With parties, shopping and baking filling up every spare moment during the holidays, who has time to start a home business? You do. Not only can starting a home business make you extra cash for the holidays, it can also save you money as well. Here are the top four reasons why the holidays are one of the best times to start a home business.

1) Extra discounts on start up: If you are looking into a business opportunity, the holidays usually come with discounts or additional financial incentives for joining in November and December. But even if you start your own business from scratch, the holiday season is filled with sales that can allow you to get the materials and services you need for less than you'd get them at other times of the year.

2) Save on personal and holiday shopping: Depending on what kind of business you join or start, you can save money on your personal needs and even gift giving for the holiday season. Business opportunities generally offer their representatives generous savings on their personal purchases so you can shop for yourself and get gifts for others at discount. If you start a business from scratch, offering your products or services as holiday gifts will allow you to save money on your gift buying and it is a great way to market your business to friends and family.

3) Make money faster. Getting started can be easier in the holiday season as people are in the buying and helping mode. People are spending more money now than at any other time of year, so why not take advantage of that by offering products or services that people can give as gifts? Use gift certificates if your product or service isn't easily wrapped. A great business launch will give you momentum to keep your business growing into the New Year.

4) Tax savings for 2006. Having a home business means you are eligible for tax deductions. By starting your business now, you can deduct some of your business expense such as start up costs, Internet access (if you build your business online), utilities to run your home office and more in April.

While having a home business does take a good plan and time to build, the holiday season is a great time to get started. The season, filled with holiday parties, offers many opportunities to share you new business with others. And, because people are eager to buy unique gifts, they make great first customers to jump-start your business. If you have wanted to start a business, but have put it off because the holidays are too busy, think again. Some of the most successful entrepreneurs got their start in November and December. So can you.