things a military stay at home mom can do

[surfergirl602]

Any ideas?

Trying to earn some extra money. There was a thread a while back about mystery shopping, I think, but I can't find it.

So far, I've been selling ebay stuff, and craigslisting outgrown baby clothes, etc.

I just had a baby, and I need to get my etsy shop back up and running, but is there anything that a mom can do from home that is worth it?
We don't have a landline phone, and my husband works very odd hours. I would love to get a night job, just to get out of the house, but his hours vary so much, it would be difficult.
We rent, so I can't watch any kids. We have 3 dogs and 2 cats, so my DH says we can't babysit any animals, either.
Any suggestions? Tough, I know.

 

[mrsklamc]

I am confused why renting means you can't watch kids, but I assume your landlord has a rule or something...

Can you sit for pets that just need to be checked in on during the day and not brought to your home?

I think there are 1-800 flowers customer service positions that are work from home in certain states... Volition.com deals with info on secret shopping. Can you do alterations?

 

[crazelion]

I would check out the rewards board on the disboards and check out haverygirl thread on 75 gift cards in six weeks. It has a lot good information there.

 

[rparmfamily]

It's tough...I was in that situation last year...new baby, hubby has crazy hours (holidays included),etc throw in some TDY's,etc.

Instead of a job we reduced expenses and I started couponing and using swagbucks. I tried doing mystery shopping but it was too tough with a baby.

 

[MrsPete]

Instead of a job we reduced expenses and I started couponing and using swagbucks. I tried doing mystery shopping but it was too tough with a baby.

I was going to make a similar suggestion: Lowering your expenses can have the same effect as bringing in more money. Since you're at home, you can lower your expenses in a number of easy ways: Grow vegetables (even if it's just a few tomato plants in a pot on your patio), wash your own car, cook from scratch, buy baby clothes from a thrift store. And the biggest savings of all is simply NOT buying things that you don't need. Read some frugal, budgeting books; personally, I like The Tightwad Gazette (and it's been out long enough to be available in the library).

 

[surfergirl602]

Thanks all for your replies!

We have reduced expenses to as much as we can. Our deductables on our auto insurance are at the highest, ugh. No more netflix, we coupon, I do swagbucks, too.

As a PP stated, yes, my rental company does not allow home based businesses or childcare in the house.

To the PP, we do have a little garden. LOL. We have peppers, tomatoes, and cukes. That's about all that grew. ha ha

I'm a very frugal person. I'm even selling baby clothes we no longer use. We never eat out, we never wash the vehicles other than in the driveway. I keep the central air up higher than I'd like, lol, and I'll certainly check out the rewards board!

 

[sunshine1178]

Surrogacy.

Ideally one does it to make others happy, but there is payment involved and it doesn't take you awaY from your kids much.

 

[mrsklamc]

I have no doubt you have cut back a lot, but I would be extremely hesitant to say 'We have cut expenses as much as we can." I have researched ways to do so diligently for years, and there is always a new way.

 

[SunnieRN]

Tough situation as my daughter could attest to. Good luck finding something appealing that you will enjoy!!! Thank you for your service to our country! My son in law is a boots on the ground soldier who did two tours in Iraq, was in two explosions and is being medically retired! I understand the struggles you go through!

Is there any way you could live on base? Since you rent, would it be cheaper? Again, good luck sweetie!!

 

[Luvchefmic]

Just wanted to say congratulations on the baby and thank your DH for his service (and yours) I have military family..how about you go to the army family web site and get with other wives maybe they have some ideas too?

 

[surfergirl602]

Surrogacy.

Ideally one does it to make others happy, but there is payment involved and it doesn't take you awaY from your kids much.

Eek. I have touch pregnancies as it is. I couldn't imagine being at risk with someone else's child.

 

[surfergirl602]

Tough situation as my daughter could attest to. Good luck finding something appealing that you will enjoy!!! Thank you for your service to our country! My son in law is a boots on the ground soldier who did two tours in Iraq, was in two explosions and is being medically retired! I understand the struggles you go through!

Is there any way you could live on base? Since you rent, would it be cheaper? Again, good luck sweetie!!

