Tessas are also fairly risk-free products.Tessas must be run for five years with a maximum deposit of pounds 3,000 in the first year and pounds 1,800 in subsequent years, making a maximum investment of pounds 9,000. They succeeded beyond his wildest dreams, with the banks and building societies that provided them vacuuming up billions of pounds from savers in the five years they have been in existence. Five years later, the first have just reached maturity, prompting speculation about huge walls of money suddenly becoming available for a wide variety of other investments, not to mention holidays, cars and home improvements.Despite the hopes of many fund managers, tens of thousands of first-generation Tessa holders are considering the benefits of a second fling with the same type of investment.Their popularity has come despite the seemingly complicated rules involved in setting them up and their arbitrary contribution limits.The Tessa has significant tax advantages over ordinary savings accounts. But there is one measure he introduced that has proved to be highly popular, even if he isn't. Tax Exempt Special Savings Accounts (Tessas) were first announced in January 1991 by Mr Major, then Chancellor, to promote better saving habits. John Major is not running high in the popularity stakes at present. 0181-749 8525.The Association of British Chambers of Commerce (London) 9 Tufton Street, London, SW1P 3QB.

0171-222 1555.The writer is author of 'Making Serious Money From Home', published on 22 March (Pan, pounds 6.99).. 01291 641222.The Breakthrough Centre, a centre for homeworkers/small businesses with a holistic slant. 7 Poplar Mews, Uxbridge Road, Shepherds Bush, London, W12 7JS. I also belong to several societies for osteopaths, so can keep abreast of what's going on."'Home Run', a magazine for homeworkers, Criban Mill, Llanvair Discoed, Chepstow, Gwent, NP6 6RD.

"A lot of osteopaths work from home, so we have regular gatherings which are enjoyable and useful. "Although they find it hard to understand that Daddy has to work afterwards."Isolation hasn't been a problem because Paul teachers at a college one day a week and works in other practices. You also find yourself eating irregularly or raiding the fridge."However, he feels that working from home has been good for his family life. He is able to take his oldest child to school and to play with the children, between appointments. "But calls out of hours and late appointments mean work can take over. "I find it easy to switch off in that I take off my white coat and come out of the office area," he says. "That's good for building a business, but it can be draining, too."Paul doesn't have a business line and finds clients will telephone even in the small hours.

"The biggest advantage - and disadvantage - of working from home is that you can work longer hours," he says. One of the mistakes is believing that homeworking will rid you of the need for any child care. This is misguided unless you are doing a job that can be confined to after bedtime.Paul Mitterhuber is an osteopath practising in Amersham, Buckinghamshire His wife, Claire, acts as his receptionist He has been working from home for a year. The only solution is to find good child care and stay away while working.

Keep personal phone calls to a minimum and turn down social arrangements during work time.If hostility radiates from your children every time you go into your "office", explain what they will get out of your work This sort of negotiation is useless with toddlers. Another walks around the block and re-enters the house before and after starting work.If family and friends are undermining your efforts, get tough. One woman based in a rural area complained she was asked to herd runaway sheep for neighbouring farmers because she was at home. One consultant always puts on a suit to work in the spare bedroom. If your computer glowers at you from the dining room table, hide it. As soon as you can afford it, get a separate business line.Create a ritual to mark the start and end of the day. These tips will help:If isolation is a problem, networking is the solution.