The Eclectic WAHM

Work From Home Options

Reading is a GOOD thing!

One thing that has enhanced my life greatly is reading. When searching for options on working from home, I read a lot of books, blogs, articles...anything I could get my hands on. The first book I ever read that had to do with working from home was "Making a Living Without a Job" by Barbara J. Winter. It truly inspired me and opened my eyes to the many possibilities there are for someone who wants to earn income without a traditional job. Since then I have read many books, articles, blogs etc. on working from home and each has given me great ideas, resources and inspiration.

I encourage everyone to check out the many books Amazon has to offer on the topic of making a living. I put together the Eclectic WAHM Bookstore to create a resource of all the books I could find about telecommuting, business ideas and anything to do with working from home. Check it out if you get a chance - you may find just what you need to inspire you or get you on the right track for your at home career!

Here are some great books to check out:


On another note...I have been doing more reading lately. I recently had one of those birthdays. You know, those certain milestones that make you sit back and think "What have I done with my life? What am I doing with my life? What do I want to be when I grow up?" Something I realized was that I was ready - more than ready - to finally finish something I started a long time ago. I thought "well, I work from home...can I go to school from home?" The answer to that question was a resounding YES! Since I really enjoy web design, computers and marketing, I found a program that was a great fit for me. I'm now enrolled in the University of Phoenix online program to get my Bachelor of Science in IT/Multimedia & Visual Communication degree. I was astounded to find that many of the credits from :::ahem::: about 20 years ago actually transferred, so I am closer to my degree than I even imagined. It's really exciting to be back in school with a real goal in mind. I love learning in the online environment. Doing it this way makes my schedule so much easier.

If you've been thinking about going back to school check out University of Phoenix. The people there I've encountered have been so helpful. The instructors are great, my academic, financial and admissions counselors have all been fabulous. I was able to get Federal student loans and a grant, so I've had no out of pocket expenses so far. It's been a great experience and I'd recommend them to anyone looking to further their education.

I haven't been spending as much time on my Squidoo lenses as I'd like lately, but I'll be catching up there very soon.

So, that's what's up with me. What's up with you? :-)

Looking for a JOB from home?

I've worked several at home jobs with legitimate companies - they DO exist contrary to what some may say.

If you're looking for a work from home JOB (not a home based business), there are lots of companies who hire for call center type positions. And don't listen to the nay-sayers who say work from home and telecommuting jobs are all scams or that there aren't real jobs. There are. You just have to know where to look and how to avoid the scams.

Do NOT pay for a list of jobs or pay to get a job. There are a few of the legitimate companies that, after you have qualified for the job, ask you to pay for a background check if you will be handling sensitive information like credit cards. It's usually $20-$30 and from legitimate companies is a legit fee to pay. Other than that, there is no reason or need to pay anything if you just want a job. Some of the call center jobs, you are an independent contractor (IC) and some you are an employee.

If you want to start a home based business, there will be fees involved and business expenses. There are many legit business opportunities out there in direct sales, multi-level and network marketing. There are great companies to work with, but having a business isn't for everyone.

For info on jobs, you can check out this comparison chart from RatRaceRebellion.com - it shows a huge list of companies, their requirements, pay, where they are etc. http://www.ratracerebellion.com/CS_Comparison.html

Also, check out the telecommuting forums at WAHM.com and WorkPlaceLikeHome.com

And here's my huge list of work from home companies.

Read up on telecommuting, home businesses and various ways to work from home at The Eclectic WAHM Bookstore!

Good luck!

Part business, part hobby...Squidoo is for everyone!

I've posted about Squidoo a few times and I must say it continues to be a fun way to get information out there and connect with others who have similar interests. For those of you unfamiliar with Squidoo, it's basically a place where you can build single web pages (called lenses) on specific topics for FREE! Their tools make it so simple to share with the world anything you want, and you can make some money while doing it. It's a win-win situation.

My lens count is now over 50. I have a few on working and making money from home and a whole bunch about my passion - live theater. Another part of Squidoo I've really enjoyed is the sense of community there. There are lens groups you can join to connect with others, and forums where lensmasters communicate about everything from regular chit-chat to how to make better lenses. Everyone I've come across has been happy to give advice and help out. It's a fantastic group of people!

While it hasn't been "making a living" money, I've also earned some nice spare cash from my lenses and each month the amount I've earned has increased. Gotta love that! I encourage you to check it out for yourself. Take a topic you're interested in and build a page and you'll see how easy it is! Have fun!


