What options are there for working at home?

[SoftwareMatters]

Thank you for all the responses.

It really depends what skills or transferable skills she has, what resources are available and work from there.

She used to write for a local paper and more recently worked as a purchase ledger in the accounts department of a large firm so she has good maths, english and computer skills.

We have a computer at home. She is looking for something that can be done either on an evening or while the baby is pre-occupied i.e. sleeping or the odd 5 minutes here and there.

[Indizine]

OK then one option culd be to approach book keepers and see if she can provide a support service.

She could also consider writing fresh, unique articles, or blogging for people, that sort of thing.

[amonta]

I don't think there are many opportunities for working from home... sorry to be downbeat. I definitely would not go for any job that ask you to give them a lot of money for signing up. I think I'd agree with an earlier post, which suggested you look for a business idea within you, and try that out. Setting up a website for your idea and working on it will at least give you the chance to be at home and work on your own business rather than someone else's business. It's best to pick an idea that you will enjoy, so you feel good about working at it. Good luck.

[Global Assistant]

Hi there
I am a virtual assistant and offer services such as writng, PA and book keeping, so things your wife seems to have experience in, however it isn't an easy way to make money (but what is?) As you are internet based you need to spend alot of time getting your name out there, by joining forums like this one and posting/commenting on blogs etc. However, if she persevered, she would get business. It's a case of people gaining confidence in you and your business.

[HelenL]

Working at home on a PC is horrible. I don't know who does it. But I have done it. It is the worst thing in the world.

Working form home on a PC can be lonely and boring at times, but there are ways of connecting with other people such as forums like this one, social networking etc. There are even mums' networking clubs popping up now.

I've done much worse jobs!

[Oscar Acosta]

She has been thinking about working from home after a friend told her about a job filling letters in to envelopes or something.

Does anyone have any experience of doing this kind of work? What is the pay like per hour?

Are there other jobs she could consider doing?

There are jobs exactly like that, but the pay will be inconsistent. It'll depend on the outsourcing company having the work in the first place.

In my day job we outsource bow tying, card folding and fiddly hand finishing work that can't be automated on machines - sorry I should say it's a print company, but it's not guaranteed work we only outsource when we have the need.

I know our local hobbycraft supplier outsources bow tying (making bows out of ribbon). I should say everything is costed on a per unit basis rather than by the hour. So it may be £0.01 per bow tied - do 1000 get £10 (< that's just an example by the way, don't quote those figures).

How much get up and go has your wife got? Could she get into selling Wedding stationery or something along those lines? Or maybe commission only telesales that could be done from home?

There's also companies like BT that outsource some of their customer service to home workers, using VOIP (voice over IP). I think they pay on a per call answered basis. There'll be other companies that do the same thing too.

[LOS Design UK]

Just had a light on moment (maybe)

What about pairing up with someone who would compliment your skills and offer an allround service?

.....

Regards
Daren

[ca4nul]

i have experience working from home as freelance developer. in fact it is good money

[Dan Lingo24]

If you master a foreign language you can work as a freelance translator. The income can be great if you make proof of your language capabilities.

[leggylad]

Stuffing envelopes at home is possibly the worst way to try and make money. The rates are ridiculously offensive and the volume is unachievable - it will kill her - Please Please don't do it!!!

Mike