I was excited about all the offers I saw when accessing the unbelievable amount of opportunities. I even had a vague idea some MAY BE SCAMS! But, when the testimonials were so great and so sincere, what could go wrong? I am recently retired, and fast finding that in order to live in the style I like, it would be a good idea to have a supplemental income too.

Okay, I tried a MLM, multi level market scheme. I gave it my all for a few months, stopping just in time to save myself from the "deep". This, to me, is going in "over my head in debt" where I can't redeem myself short of a few years of paying that credit card back down. Well, the mentor I initially called, assured me when I asked her, "yes, it's easy". She failed to tell me I would need a lot of time, hard work, and an unlimited amount of credit to stay afloat while getting to that "easy".

I won't go giving out the company name, because the product does work. I lost my 10 pounds of extra weight in trying the product so I could better represent it. The crux was the old fashioned way I was coached to sell this product. It wasn't that I didn't try. I was doing everything I had been told to do. I even convinced a couple people to work beneath me. I was told that I could jump right into this, with no prior experience and make a killing within 6 months. In fact, I worked up my "6 month plan", aiming for the top. Little did I know a rude awakening was coming.

Network marketing is a true case of the blind leading the blind, and it's the only business opportunity that's ever been marketed on such a massive scale since the inception of the world-wide-web. The average, every-day American, which is me, is told that they can jump in with no prior experience. "I don't have to be a pro to succeed". Wow, what could be easier? Just do as they do, and follow the lead.

As a result, the majority of people, which includes ME, who get into network marketing, have no training in sales and good business sense. I found this out early on, as I saw the difference in techniques used from one of my sponsors to the next one. They all wanted me to follow in the footsteps of others. My outgo was far outstripping my income. Even if I looked at it optimistically, the average person would not have enough in their account to sustain them while they wait for the "turn-around". I was so successful in my "circle of influence", that they were going out of their way to avoid my phone calls, my emails, my accidental bumping into them in the grocery stores. One even changed their email address to avoid me.

I deduced the company base is supported by gullible persons like me, who buy into their product, and support their peripheral companies. Yes, a few make it to the top, but what a struggle to go through for a part-time work from home business. I bailed out after only 3 months.

Okay, here's another MLM with a slightly different flair. I couldn't go wrong, but sad to say, I figured out the persons supporting this company all must buy a minimum of 35 points per month, regardless of getting any others to join. This is the saving grace for this one. They have great product, just not an income-producer as I wanted. This was a typical "passive income adventure" where one earns a percentage of those beneath them. Not so costly, but not a likely adventure for me.

I have learned much in the several months since I officially began searching for a substantial business that would support me eventually. I also have decided nothing comes easy, and with perseverance and dedication, the route I am now on will be the best for me. I am starting at the "network marketing 101" class, and earning as I learn. My advice is to skip the MLM's and get a good knowledge base as I am now doing.