A few years back, my dream was to work from home. Every time I'd leave the office, aggravated from some corporate memo or the nonsense of office politics, I'd think: if only I could work from home then I could leave all this behind.

Having found a legitimate source of work-from-home income, I do work from home now, and there are some great benefits of working from home. In truth, though, there are pitfalls to working at home as well.

Anyone thinking about making that leap from the traditional workplace to working from home, should think about it carefully beforehand. Consider both the pros and the cons of a home office.

On the plus side, there's definitely something to be said for being able to work in your pajamas, if you're feeling so inclined, or being able to wear shorts rather than a formal business suit on a hot day. Working from home enables you to avoid bad weather drives and with gas prices so high, there's a definite savings there.

On the downside, working out of your own home is a solitary endeavor and for many people, it's a lonely proposition. There's also the fact that you'll need to maintain your own equipment. Potentially, there won't be an I.T. help desk to call whenever you have computer woes, and if your computer fritzes out, you're generally on your own.

Part of it depends on what type of home employment you find. Many work-from home jobs are contractor jobs, putting you under the header of Self-employed. It's an important distinction because contractors are not employees of the company they're working for. They're contracted with the company and, as such, are responsible in sum for their own equipment, filing taxes, and there won't be any fringe benefits forthcoming -- no sick time, vacation time, nor health, dental and 401k.

So is working from home right for you? Be sure to research your options and understand what you are signing on for. Many big corporations are beginning to see telecommuting as a viable option for employees. If your company is one of these, then you may be able to try on a home office before making a commitment. Ask your Human Resources department or your supervisor.

For those who do not have this try-before-you-buy option available, be sure to do your homework. Make sure your equipment is current and has the capabilities necessary for running your own home office. Check out the company you're thinking of working (or contracting) for. There are many work-from-home scams out there and it's easy to fall victim to one if you aren't careful.

It's a big decision to make the leap from that traditional job to a work-from-home scenario, and it isn't for everyone. People who like to be around other people will potentially find home-work a lonely prospect. It's easy to get cabin fever working in your own home day after day after day. Plus, you need to be a self-starter, able to work through any number of day-to-day distractions that you wouldn't have in a traditional office.

It all depends on you, on your priorities, obligations, and personality. And on those cold winter days, when the wind is howling outside my window and I see the traffic on the roads, all the commuters backed up on the way to the office, people juggling their coffee cups and briefcases, I boot up my computer and thank the heavens that I have my work-at-home job.