If you spend much of your time surfing the Internet or simply in front of the computer, and you're looking to work from home, the good news is there are countless ways to earn money online. So before you check out other options, why not start by considering a few jobs that demand no money upfront and no start-up costs. The only thing that is required is a computer with Internet access. And, if you're reading this article, chances are, that won't be a problem!

Here are 3 ways you can make money from the comfort of your own computer.

1. Online Auctions. Especially in today's economy, people are looking for great deals. And maybe with the exception of garage sales, there is no better way to find a bargain than in online auctions. While eBay.com and Amazon.com are probably the most widely known, there are multiple sites that offer online selling. Even Goodwill has gotten in on the action with shopgoodwill.com. Whether you choose to list miscellaneous items you have lying around the house, reselling items you find at garage sales and thrift stores, or sell handcrafted items, there is big money to be earned in online auctions. Each individual site lays out its own rules and guidelines for selling. There are also many books, e-books and blogs out there offering online selling tips. All it takes is a little research and self-training and you're on your way to earning some cold hard cash.

2. Online Surveys. When companies want to improve their products, there's no more effective way to do it than by going directly to the customer! Often, businesses hire market research companies to find people (like you!) who are interested in trying their products and/or services and giving feedback. You probably won't get rich, but taking online surveys can offer you a decent income and some great free products. Keep in mind you should never have to pay to take a survey. They pay you!

3. Content Writing. Okay, so you can't just start a writing career without a little talent. Good punctuation and grammar, as well as the ability to lay things out in a clear and simple manner are certainly required. But if you have a willingness to learn, some discipline, and a natural flair, writing is a viable option for you. And there are scads of companies looking for freelancers to write online content. Sites like constantcontent.com and associatedcontent.com post your articles "for sale" and when a website owner or editor sees something they like, they purchase it. Sites like About.com hire expert content guides to write articles about any and every topic you can come up with. And once you break in, the opportunities are endless. For great articles and tips on how to be successful as a freelancer, and also for a wide variety of freelance writing job leads, do a search online.

These are only three of the many ways you can earn money online. But as long as you spend most of your time in front of the computer anyway, you might as well get paid for it!