The Christmas holidays are over. The New Year is beginning. We are starting to get the bills for our purchases. For some this is not a problem, but if you are one of millions of people who over spent this holiday season, the stress of how to pay these extra bills can be overwhelming.

We look for ways to earn extra cash to pay these extra bills. Some get a second job; most work as many hours overtime as they can manage. Others still look for get rich quick schemes on the Internet. We have all fallen prey to the ads that say they can make you a millionaire within a month. Or the ones that promise $1000 a day. Who is to say these don't work? I certainly won't. If you want to try, go right ahead; no one can stop you. Be sure and read the bottom line before you send money you don't have to any online business offer.

Ask questions. If you do not have a contact to ask these questions to then avoid the product. If you wanted to buy a car or house, would you just take the salesman at face value? Or would you look into the product to make sure it is what you wanted

Do they have a phone number and a live person for you to talk to? Call them before signing up and ask questions. Do they answer the questions to your satisfaction?

Is there a money back guarantee? Remember; as in buying a car, there are lemons out there be aware. What are the terms of the guarantee? Look for loopholes.

Are you going to have to buy the products first and store them in your basement or garage? Or does the company offer drop shipping and payment processing? I personally do not have the room to store products in my home, so I use the companies drop ship and payment processing. That way if there is a problem the customer goes directly to the company who handled the shipping and payment.

Do you want to work the program, such as taking surveys to make money immediately, or do you want long-term residual income?

Residual income is income you make over a period of time, building an online business. It can come in the form of products you sell over and over, or it can come from people who sign up under you in any given program. It is income that keeps on giving.

Are you going to have to have your own website? This is a tricky one. It certainly helps to have your own website, but it is not always necessary. Most online programs come with a professional looking websites for your use. Having your own website gives you the freedom to advertise many businesses at once if you decide that you want to be an affiliate to any company. You can make your website unique, so that people surfing the net will get a clear picture of you and your products.

What is the track record of the company you are looking into? Have they been around awhile? What are people saying about them? How do they pay their associates? Are they on time with the paychecks?

Go to business forums and ask questions. A good forum that is not just an advertising forum will have members that give honest answers to your questions. There is a BBB for the Internet that lists companies with bad reputations. If nothing is said on these sites then you can move forward knowing that people are satisfied with their experiences.

If you are looking at a site, such as mine, that lists a variety of Internet Business, then email the Webmaster and ask questions. I personally try and answer all questions about any of the businesses listed on my site, if I don't know the answer I direct you to someone who does. That way we both find out the answer.

Once you have answered all of these questions and found the right home business for you, ask yourself why you want a home business. Is it only to pay the current bills, or do you want some long-term financial freedom? Only you can answer these questions.

One thing you don't want to do once you decide this is the way you want to proceed is to procrastinate or listen to the "nay-sayers." There will be plenty of people who will look at you like you are crazy and why don't you get a regular job, or even another one. Why are you living beyond your means? Or my personal favorite…Are you stuffing envelops! I have heard it all, while I laugh my way to the bank each month.