Today’s question is from Pamela:
I am in a situation where I need to increase my monthly income by about $1,000 per month. We already eat as frugally as we can and try to buy only when something is on sale. We economize at home with utilities.
I don’t think there is much else I can do besides actually increasing my income from home. In addition to selling online, which I already do, what other work from home opportunities are there that would enable me to see a $1,000 increase in income in a short time? – Pamela
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Rebecca says
I am finishing my master’s in library science, and am taking a class that explores indexing as a career field. It is contract work, working from home, for publishers/database vendors. I never knew this field was out there, and there is a lot of information and training available on http://www.asindexing.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=1
I never knew this field existed, and there is a shortage of indexers precisely because not many people know that it is a career. I think it actually sounds fun!
Shannon Runnels says
If you’re able, you can donate plasma. I know folks who are paid $55 per week to donate. That can add up quickly… if you are able to do it consistently. Check it out: http://www.donatingplasma.org/
Work At Home Market says
Have you ever checked into doing Freelance work through third party websites like Freelancer, Odesk, iFreelance? There are literally hundreds of job opportunities through these sites. I found my niche through writing, editing and research. The main reason I love this avenue is that your work schedule is completely up to you as long as you meet deadlines.
These websites usually offer jobs in a wide range of options: web design, graphic design, virtual assistance, editors, data entry, crating forms (quizzes, games, etc.), architecture, interior design, and many more.
It usually takes a while to get your foot in the door, because you won’t have a “portfolio” until someone is willing to hire you. I think I applied for about 15 jobs before I landed my first one. However, once I was able to get high ratings I was able to take on more work.
Another tip, is when starting a blog, if you can grow your readership fairly fast, you can make money by reviewing products. You can sign up through web sites that allow you to bid on these reviews or you can submit your review requests to different companies. Also, many major web sites that have blogs are always hiring new writers. It may not pay much, but you could make a little cash by offering to update blogs on a regular basis.
Another idea in relation to a tough economy, is that many businesses can’t afford the average 9-5 employee. If you offer to work from your house for a much smaller amount, they may be willing to hire you. My cousin does this and she makes a nice side income!
If you combine several online or work from home pursuits, you can create multiple streams that will eventually level off. It took months for me to figure that out, but now I’m able to stay home and enjoy what I do.
Hope you find the right solution soon!
jessica guthrie says
i really enjoyed reading everyones comments with so many great suggestions I will be challenging myself on too. I have been in the same boat myself for several years. I am a self employed hairstylist so I can make up my own hours to fit my girls (ages15,11, and 3) schedules. but I was still coming up short. I hate selling retail products because I don’t feel comfortable pushing alot of products on people so I checked out various companies to fit with the salon. I went with Just Jewelry 2 years ago and never thought I would so in love with it. I thought I would just keep it in the salon for my clients and after they started seeing it they were asking to hold parties and take catalogs to their friends, families and work. And it just took off from there. What I like most is that I didn’t want to committ to a company that required to sell a certain amount and it had to be affordable unlike all the other companies (not that I don’t love there pieces). So I went with them. It is straight 50% the minute you sell, if you don’t sell a thing all year you still remain a consultant, And the bestest part is everything is between $12 and $26. There is about 2000 consultants across the US and Canada so I felt comfortable because it is not saturated with consultants everywhere you turn.
I am a busy busy mom so I fit what I can in to my schedule and if I know I need extra money that month then I book parties to make it up. It is very easy to earn the extra money you need when you need it and it is all about how much time and effort you allow. It is your own business and that is why I love it. Everyone has there own interest and there is a company out there that would fit everyones taste. I would explore your options for direct sales and really look at the costs, quotas, ratios. Good luck finding the extra income you need, Everything always works out 🙂
Jessica
Charlotte says
I’ve read all the ideas but I also thought of something a friend did to earn money in college. It’s surely not for everyone, or even most of the readers on this site, but maybe it will help someone.
Bartending. Several of my classmates did this while attending a small Christian college and the guys studying to be pastors found it to be an easy way to practice evangelizing and their listening skills while earning a lot of money on the weekends. My friend worked there with her then fiance and they each made about $500/weekend, enough to keep them from needing student loans and allowed them to save up for their wedding. They did all their studying during the week and worked 4-5 hours each Fri, Sat and Sun.
Just an idea.
Merrilee says
I can’t believe I actually read through all the comments! My eyes are punky now. Two things:
1) Regarding childcare. I did it for a couple of years, and in some ways began resenting it because I felt sometimes like I wasn’t having the kind of quality time with my own kids as I would have liked, I was bothered by how the moms were spending even less time with their own kids, and it would get tricky when discipline issues came up. I finally decided I would only do it as a ministry and not for money–just ask mom to provide snacks, which was mostly good until I began feeling a little unappreciated when my services were the equivalent of a bag of chips and some juice boxes. So now I mostly swap with a friend on a favor by favor need, and I still haven’t found my money-making niche. Yet.
2. Someone mentioned face painting. One summer my kids’ school held a special event and they hired a face painter. Honestly, her skills were not great; she could paint a butterfly and a snake, and she didn’t have many colors or options–great for kids–keep it simple. But when she pulled away in her Jaguar an hour later, the teacher I stood beside said they paid her $100, we all joked that we were in the wrong profession!
average guy says
I don’t think this was mentioned… and it definitely will not bring in $1000/month. But just another way to add a few extra dollars once in a while… and if you had a few once in a while things, et could add up…
If you live near a college that has a psychology department, or even better has a graduate psychology department, the students are always running psychology tests and need subjects, and you can get a few dollars for only a few minutes of time. I did it some years ago when I lived in another city.
Just roam the halls of the psychology dept once a month and read the postings on the bulletin boards. Or get friendly with the department receptionist if there is one.
You get to either take some tests, or watch some designs on a computer screen, or they try to see if you remember what you just saw, etc. No pass or fail, just your time and attention for a little while.
You could branch out into yucky things like test new medication, but I wouldn’t go that far. But someone might…
Jimi says
There are free items on craigslist that often can be resold for a profit. My niece does this as well as childcare. She also takes in foreign students. The allotment given for their keep helps pay the rent. She sells her photographs, models some and is a mystery shopper, too. People also pay her to plan their weddings and other parties.
Brandi says
I agree with the paper route suggestion! When I was in middle school my 2 brothers and I had a paper route. Our area offers a free paper once a week with all the sales flyers and basic community events to anybody interested and that’s what we delivered. One day a week it would take the 3 of us one hour (an hour and a half is someone was cranky and moving slow) to deliver the papers and another hour to prefold all the papers the night before. I don’t remember the exact amount we made but I think it was close to $75 split between the 3 of us. I work full time now and am actually the bread-winner in our family working over 40 hours a week outside the home but still think this type of option is doable for anyone even with full time employment . I would recommend this to anyone who’s teens are looking for work too because it gets them away from t.v. and up and walking for a few hours a week! Check your area to see if they have a flexible route like this if you’re interested.
Charlotte says
I did this with my sister and brother too! Our town had a twice weekly shopper and at one point we had about 4 routes, all adjacent to each other, that we’d divide up. None of us were able to drive so our parents had to take us into town to do this, but it was only twice a week and we could usually find someone to cover for us if we went out of town for a week, which I’ve heard is more difficult with a daily route, but also I believe our paper had subs who were on call and could do it for us for a fee.
Jessica @ The Abundant Wife says
I’ve noticed this a few times in the comment above, but sometimes you don’t have to DO the job, you just have to offer to coordinate others who do. For instance, my brother-in-law is a bartender, and people are always asking him to recommend other good bartenders. So he’s thinking of starting a business that is the place you would go to find good bartenders for parties and functions. He’s the middle man. Another friend teaching lifeguards, and then also supervised a pool company, so a lot of people come to her looking for lifeguards. So if you have good connections in a certain field, maybe you can be the “middle man.”
Nichole says
Hi, not sure if anyone mentioned this (too many comments to read them all), but If you can write, you can check out writing companies. I work for Demand Studios and try to write a few articles a day. They pay twice a week and you can write as much or as little as you like. They pay about $15 per article, unless you have a certification or special training and can write for specialty site, then it’ll be $20 to $25 per article. But you can see how the $15 can add up if you can get numerous articles done per day! Just something to consider and further research! Good luck!
Jana @ The Summer House says
Have you thought about renting out a room in your house? Maybe a college student or an exchange student? This would provide solid income of about $500-$700 a month and most students are gone a lot. You might be able to rent it out for storage for someone as well.
Jana
Tracy says
$1000 a month is a lot! I’m not sure any single “side” income stream will cover the full amount but there are 2 things I can think of that might help mentally:
1: break it into smaller “bites”. $250 per week seems so much more achievable, well it does to me at least.
OR: $250 per “side hussle” per month. So you could aim to earn $250 each from babysitting, selling homemade items, mowing lawns and blogging (ideas off the top of my head and just examples).
Another idea is to offer a housekeeping or child-minding service a few afternoons/evenings per week or on Saturdays. I know many mothers need help in their homes to clean, prepare a meal or to supervise homework etc.
Often families are willing to pay someone to feed pets while they are on vacation. Advertise in local vetenerary offices or by putting flyers into mail boxes/posters on poles in your neighbourhood. People are often willing to pay extra if you go twice a day and open/close drapes, turn lights on and off etc to create the illusion of the house being occupied (for safety reasons).
Kinsey Burrus says
I went from teaching full-time to 1/2 time this year to spend more time with my 2 year old. To help make up the difference in paychecks, I decided to start selling Thirty-One products. It is a christian-based company that sells personalized bags and accessories. While I started out slow, I am now making enough each month to make our car payment. Also, I have also only had 2 actual selling parties. People usually just ask for catalogues or have online parties. It has been a huge blessing in my life and I’ve met a ton of great people. If you are interested, look at http://www.mythirtyone.com/burrus and take a look at the catalogue and the “Join my Team” link. Good luck!
Shana @ abookof40.blogspot.com says
For extra money for traveling I tutor through this company Wyant (www.wyant.com) List my name if you sign up Shana Junior. I tutor one person, one hour a week and make $78 a month for just that one person for the 4 hours a month. It’s free to sign up and you just take a few quick test online for subjects you want to tutor in and get a background check. The students sign up through them and all you have to do is reach out to the students and sometimes they reach out to you. You pick your hourly rate and until you tutor over 20 hours, you keep 60% of the income. (e.g. If your hourly rate is $30, you make $18 of it). After you have tutured more than 20 hours your take home pay increases. The students prepay the company, so there is no issue when it comes to getting paid. You can have your check mailed or have direct deposit. It’s very easy and good for extra money. I have been tutoring through them for almost a year now. I strongly encourage you to sign up. Even if you only do one student you will make great money. In my case I only do 1 hour a week, but if you tutur for a few hours a week you would make way more each week. I also do surveys through PineCone Research as suggested by Money Saving Mom and the $3 from the surveys build up quickly:) Best of luck!!!
Suzanne says
My grandmother was a clown for years and made great extra mad money for herself. She was booked every weekend.
I own a photography portrait business (this supports us full time with my husband working full time with me, and we have five kids) we frequently get asked to do event photography, like for parties etc. We usually don’t work weekends as this is our time with our kids or we will shoot an occasional wedding, but that is a high dollar day for us. So little things like parties and stuff we refer to high school kids who enjoy photography as a hobby and would like to make a little extra cash. You don’t need expensive equipment for this, a half way decent point and shoot digital camera and an understanding of its features will do just fine. Just to capture the event, take pictures of all the guests or set up a quick photobooth with a backdrop. Quick editing and burn the cd. This could be for family reunions, going away parties, kids birthday parties etc… any hostess will realize the value of this to not have to think about it themselves and know that it is covered for them. Charging between $100-$200 for a cd of images is quick and fun. By having a business card with you at the parties word can travel fast.
Another thing we get asked to do, and we have accepted, but had our teenagers do the work to make money is doing slideshows for graduation parties. You only need a scanner and a cheap slideshow program and a dvd burner. Offer to do them for anniversaries, christmas presents, graduations, weddings. Charging $150-$200 for just scanning their pictures in. You can also create a book of these images after they are scanned. Order from an online company like mpix or costco.
Suzanne says
My grandmother was a clown for years and made great extra mad money for herself. She was booked every weekend.
I own a photography portrait business (this supports us full time with my husband working full time with me, and we have five kids) we frequently get asked to do event photography, like for parties etc. We usually don’t work weekends as this is our time with our kids or we will shoot an occasional wedding, but that is a high dollar day for us. So little things like parties and stuff we refer to high school kids who enjoy photography as a hobby and would like to make a little extra cash. You don’t need expensive equipment for this, a half way decent point and shoot digital camera and an understanding of its features will do just fine. Just to capture the event, take pictures of all the guests or set up a quick photobooth with a backdrop. Quick editing and burn the cd. This could be for family reunions, going away parties, kids birthday parties etc… any hostess will realize the value of this to not have to think about it themselves and know that it is covered for them. Charging between $100-$200 for a cd of images is quick and fun. By having a business card with you at the parties word can travel fast.
Another thing we get asked to do, and we have accepted, but had our teenagers do to make money is doing slideshows for graduation parties. You only need a scanner and a cheap slideshow program and a dvd burner. Offer to do them for anniversaries, christmas presents, graduations, weddings. Again charging $150-$200 for just scanning their pictures in. You can also create a book of these images after they are scanned. Order from a company like mpix or even costco.
LeG says
You might could look into having a newspaper route. Depending on your husband’s schedule that could take care of what you need and still be home in time to make waffles!
Lily says
Be very careful with paper routes. Some companies are down right criminal in how they treat their carriers.
I worked for the same company for many years and they gradually reduced my pay, manipulated the checks to disappear amounts of money and eventually, before I left had taken nearly 250/month from me.
Some states (Idaho for example) Do not actually allow paper carriers legal rights as employees, no matter what the business model of the company that hired them is.
Corrina says
I have a different take on babysitting that I didn’t see here. If you live in or near a large city, chances are there are some babysitting services that contract with local hotels to provide sitters for guests, conventions, special dinners etc. You can babysit in hotel rooms for guests or in group settings also. You can choose to accept or decline jobs, so it works well for someone who doesn’t always have the same availability. Do a Google search in your area or call a few hotel concierges and ask what services they use.
S says
Would working in the evening be a possibility? I work two nights a week while my husband watches our kids-it isn’t perfect, but it helps a little bit and we still have other evenings to do things together.
Kerry says
I know this is weird. I have friends who do this and say they make good money. Sell your breastmilk.
Jessica @ The Abundant Wife says
Awesome. How would one get involved in such a business? I’m laughing at the idea, and yet I’ve donated plasma before for cash. Why not!? 🙂
Kerry says
I have no idea how they got started. Maybe someone else will see this who knows more about it than I do that can answer that question. I won’t even consider it because I personally have so many issues breastfeeding/pumping. I would research it first because I’ve heard some people buy it for fetishes and I would hate for my milk to go to that.
Carol says
Are you a good cook? How about offering lunches to local businesses at great prices.
Do you coupon and save as much as you can on groceries? I also know that some people coupon and then sell the stuff that they get for free on craigslist or at garage sales.
$1000 a month is a lot of money and my thought is that you would have to combine a bunch of this stuff.
I like selling on e-bay even thought there are fees I like the ease and the fact that I don’t have to personally deal with people and have people come to my house to get stuff. I get stuff on clearance at Target and sell it on e-bay. You have to get a great deal though (75% to 90% off) and you have to learn what sells. Also the smaller the better to keep the shipping costs lower and make the item more appealing.
Good Luck!!!
Alex says
I am a nurse and work full time at a hospital. I know that many of our medical transcriptionists work from home (I THINK around $8-$9 an hour but I’m not completely sure). You would need to take a short class on medical terminology. Basically doctors dictate verbal reports from the hospital and they are typed up remotely to be filed on the chart. My goal is to be able to stay at home at some point and I had thought I might look into this more if I need to when the time comes. Hope it helps!
Deb says
Make sure you do look into it really well. I had to have a 2-year certificate from a medical transcription course before I was hired as a transcriptionist. For such a technical job, the pay is not that great for newbies — 3 to 7 cents per line based on type of transcription: either editing speech recognition files (3 cents) or straight transcription (7 cents). Most newbies I see can do around 150 lines per hour, just a little over $10 an hour. Not that great IMO. The first couple of years is hair-pulling frustrating until you know what you are doing. Most of the doctors have foreign accents which can be challenging in itself not to mention the grammar, spelling, formatting, and medical words and terms you have to know. Your work gets checked, and depending on the company, you can get dinged on your earnings for mistakes you made. This is technical work that requires excellent grammar and spelling. I wouldn’t recommend it unless you are a grammar geek. Also, check for a clinic or hospital that hires locally. It’s good to get into a place that has benefits and pays hourly instead of a pay by the line scenario.
Judy says
I have a question for the ladies who do Pampered Chef, Mary Kay, Tupperwear, Scentsy, etc. After you have a few parties with those you personally know, such as family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, church friends etc… how do you find more people to continue to come to your parties and purchase things? I’d like to do something that that, but frankly, I have a small circle of people I associate with and while they may buy something here and there, they aren’t going to buy loads of makeup and kitchen products every week. What am I missing here? LOL
Candy Lejeune says
It amazes me how many people I come across each day. The store, bank, pharmacy, school, doctors offices, church, neighbors, friends, online! When I host a show, the host invites everyone she can think of…men and women, young and aged….because EVERYONE eats! Then some people at that party wants to have their own party, and the at that show there are a few people that wants to host their own show…..the circles branch out!
Angie says
Hi Judy! I’m a Tastefully Simple consultant. I chose this company because I love the food, I love to eat, I love to entertain. Also, once people get addicted, you end up with repeat buyers. With Pampered Chef and Tupperware and the like, once you have what you need, you don’t need anything else. The goal at all of my parties is to rebook a party… either the hostess or some of her friends. Everyone will be inviting people different than the ones that you already know, so its broadening you out already. Your goal as a consultant is to ASK EVERYONE if they want to 1) purchase anything, 2) be a hostess, 3) become a consultant. Not asking if an immediate NO. Tastefully Simple is very easy to sell, fun to eat and use. I love that I can make my own schedule, take time off when I need, the quarterly minimums to stay active are low, initial start-up cost is low, etc. If you’d like more info, please email me at almartin606 at excite dot com, and I’d love to help you out. You can also check out http://www.tastefullysimple.com for more info. Hope that helps!
pc mom says
Angie, I have to disagree to an extent with you. I am an upper level director with the Pampered Chef. I have been with this company for almost 6 years now. I started it for the same reason that the origional poster did, I needed money and I needed it QUICK! I worked M-Sat with another business that I owned. I needed to do something that could work around that schedule. I did parties on Sunday afternoon only. In my first three months I made over $2500 total. Now I do about 2 parties a week and I make an average of $3500-$4000 a month. That is more than I was making in my corporate job!
Judy, candy is right, you have to talk to people everyday. It is a very fun job and everyone eats and if you can teach them to prepare healthy -budget friendly meals in less than 30 mins, you are not only offering them great products, but a great service as well.
