There's no question... we are undergoing lean times, and many Americans are struggling financially at present. But I'm doing OK, thanks to a couple of work at home businesses, one that sends printable greeting cards to business associates and personal contacts and one that helps your build a content-based website, even if you know nothing about building websites.

The card company I use is a network marketing company, but without the pressure and hype that often goes with that type of business. Instead, it's all about building relationships, both business and personal.

The world today is often impersonal. People are busy, busy, busy... The technology that makes all our lives so much easier than it was for our grandparents also isolates us at times by removing the need for personal contact.

That can make it hard to build the kind of solid personal and business relationships that are the foundation of a happy, successful life.

But, nothing makes someone feel more appreciated than a kind word contained in a personalized greeting card. Cards work because they're unexpected and communicate your message in a way that's virtually guaranteed to be well received. When you send a card, your card sends a powerful message that you care, that you remember and you take no one for granted.

Learn more here about sending cards

The other strategy I'm using for prospering during the financial crisis is called Site Build It (SBI for short), and it's a platform for building a business on the Web. I use it to educate people about sending cards, but there are so many other directions you can go. Check out SBI here