Money is tight. To help ease the financial pressure, you might have considered taking on some sort of employment. But the thought of working outside the home just doesn't sit well. You still want to be there for your children, regardless of their ages. You want the freedom to be able to go to work in you pajamas and without make-up. It looks like a work-at-home job will solve all of you problems. However, you might want to think again.

By Shauna Wheelwright, staff writer

Many veteran work at home women, regardless of the type of work they do, agree with one thing: working at home is not always the perfect solution. When others pay you to work, they are paying you for your time; time that you will not be able to devote to your family.

Marie Leslie (Panorama Heights Ward, Albuquerque West Stake,USA) runs a home-based photography business, said, "No matter what kind of job or work-at-home plan you choose, you will have to make some sacrifices. You cannot earn all the money your family needs/wants, be the perfect Primary teacher or whatever your calling is and be 'Mother of the Year.' I have seen many women who fall into the trap of thinking that working from home is the 'perfect solution' because it won't affect their families. It does."

Regardless of the type of work-at-home opportunity, take time to ask yourself a few questions. Honestly answering them may make the difference between success and failure.

Have I honestly weighed the positives and the negatives of this opportunity?
One work at home business that many women operate is an in-home day care. On the surface it seems to be a perfect solution for the mother of young children whose monthly budget just doesn't stretch far enough.

As Ann, an in-home day care provider, shared, "I was able to stay home with my children while earning an income. My children learned to share at a very early age. My kids always had lots of friends to play with." She also shared that, "the hours were long, what vacations I got were usually spent catching up on housework or home repairs, some parents often took advantage and were unappreciative and my kids were often exposed to things like poor moral values, foul language, and illnesses."

In order to make an informed decision, be sure to look at all the positives and negatives. It's easy to see that making additional income while staying at home, is a positive, but you may also notice negatives like long hours, being stuck in your house, and the different morals/attitudes that your own children could be exposed to.

Talk to others who are already doing what you are looking into, especially those who have succeeded in their line of work. Ask them what they love about their job and what they really dislike, if not hate about it. Discover how much time they devote to what they do, how much money, if any, it took to get it going and how long it took to turn a profit.

If you are looking at working for or with a company, it’s important to contact the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to find out if there are any complaints filled against that company. The Internet site WAHM, Work at Home Mom's page has message boards where you may be able to "talk" to others who have worked with specific companies. It's important to note, however, that just because there are no complaints filed against a company doesn't mean they are reputable. Some companies get complaints filed against them and in order to make themselves look legitimate, they change their name. Unless you know what their previous name was, you'd never know that they had complaints filed against them or other frauds. Word of mouth from friends and family might be a better source for finding a reputable company.

It's also important to know if the task you are hired to do is legal. It might sound unbelievable, but a woman in Texas was arrested for helping an International fraud ring move money outside of the country after responding to a work-at-home Internet ad. Fraudulent jobs are out there; take the time to check out any job offer. Use common sense: if it is too good to be true, it probably is. As members of the Church, we have an even greater gift, the Holy Ghost. Before accepting any job, be sure to pray individually and as a family. The Holy Ghost will guide you.

It is easy to assume that working from home, means you'll be able to juggle other family responsibility at the same time. This is not always the case. Ask yourself,

"Is this something that that will work with my children's schedules or for the caring of my children?"

Adilia Mata (Watford Ward, Watford Stake, England) chose to be a translator so that she could work from home. When her now two-year-old son was younger, doing her work was possible, but as he ages, she said it is getting more difficult to complete her work and care for her son. At times she has done it at night, sometimes until 5:00 am, while her son sleeps, leaving her tired and unable to do everything she would like to do during the day.

Mormonchic Editor-in-Chief Lori Garcia (Shoal Creek Valley Branch, Liberty Missouri Stake, USA) also agrees that children determine one's ability to work at home.

"When I was pregnant my OB asked if I was returning to work at my full-time job in graphic design," Lori said. "I told him that I was going to work from home. He chuckled a little and said I would be surprised at how many people said that, but it didn't work out. He said that working at home can be just as trying if not more, than working at the office because you overestimate your ability to get things done with children."

