Archive for December, 2008

Spotting a Scam

Unfortunately, because there are so many people who want to make a living working from home, there are a bunch of companies out there that are just scams to get your money or access to your bank account. These companies look just like the legitimate home based business opportunities, so it can be very difficult to spot the scams. Even with all of the home businesses I’ve tested, I sometimes still get hung up on a scam.

Here are some warning signs of a scam. While these don’t automatically mean it’s not legit, they do mean you should proceed with caution:

Collectibles/Memorabilia Dealer

There is some great money to be made with collectibles and memorabilia. Thanks to the Internet and international listing sites like eBay, it’s easy to sell the items you find for a huge profit. The biggest trick in this business is knowing the good stuff when you see it so you can make a profit. Luckily there are lots of tools to help you out:

  • An Internet-ready phone - This will allow you to check immediately on an item when you see it somewhere to get a better idea of what price it might bring on the open market. If you see a collectible tea cup in an antique store marked for $3 and it’s going for $85 on eBay, you can be confident that it’s worth the purchase.

Treehouse Builder

Childhood is a magical time. And many parents are willing to spend a lot of money making their children happy, especially around the holidays. This past Christmas, I watched as one of my friends gave her children their very own treehouse. She had paid a local carpenter to build it while they were at school in a far corner of their yard, and she kept it hidden by a tarp she told the kids was protecting her bushes from the cold winds of winter. Christmas morning, she had removed the tarp and showed off their brand new treehouse.

House Cleaning Business

Of all the things on people’s to-do lists, one thing that is always there is cleaning. Working parents don’t have time to keep everything clean and sanitary for their little ones, and elderly people may not be able to move around well enough to deep clean the floors, kitchen and bathrooms. You can help and ensure an steady income for yourself by doing the cleaning for them.

Novus Auto Glass

Novus Auto Glass has been repairing windshields and car windows since 1972 and has grown to more than 300 franchise locations across the country. Novus is a well-known and well-respected brand name in auto glass repair and replacement. As a franchisee, you’ll have an entire tried-and-tested team working behind the scenes to help you succeed. As their website says, “In addition to our National 800 job Referral and an active sales force, we have a complete advertising toolkit that ensures consistency from market to market. This includes a large radio, print and TV library, as well as vehicle graphics and branded apparel. We’ll get you up and running with a marketing program specifically tailored to your local area. At Novus, your success is our success, so you will get support every step of the way.”

Angela Moore Inc. - jewelry, clothing, home accents and more

Angela Moore makes some of the most beautiful, colorful and specialized jewelry and home accents on the market. Women flock to the catalog and in-home sales parties to see the latest designs and buy some gorgeous pieces for themselves and their homes. The clothing fashions are perfect for everyday wear or for something more special like cruises, resorts, or fine dining. The Angela Moore catalog is filled with fashionable accessories like shoes and sandals, jewelry, and even candles, vases and other items to dress up your home.

Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500 for 2009

Entrepreneur Magazine just released its list of the top 500 franchises for 2009, and many of the top names are ones you’ll recognize. These are not only nationally known businesses, but they are also ones that have topped the list for many years. The order is a little different and there are some new names on the list.

Here’s the top 10 franchise opportunities for 2009:

1. Subway
2. McDonald’s
3. Liberty Tax Service
4. Sonic Drive-in Restaurants
5. InterContinental Hotel Groups
6. Ace Hardware Corp.
7. Pizza Hut
8. The UPS Store / Mail Boxes Etc.
9. Circle K
10. Papa John’s International Inc.

UPS Store Franchise

In today’s busy corporate environment and with so many people selling on eBay, a UPS Store  would be a great investment of both time and money. According to Entrepreneur Magazine, UPS  Stores have been rated the #1 franchise in the business services category for 18 straight  years. You’ll get name recognition and a trusted name in business when you purchase your UPS Store.

Survey Scout

Survey Scout is one of the longest-lasting and best-known survey programs out there. And there’s good reason why it’s such a strong one! Survey Scout has a huge collection of surveys and pays well for each completed one. This is not a get rich quick scheme, but instead it’s a great way to earn some extra cash for bills or special purchases. You can select as few or as many surveys as you would like, and complete them when you have time. That means you can work while the kids are sleeping, while your spouse is showering, or any time it’s most convenient for you.

Survey Princess

“Answer surveys. Get great rewards. Live like a princess!”

Ok, so Survey Princess is a little cheesy, but it beats all the other boring survey panels out there. And since this one is geared for women, the surveys are a lot more targeted and relevant. Just like most other survey memberships out there, you get paid to take surveys in your spare time. You can spend as much or as little time as you like taking surveys, and the pay isn’t enough to replace a full-time salary, but it is enough to pay a few bills or do some extra shopping each month.