Is there a legitimate way to work online and earn a steady small income without big $$$ upfront?

Try going to Demand Studios. I write for them. You get paid for articles.

Pay is twice per week. They are the sole income for our family of three.

You can work at home - register at odesk. On the side, Try joining and referring your friends.

You can work from home for virtual companies that hire workers for a variety of work jobs. Some examples include customer service, virtual assistant and freelance editing. Here's an article that gives more details.

There are many opportunities online that allow you to make an income without paying any up fees. Most of these companies that ask for upfront fees are really scams. Like was said by kirsteno, Demand Studio is a great way to make money online they allow you to write articles and you get paid.

I have also started a blog that have different kinds of online jobs that you can do from home without paying a upfront fee just to get the job.

There are many legitimate ways to make money online. You can earn through internet by writing blogs,articles,ad-sense,affiliate marketing, Youtube.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.