Avoid Work at Home Scams – Our Story

When Dad had his accident in early 2001, our world came crashing down. How could someone in their 20’s who was strong, vibrant, and hard working be struck down so suddenly and told he may never walk normally again?

Thankfully, Dad had excellent doctors who saved his foot and after 18 months of hard physical therapy, he learned how to walk again.

During those first few months, we struggled financially. I had two consulting contracts ending and Dad’s disability income was not enough to pay the bills. In desperation, we searched high and low for a quick way to make money, possibly a work at home opportunity. It wasn’t that we were interested in GRQ (get-rich quick), we simply wanted to PTBQ (pay the bills quick).

What we found, were TONS of scam artists eager to take our money and offer nothing in return.

That 80’s song “Taken In” from Mike and the Mechanics rings in my ears:

♫ Taken in, taken in again
Wrapped around the finger of some fair weathered friend
Caught up in the promises, left out in the end

Taken in, taken in again
Someone saw me coming, a fool without a friend
There’s one born every minute and you’re looking at him ♫

Unfortunately, we fell for an illegitimate direct sale company. We spent $600 for sign up fees and inventory and three months later, the company folded. Ouch! This was a hard lesson learned but one that made us wiser.

Seven years later, there is no shortage of unscrupulous people hocking work at home scams, especially with more and more people using the Internet.

Here are some tips on how to protect yourself from work at home scams:

• Use common sense.  Remember this wise advice: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
• Be wary of companies requiring money up front before providing details of how their business works.
• If a company offers a money back guarantee, get it in writing.
• Don’t allow yourself to be pushed into making a quick decision.  Scam artists often use hard selling techniques to close the sale.  If it’s a “limited time offer” that does not provide enough time to think it over, move on.
• Check out the organization or company.  Make sure to obtain the telephone number, address, and owners contact information.  It’s also wise to check with the BBB and obtain references.
• Work at home jobs and businesses require time and real effort.  If you are promised “BIG MONEY” with little or no effort, chances are…it’s a SCAM!

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Trent at The Simple Dollar posted a no-fuss, “path to weath” plan where anyone can become a millionaire by investing 5 minutes a day. 

In researching home business ideas, I’ve come across many scams and “get rich quick” schemes targeting those who want wealth without the effort.  There is NO program out there that delivers on this promise.  NONE.

You need to work in order to earn.  If it is legitimate work, it takes time.

Trent’s advice is to take 5 minutes a day and analyze your spending habits, look for ways to save, and then examine how you can grow your savings by investing.

Back in October, Dad and I decided to kick the Starbucks habit and saved $230.  I am taking that $230 a month and applying it towards our home equity line of credit (in addition to the regular payment).  This will enable us to pay off the balance faster and save money in interest.  Once the HELOC is paid, I will take that monthly payment and sock it into our high interest savings account.  We are looking at ALL areas of spending to see where we can cut back and save even more. 

I plan on taking it one step further by increasing our income through a home business and funneling that money into our debt repayment.

Will the simple step of cutting back on daily spending make us millionaires?  If we are consistent on saving and investing, I believe it will. 

Wash, rinse, repeat…it’s really that easy.

You don’t even have to spend $899 on that “Turn-Key-No-Work-Get-Rich-Now” system!

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I was talking to a family member recently, and the subject of work was brought up.  She said,
“It must be great to work at home.  You can do whatever you want all day”.  I gently reminded her that while I have more flexibility in my schedule, I do indeed work (usually 40+ hours a week).  While it’s great, it’s still work.

Here are a few more funny comments/questions I’ve heard regarding working at home:

• It must be nice working from bed.

Yes.  When I was 41 weeks pregnant, I kept my feet up in bed every morning while I worked on my laptop.  Now that I’m not pregnant anymore, I only get up from bed to use the bathroom.

• Can you work barefoot?

No…company policy dictates proper foot attire must be worn at all times.  During video conferences, my boss makes me point my webcam at my feet to make sure I’m following the rules.

• Since you don’t have to work around people, do you take a shower everyday?

Once I realized how much time I saved by not commuting, I looked for other ways to maximize my time.  I contemplated ditching my personal hygiene routine all-together, but then I remembered my husband has to sleep with me…and I’d like to keep it that way.

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