No, we cannot live on base. 1.) there's over a years wait for my husbands rank and 2.) we have too many kids and pets. lol
We will probably leave here before a 5 bedroom ever opens up.

 

[PatsMom]

Are you renting a five bedroom? Back when I was in the military they didn't provide a bedroom for each kid when you wait listed for base housing - they expected same gender children to double up. That might get you in quicker. Or if you are renting a five bedroom house now, check on a smaller home. Sharing a room isn't that tough - many of us have done it.

With four kids I can see why having to work around miltary hours makes it pretty darn tough to work outside the home! And you'd have to make a fortune to cover even on base day care if you had a Monday to Friday type job. I have to agree that cutting expenses is probably the simplest thing to do.

Pet sitting is interesting, except you would have to take the kids with you which would be tough. I know that we love Barbara (or the cat lady as we sometimes call her). She comes to our house and takes great care of our cat when we go on vacation. Much simpler than taking her to a kennel.

Is there anyway you could find other military wives and maybe share some child care to be able to work? I know some of the wives used to do this when I was in the Air Force. Or maybe find some young enlisted person who wants to make a few extra bucks and is willing to watch the children in the evening? I used to babysit for some kids way back when I was an E-1 or E-2. Got me out of the barracks and into a house and made me a few extra dollars for a car payment!

 

[sunshine1178]

I have no doubt you have cut back a lot, but I would be extremely hesitant to say 'We have cut expenses as much as we can." I have researched ways to do so diligently for years, and there is always a new way.

This.

You have (or want) a 5 bedroom house, you own DVC, and you're planning a Disney trip. I applaud you for trying to earn extra money, but you're hardly living a bare bones lifestyle.

 

[Luvchefmic]

This.

You have (or want) a 5 bedroom house, you own DVC, and you're planning a Disney trip. I applaud you for trying to earn extra money, but you're hardly living a bare bones lifestyle.

no offense OP but I really have to agree with this poster

 

[Ellen aka Snow White]

no offense OP but I really have to agree with this poster

She did say she was trying to earn "extra" money not needing money. Perhaps she just wants an extra nice vacation?

 

[Luvchefmic]

She did say she was trying to earn "extra" money not needing money. Perhaps she just wants an extra nice vacation?

I understand that but I still say I agree with the other poster I did post my own idea on the 1st page too in case you didn't see it

 

[sbpebbles]

my friend who is a former Air Force wife started her own alterations business..maybe you could do something like that on the side, don't have to start a business but just do hemming here and there, fix buttons, etc..just an idea

 

[jsmith]

lets see-i have a friend who started a photography business-she started by offering $25.00 packages to military families for family photos-she does really great work and we have some great sites here-she built a nice portfolio and is now getting hired to do weddings
Wedding cakes-my sister in law did this when my nieces and nephews were small.
as a previous poster said-alterations-that can extend to making baby clothes.
I fix computers for soldiers-sand is hard on them and so is stupidity-but im cheaper and do better quality work than the geek squad. Its not my only source of income but it helps.
Jewelry making-i know two girls here-both military wives-who started businesses making bracelets-both now have web sites and sell stuff all over the country. Another makes and sells glycerin and goats milk soaps for people with sensitive skin. any web based business can move with you when you PCS.
Direct sales-i hate doing this myself but people make money at it-avon, marykay,partylight,scentsy,pampered chef, silpata ect and so on.
long wait list for housing-thats a bummer-but all of our company grade housing here is 4 bdrm and brand new-even couples with out kids get 4.

 

[starann]

I so SR as well as Mypoints. I just cahsed out SR for $75 WDW GC. That was a mix of shopping and lots of surveys.

Mypoints, I also have cashed out for a $50 GC to Landrys for our trip (to use at Trex), but in the past I have done other places, grocery stores, target, cracker barrell. With my points I do some shopping (not much), but a lot of the click emails....I take about a half hour every few days and do a search in my email for MP emails, then go through and click them. 5 points here and there can really add up. I know htye also have surveys you can do, but I don't. I also print my grocery coupons from there for added points.