Back in the late 70's/early 80's my younger sister and I worked at home making saddle cinches & breast collars. As I remember it we made about $100/month (each) working about 5-10 hours a week.

I would love to find some type of production work to do at home on either a full or part-time basis. Have any of you been involved (currently or in the past)with production type work done in a home enviornment?

Thanks for your insights!

-- Jane from SW Oregon (jwagman@mail.com), August 21, 2001

Answers

nothing on a permanant basis,, but,, last year,, some people were riding down my road,, and one broke a bridle,,, they were deciding what to do,, right in front of the house,,, so I went out there,, and stiched it back up,, told them it would hold,, but they should replace the peice soon,, so the next weekend,, they brought it to me to replace,, which I did,, now,, every month or so,, one of their group brings me something to fix,,, about 25 bucks a month,, no big deal,,, but it only takes a few mins

-- stan (sopal@net-port.com), August 21, 2001.

HAve you got Ken S's e-book e-mailed to you? LOTS of good thoughts, some of which have to be possible for you - at least as an idea- generator. Ken, would Countryside allow you to post this on their site, for download?

-- Don Armstrong (darmst@yahoo.com.au), August 21, 2001.

Don:

I doubt it could be done on the CS web site, and it is a very large file - over 200 pages. It is just simplier for people to request it directly from me to be sent as an attachment to an e-mail.

Jane, by the way, the book is How to Make Extra Money in the Country. It is free as an e-book upon request.

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), August 21, 2001.

With the upcoming Christmas season, tabletop pinecone "Christmas trees " with little ornaments can sell for $25 ea or more. All you need is a cardboard circle for a base, some pine cones and ornaments and a little hot glue.

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair@yahoo.com), August 21, 2001.

There are FREE Work At Home Fairs around the country. They have loads of booths and seminars for all kinds of ideas and help. They're often held at the Marriott Hotels. Check your newspapers. I have my reservation in for just such a fair this weekend in San Antonio.

-- ~Rogo (rogo2020@yahoo.com), August 22, 2001.

just be aware that most of those are mlm's in which only a small percentage(less than 5% no matter what kind of junk they tell you) actually make any money and most are supported by recruiting others. Most of the revenues in multi-level marketing like Amway/Quixtar, etc, etc are from the distributors themselves, not actual customers. The same goes for most work at home schemes that require you to buy equipment like computers, word processors, etc. They're in the business to make money off of you, not set you up to run a profitable business. The best way is to do it on your own. Anything that sounds too good to be true usually is.

-- Dave (something@somewhere.com), August 22, 2001.

Hello Jane, We make extra money by selling crafts and flea market items on Ebay.com. This year we plan on adding seeds from our garden. I planted my whole garden heirloom this year just for the purpose of reselling the seeds. Hope this helps. Sincerely, Ernest

-- http://communities.msn.com/livingoffthelandintheozarks (espresso42@hotmail.com), August 22, 2001.

Right now we are struggling on more ways to make money from our homestead so we don't have to work for "oustiders" as much...right now my husband has a handyman business (where he works all over the county for folks doing everything from installing ceiling fans to building small porches); I work as a newspaper reporter for two newspapers but have my office at home even tho I am the senior staff writer at one of the papers; BUT we also sell eggs (just beinning that) and I am raising and breeding Angora rabbits....I've also sold some books on E-bay but found that most folks don't want to pay enough to make that really profitable and don't want to pay enough postage and handling...In years past I've taught piano, keyboard and begnning guitar lessons (for about 20 years) but I just don't have enough patience for that anymore!) we'll be looking to see what other ideas you get! suzy

-- Suzy in Bama (slgt@yahoo.com), August 23, 2001.

If you could find the right small business you could be secretary from your home. I work all over the country and my secretary could live anywhere. Help keeping books, taking calls when I am out of cell phone range, writing invoice, things like that. Doing internet search for contractors in the area we are working at and making the easy phone calls. With a little practice and a 800 phone number you could handle a few bussiness. My sister in law does mine and it only takes her about 10 hours a week. Send every thing by email or fax. You would need a good cordless phone that reaches most of your property so you could take a call while doing chores. If I need this service I am sure that others need it also. This might not be right for you but someone might be able to turn this into a good home base business. Good luck.

-- ed (edfrhes@aol.com), August 23, 2001.

Ed, what type of business are you in? This sounds very appealing to me. I sell collectibles on Ebay right now and would like to expand my horizons. Since I have an extensive business background, this may just be something I should look into doing.

P. Bailey

you wrote: "I work all over the country and my secretary could live anywhere. Help keeping books, taking calls when I am out of cell phone range, writing invoice, things like that. Doing internet search for contractors in the area we are working at and making the easy phone calls. With a little practice and a 800 phone number you could handle a few bussiness. My sister in law does mine and it only takes her about 10 hours a week. Send every thing by email or fax. You would need a good cordless phone that reaches most of your property so you could take a call while doing chores. If I need this service I am sure that others need it also"

-- P. Bailey (jbailey@indy.rr.com), August 23, 2001.

Hi P. Bailey> I have a small general contracting business. We repair and remodel mechanic shops. I have one customer and that is all I need because they keep me working. When in the middle of a hard task I do not want to answer the phone unless it is very important. Most small traveling contractors need someone to answer phone, work the yellow pages to find local contractors to bid on parts of the project (perhaps roofers,door window installers, plumbers,electricians, things like that) This time of year it might take 10 calls to get someone to come out now. Some contractors do not even bother to return my call. Right now I need a special door and I am having a hard time finding it. Problems like this come up all the time for me and every other contractor working away from home. If you can work the phones and solve some easy problems saving contractor time to get the job done you would have a great service and probably could find a customer or two easily. Good luck

-- ed (edfrhes@aol.com), August 24, 2001.

I would be happy to share with anyone an opportunity to make the extra money you need. It does not involve selling, paperwork, it is not Amway and is completely risk free. This makes more sense than anything I have ever done and it works. Please email me and I will be glad to share the details. If you are not convinced this will help meet your financial needs I will thank you for your time and bother you no further.

-- Steve Denehie (memorylane@citlink.net), November 11, 2001.