SAHM how do you make extra $

[Alicnwondrln]

after reviewing our budget it make more sense for me to be staying home with the kids. What do you do to bring in extra money? I have been thinking of doing travel as I am in school for that and have read that thread and it was very helpful. What other ways besides ebay do you bring in $.



thanks

Kelly

 

[Nik's Mom]

I've been a stay at home Mom for a year, and money is getting pretty tight. I'd like to hear what others are doing. I do ebay, but it's not really helping that much. I'd love just a part time job for a few hours a day.

 

[kandeebunny]

I am not a SAHM but I have some friends who work from home. One is a petsitter/walker which is great as if she had kids she could bring them along. Sorry I can't be of more help!

 

[PrincessCyann]

I have been thinking of doing travel as I am in school for that and have read that thread and it was very helpful.

Sorry to divert from the topic, but could you direct me to the thread? I am taking a travel course and would be interested in the thread.

I am a stay at home mom too, and it does get tight with one income, so I look for ways to stretch the money we have (sales, coupons, discounts).

 

[StephMK]

I'm sorry if you already thought of this but I saved us a bunch of money by shopping around for all of our utilities & insurance once I started staying home. Every car insurance renewal, I now check around to make sure we are getting a good deal & need the same coverages. Check w/your credit cards, AAA, etc. there are lots of good discounts to be found. That was the biggest bonus I found from staying home - more time to search out good deals. I check w/some of the coupon sites to see when stores have great sales on clearance, etc. Shop for gifts ahead of time, stockpile, etc.

As far as making extra money, I started working at my daughter's preschool 2 mornings a week. It gave us a discount on her tuition plus a small wage on top of that. Also, I watch one child before school, her mom is a teacher so she's always off on the holidays.

Good luck!!

 

[txgirl]

Last year I was discussing with a close friend how difficult it was to pay for both of my girls to take piano lessons ($120 per month) in addition to softball for the oldest and gymnastics for the youngest. My friend was talking about how difficult it had been to keep her house clean since she had gone back to work full time (teaching). She said her husband had finally agreed to hire a housecleaner and she was getting quotes. I jokingly shot back, "hey I can clean your house" and there began the most wonderful opportunity! She pays me $65 twice a month to clean her house. I take my two year old with me, along with his pack n play. He eats his morning snack and watches a little tv, then it is time for his nap. I manage to clean the whole house in three hours and it is so convenient for me!

Since then I have started cleaning her parents office building twice a month on Saturday mornings (hubby home with kids) with $150 a month and that job only takes me 2 hours!!!!! I have been offered several others and at one time I was bringing in $500+ for working just one day a week but it came to be too much. Still I think this is a great idea for moms who need just a little and you don't want to find childcare.

 

[fiveacesmmb]

I make extra money doing focus groups. Most of the time these are for straight cash. For instance, I did one that was for shopping, where someone followed me around the store while I shopped and watched what I bought, and then I was paid 200.00. I've done other focus groups for different things, but usually the pay is 75.00 - 100.00 for 1-2 hours.....cash!!! You can find alot of these listed in your city on craigslist.com.

 

[tink2dw]

Ok!! Someone let out the secert phase!! www.craigslist.com this is ebay without all the hassles. Got something to sell and know how much you want. Put an ad on craigslist!! You need to to be flexibable with hauling try meeting your party halfway!! And you will get your price!!

 

[FirstTimertoDiz]

I am also looking for the thread on how to be a travel agent- can anyone help me find it?

TIA,
Lisa

 

[ChristyJ]

I'm back at work part time, but when I was home full time I watched children on & off. I had one little guy who was full time, but before & after school kids bring in the most $ for the time. In my area, before/after is $20 per day for both.

I also have gotten my name in with a marketing group & do panels, tastetests, etc. ($50-$100 for 2 hrs. max). That's my favorite way still to make a little extra-I always get so excited when I see their name appear on caller ID!!

