Once you have decided on your home business, you will need to take steps to set it up. The following checklist should help you get your business off ground.

__ Before you begin your home business, check zoning ordinances in your area. Call or look online for your city or county government(usually planning department, building inspector or zoning administrator)to check zoning rules. Your neighborhood also may have restrictions.

__ Decide if you will be incorporated. Talk to a lawyer and check out books on subject such as, John Kirk, Incorporating Your Business, TPR Publishing. Also decide if you will need patents, trademarks or copyrights on your work.

__ If you will be incorporated, a partnership or have employees, obtain an Employer's Identification Number (EIN) through IRS. Also if you have employees, call Employment Commission for information on unemployment taxes you must pay. __ Determine if you should charge sales tax on your product or service (by calling State Comptroller's office in most states).

__ Register your business name. Contact your county courthouse. (DBA-Doing Business As)

Working from home is a dream to many people. And its true, it comes with many benefits. Working from home enables moms to plan their day around children's needs and schedule. Having freedom and flexibility to attend school functions, play paper dolls at 11:00 a.m. or have an afternoon tea party in middle of living floor are all luxuries of working from home. Working at home is great, but be aware, priorities can get blurred.

Our society admires successful people. Many people are driven to make a lot of money or to be well known in their industry so they can be considered successful and worthy in people's eyes. However, it may be more accurate to believe we are truly successful when we are happy and content right where we are. The constant pursuit of more or envying others' possessions does not bring contentment. It brings depression and envy. If you've ever seen celebrities, who are rich and have "everything", you've probably noticed many seem empty and unhappy. Having it all isn't about money or possessions. It's about people and relationships you build in your life. Happiness is also about being content with what we have.