Many people would like to work from home. College students to retirees often need to supplement their income and can’t or don’t want to seek an outside job. While there are numerous purported work from home opportunities, how do you know which are legitimate and which are scams? Well, first off – if the opportunity promises you a quick road to riches, it’s a scam. The only people who are making big money while they sleep are those who are successfully scamming others into sending it to them. So, if it sounds too good to be true or if you have to pay to play, run the other way!
Which brings me to the point of this post. Through a comment on this blog, I recently “met” a nice gal named Victoria who has put together a Work at Home Site Directory. The directory is an extensive and varied list of legitimate work from home opportunities. So if you’re looking for a way to make some money from home, check it out. And thanks, Victoria, for creating and sharing this valuable resource!
Update from Victoria on August 6 2010:
I just wanted to post that I took the site down. I found a huge list here: http://workathomemoms.about.com/od/workathomecareers/ss/wahjobdirectory.htm
I think any site I had listed is likely in this list too. I haven't found any others that includes as many as About, but if I find a good one, I'll let you know.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Great Advice from The Mom Writes Blog
Ran across a really nice blog that I’ve added to my sidebar. The Mom Writes purports to give simple, practical tips for moms but I think many of them are for everyone. For instance, take How to Get Motivated and Stay Motivated or How to Have a Simple To-Do List - is there anyone that can’t use this advice? I don’t think so.
Friday, July 9, 2010
How to Add a Subscribe by Email Link – Step-by-step Instructions
I got up this morning to a really nice comment from a reader that made my whole day! Right before bed last night, I got an unpleasant revision request on a recent article submission so it was really nice to get up to the following comment:
I really like your blog and I'd love to keep up on new posts, but I don't like readers and I don't see a Subscribe Via Email widget. Maybe it's there and I'm just not seeing it. If not, could you please-please add one? Here's the directions:
1. Go to http://feedburner.google.com/
2. Add your blog if it's not there and click on your blog name.
3. Click on the Publicize tab.
4. Go to Email Subscriptions in the left-hand column.
It's easy. Just go to the middle of the page and choose Blogger. It will insert the code for you. (If you want to move it to a different location on your blog, you can't move anything around from here. Just go to your Layout page in BlogSpot from the Dashboard and you'll be able to move it from there.)
If you want to see what the widget looks like, there is one on my blog.
Thank you, Victoria! I had no idea how to do this and didn’t even know it was an option. I copied the instructions here for others who may be in the same boat. My only problem was that the form widget wouldn’t work so I just went on to the subscription link option and now it is right at the top of my sidebar. How cool is that? Apparently the form widget has a glitch as another person posted to the Blogger help forum with the same problem. Anyway, thanks again, Victoria – I also prefer email updates and am thrilled to add this option to my blog!
I really like your blog and I'd love to keep up on new posts, but I don't like readers and I don't see a Subscribe Via Email widget. Maybe it's there and I'm just not seeing it. If not, could you please-please add one? Here's the directions:
1. Go to http://feedburner.google.com/
2. Add your blog if it's not there and click on your blog name.
3. Click on the Publicize tab.
4. Go to Email Subscriptions in the left-hand column.
It's easy. Just go to the middle of the page and choose Blogger. It will insert the code for you. (If you want to move it to a different location on your blog, you can't move anything around from here. Just go to your Layout page in BlogSpot from the Dashboard and you'll be able to move it from there.)
If you want to see what the widget looks like, there is one on my blog.
Thank you, Victoria! I had no idea how to do this and didn’t even know it was an option. I copied the instructions here for others who may be in the same boat. My only problem was that the form widget wouldn’t work so I just went on to the subscription link option and now it is right at the top of my sidebar. How cool is that? Apparently the form widget has a glitch as another person posted to the Blogger help forum with the same problem. Anyway, thanks again, Victoria – I also prefer email updates and am thrilled to add this option to my blog!
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Readbud 503 Error – Temporary Glitch or Gone for Good?
Update 12/9/10: Red Alert! Readbud IS a SCAM! It’s official - see PTC Investigations for full report.
I was excited about the prospect of Readbud as indicated in previous posts. It was fun to read the articles and I was making about $1 each day. Not a windfall by any means but worth the time it took. Payout doesn’t happen until you but $50 but I figured I’d be there in about 2 months. Then things changed. And not for the better!
A few weeks after signing up for Readbud, the articles dried up. Instead of getting 12-14 each day, I was getting less than 5. I noticed right off that the Google Adsense ads were gone. I had wondered if Readbud was violating Google’s terms of service and had even questioned them by email. It’s unclear whether they decided to discontinue Google Adsense of whether Google pulled the plug – but I strongly suspect the latter. Anyway, things haven’t been the same since. Instead of accumulating about $1 each day, I’m lucky to make a quarter. So payout is coming much more slowly!
Well, this morning the service is unavailable. Yep – a 503 error. Never a good sign. And they supposedly just moved their service to the US for more stability. I guess that didn’t work out as intended. As I recall, they’ve been down a few times before so maybe this isn’t a dire sign but it sure makes me wonder. I’ve been giving Readbud the benefit of the doubt during their lengthy transition but maybe my optimism was misplaced.
I was excited about the prospect of Readbud as indicated in previous posts. It was fun to read the articles and I was making about $1 each day. Not a windfall by any means but worth the time it took. Payout doesn’t happen until you but $50 but I figured I’d be there in about 2 months. Then things changed. And not for the better!
