I am a firm believer that, with God’s blessings and lots of hard work, anyone can successfully work from home. However, I will be the first to tell you that working from home is just that–it’s work.
I’m by nature a positive person but I won’t sugar-coat the truth when
it comes to working from home: if you are not prepared to put in lots
and lots and lots of time and effort, working from home won’t work for you.
I’m sure many moms could look at me and want what I have–the
ability to make a good income while staying at home, choosing my own
hours, and taking care of my husband, home, and family first. I can
take a day off (or even a few days off!) whenever I like and
the money continues to come in at about the same rate because of the many
multiple streams of income I’ve set in place.
All this might sound really wonderful (and it is!) but what most people
often don’t add into this equation are the countless hours, days,
weeks, months, and even years I’ve spent working, learning, and experimenting to get things to the point they are at.
The effort has paid off and I’m now reaping the fruits of my labors
(though I’m still making lots of mistakes and I’m sure I’ll continue to
do so until the day I die!), but I won’t ever forget the struggles I
had to go through to getwhere I’m at or the mountains I’ve had to
climb along the way.
This series is my personal journey to Becoming a Work-at-Home Mom. I will be sharing what things have and haven’t worked for me, what I
wish someone had told me when I was first contemplating starting a
business from home, and how you, too, can become a work-at-home mom.
Let me start at the very beginning…
When my husband and I were married–over six and a half years ago–we knew we wanted to stay out of debt, live on a budget, and we wanted my primary place to be at home. I had no desire to pursue an outside-the-home career; I just wanted to be a stay-at-home wife and mother.
However, there was also this thing called money. We didn’t have a lot of it and my husband still had three and a half years of school left ahead of him. We were living on a very tight budget but we weren’t even making enough to pull that off. We knew that the only way we’d survive the next three and a half years was if we not only continued to pinch pennies, but if we also found ways to increase our income.
Before we got married, I worked an odd assortment of side jobs to produce a little income: I taught violin, babysat, tutored, and worked as a mother’s helper and a waitress. I continued on in some of these after we got married but when we moved to a new town where we knew no one so my husband could begin three years of law school, I found that my side job possibilities narrowed a great deal!
However, we prayed a lot and talked about a hundred different ideas. And then we got creative.
I advertised my experience as a mother’s helper in the local homeschool newsletter and soon was working for four different families each week. I enjoyed this work and it helped to pay the bills. We didn’t have any wiggle room at all, but by carefully squeezing every little thing we could out of every penny, not buying anything but basic necessities, and strategic grocery shopping, we were able to survive on $800-$1000 per month.
A number of months went by and one week I began noticing that I didn’t feel so well. I was tired and sick to my stomach much of the time. I went about my usual routine, but I could barely keep up with my mother’s helper jobs. I continued to feel worse and worse and we couldn’t figure out what on earth my problem was. After about a week of this, I realized that the one thing I’d not considered was the possibility I could be pregnant.
We’d wanted to have children since we were first married but we’d struggled with some infertility issues and I’d finally just given up the hope that I’d ever be a mom. However, I had some pregnancy tests stashed away and that morning I decided–on a whim!–that I’d just take one. After all, it wouldn’t hurt anything.
Imagine my total shock when I took it and looked down a few seconds later to see two pink lines! No wonder I’d felt so sick and tired!
We were ecstatic, elated, excited, and overwhelmed all at once! We were thrilled to be parents, but we realized this was going to turn our world a little upside down. Never could we have realized at the time just how much having a baby was going to change our lives forever–for the better!
To be continued next week…
Just for fun: How many of you currently work from home?
Tell us a little about what you do. (And if you have a website, be sure to leave the link in the comments section.)
Graphic designed by A Source of Joy Graphic Design
I work two full time position; a paralegal and an RHA. I am excited about this course!
I just started my blog, HomeWorkin Mama where I will share my experiences as a WFH Mom, first time mom, etc. I am also going to homeschool my daughter and share information I learn and use for that! Please check it out!
http://homeworkinmama.com
I just started my blog, HomeWorkin Mama where I will share my experiences as a WFH Mom, first time mom, etc. I am also going to homeschool my daughter and share information I learn and use for that! Please check it out!
http://homeworkinmama.com
I just started my blog, HomeWorkin Mama where I will share my experiences as a WFH Mom, first time mom, etc. I am also going to homeschool my daughter and share information I learn and use for that! Please check it out!
http://homeworkinmama.com
Hi there! I enjoy DIY crafting, home decor and baking up something sweet! Inspiring and encouraging others to explore and find their inner creative side is what truly brings me happiness. I wish to provide as much tips and inspirations to everyone around me. On my blog you can explore my many creations and fun DIY’s for any occasion!
Crystal so excited to have caught the Focus On the Family broadcast a few weeks ago. Ordered your book and Just starting to read it now. I have a scrapbook kit (personalized book kit) geared toward children ages 2-5 on Good Manners. I have not known how to successful get my marketing started so I am interested and excited to look into blogging to parents on teaching Good Manner skills to their kids! My website is goodmannersforlife.com Thank you for sharing your experiences and success!
Thanks SO much for your kind encouragement!!
Thanks so much for sharing your story. I currently am a work at home mom, working part-time for a local company. I keep their website updated, edit podcasts, and more. I have 1 more child left to homeschool, after graduating three older chldren. I also am caregiver to my disabled husband. But, my dream is to own my own business, writing a blog. I know that this series will be valuable motivation for me to do this. Thanks again, Crystal.
Thank you so much for sharing your journey and tips. Some times knowing there is another woman out there living (almost) the same experience as me and my family makes me feel less alone. People don’t share their true lives often enough, rather they sugar coat it and cover up aspects to appear to be keeping up with the Jones’. I’m currently a SAHM and with my husband run a side business doing custom apparel. I also “ghost blog” and we take advantage of living close to my husbands regular job and living in an area that I can walk to most things (grocery store, park, library, kids preschool). We’ve been a one car family for more than two years now.
Here is our home-based business:
http://www.knightscustoms.com
Hi there! I just signed up for the 5 Day Course on How To Make a Full-Time Income from Home. I watched my first video today.
I was called into ministry (music) at an early age and now that I am married, with a 14 month old and in my 30s some days I feel just like you said. I know that music ministry is my calling. It is my passion. I believe my music ministry is going to turn into a full-time ministry with my family. Something I have prayed about for 20 plus years.
I quit my job when my daughter was born and it has been such a struggle financially. We keep praying and tithing hoping that it will change soon, but we truly believe that I am meant to stay at home with our daughter so I can pursue my passion in music ministry. That is why I am so grateful I saw you on the 700 Club taking about your website and blog. I appreciate you sharing this information for free. When I can afford it, I would love to buy one of your books. Things are too tight right now financially so it may be awhile.
