Home working - is there anything that isn't a big old scam?

[JudgeJudyAndExecutioner]

Anything?

Those book things
And the card company
And toy thing

Like franchise I think but not quite

Usborne Books would be okay if you only needed say some extra £ per week but that would need good regular orders via toddler groups schools etc and obviously nothing is guarranteed...or Mystery Shopping earns me about £60 per month (but I work during day 3 days a week so could earn more if I was around more..)...have known people do 'envelope stuffing' etc at home but the piece rate was pretty poor...Proofreading is another.....

Childminding???

paddlinglikemad, can you tell me more about the mystery shopping?

There are a few companies about, the one I use most is Grass Roots Mystery Shopping, you fill in an online application form, then when you have been accepted you log on to their website to collect jobs on a first come first served basis..most pay £10 a time , but obviously they have to be local to make it worth your while.
The range is from Banks To Supermarkets, some are more involved than others a basic one will involve checking they have certain displays up, staff are in uniform,ask for a certain product, sometimes you have to do a transaction like buy something for a £1 (then you claim this back)
I like it it is good fun sometimes and as long as it is local or you tie it in around your normal shopping/day then it is good way to earn some extra ££

ok thanks, I'll have a look.

Women work as accountants from home. My sister works as a clinical psychologist from home. My father say patients at home - he's a psychiatrist. My ex husband taught the piano and other things from home. I've neighbours who run all kinds of businesses from home. People write from home. Loads of stuff.

I would look at it from the other way round. Rather than think of jobs that are designed around being at home, think about what skills and qualifications you have, your own interests and abilities, facilities you have to hand (storage for stock?, car access, phone, location - city centre based or out in the sticks - all affects type of work). Is this a stop gap before kdis get to school or hopefully a start to a new career opportunity?
What are you good at? team work or on your own, great on the phone or better working via internet and on paper, or in person etc etc. How "brave" are you feeling? would you be ok setting up your own business from scratch eg - a reseller working our of ebay with your own website linked and find your own suppliers.. or would you feel more comfortable working without the isolation - eg. something like Bodyshop party organiser.. What do you hate/are you limitations. Sounds obvious but worth doing. Also - how much time have you honestly got to do this every week? Are you prepared to sit up night after night answering emails, calls, wrapping up parcels or going out to stranger?s houses to run shopping parties etc? Do you have flexible hours or would it be better if it were fixed time slots with definite beginning and ending times to fit in with your homelife needs?
Put it all on paper and ask someone who knows you well enough to be honest with you and see what they think. Start with what you have already and you are more likely to be successful and realistic.
Both my husband and I work from home and are self employed, running a couple of businesses between us. It is not easy and some obvious and some less obvious disadvantages as well as advantages. My advice to you would be to not rush into anything at all but to take time to consider all options.