You can NEVER have too much Pampered Chef! We update our catalog twice a year. This fall will be our biggest new product launch ever with over $800 in new items!!! If you are interested I would love to share more with you. Message me at [email protected]. Hope this helps. 🙂
Merrilee says
I experimented with Mary Kay for less than a year, and was given excellent advice from a friend who was very successful at it: do whatever your director tells you to do. Unfortunately, (or perhaps fortunately) I realized that I was not a sales person nor a business woman. But in my opinion what separates the hobbyist from the business person is their desire and willingness to take risks and not take things personally, which is probably correlated to one’s personality. One of the neatest ideas I heard of was targeting corporate businesses which purchase “holiday” gifts for their employees. You come up with 3 gift options based on price ranges they are looking for, and meet with the president or person who makes purchasing decisions to show them your options (think gift baskets/bags). Depending on the products you are selling, you may need male/female ideas. This could potentially generate a lot of sales without the party atmosphere that some people aren’t comfortable with, and might find you new business if you put your contact information on everything you sell. (So the gift-recipiant can contact you directly for more product.) Plus, (getting permission and) leaving a current catalog at public places like doctors offices and coffee shops can find new leads beyond your immediate circle. Many people want to buy with no pressure and no strings attached, and a catalog and website is great for that. But like I said, I’m no business woman. I just give lots of free advice. 🙂
Megan says
Odesk.com (freelance work) It has worked great for me for the past couple of years. I started low, but have really worked my way up and make more than I did working outside of the home. Best of luck!
Roberta Dunaway says
I made the choice 16 yrs ago to be a stay at home Mom when I was pregnant with my first and decided to join Avon Products as an Independent Sales Rep to help with the family budget. I still do it part-time 20-30 hrs a week and make $1000 a month while being at school functions, Girl Scouts, and all the doctor visits that come with having 2 kids in braces and a disabled husband.
Melodie says
Something we are hoping to do this year is house a couple of foreign exchange students who attend our local Christian school. The pay, after the expenses of extra mouths to feed and house, will bring in about $500 – $900/month extra for us. This will be a huge help to our family, since we are one of those families who have already cut everything but absolute necessary living expenses, we clip every coupon we can, we DIY just about everything we can figure out ourselves, and we have already sold or have been trying to sell everything in our house worth selling and are still struggling to make ends meet. My husband is already working three jobs and I am homeschooling two in kindergarten while chasing after a two year old, so I can’t work either in or out of my home for pay at this time.
The Prudent Homemaker says
Two of my sisters-in-law have taken in foster children. One has 7 of her own children, and because she had the space, she was approved to take in a family with 7 children (this is the 4th large family she has had). It’s a lot of work writing the reports about each child every single day (plus feeding everyone!) but it has been a huge help to both her and my other sister-in-law (who has 8 children and takes 2-3 foster children–usually babies and toddlers–at a time). Ir can be very frustrating, and it requires a car (they spend a lot of time driving them to required appointments and visits) but it is working for them right now.
My husband just works one job, but often from 6:30 am to 11:30 pm; he’s self-employed, and since home prices have declined by 65%, his income took a huge hit (by about 95%). I have 6 children 9 and under, so I know what you mean about the time. Your plan sounds like a great help to your family!
Katie says
We’re in a low-income community (of grad students with families) in a higher-income area (off-campus), and MANY moms I know support the family with part-time and work-from-home jobs. It helps that the student-parent has a more flexible schedule than most around here, but here are some of the things we do:
*babysitting at the Y (she brings her children with her)
*housecleaning & light cooking (can bring her children when she needs to)
*editing papers for students, especially students for whom English is a second language
*teaching piano lessons
*working a full-time job that allows a significant number of hours to be worked from home (the woman I know does technical editing, but there are many jobs that require only some hours in the office)
*babysitting
*nannying (my sister also did this, found her job through a website, and worked after school with two upper-elementary aged kids while she was a college student)
Our school posts part-time and unusual job offerings all the time. Is there a school near you where odd jobs like these might be posted?
Martha Artyomenko says
There are so many great ideas here!!! What a wealth of info!
One thing that many people do is the childcare, but if you are struggling with that, check into watching people’s children in their homes in the evenings. I used to do overnight childcare, where I took my youngest child or even the younger two and worked from 7 pm-7 am. for a night nurse. I put the children to bed, and woke them up and fed them and got them ready for school. Then I went home and took care of my family. I know my sister works as a babysitter for well off people, she goes in the evenings and is there sometimes until late on the weekends, but makes a couple hundred in two nights. She works hard, but it is worth it for her. Sometimes people are willing to have a reliable babysitter, that they will let you bring a younger child with you, or your husband is home with the children.
Another idea is being a tutor for homeschoolers. Homeschool moms do a ton of work to homeschool, and sometimes are willing to pay for once a week tutoring for certain subjects. My sister also used to tutor at the college, just putting her name on a list, and people came to her home or she met them at a coffee shop for a couple hours. Again, not high pay, but every bit helps.
If you live in Amish country….advertise to be a driver. You fix an rate by the mile or drive, and they will pay a lot of money to be driven places. This helped us survive in a hard time. I used to drive Amish as well as my mom and dad.
Check into local part time jobs- the library often has jobs that are only 15 hours a week, split up, it is not too bad and can make some extra money.
House cleaning…..you can charge $15-20 an hour for this in most areas. Go and talk to builders or apt. building owners and let them know you are available for cleaning empty houses or apts. after people move out. They are always looking for dependable people to clean, who do a good job.
Kristin says
Do you have any skills where you could market yourself for kids’ birthday parties? Be a clown, a magic act, face painting, puppet shows? I don’t know…just trying to think of things that haven’t been offered yet. Probably couldn’t make $1000 but every bit helps…
Melinda says
I have been working from home for 4 years now. It is possible to make 1,000.00 per month working from home, but it is not an easy task to find a job fast where you will be making a steady income of that amount. In 4 years I have found one job where I was making that much, but it was a temporary contract job.
It is very helpful to keep a positive attitude when you are looking into working from home because it takes many people 1-3 years before they find something that is steady that they enjoy doing.
I did online tutoring for over 3 years and it only took me 6 months to find that job, it was the first work from home job that I had. The best website out there to find legitimate at home jobs is http://www.wahm.com.
Hope this helps 🙂
Maria says
I had always dreamed of having a home-based business. I kept praying about it a little for several years. One day I realized I had already begun my business–teaching piano. And then I realized that my husband could also teach piano, though his specialty is voice.
We’re from rural Kansas. Rates for lessons are pretty low here, but my husband and I make $20 per hour of lessons (which does not include time spent shopping for piano books, emailing parents, etc.) If you’re in a city, you can probably charge a good bit more.
With teaching several classes at our local Christian school, my husband is able to fill most of 3 days with piano, voice, and theory lessons. We have done very little advertising, but our studio continues to grow every year. We never would have imagined we could make that much of our income from teaching.
If you could teach 25 students, that’s $1000 a month, with 12.5 hours of lesson time per week. We especially love to have homeschooling families, because they fill in the daytime slots.
I also have taught preschool music classes, half an hour of singing and music games and listening activities in my living room.
I’m continually surprised and blessed that even in Kansas’ generally-mediocre economy, parents continue to spend hefty chunks of money to have their children learn music.
Stephanie says
I have also been giving music lessons in my home. I have a BS in music ed. I went from working full time to staying home with our son.
We had him in a good daycare, but he was always sick. He would pick up anything that came his way. When I looked at the money for daycare, DR visits, and time missed for his sick days; I was only clearing about $150 a month!!!!
I started teaching music lessons during the times and days that worked best for my family. I make more than $150 a month now and I get to stay home with our son 🙂
dana says
When I was growing up my parents had an evening job cleaning offices. I would get a % if I helped out. Made some extra $$ each night.
Lea Stormhammer says
Something I didn’t see here yet:
Teaching classes through a community college or community ed!
Small colleges and universities often fill “holes” (i.e. teaching one class a semester or a very specialized area) with Adjuncts – contract faculty who teach a specified number of classes for a specific period of time. Pay ranges from about $3000 to $10000 per class per semester, depending on the institution. It is taxed, but the school handles that for you. I have a colleague who stays home with her daughter during the day and teaches one class per term, 2 evenings a week when her husband is home. She stays after class for 2 hours each of those nights to work on her course prep and then does the rest while her daughter is napping. For one term a year she teaches a 1 hour per week community ed class where childcare is available for her daughter.
Tutoring was mentioned before and that’s a great idea too – particularly in areas like science and math when people are studying for SATs, ACTs, MCATs, LSATs, and AP tests. Going rates here are about $20 per half hour or $30 for the full hour.
Hope that’s helpful!
Lea
Lauren says
I just skimmed the answers and child care looks like one of your better options. While some people have success on ebay and etsy, I have heard of more people not doing that well. The same is true with surveys. I tried that once but found it to be a waste of my time.
I also like the tutor suggestion. I have talked about making $1000/mo with my husband and know how I would do it. I would teach a class at a community college. It pays about $3000/semester ($1000/mo for 10 hrs/wk). However, I have an advanced degree in math. Do you have anything like this? You could make some good money both as a teacher and a tutor with a degree. However, I would not necessarily encourage you to get a degree just for this.
Denise says
I started selling Usborne books, mainly because we needed the money and I could get good quality books for my children. I have found it to fit great with any schedule and it fills those financial gaps we had and I get to meet new people all the time.
I would definetly look into a home based business it is great!!
Denise
Megan says
I saw a couple people on here talk about direct sales, and I love it! I’m a consultant for Thirty-One Gifts. I would say if you are thinking about direct sales, look around and see what are the options. I love purses so Thirty-One is a great fit for me, I could not sell candles or skin care since I do not use either one. The great thing about direct sales is that you decide how much you want to work. I currently only do 4 parties a month (I make an average of $125 from each party).
Of course there are start up cost, Thirty-One is $99 to start, but it is worth it when you are making a thousand dollars a month or more!
AM says
My mom and I started selling home party stuff to make extra cash, since we both work over 40 hours a week out of the home. (Tupperware, Pampered Chef, Tastefully Simple etc.)
We host all the party’s ourselves at our own homes. We never have to go anywhere so child care is not an issue.
We have fun making money and get a ton of free product that we can resell for even more profit!
Just a thought…
Lynn says
I think there have been some great suggestions here. I want to echo Susan’s comments about child care – doing so, particularly from home (where you don’t center and staff support) can be very exhausting and if you are presumably staying home for your family, sometimes a long day of providing quality care to someone’s children may leave you too tired for your own.
Also, I would like to point out in my opinion, you need to allow your specific situation to guide what you need to do – solid suggestions probably need far more detail than we can gain here. For example, is the need for the additional $1000 a short term issue for your family – then maybe picking up some quick sitting jobs for friends will be good for you. If this is going to be a sustained situation, you may have to be looking for a more permanent solution – going back to school for a flexible outside the home job, getting an evening job (or job opposite when your spouse or family members/friends who can help you work) stocking shelves at a Wal-Mart, etc.
If you can work outside the home somewhat, I have many friends who have done tax classes, such as those offered by H&R Block and other companies, they work almost every evening and on weekends during tax season – make a huge sum of money and then save it to sustain through other periods. This may work if you have someone who can be with your children in the evening.
Also, from an experience a friend of mine had, she lived in a larger city and they seemed to be always struggling with the costs there – long term they ended up moving to a smaller area with family support and have much more financial security.
I hope you are able to find something in the responses here that will help you, just remember to find the most realistic solution for YOUR family.
Antonella says
I’d suggest reading http://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com/. Many insights in how to turn an idea into a profitable one. No nonsense approach that I find very useful.
Louise says
If you like couponing, I know of three folks (one who was laid off from work & needed income, one who needed to be a SAHM & one whose job took a steep decline in salary) who began doing this seriously. They take advantage of the great sales using coupons & then resell at a flea market.
They make well over $1000 a month, more like $3,000 or more. Yet, this takes $s to get your initial inventory, time to find the right deals & get the coupons, the right flea market that has lots of folks coming in over the weekends. the right pricing on the items, etc. Takes some time, skills, & plenty of energy – but all three of the people I know are doing extremely well, especially in these economic times where folks are all looking for bargains.
Everyone is not into couponing & folks don’t want to spend high retail prices, so a proper flea market site can do well.
Not easy, but lucrative. Some folks do sell their overstocks at garage sales, but I’m hearing these flea market sites are better and don’t interfere w/the home life.
It’s just an idea to consider – one man states he is still doing it even after he back to work full-time. He looks for deals in the evenings & works at the flea market on weekends. Works out times w/his wife – they have children too! Takes a couple working together to make this work – but they’re doing well now.
Marlana says
Start with what you love to do and your passions. Babysitting was a great idea if you love to do it. Writing is a great idea. Do you love to write? You won’t like blogging 10 times a day if its not your passion, but if it is your passion, it might be fuel to keep you going.
The sky is unlimited. Shoving people’s snow in the winter, cleaning buildings, watering people’s yard everyday, designing shoes, giving people massages (who can’t create a business that charges less than $100 an hour), teaching people to sew, cook, swim (whatever it is that you can do). Start a business selling (and delivering) pickles, tortillas, or salsa (well, maybe not in America — but my friends here in Thailand who started that business are doing HOT, but keep the concept the same. What are food that people LOVE to eat but can’t buy cheaply in America?) You could create T-shirts, or birthday cards. If you can cook any international food, start a cooking school!!! If you are an artist, do art camps all summer. (My sis and I would make over $1000 a month doing them as a kid.) Another great business is driving kids to lessons after school, or taking notes for special ed students at school. While those are not great SAH businesses, they might work if you team up with other SAHMs.
I have worked for pearson grading the ACT and other high school tests, making $1000 from home. Then turned that into a business by tutoring people on the SAT. Oh, you could start a business homeschooling people’s kids.
I would also look into a solid network marketing company. There are some network marketing companies that are not joke, and others that are over done (like Mary Kay — now there’s a dealer on every street in your neighborhood). You also have to believe in your product, and it takes time, but in the long run, you can be making a lot of money in the right company…Top Teir is another business model; I’ve heard its good because you don’t have to put time into selling yourself like NM, but I’m a bit skeptical and it requires money up front. But again, brainstorming and checking out your options is okay as long as you go into it in brainstorming mode.
But I would also take the money I was making and invest it, rather than spend it. Say you make $1000 a month, save it, and start making 6% interest off of it. You are on a faster track to getting out of your rate race (lets face it, solo businesses can get stressful after a while, especially if you are tutoring in schools or driving kids around) than if you just spend that $1000 a month.
Anyway, the reason the question is difficult to answer is that we all have different skills, but think outside the box. Suppose you have several children and don’t have time to teach 40 piano students, but you do have time to own a piano studio and higher other piano teachers to work for you. (A lot of college students don’t have a house or piano to teach from.) Do you live in a city with foreign students? You could start a language school?
Good luck!!!!
Jennifer says
Great ideas!
Susan says
I wanted to chime in one more time on this topic …
There have been many suggestions to become a childcare provider in order to earn money. It’s a great idea, but I would caution anyone not to do that unless you are truly passionate about wanting to work with children. Don’t go into it just to make a few bucks. Don’t expect to just “feed them and read to them.”
As a WAHM mom who pays top dollar for quality childcare, I expect my childcare providers to be 100% dedicated to the children in their care for the entire time the children are there. That means cooking meals for the children, not the family; cleaning the childcare areas and belongings, not family bedrooms and such. If the children are playing outside, the childcare provider must be outside playing with them. Transition times are the hardest for kids, so it’s especially important to be focused on the kids and not, for example, cooking dinner for the family while waiting for the children to be picked up at the end of the day.
Also, I think it’s important that any childcare situation be a level playing field. If you have your own children, it’s their home, their toys, their mom. Children in your care need to be equals and not just guests in your home. You can’t favor your own kids, no matter how difficult that may be.
Okay, off my childcare soapbox now.
Other suggestions have been things like housecleaning, pet sitting, yard work and the like … I wanted to emphasize is that if you decide to take on something like that, don’t assume that you will be able to take your children with you. If you do, be sure to make specific arrangements for them. I fired a yard guy who brought his kids along and let them jump on my trampoline while he mowed the lawn. Uh, no! That is not a liability that I wish to take on.
Okay, off that soapbox now. I hope Pamela and other readers looking to earn extra money have been able to pick up some useful ideas from this post. I’m not even looking to earn extra money and even I have some ideas that I think I may need to follow up on. 8)
Vanessa says
I second your comment.
Penny says
Totally agree.
I have to be honest, it kind of makes me nervous that people are so cavalier about suggesting it. To me, childcare is like teaching – you don’t go into it solely for the money. It’s an incredibly demanding job.
Faith Schofield says
I have been able to increase our family’s income by selling The Pampered Chef. It is so flexible, about 1/2 of our consultants are able to do this while working another job(shich being a mother is a fulltime job). I also have learned tons of time saving tricks for the kitchen. 🙂 I’d be glad to help you get started.
Krista says
I have read most of the replies but not all, so if I happen to repeat someones suggestion, please forgive me. We needed additional income to help put our daughter through College but I wanted something that would be fun and exciting. I happen to be at a Premier Designs jewelry party for a friend of mine and loved the idea of being a jewelry lady and over 3 years later, I am still loving it! I only work when I want to, as much or as little and it DEFINITELY helps pay the bills. I am able to keep my kids in private school because of Premier! I paid back my investment in 3-4 shows and was making money immediately. I get paid the night of the show, so I have cash money in my pocket as soon as I am done. It has been a true blessing and I love every minute of it. If you have ANY questions, please don’t hesitate to ask and I would love to assist!
You might also be able to find a part-time transcription at-home job for a doctor’s office or other facility to help with their backlog. I am betting there are a multitude of local companies that need someone to assist in this area.
I hope you find what you need and good luck!!!
Susan says
I almost suggested Premier Designs myself. As my Premier Designs friend says, jewelry sells itself (and Premier jewelry is quite reasonable in price!) I like that it is a mommy-friendly company.
Dawn says
Foster Parenting. Very hard job, but the rewards are incredible. Our family considers it our ministry to provide a home for children in need.
Therapeutic foster care pays significantly more, but will also require some “extreme” love and parenting.
It is not for everyone, the pay ranges per state and per child, but it can be a way to earn a little extra income while also giving a wonderful gift to a child or children who just need some stability, a safe place to sleep, and some love.
Kelli @Taste & See says
I am a HUGE fan of fostering (we are adopting out of the foster system), but I feel the need to state that the money paid to foster parents is intended to be used entirely for caring for the child, NOT as a way to earn extra income for yourself. The stipend you receive is meant to be a reimbursement for the expenses of caring for the child.
Fostering children is an amazing gift to give to children in need, and if you’re able to provide a loving, stable home, please consider it – but please do NOT do it for the money, because that money is not for you!
Dawn says
I agree with you 100% that no one should do Foster Care for the money.
I do disagree with you that the money is not “for you” – the reason that therapeutic foster care pays so much more is that the assignements often require one parent to be at home full-time.
When you have a child with vent care or dialysis – it is a full time job.
Not sure of your experience, but I know several loving foster homes with really sick – medically fragile children that could not afford for one parent to be at home full time without the stipend.
Susan says
Okay, I’m going to refer you to a blog with a totally different vibe than Money Saving Mom but it does have a series on how to make more money. Major features of the series include psychological barriers to taking risks and and how to value our skills and talents properly. The name of the blog is I Will Teach You To Be Rich.
nina says
My mom was a school bus driver. She was on the same schedule that we were. My sister and I just had to get up a little earlier to go with her to the bus barn. After her morning run she was off for a few hours. This gave her time to run errands before the afternoon run. During the break one of her coworkers would go to the thrift stores and find things to sell at the consignment shop. Sometimes mom would take a field trip for extra pay. They were usually during the break. Since my dad worked shift work, he went to get his CDL so he could be a sub bus driver.
