Do you wake up in the morning wondering what new bad piece of information you're going to be bombarded with that day related to the economic downturn? Many people have watched their investments and life savings wither away to nothing. Is there a glimmer of hope to be found amongst all of this doom and gloom?

The only way for you or me to have an impact on our own financial futures is for us to take matters into our own hands. No matter what you hear on the news or read in the papers, the government is not going to solve all of your problems or be able to pay your mortgage, car payment, or light bill for you. You are the only one that can do these things. So what options do you have?

1.) Trade Hours For Dollars

This is the traditional method of "making a living." You go to work for 40-50 hours per week and get paid an hourly wage. Now for most people who have accumulated any debt through the years, this method will unlikely get you out of your bleak financial situation.

2.) Start Your Own Traditional Business

You can devise a plan to start a traditional brick and mortar business. Unfortunately, unless you have the capital upfront, banks are not lending like they used to. Additionally, if you are going to have to employ others, you will have to take on that responsibility as well. Another problem, is that 95% of new businesses fail within the first 5 years. That's a pretty risky gamble to take. However, with this option you're getting closer to the end result of being your own boss, having more control over your income, and creating a financial future for you and your family.

3.) Start Your Own Home Based Business

For those of you who are looking to significantly change your life, this is by far the best option. When we started our own home based business about 5 years ago, our financial future was looking just as doubtful as many of yours are today. We were strapped with thousands of dollars in credit card debt. While we did have good paying jobs with no fear of losing our jobs, we would have been working for years to fulfill all of our financial debts.

Now thanks to online marketing, we have been able to pay off all of our debts, we don't wake up to an alarm clock every day, and we travel when we want to. There truly is no better business model.

The question was once posed to Donald Trump as to what avenue he would pursue to earn back his fortune if it were all to be lost. His response was that he would join a network marketing company or some other type of home based business. That statement speaks volumes to the income that can be derived by the "average Joe" working from home.