Ways to make money?

[la79al]

We just found out we're expecting in the spring and I was supposed to go back to work next fall when DD2 starts kindergarten. We feel like we would really benefit from me having some kind of income before the baby is born but DD2 is still at home (preschool in the am) and DH works nights and has to sleep during the day so trying to fit something part time in around everyones schedules so we don't have to pay for childcare. I talked briefly with DH this evening about a part time job making about $14 an hour and he thinks I can do better than that doing various 'things'. So I'm looking for ideas on how to make some money, without getting an actual job. We already sell on Ebay and we've nixed the idea of me babysitting. Has anyone tried anything that actually works?

 

[cluvsdisney]

What kind of work do you do? What hours would you be available to work? What did your DH suggest you do?

 

[la79al]

Before I had DD1, I worked with kids with autism, my degree is in social work. I could probably work late afternoon/early evening if DH can pick DD1 up from school. And DH didn't really have time to make any suggestions before he had to get off the phone. I really wouldn't mind going back to working with kids but the logistics seem like a nightmare to me. I haven't worked since DD1 was born and this whole, coming up with a perfectly executed plan PLUS a backup plan kind of scares me.

 

[Teresa Pitman]

I'm a writer who works from home. If you have good writing skills there are many different ways to make money.

Some other things I know people do:
Youtube videos. I was quite surprised by how much money you can make if your videos become popular! Search around to see some of the topics - I know people who do household organization tips, someone else who does video game reviews, but there are many, many more.
Making jewelry and selling it - I know two people who do this and while it is not making them rich they do get a profit.
Photography - again if you have the skills this can be done part-time. I know one who specializes in family portraits, another who does weddings, another who does pets.
Tutoring - if you have a teaching background or a degree in any area, you could do tutoring for kids who need extra help or to catch up. My friend who does this charges quite a bit per hour and her schedule is always full.
School lunches - I had two friends who set up a business making lunches for kids - the parents would order in advance and they would drop the packed lunch off at the school.
Goody Bags - two other friends made goody bags for parents to give out at birthday parties. They could do them for different budgets and ages. Because they were a business, they could get wholesale prices on a lot of cute toys and crafts and other items to go in the goody bags so they were quite unique and kids really liked them.
Farmer's Market sales - if you have a farmer's market in your town and you can cook, you might be able to set up a booth. I had one friend who set up a booth with a freezer and sold marinated chicken breasts, packed in vaccum sealed bags. You could choose from several different marinades. She'd also have cooked pieces for people to taste. Another friend bakes bread for the whole day before the market and then sells it.

Just some ideas - if I think of more I'll send them along.

TP

 

[Marionnette]

We just found out we're expecting in the spring and I was supposed to go back to work next fall when DD2 starts kindergarten. We feel like we would really benefit from me having some kind of income before the baby is born but DD2 is still at home (preschool in the am) and DH works nights and has to sleep during the day so trying to fit something part time in around everyones schedules so we don't have to pay for childcare. I talked briefly with DH this evening about a part time job making about $14 an hour and he thinks I can do better than that doing various 'things'. So I'm looking for ideas on how to make some money, without getting an actual job. We already sell on Ebay and we've nixed the idea of me babysitting. Has anyone tried anything that actually works?

I don't think that you're going to do better than $14/hour with any work from home job unless you have a highly marketable skill and a strong entrepreneurial spirit. If having a guaranteed income over the next several months is essential, your best bet is to get a job in the outside world.

 

[Teresa Pitman]

I made my list before I saw your email. With a social work degree, there are a lot of things you might be able to do.

-Court-ordered supervised access. You supervise visits between parents and children when there are possible concerns that the parent might abuse or harm the child. In some places this is done by volunteers, but in others this is a paid job and pays fairly well. You'd need to check your community. Most visits are evenings or weekends so that could fit your schedule.

-Parenting assessments. When people are fighting over custody, or disputing charges of child maltreatment, they are often ordered to have a parenting assessment done by a social worker, who observes them with the child and may also interview them, then writes up a report. Again, these are usually done evenings and weekends. Usually you will be contracted to work for someone but you could contact divorce lawyers to find out who is doing this.

-Training for foster parents. If you have expertise with autistic children as you described, you could offer to provide training for foster parents who have autistic children in their care, for example.

