things a military stay at home mom can do

[surfergirl602]

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

Thank you!

So what if I live in a 5 bedroom house and own DVC and have a trip coming up? We actually have two trips coming up. What does that matter? What matters is that I want to do something to help support my family. I want to make those extra car payments, and those extra college loan payments. I want to be of some help, too. I would like to put away money for my kids' education, instead of sitting around the house doing nothing. Coffee's, going to the pool, carting the kids to church functions, and cooking dinner gets mundane after a while. Not that I'm complaining, but I'm the kind of person that like to do something worthwhile. And if I can earn some income to help out, why not?

I am going to start advertising for pet sitting/house sitting in the area and on post, and see where that gets me. I'm good at that.

I would also love to have some extra spending money for our trip in october for my dd's 10th birthday. And there's a D & B purse I've been eying at DTD, too. I've been listing stuff on ebay and on graigslist etc. to get the money for that stuff.

Thank you everyone for your ideas and your help! There are lots of things you've mentioned that I'm going to look into.

 

[surfergirl602]

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.

Wow, you're lucky. We have a base combining with ours so they've pretty much taken up all the available housing left. And the housing on post is pretty crappy, too. We're much better off renting off post. We have a nice yard and a fence and wonderful quiet neighbors and don't have to share a building with anyone.

 

[dizkids]

Op i think the pet sitting sounds like a great angle. I can't believe how much it costs to board the pets as many of my friends have astonished me with what they paid during their summer vacations. I have heard of some neighbors that will stop by and walk and care for the pets for long weekends for some nice money. Good luck.

 

[PelletierBears]

I find Sunshine Rewards to be an easy way to make a few extra dollars a month. I've been averaging $60 a month and you can cash out thru paypal or choose from various gift cards. You can make more (some people make much more!) but I don't go on everyday and earn primarily through surveys. It won't pay for the kids college but will certainly buy that D&B purse!

 

[rysmomma242]

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.

What a jerk! She didn't ask for your opinion she asked for suggestions. Why be so nasty???

 

[jsmith]

I guess i should have mentioned that i dont LIVE in that 4 bedroom company grade housing-lol. My husband is a Senior NCO and im a scum sucking contractor and we are building a home in a nice area. Not planning to leave here. but that housing is pretty-and really new-the oldest units were completed about two years ago. We are growing madly here-both on this post and the other 4 installations in town-and the really lucky people get to live in Air Force housing-the commands that are a part of Northcom get to do that.

 

[sk!mom]

Babysitting- not home daycare. The kind of babysitting that teens normally do.

Everytime I read one of the "how much do you pay your babsitter" threads, I wonder why stay at home moms who post the "how do I make some extra money" threads don't babysit. The consensus seems to be that most people pay at least $10-$12 per hour and as a mom you should have lots of contacts. Just put the word out that you want to sit. It's completely flexible and evenings when your DH is likely at home.

 

[auralia]

as terrible as it might seam, if you calcualted what you spend on that many pets in a month i think you might be mortified... if you do all you say you do and you keep disney in the mix I know pets are family i love animals, but total up your costs on vet care/food/pet supplies and you might be surprised.

 

[esk]

I vote for pet sitting.....before my wonderful Lab passed last summer, she never went to a kennel. (That sounded weird, but you KWIM). In her 12 years, she always stayed at people's houses, and we always tried to find people who did it for money. Friends are great, but I hated taking advantage, and sometimes we couldn't reciprocate (rottweiler that knocked down my toddler, terrier that wouldn't stop barking all day, cats which I am allergic to).

We had one wonderful lady in England who watched dogs (even during our 4 month TDYs that overlapped......that dog MOVED IN and learned a human bed was a great place to sleep). We paid her $6 a day (this was 12 years ago) and provided the food and treats.

I really think people would rather take their pet to a home, where their pet will be played with and interacted with......my dog was so social, the thought of putting her in a kennel for a week broke my heart. I'd pay $10 a day for someone to watch my dog. That could add up.....

 

[MrsPete]

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.

Also, what's frugal and worthwhile at this point in your life may no longer be worthwhile in 5 or 10 years. Things that worked well for me when my kids were toddlers are no longer applicable, but I've found other ways to be frugal with teens. A frugal lifestyle often changes as resources come and go, and as your needs change.

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

Alterations are a great idea -- if you have the ability. So many people today don't know how to sew and are willing to pay for very basic tasks.

 

[nunzia]

If you can stand doing the pet thing, you can do well. MY DH had a co-worker who went in business after she retired going to people's homes while they are on vacation and feeding, playing, etc with the pets. She then sends camera pictures to the owners to show all is well. does very well at it. If you have an etsy shop that actually makes money I say beef it up and go for it. Can you make your items for the etsy shop and sell them at craft fairs? When my kids were little I made clay sculptures and sold them at craft fairs and eventually to shops in the southwest. How about farmer's markets? does your community have those? Our area lets people bring baked goods or crafts to those too. (there is a new law here that farmer's markets and the like are exempt from having to have commercial kitchens for this type of thing)
Good luck and I applaud you for wanting to make extra cash..I also own DVC and take lots of trips and work a full time and two part time jobs..not because I have to, but because I like being able to do extra.