Check out my lens

Employment vs. Business Opportunity Ads

Have you ever been looking for a work at home job and answered an ad, only to find out that the person who placed the ad wasn't really looking to hire someone but to recruit someone into a home business? It can be a frustrating situation. Some have even found themselves at an "interview" which is actually a business opportunity presentation or meeting.

Unfortunately, this practice of placing employment ads by reps of home business companies doesn't look to be ending any time soon. You can avoid finding yourself in a bogus "interview" by asking some questions when you speak to or email the person who placed the ad. Most of these ads do not mention a company name, so it's perfectly appropriate for you to ask the name of the company. Many of these ads are also vague about the duties you will be performing, so ask questions about what the work entails. Compensation is rarely stated in these types of ads. You'll usually see something like "unlimited earning potential" or "full time pay for part time work." Ask about compensation. If they say they need to meet with you first to explain the plan, it's probably a home based business opportunity.

I think home based businesses and network marketing are legitimate ways of earning income and have nothing against them. I simply object to this specific recruiting practice that some use. To me, it's deceptive to insinuate that you have a job opportunity when what you really have is a business opportunity. There are some people who simply want a JOB with a paycheck and those folks deserve the respect and courtesy of truth and honesty in advertising.

When advertising for business opportunities, it would be best if all were up front about what they are offering. Home businesses are terrific and legitimate ones have no need to hide behind employment ads in order to get recruits.

Just my .02

Yahoo Answers...it's fascinating

There are so many folks on Yahoo Answers asking "are there real, legit work at home jobs?" Of course we know there are many legitimate telecommuting jobs available, yet there are so many answers insisting this is not true. There are also many answers, giving links to affiliate programs and MLM/Network Marketing opportunities.

Now, I believe that MLM/Network Marketing is absolutely a valid option for many people, but when someone wants a JOB, that isn't what they are looking for. It's frustrating to so many who do simply want a job - they want to trade hours for dollars and get a paycheck. There's nothing wrong with that, and I feel bad when those folks are overwhelmed with home business opportunities.

I take folks at their word. If they ask about jobs, I give them information about jobs. If they ask about home businesses, I give them information about home businesses.

Why some people feel the need to completely ignore the actual question being asked is beyond me. People just want honest answers, and that's what they deserve.

Bottom line on Yahoo Answers, you'll find a lot of good information on there, a lot of irrelevant information and some downright scams. Everyone must do their due diligence when seeking home employment. There ARE good jobs out there and I wish you all the best in finding one that suits your needs!

Handy tool in spotting email scams

When you get an email from a potential employer that you have questions about, copy and paste the full header of the email into this tool:

http://headertool.apelord.com/

You will see where the email originated.

I'm ROFL at an email I just got...really LOL - yeah, I'm her "dearest new friend" Uh huh. Oh, and look at the end. She LOVES me. Makes me all warm and fuzzy inside. NOT. I used the header tool and guess where "she" is from...Senegal. Um yeah, we all know how "legit" the folks in Africa are @@ Hello, Nigerian scam anyone?? Think she wants to "make friends"? Nah, I think "she" is a "he" who wants nothing more than to scam me.

Hello my dearest new friend,
it give me a great pleassure to contact you after viewing your profile which interest me in having communication with you so that we can get to know each other and see what happened if you will have the desire with me,i will be very happy if you can write me through my email for easiest communication.here is my email (Joysaleemeh84@yahoo.com)
i will be waiting to hear from you through my email so i can tell you more about my self and send you my look to know who is communicating with you.
take care of your self and i wish you happy day.
yours new friend.
I LOVE YOU.
Joy.


Here's what the header tool has to say - the last entry is where the email orgininated:

IP Address Probable Country Additional Info
68.142.201.234 United States* Whois Google
209.191.108.97 United States* Whois Google
209.191.119.173 United States* Whois Google
196.207.198.88 Senegal* Whois Google

How cute. "Joy" wishes me a happy day. She can take her wish and shove it you-know-where.

In any case...yes....use that handy tool and I think you'll find quite often when you get those questionable "job offers" in your email that you wonder "is this a scam?", you'll find your answer right there in the header. If it comes from Africa - it's garbage. Sorry if that sounds racist or whatever, but in *every case I've seen in my email...the shoe fits.

Another SCAM "Job Offer"

Liars and scammers and money launderers, oh MY!

Here's just the most recent "job offer" I've received in email. It's quite obviously the same old "payment processing" scam in a new email.

First clue - I didn't ever apply for a job with them. REAL companies don't send emails to random people on the internet offering jobs.

Second clue - the email header shows the reply-to email address as a Yahoo email in the UK.

