President Obama says "The time for action is now ..." as he tries to turn our financial system around with his new stimulus package. Opponents reply that "Doing something wrong quickly does not make it right". These naysayers believe that the current package as presented contains "hundreds of billions of dollars" in non-stimulus spending and interest payments.

So while everyone is waiting around for the government to "do something", other Americans are creating their own stimulus package. And, it does not require waiting on the government or waiting like a herd of cattle as they gawk at the hay maker throwing out a few bales of hay.

More and more people are thinking about starting their own business. After all, insecurity in an unstable economy will either drive people to cling more diligently to what they have - or they will simply strike out on their own.

Even those clinging to what they have may be clinging to a thread.

Many people will look to a hobby or some passion they possess to see if these can be developed into a full-fledged business worthy of supporting a family. Then others try to "read" the economy to see what trends might be worthy of exploiting for starting a new business.

Regardless of which method to find sustainable self-employment, the alternatives boil down to about three types of businesses - (1) manufacturing, (2) services, or (3) professions.

Manufacturing is normally fraught with heavy start-up costs. Services, as well, can be expensive depending upon the equipment and facilities required. For professions, many require licenses that establish credibility for entering the field.

The key to start with a bare-bones situation is to find a realistic home based business that does not require employees or inventory or any other huge start up costs. There are thousands of opportunities such as these but some are more realistic than others.

Working as a freight broker or broker agent are two such opportunities that can be started right off of a kitchen table. There is unlimited income potential. But are these real? Just look out your window and count how many trucks you see moving along the interstate. Most have been moved by either a freight broker or broker agent.

While these indeed are realistic opportunities, you will want to have some capital to carry you until you get established. Another income in the family is ideal. In this way, there is less pressure to "make it" fast and the business can progress in a steady fashion.

Don't always fall for the get-rich-quick schemes or those that are promising something that sounds too good to be true.