With the current economy as it is, many people, such as yourself, are searching for the perfect opportunity….to be able to do from the comfort of your home! I will tell you that nothing can compare to working at home!
What I want to share with you today, is the differences between working a home based job and a home career. Years ago, when I began my search, I did not realize there was a difference. Many people don’t. So I want to shorten your learning curve today, by explaining the differences to you, so that you understand and can make an educated decision.
Lets start with the terminology: work at home job and home business opportunity. They are both ways to work at home, and fantastic in their own right, however, they are not the same. Some people think they are interchangeable, but they really each have their own characteristics. They are often cause for someone to getting involved in a work at home opportunity they do not understand. Many people mistake a home business for a work at home job and are disappointed they have to handle so much work or that they are not guaranteed paychecks on a steady basis. Others get a work at home job and are not happy at having someone give them work to do and a set schedule. That is why it is important for anyone wanting to work at home to understand the difference between the two.
So let’s compare the differences….
A work at home job is much like a job outside the home. You will have a boss to report to and will be given work and often have a schedule to follow that is set by the company. You are an employee of said company. While most work at home jobs do not hire on people as employees, they are still basically working in the role of an employee. Most work at home positions are as an independent contractor, which basically means the company does not withhold taxes and do not have to guarantee work for the person. Many of these companies have long intricate hiring processes. They will have many applicants to compete with because there are not that many companies that hire employees to work from home. Often times, purchases must be made for items prior to even being considered. Some companies re-imburse you, some do not. These companies most likely will complete a background check and require a headset, landline, printer/fax/copier, no distractions and so forth. Then if you have children, you may face the additional expense of still daycare or a babysitter because you cannot have any background noises or distractions for most of the positions companies offer. With a work from home job, there is still no security and no freedom. You can be fired or laid off at anytime. The worst of all is that, with a work at home job and even a traditional job outside the home, you are trading your valuable time for money.
A home business is just like any other business. You are responsible for every aspect of the business. A home business owner can work with a company and sell their goods or offer their services, so they do not have to worry about products and in some cases orders. They are Independent Contractors and issued 1099s instead of W-2s. This shows the IRS that they are not employees and are able to receive all the tax advantages that regular business owners receive. This means that you would be able to write off portions of your mortgage/rent, phone bill, cell phone bill, gas, electric, car mileage, office supplies, advertising and so much more. The main difference to a home business is that you are not given work to do. You are responsible for managing your business. You will not have a boss to report to, quotas to meet, or a set schedule to work. Most companies that you start a home business with will send you a commission check; whether it be daily, weekly, and/or monthly. If you are not working with a company and it’s your own company then you’d handle your own pay. When you are your own boss, you are in control of the income that you make. You can give yourself a raise when you want too! You have the ability to build financial freedom. A tax-deductible monetary investment is normally required. Often there is a low monthly tax-deductible overhead cost, to maintain what the company provides to you, for you to use to operate your own business.
