My first work at home job was getting coal and wood for my elderly neighbors. I was usually paid one dime, a lot of money back then. (A dime is that thin coin smaller than a quarter that will buy you nothing these days.) I also would pull my wagon to the service station that sold blocks of ice which was a round trip of over one mile on which a good part of the ice melted on a hot day. It would have been cheaper to buy the ice from the delivery man. I also cut lawns, etc.

When I was a boy I can't remember of anyone working out of their home. Yes there was the man who owned a grocery and the cobbler who fixed my shoes, both of whom had homes connected to their businesses. But other than men who were salesmen and worked out of their homes, I know of no one who actually did the work in his or her home.

If you go to a flea market these days you will see folks selling a variety of objects. Many are artistic in nature. Some are utilitarian. Some sell used items. These vendors are usually selling the products they make in their homes. My daughter-in-law sells jewelry she makes at home. That allows her to take care of her triplets and two other of our grandchildren.

That is the advantage of working at home. You can take care of a small family.

Some professionals work out of their homes. I knew a geologist who located sites that could produce oil. He was very successful but was away from home traveling in the boonies of Wyoming and other western states.

My brother has always worked out of his home. He has an insurance agency that still has him tied down at age 76. He is trying to phase out.

I have one friend who has not held a regular job since he was in high school. He started out by buying an upgrading properties which he rented out. Later, he bought, built, rented and sold condos.

Many people in our area have woodworking skills. Some weld scrap into "artwork." If you know how to do something, you probably can do it at home and make a few bucks. Some buy PVC pipe (assemblers) to make rubber guns, chairs, and other items.

People with secretarial skills work from home. So do accountants. Some do billings for doctors. Some take telephone messages for a business.

And, of course in this day of the Internet, many are selling on eBay, selling as an associate of Amazon, or marketing on the Internet many products and services. Some sell as affiliate marketers and some sell products which are produced by themselves. One family here makes dog biscuits. We have a neighbor here who grows lavender and makes lotions that she sells locally in stores and from her Internet site. She lost her husband two years ago and it was a good thing to have her home business which pays her well.

To start a home business, start with yourself. You have certain interest, skills, hobbies, etc., that can be converted into a home business. Why not give it a try! Work from homes jobs that are easy to start can help you out of unfriendly financial situations.

Fly Old Glory!