1—With the ever-rising costs of fuel, your commute can add up – in dollars and in time. Working from home decreases your gasoline costs as well as wear & tear on your vehicle. Assuming a minimum commute of 30 minutes per day, that saves you eleven hours per month, or 132 hours per year. Not to mention the added benefit to the environment. Plus, there are no traffic jams on the way to work, and you don’t have to listen to early morning radio jocks unless you choose to.

2—With a computer, the internet and a phone, you’re almost as connected from your house as you are from any office. There is significant growth in small business ownership. Working from home cuts down the overhead and has tax advantages.

3—Decreased clothing costs. You really can get away with one good outfit of your choice and a few separates since you’ll only be “dressing up” for meetings. The typical work from home outfit: sweats (shorts in summer) and a t-shirt. The beauty of this uniform – it’s easy to care for (wash, dry & wear) and works equally well for gardening, walking, boxing up your online auction orders, and writing the great American novel. A week’s worth of work from home outfits at any good discount store: $60.

4—Increased productivity. There are no co-workers dropping by to lament their dating, dieting or drinking dilemmas. Of course, you must refrain from e-socializing, but it’s easier to ignore an email than it is to dodge a whiny office-mate on day 2 of Atkins or the office party dude who wants to rehash his weekend. Plus, there are fewer dumb meetings where everybody’s late or unprepared and nothing gets accomplished. With online meetings, email and the phone, you may find you don’t need meetings at all.

5—Childcare issues are easier. Depending on the age of your children and the nature of your work, you may still need a babysitter, but probably not full-time.

6—Leftovers make great, easy lunches. No need for brown bags, just heat & eat. You save money and even if you’re not a great cook, it’s usually better than fast food or snack machine offerings. If you usually go out for lunch at work and spend just $10, that’s $50 a week saved.

7—You are in control of your environment! You can set the heat/air temperature to your liking. You can choose non-toxic cleaning supplies, music & office décor.

8—You can be productive during work breaks—throwing in a load of laundry, unloading the dishwasher, watering the garden. Of course, you have to avoid the impulse to clean and cook and wander around the house aimlessly, but usually after week one, you learn to separate work duties from home duties pretty easily.

9—Drinks don’t cost $2.25 each. Your refrigerator never takes your money or gives you pop when you wanted juice. Coffee does not require making a choice between $4 a cup, or “free-but-tastes-like-mud”.

10—Freedom, to set your own hours and work when you want to work. You can work when you are most energetic, whether that’s 10 am or 10 pm. You can take off to run errands or go see your kid’s school play. It becomes about your productivity, not about your “face-time” in the office.

So, are there any cons to working from home? Of course. Some people are not self-motivating and just cannot do it. Some people need much more socialization than working from home allows. Some people don’t have the space or equipment to create a work area in their homes. It all depends on the circumstances.

If you long to work from home, explore your options. If your current situation doesn’t allow for working at home, there are many great Multi-level-marketing (MLM’s) or Network Marketing Companies that you can start part-time. This way you have time to build up your income before leaving your job. Many Network Marketing companies have great “on the job training” programs, so you are in business for yourself, but not by your self. If you are looking for an opportunity to be your own boss with a minimal start-up of under $500.00 then check out http://www.shaklee.net/daydesigns/JoinUs