Be Sure to Read the Fine Print

I've been helping people start and run their home-based businesses for a decade or so. But last July, I finally took the plunge and quit my "day job" to start my own business.

I work odd jobs to make ends meet until the revenues from my online business are sufficient to meet my (frugal) living expenses.

Right now I work as a freelance web designer and computer tutor (but I'll wash dishes, clean
apartments, and shuttle pizzas around my fair city if I have to).

Several months ago, I placed an ad in a local newspaper for my home business. It was to run for three months at a total cost of $414.00 (to be billed in monthly installments):

At least this is what I was told over the phone...

I wasn't getting much of a response so I decided to not renew the ad for another 3 months.

Around New Years, I was billed again for another month.

First I was mad because I felt the newspaper was stealing my money.

I thought for sure this was a mistake then I read the contract again...

The contract (dated 09-14-07) states that the ad would run for a minimum of 3 months.

I don't know why I didn't notice this before --- I just assumed that the advertising manager (whose last name is actually profit!) was being straight with me --- apparently he wasn't.

I felt stupid and I felt ripped off.

I've always had what my friend Ava calls "an endearing streak of naivety"

In short, I tend to take people at face value and believe what they say. This has adversely affected my bottom line on more than one occasion.

Moral of this story? Every dollar you spend on your home business is precious!

Read the fine print on everything that you sign --- three times! Just because somebody who wants to sell you something sounds friendly and trustworthy, don't take them at their word.

There's great work to be done; worthy charitable organizations to contribute to; satisfaction to be had; and a comfortable living to be made --- but please let's be careful out there!