Due to the economy, many people have lost their jobs or have had to take a cut in pay in order to retain their job. So what are some things you can do to make extra money from the comfort of your own home?

The first place many people turn to is the internet to find ways to make money online. There are lots of legitimate opportunities available, but you will have to look for them. One way to earn extra money online is to become a survey taker. There are a lot of survey companies that pay in different ways. Some pay you in cash, while on other sites you earn points that can be redeemed for prizes. Some also hold drawings for money or prizes. You can take surveys on any number of subjects and some companies will send you products to try and then you give your opinion about it. Taking surveys can be time consuming, but you can earn some extra money doing it.

Do you have a blog? Many people make money blogging about any number of topics. You probably will not get rich, but it is possible to supplement your income or earn extra spending money from something you are already doing anyway. There are different ways to get paid to blog, so do your research and choose the option that will work best for you.

Now might be the time to write that best selling book that has been rolling around in your brain. Of course, writing a book is time consuming and will not provide income right away, but if you can afford to not find a job right away, why not use the time off to try it?

There are also many companies that provide a home income opportunity. If you are sociable and are passionate about scrap booking, cooking or candles consider becoming a consultant. For the most part you will work from your home, but you also need to hold parties in clients’ homes in order for your business to be profitable. However, you earn discounts on products you already love so becoming a consultant could be a fun way to earn extra money.

If you love children and have extra space in your home, consider running a home daycare. Check with your city and state for licensing requirements and be aware that there are legal risks involved. But a well-run home daycare could be very profitable.

Another growing home business opportunity is to provide day care for animals. Pets have become a big part of many people’s lives and many pet lovers are willing to pay for someone to care for their animals when they are away. Just as in a child daycare, though, be sure to do your homework before you open a pet daycare service.

To find a job that you can do from your home, look for something that you truly enjoy doing and do take the time to do some research. Know that you will probably have to spend some time to find the right job, but there are many people who work successfully from home.