When Jeff Zbar launched his freelance writing career almost 20 years ago, a good friend remarked, “I’ve never met a starving writer before.” Zbar’s prompt reply was, “I’m not going to be your first.”

He has delivered on that promise, writing about a variety of topics in different styles, “from journalism to corporate copywriting and beyond, as well as public speaking on various topics,” he notes. Zbar, who is based in Florida, has been making more than $50,000 a year for some time.

Freelance writing is one of various fields where individuals can work from home and, through hard work and determination, earn $50,000 a year, or more. Success with work-from-home jobs depends on self-motivation and professional experience, freelancers say — the more you have of both, the better. You also must be disciplined and skilled at networking, so you can attract clients/contacts.

Here’s a look at several careers where you can work from home and earn a good living:

1. Public Relations Professional

Thanks to technology, PR professionals can set up home-based shops — something Cynthia Schick has done with her PR business, CLS Communications, in Lebanon, New Jersey. Schick pitches stories, trains small business owners on positioning themselves as experts for the press, and does copywriting for brochures and websites. Schick has been working from home for three years; her first year, she earned just under $50,000. “I think $50,000 is a fair target to reach pretty early on,” she says, noting this year she expects to make in the high $60Ks, or more.

2. Graphic Designer

Rick Shaffer, a freelance graphic designer/marketer since 2001, runs his business, Shaffer Design Works, out of a studio in the basement of his home in Streetsboro, Ohio. He works for several national clients as well as small businesses, designing logos, brochures, websites and other marketing materials. “My first year I was probably making $40,000. It didn’t take me long — my second year I made something like $85,000, and this year I made six figures. It has grown exponentially for me,” Shaffer says.

3. Realtor

As an independent contractor selling properties for Weichert, Realtors in Flemington, New Jersey, Lori Stellwag works from home 80 percent of the time. She goes to Weichert’s offices for meetings and to check in periodically. Stellwag has done work from home for three years, and says computers and cell phones are a boon, enabling her to stay in touch with clients and do research about properties. “I make at least $50,000 or more doing this. … To make at least $50,000 in this industry, you have to be a go-getter and you have to do it full-time, unless you are pretty lucky,” she says.

4. Freelance Writer

Ed Finkel, a freelance writer based in Evanston, Illinois, who has been working from home for nearly six years, says he came close to earning $50,000 in his first year. “I think $50,000 is definitely doable. It’s more doable for someone who has had more jobs and is out in the business for a while. It’s just like any profession where it’s better to work for a while and build up some subject matter expertise,” he explains. According to Finkel and Zbar, freelance writers should be flexible about taking on a variety of different assignments — but also specialize in an area, such as public policy, technology, or education. It’s akin to being a generalist and a specialist at the same time.

5. Financial Planner

Investments, taxes, and retirement and estate planning — Jerry D. Murphy consults with his clients on these matters as a home-based certified financial planner in Bowie, Maryland. Murphy has been operating his business, JDM Financial & Investments Inc., since 1996; he says he hit the $50,000 mark after about four years. “You have to have the dedication to stick to it when the going gets rough. One thing that kept me going was my desire to provide the best advice to clients and provide personal service to individuals,” he says.

Kristina Cowan is the senior writer for PayScale.com. She has over 10 years of journalism experience, specializing in education and workforce issues. more articles here

Panglao is the southernmost town of Bohol. It is one of the 2 towns on Panglao Island, the other being Dauis. It is of historical significance in that it was the place where the Spaniards went after an unfortunate experience in Cebu.

It is said that the Spanish explorers who came to this island in 1803 named it Panglao after the world ‘mapanglao’, meaning ‘lonesome place’. It is also one of the old towns of Bohol. It had a population of 6,543 in 1879.

There are many beautiful beaches in this island.

Here is the few  i knew:

1, Ananyana Beach Resort Panglao

We stayed at The Ananyana for four days in January 2008. We had a beautiful room near the pool. There were just the two of us (no kids), and we had a very, very nice stay at The Ananyana. The staff was excellent, the food was amazing and the place was so stylish. It was quite, so it will fit all those who wants to rest. We were snorkling, I had spa that was very good, and we had some friends visiting from another resort. The staff arranged then the dinner for us at the beach, and with the full moon raising up from the sea, our friends (and we) were stunned by the view and the athmosphere. I would surtainly recommend this place to everyone! You can stay there with kids, but the pool is not too big. And your kids should not be too noicy. They had a playground, but I only saw local kids playing there. Wich was good for them - the world outside of the resort is in big contrast to The Ananyana. Thank you for a wonderful stay!

 2, Linaw Beach Resort and Restaurant - A secluded lush tropical paradise away from all the other resorts in Panglao, we are one of the newest beach resorts situated directly on a very private section of Alona. We offer a wide range of amenities for making your stay with us a memorable one. Our friendly staff are here to serve you with the best hospitality that Bohol has to offer.

3. Alona Palm Beach Resort & Restaurant - the luxurious beach resort at Alona Beach, on the island of Panglao, in the Philippines.

Alona Palm Beach Resort & Restaurant is one of several Beach resorts on the island, particularly to cater to the demanding traveler, which is looking for the best in infrastructure, amenities and service.

4. Bohol Beach Club - The attraction of the Bohol Beach Club is its setting in a vast wooded area, far from the animation of Alona Beach and its particularly superb beach stretching over 4 km of white sand. It is the only resort in Panglao that has a really attractive beach, as the frontage of some resorts is often reduced to narrow strips of sand. The resort belongs to the Tambuli Resorts that also own the Tambuli Beach Club and Villa in Mactan, Cebu.

After crossing the garden, you enter a large building with an impressive nipa ceiling that houses the lobby and the restaurant. Constructed with a high bamboo framework, the building opens onto the swimming pool, and further on, to the sea. To the right of the reception area, a sandy track lined with large clay jars, is shaded by a magnificent arbor of fuchsia bougainvillea up to the bungalows.

Enjoy your stay at this relaxing beautiful beaches in Panglao Island, in Bohol.

Peacefully nestled in the Central Visayas region and regarded among the best tourist destinations around the world. But beyond the magnificence of Chocolate Hills; the antiquity of Baclayon Church; the natural wonders of Hinagdanan Cave; and the rarity of world renowned Tarsier; Bohol definitely offers more.

Bohol Beach Club, nestles in Panglao Island in the Central Visayas. This is approximately thirty (30) minutes by land from Tagbilaran City. Bohol has become a popular destination for tourist, as it is blessed with natural wonders. These include sight such as the magnificent Chocolate Hills, the Hinagdanan Cave, the Loboc River and the smallest mammal in the world the Philippines’ Tarsier.

Scheduled flights from Mactan International Airport to Tagbilaran City takes twenty five (25) minutes, while that from Ninoy Aquino International Airport takes two hours. Sea travel from Cebu Via ferry takes an hour and thirty minutes (1 hr 30 mins).

Bohol Beach Club has a number of facilities like pool bar, beach bar, restaurant, swimming pool, outdoor jacuzzi, scuba diving, glass bottom boat, tennis court, billiards, darts, chess, table tennis and backgammon.