Contents:

If it Sounds Too Good to be True...
National Organizations
Problems and Solutions ~ Finding At-Home Employment
Problems and Solutions ~ Providing Home Day Care

If it sounds too good to be true...

by Eileen Doughty

The Better Business Bureau reports that they have yet to find a legitimate business that requires you to send in money first. After all, why pay someone to stuff envelopes when a machine can do it faster and cheaper? If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Legitimate businesses tend not to advertise work-at-home opportunities because they are then flooded with inquiries. The best advice is to advertise yourself rather than answer questionable work-at-home advertisements.

Always contact the BBB to check out a company. The BBB, however, may not have a record of it because scam companies are often short-lived and mobile. The BBB pamphlet, "Tips on Work-at-Home Schemes," available through your local BBB, can provide useful information.

Check with your local library to find listings of legitimate businesses in the Thomas Register. Also ask at your library for a listing of cottage industry associations. See "National Organizations" below for trade associations supporting individuals and/or companies with a focus on making money at home.

Copyright March 1997

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National Organizations

American Association of Home-Based Businesses (AAHBB). Visit AAHBB's web site at: www.aahbb.org.

Direct Selling Association (DSA), 1666 K Street, Suite 1010, Washington, DC, 20006-2808, 202-293-5760, 202-463-4569 (fax). E-mail to: info@dsa.org.  DSA represents companies that manufacture and distribute goods and services sold directly to consumers by independent salespeople or consultants through party-related or person-to-person sales. All DSA members pledge to abide by DSA's Code of Ethics. DSA provides a list of member companies upon request. Visit DSA's web site at: www.dsa.org.

Home-Based Working Moms, P.O. Box 500164, Austin, TX  78750, 512-266-0900.  Email to:  lesley@hbwm.com.  This organization prides itself on helping to bring working moms closer to their children.  HBWM offers a wide variety of resources for mothers who want to earn income at home, including a home business kit with a wide variety of materials.  Visit www.hbwm.com for more information.

Mothers' Home Business Network (MHBN), P.O. Box 423, East Meadow, NY 11554, 516-997-7394, 516-997-0839 (fax). Email to: momhomebiz@aol.com. MHBN offers a wide variety of publications and benefits to members. To receive a free information packet, contact MHBN. Visit MHBN's web site at: www.homeworkingmom.com.

National Association for the Cottage Industry (NACI), P.O. Box 14850, Chicago, IL 60614, 773-472-8116. Send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to receive information about NACI.

National Association for the Self-Employed, 2121 Precinct Line Road, Hurst, TX 76054, 800-232-NASE. NASE represents 200,000 small businesses--those headed by self-employed owners with five or fewer employees. NASE offers a bi-monthly magazine, educational opportunities, and discounts on business and personal services. Visit NASE's web site at: www.nase.org.

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Problems and Solutions:

Finding at-Home Employment

Problem: I am looking for work I can do out of my home, such as something on the computer. I am not interested in starting my own business and have seen too many ads that require you to send in money first. Do any readers have any ideas on how to go about locating reliable companies? Kris W., Isanti, Minnesota

Solutions:

I know of so many mothers at home who want to work from their home that I have often wished I could start an employment agency strictly for them! We have so much to offer and so little overhead. I think corporate America is missing a big chance to save money by hiring people to work at home doing bookkeeping, data entry, etc.

For the past eight years I have worked as a transcriptionist from my home, typing depositions and hearings for court reporters in my area. I can work as much or as little as I want, usually setting my own hours, generally after the kids go to bed at night.

I got started by calling all of the court reporters in the Yellow Pages (listed under "Reporters - court") and asking if they ever hired out their typing. I sent a resume to the ones who did, and by word of mouth, started working for several reporters. Now that I have three children, I've cut my work back to just one reporter.

--Donna H., Benton, Arkansas

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I am the mother of a twenty-month-old, and have created the perfect "work at home" job. I contract myself out to several companies doing project work, such as word processing, training manuals, brochure design, proofing, resume creating, database updating, and on and on. I have a home computer and purchased a used printer and modem. I now work a steady twenty-five to thirty hours a week and have more than ten companies on my work list.

How I began was by word of mouth. I contacted everyone I knew that could be a possible lead, including small companies, corporations, and friends' employers. Doctors and dentists, especially the ones with small offices, are great leads. They don't have room for someone else and their current staff doesn't have time for more work. I'm cheaper than paying an employee overtime, and they can get projects completed quickly instead of their receptionist trying to fit them in.

