You’ve seen the ads floating around the internet. Usually in places like your Facebook sidebar or in pop-up ads on popular sites. Deceptive text shouting promises like: “Earn $6,000/week from home! It’s easy! Sign up here! “scammyfineprintprintblahblahblah”
To those I say a big fat “Pfffffftttt, yeah right!”
A few years ago, I was constantly seeing those dumb ads, and every time I saw one I’d sigh wistfully, wishing there really was a legitimate way that I could earn some money without giving up on my desire to be at home with my kids.
Long-time readers here at R+H know that money has been super tight over the last few years as we have gone through hubs’ flight training to become a pilot. He has been employed as a flight instructor (you know – the guy teaching the future pilots of your commercial flights in airlines around the world how to fly…) but it pays abysmally. Absolutely shamefully, really.
Most flight instructors are young, unmarried guys who don’t have a family to support, because it is next to impossible.
So… he quit that job last fall, and has landed fortuitously into a contract consulting job in aviation safety (fancy way of saying that he’s working on a pilot safety website on a government grant). He’s also doing audio-visual tech stuff part-time at a large church in the city.
Things are better now. Still tight… but waaaaay better. I know from experience that somehow, in some way – things get better. Whether that be in heaven or on earth – tough times won’t last forever, and for that I am grateful.
As we emerge into a new season and phase of life, I have been pondering the way that every dollar counts.
Related: 3 Possible Reasons You’re Failing at Sticking to a Grocery Budget
It’s still fresh for me – the counting out change from the change jar to buy bananas before the next payday… the invitation of a meal shared with friends and knowing that it would give relief to your shrunken grocery fund… the tears of frustration at not being able to stretch the dollars quite as far as you’d like, and making difficult decisions on what to forgo.
I know that there are so many in that boat today. So many of you, dear readers. So many parents sacrifice a lot of financial security in order to stay at home with their kids. So many of you wish that there was something that you could do on the side – in the cracks and corners of your days and evenings and weekends that would earn enough extra money to give a little room to breathe. Something flexible, home-based, and (dare we wish it?) enjoyable.
I have tried a number of different income-earning ventures over the years:
- Ad manager for a large blog (in charge of procuring and implementing advertising revenue for the site)
- Digital graphic design (not my niche, but I can make nice-looking, simple images)
- VA work (virtual assisting – like an administrative assistant, but working remotely)
- Blogging (this site!)
- Babysitting/daycare (I had my niece 4 days/week for a year)
- Photography (I’ve been hired a handful of times to do family photo shoots. My skills are basic, but decent enough to get some nice shots.)
- Social media assisting (again, working with bloggers)
- Moderator for webinar panel discussions
- Placenta encapsulation
All of the things I’ve done have been extremely flexible and most have been temporary. Blogging is currently my “side job” here, and I have discovered over the last 1.5 years that it is most definitely a passion of mine. I kind of always knew that I loved writing… and now I know that I really enjoy the entrepreneurial/business side of it as well.
Let’s be honest: being self-employed and working from home isn’t all flouncy pens and steaming cups of tea in bed… but sometimes it is. And it’s glorious.
I recently asked my Facebook followers if any of them had any money-making side ventures, and the response was amazing. So many responded with an incredibly diverse array of ideas that I knew I just had to share them here. I decided to link up some of those that responded to the thread, so you’ll see some R+H reader business links below in the list.
If you’re interested in finding a way to earn money from home, you can use this list as a jumping off point to research which type of opportunity might be right for you. There are so many possibilities!
(Disclaimer: money doesn’t start rolling in after just a little effort. These ideas obviously take dedication, perseverance, and hard work. Some of these ideas need certain qualifications – but many need none.)
Money-Making Ideas for Stay-at-Home Parents:
- Blogger (holla!)
- Doula
- Making and selling lotions, soaps, and other bath & body care products (check out this awesome page: Homebody Co., or this one: Purely Essential)
- Running an online fitness studio (like Fit2B!)
- Selling home or health products as a company rep, also usually known as a multi-level-marketing company. Jamberry, Thirty-One Gifts, Mary & Martha, Zeal for Life, Juice Plus, Steeped Tea, Avon, Nerium International, Scentsy, My Premier Designs – jewellery, Origami Owl, Younique Beauty Products, Norwex (and another reader who sells Norwex), Lilla Rose Hair Accessories, Wildtree Food Products, Radiantly You – body care products, Avon Products, Plexus Slim, Nikken – wellness products.
- Selling essential oils as a company rep (DoTerra, Young Living, and there are others if you do some research to see the options. Readers Ashley, Heather, and Krissa also sell DoTerra.)
- Design and sell digital sewing patterns
- Elderly care (A reader said: “I do full time home share for a 60-year-old woman who is autistic. She goes to a program 5 days a week and I assist her with food, showering and dressing and some hygiene. We are very thankful because it enables me to stay home while bringing in a full time income.”)
