Most people think that working at home is easier than working outside of the home. It may or may not be easier, but it is certainly different. Yes. You don’t have to change out of your pajamas, get up early or deal with office politics face-to-face. I recommend, however, that you do get up at a set time to work, wear professional clothes (you will take your work more seriously). You may even have to deal with some politics, especially if you are telecommuting for a large company or operating your own home-based business. I’ve worked from home for several years, including working as a freelance writer and working at home for businesses. I don’t want you to be disillusioned when it comes to working from home, so I am going to tell you the good, the bad and the ugly.
Working at Home Can Give You Flexibility
Theoretically, you can go to the movies in the middle of the day. You can pick up milk when the grocery store isn’t full. You can work on a laptop while out on your patio. If you are organized, working from home can give you more control over your life.
You May Work Longer and Harder
In my experience, employers typically hire homeworkers as independent contractors, paying us by the piece or amount of work completed rather than by the hour. If you are lucky enough to get a position with an hourly salary you need to know that hourly wages are usually low for positions that do not require specialized training. A job as a an off-site typist will probably pay less than a medical coding position. Since you are paid by the work you produce, you will have to work longer until you get faster at your job. You find it difficult to balance a work-at-home job and free-time. Before they know it, you are working during your leisure time.
Some Work at Home Jobs are not Child nor Pet Friendly
Mothers love the idea of spending more time with their families, but some work at home jobs are not child-friendly. In particular, jobs that require you to be on the phone may mandate that you are in a quiet environment with no background noise. You will have to work late in the evenings or early in the mornings when your home is quiet. Positions involving transcription, writing, or other work not involving too many telephone calls may be a better fit if you are not willing to work late.
Multiple Jobs May Be Needed
Sometimes work from home isn’t steady. What they say about feast or famine is true. Therefore, it’s a good idea to have two or three work at home jobs. When work from one position slacks up, you will hopefully still have work. Keep in mind that depending on the economy and the type of position all of the jobs may slack up. Save some money when work is plenty, and you’ll be prepared for the lean times.
It Can Be Difficult to Find a Work at Home Job
Obtaining work from a legitimate work at home jobs can take months or even years. An employer could receive hundreds or thousands of resumes from a single online ad. You have to be patient and persistent. Good timing, and top-notch, unique skills will also help. If you are interested in starting your own business, keep in mind that it will take time to build your business.
You Can Become Financially Independent
That’s the thrust of this site. Working from home can give you a steady stream of money that will allow you to pay your debts. Especially if you work full-time outside of the home, working from home can give you the extra cash that you need to get ahead. If you work at home full-time you can save money in gas, clothing, and daycare. It’s possible to earn residual income that will build up over time. Little by little, you can earn enough to pay off all your debts, including your home mortgage.
Posted by Claudine in Make Money at Home