I sent, faxed, or e-mailed possible employers a cover (promo) sheet outlining the benefits of hiring me instead of a part-time employee or a temporary employee (examples; no overhead, no benefits to pay, no agency fees to pay, they don't have to guarantee you hours, they don't have to find a place to put you). I also included a resume with my experience, skills, and capabilities. You can create your own business cards to send, with your name, phone number and skills. You can find inexpensive places to put ads, such as the local paper, schools, and business bulletin boards. Be creative and make a small brochure with skills, benefits of using you, etc. Send the packet of the letter, resume, and business card to local businesses that could utilize you. By doing all your own creating and mailing you will save a ton.

There is a huge need/market for this, and it is really easy.

--Mary Jane M., San Jose, California

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I was working the graveyard shift and selling Avon products several months ago, when we adopted our son. After being a working mom for eight weeks, I became the working dead. I spoke to my Avon manager, who suggested I become her assistant manager.

It's been great. I no longer work the p.m. shift, I make my own schedule, I work at my own pace, my commissions are up five times over last year, and I have my son with me.

--Kemmie D., Mountain Home, Idaho

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I, too, was thinking about responding to one of those "make $500 a week typing at home" ads that are run in just about every publication. However, my mother-in-law sent in money to such an ad and received a list of small businesses in her area along with a manual on how to start a typing business. Well, anyone could have gotten such a list by looking through the phone book. It is wise to steer clear of such ads.

The best advice is to: Investigate a business opportunity before becoming involved in it. Ask the company for the names of the owners and their business experience. Verify information with the Better Business Bureau. Ask about the products you would be selling, what it will cost you, and any performance claims and guarantees. Ask about the initial fee you will be required to pay and what it is to be used for. Get written copies of the company's business statements. Consult with people who are familiar with the type of business you may be entering. Contact some of the people who have already invested in the product or service. What has been their experience? If you decide to invest, get all promises in writing and the contract signed by an authorized agent of the company. And beware: even the Internet is being used for online scams. The Internet Fraud Watch can be reached on the Web at www.fraud.org, or call 1-800-876-7060. Free copies of Better Business Bureau publications are available on the BBB Web page: www.bbb.org.

--Deborah H.,  Beach Haven, New Jersey

Copyright March 1997

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Problems and Solutions:

Problem: My husband and I need to supplement his income. I am considering doing day care in my home so I can continue to be at home full-time with my fourteen-month-old. I don't know if this would be a positive experience, or if I should return to work part-time. What are other readers' experiences who do day care at home? Mary Beth C., New Castle, Virginia

Solutions:

I've been a home day care provider for three years. I've tried many other "home businesses" from vending machines to sewing. I worked part-time outside of the home, but although it was nice to get out of the house for a while, I missed my daughter and resented paying someone else to care for her.

I found day care was the most profitable and worked best with my young children. I preferred taking part-time kids so I could still have some time alone with my own kids. Once word gets out about your day care business you will have no shortage of parents requesting your services. Start out slow. Add one child at a time until you and the child get into a routine.

Day care worked well for us when my children were younger. Now that they are all in school, I still do before- and after-school care. I wish you success.

Laura P., South Jordan, Utah

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Day care in the home can make it possible to earn money while still meeting your child's needs, but a child who is fourteen months old still has a great many needs and may not do well with other children sharing his mommy, his home, and his things for many hours day after day.

I decided to provide part-time child care. I have watched a set of three-year-old twins after nursery school for a few days per week, but the majority of my work has been in providing after-school care for one to three elementary school-aged children. Although my after-school hours are intense, it is for a relatively short period of time. I have found that the hourly rates for after-school care are much more per hour than one can charge for full-time care. I make more money watching three children after school than I would watching one child full-time.

Many of my friends have tried this kind of part-time arrangement, and they found it too difficult to deal with homework, after-school activities, and dinner preparations. Although my children have not been thrilled being with my after-school children every day, for the most part, it has solved a problem of bringing in an income, working fewer hours a day, and still being available for my children.

--Roseann B., Port Chester, New York

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I watch two boys in the afternoons to supplement our income while I stay home with my four-and-a-half-year-old and twenty-month-old. This job has its pros and cons. I would say the greatest advantage to watching other children has been being with my children while making a small contribution to our finances. Also, as time has gone on, my children and my "other" children have become close friends, playmates, and allies. They seem more like brothers and sisters than children from separate families. They share good times, fight with typical sibling rivalry, and love each other.

However, from my standpoint there have also been disadvantages to this scenario. Because I started watching one child when he was only an infant, and my own child was only six months old, I feel I missed out on a lot of important one-on-one time with my daughter. The stress of having two infants was high, and there were many times when I questioned my choice. Once I started watching the second child, the dynamics changed, and having three became a constant battle of someone always being left out. Three toddlers at once was high stress. When I had my second child, I felt even more guilt about not giving my baby full-time attention.

