Even without the stress of the current coronavirus pandemic, more and more people are opting to work from home than ever before.

Whether you’ve been asked to start performing your duties remotely or you need to make some extra money while you’re on lockdown, it’s important to know how to work from home in the most efficient way possible in order to make it a profitable venture.

Read on to discover more about working from your own home and how you can make decent money to keep yourself afloat.

Are Work From Home Jobs Legit?

You may wonder if working from home is something that’s even possible. The truth is, there are plenty of companies both large and small offering work from home positions to fill a wide variety of niches.

To determine whether or not a work from home job is the “real deal,” look for online reviews and check websites like Indeed or Glassdoor. A legitimate company should at least ask for your resume, or they may even schedule a remote interview. They should also ask you to complete a W9 form, which helps them track your income so they can send your 1099 at the end of the year.

A real online employer will also never ask you to pay any money upfront in order to be hired. Avoid any online job offers that request you send a payment for things like home office equipment or “enrollment fees.”

The most direct way to find real work from home jobs is to apply through the employer or another trusted source. Talk to friends or family members and find out if they’re aware of any places they can refer you to as well.

How to Work From Home

Successful remote workers have the proper setup to help them maintain productivity. Once you’ve found a legitimate work-at-home job, you need to set yourself up for success.

Find a quiet area of your home, not a coffee shop, preferably a separate room, that you can use as a home office space. You may need additional equipment such as video conferencing software or a working webcam.

Ideally, you should have a strong, reliable Wi-Fi connection so that you’re able to maintain contact with your employer. Apps like Slack, Zoom, and Google Hangouts are excellent tools that keep all team members together for constant communication.

When you work from home, make sure you stick to a consistent schedule as much as possible. Even though there’s no lengthy commute, you still need to be ready and prepared each day to get your tasks achieved in an efficient and effective way.

Do your best to separate work life and home life by taking frequent breaks. Stand up and walk around to keep yourself alert and to encourage good circulation. Don’t forget to get plenty of sleep and eat a healthy diet, whether you’re working from home or not.

The key to making good money from home is to be as productive as possible. When your body and mind are healthy, you’ll be able to stay on task much more easily. Avoid excessive distractions from children or pets as much as you can and try your best to work whenever the house is the quietest. 

Which Jobs Can You Work From Home?

There are plenty of different decent-paying jobs that utilize remote workers. If your current job is offering you full-time hours from home, consider yourself extremely lucky. A large percentage of employers who offer jobs to workers remotely will typically only offer part-time hours or production-based pay.

Here are a few examples of some of the most common work from home jobs:

  • Customer service: From insurance companies to travel agencies, the customer service industry is quickly converting to work-at-home employees.
  • Freelance writer: Many online companies hire work from home writers to create content for their blogs and products.
  • Product sales: Whether you make crafts to sell online at Etsy or just want to sell some things around the house to earn a little extra cash, selling goods online can be a very profitable niche to make extra money.
  • Teaching: Remote education has been a popular venture for many, and it’s becoming more prevalent in light of the pandemic and other global events.
  • Virtual assistant: Look for online businesses and services in need of a virtual assistant. This position is similar to an office job, but you’ll be helping other companies completely from home.
  • Social media manager: Using social media to promote products and services is an excellent way to make money from home, particularly if you’re a good writer or have experience in marketing.
  • Data entry or transcription: If you’re fast and really good at typing, data entry and video transcription jobs are a wise choice.

These are just a few examples of some part-time and full-time options you can try to do while working from home. Starting a business online is another excellent way to make money although it requires a lot more time and effort to get going.

How to Work from Home for Amazon

Besides Facebook and Google, Amazon is one of the nation’s largest tech companies. Amazon offers a variety of work from home jobs including customer service reps and resellers.

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, you may find that Amazon needs more at-home workers than ever before. Check their virtual locations job listings to find out if there are any positions currently available in your area.

Retail arbitrage and Fulfillment By Amazon (FBA) selling is another way you can make a good deal of money through Amazon. This type of work requires a lot more effort on your part, but you could make an excellent profit if you find and re-sell items you acquire at a fairly low cost.

While it’s not completely from home, Amazon also hires drivers who work as independent contractors. This is a great opportunity for those who are furloughed but need to continue making money in order to pay the bills. In general, you can only work for Amazon if you live in a state where one of their offices is located.

Pros and Cons of Working From Home

Working from home has lots of amazing perks, but it also has a few pitfalls. Before you decide if working from home is right for you, it’s a good idea to carefully consider the benefits as well as the drawbacks.

Here are some of the pros of working from home:

  • When you work from home, you won’t need to worry about a commute which means you can save on things like gas and car maintenance.
  • There’s no dress code so you can wear anything from your favorite jeans to pajamas.
  • Working from home allows you to check in on your family members, a particularly special perk during the current climate.
  • A work from home job means you can spend more free time with your family. It also gives you more time to manage your household and focus on other things.
  • Depending on your employer or your specific position, many work from home jobs allow for flexible scheduling so you can make your own hours.
  • You’ll probably save money on things like coffee, happy hour drinks with coworkers, and lunches if you opt to work from home.
  • If your job is based on production, you could make a lot of money if you have the time and the drive.

Read on for some cons associated with the work-at-home lifestyle:

  • Many people who work from home are considered freelancers or contractors, which means you may not get benefits like health insurance or paid time off.
  • Working from home can be isolating, and you may start to miss the camaraderie of having coworkers around.
  • It can be difficult to mentally separate your work and home life, resulting in added stress or the feeling of constant pressure, even when you’re not “on the clock.”
  • Some people find it more difficult to stay focused and on-task when they work from home, particularly if they have children.
  • Your personal computer is more susceptible to security issues, so working from home may put your private information at risk.
  • The cost for a home office including new furniture and an upgraded computer can be a lot of upfront investment for some people.
  • Setting up a separate place for work means that you’re losing square footage in your home that could otherwise be used for household activities.

Is Working From Home Right for You?

Whether it’s due to the current coronavirus pandemic or you’re considering remote employment, it’s important to think about whether or not a work from home job is right for you. Consider all of the pros and cons, and then base your decision on your current financial situation.

If you need help lowering your bills or need more information about mortgages and the economy, be sure to visit our website today.