Stephanie says
I’m currently trying to find additional income so I can stay home with my boys (I make more than my husband right now). We’re selling the house we LOVE and downsizing. I’m attending local farmers markets with my homemade, healthy treats and trying to start my own freezer meal business. I enjoy being in the kitchen and have lived off freezer meals for the past 4 years since my first son was born. It’s tough right now because I’m basically working 2 jobs, but my husband is supportive and we hope it all pays off soon. Get creative with your talents-like others have said. I don’t know you, but God blesses us all with wonderful talents and we should share those with others.
Kristi at Spend Less and Save More says
I know you said you are selling online, but what are you selling? It could be that you aren’t selling the right thing. I make $1200 a month on eBay alone selling thrift store finds.
I also sell books on Amazon through their FBA program which makes me about 200 a week. Talk about easy money! It is totally free to join the program and you can sell all sorts of items (not just books). The best part is that Amazon stores and ships your items so you don’t have to take up room in your home to store all that stuff!
MaryEllen@TheDealScoop says
I don’t know if this will work for your situation, but you could consider a “catering” service to your husband’s workplace. My husband works with a bunch of guys who eat fast food almost every day for lunch. They keep begging me to send some “real food” to work and tell me they’ll pay me. One day I sent an extra container of leftover spaghetti to one of the guys (just to be nice) and he insisted that he pay $5 for it . The guys keep telling me that I need to start a business bringing food to them, and all I would have to do is make extra food for dinner and bring the leftovers the next day. If I made enough for all 20 guys in the shop, I could make $100 a day just by cooking extra dinner! (Okay, my wheels are turning now!) I think I need to run with this idea myself!
Jennifer says
Wow, my wheels are turning…:)
Dana @ Groupon Girl says
There’s been some great suggestions! My two cents:
1. Wait tables in the evenings/weekends. When I first became a stay-at-home mom, I did this in order to supplement our household income. You can make good money waiting tables.
2. A friend of mine got into housecleaning to make some extra money. She priced herself much cheaper ($20/hr) than the local going rate and then began offering her services to many of us who work part-time in or outside the home. Because she was so inexpensive, she quickly got lots of business. And because she cleans for friends, she is able to bring her kids along with her to the houses.
Grace @ www.gracesavings.blogspot.com says
Crystal,
Thanks for posting that readers question, look at how much good information, encouragement and ideas were shared in such a short amount of time. God is so good!
Kait says
I direct-sell for Barefoot Books and LOVE it!
Lori says
While my suggestion doesn’t address making an extra $1000.00 a month per se, I feel it is the absolute, most important first step to doing just that. Have you asked the Lord what His plan is for you to accomplish your goal? If not, GET ON YOUR KNEES AND PRAY! He knows your situation better than you do, and His answers are always perfect, as are His ways. He will guide and provide! If you have (asked the Lord), be encouraged; as I am sure many visitors here will be more than happy (like ME!) to add you to their prayer list! 🙂
SharaH says
You could start up your own website (if you’re only doing ebay – You said you are selling online). When you ship to ebay customers, send them ads for your website and offer a discount when they visit instead of having a repeat customer and paying repeat ebay fees. iOffer.com is also another great selling site. Their fees aren’t as high as eBay. It wont be AS busy…BUT it will be a little extra income on top of ebay and your website. Amazon is another place to sell.
Back to the web idea….You will want to set up regular in stock items. Find out whats hot right now and what sells and where you can get it for the lowest possible price. Lowest price + Highest profit = More money in your pocket. You can also put ads on your website (like google ads and amazon ads) and get paid from those when people click them.
All of the above will EASILY get you more than $1000 a month if done with a little research and effort. Plus you will be able to do it from home.
Brandi @ Frugal Farmhouse says
Some great suggestions.. However I feel the same as a lot of you. I don’t want to watch kids… lol
have you tried searching blogs like
http://realwaystoearnmoneyonline.com/
http://wahadventures.com/
They have helped me a lot in the last few months.
Heart and Haven says
There are some great tips posted here! I was a career mom making $75K/year until I lost my job when I was on maternity leave with my last child. Yikes! Talk about a total blow to our budget! I had to make RADICAL changes asap! I created a budget (actual Excel spreadsheet listing EVERY single thing we spent). Cut every unnecessary expense, reduced where I could (ie. hubby starting biking/riding bus to work to cut on gas & car ins., eliminated eating out, refinanced our mortgage to a lower interest rate, etc.). We started buying groceries through AngelFood Ministries. Many moms can get 50-60% savings on grocery bills from clipping coupons, but I honestly found my time to be spent better on other things….and I honestly haven’t had success yet at couponing (getting some good tips to start trying from this site though!).
God has continuously blessed us in such amazing ways! And since I have been so focused & mindful of our budget, we actually became debt-free (with the exception of our mortgage) last Christmas! (who would’ve ever thought that my losing $75K/yr would actually set us free from debt?!?!)
We own rental properties, and I handle all property management tasks (and LOVE it!). In times past (when we had some unexpected rental related expenses that our savings couldn’t cover), my husband (who’s a computer programmer) got a 2nd job working at Target in the evenings for year while I (in SW Sales working 6:30-3 pm) got a babysitting job after work from 3:30-7 pm. It was a sacrifice, but we were able to pay off the expenses we incurred on our cc asap.
I’ve also taken in roommates in the past with great success (make sure to do thorough Background & Credit Checks!). Here is S. Cali, I was able to get $600/mo. from just renting out a room in our house.
I have had to learn to budget with both having very little money or a lot. Just to give you an idea, when my 1st son was born I was a single mom on welfare (getting $395/mo and my 1/2 of the rent was $257.50!). I’m actually thankful for those tough times in which I learned so many skills about finances and how to save!
Heather says
Thanks for posting your story! It’s great to hear someone talk about just buckling down and doing what has to be done, even though it’s tough.
Guest says
I really enjoyed your story. Thank you for sharing and for being a source of encouragement and inspiration to others!
Cindy Wilcox says
Here is one nobody mentioned. There is a lady in my sisters town that will cone to your home and give a one hour foot soak, massage and pedicure. She charges 20 an hour and is booked in the summer. She sells Gift certificates at Christmas for 15. she does nail are and little girls toes. I bet she would even do pamper themed parties. Probably cost less than 50 to get some soap, lotion, polish, tools and a basin. The internet has tutorials on basic nail art. Could make some great money doing something like this. My sister has a standing appointment every two weeks for the whole summer.
Jan says
This requires a license in Minnesota! I hope she doesn’t get caught!
stacy says
I was going to suggest the cooking for other people. All the time people are begging me to do the “Extreme Couponing” for them and they will pay me. I haven’t done it yet cause I don’t really know how to do it, but there is a demand for it. I have a friend that makes homemade natural soap and lotions and sells it at flea markets on the weekends. She has a year waiting list of people. I have another friend that crochets baby clothes and now has a waiting list of people. At Christmas time, crafts sell easily, especially those wood critters that say stuff like “Santa, stop here”. At Christmas time, baking and selling cookies, goodies type stuff always goes over really well. I have another friend that bakes cupcakes for everthing from little league, to birthday parties, to weddings, showers, retirement. You name it, she makes a cupcake for it. My sister-in-law makes anywhere from 50 – 100 or more doing albums for people. Save all the change off the dresser for Christmas. Right now, Foreclosure is the most used word, and all those foreclosed houses has to be cleaned. Have a friend that that is their business, and they get to keep everything inside. The have come across houses that had flat screen tv’s in them, china, toys. Then they turn around and sell it on Craig’slist. Send a letter to your local Realtor offices. I am sure you will need liability insurance, but still looking into. At the library they have a book titled, “Best 100 Home Based business”. Has lots of ideas.
Melissa says
Stacy, do they just get in touch with the realtors? or is there anyone else that I could contact about that? That type of business would work very well for me right now. [email protected]
stacy says
the couple that we know just posted letters to every Realtor in the county offering services for cleaning foreclosed houses. It is usually a bid process. There might be 5 other companies that will bid out a house, the Bank or Realtor then decides who they want. Check with them on the qualifications you would need.
Melissa says
Thank you so much. I will definitely be checking on that.
Brooke says
Tutoring has been a great source of income for me. I’m a credentialed teacher so that lets me charge more– $50/hour but I have friends who aren’t credentialed and make between $25-50/hour. I have even done just “homework help” for elementary kids which really takes no special skills at all, busy rich parents are willing to pay someone else to do their work! I trade babysitting with a neighbor who also works part time and also work Saturdays when my husband is home. I have a neighbor girl who fills in when I need her to but I still make much more than I pay her. I’m only gone 3 hours at a time and (I tutor in 2 hour blocks) not even every day and make about $1,600 a month. I’ve found if you can get one client in a nice neighborhood word of mouth will spread fast.
Jacki says
We are a one-income, one-car family. We don’t have kids yet and I am a housewife. People find it weird that I stay home even though we don’t have kids yet (Long story). For the meantime, I consider this “job” seriously so my job is to save our family money.
My husband, who works as a computer tech, started fixing computers part-time so we can increase our income. It’s not “fixed income” but the extra it brings every month surely helps!
We are also selling random stuff on Ebay. I also listed some of our college textbooks on half.com and I was pretty surprised that I sold the books on there! I also do sponsored posts on my blog through SocialSpark. Here is the link http://izea.in/r3et
I do yearly yard sales too and from time to time, post stuff on Craigslist.
When money was tight, we still tithe faithfully and the Lord still provides, it is amazing! Since I am an immigrant from another country, I find that meeting new friends and networking also helps!
I’m not sure if you’re into this but how about taking photos part-time? or selling at state/local fairs?
Jennifer says
I just wanted to say that I think it’s great that you are starting out as a housewife! So many times women go into the workforce right away, then struggle when they have a baby and come home. I think this “early training” for you is invaluable and should be done more often. 🙂
Evangeline says
Congratulations on your decision to be a housewife. I agree with Jennifer. There are those who will not understand but you aren’t living your life to please them. It is a noble thing to put your family (what you and your husband are building) as your priority. When I married, my husband and I chose for me to work part time so that I could fulfill my dream of making my family a priority…and we were both happier for it. Now as a stay at home parent, it is financially hard at times but the reward is great. Good luck to you and to all of us trying to make ends meet.
Amy says
I know the in-home daycare idea has been suggested dozens of times already, but I wanted to share how I do it. I only watch teachers’ kids (or other school staff who work on the school calendar), so I get all the holiday breaks and summers off, and I only have to work 9.5 hours a day at the most (7:00-4:30), depending on what time the kids get picked up.
I do not charge my parents over the summer, which they love. It’s really hard for them to find daycare providers that won’t make them pay over the summer to hold their spots, so my services are always in high demand and I never have to search for kids to watch. My husband and I save a little bit of my income each month and pay ourselves over the summer as though I was still bringing in income, so we don’t have to worry about a shortfall during those months.
This fall I am only watching children whose mothers work part-time, so I will only be working 3 days a week. It has been an ideal (though sometimes challenging) way for me to stay home with my children. I keep going on the challenging days by knowing that I have so much time off with my family throughout the year and that at least this way I still get to be home with my girls instead of working outside the home.
Susan says
This is a great Amy. One of my daughter’s teachers has a childcare provider for her children who does the same — limits her clients to teachers — for all of the reasons you mention. It’s a great option.
Guest says
What a fabulous idea! Love the creativity. 🙂
Amy says
This is the very reason I became a nurse. Over the last ten years, I have worked full time, part time, an on a contractual basis. The least I ever worked was 16 hrs/ week and made exactly $1000 a month then. Nurses are always needed, even in the current economy, and you can work days, nights, weekends…. Whatever you want!
So my suggestion would be to start your education to get a RN license. It can be done in two years.
Amy says
This is the very reason I became a nurse. Over the last ten years, I have worked full time, part time, an on a contractual basis. The least I ever worked was 16 hrs/ week and made exactly $1000 a month then. Nurses are always needed, even in the current economy, and you can work days, nights, weekends…. Whatever you want!
So my suggestion would be to start your education to get a RN license. It can be done in two years.
Davonne says
There are so many responses – Crystal, I vote that you (or one of your helpers) choose the ten best and make a post out of it so people like me don’t have to read “babysit in your home” 100x (a good idea, but I only need to see it once). 🙂
Crystal says
Great idea; I’ll get that done!
Katie says
If you state babysitting as an idea, please be careful when advising people to babysit regularly in their homes. Many states require a license to take children into a person’s own home. For example, you live in KS. KS law states that watching 1-2 children for less than 20 hours is okay as long as it is not on a regular basis. If Pamela wants to make $1000, babysitting might not be the best idea. The fines for providing illegal child care can cost more than you earn. I know that the KDHE people monitor Craigslist for illegal child care providers.
Also, parents cannot write daycare expenses off taxes if a provider isn’t licensed. Furthermore, licensed providers must be CPR/First Aid certified and take classes, such as SIDS training. So many things can go wrong; only serious people who love children should bring children into their homes.
Jennifer says
Another thing to think about when considering babysitting/child-care is whether you own your home or you are renting it.
Many landlords will not allow tenants to have a business out of their home, such as childcare, because of the insurance issue.
I was all set to offer date-night babysitting when I realized that I wasn’t allowed to per our rental agreement.
Jessica @ The Abundant Wife says
Yes, please! It’s taken me two days to read through all the comments on this note, while my little ones are sleeping! 😉
angie says
I see a lot of people suggesting to offer childcare in their home as a way to supplement income. As a mother of 2 boys in a home daycare, I ask you for all kiddos out there to only truely consider doing this if you think you can do it well and actually “Care” rather than provide a babysitting/keeping them alive service. I see ladies in our neighborhood do it and the kids end up running around in the street and I question how much their hearts are really after the best interest of the kids. We love our home daycare, but it took a few trials to find one where I knew the lady was doing it because she wanted to and not just to earn money. It’s not fair to the kiddos to do it if you’re going to do it well. I saw someone suggest craft supplies – great start! And if you do it well, after a while you’ll probably have lots of kiddos and a waiting list. 🙂
indymoney says
Not sure if someone has already posted it. Check elance.com and guru.com. If you are good at something and can be able to work online, you can make money out of it. These are online portals connecting workers and jobs.
BethB says
Someone mentioned offering an extreme couponing service. A few weeks ago our local paper (Milwauke) had an article about a Mom who offer meal plans based on sales at local stores. Last week Crystal posted something about another internet company that does this, didn’t she? In any case, I remember being boggled that anyone would need to pay someone for this service but clearly there’s a market for it. If you’re already doing this for your own family it wouldn’t be that much extra work. It’s not going to net you $1000 a month but it’s a start, right?
Melissa says
Another idea is to cook meals for a family; you could just double what you are already cooking and the other person pays for the ingredients and your labor and gets a meal that is probably more healthy than a restaurant meal and cheaper.
Molly says
Wow….that is a great idea. People could either swing by and pick up on the way home or pick up several meals on the weekend for the upcoming week. I’m home now, but when I was working I definitely would have paid top dollar to have some yummy home cooking at the end of the day!
knitorpurl says
I must caution you that cooking from your home from others is a liability risk. I have been a personal chef for 9 years and I cook from my clients home- never my own. In order to cook from your home to sell food to the public you must have commercial kitchen and be subject to health inspections (just like a restaurant; that is the level of service you would be providing). Imagine what could happen if someone or their child became sick from your food (even if it’s from them leaving it in a hot car too long, etc).
For my service I attend food safety classes, taken training, have licensing and carry full insurance.
As self employment it’s great, but as an cooking out of your own kitchen business, not so much.
lori S says
I do two things. The first is I win tickets on the radio and then sell them on craigslist. I iive in vegas so there are always tons of tickets given out each day. This year I have won a lot of stuff but kept most for myself. We went to disneyland and I won 8 2 day park hopper, I have taken the kids to elmo, circus, thomas the train and many other shows. Last year I made over $10000 however u will get taxed as other income from the radio stations.
The other thing I have tried is to sell my extra stockpile at my garage sale. I sold 200 body washes, deodorant, toothpaste, etc. People bought it. Not that many people questioned me. I made $200 with just a few month stockpile. If u dedicate yourself to get as much as u can for free from couponing u could probably make a lot.
Angie says
The desire of my heart was to quit my job to stay at home with our son (he’s now 2.5). I searched around for some at home work opportunities and the one I fell in love with the most was Tastefully Simple, gourmet foods. I do home taste-testing parties, catalog parties, online parties, whatever. It gets me out of the house occasionally, around adults, brings in some fun money for my family, allows me to be at home with my son. I love it. I make my own schedule, work when it suits me, take off when I need to, etc. Its a fabulous company! If you want more info, feel free to contact me, or visit our website.
The other thing that happened is one of our friends asked me to start babysitting this past year, just 3 days/week. That helped out so tremendously! It wasn’t something I was searching for… it was a need that she had, and she knew I was at home more so she asked, and it worked. That was only for this past school year… they had another baby, and we have one on the way, so its a no go for this next year… I’m not into having 4 children 3 and under.
Currently thinking towards after our new baby comes (maybe after kids are in school…) and some ways to increase our income a bit… some ideas popping around in my head include:
*checking into cafeteria work at the school / being a teacher’s assistant (these would allow me to work the hours that the kids would be in school at that point in their life.
*I was a CNA (certified nursing assistant) and left that go, but its something to consider. Working on a PRN (per diem, as needed) basis at the hospital or nursing home could bring in $15-20/hour or so, depending. Some of the hospitals even train straight from the streets, so you wouldn’t need a CNA. With working per diem, you can pretty much choose your hours, within reason. It may require a full weekend every month or something like that, but hey, its a job, and bringing in some extra money, and you don’t have to work 40 hours/week.
*Make your needs known. Not just to your spouse, but also to friends and neighbors, most importantly to God. He wants to supply your needs, and desires to give you the longings of your heart, within reason. He’s able to do immeasureably more than we ask or imagine, and even before we speak, often times He already has a plan being worked out.
Blessings to you! Its a tough situation. You can make it through!!!
Jade =) says
Wow, I was so excited to see this post and then take in all the comments, but am somewhat disappointed because I’m not really seeing anything that would work for me. I am in the exact same situation as the lady asking the question… my husband is working two jobs and still isn’t able to cover our bills/debts, I’m homeschooling and taking care of the house and 2 boys. We only have one car, do not have cable, have the cheapest cell phone plans (family plan with my in-laws), etc. I could do a bit better on couponing and whatnot to save a little bit, but with one car I can’t be traveling all over… I have very little time to use the car we have between my husband’s jobs, so then I have to get the groceries and go! Anyway, I lack in marketable skills to do things out of my own (make, create, sew, sell, etc), and I can’t just go out and get a job. A work-at-home job would be ideal!
I spent 6-months working as an internet search consultant and that was good money, but the company was dicey – always changing their minds on instructions and rules and some of the things I had to look at were … not… good (porn, etc). I do surveys and focus groups but those are so sporadic/low paying, they don’t help all that much. I’m thankful for what they do bring in, though! I haven’t been able to find anything legit to really make money at. There’s got to be something out there that moms can do!
