Employers cut 125,000 jobs last month and 625,000 of the unemployed simply gave up their job search, according to the Department of Labor.  Since the recession began, there are approximately eight million fewer private sector jobs.  So what are people to do.  Why not beat the system and create your own job — at home!

That’s right.  Independent contractors, freelancers, consultants and micro-businesses comprise a burgeoning market segment as people who are tired of waiting for the job market to bounce back take the bull by the horns and create their own job opportunities.  With the aid of technology and web sites such as elance.com, these survivalist entrepreneurs are finding there is hope even in a bleak economy.

Here’s my top five list of work from home jobs or micro-businesses.  Continue reading →