With gas prices skyrocketing, you may be asking yourself this: Is it worth it for me to still be driving to work?
Anybody who has had to report to a daily job has, at one time or another, daydreamed about just working from home. What's not to like?
You can wear what you want (or not wear it, it may well be.) If you're working at home, your office probably has a nicer view than your cubicle does at work.
You don't have to put up with gossip, annoyances, workers arguing with each other, or whiners. You just get up, hobble over to your computer, turn it on and work your own hours.
Plus, just think of all the extra money you'll make not having to leave your house!
But before you all rush out and quit your day jobs, give this move the careful consideration it deserves. While telecommuting can be a great way to earn your money, is it really for you?
Here's what you'll have to consider:
You'll trade in a predictable income with one that might not be so steady. While you know going to work at your current job about how much money you'll make per hour, it's not that easy when you're telecommuting, unless you do it as part of the job you already hold. When you work at home, it's not easy to budget.
Are you easily distracted? A lot of people who try to work at home find that the distractions of television, children, telephones ringing and pets demanding attention make it harder to concentrate than the office weatherman does.
Do you have the equipment you need? Yes, you might have a computer, but many jobs required specialized software, and that can be expensive. When you work at a location, they'll provide the software, office supplies and everything you need. When you do it at home, you have to provide what you need yourself. And don't forget – if it breaks, you can't just call tech support, unless you want to pay $50 or more for someone to come over.
Are you organized and meet your deadlines well? Some people really do need a manager over them to urge them on.
Before you make the big leap, why not try telecommuting a little at a time? One afternoon, when you're off for some reason or another, try doing some work that you would normally do in the office. Are you able to perform those same kinds of duties? Or, look online and find a part-time freelance job doing something you like, and see if you can make money doing it.
Have you ever telecommuted? How did it work out for you?