Kristin says
Jade, I’m a homeschool mom, too, who is “stranded” at home while hubby is at work. I make quite a bit of passive income from my website & eBooks. I posted a comment about it a little bit ago, but I don’t see it now. Anyway… http://www.childrens-church-ministry.com/about-sbi.html
Crystal says
Just to encourage you, I’ve been in a very similar situation before and found things to do from home even with two children and no vehicle while my husband was working long hours. Have you read my Becoming a Work at Home Mom series? https://moneysavingmom.com/becoming-a-work-at-home-mom-series
Keep trying things and experimenting and hopefully you’ll land on something that is the perfect fit for you. It took me 3-4 years of experimenting to really find a niche that’s perfect for me, but the hard work has paid off!
Kristin says
I’m sorry ~ I posted this comment under the wrong article (!):
One of the best decisions I ever made was to build a website and start writing eBooks when I just had 3 kids. That was almost 5 years ago. Now I have 6 kids, homeschool, have no time to worry about producing income, but enjoy the blessing of several hundred dollars’ worth of passive income trickling in every month from content I wrote years ago. Here is the long version of my personal experience with that: http://www.childrens-church-ministry.com/about-sbi.html
Kristin says
I just shared how I help to bring in an income, even though I’m a homeschooling mom of six. However, when my husband wants to boost our income, he mows yards, picks up painting contracts, does floors at nights (like waxing/buffing, etc. with a floor machine), puts together pool tables & exercise equipment (handyman-type stuff); and he’s studying now to become a piano tuner. I have taught piano lessons in the past and taken in babysitting kids. We have also cleaned a local Sears dealer store at nights (we took our kids and let them watch a video/put the baby in a playpen). When I was a teen, our family cleaned local offices at nights, and my college roommates & I cleaned a furniture store for 2 hours on Monday nights for $125 each time. Just think about the skills you have and the things you enjoy doing and find a creative way to produce income with them.
jodie says
I have been thinking about taking in ironing. Folks bring you their clean but wrinkled laundry and you send it back fresh and starchy. I helped iron for two different families growing up. About $1 shirt. You can make about $7 hour. Just do it when sticky fingers are asleep or otherwise occupied. You may also be able to work out a deal with a local college to sew letters on sweatshirts (all straight zig zag) for sports and fraternal organizations. Another idea hat would take you out of the house for a few hours a week is to be a granny nanny. You can usually make about $10 hour. Most oldsters need light housekeeping, a casserole put in the oven and just a friend to talk to. Double blessing is that your children can learn from and about oldsters. Of the above, my favorite is the ironing. You can do it watching tv or put on some music and jive while you are making $$$. Tones your arms too.
The Working Home Keeper says
My mother does ironing to bring in extra spending money. She loves to iron, so it’s great for her! She even has a family that drives an hour to bring her their clothes.
Mary Ellen
The Working Home Keeper
Brandy says
How do you know how much to charge. I think this is a great idea, and think it would do really well in my area.
Elizabeth says
I think ironing is a great idea. I was looking for someone in Pittsburgh to do it, and can’t find anyone. It isn’t worth my time to do it, and I wish I could pay someone who needed the money to do it. I think if you advertised in areas where moms have more money than time, you’d be busy. The nice thing about ironing (rather than taking in laundry, which you could also do) is that there isn’t much in the way of costs to you except your time. (And maybe pickup/delivery, depending on how you set it up). Still, I think child care may be your best bet.
Amy says
Consider learning a trade. We are prepping our home for sale and these are some of the things we are paying people to do for us:
Sand/refinish our wood floors…3 rooms $1,100 (One five hour day, followed by two-two hour days)
wash windows inside and out and scrub screens $250 (5 hours)
Clean Carpets ($180/ 2 hours)
We would pay to have someone scrub our grout..but I can’t find a good source in our area. So we are doing that ourselves with http://www.thisoldgrout.com products. They also advertise a business opportunity. We are painting the whole interior ourselves, but I imagine that would be a good part time job. Oh… and we hired a stager for $75 an hour to help us with colors and decorating. Worth.every.penny. just for telling me what pictures to hang where and how high 🙂 We have 2 teenage sons who are busy this time of year mowing lawns and baling hay and doing farmwork. They ususally earn $10-15 an hour, but I am going to have them watch the window washer and help me with the grout…good skills that they could turn into money-makers. I have a friend who cleans houses and earns $25/hour. She brings her 2 little ones along and they watch a portable dvd player or entertain her elderly clients.
Melissa says
My husband and I go to auctions together and re-sell the items we purchase. This is a date night for us, yet we are buying items with the mind set of reselling them on craigslist etc. Fun night with my husband and making money!
http://WWW.COUPONSAREMYCASH.COM
Kristin says
I agree ~ I used to get awesome deals at auctions on baby equipment and resell the items for 5-10 times what I paid at my children’s consignment shop. It was super fun, too!
christa says
hi lindsey, can you contact me, i am interested in this, my email address is [email protected]
Cassie says
The idea to keep children in your home is a great idea!!! I currently keep extra children in my home. I only have one child so it gives him someone to play with, it provides extra income for our family, and I get to stay home with my son!! People LOVE the idea of home daycare. Just feed the children, read to them, and give them lots and lots of love. This will truly be a blessing for you and for some family looking to take their child(ren) out of traditional daycare. And you can easily make $1000 per month with 2-3 children.
L says
I am also interested in legit work from home opportunities. My son has autism and I would love to work a few hours while he is in school. Finding jobs around my son’s school day has been difficult. When my son is home my time obviously needs to be focused on him.
C says
I second the babysitting idea. I have two at home and adding a third wasn’t as hard as I’d thought. It was an infant who slept half the day anyway. I watched him 7a-4p and just took him along whatever we already had planned. I made $200/week, which is pretty close to the $1000 a month you’re needing. Spread the word and you’re likely to find someone who needs help. Good luck!
Kristi says
I’m actually in the middle of setting up my blog on this exact topic. I am going to help people increase their income by up to 3k a month without spending a time of their own money and earning money LEGIT!!! No sales, stuffing envelopes, getting leads none of that stuff.
christa says
hi kristim can you contact me with our info, that you are talking about, the email address is [email protected]
Melissa says
Kristi, I would love it if you would email me with what you are talking about and what the web address of your blog will be. If I dont find a way to work from home VERY soon I will have to go back to working retail or waitressing. I havent worked in 17 years but our situation now is different and I am going to have to do something. [email protected]
Thanks
Kit says
I’d also really appreciate an email of the information, or even just a link to the blog post/blog on increasing income $3k/month legitimately.
Thank you. Email is [email protected]
Janie Out of Debt says
I have a few suggestions to make extra money:
1. Start a blog and put Google ads on your page.
2. Work a part-time retail job on the weekends.
3. Sell photos in online stock photo sites
4. Do yard work or lawn service
5. Sell on eBay, yard sales, Etsy
I know how difficult this can be because it took me years and a lot of creativity to become debt free. Best wishes.
http://janieoutofdebt.blogspot.com/
Robin M says
Ok, I have a blog. My hangup is worrying about what other people will think about my opinion. I don’t want to get my facts wrong, so I will create posts, but then edit them so much that it doesnt even sound right.
So, I only have one post, and I’m still not satisfied with it. I am going to try to read your Blog Tips, Crystal, but I still struggle about what I know enough about, and is valuable enough to people, to build a blog upon.
HELP!
Crystal says
You’re suffering from paralysis by analysis. None of us know everything, we all make mistakes, but EVERYONE has much that they can teach others. Be confident in yourself, jump in with two feet and learn as you go!
Grace @ www.gracesavings.blogspot.com says
Crystal is right, I too had this same issues as yourself Robin. When I started my blog, I was so motivated by what others would think of it and if they would agree with my opinions, I was over editing, nitpicking and it got to the point where I stopped enjoying blogging. After some evaluation and prayer, I decided that it was more important to take joy in what I was passionately writing about rather than focusing on what others think. The point is, you know what you enjoy blogging about, don’t get hung up on the small details and just take joy in your talent! You will do great 🙂
Crystal says
Thanks so much for sharing; this was excellent advice!
Amanda says
Can you suggest some online photo sites that accept photos and what the process is?
Leslie says
Something I haven’t seen yet is http://www.chacha.com. If you’re a good researcher, you can get paid for answering questions that users text into the service. I haven’t done it regularly for a while now, but when I was, I could easily make $250 a month just answering questions on evenings and weekends. If you have more time available, you can make even more.
I don’t know if this is allowed, but if you want to sign up and use my username (Anubis79) as a referrer, I would appreciate it.
Claudia says
Things at ChaCha have gone way downhill lately. I’ve been a guide for about 3 years. I used to be able to make a few hundred dollars a month. However, guide pay has really been cut, and traffic is slow, so I find it hard to even make $100 monthly now.
Depending on your role, you will make either 2 cents or around 10 cents per question answered.
I’m so sad about the pay cuts because it used to be a great way for me to make money during naptime. We are really missing the extra cash!
Katherine E. says
I was just about to post about ChaCha. I was a guide for a while and brought in about 30$ a month in my spare time. You could also look at the Mechanical Turk program through Amazon. 2 years ago I was in a similar situation: we cut everything we could and more. My husband and I were eating on 15 dollars a week; I even sold my car to pay our rent. Sometimes you just need the extra income. I think the key is multiple streams of income– paying close attention to small money making opportunities and maximizing them. Again, you’re not going to make 1000 in one fell swoop, but I think you already know that. I’ve been able to streamline my daily involvement in surveys (swagbucks, survey spot, pinecone) to about 1 hour a day and I spend about 30 minutes checking MSM and other various and sundry websites. My husband refers to it as “the frugals”.
I strongly believe that if you are resourceful (I mean, you’re here and you’re proactively seeking advice), creative and hardworking you will be able to accomplish this.
One more thing: this may not be your bag, but I advertised on Craigslist that I would do syntax/grammar/punctuation work on fiction and non-fiction work for a set amount per page. Some people just want feedback on their writing, some are international students needing help with subject/verb agreement and vocabulary, and some people feel that they are going to write the next great American novel and want validation. Either way, the money is worth it.
Karla Hiser says
Katherine E., How much do you charge per page for editing fiction/nonfiction? I have super grammar skills and would absolutely love editing.
Thanks for any advice!!
Karla
Katherine E. says
Hey Karla! For fiction and creative-non fiction pieces I do basic proofing for spelling mistakes, typos, punctuation, and grammar at 1.35 a page (I’m using the industry standard of 250 words per manuscript page). I also do structural and organizational editing with regard to character development, plot, dialogue, and issues with narrative voice for 2.75 a page.
I charge more and by the hour (27-30$) for academic editing; some disciplines I can’t do (law, hard sciences).
I actually have a friend who copy-edits for the brand Fossil and she charges significantly more (and rightly so).
An added bonus is that it is completely scheduled around my time. I always let my clients know the day that I expect to be finished, but I don’t feel the need to give them daily updates.
Let me know if you have any questions– I just started all this myself. The whole process is very simple and so satisfying!
Amanda says
I would also like to know how much do you charge per page. Thanks!!
Sandra Lee says
Ask the Lord to bring something BIG into your life! He can do far more than you can think/dream/imagine. He will amaze you.
Bethany says
Amen. Thanks for the words of wisdom!
J says
Get a second job or coordinate jobs if you’re married so that one of you is home all the time. I work Saturdays and my husband works Monday through Friday. We’re very frugal too, and we sell on Amazon and Craigslist but really none of that compares to the income I’m able to make working 8 hrs outside the home every week. It also depends on your skills and education what job you are suited for but 1000 dollars isn’t going to come from selling stuff online unless you have a bunch to sell and even that will run out.
Cinnamon says
Funny, I actually started my online business 3 years ago because I needed to figure out a way to make at least $1,000/mo. and I have 3 kids so a job requiring childcare wasn’t an option. With my husbands business smarts and my creative skills we launched Libert Jane Clothing and within a few months I was making that $1,000! We now have a whole partners program filled with tips and info for selling online and most of the principles apply to any type of product not just sewing doll clothes. It is possible to make and sell things online successfully. Just figure out what you’re good at and come up with a catchy brand, there are a ton of customers all over the world when you sell online. Someone commented above that selling on Etsy was too difficult because of the amount of competition, but that’s why it’s impostant to develop your own brand and following and use etsy to process the transaction. You can email me anytime if you have questions, I’m happy to help if I can!
Amy B says
Love Liberty Jane! Great products and guides.
Cinnamon says
Thanks Amy!
Again, Pamela, I would be happy to personally help you. You CAN do this by selling online!
Amira says
Awesome products really.. keep up the good work
I am currently in the same situation having 3 kids preferring to stay home with them and our income has decreased almost 50% !!! I feel the world is falling apart around me trying to cut everything possible but still need more income.
I need to ask you something how could you market your product… I want to go in the business of hand made jewelry I’ve tried eBay before but did not get so much luck in it . I need to know how to market and sell products.
I would really appreciate it if you can help.
Thanks
Cinnamon says
(Crystal, I trust this response is okay, it’s not our intention to try and sell our stuff, just provide some help…)
Hi Amira,
Sure, we are happy to help. Our membership site, (www.libertyjanepartners.com), is designed to assist artists, seamstresses, and crafters learn to sell online. It sounds like it would be a perfect place for you to start getting some new ideas, particularly our ‘price it like Picasso’ ebook, which is all about conducting successful Auctions. We are happy to give you a 1 month free pass to the site. Just email me at [email protected]. We’ll get you all set up. And we can help further from there.
Ps. I’m happy to extend this offer to anyone out-there that has a dream of selling your own products – especially if you’re passionate, (as in desperate), to succeed. We are happy to get you a 1 month pass to our site. No strings attached, just email me. We would be happy to help you reach your goal.
Andrea Q says
If it were me, I would look for a job outside my home when my husband was home to watch our children (nights, weekends or early mornings), such as stocking shelves or delivering newspapers.
Most people that get involved in MLM companies (Scentsy, Avon, Amway, etc) make less than $100 per month. It’s possible to do very well, but statistically, most people do not earn a significant income (and many actually lose money).
jmum says
1K is a pretty steep amount…I think the only way would be a part time job.
Angela says
Well I have been able to earn a fair amount more than $1K/month through my blog and also as a freelance copywriter. I work out of my home and had no prior experience doing either. HOWEVER, it took I’d say a good 18 months or so to achieve that income level. But now? I know I can count on some good, steady income each month. If you’re interested in writing, check out some books or sites on setting up a freelance copywriting business.
Crystal, I hope this is OK to share, and if not, feel free to delete – but I actually featured 13 blog readers last August doing legitimate work-at-home careers and making money at it (plus my own story about writing and blogging). Here’s a link to those that were featured (see 1/2 way down the page). My readers were open in sharing how they got started, what they are earning, and pros/cons of their jobs.
http://thecouponproject.com/getting-started/post-series
By the way, the folks that just say cut cable or do $5 surveys or this can’t be done. Disagree. Wholeheartedly disagree. With passion and determination, this CAN be done. I would love to extend a virtual hug and encouragement to your reader because I completely GET where she is coming from. I was in the same boat once. If you have a heart to stay at home with your kids and support your family, you can do this. Best wishes!
Erica says
My mom had her own cleaning service. If you mix a strong work ethic with homemade organic cleaning supplies and a friendly disposition you get a recipe for a great home buisness. She averaged 30$ and hour…
Bethany says
If you have an extra bedroom – or two kids that might be willing to share for a while check out craigslist for any students doing internships in your town for a few months. Obviously with children in the home you want to do a full background check but getting a boarder could get you an extra $400-500 (in my area NH) then you are half way there with little to no effort. Students doing internships generally come with “less baggage” (i.e. kids, pets, furniture, multiple vehicles etc…)
Good Luck!!
Katie Jones says
We did that for nine months- it was awesome. A lot of people are moving for jobs nowadays and need a temporary spot. Also, we live next to a couple of Christian universities- one is walking/biking distance, so we are considering a new boarder from there
Jen T says
I would *never* rent out a room to someone in my house if I can help it. We speak from years of experience renting to other people, with a tenant in our house right now. If you absolutely need the extra money for whatever reason then you might not have a choice, but depending on what state you live in you could be in a hot mess because of your tenant. We live in a state/county where the tenant has all the rights – they could literally squat in our home rent free for 6-months while we wait for the eviction process to go through. On top of that, there’s a specific list of things that you can and can’t charge a tenant for when they move out, even if you think you’re in the right about the damage they caused. We have small children and the one guy we have left, because we kicked the other one out who was worse, leaves the doors unlocked all the time and open (remember.. I have small children), wipes bloody buggers all over our walls (I wish I was joking), leaves poo on the toilet seat, will leave laundry in the washer or dryer for days, punch our walls in the bedroom he rents when he’s excited or upset, spys on us constantly (which I haven’t completely figured out the reason for.. I don’t know if he’s trying to get personal information or he’s just insanely nosey), and him and his ex-gf have literally stood outside our house door and screamed at each other to the point we just about called the police. Oh, but because he’s been in our house for over a year and didn’t get weird until after that year point, we have to give him a 60-day notice if we want him out – it’s the law. The other guy we kicked out tried owed us in back rent for months prior – thankfully his deposit covered it when he left so he didn’t get a full refund. Background checks only show that someone hasn’t committed a crime or had a court-ordered eviction – it doesn’t show that someone has poor hygiene (remember they’re going to be touching all doors and knobs in your home), or plays music hella loud at all hours of the day, breaks the rules of the legally binding contract (if you really want to enforce that 3-day eviction, it’ll cost you a lot of money), steals from you (this has happened to us so badly we had to start putting locks on household cabinets), and royally trashes your home. We had a huge mess when the last tenant moved out and all we could legally charge him for was the back rent.
I know people have had a lot of excellent experience with boarders/tenants but just keep in mind the city you live in, the laws of your state, and your physical location to determine if it’s right for you and your family. We don’t live in a really bad place or a good place (and our neighborhood is actually really nice), but in our particular area the people who are willing to move into a house with small children (for some reason having small children makes us a leper – it’s truly the deciding factor for people not to rent from us) and are normally the people you don’t want to rent to in the first place.
Suzy says
We have rented and it has been a wonderful thing. Stressful at times but it is a give and take. Our first renter was a HUGE learning experience but we have now found the perfect renter.
If a tenant comes to you and says they want to move out and they are still in a lease, it worth letting them out with no penalty. Your place will be in much better shape and you won’t have any of these buzzar things listed above.
Remeber you do not have to accept just anyone into your home. You can screen them and pick people who you would like and get along with. You can NOT discriminate against age, sex, color, etc but you CAN pick someone you like and trust!
Open communication is key!
Jen T says
I’ve seen many people on here say that they’ve rented and they’ve had great experiences. Not everyone is a bad person with bad intentions. There is a potential negative side to doing this, and it’s something that needs to be addressed because it’s not all smiles and rainbows. You need to research any potential opportunity to make money, especially when it comes to letting someone rent your home or rent a room from your home. Depending on your state, county, or city laws, you could have 0 problems if your tenant breaks the contract or your tenant could have all the rights.
Kelly says
Several years ago my husband’s income was cut in HALF! No matter how often we wrote on paper where to cut back, save, etc. there was never enough money to go around. As a Christian family, we continued to pay our tithe and trust God. It didn’t matter how it looked on paper, God provided every month for every bill!!
Abbey says
Kelly, this was really encouraging to me! We are somewhat in a similar situation and have been before and it is so wonderful how the Lord provides for all our needs!
Corrina says
I second this!! Whatever is on paper, doesn’t seem to match up with what we’re able to do with what we have. Being faithful to God is so crucial! We’ve always paid our tithe, and although we’ve never missed paying a bill, even if the luxuries of life are few.
