Working at home is a modern day phenomenon, made possible by the wonders of the world wide web. If you have a computer and know how to use it, you can probably find a way to make money with it. Perhaps you will do computer programming for people from other parts of the world, or maybe you'll just increase the customer base you have for selling your handmade crafts. Whatever your work at home goals, there are some myths about working at home that you need to know.

1. "You'll be able to make money hand over fist while sitting around in your underwear." Come on, now. You don't really believe that. It's true that it doesn't make much difference what you're wearing if you are at home, but you'll still need to work. And for many people, getting dressed in nice clothes helps them to maintain a more professional demeanor, even if it's only for themselves. Your voice will sound more confident if you need to talk on the phone, and your business is likely to do better.

2. "You'll have a six-figure income within a few months if you just do what we say." Sure. The real myth (pronounce that "mess") here is when you have to lay down three or four digits just to get in on this great deal. The scammers might have a six-figure income, but you probably won't.

3. "You can name your own hours." This is true to a point, but if you have been procrastinating about getting a job done for a client, you might have to have your nose to the grindstone just when you'd like to be doing something else. Time management skills will really help you succeed at working from home. If naming your own hours means that you will faithfully work from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m., it will work. If you're just using it as an excuse to put off working and be lazy, then it's not going to succeed.

4. "Working at home is an easy way to make a living." Work is work, plain and simple. Making the switch to working at home is easy in some ways and hard in others. The easy part is being able to sleep in and avoid the morning commute. The hard part is disciplining yourself to treat your home-based venture like the real job it is. There will also be a steady stream of distractions at home that you would not have to deal with at the office.

5. "People are just lined up wanting to buy what you have to sell." Sure. Selling is hard work that takes discipline, a positive outlook, and lots of contacts. If you are not a people-loving, money-driven go-getter, a home-based job that involves selling is going to be a chore for you. Does it bug you to have 19 out of every 20 people you contact give you a flat and resounding "NO"? If so, there are other ways to make money from home that don't require being constantly rejected. Some of these might be more suitable for you.