Make Money From Home: Getting Started
Curious if you could make money from home and leave your commute behind? Whether you’re motivated by the cost of gas or the desire to be home with the kids, learning how to make money from home can have a huge positive effect on personal and family finances.
I’ve been working from home for nearly five years, ever since I left my assistant editor position at a newspaper to be home with my first son. My first work at home position was for a local association, and I worked in the office one day a week and at home two days. This part-time position gave me the confidence that I could make money from home, and helped me transition from employee to self-employed freelancer.
While my income was only supplementary to my husband’s income the first couple years, it became more substantial as I learned how to maximize my efforts and find the right niche for me. You can do the same, and the path you choose will depend on your situation.
* Find out if you can continue to work for your current employer in a telecommuting capacity, whether keeping your present position or in a new role. If your job require little in-office, face-to-face interaction with your coworkers or clients, telecommuting is a real option, as long as your company agrees. Find out about tax credits for companies that encourage telecommuting – the right incentive might make a difference.
* Transition from an office job to a self-employed position by building up your own business on the side while still working for your current employer. For example, if you plan to consult form home, begin making business contacts and starting contracts outside of your day job. Be careful not to violate any contracts or company policies while you are an employee, however.
* Go cold turkey. If money is not essential from the get-go, or if you have enough saved to cover expenses while you begin to make money from home, you can give notice to your job one day and begin your work-from-home journey as soon as you leave the company. Since it can take some time to get your income up to speed, this is only recommend if you’re not relying on current income to pay the bills.
Remember to have a back-up plan as you plan your work-from-home career, and network with others in your field, both online and in real life. Sometimes, the best opportunities come when you least expect them.
How do you plan to make money from home? Share your transition plans, below.