A few weeks after signing up for Readbud, the articles dried up. Instead of getting 12-14 each day, I was getting less than 5. I noticed right off that the Google Adsense ads were gone. I had wondered if Readbud was violating Google’s terms of service and had even questioned them by email. It’s unclear whether they decided to discontinue Google Adsense of whether Google pulled the plug – but I strongly suspect the latter. Anyway, things haven’t been the same since. Instead of accumulating about $1 each day, I’m lucky to make a quarter. So payout is coming much more slowly!
Well, this morning the service is unavailable. Yep – a 503 error. Never a good sign. And they supposedly just moved their service to the US for more stability. I guess that didn’t work out as intended. As I recall, they’ve been down a few times before so maybe this isn’t a dire sign but it sure makes me wonder. I’ve been giving Readbud the benefit of the doubt during their lengthy transition but maybe my optimism was misplaced.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
How to Prepare for an Early Retirement eHow Article
I’ve got about 20 or so articles published to eHow under the discontinued Writer’s Compensation Program, which pays a share of the ad revenue generated each month. Usually the money trickles in a few cents at a time, but so far this month my How to Prepare for an Early Retirement article has earned me a few dollars already! Don’t know how but I’m not complaining. Based on my article earning stats, I doubt this is a trend but it’s kind of fun. Anyway, I reviewed the article page to see what kind of ads were there and they look the same as usual. So I guess I just got lucky.
The article is pretty good, if I do say so myself – simple and to the point. It’s actually good advice for anyone, not just those preparing for an early retirement. In a nutshell, assess your current situation, cut expenses, pay off debt, start saving, be frugal, and practice being retired. That’s it. Easier said than done, I know, but you’ve got to start some time and the best time is now! Retirement will be here whether you’re ready or not, so quit procrastinating and take some positive action, ok?
The article is pretty good, if I do say so myself – simple and to the point. It’s actually good advice for anyone, not just those preparing for an early retirement. In a nutshell, assess your current situation, cut expenses, pay off debt, start saving, be frugal, and practice being retired. That’s it. Easier said than done, I know, but you’ve got to start some time and the best time is now! Retirement will be here whether you’re ready or not, so quit procrastinating and take some positive action, ok?
Friday, July 2, 2010
Writing for Textbroker – One Year Update
The World Wide Web is such a great thing. Who knew this would ever be our daily reality? I remember when I got my first computer at work (1990) and when I was first “required” to do some of my work over the Internet a year or so later. Anyone remember Compuserve? Are they even still around? How about dial-up? Anyone still using that? Anyway, things sure have changed!
I’ve been earning money online almost a year, having submitted my first paid article to Textbroker July 20, 2009. Now 237 articles later, I’ve pretty much moved on to more lucrative writing opportunities. I may still write for Textbroker periodically but intend to focus my efforts where I earn the most money for my time. Makes sense, right?
I will always appreciate Textbroker and the editorial team there for providing me with what basically amounts to a paid education. Through Textbroker I was able to hone my online content writing skills and earn $1,235 in the process. As my goal there was to earn $100 per month, I guess I can check that off my list! Anyway, Textbroker provides consistent work, pays on time and even offers bonuses now and again. Textbroker isn’t for everyone and may no longer be the best fit for me, but that is where I got my start and I can’t recommend them highly enough.
Looking back on the past year and the changes in my life, I have to give major credit where credit is due. I will forever be indebted to Felicia at No Job for Mom. It was through her writings and generous sharing of experience that I came to appreciate the possibilities and gained the courage to apply to various sites. I know I've saved many hours of valuable time and a ton of aggravation. I also continue to learn from her posts and the comments posted to her blog – so thanks Felicia!
A word of warning – although the Internet provides countless opportunities to make money from home, you have to be extremely careful. There are a lot of scams out there just waiting for another unwary victim. Do your research before signing up for anything – Google the site with “scam” or “review” or “complaints” added and see what comes up. And if it’s a writing opportunity you’re looking at, search the NJFM site for posts and check out Felicia’s NJFM Writer Resources Database.
I’ve been earning money online almost a year, having submitted my first paid article to Textbroker July 20, 2009. Now 237 articles later, I’ve pretty much moved on to more lucrative writing opportunities. I may still write for Textbroker periodically but intend to focus my efforts where I earn the most money for my time. Makes sense, right?
I will always appreciate Textbroker and the editorial team there for providing me with what basically amounts to a paid education. Through Textbroker I was able to hone my online content writing skills and earn $1,235 in the process. As my goal there was to earn $100 per month, I guess I can check that off my list! Anyway, Textbroker provides consistent work, pays on time and even offers bonuses now and again. Textbroker isn’t for everyone and may no longer be the best fit for me, but that is where I got my start and I can’t recommend them highly enough.
Looking back on the past year and the changes in my life, I have to give major credit where credit is due. I will forever be indebted to Felicia at No Job for Mom. It was through her writings and generous sharing of experience that I came to appreciate the possibilities and gained the courage to apply to various sites. I know I've saved many hours of valuable time and a ton of aggravation. I also continue to learn from her posts and the comments posted to her blog – so thanks Felicia!
A word of warning – although the Internet provides countless opportunities to make money from home, you have to be extremely careful. There are a lot of scams out there just waiting for another unwary victim. Do your research before signing up for anything – Google the site with “scam” or “review” or “complaints” added and see what comes up. And if it’s a writing opportunity you’re looking at, search the NJFM site for posts and check out Felicia’s NJFM Writer Resources Database.
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