Amanda says
I wholeheartedly agree. I’m a 21 year old newly wed who’s husband is going through chemo and radiation =/ We have a brand new car, he’s going to school full time while I work in a warehouse position full time. God always provides. Some months aren’t fun at all, but we stay home or find free activities at the beach if he needs out.
Erica says
I saw a great idea on tv just the other night! This time of year lots of parents need help getting older kids to and from summer activities, kind of like a taxi service. Some parents pay top dollar for not only the safety of their children but also peace of mind knowing they aren’t at home in front of a game console or the television. This can carry forward into the fall when these kids need to get to school and all the activities that brings! Good Luck 😀
DM says
I did this in college fo about twenty dollars a week. Just for picking a girl up from school and dropping her off at her babysitter’s house!
Ash says
Some things I have done or that I am doing:
Nanny/baby-sit
Substitute teach
House/pet sit
Clean houses
Personal shopper
Chop firewood (start now to make money in 4 months)
Lifeguard/teach swim lessons
Change someone’s oil or tires
Work retail in the evenings
Something we have just started to do is take advantage of the rewards on our credit cards. We pay off the balance in full every month (if you can’t do this, it’s not worth it). We just redeemed 2 months of points for $300 of Amazon gift cards (helloooooo free daipers!).
Beyond these things, I would get the amount needed every month down by selling everything I owned and and either taking in a renter or moving to a small apartment.
laura says
demandstudios.com- i’ve been working for them for the past 2 years & I can’t tell you how AMAZING it’s been. They’re ALWAYS hiring, I get paid twice a week via paypal, there are literally THOUSANDS of articles for you to write from, I can work whenever, wherever I want, etc. I could go on & on about how great it is. Basically if you can write, I would send in your resume & apply via their website. Good lcuk.
Julia says
I would actually discourage her from writing for demand studios…their pay is very little for the time and effort it takes. I’m a stay at home homeschooling mom who also works PT as a freelance journalist. I write for magazines, blogs, small businesses, etc, and could probably ramp up to $1000 extra a month if needed – just don’t have the time or need at the moment. But not with Demand Studios. If she has an special areas of knowledge, I’d encourage her to check out writing projects, but only take on those that pay a decent wage (ie, at least $50-100 per 1000 word article – and that’s low). At the moment, I find most of my work through oDesk.com, a freelance bidding site. You just have to sort through the myriad of low paying jobs and find the gems. There’s plenty there if you’re picky!
Melissa says
Julia,
Hi. I am trying to grow my freelance writing business and would love to talk with you about your experience. Would you be willing to e-mail me at momsplans*at*yahoo{dot}com? Thanks!
Randi says
Julia, could you forward whatever you send to Melissa to me? Thanks! [email protected]
laura says
I have to disagree about demand studios not being a great way to make money. I make an average of $1500 a month working a few hours each day (and being a full-time mommy to a VERY busy 19 month old). I mostly write while he’s asleep or playing quietly and as long as I write 4 articles a day ($15 per article), I meet my goal. After being there for about 6 months I was able to figure out how to write good articles that fit the guidelines in about 30 minutes. I began working with them right out of college with no “real” experience. I don’t think that I could have gotten paid as much by finding other opportunities given my resume at the time. Anyway, I would check them out if you’re looking for a great “foot in the door” opportunity that pays pretty well.
Sarah says
I have been wondering how to get started on something like this too! If you have a moment, could you send me any info or tips on getting started? I am very interested in how this works.
theapronlady at hotmail dot com
Mrs. Undomestic says
I’m with Julia and I work for Demand! While I can make $1000 a month there, I find it very hard to do so, especially now that my kids still need me around to supervise/play with full time but don’t nap.
Paige says
Laura, would you mind e-mailing me? I have a couple questions about demandstudios.com. My e-mail is [email protected] I would really appreciate it!! Thanks!
Anna says
You can also apply for titling positions with Demand if writing is not your thing. I think most recently they have been hiring for title editors, which is just looking at titles that will be made into articles and making corrections to spelling, punctuation, word order, and things like that. Title editing pays 4 cents per title (someone please correct me if I’m wrong on that), and just like with the writing, you are paid twice weekly. They don’t have a formal application on their website for the titling jobs, so applying just involves sending an email to [email protected] and inquiring about the available titling positions. They also have title duplicate checking and title quality assurance, but I believe editing is the most recent job available. Hope this helps! If you apply and they don’t immediately contact you back, don’t panic. They will hold your email until they have spots available, and that could take a while. You’ll probably hear from them when you least expect it.
laura says
I’m also a title editor & it pays 2 cents per title… all the other info is correct though!
Anna says
Thanks, Laura! I couldn’t remember … it seems like there is a titling position that pays that much (or there was), but it must not be the editing one.
Frugal Barb says
4 cents a title?
How can you make money that way? Say you can do 2 titles a minute… In an hour, you’ll make a whole $4.80??? You’d have to work a full 7 hours a day all month to gross $1k.
Anna says
I double-checked this, and title editing does in fact pay 4 cents/title, although other titling jobs at Demand do pay 2 cents/title. Barb, trust me, people go much faster than you are thinking. You can certainly do more than 2 titles in one minute. From what I’ve read on the Demand forums, most ppl average $10+/hr doing title editing. I average $14.50/hr for doing duplicate checking and I have made around $18/hr for doing title quality assurance.
Milk Donor Mama says
I started writing for them in January 2009. I have a masters degree in public health, and I recently expanded to writing on Livestrong.com. I do get the occasional rewrite but it’s usually nothing major. I can do it whenever I want, from where ever I want to, and I could write as many or as few articles as I want. LOVE it. LOVE it more than my job as an epidemiologist, to tell the truth. I have had no problems working for them and I don’t get any bonuses for referrals! I also have two pages on examiner.com, which is a local content type thing. For example, I am the Columbus Family Health Examiner and the Columbus Frugal Living Examiner. I do not earn that much but I do collect residual income and the guidelines are not too difficult. Last year I earned $550 over 11 months and I spend about 2 hours each week working on it. It actually helps me as the frugal living one I do as part of my own research on what is frugal in my town. So 48 weeks x 2 hours/week = 96 hours, so I earn about $5 per hour at it. Not huge but nothing to scoff at.
Charlotte says
I was not accepted by Demand Studios but am going to apply again since I have since gotten work from Textbroker.com and some other sources. Textbroker is decent, you are paid per word. So far I’ve earned about $300/month by writing when my son is napping and playing with his grandparents. Not much, but I also only write an h0ur or two a day and live in a developing country so my money goes further…though they only accept writers from a few countries. I had to prove I was American since my IP address is on the other side of the world. Payments are through Pay Pal, twice a month and you need to give your SSN for tax purposes, though they don’t take it out for you. You need to print out the form and mail into them before you can get your first payout. I had over $100 waiting before I was able to get the form to them.
Their website is pretty simple and I was afraid it wasn’t legit at first, but after reading many blog posts from others, I decided to at least try. It’s been three months and I haven’t had any problems yet.
Here’s a lens I made on Squidoo about my experience thus far: http://www.squidoo.com/workshop/earningmoneywithtextbroker
Hope this can help someone.
Charlotte
Charlotte says
sorry, that link won’t work for you, it goes to my dashboard…here’s one that works: http://www.squidoo.com//earningmoneywithtextbroker
Also some people make decent money with Squidoo. You make lenses on topics that are of interest to you. Then you can earn money off of them. I earn about $5/month with 26 lenses, but there are ways to optimize them and add Amazon modules to get affliate money.
Megan says
No one has mentioned mystery shopping so far – and I know MSM has posted on it – so just thought I’d throw that out there. I don’t make anywhere near $1000/month, but I could make at least half that if I put my mind to it. With commitment, organization and practice you could make $1000/month if you lived in an urban area. Check out the volition.com mystery shopping forums for a list of companies.
Nancy DeVries says
I have done that for 6 years now. I can take my kids to some of the shops. I do it more for spending money but when my husband lost his job I was able to make $1000 in a month but I took everything and I lived close enough to several large cities. It takes time and I tried to make sure I made $10 an hour at least and included the time to enter in the reports.
trish says
I have been trying to find out about doing mystery shopping for awhile now but the website I signed up for wants me to pay to see the jobs open in my area. i am looking to get paid not spend. Would love some info on the subject it anyone could help me. Thanks
Heather says
How about lawn mowing? You can make a lot doing it, especially if you find clients who have a mower already. And you get exercise at the same time! Or other jobs like raking leaves, planting bulbs, outside window washing, cleaning gutters, etc. A lot of what people used to consider “men’s work” makes good money.
Tutoring, teaching piano if possible, art lessons, etc.
Substitute teaching. Not for the faint of heart, but depending on your area, you can make some decent money. Plus, it’s flexible. Can’t go in one day because the kids are sick? Just say no. But you will have to wait until fall to start.
I like the idea of running errands, etc. for the elderly.
If all else fails, and it can work with childcare, etc. consider a job outside the home. I’ve seen work-at-home moms neglect their children a whole lot more slaving away at all hours to bring in not much $, than if they would have just gone and got a part-time job.
Good luck!
Brook says
I have a friend who did a lot of couponing and then sold the stuff she got doing that at yard sales. She made her rent for three months in a row just doing that.
ideas:
lawn mowing/snow shoveling (seasonally)
crafting
sewing
artwork
photography
house cleaning
pet sitting/grooming
take in a boarder
if you have more than one car, can you make do with one?
lindsey says
We have one car and have our whole marriage (2 1/2 yrs)! my husband does have a motorcyle in the summer (motorcycles have amazing gas milage) but all winter we have one car. it saves a ton of money since we dont have a car payment. usually someone does get dropped off at work early and gets picked up late but it has been so worth it!
Rosie says
we were a 1 car family for seven years. It stinks, but it can be a totally doable way to cut back further. We just (last month!) paid cash for our 2nd car, but I think we probably could have kept going on one car for quite a while if we needed to.
kathy says
in this economy, people actually pay you to do these things? I still haven’t figured out how to charge for running errands. somebody mentioned $20 for going to the grocery store, however, if you get back to their house in 35 minutes, why would they pay the full $20? wouldn’t they balk at being charged full price?
Love the variety of income ideas here. And I really need something to bring in extra cash. I’ve been a housewife for years, no real job skills and both kids recently came home, one of them, college grad w/out a job and no car. It’s very frustrating!
Amy B says
I work for CheapToday which is an online bargain posting site. They are legit and pay once a month by pay pal. It might not be $1000 but you could make a couple hundred bucks a month extra. Email me at [email protected] for more information. I can help walk you througgh the process.
Rachel says
I’m a college student and I make a little less than $1,000 a month by babysitting. I’m usually paid $10 to $12 an hour for 2 kids. One family just started paying me $13 because they had a new baby. If you can do this a night or two during the week & on the weekends, it adds up. Before I moved away for college, I made a lot less because I was in a rural area/town. Now I live near a major research hospital & my clients make more $, so they pay more (generally). Try to find high-income clients if you can.
Chelsea says
I don’t know what age children you have, but if they’re all in school, substitute teaching could be a great option. I’m working on my teaching degree currently, and I sub to practice my skills, but there are a lot of subs who are moms trying to make an extra buck. I work for 2 school districts who have schools close to my home. The only downside is that some districts will not let you sub unless you have reached a certain level of education – one of my districts requires an associates, and another only requires high school education.
Amanda says
Great idea; subbing is a wonderful and flexible part-time job. Sometims you can even land a long-term sub job (for teachers on maternity leave, etc.) which bumps the payscale up after a few weeks, too.
Jana says
You would need to check your states laws. In ND you need a current teaching degree, but like Chelsea said, some places you only need a high school diploma.
The Prudent Homemaker says
My husband loked into subbing, and full-time, long-term subs only make $1000 a month here (if they are called every day). Still, our neighbor is doing this, and delivering pizza at night.
Julie says
I am a substitute teacher (not a mom though). I was a long-term sub this past school year. But was an ed tech not a teacher so I didn’t get the pay increase. I can tell you, I love subbing. Love the flexibility. We are trying to decide if I’m going to look for a full-time ed tech job in the fall or not. We would both love for me to be able to stay home and just deal with the home things. But finances don’t allow for that.
Two of the districts I’m signed up for require a degree. The other does not.
The problems with subbing are: even if you get called every day, $1,000/month is unlikey due to days off, vacations, etc. And childcare. A lot of subs get called the morning of. Unless you have someone who you can call who can watch the kids at a moments notice, it is going to be hard.
Dawn says
I have to second the Pizza Delivery job. My husband and I did that while we were in college and we made minimum wage PLUS tips. Our tips always ended up to be about 75% of our income. Most of your money is made on the weekends (Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights) so if you have a flexible schedule and no daycare issues during these times you could bring in close to your $1000 monthly goal.
This was several years ago so it will depend on your location (need to be a mid-sized town/city) but I usually brought home about $20 in tips each weeknight I worked and around $100 in tips on those busy weekend nights. If you picked up 2 shifts during the weekend and at least one shift during the week you could probably make $1000 a month.
Of course you do have to take into account that you are putting wear and tear on your own car plus having to pay for your own gas. I always put gas in my car while I was at work with my tip money so I never had to take it out of pocket. Since delivery drivers make minimum wage, your tips are yours to keep (unlike waitressing where you only make like $2 an hour plus have to claim part of your tips to equal out to minimum wage), it’s up to you to declare how much you made in tips as a pizza delivery person.
Jenny says
This doesn’t help the original gal since she already has a 40-hour per week job, but in addition to subbing at schools, other organizations and businesses hire subs as well. Prior to my current job, I subbed in a local county library district. The pay was minimum wage, but they paid me mileage from the branch that was closest to my house if one of the other branches called me in.
I have also subbed while people were on vacation at two of my previous employers. One was a clerk/secretary position and the other an accounts receivable clerk. Both of those paid me the wage I was making when I left the company so much higher than minimum wage.
Another thought, one which I’m pursuing right now, is writing policy manuals for companies (I found I have a hidden talent for really boring stuff! lol). I’m also wanting to branch out and try to market my grant writing skills as well.
Anne Marie @ Married to the Empire says
Subbing isn’t a bad idea. HOWEVER, please be aware that in many districts, if you don’t have teaching certification, you’ll be paid less AND you might not get as many calls. When I subbed, I was in high demand, as I’m a certified teacher who used to actually teach. I did tutoring for the TAKS every spring, which brought in some money. But even with teaching certification, the money wasn’t great, and I was at the top of the pay scale.
The other potential drawback is that districts are really cutting back. This includes subs. But if you’re able to do it, it’s interesting work, although it can be very hard.
Kim says
Do you have a place nearby to sell blood plasma. You can donate 2 times a week and it general pays about $200 a month. If you’re a lucky one with rare antibodies it can pay much more. If you and your husband do it, that’s $400 a month! Also in home pet sitting can be great! Show up once or twice a day and make about $10 per day per house.
Mrs. Undomestic says
Check you state laws! I looked into this and found out that in California, it’s illegal for people to pay for your plasma (or your blood for that matter). I could donate just to help, but not for income.
Suzy @ Lovetosave.org says
I am a blogger which brings in a little bit of money. But I also work delivering the newspaper, it’s really early mornings from about 1:30-5 or 6 but I am able to come home and get things going for the day and we don’t have to worry about daycare and since we homeschool that I would need to hold a position while everyone is asleep and while my husband is home. I am able to bring in $1,800 a month this way allowing us to build our house savings greatly. We are almost out of debt and really back on track! 🙂
Good luck you can do it!!
Sabrina says
I have to ask, how in the world do you mange to get things accomplished when you are up that early? I can barely move when I get up before 6 :0)
The Prudent Homemaker says
She probably tucks her children in bed by 7:30 and then goes to bed herself!
Suzy @ Lovetosave.org says
Oh I wish! 🙂 The girls go to bed the same time I do. If they went to bed any earlier they would be up FAR to early for my preference. lol
Suzy - lovetosave.org says
Lol.. I drink a lot of coffee, take a nap with the kids and try to be in bed about 9 🙂
The way I see it we are making short term sacrifices for our long term goals.
Sabrina says
I love your answer! :0) Do you find that you get more done by taking a nap and being rested, or skipping naps and doing chores during naptime? I have always used naptime as my chore time, but I am exhausted! And when I try to take a nap with the kids (when they decide to nap) I can’t sleep because I keep thinking about what I need to get done. Just thought I’d ask, even though this is totally off topic from the original question.
Suzy @ Lovetosave.org says
I typically take a nap with the kids simply because I.can’t.go on… without one. Most days I am so tired by nap time it’s no big deal and I can fall asleep (set my alarm) and wake up feeling refreshed to finish what I can for the day. But I know exactly how you feel! It’s got to be a woman thing! I have a constant to-do list in my head and some days my to-do list seems to unattainable with a nap. :/
Lee says
I keep trying to convince my husband that this is the way for us to go. All he see’s is the negatives…bad weather, wear and tear on the car, change in sleeping cycle. We are living paycheck to paycheck and I am so tired of it! Do you have any tips? ps. I homeschool too so I don’t have time when kids are away.
Suzy @ Lovetosave.org says
Lee- I understand where your husband is coming from. Those were my feelings in the beginning but it gets easier on sleep, and the weather is not too bad, and our car is holding up great 🙂 We were living paycheck to paycheck too and its so challenging when you aren’t sure what to do to make up for the difference in finances when you really can’t work outside of the home. With the cost of childcare and our school system being quite poor it really isn’t an option for our family. At the same time I don’t feel that I can work part time from home and let my husband work 3 jobs. I know that some husbands do it and they are amazing men and their wives are awesome for their strength but I am not that strong nor do I want my husband to have to be quite that amazing ;).
Taking on a paper route really has helped us in the fact that we are finally being able to build our Emergency Fund, 3 months of bills saved, pay off our debt and really have a good amount in savings for our home. I know that it’s challenging and certainly not for everyone but it works well for us. 🙂
trish says
thanks for sharing! I have been thinking and praying for some way to make some extra income and this sounds like it might work for me:)
Stacy says
I thought about delivering papers, but I had several people tell me not to because it is a 365 day of the year job with no one that will cover for you if you get sick and you’re not able to take off work no matter what the road/weather conditions. It’s also wear and tear on your vehicle. How has that worked for you? I’m interested to hear other opinions.
I work 30 hours a week right now outside of the home and make enough to supplement our income, but my husband has to work over-time sometimes. I struggle SO much because I never have time to do all the things I am responsible for: homeschooling the kids, housekeeping, grocery shopping on a very controlled coupon-cutting budget, making family meals, and all the other things moms do. Homeschooling is especially difficult with me not being home. I feel like my oldest son misses out on so many opportunities because I have to work outside the home. Public schooling is NOT an option for us and private schooling is too expensive. There are no charter schools in our area, especially ones that go to 8th grade. We get by and my son does well and gets to go to some coop activities, but the grass sure does look greener on the other side.
Corrina says
When I was a kid, my family had paper routes at different times. At one point, we were homeschooled (4 kids) and we had one morning route and one afternoon route…and my brother and I got up early to help my dad on the morning route and then we did the afternoon route with my mom too. Sundays were crazy b/c all papers were delivered in the morning! Later on, my dad had a morning route that I would help with from time to time, even though I was attending high school. I actually have GREAT family memories of these times together!
MK says
If you’re able to work a few nights a week, especially on weekends, you might look into a job as a waitress. It’s hard work, but you can make quite a bit per night working at a decent place, and the schedule can be fairly flexible. You could even work a morning or afternoon shift when someone is home to watch the kids. Plus, you get discounts or free restaurant food – yum!
