Some businesses require you to work outside the home, either in a storefront, an office, or some other specialized location. But there are many businesses you can work on, or even start from your home. With many you can even have flexible hours.

Do you like to craft? Set up an online shop at Etsy to sell your handmade items.
Do you enjoy photography? You can sell your photos at several online photo galleries. Most pay you when your photo is downloaded, some popular photos and digital images are downloaded hundreds, and even thousands of times. One of my favorites is istockphoto.com.
Create …read more

Earlier today, I wrote about how I often have trouble remembering the day of the week because I’m so busy with freelancing. Ok, maybe saying “often” is dramatic, but when you work at home (and often on weekends), it can be really easy to get caught up in work every single day, never really taking time for yourself. And that’s really not healthy.
I guess I should consider myself lucky, since I don’t have kids or a husband to fill my time, but I do have obligations, like a boyfriend and a pet, as well as a part-time job at a …read more

Unless you have a form of dementia or other mental disease, it shouldn’t be hard to keep track of the day, right? At least, if you don’t know the exact date, you should be able to get close and be able to tell others the day of the week. Right? RIGHT?
Thank god I carry my calendar/schedule with me just about everywhere. The other day I nearly drank milk that was over a week outdated, because I really thought that it was still good. I also regularly miss garbage and recycling days because I forget the day of the week. I …read more

You should first read part one, where I talk about some of the disadvantages to becoming a freelancer writer in order to stay at home with your kids.
To review, while I think there are some excellent writers who also happen to be mommies, I’m sick of the trend where moms are becoming writers, even though they have no skills or experience, because they think it is an easy way to stay at home with their kids.
Now, I don’t have kids of my own. Someday, I hope to drop to freelancing part time while I also stay at home to raise …read more

I often see freelance writing advertised as a “work at home” opportunity. Now, of course, anyone can work from the home, but “stay at home” or “work at home” jobs are most associated with parents who want to be at home for their children. Otherwise, the person typically refers to their job as “telecommute” or “freelance” instead.
So if freelancer writing is so commonly associated with staying at home, is it true – is it really the perfect job for a mommy (or daddy) who doesn’t want to put the kids in day care?
Maybe.
I have a problem with the number of …read more

I run my small business from home, or wherever I have electricity and an online connection. Sometimes I feel like I’m always working. I’m not complaining, because I love owning my own business, and I love the flexibility I have. BUT… sometimes it’s hard to walk away for a little while.
There’s always one more thing I think I can get done in a day. But some days I have to admit it’s exactly the opposite. Because I work at home family and friends think I can drop everything and help them out, or run errands. They don’t understand that I …read more

Usually, when I’m working I prefer quiet to noise. If the TV is on, I get sucked in to old episodes of Full House. Radio isn’t much better, especially because the DJs in my area are hilarious.
The one thing I will have as background noise, occasionally, is music. I thought it would be fun today to share your favorite work playlist! I have a special list of songs that are my favorites as I’m writing. Yours might change daily. In any case, leave a comment telling us what makes your “I’m hard at work” playlist right now! Here’s mine:

“Use Somebody” …read more

Recently, the NY Times reported that Job Losses Rise in June as Unemployment Reaches 9.5% so transitioning from working a 9 to 5 (Corporate job) to Working at home (WAH) is slowly becoming a norm. According to this article,
The American economy shed 467,000 jobs last month, and the unemployment rate rose to 9.5 percent from 9.4 percent, its highest level in 26 years, the Labor Department reported on Thursday. Job losses were widespread among the construction, manufacturing and business and professional services sectors.
In being affected by this, the common worker must make a decision in what will be their next steps to …read more

Without a doubt, one of the worst things about freelancing is that other people don’t “get it.” I love my family and friends, but few of them actually understand that I work just as hard – if not harder – than someone with a 9-to-5. I’m a small business owner.
And it’s degrading when someone thinks that my time isn’t as valuable as their own. Yes, I have flexibility in my schedule, but that doesn’t mean I can dog-sit, watch you kids, or otherwise take time out of my day to do things for you. My time is spent working.
That said, …read more

Let’s take a break from talking about business today and instead talk about something fun – snacks! I don’t know about you guys, but this week’s been super busy, and I could sure use the break.
Working at home isn’t good for the waistline, if you’re anything like me. I guess the same is true with any office job where you’re sitting most of the day, but when you’re at home and your kitchen is RIGHT THERE…
To help battle the bulge, I’d started stocking my cupboards with healthier snacks. That way, when I do chow down, at least I’m making better …read more