Work at home opportunities

**squalebear** · 11-19-2009, 03:38 AM

Being forced (medically) to retire has left a financial hole that needs to be filled. In fact, both SS and OPM have left me in limbo, without even knowing whether my retirement is even approved. But this thread isn't about Disability or Governments failures.

Instead, it's made so members can share any and all experiences that concern WORK AT HOME OPPORTUNITIES. I certainly have the need to generate some income and have repaired a few computers along the way to do just that. The Internet is full of fraudulent ads and you can't tell one from another.

Word of mouth (with friends) has got to be the best method to find opportunities. So, anyone with a story to share is incouraged to contribute. Even if it's negative and second hand, your post could prevent me from falling into some kind of fraudulent trap or scam.

SO WHAT'DA YOU SAY ! GIVE A GUY SOME IDEAS OR WARNINGS ! IT CAN ONLY HELP !

**KevinD** · 11-19-2009, 12:13 PM

I trust Clark Howard.

http://clarkhoward.com/topics/workathome_help.html

**CountryBoy** · 11-19-2009, 12:26 PM

Originally Posted by KevinD

I trust Clark Howard.

http://clarkhoward.com/topics/workathome_help.html

Yeah, +1 on CLark.

**Show-me** · 11-19-2009, 01:00 PM

All I can add is +1 for Clark Howard and get better.

**alevin** · 11-19-2009, 02:53 PM

Squale my dear bear friend, I talked with a young co-worker friend a few days ago. Her husband was blue-collar-a logger who'd been laid off quite awhile. They have 2 very young children, and she just finished a 2-year eng. tech program a year or so ago. He took one of those career aptitude tests-turns out he's very visual, methodical and mathematically inclined-he's now in school himself to become an accountant and doing well, from what she says. And he loves it.

So-my question to you is, have you ever taken a career aptitude test? There may be work-at-home possibilities that you are better suited for than others...graphics web design, web advertising, editting.... You are very literate, your writing (grammar and language) skills are valuable in and of themselves, there are so many out there lacking those skills these days.....

**Viva La Migra** · 11-20-2009, 07:58 PM

I've been looking at selling stuff on Ebay to make a little extra dough. Right now I'm only looking at reducing the amount of junk I currently have, but once I get rid of my sellable junk, I plan on buying stuff at garage sales and reselling on Ebay. I might even take it a step further and get a wholsalers license and sell new items from wholesale lots. Lots of folks have profitable businesses selling on Ebay, Amazon, and other similar sites, so it's something to consider.

I'd recommend the book "Titanium Ebay" by Skip McGrath if you're interested in that sort of thing. I'll send my copy of the book to you, if you PM me your address. Like many businesses, you have to have money to make money, which is why I plan on starting with selling my own stuff first. If I'm successful enough I'll expand into other areas.

**FAB1** · 11-20-2009, 08:13 PM

Was a time when I listed small amts. of stuff on eGreed fairly reguarly

then they raised fees, then they raised fees added stupid rules, then they raised final value fees and more idiotic rules THEN they removed a sellers right to leave negative feedback, the stupidest move of all. I have no idea what the eGreed piggies are charging to list on there now, but good luck keeping much money in your pocket - between eGreed and Paypal these bloodsuckers will profit the most, while they run a server farm and you do all the work. Beware of all the nickle and dime you do death "extras" for your listings, hell, beware in general!!!

I dont sell on there anymore.

**Viva La Migra** · 11-20-2009, 09:35 PM

Originally Posted by FAB1

Was a time when I listed small amts. of stuff on eGreed fairly reguarly

then they raised fees, then they raised fees added stupid rules, then they raised final value fees and more idiotic rules THEN they removed a sellers right to leave negative feedback, the stupidest move of all. I have no idea what the eGreed piggies are charging to list on there now, but good luck keeping much money in your pocket - between eGreed and Paypal these bloodsuckers will profit the most, while they run a server farm and you do all the work. Beware of all the nickle and dime you do death "extras" for your listings, hell, beware in general!!!

I dont sell on there anymore.

Quit holding back and tell us how you really feel!

Don't hold it in, just let it out and you might feel better!

**wv-girl** · 11-20-2009, 11:58 PM

A thought. If you have a spare room, why not take in a foster child? I know you have a little one now, so maybe they could have someone to play with? I wouldn't really consider this a job(unless of course, you take an infant), but it would help to bring some extra in the door while helping a child in need. You would be good at that. And you still could do other things at the same time. The medical field is screaming for stenographers that will work at home. Typing up medical records, diagnosis, treatments, etc. They have been holding meetings at our local hotels to get people in the door. Listen to your local radio or maybe the newspapers advertise for it, or try googling it.
My 2cents.
Glad you are doing ok, physically. Just take care of yourself and don't over-exert.

**ChemEng** · 11-21-2009, 12:23 AM

Originally Posted by Viva La Migra

Lots of folks have profitable businesses selling on Ebay, Amazon, and other similar sites, so it's something to consider.

This is a perfect recipe for little to no (positive) margin.

Originally Posted by Viva La Migra

I'd recommend the book "Titanium Ebay" by Skip McGrath if you're interested in that sort of thing.

Sounds like his book selling business is working...

**Bullitt** · 11-21-2009, 01:47 AM

Unless you're a Power Seller on Ebay with a direct line to China, forget about it. Power Sellers have ruined Ebay in many ways and preventing the little guy from selling a few things here and there is one of them.

-----

Sorry, back on topic. If you're savvy with computers, that's a great idea. How many people throw their CPU away yearly because they have a virus that they don't know how to fix or internet connection that won't connect. Especially if you could find a way to post your business in an area that has a high population of older folks who just started using email at 70 or so, you could get a monopoly on the business. LOL!

**PessOptimist** · 11-22-2009, 02:08 AM

Hey S-Bear, glad to hear from you. Hope you are getting around better.

I think Bullitt has hit on a great idea. Upgrades to either software or hardware is something a lot of people will not attempt.

If I remember correctly, NJ has a lot of local weekly papers. You could try advertising in those. If there is a retirement community close by maybe they would let you put up a notice in the community center.

You don't have to be a genius to fix a lot of the problems as I am sure you well know. I even have been succussful in "recovering data" in a couple of cases. When the dreaded "operating system not found" error appeared I installed the drive as a second hard drive in a computer with the same OS and all the data was there to be copied to other media. I'm sure you get the idea, try that before reinstalling the OS and losing all the data.

Not telling that story to blow my own horn. Just to encourage you. The people I did this for think I am some computer guru and believe me I am not.

Good luck Bear, and at least this may provide some income until you find something better. Another thought - have a policy at first that if you can't fix it, no charge.

Best of luck, po