Thanks again. God bless. With a song for Him, Ashley
Hi Crystal,
What I have read of your story thus far is very motivating and encouraging. I am a stay-at-home wife and mom of 3 little boys. I definitely am looking to get this work from home, generating an income that can help in the support of my family, on a full time basis. I have an inspirational blog that provides encouragement for the soul and empowers individuals to live life, with Christ, purposefully and successfully. Check it out when you can at http://www.veronicascup.com
I look forward to reading and acquiring more of your material to help me in the early phases of my blogging/work from home journey. 🙂 Thanks so much!
Veronica
Thanks so much for sharing!
Thanks so much for sharing and for the link to your blog!
Hi! I am a stay at home mom primarily…although I do have a Premier Designs jewelry business…I am attempting to follow a dream of starting a blog and work from home…the jewelry business is working from home, but technically when I was doing it more full time I was away from home doing shows, etc….after having my second baby I felt strongly called to start and work on a blog…it is a slow but steady process and I am definitely learning as I go…your courses and blog help me out so much!! After December I am going to exclusively be working on my blog and not the jewelry business so this course and your book could not have come at a better time! Thank you so much! My blog:
http://www.mommyhappiness.net
I am disabled. I don’t have children or a husband. I am trying to save some money and enjoy your blog. I have thought about providing gift wrapping services for the holidays. Not sure.
I am working toward working from home so I guess I am a part-time work from home mom and a part-time work outside the home mom. I work 2 part-time jobs outside of the home and then I am a Market Partner with an amazing company called Monat Global. We are a naturally based hair care company that launched a year ago. I was able to get in on the ground floor of this company and it has treated me well. My husband and I have 4 children that keep us very busy and our goal is for me to be able to quit one of my part-time jobs by December (which is coming up really fast)!! I have a blog as well but I have not dedicated as much time to it as I want to. I actually have plans to change it a bit but I don’t really know how. I LOVE following you and I just subscribed to your 5 day How to work from home series and I am very excited. Just in case you want to check out my blog it is http://www.countrychaosblog.wordpress.com. Thank you for helping others!!!
Crystal Stevenson-Work from home wanna be!!
I foster an adult with disabilities. Most days are good. Over the past few years she has had increasing health problems, which indicate I may need a new Career, at the blink of an eye,… so I want to get started on that right away building it before I need it more seriously.
I am disabled and the income isn’t very much I do a little side business painting furniture don’t earn a whole lot but every little bit helps I have also had 2 garage sales 1 I made 288.00 and the second I made 312.00 so every little bit helps
Learn how to start making money online today! http://www.wealthyhuman.com
Thank you for sharing your experience with all of us. My hours have recently been cut in half at work and I hope to give more time to my blog. I would love to be able to work part time from home in order to make up for money lost from hours being cut. Again thank you for the time you are taking to help us all. My blog site is
http://savingwithtammy.blogspot.com
For certified teachers in many states, there are lots of options for teaching online from home. It’s easier if you’re certified in secondary ed, but there are options for elem students too. A few virtual schools (elem and sec) – Connections Academy, K12 inc, Sylvan, Knowledge Learning Corporation. You can search on job search engines for virtual school, online school, virtual teacher, etc. If you search virtual schools on Wikipedia, they have a list by state, though it doesn’t include all the schools out there. Generally you have to live and be certified in the state where positions are open. I am in the process of interviewing with an AZ school and am excited about the possibility of working from home!
Great series! I have stayed home since my almost thre year old daughter was born. Now with two kids, I try to find ways to supplement our income as well. I am lucky to have a bachelors degree and have been able to pick up a little work here and there in the field I worked in before. I’ve also just signed up to do some substitute teaching. I sell some on Ebay. I also have been blessed to have many crafty talents. I’ve started an online children’s shop on Etsy: http://pumpkinsboutique.etsy.com
Its hard to get it going, but slowly it is getting there! I love to craft and hope to find even more ways to make money with my skills.
I do have one question: How do you make money with a blog? I’ve started one: http://growingupcarlley.blogspot.com and right now its a mixture of personal, business and random stuff. How might I use it in other ways? Thanks so much for the series and can’t wait to read more!
I love your site! I too work at home managing a company my husband and I own but with the economy the way it is I am always looking for other sources of income.
I have just started my own blog because so many of my friends and family are always asking about the great deals I get, So I thought I’d put them all in one spot, I call it Saving, Surviving & Thriving
Thanks again for all the inspiration,
Melissa
http://savingsurvivingthriving.blogspot.com/
I work from home as a freelance writer and blogger. I also sometimes still substitute at the library.
My husband is wanting to go back to school for his engineering degree in the next year or so. We have two kiddos under the age of 2 – I am keeping my eye out for ideas to help supplement our income which will probably be decreasing quite a bit from home! I’ve made several $1000 over the past few years with mystery shopping. Having the two kids has cut back on my ability to do that quite a bit.
As we enter this new season of our lives, I’m constantly needing to remind myself that God is in control and He WILL provide as we seek to follow Him!
I’ve just started blogging, too – http://www.domesticcontessa.blogspot.com
I love this series you have started and look forward to reading each one…
I am a stay at home wife (Lord willing one day a Mom) and I love making things. My problem is I am not good at selling. In the past I tried to sell Creative Memories and ended up selling everything to myself instead of building any type of customer base.
I now make cards and other things and really enjoy it however I am not a good sales person… I have a website http://zizziecards.com/ and I am starting to use etsy http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6197951 but if I really sit down and look at the overall picture… I do this more as a hobby and not really get any income out of it.
This is a fabulous series, Crystal! Thank you for sharing your story and ideas with us!
I have been blessed to be able to put my administrative skills to work the last few years as a Virtual assistant (http://www.divineva.com/blog).
Prior to having children, I had a brief encounter with direct sales, and my husband & I gave MLM (multi-level marketing) a try. We learned a lot & made great friends, but neither turned out to be an income vehicle for us & left us with debt. Shortly after our first daughter was born, I dabbled in a different type of direct sales. However, I was a much better “shopper” than a “seller” & just increased our debt load. I took a short break from business ideas, but after our second daughter was born, it became apparent that if we ever wanted to get out of debt, we needed more income.
After praying over it, I started a graphic & web design business last year (I have a background in graphic design and advertising). Shortly after I launched my business, I found out I was pregnant with #3. While I was pregnant [& now that I have 3 kids (under 3 yrs.)], I am only able to give part-time hours to my business (most of which is done at night). However, God has blessed my business and for the first time, I have a profitable business! God is Good!
Beth….what is medical coding? Everything I type comes back with no results. I must be wording it wrong. Do you have a web site or a starting point you could send my way? Thanks, A California friend, Debi
My husband and I have been married for 3 years and have a son who just turned 2 last month. Before our son was born I was a second grade teacher in one of our public schools here in CA. However, as much as I loved teaching, when my son was born I knew it would just kill me to leave him everyday.
