During my four years of working from home I have learned a lot about where to find work, how to find work and what is actually work and what is a business. With so much to learn though it can be difficult to know where to begin. That is why I came up with these 10 tips.

1. Never pay for a job, you should not have to pay someone just for the opportunity to work for or with them. Now this does not mean it doesn't cost anything to start working from home, it may, depending on equipment, what you need to do the job, like software, and if you have to pay for a background check or to be incorporated. However if you are ever confused about an expense, ask the company directly for an explanation and check the company out on the Better Business Bureau or Ripoff Report.

2. Ask people you know, or local companies if they have work at home contractors (people paid to work, but not considered employees) or if they hire for working at home, you may even be able to ask your own boss if you are currently working outside the home.

3. Keep track of who you contact, who you speak to, when you apply, and other information like this, that way you will always know where and if you have applications out at different companies.

4. There are great resources online for work at homers. One particular forum is WAHM (actually a message board), listed under telecommuting moms, however anyone who wants to telecommute can join. These people have been on these boards for quite awhile and have also been around the block as far as finding scams and finding real work for home.

5. Consider an at home business. These days there seems to be a market for everything. If you are good at one particular hobby, or trade, advertise yourself, and make money that way. Be careful to follow local laws and regulations though. Also remember the internet is often a great place to advertise and is many times free.

6. If you are really desperate, you may not be able to be picky from the get go. Accept what comes your way, because often times, it is the bottom of the barrel and you can work your way up.

7. Ebay is a great site to start with, anything laying around your house? List it. Got an information product, write it up and sell it.

8. Stay on track. Once you get hired or contracted it is time to be your own boss. This means you can work when you want, and not work when you do not want to. Unfortunately if you are trying to find work from home, you probably need the money, and therefore should not have too much time off. Remember there is always a reason not to work, just don't let them all get to you.

9. Check local colleges or vocational centers for training for work at home jobs. Occupations like medical transcription and billing, legal transcription, proofreading, and editing can be done at home, there is also the option of getting certified for a day care center.

10. Don't give up. It took me months to find a real work at home job, and I have still searched, either to see what else is out there, if there is something more I would like to do, if I could make more.