Megan says
I second this! I used to be a server and a lot of my co-workers were moms working PT. They were also some of the best at their jobs – mainly because they were grounded enough to ignore any job drama nonsense.
Shania says
Pick up another part-time job! OR get one 🙂
Jennifer says
Wow, you make it sound so easy…
Jennifer says
Sorry, that was kinda snarky, but it’s interesting to me how many people are saying “get a job” like it’s the easiest thing in the world.
At least in my area of the world, jobs are incredibly hard to come by. So many out of work, and they can’t even get a call back from McDonald’s!
I appreciate all of these “out-of-the-box” comments.
Becky says
Amen!! Wish they were that easy to find..
Heather says
In most places, it’s not that hard to get a job of some sort…it just may not be what you want. If you’re not too proud to take what’s available, nearly everyone can find some kind of extra job, even in this economy.
Jennifer says
Well, I’m not job-hunting personally, so I don’t have first hand experience, just thinking about Smockity Frocks recent post about her husband’s job woes and a lot of the comments were similar: getting a job isn’t always as easy as some make it out to be. Maybe it varies by location?
Again, that’s why I like these different comments on ways to make money that think outside of the box of “apply, interview, be hired”.
Heather says
Well, sure, it’s so much easier to just not apply at all. Then you can just give up without even trying. That’s pretty outside the box, isn’t it?
On the other hand, how about thinking outside the “I’m a stay at home mom” box by actually pursuing the option of leaving the house for work? It might not work for everyone…but it might work for some. No need to be so negative about it before even considering it.
Jennifer says
I think you missed my point, but maybe I missed yours, sorry.
I’m not saying people aren’t applying for jobs, what I’m saying is that getting a job is not as easy as just applying for it and voila! Lots of people are applying for everything under the sun and still not getting hired.
So, thinking creatively about starting your own business or something of that nature is a great option!
Becky says
No reason to be snotty.. She was asking for advice.. Out of the box advice apparently cause everyone already knows that getting an out of the home job will earn money.. it just doesn’t work for some (took my son 6 mths to find a job.. bills still came monthly). i have a full time job but have really enjoyed all these ideas ppl have come up with on how to make extra
Amber H says
Sorry, just skimming some of these comments but I have to throw my 2 cents in here. Many people who say “I can’t find one” are probably not looking (or being picky). That being said, there are probably also plenty that ARE looking & cannot find work. I have experience in several different fields. I’ve been a SAHM for 2 years now. I’ve been looking for work & I am NOT picky (at all). I have applied everywhere from pharmacies (Yes, I am state certified) to McDonald’s. Some companies don’t like my availability (my husband works full time so I would need some childcare if he was working or my family/friends were not available to babysit), some don’t like the fact that I’ve been “out of work” for 2 years (even though I haven’t been out of work, I’ve been staying home raising my daughter). It really depends on everyone’s situation. There are people to fit every scenario (those that try, those that don’t, etc., etc…..)
Amber H says
Oh & to clarify – certified as a tech, not a pharmacist. If I was pharmacist then, yes, I could probably easily find a job & almost set my own hours. 😛
Marcia says
I too have a home based business with Usborne Books and More. Usborne Books sells children’s books thru home shows but we also have other avenues for sales. We do not have “minimums” or territories. Good luck and I wish you the best!
Jill says
Our local Usborne Book lady landed a recurring order w/ the town library & several preschools and she’s doing quite well!
Ashley says
If you coupon, have you ever thought about offering your “extreme coupon” services for a small fee? I help friends and family out by picking up items they use when they are free/really cheap and, in turn, they always slip me a $10 every few trips for all my “troubles.” I never ask them for money, but they all offer.
Cristina says
A couple other direct-sales companies have been mentioned and here’s another- Norwex Enviro Products. They sell chemical-free cleaning products and certified organic personal care products. They are growing by leaps and bounds, it costs $0 to start and you start earning from your very first party (35% commission). My average take-home from a party is about $40-50/hour. Doing 4-5 parties per month you could easily make $1000. I’d be happy to answer any questions for you. I’m a SAHM of two little ones so I definitely have other responsibilities and Norwex has been a blessing to us because I make a lot of money for a little amount of time put into it and it doesn’t take me away from home too much.
Jule says
Is there something you love to do that others would pay you to do? For example, I love keeping fish. I’ve learned a lot over the years about fish care, and as much as most aquarium owners hate cleaning tanks, I find it enjoyable. I’ve considered looking into offering aquarium care for those who would like to have fish tanks but who either don’t like the cleaning aspect or who don’t have time for the weekly upkeep. Additionally, this is something that my children can help me with, and it’s also educational since I can teach them about various fish, live plant care, and the nitrate cycle as we clean. Hope this is useful. I know right where you’re coming from!
Monica says
That’s a great idea! I’d pay someone a $100 to clean my fish tank. They’re disgusting! (I don’t really have a fish tank or a $100 for that matter but figuratively speaking:)) I just remember hating doing that when I was younger.
LucyT says
PLEASE TRLL MR YOU LIVE IN SOUTHERN ILLINIOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Julie says
So sorry! I’m CA. But if I were in Illinios, I’m sure we could work something out! 🙂
Linda says
I am a homeschool mother of 7 and I also needed to find something that would allow me to work from home, a company that is child/family friendly and would work with my schedule. I recently joined Primerica financial services and I believe this company would work well for us stay at home mothers. I just started but have already passed the state test. Its a job and some people have very definite opinions about this company. I have researched and decided to go for it. I can bring my baby to the meetings that I schedule and you earn money by selling their financial products. You can work as much or as little as you want and they train you and hold your hand while you learn the business. You can also check it out before you commit and see if its something you might want to do. they have regular opportunity meetings where you go and listen to the program and decided if its for you. You can even work it a few weeks and if you don’t think its a fit, you can walk away before you decide to become licensed.
Search it out. But again, it is a job, only difference is that they are family oriented and if you find a good office they will take you under their wing and help you out all the way.
Heather says
My hubby did Primerica for a while and he really enjoyed it.
Susan says
I realize this is an unpopular option for this particular audience, but have you considered getting a job outside the home? I’m assuming that you want to work from home because you have children, and I TOTALLY understand your desire to do that. There is nothing more important than raising children. But providing for your family financially is also an important responsibility of parenthood.
Realistically, $1000/mo is a lot of money to come up with unless you have job skills that will qualify you to earn more than minimum wage, regardless of whether you work work from in or out of your home.
Childcare can be a major expense of course, but perhaps your extended family can help out, or you and your spouse (assuming you are married) can work different shifts. If you have job skills worth, for example, $15/hour, then working just 20 hours per week will allow you to earn $1000/mo over the course of a year. If your children are school aged, perhaps you can find a job with a flexible schedule that works with your children’s school schedules. I have several friends who work for the school district (in service positions; they’re not teachers or otherwise credentialed) but they earn enough to supplement the family income, have good benefits, and work only on school days.
My sister works approximately 30 hours per week at a local gym that provides childcare at a reduced price for employees. Her kids are older now, but when they were younger they enjoyed being there. She and her husband stagger their work schedules so that the kids are not in childcare 30 hours per week.
I have a good friend who works in a daycare center part time. She freelances on the side and makes pretty good money, but the daycare position provides steady income and benefits, including sick leave, which you don’t get if you run a childcare center single-handedly out of your home. Her child is able to be there with her after school. For a while she tried to run an in-home childcare She loved working with the kids, but got very frustrated with the administrative aspects of the job. Working for a wage at an established, well run childcare center works well for her because she gets to work with the children doing what she enjoys but doesn’t have to deal with billing and other administrative issues, and she appreciates having co-workers to share the responsibilities. She earned more money running the childcare herself, but also had a lot more expenses.
Other commenters have made great suggestions for self employment, but be sure to keep in mind that with self employment comes insurance, taxes, and other expenses. You very well could make a nice income via self employment in the long run if you find your niche, but you mentioned needing to earn $1000/mo right away, which may or may not work for you because of the upfront expenses. That said, there is nothing wrong with getting a job to help with your financial needs in the short run while you work on a business plan that will allow you to work from home.
Best of luck to you. I hope you find a source of income that allows you to maintain the lifestyle that you desire.
Crystal says
Just so you know, we have thousands of moms/women who read here who work outside the home. The readership here is very diverse — and I love all the different things we get to learn from different people in different situations!
Megan says
This is a really good comment, Susan, and I second your suggestion to consider work outside of the home as this is often the only way to significantly boost income.
You mentioned working at a gym: a good friend of mine works at the YMCA in the childcare area and loves it. That would be a fun way to make some extra money, hang out with your kids and get a reduced Y membership at the same time!
Sabrina says
Just thought I’d chime in here, she never said she didn’t have a job outside the home, she is looking for an additional $1,000/month increase. That means there is money coming in from somewhere :0)
Dana @ Budget Dietitian says
I agree that this can be a great option. I work outside of the home for two days per week. It works great for our family.
To echo Megan’s comment, a friend of mine who works in the YMCA childcare center gets to bring in her kids with her! The shifts are short and she still gets to spend time with her kids.
Another good option is to waitress at night or on the weekends. If you choose the right resturant, it can be very profitable. You can work while your husband is home with the kids. I did this for many years to put myself through school.
Heather says
I totally agree with your comment, Susan! So many stay-at-home-moms bemoan the fact that they don’t have enough money but when someone suggests they get a job outside the home, they immediately say “I can’t afford child care” without looking into the options available. Working at the Y (or someplace else with discounted child care rates) sounds like a great option. Some child care centers offer discounted child care to their own workers, too. (And the bonus there is that you can work in the same building as your child.) Or, there’s the option of having family/friends watch your children for less than what professional child care providers would charge.
Lea Stormhammer says
What about teaching aerobics classes or swimming classes or things like that if you don’t like doing the childcare part?
Usually there’s an initial cost for certification, CPR, etc. (mine ran about $1200 total). I will make roughly $900/mo before taxes teaching 3 classes a week. I know a mom who teaches 2 classes a week for a different gym/class system and makes more than double that – and she gets to use the childcare at the center for free!
Plus, you are “forced” to stay active yourself – additional perk that certainly can be appreciated!
Hope that’s helpful!
Lea
Becky says
I work outside of the home 40 hrs a week. Mon-Fri 8-5 and I need about $1000 more a month cause we have too many bills.. Really have enjoyed reading all the comments but so many of my friends/ people i know are in the same boat and can’t afford someone to clean their house and keep there kid.. Everytime I have tried one of the survey things I answer 1/2 the questions for them to tell me their are no survey’s left.. Again, I work 40 hrs a week so I don’t have time for that.. Encountered so much spam on craigslist my husband is completely against it and recently sold something on ebay for the buyer to reverse their credit card charges and me to have to pay the $$ back.. Even though my ad said “no refunds”.. Some days it just seems like we can’t get caught up must less ahead no matter how hard we try
The Prudent Homemaker says
Becky,
I really hope you can find something that works for you. I understand your struggle; we struggle here too.
paula says
Becky
There is a website called http://www.thesimpledollar.com/
that I’ve found very helpful in many ways. I suggest subscribing (free) and writing to him with your particular bills/income/issues and asking him how to structure your income and outgo.
Hope that helps.
joy says
What about waitressing!? My mother used to put us on the bus for school, walk to a nearby restaurant, work from 10-2, walk back, and get us off the bus. She was able to pay for our Christian school (two kids K-5th) that way!
Lisa says
Start your own small business using the skills you already have. If you work hard and quickly your good reputation will help you build a client base. Can you contract out to businesses or organizations to provide desktop publishing services? Can you do accounting? Could you write grants for non-profit organizations? I liked the idea of sewing and repairs. What about auto-detailing or dog grooming? There is so much you could do from home if you have a decent computer/appropriate tools and organizational skills. Be blessed.
Rachael says
You could do editing and transcription work from home. You can make about $20/hour or $2/page. It requires some concentration, so it might work while your children are napping. Also considering taking a part time job on the weekends. If you work a retail job, you may get a small discount on the merchandise, as well.
stacie says
Rachael,
Can you share more info on how to find editing / transcription work from home?
Crystal says
I’m not Rachel, but I thought this post might be helpful:
https://moneysavingmom.com/2011/04/how-to-work-from-home-as-a-transcriptionist.html
Dawn says
Have you heard of Amazon Turk? Also known as Mturk:
https://www.mturk.com/mturk/welcome
You have to sign up as a “worker” and then select the HITs (human intelligence tasts) tab on the site to see what jobs are available. There are lots of transcription jobs that pay at varying rates. It’s my favorite site for earning a few extra dollars. It won’t bring in $1000 a month but you could easily bring in an extra $100 or more a month if you are consistent and complete lots of tasks (not just transcription). Each HIT has a description.
You can make a deposit directly into your bank account after you earn $10 (which you can easily do in just a day or two) or you can transfer your earnings to your Amazon account. Pay is very quick, usually within one day you will have money available in your mTurk account for you to transfer to where ever you want to put it (bank or Amazon).
Rachael says
I just finished writing my dissertation and it was really hard finding an editor, particularly when my editor ended up in the hospital during the final stages. I would call or email departments at local universities, particularly those with graduate programs and offer your services. You could also give your business card to the department secretaries or to advisors who work with graduate students. Very few people in my department seemed to have names of people who do this type of work, and it seemed to be a real need.
jennyandcompany says
I understand the spot you are in! There really is nothing left to cut back, as we know very well how to go into what I call “survival mode”, but sometimes you really do just need more coming in.
I agree with the pp’s that have suggested direct sales. It is an awesome way to make extra money on your own time. I sell Premier Designs jewelry (www.premierdesigns.com). Working one home show per week will easily bring in an extra $1000 per month or more.
MK says
On the cell phone note, I suggest Tracfone, especially if you hardly use it. They have good coverage, you only buy minutes when you need them, they last a long time, and they are the cheapest service I have found (and believe me, I’ve looked into the various prepaid services). I get their minutes for about $0.10 per minute (Texts are 0.30 minutes, or about $0.03) with the doubling card. Here’s the website if you’d like more info: http://www.tracfone.com/
Dawn says
I went with Page Plus Cellular.
http://www.pagepluscellular.com/
They have NO monthly fee (well, 50 cents maintenance fee) and their $50 phone cards are good for 4 months and give you 1000 minutes. That’s only 5 cents a minute. Texts are 8 cents per minute and picture texts are 25 cents. I don’t like the prepaid phones that charge you $20 or $30 a month. The $50 phone card lasts me about 3 months. I only pay for the minutes I use and I never have to worry about overage! As a bonus, page plus cellular uses the Verizon network so I get great coverage and no dropped calls.
Camille says
I agree! We have two Tracfones. I think we might pay $6/month total. SInce I am home all the time and hubby is at work, there really was no need for dedicated cell phones.
Marnie says
We’ve used Tracfone for at least four years-we’ve literally had no problems. Works out to be under $9.oo a month per phone. It’s also a great way to teach teens to use a cell phone responsibly. Our teen boys each have one and we buy a year’s worth of minutes to be used for emergencies and if they need us to pick them up, etc. If they go over the limit in a year by texting too much, they have to buy their own minutes to replenish. They’ve learned to budget their time this way. Yes, they hate them, and they aren’t the “cool” phones that everyone else has, but it is what we can afford.
Sharon says
We love Tracfone. We’ve used them for at least twelve years. My old Nokia phone that I’d used for years finally died so I had to upgrade. They have a touchscreen phone now that’s really neat. Not as many bells and whistles as an iPhone but good enough for me and a major upgrade from my old Tracfone. 🙂
flutemom says
i’ve used tracfone for about 5 years now. i buy one year’s worth of minutes at a time (i try to wait for bonus minutes available). i use my phone only for emergencies, so one year ($100) is enough. if you renew before the year/minutes run out, you can roll them over. my husband and two daughters have t-mobile and they get more minutes for the same amount of money, but i wouldn’t use that many minutes in a year, so it wouldn’t pay me to switch.
joy says
My family lives in the NE and we use Virgin Mobile. We LOVE them. We put $20 on a phone every three months; if we don’t use those minutes they roll over. My sister also has their Optimus phone and pays $25 a month for talk/text/web. We travel around quite a bit, and I’ve never had a problem on the whole east coast (from Maine to Florida!), in IL, or TX. Can’t beat that!
paula says
regarding tracfone: I’ve used tracfone for many years and they’ve never ‘dropped’ a call (I’m in NY and I call MD,VA and AZ all the time)
Here are 2 ways to keep your service as cheap as possible:
– Buy the ‘double minutes for life’ card.
– ALWAYS use a coupon code. You can easily find one online by googling ‘tracfone coupon code’.
Buy as many minutes as you can afford to take advantage of the coupon code and double minutes. I usually buy a 120 minute card (29.99). With double minutes that gets me 240 minutes and a coupon code is usually for 40-60 minutes extra.
I try to use my tracfone only for short calls.
I use Vonage (vonage.com) for all my other calls – its computer/online based but is my ‘landline’. As long as service doesn’t go out (which it doesn’t) I have continuous service. IF you live in an area that has frequent storms/power outages/bad internet service this may not be for you.
Dineen says
paula — We use Vonage as our landline as well as tracfone like you. During this season of heavy weather, we frequently shut down the power to our computer and internet because our apartment building is prone to power spikes. So that we don’t miss a call, we’ve set up our Vonage to automatically redirect phone calls to the cell phone. It’s an included service and very easily done from your “dashboard” at the Vonage site. No missed calls even with power outages even WITH Vonage.
Annie says
getting a 2nd job. find other mothers and fathers to watch ur kids, and you watch theirs. while u have to work. Doing surveys, swagbuck, sweeps,
ebay is good, but u also have seller fees, so sell never used stuff at local 2nd hand stores. yard work, house cleaning, dog walking, watching others’ dogs at a lower rate than boarding. but u have to think about insurance ( or have their owners sign something, just incase ) if you have to shop, go online like amazon.com for free shipping alot of times, they are cheaper. also ebates, if u have to shop for something why not get back some money. ( i’ve already gotten back about 200$ from ebates)
Sabrina says
I thought I posted a comment, but it got lost in cyberspace :0) Here are some ways to save/earn money:
De-clutter with a vengence, and sell on craigslist.
Surveys: I use Opinion Outpost to take surveys. I redeem my points for amazon gift cards to buy toiletries.
Swagbucks: I get at least 15 points a day, and redeem at 450pts for amazon gift cards, to buy toiletries (mostly diapers).
Go green: I stopped buying paper towels, and when baby wipes aren’t cheap or free, I make my own using t-shirts I’m planning on throwing out. I also mostly use vinegar for cleaning, make my own baby food, make my own face wash, and I try to use baking soda to clean my hair (unless I get shampoo for free).
Meal plan: I haven’t actually sat down to meal plan on paper, but twice a week I have a “clean out the fridge” meal, to make sure I do not have to toss out food at the end of the week. It’s amazing how much money is saved, by eating leftovers!
Use your skills: we are pressed for cash every month, since a few months after I quit my job, my husband’s hours starting going down..and he got a different payscale. I have marketed my husband’s skills, and we have sold 3 child sized picnic tables, he has re-upholstered some chairs and stools, has a job fixing some sleeping bags, and a job fixing a rocking chair. If I could sew, I would offer clothing repair. But, I am more of a hot glue kind a person.
These may not give you the $1,000 a month, but every little bit helps!