Fortunately, a huge blessing came into our lives and a family friend knew of a friend who was working primarily from home as a teacher with a public charter school. I looked into this, submitted an application, and was offered a K-8 Teaching position.
This past August I started my third year with California Virtual Academies. Most of the time I work from home and then every 9 weeks I meet with all of my students and their parents for a conference over a period of 2 weeks. I usually schedule myself for 3-4 hours at a time for a total of 5 days. Another blessing is that I can leave my son with my mom who lives near by.
It hasn’t always been easy and I still have days when I would love to temporarily “retire,” but most days I count my blessings to be bringing in a steady salary with full medical benefits and to be home with my son.
My husband will finish his teaching credential in May so God willing he receives a high school teaching position I am planning to take some time off from teaching until our son (and future children) are much older.
I have been wanting to start my own house cleaning business. I still have a 3 year old at home that only goes to school twice a week for half a day and I’m not sure if this is something I should wait to do until after he’s in kindergarten. If someone else is doing this with a child at home any advice would be helpful. I was also thinking of going back to school on line to become a translator spanish/english so if anyone is doing this too I would like to hear any feed back.Thanks so much Crystal for this wonderful opportunity to share our dreams of being a stay at home/working mom. 🙂
Challice, I too have thyroid issues and was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. It wasn’t until I was diagnosed with MS that we decided to turn to a holistic MD for help. I have found a lot of natural ways to find the energy to keep up with my three year old son. The bills aren’t cheap though. I sympathize with you!
I’m anxious to read more! I have been a stay at home mom for three years now and I’ve tried a couple side businesses, but they never produce real income for me. I need to find something I can do to contribute financially. I’d love to hear more about how people are making money blogging??? That sounds like something I could do!
Hi I’m a long time reader of your blog…love it very much. I, too, am a work at home mama of three kids (2-10). I’ve worn many hats in the scrapbook industry over the last 8 years, but am changing gears a bit now. I was putting in too many hours, burned out, overwhlemed and my family was suffering…which was just absolutely no good. The key to working at home is “balance.” –which I’m trying much harder to find and keep now. But going in a new direction…it’s a little scary. Luckily though…like you said, I worked all these years to get to this point and have a great network built up through my crafting gigs.
So, I’ve switched gears…refocused. I’m taking a leap and faith and opening an online shoppe to sell my Whimsy wares– handmade goods…I know God will provide for me, provide what I need. I just have to continue to work, keep my priorities straight and go for it! Stop in and see me sometime…opening soon…
http://www.whimsyshoppe.com
I can’t wait to read the rest of this! I love hearing other ideas about how to create revenue streams from home!
I am very blessed to be a WAHM. I work as the Show Manager/Conference Coorindator for Apologia – the creation-based science curriculum. I love what I do! I help put on a conference to encourage homeschool moms spiritually. I get to work with the speakers and the attendees. I really enjoy it (did I mention that already). This is a link to what I do: http://www.Apologia.com/LIVE
I have a mommy helper who comes 9 hours/week while I work. My other work is done during naptimes. I work a total of 20 hours/week.
I am also in the process of starting a web business, but it is going to include me learning about some web programming, so we’ll see how it goes. =)
Thanks for all the encouragement and ideas!!
I have been home for over a year now and am just trying to figure out ways to earn money from home. I recently started blogging and while it obviously isn’t earning much I am enjoying writing and am slowly building some readership. If nothing else it is giving me some creative outlet and stretching my brain muscles. I have no desire to return to ‘corporate america’ which booted me out after 20 years. I would love to do more with my blog, do some freelance writing and find other avenues to earn additional income from home. I’m very interested to see the rest of your series Crystal.
I am a lawyer and dream of working from home, so I can’t wait to continue reading this series! I currently have a Blogger template design business (http://www.madebymadeline.com) that could bring in enough to cover my student loan payments (which are huge!!!) but that is as far as I have gotten….
Hi!! I’ve been a stay-at-home wife for a little over six months now, and we are expecting our first little one in March! So, I’ll soon add “mom” to that title 🙂 I hadn’t been working through the summer and early fall, but God brought an opportunity to my door a few weeks ago. So, now I work part time (about 20 hours/week) out of my home for my pastor and church as the secretary/administrative assistant. I have officially worked for the church for only about three weeks, but it has been such a blessing to, like you said, still be able to take care of my family first and take time off if I need to, but still be able to make some income and serve the Lord with my abilities!
Crystal,
What a wonderful post. Can’t wait to read more of your story.
Your comment “if you are not prepared to put in lots and lots and lots of time and effort, working from home won’t work for you.” is so very true, and the primary reason why I coach those who ask me about working from home to know their why.
Knowing why you want to be at home, work from home, along with God’s grace, gives you the strength to stay the course.
I’ve been home with my four kids for most of their lives. Only my older two remember me working outside the home for a short (and very long) two year span. In those two years, I had to work hard to get back to being an “at home mom”. In total I’ve worked at home for 10 years, officially homeschooling for 9.
It’s a journey, like you said, to find your place, to allow God to work in your life and provide the opportunities if you are willing to work them. Not always easy, but defintely, so very defintely worth it.
I work primarily on a referral basis as a communication consultant/writer, and as an editor of a technical trade magazine. And when I’m not doing that (for it pays the bills), I blog about Life at Home as a Work at Home, Homeschooling mom at http://workathomehomeschoolingmom.com and more importantly, enjoy the time hanging out with my kids and getting to know them and their hearts in ways I could never do if I worked outside the home.
So glad I found your blog. I’ve seen your work elsewhere, but am enjoying your site here. Look forward to the rest of your series.
…Shannon
What a terrific series. I am very thankful that I can stay home, but it certainly isn’t because my husband has a plush income. Most would say that we are near poverty level; but God can do amazing things! I try to do a variety of things to supplement my husband’s income (even if they are small ways) by completing writing projects, joining affiliate programs, selling clothing and toys at consignment sales, and even helping as a wedding planner. I also believe that a life of frugality is essential for a homemaker, so that she can literally stretch out her husband’s hard earned money! An ancient philosopher once said, “Do not people realize how great an income is thrift?” Staying home allows me to save money by planning meals, hanging out laundry (in warm weather), homeschooling my children, etc.. Thank you for this terrific series.
I sew cloth baby wipes, diaper liners, nursing pads and make-up remover pads on etsy. http://www.softandscrubby.etsy.com When I’ve had lots of time to sew I’ve made $300+ a month. I usually make enough to pay for all our homeschool materials for 4 children.
I have worked from home for 16 years. First doing daycare and now as a health coach with a weight loss and optimal health company. (Yes, I was a client first! I went from a size 14 to a 4 and my family has lost 1,700 lbs,)
http://www.julieadams.tsfl.com
I quit my full time teaching job to stay home with my first daughter. I worked part time as a substitute teacher, but found out that I was pregnant with my 2nd daughter! I had to quit subbing since it just working out well for me…it didn’t bring in enough after paying for daycare for the days I subbed. I decided to open up my own daycare/preschool. I got my license for a small family childcare home and I do a full preschool program with the children I watch. It is a blessing. Everything I do for my daycare, blesses my children, too (now 2 and 3 yrs. old). I would like to try for one more child which seems absolutely CRAZY because really we can’t afford for me to take a maternity leave/lose the kids in my care to another daycare, etc., etc. so I would like to see if I could start bringing in income in other ways…looking forward to reading your future posts.
