Can You Work At Home AND Make Money?  YOU BET!

Attention Moms & Dads looking for a work at home opportunity! How many times have you asked yourself, "Why can't I find work to do from home where I can make a good part-time income?"

You think to yourself that it's impossible, or it's just some kind of elusive dream that just doesn't exist.  After all, what job can you do from home that pays a decent income AND can be done with the kids running around your feet? 

I'm here to tell you that this "job" does exist.  Not only does it exist, but that it's actually fun!  I am someone that has been out of the corporate world for about eight years now.  I decided to stay home with my son when he was two years old, and the company I worked for shut its' doors in 2000 after failing to raise the capital needed to stay in business. 

I have a Master's degree with a specialization in Marketing, and have worked for five different start-up companies.  My specialty is in the marketing, advertising, and promotions arena.  Since being away from Corporate, I have researched MANY different ways to earn an income from home and I am astounded at how many ways this can be done.  I personally use four legitimate ways (one is passive income) to make money from home while staying home with my two kids (I have tested and succeded at others but these four are the most fun). I consistently make approximately $1,000 a month and in any given month, I could make much more.  I set up a separate business account and use a portion of this money to fund my own IRA since I don't work for a company that allows me to contribute to a 401K(Oh, wouldn't Suze Orman be proud of me?!), a portion for walk- around-money, and a portion for learning/education tools such as books and e-books.

So what are my four income generating businesses?

Of course, eBay is the number one way that ANYONE regardless of education can make a nice part-time income from the comfort of their own home.  If you are a non-eBayer reading this, or if you are just an eBay buyer not a seller yet, get into the game!  It is so easy to setup your account because eBay walks you through the steps as if they are standing next to you holding your hand.  I have been on eBay for many years and find that it's so much fun.  My old college roommate turned me on to eBay.  She was selling Lots of buttons.  Just buttons she found at fleamarkets and estate sales.  She was making sometimes between $40-$60 for a Lot of buttons that she paid maybe $1 or $2 for.  And the shipping she said was so simple.  When she told me this, I decided to sell an autographed picture of Michael Hutchence and the band from INXS.  It went for $45 and I too was hooked.  I have sold so many different things on eBay--anything from coupons to books, handpainted items to children's clothes.  I am not a PowerSeller but I certainly make money.  By the way, don't let the PowerSeller title fool you....some PowerSellers barely make enough to cover their expenses so that title doesn't necessarily mean they are raking in the big bucks.  The items that I sell I usually get for free or for next to nothing (A topic perhaps for my own e-book!) and I make money!

The other way I make money is by selling used and new books on Amazon.  I can't believe how much money can be made by doing this!  And this too is fun!  To wake up in the morning and check my email to see that I've sold a $100 text book that I got for free is so exciting.  Again, most of my inventory for this venture is free or cost me next to nothing for what I can sell the books for.  And it also doesn't hurt that I love to read and find many good books for my own library or for my kids'. 

The third way I make money is by Mystery Shopping which is sometimes called Secret Shopping.  This is where a mystery shopping company is hired by another company to evaluate their customer service experience.  The mystery shopping company then hires someone like me to do the "shopping."  I follow the mystery shopping company's guidelines and when I'm done, I fill out a short evaluation form online including a description of my experience and submit it.  I get paid to do this.  My compensation varies with the type of shop I complete.  It can be anywhere from $7 to $100 or more (I earned $150 for shopping 15 Philadelphia Airport vendors).  Plus, you can eat and/or drink for free and get free merchandise on occassion.

This is a "real" job and not a scam!  The only scam part would be if you are charged to register with a mystery shopping company.  To register with legitimate mystery shopping companies should be free.  I am a recognized Silver Certified shopper with the MSPA (the industry organization) which means I am a serious mystery shopper who has taken an exam to show that I understand what mystery shopping is and its' importance to companies.  There is also a Gold Certified shopper status and for this you need to attend a one-day seminar and complete an exam).  As a side note....you do NOT need to be a Silver or Gold certified shopper to get shopping jobs!

Mystery shopping is a serious occupation that's tons of fun.  However, there is work involved and the reports you fill out are very important to the client.  Yes, you get to shop and for most shops you can bring the kids (however, I could not bring my kids when I test drove an Audi for $100).  If the "job of mystery shopping interests you, and you are new to this type of opportunity.  I do recommend a service that can offer you the following:

• Free, monthly teleconferences for training and networking
• Ongoing shopper training
• Detailed descriptions of the best shopping job resources with links directly to the application forms.  Reviews by experienced shoppers are also included.
• Fresh, not recycled job listings--many with advanced or exclusive notice
• A special reminder program to help shoppers manage jobs

If you want to learn more about this type of service and the types of shops I've completed, check out My About Me Page.

The fourth way I make money and it's somewhat passive income for me is being an Arbonne International Independent Consultant.  The products are awesome (they do work--especially the Nutrimin C RE9 anti-aging products) due to their botanically-based ingredients, and I don't need to do home parties.  Some women make big bucks from this business and I personally know a few of them.  I have clients that consistently re-order from me and that's enough for me right now.  I enjoy the variety of the other businesses I'm involved in!  But if you are interested in the products or even starting your own Arbonne business, there is a link from My About Me Page to my Arbonne website where you will find the latest monthly specials, as well as information on the business.

I hope I helped shed some light on what types of businesses can be done from home.  They all take work, they all are not "get rich quick" type businesses but they all are lots of fun and can be done part-time from home while being home with the children.  However, if you are able to do any of these full-time, they you can make as much as you want in your own business, being your own boss.  How much fun is that??!!  If you want to read about more creative ways to earn an extra income, save money, or to find that perfect deal, check out my blog called "mymochamoney."  More about the blog can be found on My About Me Page .

Good luck and I hope you found this guide helpful in some way.  Here's to your success!

Melissa