Christine says
If you do not mind me asking, how much do you sell your child picnic tables for? I have seen them online for between $200 – $400. Thanks!
Sabrina says
Right now, $60! Now that you say that, maybe I should raise the prices! Actually, we wanted to keep them affordable, and make just a little extra cash. We sell them sanded, stained and sealed, with umbrellas.
Rae says
I think that if you upped it to $100, they would still be affordable for what they people are getting (a hand made table that is finished AND includes an umbrella) as long as they are good quality. I have never seen anything like that less than a couple hundred dollars so you wouldn’t be ripping people off. I’ve seen unfinished hand made ones for around $100-$150 but since yours are stained, finished and include the umbrella yours would still be a good deal 🙂
angie says
Do you live near KC? We need some chairs reuplostered, but the places I see make us buy fabric from THEM which is very expensive. 🙂
christy says
One way would be to sign up @ http://tinyurl.com/USM-eagles I make $20-$40 there a month with no active referrals BUT the people who work at getting referrals make easily $500-$1000. Check out their forum for really great and helpful tips. 🙂
You could start couponing (if you don’t already) to bring down your grocery bill.
Some people Ebay using drop shippers but I have yet to find any good info on that.
If you live in an area that allows regular yard sales, you could have people donate their unwanted items to you rather than throwing them away… sell it for them for a fee.
Nancy says
How about pet sitting or dog walking? I also like Heidi’s idea of cleaning house – I clean my own, but tons of my friends have people come in to clean theirs and they are always looking.
Even yardwork for someone else if you enjoy that.
Lora K. says
My husband just released his e-book on this topic if anyone is interested. http://www.petsittingdollars.com/
Julie says
The petsitting is a great idea. When we had dogs, we would take them to a family to keep for us when we needed to go out of town to visit our family. It cost less than a kennel for us, our pets were with in great hands and the host family made some fairly easy extra money.
Kristina says
Pet sitting is also a great idea. We charged, my 12 year olds business, $20 a day. I would say that the only down side was the driving to each home and 2 to 3 times a day.
I think I would now consider having them in my home. Where we live gas prices are at $4.35 a gallon. Yuk!
KMP
Leah Buchman says
I own my own business, much like Amazon.com but I get paid instead of them getting paid. I am working on earning a residual income for my family so we can quit living paycheck to paycheck, my goal is to get my husband home from work so we can raise our children together.
Megan says
What a great goal! My husband and I have always said that if we have children we want to be “co-parents” and have chosen careers that will allow us to to meet that goal (in other words, we will both work part-time or condensed hours (i.e. 4 10-hr shifts/week).
Leah Buchman says
It is a great goal, the work I put into in the beginning is going to be so worth it in the end! If anyone wants information about this please email me at [email protected]
A says
I “second the motion” of offering childcare. Registered and licensed providers in our area earn about $175 per week, per child. Infant care is even MORE expensive. I realize you’d have more expenses, perhaps (if you provided snacks and the like), but two children would easily get you to the $1000 mark. One of my dearest aunties has run a home day-care for years, to the tune of about $28K per year. It certainly isn’t the easiest work in the world, but I think it is a sensible way for hard work to = more income.
Also, do you have a realtor friend with foreclosure-time properties that need cleaning? A friend who would like housecleaning? Any local churches needing cleaning and/or nursery care for tots?
Julie says
If you’re not able to offer something like in-home day care during the day, why not consider babysitting in the evening. All those parents who have date nights need someone to watch the kids.
I’ve never used a babysitter. I don’t know what the going rates are, and I’m sure they vary from one region to another. Last Sunday at church I was talking with someone who said her teenage daughter earned $60 babysitting the night before.
Jessica says
I live in the midwest and earn $10/hr babysitting two kids. Often these are date nights, so the kids go to bed within 3 hours of me getting there. I pull in $40-120 a shot, but it’s not regular work. It’s typically summer work as well, but it’s cash. That’s a big plus, as I don’t have to hit the atm instead.
Jessica says
also, sometimes I’ve found I make different rates depending on what the parents are doing. If they are working I’d make more than if it was a night out or a personal event. But there was a summer where I consistently sat 3 hours a week day because the parents worked opposite shifts, Mom worked first shift, dad second, so there were only 3 hours the kids weren’t with a parent. This allowed me to have a part time job.
The Prudent Homemaker says
How do you let people know that you are babysitting for date nights? Do you ever have them come to your house?
Beth says
My sister adertises at church on a bulletin board for date night baby sitting. She has also hung tear off signs at the YMCA. They live in a small community. She always babysits in their home.
Jessica says
Most of my sitting has been word of mouth, even house sitting.
I usually go to their house. I don’t have any kids of my own at this time, and all of the children’s items are there; think snacks, toys, medication, pjs, toothbrush, and bed. so it’s a plus for them that they won’t have to put their kid to bed a second time, and they feel comfortable staying out later because they know their children are comfortable.
I usually bring something I can work on once the kids are in bed, even sometimes my laptop, and request their wifi password
jodes says
I’ve made up to 20 dollars an hour babysitting. But I live in a big city. Generally I made about 15 dollars an hour. Once people at church found out I was willing to babysit, I had more babysitting gigs than I knew what to do with.
Samantha says
Putting your resume up on sittercity.com is also a great way of letting people know that you are available for date night babysitting. I know I have recieved alot of jobs off of the website and the parents are more comfortable than just using craigslist because sittercity does a background check on all caregivers. The parents pay for this service but it is free for caregivers.
Emily Kay says
If I understand this correctly, she’s asking how to INCREASE her income, not decrease expenses. I tend to think that may be where the problem lies…if you feel you NEED more money to live on, you may never have enough…
Honestly, $1K a month for online work-at-home opportunities would be really hard to do. Unless you have a skill set that others lack or you’re really good at advertising and can open an Etsy shop and sell a unique item.
If it’s a serious money issue and you’re already “cutting costs”, I’d cut costs where it might hurt….no cable, go to pre-paid cell phones, sell any cars you owe money on, no paid subscriptions, change to a one-car household, etc. It can be done but many are not willing to make the sacrifices.
Andrea Q says
It’s really difficult to make $1,000 per month selling handmade items on Etsy. There’s a lot of competition. It would be easier to get a real job.
The Prudent Homemaker says
Some people have no cell phones, one car, haven’t had cable for 4 years, stay home 6 days a week, don’t buy any clothing, etc. I know plenty of people who work the same job, but had to take a 70% DECREASE in pay just to keep their existing jobs.
We do all of those things; we’ve done them for many years. We do lots more, too (no pets, we don’t buy food most of the time, we hand make all gifts from what we have on hand, like old sheets, etc.). We’re now making 95% less than before, and frankly, we DO need an increase in income. I can feed my family of 8 for .50. Still, we need to pay the utitlities and the mortgage.
Perhaps she really does need more, and geting another car and leaving children in daycare would make getting a job out of the house impossible.
I think a lot of people are in her situation. I know many who are.
Crystal says
Agreed. I know many who are, as well. Some people have cut everything they possibly can and still have a big deficit. 🙁
Crystal says
By the way, I still think you should consider the blogging idea. 🙂
The Prudent Homemaker says
I’m trying to find the time! Right now I am canning, trying to make and mend much needed-clothing for my family, etc.
However, I think about ways to make money and increase my readership every day.
If I took a survey of my readers, I think a lot of them would like a blog on my site. My host provider recently changed some things to make wordpress compatible with my site. I’ll have to check it out.
Would you subscribe if I did? 🙂
Crystal says
Yay, I think you should totally make time for it — even just 30 minutes a day could really pay off.
Camille says
You could blog about this very subject! How you increased your income by $1K/mo (or how you tried)! I’m guessing you would have a pretty quick audience! I know Crystal recommends WordPress (it is much better) but they charge for every little thing. I’d start with Blogger for that reason.
Ashlea says
I agree. Prudent Homemaker, you are one of my faves. It’s like looking at Victoria magazine to visit your site. Blog, please!
Making My Own Luck says
Just wanted to add another voice of agreement! Visiting your site is like taking a vaction for me. It’s so lovely!
Sarah A. says
From another future Prudent Homemaker subscriber! Please blog!
Allison Hartley says
I would subscribe Brandy! I keep checking your “what’s new” tab every couple of days hoping you have added something new! I try to go through your Amazon site (when I actually buy something online!) but would love for you to have a blog! You have helped me through my husband’s decrease in income in so many ways!
The Prudent Homemaker says
A big thanks to everyone! Thanks for being so encouraging.
Ashlea, that is the absolute highest compliment you could ever give me.
My husband and I talked it over this morning, and we took it to the Lord. It’s not the right time for me to blog right now, but I will continue to add to my site (I have several exciting things planned in the near future). If anyone knows how to add an RSS feed to my what’s new page, I would love to add one!
The Prudent Homemaker says
Also, Crystal, I’d be happy to keep guest posting for you 🙂
Crystal says
And I’d love that!
Do you have an email newsletter? That would definitely be a way to build your readership and also do some with affiliates or ads for companies you love (such as companies you buy in bulk from). You could send it out once a week or every other week to let people know about what’s new on your site and include a recent article or two, links you love, etc.
flutemom says
agreed, also! there is only so much one can cut from expenses…. our mortgage on our 4 br house is less than most people around here would pay to rent a 1 br apartment. we don’t have cable, never have. we have the most inexpensive dsl internet that is available. our landline phone bill is just under $20/month (that’s as low as it can go for our company). our trash pickup service is the lowest available in our area (of about 13 companies from which we can choose, and half the price of what the most expensive company charges!). we generally don’t go out to eat- a family of 5, with 4 of them being adult rate is not cheap. if we do go out it’s when a local restaurant offers their smorgasbord breakfast for $5 a piece. the last time we ordered pizza was…. i can’t even remember, sometime last year at least! my grocery budget is $325/month, including cat food, paper supplies (used sparingly), cleaning supplies (very minimal!), extra food for canning/freezing, health & beauty, etc. our electric usage is very low compared to most (my a/c runs only on humid days to take the humidity out of the air, we keep the temp set at 80). we pay most bills online, so we don’t have to buy stamps and checks. we have no club memberships. this is our first real vacation in nearly 5 years (and it is only because we got a bigger tax refund because of college expenses for our daughter- she pays her own way for college, so we gave her back the portion of the refund that she helped us ‘earn’). i am not saying any of this to complain, only to agree with the others who recognize that life isn’t always easy. my husband has had a stable job for 29 years, but his income (even though he is commission-based) has gone down each year for the past 4 years, even though he is working harder and selling more (bottled water) than before, thanks to the way the company handles competition from other businesses.
my point in all of this is 1) God continues to provide for our daily needs, 2) we are continuing to revise our budget and cut corners even further, 3) we have not been able to build an emergency fund but neither have we gone into debt through all these years (and we need to keep our ‘wants’ in check, not allowing self-pity or entitlement to drive us to buying unnecessarily). grocery prices are still climbing, and as i say to my friend, it doesn’t matter if your income is 50,000 or 500,000, the food still has the same price tag. so to all the rest of you in this same boat, press on!!! be encouraged, God is faithful.
Jennifer says
I agree! Please blog!! 🙂
Annie says
I would subscribe to your blog!
Andrea Q says
Please blog, TPH!
Krissy says
Brandy, please blog!!! I visit your site often in hopes for new content!
Dara says
Please blog if you can! Love your site. Your posts about feeding your family on literally nothing were such an inspiration to me!
Amanda says
I would follow your blog! I’ve been following you on MSM comments for a long time 🙂
Katie says
To Prudent Homemaker
Yes – Blog. I love, love, love your site and use it all the time.
I would love to see more pictures of your garden!
The Prudent Homemaker says
Thanks! Would Facebook help? You’ve all been so encouraging that I’m over there trying to figure it out!
Alice says
Brandy- I go to your blog ALL THE TIME. I love when you have new stuff- but even when you don’t, I don’t ever get tired of looking at the pictures of your garden. Someday, I’ll have a yard like that. 🙂
I’ll eagerly await the day you start a blog. You’d have a huge following already, I bet. 🙂
Susan says
Just wanting to chime in here, Brandy, that if one day you decided to start a blog, I would be the first to sign up! I check your “What’s New” every day, and enjoy going back through your other posts all the time when I need inspiration. Remember, too, that you don’t need to blog daily … even once a week would keep the masses happy. This is a lot like Meredith (Like Merchant Ships) does. God’s Blessings on your lovely family, Susan
T says
I never see new posts on Like Merchant Ships. Where are they?
The Prudent Homemaker says
Come on over to facebook 🙂 I’m there now!
Kit says
THANK YOU!
There are a lot of suggestions of cutting more spending or “doing without” this or that, without taking into consideration that a lot of us already DO that. a lot of these suggestions also count on there being multiple incomes, like a spouse, and not all of us have a spouse.
And we can’t all afford to go back to school, or get another car, etc. etc.
Karen T. says
Money saving tactics are always discouraging to me, because we too already have only one car, my husband bicycles to work, we’ve never had cable or cell phones, we’re careful at the grocery store and with gas/electricity use, we don’t take vacations, etc. Fortunately, we know a lot of things to do as a family that don’t cost a lot of money! But cutting more out of our monthly budget just doesn’t seem possible. I know we’re not the only people in this situation.
Heidi says
I like Brandy’s advice. We did the same thing. Got rid of cable.. went to antenna only…saved $55 a month!
Shopped around for car and homeowners insurance and switched while increasing our deductibles… that saved alot of money…
I coupon as much as I can… we never eat out… That saves!
I also started housecleaning for 2 friends… I clean 1 day a week and make an extra $200 a month. If you do a great job, word spreads fast and you can make some cash quickly.
I also had a garage sale and made an easy $200.
Good luck to you!
Stephanie says
I sew for extra money. I can easily get overwhelmed with work, because once people find out you can sew they all want you to alter their pants, or fix a hem. Not to mention I make a lot of my kids clothes/diapers, so that saves us an expense.
Ann@StringerMama says
Depending on where you live, put an ad in the paper for a home assistant – There are always tons of older people who would pay to have you get groceries or run other errands for them and you can do it at the same time as your own errands. Housecleaning is another really good way to earn extra income and be on a flexible schedule with your family. These are somewhat work from home ideas that could help and not have to babysit kids! http://www.stringermama.com
The Prudent Homemaker says
My mom does this; she charges $20 an hour. She does this 2 days a week. Some people pay for someone to come in and get their hair cut, some have someone get groceries for them, some have you take them to doctor’s appointments/do a little housecleaning/help them balance their checkbook/pay bills. In addition, there are other blessings from this; they share things with her that they no longer need, or they’ll buy extra food and share it with her, etc.
Jen says
I started doing this, but I work through a company. I don’t make close to $20/hour though! We homeschool (but my kids are old enough to stay home on their own for a few hours), so the amount of hours I can take is very limited, but I do love what I do. Helping the elderly stay in their homes for as long as they can is very rewarding. I don’t make $1000 a month, but I also can pick and choose the days I work – I typically just fill in for others. I’ve paid for my kids’ summer camps with my earnings – something they wouldn’t have been able to do otherwise. I’ll start saving for winter swim team next, and then Christmas.
Nicole says
What company are you using to help the elderly get around town? I would love to do something like that.
Lee says
I do this too and I love it – My MIL just started talking to people at church while my kiddo was tiny and found someone who needed some help at home. – Ms. Evelyn has since passed, but through all of her good comments to her friends I have found more ladies from her sunday school class that need just a little bit of extra help – a lot of them can’t drive, so they need someone who is willing to run around town with them. My nearly 3 yr old and I go and pick them up and run errands. It works great for us!
Amanda says
I think this is a really great idea! My husband just upped his income, and I’ve been wanting to leave my job & be home with my kids and I think this could be a great way to make the transition. 🙂
Kris says
I have watched my Mom do these things for my Gramma who lives in an assisted living facility and the need is great. Some need help with errands, basic laundry, changing sheets, light cooking to prepare reheatable meals, etc. I know many of her neighbors would have loved to have had assistance. In addition to the every day living assistance you would be blessing them by just spending time with them and giving them someone to talk to and look forward to seeing. The hours can be as plentiful and flexible as you like as they need assistance morning and night, seven days a week.
Good Luck!!
Janet says
If none of the above work for you look to go back to school and try for an accounting degree.
christine says
Janet,
Getting a degree dosn’t mean you will get a job to get the extra $1000 a month. Also most would have to get a student loan to get the degree and then you after you gratuate you have a loan to pay off with or with out a job. It is a very hard call if you are single it is easier to go to school and if you are married with children it gets more complacted. I am not saying going to school can’t be done just weigh out all the pro and con’s.
Nicole says
I second that! I have degree, and then right after I graduated and moved to an area where I have no connections at all! I took the only job I could find, and I make less in a year than what I owe in student loans. I was at the top of my class and a leader in multiple organizations on campus. I had an impressive resume and still nothing! I encourage college, but only if you are going into a field where you know you can find a job, such as something medical!
Lee says
I agree I have a degree and my first son was born before I left school. I intended to work before he came, and then he has autism so it made it even more difficult. Then we added 2 more kids. Now I have 27,000 in student loans and no income. I think college has its place but I honestly wish i hadn’t gone…except meeting my husbadn part 😉 My husband has a degree and a an income, but my debt is keeping us from being able to purchase our first home!
Lea Stormhammer says
No matter what degree you get at college (accounting or engineering or whatever does not necessarily guarantee you a job!), use the University or College’s placement office! This is probably the best kept “secret” on campus and that frustrates me as a university faculty member.
The placement office helps with resumes, offers interview practice, and helps with job searches. Listings are nation-wide, so you can look wherever you’re moving to. Some are available for a low fee to community members also – some state universities offer portions of their services free since they are tax-funded (for example, listings are available free but resume polishing and interview practice might cost a fee).
Usually a job search should start roughly 10-12 months before graduation if you expect to have a job when or near the time of graduation. If you have already graduated, contact your alumni services office for your college or university. The placement office is usually available for your use free of charge for a certain amount of time (6mo to 2 years or even longer).
Also, we do live in a very competitive job market right now. A part-time job or an unpaid or low paid internship might be options, depending on your circumstances, if full-time jobs aren’t available in your field right now. One of my students took a 4 month unpaid internship with a company he was interested in and waited tables for living expenses. When an opening came up, they hired him without an additional job search because they knew he could do the job – saved the company money and gave him a definite edge!
It also pays to keep your options open. A recent grad I know, got a job in a local marketing office for Target after working there as a clerk during college. She would never have thought to work there, but they suggested she apply and she has a well paying, full time job at least to get her feet wet in the field. She really wants to work as an independent marketing consultant, but needs the experience to break into the field, so she was open.
Hope that’s helpful!
Lea
average guy says
I second the suggestion about college job placement office, EVEN IF YOU DIDN’T go to school there! One time I needed a job and walked over to a local college’s job placement office and they had part time jobs posted on the bulletin board outside the office. You didn’t need to be a student to read and contact the company. It worked for me.
Or if you need to be a student there, is there someone you know who is a student who can look at the listings for you? Etc.
Jennifer says
Janet,
Can you expand upon your thought process behind the accounting degree? I will be finishing mine soon and I just feel like I don’t know where to start. Thanks!
Raine says
If you are married with children, and don’t work outside the home, it is very likely that you could qualify for enough student aid grants or scholarships to not need a loan.