I don’t know if what I do counts as working at home, but it is really close. I have a pet sitting business I started about 5 years ago. It allows me to bring my daughter with me to work and I get to run the show. It started out slow and I worked a regular job for the first two years. When I had my daughter I quit my regular job and have been just pet sitting since. I now have an employee and am thinking about adding another.
Working independently and being a homemaker and a mom is really hard work, but I think it is completely worth it. My website is tallahasseepetsitter.com
I work at home as well. I never thought abotu what I was doing as work until recently and have decided after much prayer and contemplaiton that it became hard recently because I was focused ont he wrong thing. I became obsessed with money and how much we were earning. I was worried abotu every cent. then I realized that if I am living the way the Lord wants me to live and taking care of my families needs then the work will find it’s time and I wont be as stressed. I have started doing that and am finding a lot more enjoyment in what I do. I love helping others and hope to be able to bring in enough ont he side to help my husband get through Law school with no debt. My family all think I am crazy for even thnking abotu it, but I really believe that We will make it if we work hard and save as much as we can and live as frugally as we can for the next 4 years.
My website is http://www.sassysupersaver.com
come visit me!!! Leave a comment and let me know you came from this site! I love new people visiting me!!!
Thanks for all you do Crystal. You have inspired me in more ways then I can tell you!
I am a stay/work at home mom and have been for the last 14 months. I used to be a school teacher and have always known that I wanted to stay home with my children one day. My husband and I worked diligently to pay off debt and were anxious for the day to come when we were financially ready (or so we thought) for me to quit my full time teaching position and stay home. It hasn’t been as easy as I expected it to be, but I love it. I wouldn’t trade these days at home with my daughter for anything. Since being home, I’ve started a website http://www.cutestlittlethings.com that showcases my painting and sewing talents. Since it’s still fairly new, it hasn’t brought in a steady income yet, but every little bit helps for sure!
Thank you for your post!
Beth Schultz –
I’d love to hear more about the medical coder. My husband and I are looking for start a family next year and my life dream is to be a SAHM or at minimum WAHM. Problem being, my corporate job makes up over 70% of our income. While my D.H.’s career will take off some day, I need a at home job.
Please any info and tips on the medical coding would be such a help!
Blessings and Hugs all!
S
I am a SAHM and we are in our 2nd year of homeschooling. I don’t have any income other than my husband but wish that I did. When my children were in public schools…I was there with them volunteering wherever they needed me. I LOVE Volunteering. I worked in an area food pantry for almost 4 years. I was truly blessed! I enjoy volunteering because it is the BEST PAID JOB you will ever have! No money…only blessings. Which would you rather have? Me? I’ll take the blessings!
We make enough to get by with a few extras every now and then. God is good and always provides. I LOVE your blog the best because you seem to be so down-to-earth. I love learning about all the ways to save money by cooking and freezing things. I am still very new in the coupon game and can’t afford to do the CVS,Walgreens,Rite-Aid scenarios yet, but I hope to one day and be able to donate all the items I don’t use to the Ronald McDonald House. They always need sample-size toiletries and lots of food. Thanks for what you do. I look forward to the next part of your story.
I work part time on the weekends as a nurse, but I’m also a WAHM during the week. I started selling Discovery Toys earlier this summer and it has been a great blessing. With minimal hours a week and great incentives for new consultants I’ve made a few hundred dollars a month with only one or two parties a month. The great thing is that the possibilities are endless! If you don’t want to do home parties, you can sell baby toy baskets, do personal shopping consultations with grandmothers, do toy fundraisers with daycares and preschools, etc… I also now have over $800 in toys in our home for my own children that were free. It’s going to be a great Christmas!!!
http://www.discoverytoyslink.com/michelle
I also do as much money saving as possible through couponing, budgeting, thrifting etc. I look at it as though my time is valuable and if I’m saving money that I’m not really earning by having a full time job, I’m actually making money!
I tutor at tutor.com. About a year ago, I was frantically searching for anything at all that I could do online, I finally thought, I can teach! I was a math teacher for 4 years before I got married, then we were blessed with twins 2 weeks before our first anniversary! Now I have 2 almost-four-year-olds, and a 2 year old, and I am able to tutor while they nap and after they go to bed at night. AND, I don’t even have to advertise to get students to come to me, which is a huge bonus!
We are very much in the same situation – my husband is going to school and still has a couple of years left to go and we have two little girls (almost 3 and 9 months). We are struggling to pinch every single penny because we are trying to live off of savings, which isn’t much, and neither of us have “real” jobs (but we do have some side jobs that brings in a little here and there). I have set up an Etsy shop and I’m also couponing and doing surveys, etc. to make ends meet. Thanks so much for writing this – it’s so nice to know that someone else was in the same situation too!
http://www.peainapod.etsy.com
I am a SAHM and I work from home part time.
I knew after having my first child that I would not go back to work. I did mother’s helper positions (which allowed me to bring my newborn with me)until we moved to a smaller town where I knew that was not an option.
I was lucky to research medical transcription and talked to a woman who had way too many hours of typing. I asked her if she would be willing to give up some hours, which she was more than happy to do. I just had to talk to the owner of the podiatry clinic. I did and they were willing to give me a chance. I had no medical terminology background but with a practice that focuses on one thing….it is pretty repetitive. It was slow going to start but I quickly picked up on the terms.
I had no training. I have internet and invested in a machine. I charge by the line I type so there is no question how much or how little I work. I work every other week and have 3 kids now.
I am still looking for another project to earn more income. Maybe something internet based.
I have been working on becoming a SAHM for 18 months now. I do some Web design on the side – feel free to email me for more information – ellaclaresmomgmailcom and my mom has started a home design and staging business that I help her with – http://www.sylviasspaces.com. I also have my own mommy-blog on DIY projects, gifts, toddler raising and some going green ides – http://www.mominthepink.blogspot.com. I also work full-time. I’m seem to be working harder at being a SAHM that I am at anything else right now!
I love being a stay at home mom but I love having work. Its something to keep my mind busy so I started teaching preschool classes out of my home on Tuesdays and Thursday. I love it and my kids love having their friends over! My preschool website is: http://activehandsandminds.com
I have taught music lessons since I was in high school and I currently have a few students. Its not much but again its something I love that helps bring in just a little bit more.
