Imagine waking up from natural causes, instead of the irritating beeping of some alarm clock. Imagine doing this every day, not just weekends and during your hard earned vacation time (which you had to schedule with someone else before you could even use it). After waking, you spend an hour working out at the gym, or a couple hours on your favorite golf course, before even thinking about "work." You come home and spend a couple hours "working" and the rest of the day is yours to spend with your husband or wife and kids. You can pick the kids up from school, go to their ballgames, and spend quality time with your spouse, even affording to have dinner at the best restaurant in town if you so desire. Sound like fantasy? Nope, I know countless people who are leading that life right now, because they made the decision to make a major change in their life. Actually, they made the decision to take control of their life by starting their own home business.

With the internet, it has never been easier, for those willing to put in the effort, to create an income from home. Actually, with the internet you can create an income from nearly anywhere in the world where you can access a connection. And, there are many options for what type of business you can get involved with, from network marketing, to affiliate programs, to online stores and many others. Whatever your interest, there is a business model that will fit your needs. What should you look for in a home business? Let's take a look at some of my musts:

1) The business must be duplicatable and have an easy to follow system. Regardless of what you become involved with, there will be a learning curve to getting started. However, there should be a clearly defined system in place that can be followed that will allow you to achieve the same success as others before you. Be sure to ask questions about what system is in place, what training is offered and who your mentor will be as you build your business, before getting started.

2) What are the costs to getting started? I mention this only to say, "Don't get hung up on cost, if you know this is the business you want to get involved with!" Home businesses are extremely reasonable compared to trying to start a traditional business, and most give you the opportunity to make just as much (I know several who are making more) income as the guy who owns the "real" business in town and has to be there every minute it's open to make sure things run correctly. Costs of starting a business and many of the costs associated with building it are tax deductible. When you find the business right for you, and you are serious about changing your life, you'll find a way to fund it.

3) While network marketing was my first experience with creating income from home, and one I continue to actively pursue, affiliate marketing is my current favorite for the average person to get started with making money over the internet. I suggest you take a serious look at this opportunity, especially if experience and money are limited. As you progress, then you can add other methods, such as network marketing to diversify your income streams.

I can't urge you enough to take a serious look at building an income from home. It's an opportunity to take your financial future into your own hands and never be at the mercy of downsizing, plant closings, or any of the other negative economic news items we continue to hear on a nightly basis. And, best yet, you never have to hear that electronic rooster again (unless you scheduled an early tee time).