Lori has found that as her child ages, the less time she has to devote to her freelance work. She finds comfort in knowing that she will be able to return to working at home when her child goes to school, but has decided to lessen her workload while he is still at home.

Leticia Snow (Yea Mankato Ward, Burnsville Minnesota Stake, USA) is working from home for the company she worked for before her son was born. She finds herself often interrupted for feedings, naps, or playtime and sometimes just to hold him. While he was young she could hold him in her lap and work, but as he grows, he will no longer sit still, making it more difficult for her to get things done.

The in-home day care provider would not have the problems that Adilia, Lori and Leticia are having, but children do grow and their needs often change. As they start school they are going to need mom at different times during the day. While providing in-home daycare might be a good option for those with younger children, those with children in school might not find being tied to the home a good choice. Those with school-age children might want a more flexible schedule to be able to go on class trips, volunteer in the classroom or have time after school to take children to activities.

Do I have the talents and the ability to do the job? Is it something I am interested in pursuing and doing everyday?

There is a difference between not having a skill because you have not learned it, and not being willing to to learn a skill. This is where a thorough understanding of a job is necessary. If you really understand what skills will be needed, you can then do a personal inventory to determine if you have the skill, would like to develop the skill, or really have no interest in obtaining that skill.

If you have the skill, this may be a great opportunity to polish it and develop it in new and different ways. Be aware of what skills you have picked up by fulfilling Church callings and being a mom at home. Many of the things that we see as just ways to get us through the day have impressive names in the corporate world. Don't underestimate what you are all ready capable of doing.

For example, if you've served in a leadership position in the Church, such as Young Womens president, your experience in your calling may be afforded you the following skills: (1) time management (2) team working skills (3) ability to work within a budget (4) presentation skills, etc.

Do not be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone to learn new skills. It is in the discomfort zone that new talents are discovered and developed. It is where personal growth occurs. Always be willing to turn around and share these new talents with your family and the Lord.

Recognize that there may be things that you will never want to do. Accept it and be true to your self. For example, if you were to pursue an opportunity in the direct marketing field you must be willing and able to stand up in front of people and talk. If talking at Church is something that you enjoy, then you might have the ability. If talking in Church is nerve raking, but doable, this may be a great opportunity to develop your public speaking skills. If you would rather do anything, including cleaning an outhouse, than talk in Church, then this may be something you should pass up and look for something else.

Will you have the support at home to do the job?

Be brutally honest with yourself as you answer this question. Working at home will take time away from the family. It will cause stress in your life. If your family is not willing, or able, to help you meet these demands this may not be the right thing for you at this time. Your family's support or lack thereof, can be the difference between success and failure. Don't think that things will change once you start to work. Typically, not only will the support not be there, but you will be dealing with the additional stress that will come from your family’s resentment of the time you put into your work. For example, if your husband likes to have a quiet home with food on the table when he gets home at 5:30 pm, then having daycare kids at your house until 6:00 PM, might not be the best idea. If your husband is not willing to compromise, you might want to look into a different line of work or make sure your daycare kids are gone before he gets home.

What is really my main motive?

Is a job the only way to accomplish the goals I have in mind?

Take time to think outside of the box. If your main motive for working from home is to bring more money to the family budget, are there other ways that this could be done? Increasing income is not the only, or sometimes best, way to alleviate financial pressure. Decreasing spending will also solve the problem.

Elder Henry B. Eyring has counseled "Have you noticed husbands and wives who feel pinched for lack of money choose for a solution ways to make their family income keep rising but soon find that the pinch is there whatever the income? There is an old formula which goes something like this: Income five dollars and expenses six dollars: misery. Income four dollars and expenses three dollars: happiness."

In Thomas J. Stanley's book, The Millionaire Woman Next Door: The Many Journeys of Successful American Businesswomen, a chapter is devoted to women who have made millions by working the "Home Office." They spent 15 to 20 hours a week managing the family finances. They budgeted, kept track of expenditures, researched investment opportunities, and made their families financially independent.

Do not underestimate what you can do by spending the same amount of time you would have spent working taking care of your family's finances.

I am going to work at home, now what?

