It's true, inexpensive does refer to the original price of buying the business, but it means so much more than that. Today there are over 34 million home-office households in the US. One of the major reasons that work from home businesses have become so popular is the combination of convenience and monetary savings that comes with it. Whether you own your own business at home or simply work at home for someone else, it is easier and cheaper to stay at home than to drive to work, paying for gas, buying a latte, and going out for lunch.

But for home business owners, gas savings are only the tip of the iceberg. Working at home means there's no need to pay an office lease, there's rarely a need to pay employees, and you can get tax write-offs for everyday expenses that are essential to your work. The inexpensive nature of work at home franchises only begins at initial purchase price, but carries on through every aspect of the business.

So if seeing those kinds of savings in a business that remains profitable seems an inviting prospect, here are some franchises that deserve your attention.

U-Turn Vending

Vending franchises are some of least expensive franchising options available, and this particular one has one of the lowest initial costs around, at just slightly over $7000 upfront. Granted, expanding the business, which is encouraged, requires further investments in their vending machines, but at least getting started won't cost you an arm and a leg. And because of the design of U-Turn Vending's machines, the earning prospect is greater than many other vending business opportunities. What sets a U-Turn Vending machine apart is a swiveling head that allows for four times the number of different products, and in the world of vending, increased options for customers means increased sales.

Allstate Investment Group

This business opportunity is another vending franchise with a similar bent as U-Turn Vending, only instead of providing a wide variety of bulk candy, Allstate Investment Group offers a combination of individually wrapped snack items and beverages. Still, the same theory applies: increasing purchase options increases sales. Of course, increased sales means more time spent restocking machines, but with the estimation that a franchisee only spends an hour restocking each machine each week, that's a low price to pay for financial freedom.

Considering it comes with an initial price tag of only $20,000, DVDNow is a one-time business opportunity that is going quickly. Part of the new wave of automated DVD vending kiosks, this franchise addresses the demand for cheap, convenient movie rentals without costing the franchisee any of the overhead costs associated with leasing and maintaining a full-service rental store. And though it may seem counter-intuitive, people appreciate not having to enter a store, scour the racks, interact with employees, and pay $4 for a rental. Ultimately, automated renting is perfect for a culture in love with convenience, entertainment, and do-it-yourself shopping.

American Vending Systems

The energy drink industry has become a monster in recent years, with everyone from mainstream beverage companies to restaurant chains and juice makers getting into the mix. For an initial fee of $10,000 and almost no ongoing overhead costs, you can too. As an American Vending Systems franchisee, choose between two vending options: Mad Dog energy chews and Pro Energy beverages. Each Mad Dog chew has a caffeine punch equivalent to a cup of coffee, and Pro Energy drinks are specially formulated to give a six-hour clean-energy boost with no fallout. Whichever way a franchisee chooses to go, either automated machine is perfect for placement in offices and schools, where everyone is looking for a boost.

From start to finish, these business opportunities cost their owners only a fraction of what any other business would but remain profitable sources of income. What's more, these franchises come with all the necessary business training to make anyone capable of operating them.

In the midst of recession, there aren't many plausible business opportunities that are both affordable and offer the prospect of success. Give some serious consideration to these and other home based businesses and you're likely to come across exactly what you need in this trying economic time.