eBay is the world's largest online marketplace with 84.5 million active users.

Making money on eBay is a simple process: list your item, collect the payment and ship to the winning bidder.

My first auction will be a new Flip Video Ultra Series.  Look for a post about this Thursday.

Also, this week, I'm exploring a new way to work from home using eBay by creating a niche store.

I'm using a piece of software you can check out here.

Got any eBay strategies, courses or tips you use and recommend?

Leave a comment below…

Ever see those business opportunity ads that say "Not MLM"?

I guess MLM has such a bad rap nowadays, people feel the need to add the "disclaimer" to their ads.

Thinking about this, and the fact that "legitimate work from home" is a frequently searched term on the Internet, I'm adding my own disclaimer to this site:

"Not a trick to get you to join my $1,000 money game."

Sure, I'm going to recommend products and services for you to buy.  I'm not writing this blog for my health.  But it's important for you to know that you're going to get real content and coaching here… not just a setup for you to join my program.  Truth is, I don't have one right now.  I'm looking because I like the idea of residual money.  But this is about educating you to live your work from home or anywhere else dream.

I hope this clears up an ambiguity. (in other words, sign up for my notification list with confidence.)

- The Pajamanaire :-)

I'm writing this poolside from a Hilton hotel in a Midwest resort community.

I'm here overnight to see a play with my family.

The play was awesome, but that's not what this post is about.

I've noticed, especially in the last decade, that customer service at major hotels is in constant decline.

You should know I am not the average once-a-year-vacation traveler.  I am an active, and very profitable, Hilton "member."  I don't expect to be treated like the "King of Pajamadom", nor do I expect Hilton to act like the Ritz Carlton.  But, at 250-bucks-a-night-per-room, I do expect hotel staff to respond cheerfully to simple requests.

This morning, one very difficult Hilton employee made me 5 minutes late for my live radio show, a big deal.  But of course it wasn't her fault.  Why on earth would someone ask to be transferred to an 800 number from a hotel business center?  Hundreds of other operators and front desk staff have cheerfully done so.  One even invited me into her managers office to privately complete my call.  But this one felt a duty to delay my radio show with a "gestapo-style" interrogation beginning with "Why aren't you doing the call from your room?".  It couldn't be because I pay Hilton for the privilege of not having to wake my family at 6:30 a.m. in the morning.

Needless to say, I was a bit peeved.

Thinking about travel in general -

Travel in America is beginning to remind me of travel in a foreign country with restricted freedoms.

Anything outside the standard "profile" is questioned.

"You should be happy we're letting you stay here" is too often the attitude.

And you better not change the tone of your voice or get too close to them - can you spell l-a-w-s-u-i-t?

CNN, last week: "Mega-preacher's wife sued over loss of faith".

Joel Osteen's wife Victoria is being sued by a Continental Airlines "stewardess" (Due respect to my flight attendant friends, but this chick should be an embarrassment to you all).  The woman claims her faith has been affected?  She "suffers from anxiety and hemorrhoids because of the incident," the article reports.  She is also suing Victoria for medical expenses for counseling and wants "10% of her net worth?"  Can you spell m-o-n-e-y-g-r-a-b?

Victoria does need to exercise a little more wisdom in the future, but this is crazy.  Truth is, I've flown first class on Continental many times in recent years.  And based on my "personal" experience, Victoria should be suing them.  Joel and Victoria, think: NetJets.

Should I now expect a certain level of difficulty and discomfort when traveling away from home in America?

Should I alter my personal and business behavior so as not to stand out?

Are frustrated hourly employees the true "big brother"?

Is "grit and bear it, even if you're paying" the new patriotism?

Perhaps this morning was an isolated issue with one ill-trained Hilton employee.

Or was it another blip on the "you ain't really free" radar screen?

Conspiracy theory 101.

Time for breakfast…

- PJ Power

Are you a work at home mom?

I'm planning to interview several work at home moms for an upcoming series of blog posts.

Do you have a specific question you want answered?

Ask it below…

There are many legitimate ways to work from home.

Depending on your personal situation and goals, here are three options to consider:

Option #1: You can work for a specific company as an employee.

More and more companies are hiring people who work from home. especially in the area of customer service.

A great example is JetBlue.  I recently called their 800 number to check a flight schedule.  During the conversation I asked the customer service representative if she worked from home.  "Yes," she said enthusiastically.  Turns out, most of the company's 700 customer service representatives work from home.

