Thinking about making extra money by working from home but need help to get started?

Whatever your reason for wanting to work at home, we can help you to find out more on free ways to start earning money fast.

You might be looking for extra cash to help make ends meet. You could be worried about redundancy or you may even have lost your job and need money desperately. Or maybe you overspent at Christmas and are looking for fast extra cash in 2010.

Whether you have an idea or project in mind or you are looking for an idea to make money from home you can find information and help as well as some great moneymaking ideas.

We can help you avoid the pitfalls and scams that await the unwary. There are legitimate money-making opportunities out there but you need to do your research first if you want to avoid being ripped off...

Remember that to start earning a second income at home, you don't need to buy an idea or plan ( although some people choose to look at running a franchise or agency ).

You just need a sound business idea and the skills and enthusiasm to make that well-paid work from home opportunity happen.

..so what are you waiting for?

Work from home - working for yourself

If you want a work at home job, it's worth taking a little time to think about the kind of work you would like to do and ask yourself some questions:

How do I get started in a home business?

Do I have skills or qualifications I can use to work from home such as work skills like book-keeping, data entry or PR skills or do I have a qualification such as a degree which I could use for tuition?

Can I create a business by building on an existing hobby or interest? Can my gardening or DIY enthusiasm translate to a part-time or home-based business and provide a second income?

Can I learn a new skill to earn money? What about a computer course or learning to be a plumber? Where do I find out about courses and training ?

Does my new business need funding for buying materials, tools or stock? Where do I get funding if I need it? Can I get a Grant?

Are there any legalities involved? What about insurance, business licences?

How do I promote my work-at-home business? What is the best way to find work? How do I find customers?

All this can seem daunting if you've never worked for yourself but there is a lot of help available and it's easier than ever before to start a small home-based business.

The web as well as allowing you to run a business directly such as an online shop or mail order business also makes finding out about 'offline' businesses and jobs much easier. Need to find a gap in the market in your area - look on the web!

Succeed in Business

The secret to having a successful home business is to choose something that you'll enjoy doing (or at least not mind too much). If you hate ironing, then don't start an ironing business!

It sounds obvious but many people do the first thing that springs to mind as a work at home job and then give it up because they find it boring or repetitive. If you don't mind ironing while you're watching the daytime tv or old movies that you would have watched anyway then it can be the right idea for you.

Conversely, if you enjoy gardening , pottering with cars or decorating then you can extend your hobby into a profitable part-time business that you'll reall enjoy doing.

If you can't think of an idea to earn money from home, then check out the ideas we've listed to give you some inspiration in setting up your working from home business. We've divided them into categories so you can browse the area that's of interest:

Craft and Creative related Jobs - Great ideas for things that you can make and sell - cards, gifts, keepsakes, wedding, anniversary and birthday presents.

Driving Jobs - If you like driving and need some cash, how about using your car to earn money evenings and weekends?

Easy Jobs - Well, maybe not all easy but many of these jobs don't need any special skills or experience, just loads of enthusiasm.

Earn Money Computing - You've got a computer or you wouldn't be reading this.... Now find how can you make money with your PC.

More Jobs to do from home - Everyone's got a talent they can use to make money - what's yours?

Franchises - Buy yourself a job and avoid the start-up pitfalls with a franchise.

Healing and Therapy Jobs - Start a business as a healer, counsellor or teacher.

Envelope Stuffing - Can you really earn money stuffing envelopes in 2010? Isn't it all done by machines?

Work from home - working for someone else

If you can't think of an idea for starting your own work from home business then you may like to consider either working for someone else or maybe take up a franchise if you have the investment available. With both options, it's very much a case of caveat emptor (buyer beware) so make sure you research to make sure the deal really is legit...

There are legitimate work at home opportunities but there are also a lot of scam artists and conmen so it pays to do a little research before you sign up. Remember - if an offer seems to good to be true then it usually is! Be wary of jobs which ask for cash up front - you should look for jobs which require no fee and are free to sign up to.

There are many sites which promise high earnings for so-called 'data entry' work but nine times out of ten they will cost you money rather than help you earn it. All the ideas on this site are free and there's no sign-up or email required.

Read our scam buster page to find out what to avoid.

How to tell the difference between a legitimate work from home job and a scam

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