If you decide that working at home is the right thing for you at this time in your life and you have found the business opportunity that fits well for you, then what?

"Think very carefully about how involved in (work) you want to be," Marie said. "Working at home, you can choose to be very part-time or you can be full-time and then some. Also, if you are working, even from home, don't forget to compensate yourself for your time. In (photography), especially, people look at how much they have to pay to have a print made and then forget how much time they will spend getting that made and taking the photos and all the other things that take up so much time in a business. Also, be firm in your goals and in how much time you decide to spend. It is very easy to allow a business or work-at-home job to take over your life. I work very hard at putting my family and other important things first. I could easily spend every waking moment at this, not just because there is much to do, but because I do love what I do so much; however, that isn't good and so I don't."

Learn all that you can about your business and what it will take to succeed. Set office hours and stick to them. Don't let family and friends take you away from "the office" during these hours. You are now a working woman. There will be those who think that because you are at home that you are doing nothing. Do not let them fill up your time with things they would like you to do. There are, of course exceptions.

If you are finding that there are more exceptions than not in your life that keep you from working your office hours, it is time to reevaluate the choice to work from home. Have you chosen a bad time of the day for your hours? Is your family supportive of this choice? Is this really important to you? Is this something that you really want to do? Has this taken you way outside of your comfort zone and you are trying to avoid being in the discomfort zone?

On the other side, don't let the business take over the time that you would normally spend with family and friends. When office hours are done, put the work away and "go home" to your family and friends. As much as you can, keep work "at work" and your home life "at home." If you are finding that your work is taking over your life, step back and reevaluate where your priorities are. You may be saying that family is the priority, but your actions are screaming to your family that your work is. It may also be the case that your office hours are not long enough. If this is true then they need to be increased. Before you increase them, think about the time that you are now going to commit and decide if that is the best way to spend it. This may also be a time to reevaluate if you made the right choice to work from home.

Working from home can be a great way to develop talents, network with others, and bring in the extra income that your family might need, while still being there for your family in ways that you can not do if you are working outside the home. Remember, though, it is job. It will take time, and yourself, away from your family. Carefully weigh your options and make your decision. Then take it to the Lord, and he will direct you.

Also, don't forget the more traditional jobs through Direct Marketing Companies or the marketing of hobbies and talent that you might have. Many crafts can be turned in to a moneymaking business by selling them at craft fairs. Teaching or tutoring is also another job opportunity.

As always, thoroughly investigate any company you are thinking of doing business with.

Common Work at Home Scams

> WorkAtHomeCareers.com: Shares work at home possibilities as well as a section on common scams.

> National Consumer's League for Internet Fraud: Tips about Internet fraud.

> Wahm.com: Information on scams from Work at Home Moms' website.

> The Work at Home Jobs You Don't Want - by Allison Doyal

Assembly Jobs - Usually, you can't make lots of money assembling craft kits or any other type of kits. However, you can waste money on a package to get you started.

Data Entry Jobs - You'll see lots of listings for data entry jobs. They are usually either positions posting ads or a sales pitch for a kit that will get you started.

Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) aka pyramid schemes which involves recruiting new people, and more new people, to sell the product. If all you are doing is trying to find more people to do what you're doing, keep in mind that there are probably thousands of other people attempting to do the same thing. None of them are getting rich.

Online Businesses - Do you want to start your own online business and get rich? Be very wary of these types of ads too. What you may do is end up paying for a guide to working at home which duplicates information you can find free.

Posting Ads - There are lots of ads saying workers are needed to post ads on online bulletin boards and forums. You don't get paid to post, rather, you may get paid if other people sign-up.

Processing Claims - In order to get "hired" you'll need to buy equipment, software and pay for training.

Stuffing Envelopes - Believe it, or not, there are still people saying that you can earn $3 or $4 per envelope to stuff them. You can't. All major companies have postage machines which stuff, sort and meter mail. These schemes usually involve you posting fliers around town about a product. You only get paid if someone sees one of your fliers and requests information. You then "stuff the envelope" with that information the person requested.

The winner in the scam contest are the sites that provide you with information on only legitimate work at home jobs - for a nominal fee, of course. Don't do it!