TP

 

[msmama]

I don't think you'll do better than making $14/hour doing "things" but I know a lot of people who do autism studies and home visits and such (or even work as aides in preschools or early intervention) part time.

Assuming you worked with an agency before, would they be willing to have you back part time?

I do some freelance writing at home but I don't get near $14/hour, I'd bet (though I do it as something to do not as much as money making). A lot of "work from home" things take full time hours to make part time money in my experience. If you're asking about making money from surveys and stuff like that, I doubt it would come close to $14/hr.

 

[KKB]

She was a SAHM for the last 5 years (just went back to the work force yesterday!)
She painted furniture--she bought it very cheap from craigslist or a local forum on facebook (Linconsign), sanded & painted. Not decorative, just a fresh coat. She did a few orders but found that those people often were the most difficult to please, so she just painted, posted photos on the facebook site & made a good chunk of $ doing this.

 

[CAFarmerGirl]

I pay my pet sitter $30/day while we are on vacation.

 

[rab1022]

While it won't amount to $14/hr, you could always get started on SwagBucks and PerkTV for some extra income. My DW and I currently pull in at least $100 per week from running the apps. There is a small up front investment for the extra phones (right now you can get one from Target for $5), but after that you should be able to get around $15/day just having them running. If you want, PM me and I can give you more detailed information, or there should be some other threads on the Budget Board about the apps.

 

[Egdisney]

If you already sell on ebay, I don't see making much more than $14 an hour from home. You could certainly up your ebay game and try to list more and make more profit. You could also look into selling on Amazon.

 

[sunnyday123]

What on earth does your husband think you can just do for more than $14 an hour?


Many, many people work with small children.

 

[powellrj]

Weren't you watching family members at one point for pay? Maybe you could go back to doing that?

 

[kmb584]

Looking at this from a realistic point of view, there is no way you'll be able to make more than $14/hr working from home. I'd be surprised if you were even able to make that. With that said, what kind of marketable skills do you have?

 

[Laura66]

I can't imagine making more than 14/hour.

Am I remembering correctly? Don't you have a few step children. Weren't you upset with them at one point for not saving their treat money because you expected them to contribute to your family vacation?

I recall you often worrying about finances - but if I'm wrong I'm sorry.

I would think any amount you bring in at this point would be a plus.

 

[happily single]

I honestly dont know what you could do, especially working from home, making $14 or more. I have 21 years experience in the legal field and I am having a hard time finding work that pays that.

In Rhode Island we have several agencies that offer home services, HBTS and PASS where you provide services within the child's home. It is normally part time and after school. Maybe your State has something like that

 

[Gumbo4x4]

I don't think that you're going to do better than $14/hour with any work from home job unless you have a highly marketable skill and a strong entrepreneurial spirit. If having a guaranteed income over the next several months is essential, your best bet is to get a job in the outside world.

Agree

 

[tnd]

Could you provide respite care for families with autistic children? I am sure there are plenty of families who would be happy to pay for someone with your qualifications to watch their children where regular babysitters are not sufficient.

 

[ellochka]

Do what others can't. Any job of general skillset won't pay much. You need to specialize.

P.S. Technical professions make much more than $14/hour. If you can code in C, or make phone apps or do analysis in SAS... there are lots of applications like that, the talent is scarce, and the rates start at $30/hour. I had a small consulting project a few years ago (while working full time and being 6-month pregnant; I would have declined, but it was super-interesting), and I charged $75/hour.

 

[scrapquitler]

Before I had DD1, I worked with kids with autism, my degree is in social work. I could probably work late afternoon/early evening if DH can pick DD1 up from school. And DH didn't really have time to make any suggestions before he had to get off the phone. I really wouldn't mind going back to working with kids but the logistics seem like a nightmare to me. I haven't worked since DD1 was born and this whole, coming up with a perfectly executed plan PLUS a backup plan kind of scares me.

How about working as a per diem sub in a residential program for autistic kids? You could grab shifts that fit into your schedule, either pre-planned or at the last minute when someone else calls in sick. Surely third shift/weekends/evenings could work out at least some of the time? I work as a sub in a group home, and as long as I work a certain number of shifts each quarter, I can pick and choose what days/shifts I am there. If I can coordinate my schedule around my husbands 85+ hour a week job, you could probably do it too, and the agency I work for starts people at slightly more than $14/hr.