Our economy, in a word, stinks. From the threat of recession to the unemployment rate, from stocks constantly plummeting to the President interrupting our favorite shows (ahem, my DVR cut off half of Bones) to discuss a bail out plan, it's hard to ignore the fact we are in financially troubling times. So, what do we do?

Some people have taken second jobs, others have tried to sell their homes or, when totally desperate, their kidneys. Some have cut way back on spending, and others have looked to a place you might not have thought of the Internet.

Business start ups. Work from Home endeavors. Cash giving programs. The Internet provides a variety of opportunities to those willing to look. But, how do you know the right one for you.

Before getting started with just anything, consider the following:

Watch Out for Scams : Desperate times in our economy call for desperate measures. But, unfortunately, desperation makes us easy targets for scam artists. Before getting involved in any kind of program, make sure you, and your money, aren't going to be taken for a ride. If your gut is telling you it's a bad idea, you better listen. Guts are usually right.

Watch Out for Ridiculous Prices : Ah, the cousin of the scam: the ridiculous price. Some programs require that you pay an outlandish fee before you can have access to their database. Three thousand dollars here or two thousand dollars there (and your first born) will add up, and drastically hurt your bank account.

Watch Out for Programs that Don’t Provide Training : Just as you wouldn't ace a history test if you never learned about the past, you wouldn't succeed in any kind of program unless you were properly trained. For this reason, it's important not to waste your time with programs that don't teach you the ropes. Instead, focus on those who give you enough slack to be successful.

Watch Out for Things People Don't Want : Whether you are selling a product or a service, selling to the masses is the first rule of thumb. Thus, programs that sell obsolete services or products that only appeal to a few people (the mother and father of the inventor) probably deserve a cold shoulder. Even in a good economy, people wouldn't buy things that they don't find appealing.

The Internet is a great tool to help supplement your income. But, you need to be careful when taking on new opportunities. Use common sense, use business sense and you just might start making cents.