- Run a farm share program
- Sewing and weaving (Kaitlin of Butters and Bubsie says: “I do headbands, soother clips, lovey blankets, burp rags and most importantly I weave baby wraps.”)
- Make and sell knit/crochet/etc. goods (check out this cute page, or this website – she also does wall murals for people!)
- Health consulting – “I am a trained homeopath in my career before I had children and so I do some phone and online consulting to assist people with their health issues.” Another reader said: “…and I just got certified to be a Dr. Sears Health Coach! Super excited about that!” This reader at Baby Kale Health is a family holistic health coach. Another health consulting type of business: Nutritional therapist.
- Virtual Assisting
- Advertising Manager (for a large blog – a growing field!)
- Bookkeeping
- Reflexologist
- Yoga Facilitator
- Customer service – My friend has an Amazon business and I do customer service from home for her.”
- Social media consulting – “…I also do some Pinterest consulting work for bloggers. It still blows me away that I can get paid for playing with Pinterest.“
- Freelance writing (like CG Marketing Pro!)
- Sewing – “I sew for people…preparing for craft shows at the moment.”
- Managing consignment sales – “I manage a twice-a-year consignment sale for our local parents of multiples club.”
- Teach dance classes
- Placenta encapsulation (Check out my Placenta Encapsulation tutorial here on the blog)
- Sell antiques and paint furniture
- Hula hoop maker/instructor
- Make and sell baby headbands and blankets
- Make and sell handmade jewellery (check out these cool ‘tree of life’ necklaces! And this one: Four Little Lady Bugs, making teething necklaces and girly accessories.)
- Web design
- Babysitting/daycare
- Make custom wooden furniture
- Pet sitting
- Image and Influence Consultant with FanTABulous Women.
- Substitute teaching
- Photography (Shelley said: “I’ve had my photography business for 6 years. I shoot weddings and on evening and weekends do portrait sessions so I can stay home with my kiddos and homeschool them full time during the week! My business gives me a creative outlet plus helps with the finances, and I am very thankful for it!”)
- Baking/cooking (this woman sells her cakes locally – and they look DELISH)
- Sell flower arrangements
- Sell excess garden produce to neighbours
- Sell eggs from your backyard chickens
- Start an online shop selling items you love and are passionate about (Check out Delia’s Pantry: “I try and make if affordable for every one to have access to organic herbs spices and teas …and a few other things”, Primal Kitchen Company, selling fermentation/pickling supplies, Country Bums – a cloth diaper shop, Deborah & Co – a clothing company for girls/women)
Have you ever made money on the side while being at home with your kids? What would you pick from this list?
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Anna
I am a face painter, a few youtube videos later, and make $60/hr at big events and $40/hr for birthday parties.
Janet Miller
I sell my baking. I’m a stay at home mom but most of my friends are busy professional moms, so come November I start taking orders for Christmas baking. I then use all the money I make on Christmas gifts so it never cuts into our household budget!
Sharon S Shai
TreSkinRX does direct sales differently! I am a stay at home mom and LOVE working with TreSkinRX, an organic, pharmaceutical grade aloe vera based skincare line. We don’t require our consultants to do parties or carry stock, we just encourage them to share our story and our $15 2-Week Trial Kits. Customers love our products and love that they aren’t asked to buy into full size products before trying our line. We are a young company and the opportunity for growth is HUGE. You can learn more about our Made in the USA line of products (and yes, the organic, pharmaceutical grade aloe vera is grown and harvested in Texas!) on my web site: my.treskinrx.com/sharonshai
De Ann Sharkey
I am a Mary Kay Beauty Consultant and am soooo thankful for it! I have an amazing team and group of ladies that are positive, encouraging and helpful!! I fit it in the nooks and crannies since my main job is mommy of three smart, funny children and wife to an smart, caring man! I used to be a Postmaster and I am completely thankful to my friend for sharing her business with me ( a very unlikely candidate…lol) And, I also cook and bake a lot and make fun, healing “potions” with my Doterra oils. I was able to resign from the P.O. and never looked back! There has been rough times but I would never give up this huge Blessing I have been given. http://www.marykay.com/dwillis-sharkey
Joan Vasquez
I have done several jobs from home since 2005. I have worked as an online directory editor, internet marketing, social media marketing, SEO and worked for Arise Inc as a chat agent. Most recently I have been doing IDLife which is wonderful because it is the only nutrition company where you take a HIPAA compliant health assessment and get customized nutrition based on your health conditions, family medical history, lifestyle, dietary habits and medications. Organic and GMO free as well! Also very inexpensive! The site is under my son’s name because he leaves for college next month and this is a business we are doing to help him with his college expenses. RatRaceRebellion.com has a spreadsheet listing 100s of companies who hire customer service and tech support agents from home which brings me to what my husband has been doing for about 9 years from home. He is a tech support agent for Transcom. There are so many options, but now that my children are getting older I am getting a job outside the home for a season. I have 6 kids and the youngest 2 are twins who are 16. Since we homeschool and my husband works from home, I am able to do that now. 🙂 Hope this list of things we have done helps someone.
