For 'newbies' to work-at-home market, here are a few tips to help you avoid scams ...

1. ENVELOPE STUFFING IS A SCAM.

You've probably seen those mouth-watering ads that tempt you with promise of $2 (or $3 or $4) for each and every envelope you stuff.

Does phrase, 'Too good to be true' come to mind?

It should. In this technologically-advanced era, we have envelope stuffing machines that can do work cheaper and faster than hiring a home worker. Even without a machine, why would a company pay someone $2000 to stuff 1000 envelopes, when they can pay any number of willing local workers same MONTHLY salary to stuff unlimited envelopes?

This is how it works: Normally you pay a 'startup' or 'materials' fee - or sometimes scammer states that fee is to 'make sure you're serious'.

You stuff envelopes with a flyer or circular that attempts to scam another poor soul into parting with startup fee.

In all these years online, I have never met anyone who's made even a single dollar with envelope stuffing.

2. STAY AWAY FROM ASSEMBLY WORK

It sounds so reasonable. You pay for materials and instructions. They send you a kit. You assemble item, and company buys it back from you to sell to their own customers.

Reality: you pay startup fee. You get kit and assemble item. The company rejects your assembled product because it 'doesn't meet quality standards'. You can stuck with a ton of junk, which you may or may not be able to resell to customers you find on your own.

Are there legitimate assembly work opportunities? Possibly. A healthy dose of skepticism will help to protect you from potential scams.

3. "NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY" = BE CAREFUL!

"No experience necessary" is most often termed, "Entry level position" in a real job listing. It isn't too likely that a company would hire someone with no experience to work from home because:

= Training them would be difficult. = Companies tend to prefer telecommuters who have *proven* that they are capable, independent workers who don't need supervision.

Sure, there are legitimate companies that will train you. However, companies that are offering telecommuting work are likely looking for qualified prospects with proven track records.

4. DO THE MATH.

As a home worker - whether you work for a company or work for yourself - it's up to YOU to ensure that you get job done. Working from home, no matter how great it sounds in theory, isn't for everyone. It takes a certain type of person to be successful at home. Ask yourself:

= Can I resist temptations around me, such as TV, refrigerator, sunny deck or garden?

= Am I well-organized? Can I work without supervision and keep track of what still needs to be done, and by when? = Do I tend to put things off until 'later', or am I self- motivated? Will I be able to complete tasks at hand effectively and on time?

= Do I have good time-management skills?

= Can I work alone, or would I miss daily interaction with co-workers in a traditional office environment? Would I be tempted to make excessive personal phone calls just to 'make contact'?