I also have come to appreciate how being a smart shopper can save hundreds each month so I signed a contract with grocery smarts (a free website that takes the store adds each weeks, ranks the sales, and matches current coupons) and now I teach classes on how to be a smart shopper a few times each month. I maintain a blog for this as well: http://lvsavingmadesimple.blogspot.com
I’m a fellow homeschooling mother and long-time follower of your blog.I work from home for a small, up ‘n coming dancewear and tutu company (Vala Dancewear/Class Act Tutu) as their one-woman Media Relations dept. My responsibilities include interviewing dancers, reviewing dance company performances (gotta love those Press Passes!), and writing newsletter/blog articles. I occasionally go into the office to help with shipping, etc as necessary. However, I’m able to bring my children along with me, which is an incredible blessing.
In addition, I’m also seeking other freelance writing opportunities to further my skills and provide additional income.
http://chaimommy.blogspot.com
I have a great job as a flight attendant that allows me to work 2-3 days per week or even less. The more I fly the more money I make, the less I fly, the less money, etc. If we need more money for something I can pick up extra hours or if I need to be home more, drop my hours to other folks. I’m gone two nights per week, but am able to be home most of the time and have a job that pays health insurance, vacation and travel benefits. I would not recommend this nowadays because you have to start at the bottom and be on call – not ideal if you have children. But i now have over 20 year of seniority and it is perfect job for a mom.
Hi! I am very interested in hearing your story! I am a WAHM. I have a virtual assistant business that I started at the beginning of this year. I was laid off while pregnant with my daughter who is 18 months old and I couldn’t imagine leaving her, so I spent a lot of time researching something I could do from home. I am not crafty (I always get in that crafty mood around the holidays, but that is not my strength!). I decided to open a VA business and I absolutely love it. It is a ton of work, but because I love what I am doing it doesn’t always feel that way. Plus I am home to spend valuable time with my daughter. The internet is an amazing opportunity for those willing to work and learn! I feel lucky to have my family in a time where the internet provides so many options. I am looking forward to hearing the rest of your story 🙂
Devon
http://www.vintage-va.com
I am a web designer and computer programmer. I used to have a “real job”. When my maternity leave was almost over, I wanted to go back to work part-time; unfortunately, my boss told me that wasn’t an option. “If you come back, we need you to be here full-time.” My husband had just started a new job that would pay the bills, so we talked it over, and I quit my job.
Now I keep up my skills and earn a little money by free-lancing. I am blessed to have more saleable skills than a lot of SAHMs, but it is still a struggle to find work that I can do (and want to do – there is a lot of work I find that is unethical), and tough to find time to do the work without distractions.
I tell others (and remind myself) that this is my “side business” – my full-time job is being a mom.
AnitraSmith.Net
I work from home as a Suzuki violin teacher….
I do audio transcribing for an insurance claims company, seel Longaberger baskets and stay at mom with my three kids, 8,5,and 3.
I am really looking fwd to the rest of this series and I LOVE your blog. I became a stay-at-home mom, which I’ve always wanted to be, after teaching 2nd grade. Whenever we decided to have kids, it was at a crazy time because my daughter was born the month we moved across the country for my husband to pursue his PhD. We live in Boston on a graduate student stipend, while I stay home. I’ve gotten creative in finding ways to earna little extra dough, but nothing too profitable yet. I am REALLY looking fwd to reading this to get more ideas.
I work at home answering e-mails and “Live Help” inquiries for a company that I formerly worked for as an in-office employee. During the school year I also tutor. In the days before technology made telecommuting an option I did part-time transcription during non-business hours for employers that I had first worked for during traditional hours. I’ve been offered home-based transcription jobs at home but so far have not tried transcription from home. I previously was a certified medical coder. Early in this decade I and several colleagues found it difficult locating at-home work in that field. From the comments above, it seems that the situation has changed.
While working at offices I’ve made it a point to learn the skills needed for tasks that can be done independently and to demonstrate that I’m self-motivated. I’ve viewed it as a plus if I could find tasks do-able during off-hours that my coworkers did not like to do! These efforts have paid off when employers and former employers have offered me at-home and off-hours assignments.
I’m glad to be working at home, but I’ve found that it can cause making my home a haven to be more challenging. I tend to approach my job of answering e-mail as being ever-present. In a way my current situation reminds me of my grandfather’s work as a farmer. Lately I’ve been trying to restrict my work to certain times of the day and one room in the house. Another feature of my situation is that very, very rarely take a day off. I view this as a positive since I don’t like to get behind on things, but some family members who see me working while visiting them for holidays disagree. I’m able to reply to the e-mails and “Live Help” inquiries from anyplace as long as I have my laptop and an internet connection.
I teach online classes for a community college. The tough thing about online teaching is that some students expect me to be available 24/7 and that’s just not the case! The money I make from these classes goes straight into our savings account and we live off the small income we pay ourselves from our fledgling construction company. Teaching allows me to do something for myself and use my master’s degree, which I think is important, and also to stay home with our 3 kiddos 5yrs old and under. I have hopes of homeschooling, but am struggling. #4 is on the way and I really need to figure out how to better manage my time so I spend more productive time with my children. Thanks for this series! It’s supper interesting.
I just wanted to say that I love your blog. I’ve been a SAHM for 6 years and I love every minute of it.
I have been a certified home child care and it wasn’t for me. It was a LOT harder than I thought and I ended up with a child with ADHD w/DD. I wasn’t qualified to care for a child like that and my daughter ended up with a broken arm that required surgery. In the end it cost us more money. Not to mention the guilt that I feel. I just wasn’t quick enough to stop it.
So now I have moved on to reselling. I happen to be extremely gifted at shopping. =) I buy and then resell on eBay. It’s not for everyone, but it works for me. I make enough money for groceries and the kids after school activities. I’m at the point where my neighbors are asking me to cosign for them. Its a lot of harder and time consuming than people think. I also do everything legally and pay taxes.
http://stores.shop.ebay.com/Chelseys-Closet
I’m so blessed to be able to stay at home with my 16 month old daughter while still making a significant contribution to our income with my Pampered Chef business. http://www.pamperedchef.biz/cookingwithshena
Being in control of how much or how little I work and how much money I make each month is great! Flexibility is key. When unexpected expenses appear– (more often than not it’s car trouble!) or with birthdays and holidays around the corner–I know just what I need to do to take care of that bill.
It’s great to be able to share money saving ideas and recipes with all the guests and show them that a sit-down family meal IS possible no matter what their skill or confidence level is in their own kitchen. It’s all about bringing the family together.
I am SOOOOOOO excited about this series! I am really wanting to start working from home to help with the budget, but just have no idea how to get started!!!!! Yay. Thanks for sharing your experience.
In addition to working my full-time job until we get in a little better spot financially, I also pick up some bookkeeping on the side and run my own small business. I make custom jewelry, note cards, invitations, graphic design and home decor items. I haven’t had the time to focus on advertising really yet, so I haven’t had much traffic, but I’m considering switching everything over to Etsy to be more visable. My current shop address is: divinecreations4u.weebly.com.