I’m not sure why accounting was specified, but we do have a lot of accountants in this areas who work out of their homes and make pretty good money. Most people just think of them around tax time, but there are lots of small business owners who must pay taxes quarterly and some who contract out bookkeeping, pay roll, and other financials to third parties. (When I was a full-time Realtor, I had a SAHM who was a CPA that handled all my taxes for me, and for several other agents and small business people). It would be something that could be done mostly, or totally, from home and you could take on new clients as you needed money but not so many that it was overwhelming.
Janet says
#1. Look at your housing what does it cost you (if it is possible look to live with like minded folks / if you have 6 income earners in one large home / you can all be minus money troubles) Rent don’t buy!
#2. Look at your transportation if you live with folks maybe you can share.
#3. The groceries you said your already doing
#4. Look at what you spend on gifts try to find ways to cut these cost .
Housing is number one!
Mrs. Undomestic says
The problem with cutting down on housing is the expense of moving! I found that if we wanted to move to a smaller place, we needed extra money for moving including deposit on an apartment (everyone I saw wanted first and last month’s rent up front) not to count the packing supplies, renting a truck (or giving friends gas money to use their trucks), etc. It added up to at least 3-4 months worth of current rent and not something we could afford right now.
Plus if you own a house with a mortgage, if you can’t sell right away, you could be stuck no matter what you do.
Michelle Krisik says
Not to mention getting utilities hooked up – most charge hefty hook-up fees!!
Tabitha says
We found apartment living extremely more expensive then the small house we owned. That, and we had no control over the water bill which was divided between the units! 🙁 I never paid so much for water then I did those few short months!
Sabrina says
I’m not sure what your work situation is, or how much time you have, but here are a few ways to save/earn:
Swagbucks-redeem your points for amazon gift cards, and use that for all toiletries. That’s what I do.
Surveys: I go to Opinion Outpost and take surveys, which gives you points that you can redeem for amazon gift cards, visa gift card, or a check mailed to you.
Declutter: Go through the house with a vegence, and sale anything you can part with! Craigslist is great if you don’t want to hassle with a garage sale.
Use your skills: Can you make anything that you can sell? Or if you are married, is there anything your husband can build? My husband does not have steady work, but he has great carpenter skills. I’ve started marketing him :0) He builds child sized picnic tables, and we sell them. We’ve sold 3 in a month. Not a ton of extra cash, but every little bit helps. And, if you can sew (I would do this, if I could sew, but I’m a hot glue gun kinda person), can you offer clothing repair to friends and family? A lady at my church just did this. And my husband was in furniture upholstry, and has gotten a few jobs doing that, too.
Go green: I stopped buying papertowels (not necessarily to go green, but to save money), I make my own baby wipes, and I use vinegar for most of my cleaning ($1.5o or so for a whole gallon).
This may not make/save you the $1,000, but it all ads up :0) Oh, and if you are facing income cuts, some utility companies offer a rate cut. You might want to check with them.
C says
Sabrina,
I LOVE the child sized picnic table ideas; do you mind sharing how much you sell them for? Do you just post it on Craigslist?
Thanks for the info. I have a son who would LOVE to make a little extra money and LOVES to makes stuff.
C
Sabrina says
We charge $60, and that is with an umbrella. If you have a harbor freight nearby, they have a sale until the 4th of July, $3.99 for huge beach umbrella.
The tables cost about $30 to build (my husband buys colored deck screws, weather proof stain/sealer) so the profit isn’t huge, but if you sell a lot, definitely worth it. And my husband loves doing it, because kids LOVE the tables! Right now, we just well on Craigslist. We are thinking about selling them at festivals too.
Grace @ www.gracesavings.blogspot.com says
I love Harbor Freight! They always have coupons in the sunday paper, and the little freebies that come with them (i.e. flashlights, gloves etc…) I use as stocking stuffers for Christmas. 🙂
Kate says
How would we find you on Craigslist? I would LOVE one of those for my daughter, I was looking at a little plastic one, they run around $50.
Robin M says
I have a SIL that sews repairs, etc. for people. She only charges $2 to $5, depending on what it is. It’s not much, but to her, $2 is $2. She saves a lot, and the way she sees it, she would otherwise just be sitting there twiddling her thumbs. She relies on God to bring her that next customer, and is careful with whatever money she gets from her work.
Sally says
Sometimes you can increase your income by decreasing your outgo. Another words – downsize! Try to cut where you can and make temporary lifestyle changes. No going to restuarants unless you work there. Your vacation is now a staycation. Sell the expensive car and downsize to a paid for used car. Downsize the big house to a smaller one with smaller payments or lower rent on an apartment. Cut the cable and use Hulu or Netflix. Cut the landline and just use the cell phone. It doesn’t have to be forever….just until you are back to where you need to be.
Andrea says
I’d like some ideas too!
Single Mom Saving Money says
Blogging has been a great way for me to supplement my income. I never would have thought that something that I love could turn into a mini-part time job. It takes a lot of hard-work and dedication, but it is all worth it in the end. Of course, you do not start out making lots of money in the beginning but it will start to pay off after a while.
Christine says
What kind of money can you make by blogging? How many hours do you have to put into it daily? I know that is a hard question to answer, but is there any ballpark guesses? Thanks!
Grace @ www.gracesavings.blogspot.com says
Hi Christine,
I too have a blog, I usually devote 4-6 hours a day (usually posting deals or researching information). You can make money, but when you first start out it’s more like “mad money” rather than serious income. It all depends on how much time you devote and what content you are posting. I figure anything worth having is worth giving attention to, so if you have a real desire and a knack for sharing great ideas, then perhaps a blog is something you may enjoy.
Lisa says
How exactly do you make money with a blog, I am very interested. I know you have to build up a reader base and then what?
Thank you.
Grace @ www.gracesavings.blogspot.com says
You can make money by using Google Adsense & becoming apart of the Google Affiliate Network, basically you are allowing companies to advertise on your blog. When you start a blog, there is a part in the setup process that allows you to set up a Google Adsense account, it’s relatively easy. In addition to Google, I advertise on Facebook to my friends and ask them to re-post so that their other friends can also view my blog. It has worked out quite well, the more traffic, the more potential for those readers to click on your advertisements, thus making more potential income.
Bridget Hopper says
I started a blog about earning money:
http://makesomemoolahnow.blogspot.com/
Hope it helps you guys!
Sam says
I’m not sure if you’re looking to further economize, but I’ve gotten rid of my cable television, which saves $45 a month. My tv has internet capabilities, so I can watch free internet television and basic channels instead.
Also, rather than going on a contract cell phone, I use a prepaid one, such as virgin mobile, or boost mobile. We have four cell phones in the family and since we don’t use them much, it costs less than $80 for three months of cell phone service (even less because minutes roll over!).
Kira Connelly says
Pamela,
I needed to do just that about 2 years ago, and I started selling Scentsy. It is one of the fastest growing direct selling companies! I bring in an extra $600 a month and only work 2-3 days a week doing it. If you have any questions about the company, please feel free to email me!
Kira
Debi says
Clean out the house and sell your items on craigslist. Craigslist is free to use and is a great way to declutter and make money all at the same time. I know eventually the house will be empty, but it’s a great way to get started and then combine with Jen’s advice above. Babysitting is probaby your best bet for making anywhere close to $1000. I do a lot of little things, but those don’t add up to more than a few hundred, like taking surveys, mystery shopping(www.marketforce.com), printing out coupons, mypoints, vocalpoint, shespeaks, and houseparty to get free items and discounts. I know it can be done…let us know how you accomplish it!! Blessings!!
CHRISTINE says
How do you like marketforce. I looked into it but was very nervous about giving out my SS#. I signed up without it but I can not view the job descriptions without the SS#
misty wettergren says
I work with Market Force and many other shopping sites 🙂 You could easily earn 1000 dollars a month if you have the time. Most take one month to pay you, but once you have the ball rolling money trickles in continuously. I’ve never had any issues with any of them. The work is easy and the money is decent.
Nicole says
Hi Christine! I have been doing marketforce for about 4 months now and I love it! My husband even got on board! They are wonderful. I researched them a lot before giving my SS number. In the end, I gave it, and have been doing well since! It is easy to search for jobs in your area, and you pick and choose what you want/are able to do. My husband works full time and I am at home with our children. We have made, together, anywhere from $100-$170 a month. I did an easy audit at a local Sears store and made $30 for it! They do call you to ask you to take local shops that need to be done soon, but they up the fee for them usually. So, a shop that starts at $8, if no one accepts it, they might call you to see if you can do it for $18 or $20. Also, we set up direct deposit into our checking acct, and they are always on time and the correct amount is deposited every month! I say go for it! Hope this helps!
Debi says
Christine, I’ve been working for them for about 3 years and I love it. I agree with what the others have said about Marketforce. I haven’t had any problems with sharing my SS# with them. I don’t normally do more than 2-4 shops per week. It’s easy money and free food, so my hubby gets excited about that!! LOL! I also work for Trendsource, although I am not able to get as many jobs through them as I do Marketforce, but it is also a trustworthy legitimate company.
Rachel says
Although I have not worked with marketforce, I wanted to pipe in on why they are requesting your SSN.
Since you would be receiving payment for services rendered, they would probably classify you as a contract worker. Because of this, they would be required by law to send you a 1099 with a summary of amount paid. This would then be used on your personal income tax return to pay taxes on that earned income.
Hope that helps!
Julie Huey says
Same in California
Julie Huey says
Sorry, meant to post on above post…can’t delete now.
Carol says
I have done Marketforce also. The jobs are spotty where I am but you can make some easy money.
Kelly says
Tutoring or childcare would probably be your best bets. Just keep in mind any relevant state/local/neighborhood laws in relation to 1) running a business out of your home and 2) legal obligations of keeping children in your home. The number & ages of the children will make a difference, but licensing, insurance, taxes, all needs to be considered. That being said, it’s probably the easiest way to go if you really want to work from home.
The Prudent Homemaker says
Some states won’t let you do childcare if your children alone are over the alloted number for childcare. My sister-in-law ran into this problem.
Amanda says
That state may be a bit.. OLD SCHOOL… but i know that in Wisconsin and in Illinois that isnt the case.. ITS 5 kids per adult NOT including your own.. and at $3.50 an hour for the 1st kid and like $1 more or $2 for the next x amount of kids (if its a family of course).. helps.. 🙂
Julie says
Actually, it is a rather new thing to make the law so that it is hard to watch kids.
Where I live, if it is babysitting, it doesn’t matter. If you try to make it a licensed in-home daycare only 2 kids, including any of your own. It used to be 2 kids, besides your own. They only recently changed the law.
Robin M says
Even if you only watch one or two kids, you are coming out ahead and not putting your current lifestyle into shock. In my experience, not only did I make money, but I SAVED money b/c I was home more. Parents are willing to pay a little more if it’s part time, with weird hours, since Daycares won’t do this, and those that do charge for a full-timer. Infants “earn” more, too. And they smell so sweet!
catherine says
You DO have to include your own children in Illinois!
Julie Huey says
Same with California.
Anitra says
Massachusetts too. (Not sure what the limits are, but my friends who run licensed in-home daycares always have to be careful about how many kids they have in the house at any time.)
BRANDY says
I am not sure what you can do to make more money except SAVE some. I have saved our household ton this year allowing me to stay at home Here is what we did.
We cut off our cable TV. That alone saved us $90/month.
We only use cell phones so if you have a land line I would suggest ditching it. I called my cell provider and asked how we could save money they recommended a plan that saved us $30/month.
The next thing I did was call our auto insurance carrier and I upped o deductible and took off rental car coverage and all the little extras that they charge ALOT for and I saved us a little over $100/month **If your scared about having to pay your higher deductible after an accident you can put up this $100/month savings and then you will have it if needed.
Then I had the GREAT idea to do this on our homeowners insurance as well. So I moved our deductibles from $500 to $1000 and I also got a BIG discount for moving our car insurance to the carrier that we had our house through and this saved us $137.00 a month.
Then I changed our medical insurance by just a little bit…I believe we lost 2 office copays of $35 each and we saved $112.00/Month
That does not equal up to $1000.00 but there are always ways to save a little more $. Hope this helps.
Camille says
I would be careful with cancelling the rental car coverage. Check the price — ours is $12/year to have it on. My sister did not have it and had to rent a car for 2 weeks at the last minute costing her $900!
Jody says
We realized that we had double this coverage because we have AAA. We travel and so AAA has come in handy. When we started looking over our policy, we cut it out too. We don’t need it from 2 different places.
Anne Marie @ Married to the Empire says
Agreed. When we first married, I switched my car insurance to my husband’s, not knowing that he didn’t have rental-car coverage. I was in a horrible wreck, and my car spent 2 months in the shop. I was without a car for that entire time. Unfortunately, our other car at the time was a truck with a stick shift, which I don’t know how to drive. It was a very trying time for us, as my husband had to drive me everywhere, and I had to wait for him to get home from work. Rental-car coverage is 100% worth the cost.
Princess says
Definitely shut off the cable and home phone!! These are total money suckers! We shut off our cable and most of the shows we watch are available online at hulu.com or the network sites! You could invest in an adapter (around $20) for your laptop (assuming you have one), and connect it to your television and watch what you want for free on your tv! It has saved us hundreds of dollars!! We cringed when we first had to do it but its not that bad living without it- it has actually allowed our family to spend more time together and give the kids something to actually “do” than sit in front of the boob toob! lol Good luck!!
Grace says
i work for alpineaccess.com a few hrs aweek as a call center representative to various companies so a landline is required. Also if you need landline/cable/internet bundling might be cheaper. To cut the cable and just keep landline/internet (required for my job) we would actually end up paying 15.00 a month more!
Karen says
Grace, If you happen to know them, could you share what the hours & wages are like? Thanks, Karen
Grace says
sure the company is based to pretty much show big name companies how its cheaper to employ home based call centers than brick and mortar ones but also keep customer satisfaction higher than outsourcing overseas. I work on weekends it is schedule based and they are flexible but not like selling avon or whatever 🙂 the pay is based on the job like the company i work for is 8.00 an hr pt but they have ft alos and some jobs pay more. they have fantastic perks like a 401k matched 100% but for landline internet and cable i pay 93.00/month without cable im gonna pay 110.00!
beingjennifer says
Dang! Why is it so much? Ours is about $52 for just local landline and DSL.
Nicole says
You could offer tutoring services. Brush up on your Algebra, Geometry, Writing skills, etc., then offer your services to local private schools.
Or, you could check with friends and family to see if they know of anyone who may need tutoring, and offer discounts to people who refer you to new clients.
I charge $20 an hour, which (in So Cal) is fairly reasonable. If you spent about 12.5 hours per week doing that. you would have your extra $1,000.
Lisa says
If the idea of having extra kids ALL DAY LONG is a little bit daunting, you could try doing after school care. That way you can run errands in the morning without having a boat load of kids. Also, they will usually be a little older and more independent.
Kristina says
That’s what I currently do. I call it an “enrichment” program because we do educational activities. You charge more also because you are probably offering more then some childcare providers. I used the school districts after school care rates as my guide.
Jen @ www.yardsalemommy.blogspot.com says
You could try buying things at yard sales and reselling them for $! You could definitely hit your $1000 goal! Good luck!
http://www.yardsalemommy.blogspot.com
Lindsey says
One way to resell the items would be to set up a booth at a resale/consignment shop. Many times you can rent a space for a flat fee (plus a small commission on your sales). I have a booth at a resale shop and it definitely helps with our budget. Try to buy things cheap, home decor items and furniture sell well. Price them AT LEAST three times what you paid and see what happens.
Coupon Queen says
Watch a child or 2 in your home. Easy way to pick up extra money. There are always people who do not want to use daycare.
Megan says
To add onto this: you might consider teaming up with other stay at home moms or dads who want to earn extra money. You could work together to start a baby-sitting rotation so that you can work outside of the home. I mention this in case childcare availability/costs are your barrier to working outside of the home.
Jason says
Before doing this, CHECK your state laws on childcare!! Where my wife and I used to live, you could only have up to 4 or 5 kids I think before you were considered a daycare, and you had to be a licensed business and all that. It’s the type of thing that if you had 6 kids, you probably wouldn’t be reported to DSS, but if you were, you could get in big trouble.
Alex says
I use survey spot-suggested by moneysavingmom.com – After doing surveys you can redeem your points for $10 to your paypal account, and then I put it right into savings. It is not much and definitely not the $1,000 🙁 but it is helpful to me. I make an effort to complete one survey a day to make sure I am earning points steadily.
Crystal says
I’m so glad it’s working for you!
Beth says
I’m glad, too, because I actually had a really bad experience with them. Although I got tons of surveys really quickly, they cancelled my account (for no known reason) and all that time was wasted. 🙁 The worst thing was, no one would talk to me about it in their customer service department, I was so discouraged. 🙁 I just wanted an explanation. I HAVE had really really great experience with Opinion Outpost, however!
Risi says
I like SocialSci.com. I get to be useful to science and it pays fairly decently.
Ashley says
This is how I plan on paying for Christmas every year. With amazon.com gift cards!
Grace @ www.gracesavings.blogspot.com says
Wonderful idea indeed, I will be doing the same! Thank goodness for Swagbucks!!!
Patty says
I signed up for survey answering and after answering hundreds of questions and wasting about a week, I quit. Without exception, every survey either led to another survey I had to answer, or half-way through I was informed I didn’t meet the requirements for that particular survey and was booted out. Which of these survey sites are legit?
Katrina @ The Interrupting Cow says
I use Fiverr.com to make money from home. Check it out, there is a huge variety of things people do on there for $5 (the website keeps one so you get $4) but it can add up fast. Probably not $1000 worth, but its a start! I also have written some articles on eHow a few years ago and make some royalties off of those. They really weren’t that great even and I wrote them a few years ago and still make money off of them so thats nice. I don’t think eHow does their contributor program like they used to, but there are tons of sites that you can write articles for as a freelance writer if that’s something you are any good at. And its nice because you do the work and keep benefiting from it!
Anna says
PeopleStox and Twentyville are two other websites similar to Fiverr that might also be worth looking into.
Lisa says
I would actually be interested in the same information.
Melissa says
Depending on the time you have available, you could look into becoming a virtual assistant, baby-sit a child or two, or offer services you are good at such as tutoring, bookkeeping, etc.
Mary says
I second babysitting kids. Depending on what state, you may not even have to be licensed. In my state I can watch up to 6 children without being licensed. There are some upfront costs, such as CPR and First Aid (not required if your not licensed, but it helps put the parents minds at ease), Craft supplies, Liability Insurance (mine is only $25 a month, and it also covered our renters insurance!) Redleaf Press Calendar Keeper and safety items. Research rates in your area, and don’t price low just to get kids. I believe that quality childcare is worth the extra. There is tons of information on the web if you google it. Also, if you keep the Redleaf Press Calendar Keeper and all your receipts you can get a pretty good tax return. Advertise on Craigslist and Facebook, it is free. You can place ads in the newspaper, but I found that the free options are usually the best! Good luck on your decision! I know it can be hard in the tough economic times!
Katie says
I third it! I used sittercity.com to find the child I currently watch… Its a WONDERFUL arrangement… you just have to find the right family that fits your family!
Kay Thompson says
I do this to supplement our income as well. My only additional recommendation would be price your services on a monthly basis, the same way that a childcare center would do it. Some parents want to pay based on how many days their kids come and then are irregular about the schedule. This could put you in a bind if you’re expecting $125 and only get $75.
Sharon says
Melissa – what is a virtual assistant, and where do you look for such a job?