After working for the State of Texas, for 30 years, I retired on Thursday, May 25, 2006, at 2:00 pm. Little did I know that this day would become very significant in my future? For the past six months, I had been counting the number of days until "the big day" when I could go home and rest. I started working when I was 18, and I retired when I was 50! So yes, it was time for a break. I felt that it was time for me to start enjoying life -- because you never know what the future holds.

I had a pre-scheduled mammogram that day at 2:30 pm. (See, I had to take care of all my business that day, because I was finished with corporate America; it was time for me to go home and rest.) After the mammo was done, one of the lab technicians told me that I probably had breast cancer, but it would take a few days to verify. I distinctly remember telling that young lady that there was no way that I had breast cancer; I had just retired from my job about an hour ago. There was NO WAY that I was going to accept the fact that my life could have possibly changed forever. So I got dressed, went home, and waited to party for the Memorial Day weekend.

Everything was fine. My doctor informed me that I did indeed, have breast cancer; that I would need to see an oncologist as soon as possible. Since that day I have lived my life in a fog! But God is good; I didn't need chemotherapy (the cancer was caught in its earliest stages). But, I would have to take six months of radiation. Having the cancer was not painful at all; what hurt was the fact that I was already in trouble when I retired, unknowingly. So from May, 2006 until July, 2010, I was unavailable - mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. I was physical; I just didn't feel anything.

My husband had continuously worked (since his retirement, in 2004), all during those years that I lay in bed, day after day, doing nothing. Then, in July, 2010, we had an unexpected, unprepared-for, household emergency. And I felt so guilty that I was not doing anything to contribute to the household finances. So I made up my mind, that day: July 8, 2010, that I would go back to work. No, I didn't want to go back -- out into the working world. I was having a good time staying home and doing nothing; but I needed to be making money. So I signed up with a local, temporary job agency, on July 19, 2010. It made me feel better because I was trying to make a contribution to the family finances. Well, low and behold, the agency called within the next two weeks, and told me that I was to report for duty on August 2, 2010, at 8:00 am. I was so excited! After being in bed for five years, I still had it! It didn't take long for me to remember what I had left behind: the 45-minute-drive-to work; the working with annoying people; the traffic jams on the way home; the errands that I needed to be do before I got home, etc. But I did it! The job only lasted for a month, but I did it! All of my friends and family were so proud that I, at least, put forth the effort, and I received a few paychecks.

I tried to make money again, by not only applying with other temp agencies, but corporate America, as well. I filled out many, many applications online, but never received a response. The economy was bad then; and it's still bad. In October, 2010, I finally secured an interview for a job which I knew I qualified, and wanted very much. In November, I received my "dear John" letter, stating that the position had been filled from within. I was searching the internet daily, looking for a way to make money. On December 21, 2010, that same job that I had applied for, and interviewed for, was posted again. YES ! So, I jumped through the necessary hoops, only to hear on the 6:00 news, one day, that the State had announced a hiring-freeze. Well, that took care of that. So, I devoted my full attention to trying to find a job making money online.

Every time I received an email regarding making money online, or how I can make money online, or any subject related to making money, I read and researched. I am in no way computer-savvy, but when I read and researched how to make money, by becoming an affiliate marketer, I finally decided that this is how I am going to get rich fast (not out in the world -- but from the comfort of my own home). Now, I'm just a beginner, but I have enough evidence to see the potential for making money, in affiliate marketing.

Of all the online jobs, affiliate marketing seems to be the least complicated; you will serve as a human "billboard" for other companies. The foundation for this business is that you will make money by driving traffic (visitors) to other websites. You make a commission whenever a visitor goes to this particular site and takes action. If the visitor buys something, or signs up for something, or clicks on an affiliate's ad, then you are paid a commission for generating a "lead" (prospective customer) to that company.

There are two approaches to affiliate marketing. One approach is as a retailer who sells tangible products. Tangible products are items that you buy online, and the product is shipped to a designated location. (An example is like buying a book on Amazon.com.) The second approach is as a retailer who sells electronic products. Electronic products are downloadable; you make a purchase, and you are instantly emailed download instructions. (An example is like buying an eBook on ClickBank.) You simply click on the provided space in the email, and you can download and read the material on your computer screen, or you can print a hardcopy, and read it later.

I chose to start with the electronic products, because it is much simpler that the tangible products: there is no order-processing; no shipping and handling products; no collecting money; no processing returns, etc. Because of these responsibilities, the tangible products have a narrower profit margin. This is another reason why I chose electronic, over tangible -- less hassle, more money.