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Have a look on ebay there are loads of bizarre ideas for home workers.
Karl :)
Most work-from-home jobs have a REALLY lousy return for the time it takes you, even if you come up with a "system."
For example, my wife was looking at a jewelry assembly opp just out of curiosity. The task was to assemble gemstone/beaded necklaces. You had to buy your own materials up front, assemble them to SPECIFICATION (20 red stones, five blue, etc etc), then return them for review and MAYBE you'd get paid. The company would review your work, and reserved the right to not pay for anything they considered a "defect." One stone short, improper knots, anything.
Mailing services are the same thing. They'd give you the letters but you have to buy your own stamps and envelopes. So look around for things like that but be very very careful before you have her commit to anything.
The tasks you are given to perform are not "real" the whole set up is designed to get money from you not pay you.
Ask yourself what reputable company would take on just about anybody as an "employee" (usually self employed) without any sort of interview or background check.
Many years ago my mother in law worked for a firm where she had to paint model cottages. Every cottage she painted took her about 3 times the time estimate they gave her and even though she did an immaculate job they rejected at least 50% of every batch she sent back. It's a mug's game.
Most of the time it's working on the back of some companies on the mlm model.
What you need to loook out for is opportunities that require big upfront investment (some upfront money might be needed for a couple of reason - one of them being to make sure that you will invest yourself in it, rather than just waste their time).
I would also avoid opportunities with set monthly targets, where you have to buy products for your downline and sell it to them...
Look on G for home based / mlm opportunities in your country and do some reading on each of them before signing up.
Leo
Most work-from-home jobs have a REALLY lousy return for the time it takes you...
You're probably not wrong about this, but in exchange for getting paid less per hour while working at home, you can:
a) Avoid commuting
b) Avoid working with people you don't want to work with
c) Avoid anyone breathing down your neck or looking over your shoulder
d) Avoid being timechecked when you come back from lunch or start work in the morning
e) Avoid being given tasks that you really don't want to do
f) Avoid office politics and / or gossip
g) Avoid that Sunday evening feeling
h) Have a coffee break whenever you want
i) Go out for a walk / go shopping whenever you want
j) Call people on the phone whenever you like
k) Watch TV or listen to the radio while you work
l) Schedule your day as you wish
m) Take Thursday off and work on Sunday instead
n) Party all night, sleep half the day and then work into the early hours
o) Work in a comfortable environment
In fact the only downside of working at home, really, as far as I can see, is that you don't get the Friday afternoon feeling. But I feel that's a pretty small sacrifice to make given all the other benefits.
As for working at home opportunities, here are some that come to mind:
Writing articles, proofreading, editing, translation, teaching English, word processing, transcription, web page design.
Selling products like Tupperware or telephone services.
Does she enjoy cooking? Kids birthday parties, wedding cakes, catering.
Selling magazine/newspaper subscriptions. Running a paper route?
Making clothing or knit-wear.
Volunteer work. Yes, you can get paid, but one usually has to prove themsleves reliable and trustworthy before that happens. But it's a great way to meet others and discuss ideas.
For about a year I supported myself by making and selling hemp pieces - bracelets, anklets, necklaces, pouches - and with a small "gift of love" in the form of cash every week from some volunteer work that I was doing. I didn't get wealthy doing that, but I wasn't broke all the time either.
Working only weekends at the local flea-market or trade shows.
Freelance Writing is another thing she might be interested in, given that she writes about something that she likes.
you don't get the Friday afternoon feeling
That's actually a big thing. Walking out the door on Friday and knowing that you're done until Monday is very nice.
Then again, being able to go for a walk or a drive at 3:00 in the afternoon is nice too.
I know several people who earn their living picking through stuff at bargain shops and reselling them online to vintage-hungry Californians. Sometimes as-is, sometimes processed (for example, vintage pillowcases sewn into toddler summer dresses = $$$)
There is a fortune to be made by anyone who makes old concert t-shirts into themed "rocker" quilts
(visualize faded Pink Floyd tees assembled into patchwork. boo-yah)
g) Avoid that Sunday evening feeling ....
Groooooaaaaan . . . you are SO RIGHT . . .
I think I spoke in a different context, if you have a specific skill and career it's an entirely different story.
