Whether you are on maternity leave, or a stay at home mum eager to make some extra cash, making money from home is easier than you think.

1. Think of your current skill base

Think about what you can do that you could turn into a money making scheme. Secretary to virtual PA, teacher to online tutor, sales work to selling for home sales companies. If nothing jumps out at you flicking through your local newspaper and yellow pages can help trigger an idea.

2. Sell something

If you're at home with kids all day the chances are you know plenty of other women doing the same thing. Consider selling something to your captured audience whether it's make-up, children's books, toiletries, kitchenware or clothing. Most companies work on a commission basis to a nominal start up fee try:

• Avon
• Usborne Books
• Virgin Vie

3. What time do you have?

Do you have time to make money during the day or at night? If it's at night there are still plenty of choices. Try starting a babysitting service, doing transcription work or buying and selling on eBay and auction sites. The latter can work very effectively if you're sharp about spotting an upcoming trend and/or are wise about a niche market.

4. Can you make anything?

Home made cakes, cushions, cards and knitted baby clothes can all make you money, especially in this climate when people are trying to find cheaper alternatives to gifts and entertaining. Try placing your arts and crafts goods an online marketplace like myehive.com.

5. Domestic services

There has been a rise in the number of people offering services from cleaning to interior design, garden landscaping, housekeeping, house sitting, and pet sitting. Check out the competition in your local area and see what you could offer at a competitive price.

6. Use your home to make money

Take in a lodger (27,000 more households have taken in a lodger in the last year) or be a host family for a foreign student (contact local English language schools and colleges). Or think about renting out your home to TV, film and advertising companies. You don't have to have a mansion. Register for free at locationworks.com.