Mark, very nice website... and impressive resume.
I love AW, too... I'm amazed you go there, too, and even had a helping hand in it.
MLM is allright if there is an actual product to sell!
It sounds like investments, and it's one way of doing business, probably a little risky.. but there are other ways to work at home.
Y - I am a freelancing web designer, and that means I do work at home. There's an idea about using your skills to create things and selling them. I do websites and graphic design. I know Freaky's sister does homemade hobby gifts or so, and people love her work! So, just find a skill of yours to use and earn money at home - dont forget to check in with your country's laws to make sure you are doing it the right way.
Then it's equal energy exchange hereafter - be prepared to pay for advertising when you can afford it, some pages with good traffic can advertise your product or service for a fee. Just do your research.
Sam, what kind of help would your brother give those interested in working at home?