate lively conversation, and this one's no exception.
Having had my share of experiences with home-based businesses (well, money-generating adventures, if not real businesses), I thought I'd offer two more ideas.
A bit of a spin-off on the personal chef service is catering. Years ago a friend and I were asked, by another friend, to cater a 10-person dinner party. We prepared some of the food in our own homes and the rest "on-site". It was such a success that we found ourselves in the happy position of turning down requests. We never advertised. All of our jobs were from word-of-mouth references. The keys here were quality food and service as well as personal networking.
About 20 years ago I needed a sturdy canvas tote for hauling books around. I had seen one I liked, but didn't want to pay the price. So I copied the design, stitched up the tote on my sewing machine, and then monogrammed the finished piece with my initials. I got so many compliments on this tote that I decided to make totes for friends and family as Christmas presents. Again, word spread, and pretty soon I was in business. The key to success here was a quality, personalized product at a good price.
Neither of these adventures generated a lot of money (I think they could have, but the time was not right for me to pursue them in a bigger way), but I loved what I was doing and I was supplementing the family income quite nicely. As others have advised, do what you love and do it well...the rest will come.
Hi Sally's Trove!
That has always been my experience as well--that anything I am able to do halfway well results in more work than I want to take on. That was certainly the case with gardening. Right now, I probably work more at my writing than I really want to, but I'm trying to build it up. When I did the gardening, I worked mornings and always got more calls than I could take.
Lots of people prefer to work with an individual or a couple of personable people instead of a big business, and it can be good for everyone when it works out. Thanks for your thoughts!
Thank You for your incite. There are so many possible home businesses. I too, have researched many of them. I would like to suggest to your readers do a simple cost analysis.
Is your start up cost going to be $10's, $100's, or $1,000's?
Are you already spending on products or services that will be incorporated into your business?
By turning what you like to do into your home business, will it save you money?
Will one of your home businesses create residual income?
When the worst case of having a home business is saving money with insider pricing and tax benefits, JUST DO IT. Remember, Keep your eyes wide open. Unless you are ripping people off, or spending millions in advertising there is no getting rich quick. There can be steady growth by providing great value and/or service.
Best Wishes to Everyone!
Great hub and discussion. I've been on my own for 12 years and my sales are different year to year, but I make a good living from my businesses. What I find is that when I work harder to provide the best service possible to my clients, they come back and refer others to me.
I believe that there is little competition for those who are willing to provide the best service whether it's selling a service or a product. There are so many people who are looking for a quick buck and people recognize that. They also recognize great service and most will reward you for it.
Even in this economic environment, it is still difficult to find good service providers. I've experienced it with painting contractors and repair services.
My point is that in any business, the best businesses will do better than others. This certainly includes home based businesses.
Thanks again for a great discussion.
I've been a Virtual Assistant for almost 2 years and loving it - it's brought so much to my life both emotionally and professionally. I'd been searching for years for that 'real' work at home opportunity!
fantastic hub. great ideas.
i've been working as a freelance trainer for about 3 years now. A lot of companies in India do not like to hire full time Training & Development people. But they still want their staff trained in several areas. So they outsource their training needs to training companies. Now these companies have fixed training programs and schedules which they are unable to customize to the extent that the client would want. Individual trainers have an advantage here. They would also charge less than a company would and make completely customized programs. I hvae certainly found this useful.
I've been thinking of starting a business involving food as I just love to cook. I am looking at catering food for kids parties.
ggod
I love your hub. Great ideas. I have always wanted to be a pet walker :) Maybe this is the right motivation needed.
Cheers,
Good work!
This is a "game changing" statement... "
A corporation can let you go in a moment, but when you are self-employed, all of your clients have to fire you in order for you to be out of work. And if any of your clients turn into a constant hassle, you can fire them. "
Great Hub!!
Thanks you guys.
I don't pretend to have any answers, I just have ideas. Some of them work, some of them don't...
Tim I just am so sick of corporate work. It's gotten to be such a bad deal for the worker. I hope better choices emerge as time goes on. :0)
I really enjoyed this hub. Especially the cat in the picture at the top :).