I too am very blessed to be a work-at-home mom. I am a registered dental hygienist and could be working making ALOT of money. My husband and I chose for me to stay home after the birth of my 2nd. I “stumbled” (God ordained of course) upon a breastpump rental business opportunity after the birth of my first after all the problems I had with nursing. I started it up when she was 6mo old and went “full time” after my 2nd. http://www.shop.mothersbestbreastpumps.com .It is flexible and I am doing something I enjoy and believe in. My kids can be a part of it as well. They love seeing the new babies and help me at the post office, etc. It doesn’t bring in alot of money but I don’t regret being home for a minute. I, of course, coupon, bargain shop, do rebates, etc. I thank God everyday for the opportunity to be home with my children and still help contribute to our family.
I love hearing about the ingenuity of women in their efforts to work from home, but balance the priority of motherhood and family as their first priority!
I have worked from home since the 9th grade! I’ve taught piano lessons for 14 years, and now have a successful photography business (which takes me out of the home for about 2 hours to shoot the pictures, but everything else is done from home!) MY PHOTO WEBSITE helps generate sessions, as well as teaching opportunities, as I now offer classes and lessons in my home as well.
I agree with you Crystal… it is WORK. And its taken me a long time to learn how to streamline and make my time as efficient as possible. It takes discipline to still set hours… often, working from home will take as much time as you will give it, and it takes a clear priority perspective to walk away from the computer and fulfill my other duties as wife and mother.
If you can find the balance, or at least strive for it, it can prove to be very rewarding, both financially for your family, and also personally for your own progress and self fulfillment.
I started my blog http://www.frugalinvirginia.com/ soon after my first child was born and have been able to make some income from that.
I agree with you though, Crystal- it’s a lot of work! I love it and feel very blessed that I can earn an income while focusing primarily on my family, but the income doesn’t usually line up with the amount of hours I put in!. I’ve realized it’s going to take a lot of work and time to grow my blog business to the point where the pay is where it should be for the time I put in.
I have three wonderful daughters and have been a stay at home mom with them for most of their life. I love it, but we are doing Dave Ramsey right now and getting some extra income would help right now. Our biggest problem is that if I were to work, daycare costs would take most of my income anyway. So home based work is really our only logical answer. I can’t wait to hear more of your story!
It’s been so inspiring reading all of your stories! I have been a work at home mom for a little over a year. After the company I worked for part time closed, we did a lot of praying on what to do next. My old job was extremely flexible and I didn’t want that to change, our priority was for me to be there for our kids. I had a friend who introduced me to blogging, so I started out blogging about ways to save money (http://www.sweetwatersavings.com).
I love doing it, but I wasn’t making as much as we had hoped. So after more praying I became involved in network marketing as well and it has been a life saver for us.
I agree, it is a lot of hard work. There were many times that I wanted to give up, but I stuck with it. I never would have believed it, but I make more now then when I worked at my part time job. I’m currently working on a blog about my journey so that I can help other moms work from home as well.
I can’t wait to read the rest of this series!
My job I previously held prior to children was not willing to let me work from home 2 days a week, therefore I resigned. Then 2 years later they called me to ask if I would come back. Since the ball was in my court I requested 2 days in the office and the rest from home. It has worked out wonderfully. We have a college student come in for the two days. I work as a contact for all the State colleges for our State College Financial Aid Office. It has been a true answer because my husband is thinking about changing jobs and teach at our church school which would lower his income and this will make up the difference while still letting me be a wife and mom.
I work at home as a medical transcriptionist full time. I also sell Avon on the side. Check out my website at
http://www.youravon.com/marandamorgan
I have been a stay at home mom for the last 12 years. We always planned I would stay home until the kids are in school and then go back to work as a CPA when they are in school to start college funds.
Now that the poin of them all being back in school is within 3 years, I am looking for something to do that will bring in income, while still allowing me to be home when they are. I have started blogging, which does take a lot of time, but I enjoy doing. I also work as the treasurer for our church. I am able to do a lot of this at home.
My website is http://www.thecouponhigh.blogspot.com
I have worked alot of odd jobs myself: babysitter, tutor, and a crafter at shows. I finally settled in at my home site http://www.recyclebingraphics.com where I draw for people’s businesses, sites, and hobbies. This has allowed me to stay at home, raise and homeschool my children, plus now care for foster children.
I love reading of your journey and look forward to the next chapter.
I have been blessed by having a job as a local tax collector. In the state or Pennsylvania, the counties are divided into townships. People have to pay tax to the townships. Unfortunately, the job is being abolished and restructured by the state. I will be unemployed by June 2012. Until then, I am gaining knowledge to replace my income, so thank you for your article.
I teach a music program called Let’s Play Music (www.letsplaymusicsite.com) to preschool-aged children through second graders out of my home. I have two classes that are held once a week for 45-55 minutes. I absolutely love it! As do the children! I love the program and enriching the children’s lives, but the business side of it is really great as well. I enjoy being able to chose my schedule and be home with my family.
My studio blog address is http://www.letsplaymusicwithmisskendra.blogspot.com
I am a Oklahoma veteran homeschool mom (this is my 16th school term to teach at home) and have done different things over the years to generate income. The most profitable business was as an Admin. Assistant for a import company from Texas. I handled the gathering of paperwork from trucking companies that shipped our products into the US from Mexico and coordinated delivery locations and forklift rentals, all from my home. It’s amazing what can be done online with a computer, fax machine, credit card and telephone. I made about $60K in commissions for the two years I focused on the business, but it was hard work and my children hated it. I have not worked since 2005 to focus on graduating my last student (*snif,snif) who is a Junior this year. There is a season for everything.
I feel truly blessed to be a SAHM. While also being a Consultant for a scrapbooking company called Close To My Heart and I nanny a little girl 3x’s a week and take my 2 year old son with me. Many Blessings for sure!
My Blog is: http://jessicabooth.blogspot.com/
Close To My Heart Website is: http://jessicabooth.myctmh.com/
I used to sell baby carriers from home. When the gov’t gave us that “gift” a couple years back and I was offered an opportunity from the company, my husband and I thought it would be fun to give it a try. It wouldn’t have been possible any other time living on student loans, but it was a great learning experience. It lasted for about a year (there was 4 or 5 months when gas prices were crazy high that nobody bought anything). But with 2 kids under 3 and one of them a very big ball of energy, it became more and more difficult to help other moms and interact in public. Plus, we decided our monkies needed more “mom time!” So, I am now slowly selling off my product. I’d love to have a mom’s favorite kid products store someday. If anyone is interested in purchasing a Moby Wrap, please checkout my blog and email me… bab-i-licious.blogspot.com
I do home daycare and homeschool my own kids. I have some great families and they become an extension of ours. It has been great for my 2 children to have little ones around since they are older. Although sometimes it is difficult to get school done for the most part it works for us. I look forward to you next post and really enjoy your website.