"Equipping agents with a home computer eliminates the need for a large expensive call center," says CEO David Neeleman.  "It also boosts efficiency and retention in a job with traditionally high turnover. It offers agents, many of them at-home moms, flexible part-time work."

Option #2: You can offer your services on a freelance basis.

Most people associate the idea of freelancing with being a writer.  Yes, you can get paid to write in your PJs, but you can also offer a wide range of other services as a freelancer.  Freelancing is where you get paid to perform a specific task or complete a specific project.  For example, I work with a graphic artist in Romania, an editor in Canada and a voice over artist in Colorado - all on a freelance basis.

Getting started as a freelance or independent professional is easier than you think.  First, decide what services you will offer.  Then, use a site like Guru.com to introduce yourself to prospective clients.  If you're serious about success, learn the ropes from an experienced mentor.

Resource: To get your copy of Freelance Bookmarks: 101 Resources for Freelance Success, sign up for my Pajama Daily blog notification list by filling out the form on the top right side of this page.  I plan to sell this guide for $35 but if you sign up before Friday, August 15th, you'll get a free copy by email.

Option #3: You can start a home business.

There are a wide range of businesses you can start and run from home.  For example, you can create and sell your own product or sell other people's products as an affiliate or independent distributor.  You can sell on eBay or learn to blog for a living.

Here are five basic steps to get you started:

• Make a list of all the topics you're passionate about.
• Pick a topic/focus that will interest a large number of people.
• Identify the BIG problems people want to solve.
• Find or create a product or service that solves the problem.
• Start a blog.  Whether you plan to sell other people's products or create your own, a blog is a great way top demonstrate your expertise, build a following and make sales.

Which option is best for you?

If the idea of being your own boss appeals to you, the freelance or home business option is for you.  If you prefer the security of conventional employment, exploring the work from home job market is your answer.

- The Pajamanaire :-)

P.S. Post your comments, thoughts and questions as a comment below…

Do you have young children?

If so, get them involved in your business.

It's a great way to teach them about business, prepare them for life, and strengthen your relationship.

Here are three ideas to get your started:

(1) Explain what you do. Do you children know what you do?  Do they understand the benefits of a home business?  Do they understand why you need "focus time"?  Take time to explain your work to your children.

(2) Teach them what you know. I lead a weekly meeting called "Training for Life".  It's a 30-minute family "seminar" where I share important business and life lessons.  The sessions are recorded and, my children take notes and ask questions.  You can do the same.

(3) Reward them. I regularly "hire" my children to complete specific tasks in my business.  They are learning valuable skills, and they have a greater appreciation for the money they receive.

This week, get your children involved.

- The Pajamanaire :-)

One of my mentors once told me that the secret of your future is hidden in what you do daily.

It's true.

Here are five keys to a successful "work from home" day:

1.  Decide what works for you. Some of us like to start slowly. For others, immediately heading to the computer, coffee mug in hand and starting in right away, is best. There are no right or wrong answers here. Whatever works best for you and your family is the right way.

2. Leverage the power of "habit" to accomplish more in less time. Most people are creatures of habit. Habit can be a wonderful thing because it allows us to get in our comfort zone without consciously expending any effort in doing so. As a work at home professional, creating good habits for yourself will allow you to accomplish a lot more in a limited amount of time. Put your day on auto pilot as much as possible.

3. Have a list of daily priorities. There is nothing quite as satisfying as the sense of accomplishment that comes from successfully completing tasks. To ensure that this happens, make a to-do list each day. Some people make their list at the end of a work day for the next day, while others prefer to make their list in the morning. In either case, it's a good idea to prioritize the items on your list based on importance.  Before you start with the first item on the list, take a few moments to check over the list and mentally decide how much time will be required for each item. Then, as you complete an item, be sure to cross it off.

4. Stick to your schedule. You will no doubt want to be creative in some aspects of your home business. But in general, try to maintain a similar schedule from day to day. That way you won't waste time with changes that may not be productive. Leave the creativity for times spent with your family or friends, or for when you are working on an improvement in your home business.

5. Take time for your life. The one thing you should savor is the thirty second commute to work. If you previously worked outside the home, any time spent on getting to and from work is now newfound time. This found time is yours. Use it as your gift to yourself to do with as you wish.

Now that your day is set up for success, you are ready to face whatever challenges or frustrations may come along. Enjoy the successes, no matter how big or small, along the way.

- The Pajamanaire :-)