I rushed upstairs dodging toys, two small children and a border collie. I grabbed phone just before answer machine kicked on. “Do you know how much I had to pay IRS this year?” was question. Before I had a chance to answer, my sister revealed details. The next question; “How much did you have to pay?” Once again, she spoke before I could answer. Then with a sigh, she said, “I don’t understand how taxes work.”

I explained that if she started a part-time home based business, not only could she get benefits of tax write-offs, but any loss she may incur in first years of business would be deducted from her husband’s income.

“Oh you’re talking about one of those MLM type businesses, aren’t you?” She coldly questioned.

“Not just any MLM business, but one that would give you a residual income.” I answered.

“What’s a residual income mean?” She asked, now with interest in her voice.

“In most businesses, you sell a product, and hope that client continues to buy product. Therefore, you must market that client each month. However, in my business, you sell one time, and get a check every month without ever having to re-sell product again to same customer. In essence you make money, while you sleep.”

“You mean like web hosting, or internet services?” She inquired.

“That is one type of product, but selling that stuff, is usually best handled by techie types, only because of technical questions people ask. Actually, I’m talking about a company that has been in business since 1992, and pays a commission rate of 30%.”

“No one pays a 30% commission,” she flatly replied.

With any business venture, whether online or offline, it is important that you find someone who has traveled same road you plan to travel and they are willing to share their experiences candidly and honestly. You want someone who has YOUR best interests in mind - not just THEIR wallet.

If you're like most you will come across a lot of so-called "gurus" and "experts" claiming to have all answers. However, what I have discovered is that many are scam artists looking to make a buck off of unsuspecting newcomers to this business. They will make wild and crazy claims about how you will become rich overnight if you buy their product, their service, their tool.

You've heard typical claims like, "Buy my book today and you will have $1 million dollars in your account tomorrow!"

Let me say this before I move on. You have heard it before and it is helpful to hear it again.

"If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is."

So you may ask, "So what do I do? How can I tell difference? Who do I trust?"