It's no secret that the economy is struggling. Unemployment is hitting record highs and so is inflation. Manufacturers and Factories are jumping ship, looking for cheaper labor. Airlines are laying people off by the tens of thousands, and car makers are sure to be next as record lows are being seen across the board. Unemployment for the U.S. is sitting at 5.7%, 51,000 jobs lost in July alone and 463,000 since January. Pretty scary numbers from where I'm sitting.

Let's have a look at inflation. Stay with me here... A trip to the grocery costs $400-$500 as opposed to $100-$200 a few years ago. Rent averages $850 a month for a crappy apartment. Mortgages average $1100 a month for a standard 2-3 bedroom house. Gas averages $35 per week just for the transit to and from work. Guess what?! Minimum wage averages $7.50 an hour X 40 hrs per week = $1200 dollars a month minus taxes = about $930 dollars per month. Good Luck trying to support yourself on that, let alone trying to support a family. Let's say you have a decent job, and you make $15 per hour.

Do The Math! Less than $1900 a month after taxes! Congratulations, you can pay your rent and buy some food. You work 40 hrs a week at $15 an hour and your still in poverty! What about utilities, car payments, insurance, credit cards, kids, dinner and a movie etc.? Now let's say you went to college... maybe you're making $30 per hour. About $3800 a month, is that enough to pay your bills, feed the kids and still afford HBO? Maybe, if you're really good with your budget... Better hope your spouse has a good job. Is this making sense to anyone, or am I missing something here?

More and more people are looking for other means of income, I mean, what choice do we have? You shouldn't have to live a miserable existence just to get by and then still have nothing after working 40 years. Do you think your measly pension is going to keep up with inflation 20 years from now, 30 years from now?

With the growing need to find other sources of income comes the growing onslaught of work from home programs and home based businesses.

Just remember, there are some good opportunities out there but, most are designed to empty your bank account, not fill it. Do your research first, or let someone do it for you.