Working from home or getting a part time job

Today on Live at 5, you saw a story about all of the holiday jobs opening up in Houston. Here is some more information from that:

Women for Hire Career Expo
Thursday Oct. 25
10-2
Westin Galleria
5060 W. Alabama

While we're at it, here are links we've prepared to help you work from your home:

Working   from home - virtual assistant
  Working   from home - online tutor
  Working   from home - telemarketing
  Working   from home - medical transcriptionist
  Working   from home - verifying sales calls
  Working   from home - culinary consultant
  Working   from home - as a concierge
  Working   from home - if a nurse
  Working   from home - mystery shopping
  Working   from home - talking tech
  Working   from home - transcribing
  Working   from home if disabled
  Working   from home - online juror
  Working at home   full coverage

Jeff on the Job 4 links

You saw Jeff on the Job Sunday night, now here are the links to the stories!

Cut your beauty costs in half
If you think you can't look great on a budget, think again.  The Houston-area is full of places you can get haircuts, facials, even massages for a fraction of what you'd expect.

How to cut the costs of medical care
You don't need us to tell you how expensive it is to go to the doctor, but we've learned there are ways around high medical bills.

Auctioning your home may be an option if you're facing foreclosure
There isn't a lot of good involved in a foreclosure, but there may be a way to get out from under a home about to be taken by the bank. Selling the house at auction just might be the way to avoid the financial ruin associated with a foreclosure.

What plants to buy this season
If you have the overwhelming urge to plant something, you're not alone. Right now it seems everything is in bloom.

How to work from home
If you have a job you hate or dream of working for yourself, we've got a few leads for you.

Links:
- Recycling Home Builder
- Celebrity Calculator
1. Movie Stars
2. Athletes

RELATED:
- Jeff on the Job 3 links
- Jeff on the Job 2 links

Email us a news tip

 

Working from home - virtual assistant

Good news.  All of this week we're tackling the work at home option right here on The Consumer Blog.

Tory Johnson of GMA has some great tips on working as a virtual assistant:

Oftentimes small business owners and mid- to executive-level professionals need a personal assistant but cannot afford to hire one on a full-time basis or simply don't have the space in their offices. Therefore, they hire people from remote locations to do their administrative work for them.

Virtual assistants can handle bookkeeping, administrative duties, travel arrangements, transcription and correspondence, and other support services that can be done remotely via e-mail and phone.

A search on Google using keywords "virtual assistant" will generate results for many independent contractors. Some will outsource a share of their workload. Check out virtualassistantjobs.com and teamdoubleclick.com. The International Virtual Assistants Association may be a valuable resource.

You should also consider starting a similar business on your own. Be your own boss, set your own hours, and acquire clients through self-promotion and marketing. Networking and referrals are your best bets for landing clients. Create an e-mail about your services and send it to everyone you know -- and ask them to forward it along to everyone they know.

 

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Working at home

If you have a job you hate or dream of working for yourself, we've got a few leads for you.  It’s a growing trend, thousands of people are finding ways to work at home and make a pretty good living at it.  Real jobs, real money.  We found work at home agents here in Houston who love their jobs and love the freedom that comes with being able to earn money without making a morning commute.

Here are the companies Jeff Ehling featured:

Arise
www.arise.com

Working Solutions
www.workingsol.com

We've been covering work at home issues for weeks, CLICK HERE to see all of our work at home stories.

- Email us your work at home stories
- Chat about your work at home experiences with others

Working from home - online tutor

Good news.  All of this week we're tackling the work at home option right here on The Consumer Blog.

Tory Johnson of GMA has some great tips on working as an online tutor:

If you graduated from a college or university in this country or in Canada, or you're a current student at an accredited school, and you have expertise in English, math, science or social studies, you could make money as an online tutor.

You must be able to convey key information to students of all ages -- generally fourth grade through college level -- in an online environment. That means teaching mathematical formulas and chemistry equations to a kid through cyberspace, rather than face-to-face instruction.

Visit www.tutor.com to learn how you can make $10 an hour or more working five hours to 30 hours a week from home. To find other online tutoring opportunities, or to learn how to start your own online tutoring business, do a Google search using the keywords "online tutor" and research dozens of options based on your availability and subject-area expertise.

 

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Working from home - telemarketing

Good news.  All of this week we're tackling the work at home option right here on The Consumer Blog.