 

[AlexTina]

OMG!!!! Be certain to type in the "S" in craigslist.com or you will get quit a shock

Tina

 

[StephMK]

Oh yeah! I second the craigslist suggestion - especially great for hard to ship items that would be a hassle on ebay. Great deals to be found there too! Plus they have a PT job section & I've seen several work at home jobs. I signed on w/a virtual assistant firm & have gotten a few paychecks through there as well. So far it's been inputting a huge list of names into a database & calling around to find & screen contractors for residential clients. Not steady but nice for extra Disney funds!

 

[ElizaB39]

If you have a YMCA near you you can try that route. As an assistance preschool teacher you may be able to bring your child with you to your class plus get a discount on the class. After you work at the Y for 90 days you get a family membership free (you would only have to pay $200 per year for an adult membership). Or, you could work at the counter or in some capacity at the Y, and put your kids in the babysitting room while you are at work until DH can pick them up. Our local Y charges $15 for a 15 hour babysitting ticket and you use the time up in 1/2 hour increments.

 

[marcyinPA]

I've been pretty much a SAHM for 10 years now. I did get my Real Estate license and sold for 4 years, but I got burned out and put my license in escrow for a while.

Besides ebay, which I do seasonally (mostly clothing), I have been substitute teaching at my ds's old pre-school which is also part of our church. I have my degree in Elementary/ Early Childhood Education, so it helps for subbing. Now that my youngest will be entering first grade and school full-time, I'm considering getting on the sub list in my school district. I like the flexibility teaching offers...I want to be home with my kids when they're home.

Good luck!! It's hard to make the jump from being home to working outside the home.

 

[gary4jenn]

I have a home daycare during the day and I am an Independant Beauty Consultant w/ Mary Kay. In the last 10 months I have sold over $7000 in products (they really sell themselves) and I make 50% of that. I hardly work- a few classes per month. It's only $100 to get started and you get over $250 in product for that $100. PM if you would like more specifics!

Good luck in whatever you chose!

Jenn

 

[Christypl]

I'm a certified teacher so I tutor. I also sell Pampered Chef.

 

[Gillian]

I'm trying to find work! I'll let you know if I have any luck.

I am an Avon rep and that's fun. I make money on it, but I'm not very serious. I would like to get more involved and have a meeting with the district manager soon to talk about it.

Virtual assistant sounds fun!

 

[ceecee]

How about your school cafeteria? Ours hires moms to help fill in for 3 hours on school days. If you have a little one this may not work. Watch sales and plan your grocery list accordingly. Maybe you could babysit?

 

[canwegosoon]

I also sub (also a certified teacher) but for those who are not many schools have Lunch room and class room aides. My best friend is going to do lunches in September (they get everyone lined up by July) 4 days a week, 10:45-1:15 is a little over $120. She is off every holiday/snow day etc, has time to do house work, run errands, and see the kids on and off the bus, and the $500 a month covers lots of things!!!

 

[Desnik]

I have been a SAHM since DD was born. She's 7 now LOL!! I also have a 2yo son. I have sold on ebay for extra money. I would use the money to buy clothes for the kids. I don't do that anymore. In the past I owned 2 businesses. A childrens birthday party facility, and a craft store. It was alot of work. Then my son was born and was a very sick premie. I had to close both stores because I just couldn't balance it all alone. I had to just focus on my son. We also moved twice in 1 year. My DH has a very good job at Verizon and whatever I did was for extras like vacations. Now he is also a contractor and has his own home improvment company. So, he does alot and he loves it. Weird, I know. So, I was getting ansy and was searching for something to do. I had always wanted to start a gift basket business, even before the other businesses I had. So now, I did just that! I am lucky that my BIL creates websites for a living and he has his own server, so he created one for me for free and no monthly fees either!!! So it's a online gift basket company. I got a business license and my tax ID and have the website up and running now! I'll be ready for my first orders after July 4th!!!! I make all the baskets myself and I find it fun and relaxing. I do them when the kids are sleeping. It doesn't take time away from my family and there's no huge over head. Hopefully it will work out.

I suggest doing something you like or are passionate about. Maybe you have a hobby you can turn into a profitable business? My friend sews, and makes beautiful baby blankets. I always tell her she could be making money selling them on ebay. She doesn't listen! But, if you have a talet like that you should give it a try.
Good luck.