I really liked reading this hub and your humor. I definitely agree It's harder to get laid off or fired when you are your own boss. I have been working for myself for two years now after quitting my 9 to 5 and I love it. Before I was doing the online business plus a 9 to 5 which was totally not worth all the strss and trying to raise small children.
I really like working at home.
Fantastic hub PGrundy. Since closing our retail storefront, the allure of "freedom" has been ringing in my ears. Even though it was our own business, the overhead, the hassle and the restrictions made me feel like I was "bound up". Now I am free again...broke for now but free! And the money I am making as an independent contractor is slowly working it's way up....and up...
I love working from home! I love getting out and teaching art to the children too because they are so non-threatening...so unlike corporate America!
Hi, I'm new here- only putup 2nd part of my Be your own bos journey- I read your article, and will take your advice seriously. enjoyed reading iyt- and very helpful, I really like the idea of an online business tho' Reality can be another matter all together!
Nice job with your hub. I work from home myself and for the most part love it. No annoying, distracting coworkers. A great cafeteria in short walking distance. Freedom to wear my pink bunny slippers whenever I like...
Yeah, I think it's for me. :)
Great hub! I work from home making children's pillowcase dresses and I like it so much better than the job I went to college for! I go to a few craft shows, but I plan to do that only as long as it takes to get the word out, then I plan to sell my dresses mostly on line. It's rare to see a really helpful article about self emplyment on the web. This one is really good. Thanks.
I agree with the concept, but the listed "jobs" i do not agree with. As the economy falters, people are stepping away from most of these services and opt to do them without hiring them done, and this trend will likely continue.
I have been making my living online since 2001, and I actualy make a large portion in one field so touched on as a scam. I have had affiliate based sites since 2001 and they pay off great. I know that you stated not to buy some "affiliate program". And that is the difference. All real affiliate programs are free to join and you get paid for referals basically, but you have got to learn the ropes to do this and make good money.
Like I stated, I believe your concept is right on target, I just believe you missed on the listed jobs because of the economic turmoil and people are tightening up on cash, opting to walk that dog theirself.
I would lean more towards the elance, blogging reviews (no html required) , this way you could review needs instead of wants, because this is the trends of the future. Soon to be gone are the days of providing services that are for people with good money and limited time to walk that dog, or even a personal chef or catering service.
I am lucky, as I already have the residuals already with need based products and services, not luxuries.
Again, I stress that you are in the right book, just think on the wrong page of the book for the current times.
You do have a captivating writing style.
Thanks,
Jim
good hub and comments here. I like the idea of working for myself, yet I am entering the teaching profession. Teaching nearly everything will always be in demand. Gave me some food for thought.
Fantastic suggestions! I myself have been looking into some web design and redesign work lately, for small-medium sized B&Bs. I've spent years working with hotels and inns, know what kind of info people want when they look on a website, and I'm amazed at just how few websites actually bother to put that information on there, or put it in some obscure section that nobody would think to look in. The lagging economy could even potentially help me out with marketing that redesign project to innkeepers: after all, how many people can afford to give a sloppy first impression to paying customers these days? :p
I didn't know that some tech writing was outsourced, either. That's definitely something I'll have to look into.
Thanks for the great Hub!
Great article! Even better! My significant other turned me on to it.
I have also made a living working(my butt off) for a magazine, and have done landscaping and a bunch of other things as well, but you are so right. Nothing beats working for yourself.
I think we may try a couple of your suggestions. We will let you know how it works out!
great hub! very informative; I've always figured those internet scammy jobs were bogus - now confirmed! I think with my OCD, there would be a lot of clams in being a pro organizer.... Hmmmm... now all i need to find is some rich messy people.
I just signed up for Hub Pages an hour ago and have already read two of your articles. I really like this one. I needed someone to talk some sense into me about going out and finding a job. Small business is the way to go. There are many people in this country who are not affected by the economy, who have money and who are willing to spend it on a service you can provide. Why not give them what they need and make some good money doing it? Wonderful articles. Thanks again!
Very powerful article... it's surprising how many people overlook this type of information. Hopefully many people will read this and get some ideas on how they can take control of their own personal economy.
I am in the process of leaving the 9 to 5. Thanks for the article.
Good luck Nikij!
Laid Off Real Home Based Businesses You Can Start Today
very good, I support you, come on , welcome to my hub!