Tory Johnson of GMA has some great tips on working as a telemarketer (just don't tell anyone or they might not like you):

Many companies and organizations outsource their cold-calling campaigns to third parties. Those third parties hire full-time and temporary workers -- many of whom work from home -- to place those calls with specific goals in mind.

You may be required to persuade contacts to book an appointment, commit to making a donation, or agree to try a product or service. Your calls could also be focused on debt collection.

Typically you'll receive an hourly base pay, plus performance-based commission. While some training is provided, applicants are expected to have some high-quality customer-service and/or cold-calling experience.

Among the companies to explore: Telereach.com, Intrep.com,  and West.com. You should also search online for home-based telemarketing positions on the big job boards and the major search engines. Do not pay for leads; you should be able to find employers that are hiring without paying a middleman for access to that information.

 

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Working from home - medical transcriptionist

Good news.  All of this week we're tackling the work at home option right here on The Consumer Blog.

Tory Johnson of GMA has some great tips on working as a medical transcriptionist:

Medical coding and transcription can't always be performed at home, especially with strict privacy policies and guidelines. However, there are many companies that hire home-based workers with the skills and experience to provide both services. Keep in mind, however, that it's very difficult for entry-level, inexperienced candidates to get hired to perform such work from home. This is by no means the "get-rich-quick" line of work that many mistakenly perceive it to be.

In most cases, in addition to the proper training, you must have your own computer, high-speed Internet access, and, where applicable, headphones and a foot pedal.

In an effort to weed out the poor-quality schools, the American Association for Medical Transcription, in conjunction with the American Health Information Management Association, has been approving medical transcription schools based on the AAMT Model Curriculum. There is a list of approved schools on the AAMT Web site.

Some companies also require you to have your own software; others will provide it. In addition to finding appropriate employers online by searching Google or the big job boards, you can check out the opportunities with Medquist.com, Healthiva.com, and Precysesolutions.com.

If you're interested in starting your own coding or transcription business, begin with medical offices in your area. Ask the doctors you know how they handle such tasks and offer to provide your services. As with any new business, expect to get many rejections before you finally get a yes. Then remember, if you can get one yes, you can get two, then four and so on.

 

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Working from home - verifying sales calls

Hopefully you are not getting tired of the working from home stuff yet.  I just know lots of folks would love to do it and why shouldn't The abc13.com Consumer Blog offer some assistance? Here is another one. 

Tory Johnson of GMA has some great tips on working from home verifying sales calls for accuracy:

Ever change your long-distance service or your cell phone plan? It's likely that you were asked to hold for a verification operator to come on the line to confirm your choices. There's a good chance that the operator was working from home.

To make money in verification, apply online at VoiceLog.com, a leading provider of third-party verification services. The company hires home-based independent contractors to serve as live operators to verify calls for telephone companies and other service industries focused on combating sales fraud.

Those calls are recorded for quality assurance and compliance purposes. Another set of home-based workers listen to Web-based files to review the calls for accuracy.

Carefully read the frequently asked questions page on the career section of the site so you're familiar with the application, training and hiring process before applying.

 

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Working from home - culinary consultant

All of this week we're tackling the work at home option right here on The Consumer Blog.

Tory Johnson of GMA has some great tips on working as a culinary consultant:

Can you whip up culinary magic in the kitchen? That just might qualify you to become a home-based consultant for Chefsline.com, which provides live, professional advice to anyone who needs help with cooking or baking.

Chef consultants must excel at cooking, teaching and customer service, and must be available to take calls for a minimum of eight hours per week during afternoon and evening hours. A culinary degree is preferred, but not required. A specialty in regional cuisine is desirable, such as African, Latin American, Middle Eastern or French, among others. Compensation ranges from $7.50 to $30 an hour, depending on expertise.

There are also other options in this arena. Local companies hire dietitians and nutritionists to handle customer and client calls from home. Call gyms and diet centers in your area to offer your services if you're knowledgeable and experienced in this line of work.

If you've got a strong entrepreneurial spirit, you can also offer to plan and execute cooking demonstrations in supermarkets, gourmet shops or private homes. Or find clients who'll allow you to plan their meals, shop for groceries, and prepare dinner. Time-strapped individuals often dream of having an affordable personal chef instead of relying on frozen dinners and takeout.

 

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Working from home - as a concierge

Good news.  All of this week we're tackling the work at home option right here on The Consumer Blog.

Tory Johnson of GMA has some great tips on working from home as a concierge:

Do you think you have what it takes to handle phone, e-mail and online customer inquiries for services that range from making dinner suggestions and reservations to planning a vacation for busy professionals?

