Just because you want to work at home does not mean that you want to be the owner of a business. You may simply want the freedom of working at home for an already established company.

This is completely acceptable & often easier to do than owning the business yourself. You may not want all the headaches, responsibilities and obligations that come with owning your own business. The real problem is how to find a legitimate work at home job. How do you avoid the numerous scams and rip-offs out there? And which ones really work?

Ads for scams are normally filled with the following type of wording: Be Paid $2 for each envelope you stuff - Make $1000's a week from home - $5000 a Week & We do All the Work For You! The Get-Rich-Quick Wording and how you won't have to do anything is a dead giveaway that this is most likely a scam. The old adage is very true -- If it sounds to good to be true, it probably is.

You also must be very wary of any company that wants you to send them a large sum of money to get started with them. Most of these are scams, although there are some very legitimate companies that require a sum of money to cover the costs of equipment or materials that they will be sending you. Now, you have to be smart here....Does $200 sound like a reasonable amount to send to get started stuffing envelopes at home? Of Course Not! But if an electronics company was going to send you all the equipment and components to make Circuit cards would a $100 deposit sound reasonable? Of Course it would. Remember, a lot of this is just plain old God given common sense.

Now your saying, "Ok Betty, How do I get started?"

You can purchase a work at home Directory. There are many for sale in classified ads online and offline. You can even find a few in your local book store. Once you find and purchase a directory that you like you will receive a directory that lists the names of companies that hire home based workers. It is left completely up to you to contact the companies you are interested in.

Should you decide to purchase one of these directories, I highly recommend you check out the company you are buying it from with the BBB in their area first. You should also make sure that there is a money back guarantee. Once you receive your directory it is advisable for you to check out all of the companies you are interested in contacting with the BBB in their areas as well.

While deciding which companies you are interested in be sure to pay attention to whether or not you need to send them any money and why they require you send money first. As noted earlier you will have to use your own common sense and best judgment to be sure it is not a scam.

Becoming a reseller is another easy way to begin working at home. There are thousands of opportunities online, as well as offline. The Internet is littered with reseller/ affiliate programs. There are many sources that can help you choose an affiliate program but I like the following: http://www.the-work-at-home.com/bor.htm http://www.associateprograms.com http://www.associate-it.com

WARNING: Working At Home is just as hard, if not harder, than going to a conventional job each day. Do Not Believe Anyone that tells you it does not require actual work! Working at Home requires much more discipline, dedication and ambition! You will have to be very careful to schedule your work & play time.....it is all to easy to work 24 hours a day when your job is in the same place that you live.

Now You know....first you must find a legitimate company to work for, then you should create a disciplined work schedule and you should have a plan - some goals that you want to accomplish. Be determined & persistent - this is the first key to Your Success!