Third clue - they're offering a part time position as a "Payment Representative". Repeat after me folks - THERE IS NO SUCH LEGITIMATE JOB. EVER. REAL companies do not need random people on the internet to process their funds. EVER. It does NOT happen in real business.

Fourth clue - This wording "This project has also been developed not to affect your present job nor bring about any form of stress but in order to help take care of those extra costs." Please. Who writes like that? Nigerian Scammers. That's who.

Fifth clue- the job description:
JOB DESCRIPTION
1. Receive payment from Clients.
2. Cash Payments at your Bank.
3. Deduct 10% which will be your percentage/pay on Payment processed.
4. Forward balance after deduction of percentage and pay to any of the
offices you will be instructed to do so later (Payment is to be
forwarded
by Money Transfer
).

Once again, REAL legitimate companies do not, under ANY circumstances EVER need individuals to use their own bank accounts to process company funds. It's called MONEY LAUNDERING folks, and it's highly illegal. If you take a "job" like this you can wind up in JAIL. They say it's legal. THEY ARE LIARS AND SCAMMERS, folks. Do NOT respond to emails like this:



From WINGAS COMPANY Fri Feb 15 06:03:16 2008
Return-Path:
Authentication-Results: mta176.mail.re3.yahoo.com from=joboffer.co.uk; domainkeys=neutral (no sig)
Received: from 72.52.144.197 (EHLO host.servernetworkz.com) (72.52.144.197)
by mta176.mail.re3.yahoo.com with SMTP; Fri, 15 Feb 2008 06:04:25 -0800
Received: from localhost ([127.0.0.1]:57452 helo=host.servernetworkz.com)
by host.servernetworkz.com with esmtpa (Exim 4.68)
(envelope-from )
id 1JQ19o-0000DL-SR; Fri, 15 Feb 2008 09:03:16 -0500
Received: from 127.0.0.1 ([127.0.0.1])
(SquirrelMail authenticated user baba@zaiem.com)
by host.servernetworkz.com with HTTP;
Fri, 15 Feb 2008 09:03:16 -0500 (EST)
Message-ID: <57399.127.0.0.1.1203084196.squirrel@host.servernetworkz.com>
Date: Fri, 15 Feb 2008 09:03:16 -0500 (EST)
Subject: WINGAS JOB OFFER:SEND YOUR DETAILS ASAP
From: "WINGAS COMPANY"
Reply-To: jamesalmac@yahoo.co.uk
User-Agent: SquirrelMail/1.4.9a
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain;charset=iso-8859-1
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit
Importance: Normal
Content-Length: 3732


WINGAS GmbH COMPANIES.
Head Office.
Friedrich-Ebert-Straße 160
D-34119 Kassel
Germany .
Web site: www.wingas.de
Email: jamesalmac@yahoo.co.uk

Hello,

How do you do?

My name is Dickson James (Head of Public Relations, WINGAS Companies).

I would be very interested in giving you a part-time paying job as a
PAYMENT REPRESENTATIVE for WINGAS Companies, in the United States/Canada, in which you could earn a lot. This job would be based on contract and
commission terms and involves quite a lot of trust and honesty.
This project has also been developed not to affect your present job nor
bring about any form of stress but in order to help take care of those
extra costs. Meanwhile, this is 100% legal and there is no start up
cost required.

WINGAS GmbH is a joint venture of Wintershall AG in Kassel , the
largest German producer of oil and gas, and the world?s largest producer of
natural gas. The company has been active in the gas supply industry
since 1990 and supplies natural gas to public utilities.

WINGAS is successfully using the opportunities offered by the
increasing liberalization of the gas market for the sustainable expansion of its
market position in Europe .

Presently, we have just been granted a funding to head a research
project in Asia regarding Oil Drainage, Planning and Management and this would
be commencing very soon. However, the funding is made mostly in US
certified cashiers checks.

JOB DESCRIPTION
1. Receive payment from Clients.
2. Cash Payments at your Bank.
3. Deduct 10% which will be your percentage/pay on Payment processed.
4. Forward balance after deduction of percentage and pay to any of the
offices you will be instructed to do so later (Payment is to be
forwarded
by Money Transfer).

HOW MUCH WILL YOU EARN?
10% from each operation! For instance: you receive 5000 USD via check's
on
our Behalf. You will cash the Money and keep $500 (10% of $5000) for
yourself! At the beginning your commission will equal 10%, though later
it
will increase up to 15%!

MAIN REQUIREMENTS.
(1).18 years or older legally capable,responsible and ready to work 3-4
hours per week.

(2).You must have PC knowledge,e-mail and internet experience
(minimal).

And please know that Everything is absolutely legal, that's why you
have to fill a contract!