What if the caller asked you to locate the dress Julia Roberts wore in "Ocean's Eleven," rent monkeys for a birthday party, or help write a speech for a best man?

Those are some of the common and quirky requests asked of home-based concierge agents at VIPdesk, one of the leading services. VIPdesk's clients are executives and employees of some of the top companies in the world, all of whom are willing to pay for such services of convenience.

VIPdesk hires home-based agents who are highly resourceful and have prior experience in high-end customer service, travel and/or hospitality. Apply online at vipdesk.com.

Because concierge services are growing in popularity as a benefit for businesses of all sizes, consider starting your own service. Contact employers in your area about offering services of convenience to their staffers.

For example, during the busy holiday season -- and throughout the year -- employees are often distracted by personal needs. You can help busy parents save time by researching day care, planning birthday parties, and scheduling doctor's appointments for their kids.

A doctor's office might require its staff to work long hours to accommodate patient needs. Employee absenteeism can cause a disruption or slow down in services.

It may be more beneficial for the medical practice to pay an outsider like you to handle errands and special chores for a nurse than to give that nurse a day off.

This same theory applies to companies where staffers work long hours or are required to travel regularly.

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Working from home - if a nurse

Good news.  All of this week we're tackling the work at home option right here on The Consumer Blog.

Tory Johnson of GMA has some great tips on working from home if you are a nurse:

Registered nurses who don't want to work in traditional hospital settings or doctors' offices -- or who want to supplement their income -- can put their knowledge to work at home.

Several companies, such as Fonemed.com and McKesson.com, hire nurses to provide phone-based triage and advice to callers requesting information on medical conditions and reactions to medication.

Home-based nurses can also provide sound advice to patients on disease management and health care options so they're armed with information to make the best decisions about their care.

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Working from home - mystery shopping

We're still tackling the work at home option right here on The Consumer Blog.

Tory Johnson of GMA has some great tips on working as a mystery shopper:

Get paid to shop and eat at great restaurants, and then report back to the corporate headquarters on the level of service and cleanliness to help improve the experience for future customers. There are opportunities to earn small amounts of money -- and get free products and services -- here and there, depending on where you live.

While there are some people who've managed to make a living at this, I don't recommend that you rely on it to pay the bills, especially because assignments can be sporadic.

Don't get hooked into paying $25 to $100 to become an "official" mystery shopper, assuming you'll automatically get hired. A legitimate opportunity should not cost you any money. It should give you the chance based on your profile, interests and background. One helpful resource in learning more about the industry and finding links to opportunities is Mysteryshop.org.

 

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Working from home - talking tech

Every morning last week, I posted tips from GMA's Tory Johnson on working from home.  Why not keep doing it? It's a great topic. 

Tory Johnson of GMA has some great tips on working from home talking tech:

If you're an experienced information technology professional and you enjoy problem-solving and quality customer service, you may be able to work from home providing tech support via phone, online and in person to customers nationwide.

As an independent contractor or employee (this varies per company), you'd work from your own home office, set your own hours, and service clients in your area. ComputerAssistant.com, GeeksOnTime.com, PlumChoice.com, SupportFreaks.com are some of the companies to explore.

 

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Working from home - transcribing

Good news.  All of this week we're tackling the work at home option right here on The Consumer Blog.

Tory Johnson of GMA has some great tips on working at home transcribing audio to text:

Speeches, lectures, television and radio programs and interviews must be converted to text that's delivered in a timely and accurate way. If you possess exceptional English language and grammar skills and you're an experienced typist with a speed of at least 75 words per minute, you could transcribe audio to text. Some businesses may require you to take a transcription test before offering you opportunities to work. Most assignments are handled on a freelance basis. Sites to explore include ProductionTranscripts.com, ModernDayScribe.com, TigerFish.com and AliceDarling.com. Find others by searching online.

 

 

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Working from home if disabled

Good news.  All of this week we're tackling the work at home option right here on The Consumer Blog.

Tory Johnson of GMA has some great tips on working from home if you are disabled:

National Telecommuting Institute, Inc. connects Americans with disabilities to employers willing to hire employees and contractors for home-based assignments. The database is small, but it's proven to be a smart resource for many workers. They may also be able to refer you to other resources as well.

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Working from home - online juror

Good news.  All of this week we're tackling the work at home option right here on The Consumer Blog.

