Remember back in the 1990s when starting a business out of your home was all the rage. The Internet was new and email, fax, and cheap long distance phone rates were making working from home a promising possibility.

But making a lot of money from home turned out to be a lot more work than most people imagined. Many succeeded, some admirably earning millions from their home business (I'm sure you can think of a few right off the top of your head!) Unfortunately, many others gave up quickly and went back to working their 9 to 5 job.

These days it's well worth your while to take a long second look at starting your own home-based business. Why? Employers are paying less and expecting longer hours. Meanwhile, the cost of living is skyrocketing due to higher energy prices, ever climbing insurance rates, and higher prices for everything else. You can quickly get the feeling you're stuck between a rock and a hard place.

When run properly, a home-based business can give you a solid, steady income that NOBODY CAN TAKE AWAY FROM YOU. You can never be downsized, demoted, fired, or even have your hours cut back. YOU are the boss.

You also never have to commute to your job when you're working from home. And the old saying about "being there for family and friends" is absolutely true. You may be working more in your business, but you'll love the work you do and YOU will be in control of your schedule.

How do you choose the kind of business you want to run? First make a very short list of the things you love to do. If you have a hobby that you feel like you could work all day every day and never get tired of it, THAT is a great activity to center your business around.

I know a golf enthusiast who started a thriving business selling quality used golf clubs out of his home and on eBay. I know a guy who loves to work on guitars who makes a nice extra income repairing guitars in his basement. I know a woman who enjoys building things and now earns a six figure income assembling small machines that are used in factories. She does all the work in her garage.

Most people think they can't own a home business because they don't like to sell. Nonsense. If you BELIEVE in what you're selling, all you have to do is TELL people about it. Make sure you have a good way to get plenty of new prospective customers. There are fine lead systems out there that supply you with all the prospects you'll need at very reasonable prices.

Keep in mind you'll make a LOT more money if you have several different income streams. By that, I mean several different products to sell, several different services to sell, or several different investments -- or all of the above. You don't want to overload your schedule, but you do want to have a variety of things in your business that will make you money.

Whatever your interest and whatever your situation, you CAN make a space in your life to start your own business from home. It will give you a promising future that few Americans can claim as their own.

Start thinking about your business now, then DO IT soon. And don't give up until you succeed. You'll be very glad you did.