Crystal:) I look forward to reading this.
You are an encouragement.
I work at home homeschooling 1st! Then I blog about our story at
http://www.adustyframe.com
I also sell on Etsy
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5067922
I currently work part time outside the home and own a writing and editing business: Prolific Pen. I write and edit all kinds of things, from web content to software manuals and everything in between. Check out my website: http://www.prolificpen.com!
I became a freelance copywriter after the birth of my son. It has turned into a great career move for me! Basically, I write for businesses. This type of work involves the very best of my skills – marketing, networking, writing, and creativity. I write everything from ads to articles, webcontent and proposals. I’ve also had the opportunity to assist people with their resumes and cover letters (I’m very affordable if anyone’s looking for one!). My writing website is http://www.angelarussellwrites.com. It’s great – very low risk, no inventory to sell, etc. I turned a profit with my first check.
In the last year, I also launched my blog (www.thecouponproject.com) as a way to share my couponing knowledge, give me an additional writing outlet, and drive traffic to my copywriting site. I absolutely LOVE blogging. It has been one of the most rewarding pursuits of my career, though much more slow-going. Incidentally, I take my blog as seriously as my writing business. I formed an LLC and opened a business license right of the bat, and honestly, I’m surprised more bloggers do not take the time to check this important task off their list from the get-go.
I would add that while anyone could start a home business, most people shouldn’t, or only enter with GREAT care. I have never been so stretched in my life. While my copywriting business brought me income right away, I’ve been blogging since Feb and am only now starting to see the checks. Working from home also requires a good deal of self-discipline and follow through. You must also be organized, and professional if you wish to be taken seriously. Finally, you must be passionate about what you are doing. I’ve had to learn to network like crazy and be outgoing, even if I didn’t feel like it.
Most of all, don’t just start a business to start a business – find something that you love and start from there. Otherwise, you will burn out quick.
Thanks for this series, Crystal, and the chance to let your readers chime in – very valuable stuff!! Anxiously awaiting the next post!
Crystal,
It is so great to hear your story! I have loved reading your blog daily to watch how you are balancing home and work, it is encouraging to know that with God’s direction, it most certainly can be done! I too have a blog, and I speak and do a few other things, and my struggle has been balancing. I have learned that if I don’t give God my first fruits, my days just don’t work. He is so good at authoring my day if I give it to him. I can’t wait to read more! You are a great writer.
Thanks!
Kelly
http://www.faithfulprovisions.com
I just started blogging in April of 09′ and love it. I hope to some day make this into a little part time job! Most of all my blog is to encourage young moms to stay home with their babies and to teach others the MANY BLESSINGS of living a more simple, frugal lifestyle.
If by very hard work my blog grows to where I can make some money, it will be great. But most of all I want to make an impact on others lives. I believe, Crystal, that is your first priority as well, and it so comes through with all you do and say. You are such a blessing and inspiration. I hope to be that to my readers as well.
To all reading this, Just remember this saying!
“The One who has achieved success is the one who has worked well, laughed often and loved much.”
Please visit at: http://www.frugallivingandhavingfun.com/
I watch a couple children in my home- the minimum number needed to meet our budget. As we pay off debts and my husband’s income increases each year, we hope to decrease the number of children I need to watch. That will give me more time to devote specifically to my own children as well as freedom during the day to do everything from go on playdates to grocery shop.
I’m a violin teacher too! I started blogging because of my passion for healthy living and have recently started looking into ways that I can generate some income. We started couponing when we did Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University. I look forward to your next post : )
Over the years, I have done various things to supplement our income, but nothing that has produced anything steady for the long-term, as I’d like. I have provided before- and after-school care. I have transcribed recorded interviews. I have worked an after-school program, and may tutor a student over the next several months. My 8yo daughter is trying to launch her own baking business. My 15yo son is trying to get a wood crafting business off the ground. My husband and I sporadically take a catering job. From 2001-2008, we were the live-in/resident custodians for our church (which included housing and utilities) and at time the part-time paid janitors. When that work got to be too much due to DH’s health issues, we left that position. Crystal has been a blessing in helping me stretch the dollars, which there are few of due to the recession, the increased living expenses, and the loss of income. I still would love to find a more regular, consistent way of having supplemental income. takeflightministries.blogspot.com
Thank you for starting to share your story, Cyrstal. I can relate to what you say about people wanting your life but not understanding what you did to get there. I am incredibly blessed to have a rewarding professional job for a global company that pays me very well and allows me to work from home and set my own hours. What people do not see is the 15 years of employment I put in growing this career and all the effort I made to hone my skills so that my employer would want to make me this offer. You can work from home but you have to develop skills that make you valuable either to an employer or to customers.
These posts cannot come at a better time for my husband and I! When we first got married 4 and half years ago, we both wanted me to have some time as a “stay at home wife” before we added kids. But, we also wanted to be debt free. So, after I got out of school a year ago, I started working full time at a financial institution. But, after we found out I was pregnant, and announced it (about 5 weeks ago) I quit my job to try my hand at “stay at home wife” before “stay at home mom.” It’s been really fabulous to have this time to get ready for our baby and to feel like I have my house under control. As my time is getting closer though, I would really like to start getting something started in the way of income. We could definitely live on his income, but a little wiggle room is always nice. I think I’ll try my hand at adding some ads to my blog (since I’ve already got some readership established) but I’m interested in other ideas! We’ll see.
Well, in “another life”, I was working at my dream job–teaching at a university. After a few years and two children later, my pastor-husband and I felt the call to church planting. However, in the last year, I have begun to live my DREAM! One year ago, we moved from CO back to WA and now are planting a church.
For the first time since having kids six years ago, I am a SAHM. I help dh with the church plant in a variety of ways. When I am not doing this or homeschooling our kids, to make ends meet, I teach private piano and voice lessons, as well as group music classes. I ‘branched’ a music school that I worked for in CO called Children’s Music Academy. (www.cmaforkids.com)
My goal is to have around 10-15 private students (5-7.5 hours of work a week) and at least five group music classes (5 hours of work a week). That is the goal that I am working towards.
I am blessed to love what I do, use my education/training/gifts/talents and be able to stay at home with our kids, especially in this season of ministry. I love that I can help dh at the church and provide additional financial resources for our family.
Jada
I work about 25 hours a week from home as a medical transcriptionist and am able to help our family income substantially. I am a fulltime mom to our 4 1/2-year-old daughter who is a busy, busy girl 🙂 We homeschool for preK.
I hope to be able to continue to work only PT once she goes to school next year (my preference would be to homeschool her though).
It can be very challenging to juggle all my roles and I will say that my house isn’t as clean as I would like but I’m doing all that my hubby asks of me so I am content (mostly) with that 🙂
Can’t wait to read the rest of the series Crystal! So glad you are back to blogging more again and that your little girls are back in health. Hope Silas is feeling better soon too!
