OT: Anyone have ideas for...

Working from home?  I know that there are transcriptionists....but anything else.....and that doesn't include a '900' number?  I've been thinking about starting my own business - novelty shower gifts - but with my location and the economy right now, I think it would be a loss.

That would be a great idea for you to do.  I sell on eBay, its making me money to save for my surgery.... I think that there are several ligit ones, but you have to be VERY careful, I was duped more than once.   If you have the shower gifts already, (or if they are drop shipments), why not take a few of what you have to a bridal store and maybe they would sign up to buy so many, either on a consignment or to buy outright.  And you can also create a super simple webpage advertising your stuff, and after awhile word does get around..... But I think to start I personally would take them to a shop, and if they are very unique and never been made, then get the rights to it.  :)  Sell some on eBay or take some to a craft sale, get a cheap table and set up shop.   I did work for a company that sells homemade lotions and stuff, I LOVED it! The place was called Enchanted Potions.  You can set your own prices, you get 30% off, and it all smells GREAT.... Anyhow, sorry that is my 2 cents   Wishing you well on finding what your looking for...  Christina

Thanks.  Yeah - right now selling on eBay is not probably the best option for me.  My sister-in-law goes to grage sales, stoage unit sales and auctions then re-sells the stuff - mostly only for $1.  Not only do I not have the room to hold much stuff, I have 3 small children.   Plus I am not in-town and lugging 3 kids to the post office daily or even weekly sounds fun! (Not)  OH - the biggest set back - we STILL have dial-up.   That may be done come tomorrow though.  One of the concerns for my shower gifts (diaper cakes - typically baby - can make wedding ones too out of kitchen towels or bath towels) - lack of room for overhead.   I have sold a few, but mostly make them as my shower gift.  I have had a lot of people tell me I need to sell them - and have sold a few to friends - no profit.  One SIL offered to push them in her Ada ($$) neighborhood for me.   They are expensive to make.  I will not use crud stuff - like I have seen on sites offering them.  Everything I put on them is something that could and should be used. Thanks for your ideas.  If the broadband shows significant improvement on speed, I may check into other eBay things.

Day Care? Around me there is a real need for infant daycare providers.  Just a thought.

I really wouldn't mind that - although with my 3 kids (ages 7mo (twins) and 2 1/2) I aready feel like I am running one.  My son has special needs and a lot of appointments (57 in the first year he was home from the hospital plus an added 2 week hospital stay).  That is why I can not work out of the home....at least yet.   The specialists are slowly giving us more time in between check-ups.   We are boring and never take vacation so it would be a good thing for me.  We also have an ideal yard for child care too.  3 acres - long distance from the road.  I could put a lot of play equipment in and even convert one garage to the "day care" and not have it in the house.  Maybe I'll tuck that in the back of my mind for the future.    Thanks Jen!

Hi Gwen, I'm sure you probably already have, but have you checked in to the Michigan Family Support Subsidy program and also SSI for your son? I remember when mine was young and no one understood why I couldn't work out of the house.  Everyone said "Just put him in daycare....they have to take him".  It's so hard when you know that his needs wouldn't be met plus those appointments keep you going all the time! I don't really have a solution for the at home job idea, but wanted to wish you luck.  

I tried prostitution for a while. kp

Thanks for the winning idea Kev....I always expect great things from you!! I'll call it  Old Housewife Prostitution.  Just put a note on the door saying "Not tonight, I have a headache." and maniquin hand with another note saying "Leave Wallet Here".   "Service with a snarl. Perfect for the homesick traveling man." OOh maybe I could go high tech and have multiple rejection message recordings.  "Leave me alone."  "You think so? After staying out all night with your buddies?"  "Yeah, better luck next year".   You know.....keep a little spice in it.

what about becoming and adverstising for one of those "gift buying specialists: Those people that ask just the right questions, and find the perfect present for a special spersom you are looking for. sometimes they are more personal, sometimes, just baskets of the individualls tastes like a certain bubble bath salts with warm slippers and cashmere robe with a favorite book to read or cd to listen to, These type of personal set- ps take time to get organised but they really seem to do well in towns sixed 30,000 to 50,000. It may be something to think about. Add to the standard old christmas gift basket-lioven it up with some personal tastes, What do you think? wigglypoo

That is a good idea.  You think there is a real want/need for that.? The thing that scares me about even doing my own thing is the economy here in MI right now.   But I guess the rich are still rich, huh?  I will look into it!  I loved being the gift person at work.  Thanks for the idea!