Tory Johnson of GMA has some great tips on working as an online juror:

Instead of spending time watching the courtroom programs on TV, make money while determining verdicts as an online juror. Lawyers deciding whether or not to accept a case or looking for preliminary feedback on cases they're currently handling use various Web sites as a cost-effective tool for research and focus groups before heading into a real courtroom.

Sites including eJury.com, OnlineVerdict.com, ZapJury.com, and TrialPractice.com pay nominal fees to home-based e-jurors, ranging from $10 to $60, depending on the length of the e-trial. Research all of the sites and read the requirements before signing on to serve.

 

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Working from home - TUESDAY

Good news.  All of this week we're tackling the work at home option right here on The Consumer Blog.

Tory Johnson of GMA has some great tips on creating your own product line:

Ever dream of seeing your slogans and artwork on T-shirts, mugs or hats? You can turn that dream into reality — and into cash — without investing even a penny in expensive start-up costs like equipment and stock.

Submit your original ideas and art online to Web sites like zazzle.com, cafepress.com and others, and you'll receive commission on all sales generated with your designs.

Do this for T-shirts, mugs, kids' accessories, housewares, posters, stickers and so much more. In addition to securing orders from strangers who visit those sites, you can also make money by doing some proactive promotion of your own. Encourage your friends and family to place orders, and get them to e-mail all of their friends, too, by forwarding links to your products.

 

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Working from home

Good news.  All this week we're tackling the the subject of working from home.  So tell all of your friends to check back on The abc13.com Consumer Blog for more!

Tory Johnson of GMA has some great tips on working as a virtual customer-service agent:

A growing work-from-home opportunity is to answer the inbound customer calls for companies like J. Crew, 1-800-flowers, Virgin Atlanta or Walgreens. These major players and many others like them outsource their customer-service calls to companies that hire U.S.-based virtual agents.

Set your own hours and pick an account that's ideally suited to your knowledge and interests. In addition to having a pleasant voice and strong customer-service skills, you must have high-speed Internet access, a computer, a landline, and a quiet place to work — all of which you pay for on your own.

Expect to make an average of between $8 and $15 an hour depending on your experience, call volume and accounts. Be prepared to work a minimum of 20 hours per week, although some agents work 40 hours to 60 hours when their schedule permits.

Among the companies that hire inbound and outbound agents to explore:

Alpine Access hires virtual agents as employees.  Other companies, including LiveOps, West and Arise,  Working Solutions, Accolade Support, Customer Loyalty Concepts,  Grindstone, Sci@Home, Reps for Rent, Overflow, ACD Direct.

Each company has different needs based on location, hours, clients, payment schedules, skills, knowledge, etc., so be sure to check with a few of them to determine the best match for you. Some pay hourly wages, while others require that you incorporate in order to work for them.

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Pasadena couple out thousands after work at home offer

We do stories on these work offers over and over again and people still get sucked in!  Anytime you see an offer like this...run:

The email directed the Alvarado's to a web site where Kristoff filled out the online application. At first the application needed typical information, but on the second screen, the Alvarado's were directed to fill in their bank's name, account number and routing numbers. The Alvarado's followed through and within days they got a $3000 in their bank account and some very specific instructions.

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Work at home scam

Today at 4:55pm Jeff Ehling told us about a work at home scam targeting the hearing impaired.  CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY.

Contact the BBB if you are contacted about this scam. 

Viewers are getting jobs from our stories

Here is a nice consumer thank you from a viewer:

Jeff,

I just wanted to thank you for doing a story a few months ago about
Alpine Access.  When I saw this segment I immediately went online and
signed up with the company in hopes to get a job that would allow me to
work from home.  I must admit I was at first a little skeptical about
Alpine Access being a legitimate company but relied on your research and
story.  It did take me awhile to get the job I wanted but only because I
was looking for work on specific days and hours.  Alpine Access did
email me several jobs but it wasn't until recently that I was finally
able to accept a job offer.

As you know Alpine Access allows individuals to work at home and not as
an independent contractor.  I know you recently did a similar story that
named two other companies but they didn't appeal to me as much as Alpine
Access did simply because, as mentioned, I would work for Alpine Access
and not as an independent contractor.  Now that we're in the middle of
the holiday season I will be able to work from home with the hours I
wanted for a legitimate company as you had mentioned in your story.
Thank you so much for exposing this kind of information!

Gracie

Want to know what she's talking about? Click here.

Work at home ideas

We know you like to read more about work from home ideas.  We keep doing stories on it and still get requests for more. 

So here are some more tips from GMA's Tory Johnson.