It is so hard to determine if they are legitimate firms/work. I agree.

In addition to fellow TBD members, start by asking people you know and trust (family, friends, past co-workers, etc) if they know of a site or anything about the firm you are considering.

You can also check out the firm via your local Better Business Bureau and www.ripoffreport.com

rainbowdancer,

You might also start this discussion on TBD's home-page to get even more suggestions.

GM

One thing you might try is Googling "work at home." Check out the sites. If they charge you money, they are not real. Employers PAY you to work. Scammers CHARGE you for nothing. There are many billing companies who employ at-home workers to fill out bills, send out notices and other repetitiver tasks that do not require using precious space, machinery and power that are included in cost of production. At home, you use your computer, your speace, your electricity. When you take a potty break, it is on your time. You get paid for volume.

Many years ago, my wife took this kind of work when she was on a "baby break" from her profession. It gave her spending money and something to do when our future "President of the USA" was napping. No, he hasn't been elected yet, but then again, he hasn't run for office.

Many companies that have to send out large volumes of bills and advertising fliers use home workers. The cost for them is reduced significantly. Aside from all the savings mentioned above, they also give no benefits and no sick leave and don't have to hear the workers gripe about repetitive tasks.

For you, it is needed. For them, it is needed. Now, you have to find a company that offers the work. Know that the number of companies doing this kind of work is greatly reduced by the fact that email has replaced many personal advertising outlets. But check your mail. There are still insurance companies and other large organizations that send millions of regular pieces through the mail and many of them use home workers. You may also want to contact your chamber of commerce because sometimes, this kind of business lists with them when they are legitimate.

Milt T's comment is right on, having looked into many supposed opportunities that turned out not to be the advertised pot of gold. Rather than looking for a "work at home" situation, what about considering starting your own small business at home? There are innumerable relatively inexpensive courses online (and some pretty expensive ones, too) that will guide one through evaluating their interests and abilities, and then setting up an online business. One very reputable gentleman who has been offering just such a program is Jim Daniels, and he even offers a free guide to this idea. If you like what he says there, then the whole course is available. This is not a get rich quick scam, but a guide to starting a genuine business using the Internet. His site where you can get the guide is www.work-at-home-site.com .

Many online entrepreneurs are suggesting blogging as a means to building a home-based business.

<div id="simpleology_blog_1b7f672bba009af13ecf444949062f8a">

I'm evaluating a multi-media course on blogging from the folks at Simpleology. For a while, they're letting you snag it for free if you post about it on your blog.

It covers:

• The best blogging techniques.
• How to get traffic to your blog.
• How to turn your blog into money.

I'll let you know what I think once I've had a chance to check it out. Meanwhile, go grab yours while it's still free.

This might give you some ideas.