One of the reasons that some people start a home business is to help earn a little extra money for “extras”. I am in a position where my work from home income is our primary income, but when I first started, back when my husband and I were both working on advanced degrees, it was more about being able to afford a few “extras” — like pizza a couple of times a month.

Many people start a home business, or take small work from home jobs in order to be able to take care of extras. This is especially for those involved in multi-level marketing or affiliate programs. Several women in my neighborhood sell candles or jewelry, or have affiliate scrapbooking supply sites, so that they can finance their hobbies. It’s much easier to maintain your scrapbooking, or buy fun jewelry, if you participate in a program that helps you pay for it.

In the end, it is important to consider your goals for your home business. If all you want is to buy a few extras, then you can plan for that. However, if you want to use your work from home income as a larger income stream, you will need to make different plans. In the end, it is vital that you determine what you want to accomplish, and then make a plan to help you reach your goals.