Nice hub! Being you own boss is the greatest job in the world :)
Good article...
I believe making How-To DVDs is a good source of income. The Video Professor is a good example. Good information about this type of business isn't freely available.
I think one of the big advantages fo working for yourself is that you spread the risk: whether you have one business with lots of clients or a number of websites all producing you income if one goes bad or stops paying it doesn't mean that you lose your entire income - as you do if lose a job! Great hub - not sure how I missed it before!
Hi Lissie--I agree, I like working this way. It's not all dreamy and perfect, but it beats the hell out of cubicle life!
I have been working at home whole my life. Graet hub, Thank you
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And now with the world crisis, more and more people are trying to find alternative means of making money.
Great hub.
I've been ouit of contract for 6 months so I may have to go back into the corporate world to get anough capital to try ideas. Of the things you suggest Tech writer and instructor would suit me. I could teach anyone to program a computer, but they would have to make the leap to programmr for themselves.
I would add translator to your list. Interpreter is another thing: Not everyone can do it and it can be very exhausting. Patent writing is more problematic. I only know one client would take unqualified writers and they pay about $2 an hour as I recall, but they do generate loyalty in their writers.
You gloss over the problem of finding clients. As an IT professional I left that to agencies and recruiters so it is a block from my viewpoint.
Meetup sounds like a good idea
Hi AlexK--Those are good suggestions and refinements, thanks! I didn't mean this to be exhaustive by any means, and you're right--I didn't much go into the issue of finding clients. You're right too about the difference between being an interpreter and a translator. It's subtle but yes, the interpreter's job is much more stressful. My ex was a translator for the FBI for one year, and all he did was transcribe what was said and translate it into English. But when I was in call centers I worked with interpreters a lot and they are right in the middle of two people speaking two different languages and it can get very hard on them. I've been on the phone with interpreters who snapped at the customer to shut up! They have to translate live AND somehow understand the issue themselves. It's a very demanding job.
Great Hub again Pam, love your stuff.
Hi Pam,
I just want to empasize how true it is what you said about if you want to start working from home, you can just go out there and do it! It is almost literally THAT easy - especially with the internet and all it has to offer. It doesn't have to be complicated. I love running my business from home - wouldn't have it any other way! Thanks for the great hub, Laura
Thanks Ken & Laura!
Working from home has been the best move I've made in a long time. The Astrology and counselling are going great. It's an up and down business, depending on client flow of course but it certainly beats clocking on at an office and making someone elses life easy. I was tired of making others wealthy and me getting crumbs. I can also do the meditation class option having done so much myself. So it's another thing to fall back on. Just had to make the move and do it.
Hi Jewels,
Yes I like it too. I can't imagine having a 'real' job again. Not that I wouldn't like one if could get one. For me, it was more a matter of necessity. But now that I've taken the plunge I'm so much happier. I notice I don't spend nearly as much money anymore either. A tank of gas lasts me a month or more. :)
It shows how much it costs you working for someone else, personally and financially.
PGrundy you must have been a supervisor at your call center job the way you rake in the comments. Good job on your article and I am always impressed with your substance. I have tried the jewelry selling and tutoring after leaving a salaried government job. I have also tried mystery or secret shopping of which I have written a hub. I enjoyed the jewelry business because of the profit margin and still does the jewelry selling on the weekends. I normally use the internet for buying wholesale and in bulk then selling retail. I was a government buyer and can't seem to get away from buying. I turned to blogging seeking an inside cooler way of making money but now know that writing is more or less a stress reliever and finally getting recognition for hard work with increased readership. The tutoring was the most lucrative and I enjoyed teaching elementary students but I like interacting with my jewelry customers too. I have signed up with another tutoring service and plan on keeping my jewelry selling business. One of the commenters mentioned making jewelry which I have done. It gives great satisfaction to see a customer purchase something that you handcrafted. It also gives great satisfaction to have readers to enjoy your written articles. Thank you for drawing in the comments as usual. I have enjoyed reading the article.
Thank you Linda--I appreciate you taking the time to comment. Best of luck on all your endeavors! You sound like a busy lady.
I liked the way you didn't just mention the same old stuff other people usually spout out about making money online from home businesses and franchise opportunities, the jobs you listed just seemed more realistic to achieve, especially if you already have experience like anything in life, it all comes down to the person to fit the home based opportunities with already existing skills.