Anyways, to get started with us is free and easy. Your commission is a
constant fee that is dependent on how long you are ready to work with
this
Company.

Your willingness to work as a Payment Representative now will help and
save time so that this project can be concluded as soon as possible.

Also, I can assure you that you will be insured on Health bases and
housing allowance will be catered for (Effective after 1 week of
Application). This is acknowledged as part of our policy. You may
decline
the policy offer anyway.

If interested in this job, do fill the application form below send via
e-mail to:

jamesalmac@yahoo.co.uk

Then we'll make the concluding arrangements on how you'll get started.
Just to let you know that English will be our official communicating
language. Hope to hear from you soon.

Warmest Regards,

Dickson James
Head of Public Relations


WINGAS GmbH COMPANIES.
APPLICATION FORM

FULL NAME:-

HOME ADDRESS (NOT POST OFFICE BOX):-

CITY:-

STATE:-

ZIP CODE:-

COUNTRY:-

AGE:-

PRESENT/PAST JOB EXPERIENCE:-

PHONE NUMBERS (Home and Mobile):-

GENDER:-


(Information included in this application form is CONFIDENTIAL between
you and me, and the full name and contact info should be included as it
should be written on the payments being issued over to you, you should also
include a valid phone number for easy contact)

Dickson James
Head of Public Relations.

Loving Squidoo!

I've been having more fun on Squidoo lately than I have online in a while! If you're not familiar, Squidoo is a place where you can create lenses which are single web pages on any topic...and it's FREE! You'll find lenses on just about everything there - so much fun learning to do!

I've created over 30 lenses now about working from home, live theater, Broadway performers and more.

Check it out when you have a chance, and make your own free lens.

Here's a list of my lenses - stop by and say hello! The Eclectic WAHM on Squidoo

One Day...



Oh, and have you seen the national debt lately? Debt to the Penny

Things need to change. Just sayin'

Carry on...

Squidoo

Have you discovered Squidoo yet? Squidoo is a web site where you can build your own mini-site for free on any topic. It's a great place to go to learn about all kinds of topics, but also to create your niche.

What do you know a lot about? What are you passionate about? Build a lens on it!
Check out my lens

Connect with interesting people, share what you know and learn from others. I've had more fun with Squidoo over the last several months than I thought possible. I've got about 20 lenses now and updating them all time time.

Check it out - you won't regret it!
PayPerPost

Squidoo

Check out my lens


Followers

Swagbucks

My New Favorite Book

Cool Mom Blogs

4 Cats Make Me Crazy!
101 Ways to Save
A Day And The Life Of ME!
A Peek Inside Our Life
Ally Kat Tales
Angies Silly Stuff
ash.
The Art Dept Chronicles
Berriedreams
Blah-Zay
Busy Bee Village
The Cajun Blogger
Chatty Chica
A Christian Marriage
Confessions of a Baltimore Housewife
Da Boss And Bryguy
Dave's Blue Planet
Desperate Gossip
Diaper Duty Diary
Drizzly Blog
Fat Girl Goes Fit
Feelings Just Are
Femme Facade
Five O'Clock Somewhere
Flipping Adentures
Front Page Info
The Geeks Girl
Happy Healthy Families
Have Your Health
Healthy Home Blog
Here On Columbia Avenue
Hillbilly Heart
House Wife Wom
I Love My 3 Boys
Internet Art Class
It's Just My Thoughts
Jolly Mom
Junefair
Kateedyd What?!
Kimmi's Krazy World
The Learning Rock
Life In Cyrpress TX
Life In The Country
Life Inside My Purse
Life Is Like A Sewer
The Life Of A Military Wife
Lisa‘s Command Post
Love World Mall
Mama and Hustler???
Misadventures in Baby Raising
Mix World
The Mom's Book Review
Moma's Crazy World
Moma's House
Moma's Life
Mommie’s Marbles
Mom Tidings
Mom Times Three
Mom to Tweens
My Frugal Life
My-Junk-Drawer
My Mommy Chronicles
My Name is Not “Mom”
My Special Place
My So Called Blog
My Weekly Beef
New & Incredible Gossip
Notes From a Wannabe WAHM
Paradise Fiber Studio
Piece of Me
Postcard from Somewhere
Raising a Girl
Remotely Mommy
Shrinking Pamelalala
SlickMom
So Not Domestic
Surgical Nurse Musings
Talk Time with Kim
teleTwenties
The Jolly Kitchen
Thrifty Momma Ramblings
Thrifty Thoughts
Wahm Adventures
Weeping Widow
Work from Home Options
World of Mom

MyBlogLog

Join My Community at MyBloglog!
160x600

Labels