Mindy
Have you heard of that crazy wrap thing? I am a SAHM and am loving my It Works business.
Bethany
What I have recently begun doing hasn’t been mentioned here. ESL teaching/tutoring in my home. No real training is necessary, but it is helpful. I am certified with NAMB.
I have volunteered with many church International/Cross-cultural English conversation programs over the last several years, and was approached by one of our students to teach her husband English during the summer. So far he is my only student, but it is providing a little extra income so my husband can take off of work after our baby is born (due in 4 weeks!).
Joy
I share our families love of books with Usborne Books & More! I started 10 months ago and have had amazing success! Usborne’s mission is powerful, spreading literacy and giving kids hope! There are many avenues and ways to work your Usborne Business from Home Parties to book drives for Foster Kids! For the next 7 days it’s only $69 to join a $375 Value! http://bit.ly/UsborneBooksInfo
Christy
I am surprised Rodan+Fields didn’t make the list! The Dr’s who created Proactiv are now targeting the $3 billion (and growing) anti-aging market. This company is still a ground floor opportunity and with our expansion into Canada this Fall we are about to explode!!
http://Www.christykabanek.myrandf.com – award winning products
http://Www.christykabanek.myrandf.biz – brilliant business model
Amy
I’m a Certified Lactation Counselor. Like being a doula, it does take passion, effort and a bit of money to get started, but if you love breastfeeding and helping, it’s wonderful. Google “Healthy Children Center for Breastfeeding.”
Krysti
I am an independent consultant for Scentsy and it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made! It brings in extra income each month and I get to spend precious time at home with my baby girl. She loves being my handy helper when orders come in too! My family and I were using so many Scentsy products that I decided to become a consultant. If anyone has questions about becoming a consultant, please feel free to contact me!
Krysti
My website is kallen412.scentsy.us
Amber @ Au Coeur Design
I am a freelance website designer/developer and graphic designer. I design and built websites, design logos and other marketing materials (fliers, business cards, brochures, signs, etc.), and offer a plethora of online marketing services (SEO, social media management, blogging, and more). I taught myself how to do all of this stuff when I decided to quit my higher ed job to be a stay-at-home mom. The thing that is the most awesome about this is that not only can I do it from home, but because there are no sales parties and very little face-to-face client interaction (most everything is via email), I can also do it during whatever hours work for me. I actually do the bulk of my work after bedtime and during non-traditional business hours, so it takes very little away from time with my girls.
Shelly Lowell
How do you get work as doing that? It sounds like we are quite similar but even after placing ads on Craigslist I just get a bunch of scam email replies.
Tara E
I create handmade items for mom, baby & home: http://www.sweetsparrowdesign.etsy.com. this allows me to work from home, have a creative outlet and make some $$.
Another thing is selling extra garden produce – apples, raspberries, etc. I find there are always people who want!
Jennifer
I am a paralegal. I used to work in an office full time until I had my son who is now 2 years old. I now work mostly from home over email and telephone for two attorneys. I also get files dropped off/picked up for me to work on. When earning money for college, I also did children’s magic shows, played violin for weddings and taught violin lessons. I also used to dabble in sewing. I would charge for basic mending and hemming ie buttons and school uniforms.
Christine Gonzales
Hi, Jennifer…I am a paralegal as well. Do you find it is better/easier if you are certified or licensed by your state as a paralegal to do what you do? I am currently working in a traditional office setting. How do you charge for your work (if you don’t mind me asking)? Thanks.
Tara
I sell Beauty Society an anti aging skin care line targeting problematic skin. 100% satisfaction gaurantee for 1 YEAR! Less than a 1% return rate, that’s how much our products are loved! Would love to send out free samples! Contact me on my site:
http://www.mybeautysociety.com/tarazwick
MADE in the USA!
Christine
I am a doula and childbirth educator and I do freelance writing – mainly magazine articles and ghostwriting on textbroker.com, but I’m also working on a novel I plan to have published.
Kim Ogden
I have been doing Mary Kay for a year now. I didn’t start with a store by choice and Am doing very well with it. I work about 10 hours each week. I have profited in 16 days $1030.00 from sales only. I am not a SAHM by choice my kids are older but wanted to share this with you all on here. Pleaseer me know if you have any questions. My website is http://www.marykay.com/kigden89.
Kim Ogden
I have been doing Mary Kay for a year now. I didn’t start with a store by choice and Na doing very well with it. I work about 10 hours each week. I have profited in 16 days $1030.00 from sales only. I am not a SAHM by choice my kids are older but wanted to share this with you all on here. Pleaseer me know if you have any questions. My website is http://www.marykay.com/kigden89.
Megan
I recently became involved with a company called Melaleuca, which is a wellness company with a huge variety of products, but is NOT an MLM so there is no required stock or big financial commitment. Just help people lean about another option for shopping that is a little healthier and greener. I haven’t become established enough to stay home with my kiddo, but that’s
my goal!
Michelle Crooker
Sad to not see It Works Global on your list!