When I'm talking about the "F" word, it's got nothing to do with swearing, nor the word that gets kids giggling when they overhear it in conversation, or perhaps on the TV. But it's effect on your home business opportunity, mlm or other online venture can be equally as alarming.

The word is "Free".

I'm not saying that you can't make a great deal of money online using free tools and information that is freely available online, but my own experience is that success has been directly related to what I have actually coughed up out of my wallet. Why is this?

Well, for starters, we say that we're looking for a business. Whether its a turnkey home business for moms or a home business for baby boomers, doesn't really matter.

Now I've been self-employed for the majority of my life, but I have never owned a business, online or offline, that has been free. Neither would I want to. It's the investment - cold hard cash - that ensures you keep to the right path.

It's the cash that you depart with that ensures that you treat your venture as a business, and not a hobby. It's the bank manager standing over you, making you feel as if it's his own personal money.

My experience tells me that its got a lot to do with how we value our money. I don't know if you relate, but I've found that the online ventures that I have participated in that have been free seldom held my interest for long enough to get anything out of them.

Free systems, tools and methods have surely contributed to the JFPTP syndrome some of us suffer. And what is that? No doubt you'll recognize it when I spell it out. Its the "Jump From Pillar To Post" Syndrome.

The incessant dabbling with any and everything that passes into our inbox, in the vain attempt to find the legitimate make money online ways that are going to fill our bank accounts and allow us to work at the kitchen table in our underwear. I think that's something best left to your imagination.

Once you invest in something, there's this little voice we have that makes us justify our spending, so we doggedly carry on as long as we possibly can before we even think of giving up. Personally, I've come across many a residual income home business where I've spent a fair chunk of cash on a program, particularly online, and I seem to stick at it and milk it for all its worth.

There's self-esteem at risk here, I don't want anyone to think that I've flushed my money down the proverbial toilet. So I carry on until I'm spent, departing with my tail firmly tucked between my legs, but with my integrity and dignity intact.

I've personally found that the program is not as significant in your success, its the marketing system that drives the program. I guess what I'm saying essentially, is that the answer is in the marketing.

I know you've heard it all before, but it's worth of a reminder. Do you honestly think that McDonald's is the best hamburger you can get? I think not. There's bound to be a much better hamburger produced by your local mom and pop hamburger joint. If they could only plug into a marketing system like McDonald's use, they would have success spilling out of their every pore. It's the systems that create the success, or the duplication.

When you next come across something that sounds to good to be true, promising to make you squillions in cash before you can blink, take another look. Look outside the box. If it belongs to the four letter word brigade - it's free - that's giving you a pretty good indication of what it's worth.

Look for duplication. You will need to involve other people. Is this something that you can see other people getting value out of? Because that's what it boils down to. Operate your own home business opportunity, mlm or whatever venture you are involved with keeping in mind that your fastest way to success is by helping others.

Sounds like a line out of a bad TV advertisement, and no doubt you've heard it all before. But I just thought I'd repeat it again, because it's just so true, and maybe you just haven't listened properly yet.

I'll wait for you at the top......there's plenty of room!