I used to do the gardening thing by knocking on elderly residents doors and asking if they would like their lawns shaved and bushes trimmed and it went fine until one elderly lady took offence to me mentioning her bush needed trimming...sigh it was ok till it lasted!!
great site
Thank you for all the great tips and advice. I think that if you have the drive, you can start your own business and make it successful. You just have to be sure that it is doing something that you love and can see yourself doing for quite some time, as it is much easier to get burned out working for yourself than working for an employer.
@ Ann Right - Please dont fall for it,Its a scam.People,please dont waste your money on it.Its a part of the affiliate marketing system.
Quite impressive!
Great Info! It IS refreshing to se actual ideas and not some lame, as you said "Gimme money, and do this..." stuff.
Thanks
Erin
very very great article ,
thanks ,
wish you to your success
Cool... nice tips... Money is anywhere. It is how you explore your talents and share it to everyone. You are not just earning but you also help other people who desires to to earn in the future.
:)
some good ideas thanks!
Your article has many good ideas about the Home-base-business issue, and the way that one can make money there. I just started my own web page in the affiliate marketing, and I know that writing good articles in blogs will trigger a high traffic in my page. The English is not my first language, but eventhough,I won’t be discourage to take action and go ahead in this adventure. I hope some day I'll can mantain my web business from the cabin of my sail boat, traveling the Caribean islands, LOL. Thanks for your exelent blog. Not in vane you have such high ranking en HP!!
Hi everyone--thank you for your comments, and good luck to all of you!
I don't say this much so take it as a compliment!
This is a very good read!
-Pete
great article, we have internet people, half of us can work from home now...
Wonderful collection of ideas and very useful for people who want to get started but are not yet sure how. I made a link to your page from my hub, http://hubpages.com/hub/Ready-to-start-your-own-bu so more people may profit from your business ideas. I enjoyed reading your hub.
wow, I Love this hub!!! So much idea in one page! I am your #1 Fan
Thanks Cash Google! Good luck!
I am new to this site.I just came across your article which was great, and encouraging. I worked in a factory for over 30 years, and it closed and moved to Mexico 5 years ago, I was out of a job and no money. I was 55 at the time. I took some computer classes and started my own cleaning business. I love my work and I have great clients. Being your own boss is the best. I have to say it was really that easy to get started. I hope this will encourage other people to just do it. Kay_can
Kaycan--What a great success story. Thank you for sharing it and best of luck to you!
good job!thanks a lot
Seriously great info and inspiration. I just need to find my niche. Maybe you can write a hub about finding one's niche.
Thanks rpgshow.com!
izetti--I need to find mine too. I'll take that hub under considerations, but since I"m kind of in the same boat it might be hard. Other other hand, maybe if I write the hub it'll halp me find it. Thanks for commenting. :)
Great thoughts for anyone still looking for a way to be self-employed.
Very nice hub a lot of good points made. There are a lot of interesting ideas. I make jewelry but don't have a lot of money to put into it and my real love is freelance writing. Just got a tip today about a little work for me to do writing for a travel magazine just piecework of course so I hope it pans out. It would be fun! Work is scarce around here people just don't have any money to pay with. You are an excellent writer. Thanks!
Thank-you so much for shareing this, I have been thinking of working from home for a while, but had no idea where to begin. This hub has given me some good solid and useful ideas. Thanks again, looking forward to reading more of your hubs!
Gret Job on presenting information of relevance!
Great article!! I want to work from home because I have a small child and about to have another one. I played flute for years and never thought about giving lessons! I think I am definitely going to do that...probably not till summer time mostly because I have a new baby on the way and there is no way I will have the time. But I am definitely going to look into it! Thanks for the ideas and helpful article!
Teresa McGurk says:
9 months ago
Yep. I've already fired one of my Elance buyers, without him even realizing he'd been fired. He even paid me 50% of the agreed price for the whole project, too; which was 20% more than I thought I would get for 30% of the work. I could tutor kids, I know -- but I did that all through grad school as well as the teaching assistantships the college gave out, and I always swore I'd never do it again. Never say never, eh?
Great hub, informative, useful, and very very practical. Thanks for the ideas and the honesty.