Getting paid to learn is a good way to keep your career skills sharp, and it may be the key to keeping your competitive edge in the future.

Penelope Trunk earns her living by keeping her finger on the pulse of the workplace, and not long ago she let slip the secret to competing with up and coming Generation Z — lifelong learning. Trunk's advice is to start focusing on your own lifelong learning now, so you won’t be stuck leaning on your cane when Gen-Z bursts through the office doors.

But with a busy job and life’s obligations, how do you find time to be continually learning? The good news is you don’t have to go back to school or take classes to expand your skill set. Here are six things you can do to constantly be learning new skills while you make money. (See also: How to Find Ways to Make Money)

When you were a kid, you might have dreamed of growing up to become a fashion designer or world-famous architect, but a sagging economy and tight job market have made these kinds of dream jobs hard to come by. Just because your ideal employer isn't clamoring to hire you doesn't mean you have to settle for a boring 9-to-5 job you hate. Create your own dream job!

Nearly 6 million Americans work from home [source: U.S. Census Bureau]. It may not be much fun to be isolated from peers and you may find yourself waiting by the mailbox for checks, but being self-employed and working from home have some distinct advantages: There's no more stressful commute. Your office is just steps from your bedroom. You even can go to work every day in your Tweety Bird pajamas, if you like. When you need to take a three-hour lunch or two-week vacation, you don't have to ask your boss for permission, because you don't have one. Best of all, the earning potential is unlimited: The more hours you work, the more you earn!

Sound intriguing? Here are a few ideas to get you started on a work-from-home career, plus some tips on avoiding the scammers who try to prey on home workers.