For many reasons, the idea of a work-at-home job appeals to many people. The reasons are as varied as the interested parties. Your spouse may have lost their job or had hours drastically reduced. There may be extra bills you want to pay off. How about saving up for a great vacation? Perhaps you need extra money to put gas in the car or finance home improvements. The list is extensive. But are there any real work-at-home jobs?

If you have been searching for a genuine work-at-home job that requires real skills, real work and not just promises, then there is promising news for you.

There really are honest-to-goodness, work-at-home jobs out there offering opportunities for just about any type of skills you may have. If you are a good writer, then why not take advantage of this skill and make extra money? If you have spare time during the day or evenings, then why not use the time to earn money?

The best part is that you don't even have to leave the comforts of your home, so while the kids are napping or in school, a work-at-home job is the perfect opportunity to make some extra cash. If you are just plain bored, then this may just open up a world of new opportunities for you and put extra money in your pocket at the same time.

We have all seen the many, many offers out there on the web. The idea of working for just a few hours and making hundreds of dollars. Some offers lead you to believe that you can make a lot of money for doing very little. The offers are misleading at best, and sometimes are just outright scams. The old saying that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is, would definitely apply here.

A legitimate job offer does not require you to share your personal banking information. If you read any offers of that nature, do not go any further and report the company if possible. If you register with a legitimate company, they may ask for your social security number for tax purposes, but it would be a good idea to really research the company and make sure they are legitimate before divulging such information.

Where do you get started and how do you know a site or offer is valid? For starters, by doing your homework, reading up on the company and visiting the Better Business Bureau. Another really great place to get a feel for a company is in a forum. Read as much as you can about the company, their history and policies. Don't be afraid to e-mail or call the company to ask questions. Verify the address of the corporate office. Contact other people who have worked for the company to get their feedback.

While there are a lot of scams, there are also valid companies who hire home workers, primarily on a freelance basis.

There are legitimate opportunities out there for you, waiting to be taken. Are there any real work-at-home jobs? The answer is yes!