Remember, the more children you watch, the more you will be limited as to how much you can get out of the house. I find I must complete all my errands and most of my chores in the mornings before the boys come. By the time they leave, I just want to relax and have dinner and quiet time with my family.

Difficult times may arise when dealing with the parents. I recommend a written contract if you intend to watch someone else's child. Specify how much and how often you will be paid, when you want time off, and how much notice you will give, how much notice you need if they will take time off, or leave, and any specific rules. For example, determine who supplies diapers and food ahead of time. What about late pickups? These can all become points of contention if you do not have them ironed out from the beginning. Other discord can arise from differing parenting techniques.

Consider additional expenses involved: food, baby wipes, diapers, crayons, etc. Do you have toys appropriate for the age of the children you watch if they are not the same age as your own child? Also consider any additional equipment you may need: high chairs, booster seats, car seats, strollers.

Providing child care is not for everyone, and there are many things to consider before making the decision. Good luck!

--Rebecca W., Manassas, Virginia

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My husband and I chose for me to provide child care after the birth of our second son in 1992. Our elder son was five at the time. You REALLY need to love little children to do this job. You need to treat these children as if they were yours, even though in the beginning you may be working without the automatic love you feel for your own child. That can be difficult, but it is necessary for good day care.

There are lots of challenges in caring for other children in your home: your own kids can be the worst behaved ones because they are in their own home. I found I needed to cultivate a calm approach so that I could discipline my own children appropriately, and deal with other children patiently, too. This did not always happen, especially in the early years. For myself, I found I needed to be disciplined about getting enough rest, eating right, and exercising. I recommend cultivating a network of friends for support, because there will be days when you will need to be reminded of why you took this job.

The job has its benefits: being able to be home with your own children, socialization for everyone involved, learning to deal with different personalities and group dynamics, providing quality care for someone else who must work and yet values their own children, too. And, perhaps, a happier husband because he can relax about the financial situation.

High-quality care for children, yours or anyone else's, obviously requires you to give a lot of yourself. So be prepared to find a balance between family life and work life. Reserve some time and energy at the end of your shift to read a book with your kids on the couch. Sometimes I find it helpful to go for a bike ride, or push a stroller on a quick walk around the neighborhood to help me change gears. The stresses associated with both motherhood and caregiving are real, and the more you know about yourself and what works for you going into it, the more successful you can be.

I love being home with my children and have grown to love my job as caregiver to other children. I tell parents that I emphasize the HOME part of home day care. We do not follow a "curriculum"--this is not school. We follow the rhythms of family life, so cooking, cleaning, playing, and learning are pretty much part of our gentler routine.

--Sharon K., Mitchellville, Maryland

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I have two children aged ten and eight. I have provided day care in my home off and on since my first was six months old. I have found child care very difficult.

Ask yourself these questions. Do you honestly enjoy other people's children? Do you like to play? How important is a clean house? Do you have space in your home for extra children? Will you need it to be quiet while your baby sleeps?

I strongly advise starting out slowly, with one or two part-time children. Perhaps try after-school care for five- and six-year-olds who are more self-sufficient at playing, or one child who is the same age as your child.

--Tina E., West Linn, Oregon

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As a seven-year day care veteran, my sincere advice would be to work opposite shifts of your husband, or have him take a second job. I've raised a total of sixteen extra children 20 to 60 hours each week, all of whom I have loved as my own. However, I firmly believe that children should spend 99% of their waking hours with their own parents, not a decent babysitter. Negative features have included parents picking up kids three hours late, bouncing checks
to pay me, toddlers insisting I'm mama, huge training or discipline differences, bad socialization, and my own two birth children feeling cheated out of a true mom. I even postponed increasing my own family size because of burnout. After food and expenses, my net income hovers at zero. If I had it to do over again, I'd live in a rented mobile home without a vehicle before I'd consider day care.

--Beth S., Camp Douglas, Wisconsin

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My suggestion is to look for some other options to supplement your husband's income. I have been a substitute caregiver at several area day care centers and nursery schools. More recently, I've subbed for some after-school care programs in my area. With substituting, you have the flexibility of working or not working. My son comes with me and has the benefit of being with other children. Subs usually do not get any benefits, but some places might make continuing education courses available to you free or at a discount. I have had employers pay for workshops, seminars, parenting classes, CPR, and first aid courses.

Another option could be an early morning newspaper route. My route requires about an hour of work on weekdays and Saturday mornings, and then more time to collate Sunday papers. There is additional time required for paperwork. I wish you luck with whatever you choose--you've already made the most important choice--being with your child.

--Pat H., Vienna, New Jersey

Copyright August 1998