I’m so excited to hear your story, and I’m really glad that you’re being honest about how HARD it is sometimes. Not only is it hard to work at home with the kids, but it does take a lot of time and sacrifice to create the multiple streams of income. But it CAN be done! I think too many moms are looking for a quick fix, especially right now. So thank you for starting this series!
I am currently working from home, writing and blogging. It was very hard to get up and running, but now I’m happy with my monthly income and am working on increasing it. http://www.moneywisemoms.com
I work at home as a daycare provider. It’s the hardest job I’ve ever done and also the most rewarding. It’s not for everyone but works well for me as my son is and due to infertility issues will probably remain an only child. I’m grateful God has allowed me to raise my son, take care of my husband and even minister to other moms all within my 4 walls.
I am a work at home mom to three boys ages 7,5 and 3. Two months after my youngest was born, I began “working” at home through a direct sales company selling sterling silver jewelry. When I began, I looked at it as an opportunity to make a little extra money and get out of the house one night a week for some “adult” conversation. Three years later, I’m in love with the fabulous company that I work for and the financial independence it has given me. I’m happy to say that when my youngest goes to kindergarten, I will not have to go back to teaching (as I did prior to children). I love the flexiblity my “job” offers and the ability to be there for my kids when they need me. The income potential is what you make of it. My website is http://www.mysilpada.com/jennifer.gentile. Check it out!
I am technically not a WAHM yet…more of a “volunteer” for my sister’s business. She was laid off a few months ago, and I have been helping her (without pay) on her new endeavor: http://www.sweetscrapdeal.com. It is slow going, but we have high hopes for it. She keeps promising I will get ‘paid’ after it gets out of the red. It has been fun so far!
I have 2 boys and am ant at home medical transcriptionist. I get up at 4 AM to work and then homeschool during the day! It is sooooo worth it!
I work as a freelance writer for a newspaper now and a Web site in the past. I’ve also watched a friend’s child over the summer while they were out of school and sold all kinds of things on Ebay 🙂
I am very interested in your series, as well. My husband might be losing his job due to down sizing. I have a 4 1/2 year old daughter and have let my teaching license expire, but we don’t have the funds or time for me to go back to school to get my masters degree. I would love to find a work at home position to help our family out financially, but not have to pay daycare costs. She will be attending all day, everyday kindergarten next year and I would like to find something to fill my time during the day, but have flexibility to volunteer at school and be home when she returns at 2:30. If anyone has had success with any “work” at home jobs/companies, please post them. I am quite interested!
I worked at home as a licensed real estate agent, part time. I helped a broker with paper work, advertising and phone sales from home until our fourth daughter was born. We recently relocated to Tucson Arizona and I have landed a at home job that is done strictly over the internet. I transcribe into closed captioning a television show for a station located in Georgia! It’s not paying enough right now, just around $25-$50 a week, but it is a start.
I have considered myself a at home, work from home mom for the last 13 years. For me, I consider it a privilege that should be valued. It’s not always easy, but it is ALWAYS worth it!
Tanya
PS. My wonderful hubby (of 14 years) is a Family Pastor. Life is BUSY 🙂
I sew and sell my things online. Between little boutiques, my website, and more, I’ve sold nearly 1,000 items!
http://www.candyargyle.etsy.com
I do a little of both. I work three days a week outside the home and the rest of the time from home. I blog at Saving and Giving (http://savingandgiving.blogspot.com), and I also make wedding invitations, party invitations, notecards, Christmas cards, and other stationery items. The stationery business has always paid for Christmas for our family, and it’s growing! My site is http://www.perfectsentiments.com. In my spare time 🙂 I also teach online. I love that – even though life requires me to work away from home part-time right now – I can earn an income part-time from home too!
Hi Crystal,
I consider myself to be a work at home mom. I have a 3 year old daughter and we’re in the process of adopting a newborn but I primarily get to be a mom. (I also have a chronic illness so I have to pace myself otherwise I get really sick.)
I have been a Realtor for 5 years and it has been such a blessing for my family. I really wanted to do something meaningful that was relationship oriented, unlike my first corporate job out of college. My hubby is a firefighter (makes just above a teacher’s salary), so I wanted to find something that I loved but that would also give me the flexibility to choose my hours and work around hubby’s schedule and kids when we had them. I wanted something that would pay me based on how hard I was willing to work rather than on what someone else thought my work was worth. I love being a Realtor and it’s an amazing opportunity to participate in a huge part in people’s lives! The Lord has blessed my business and it’s been perfect for our family.
I’m also creative and crafty and have thought about selling what I make if we needed to. It’s just fun for me now and I don’t want to spoil that, but if we ever needed money, I could sell hand made goods.
Can’t wait to read the rest of your series!
Becca
http://www.theholthouse.blogspot.com
I am really enjoying this series already! I have been searching on and off for work at home opportunities for 10 years. I haven’t been hugely successful but I have been able to be at home for the last 3.5 years with my four little girls. I sewed custom boutique clothing that I sold on ebay for about 5-6 years. I really don’t have time for that now — so as I am able I am creating sewing tutorials to sell on etsy.
My etsy store is. . .
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5444950
Can’t wait to read more of your journey to being successful at working at home! Your blog is inspiring!
Thank you! Melinda
I work full-time right now, but would love to be able to work from home. I have a 3 year old and am due with my second child in less than 2 weeks. I have been looking for ways to bring more income into our home so I can, at the very least, reduce my hours. I have recently started selling products with Blessings Unlimited. Check out my website at http://www.erinmcgee.blessingsdirect.com !!
I work from home 1 day a week teaching piano lessons. I have 3 boys and the mom’s who bring their kids to lessons watch my children in the a.m., and my mother in law in the p.m. lessons. I teach a total of 5-6 hours per week. It’s great!
I Love that you’re doing this series! I’m so anxious to learn how to have multiple streams of income and still be a SAHM! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for doing this! I also have a blog http://moneysavingjunkie.blogspot.com/. Thanks Again!
I have been working from home for 3 years now. It started as blogging and gradually worked its way into writing articles for various websites. I love it and the money has allowed us to do so much more than we could on a teacher’s salary.
When I became a single mom last year, I began exploring options of creating mulitple streams of income beyond my day job. Your site not only saves me money, but inspires me as well. Keep up the great work!
Deanna
http://www.cluttercounselor.blogspot.com
Hi! I work from home teaching online classes. I also write a little on the side and co-run a website, http://www.incmoms.com – we post work-at-home jobs to help other moms work-at-home. It’s a non-profit, so no fees!
Hi, All! I am so excited about this series! Thanks, Crystal!
I am a mother of 2 wonderful, rowdy kids! They keep my hands full 90% of the time. I am a stay-at-home-mom due to my husband’s awesome job and salary. We are trying to pay off our debts and would like to do it very quickly, but sometimes it is just a little extra here and there. We are about 1 month ahead of plan though! YEAH!
I have been looking for ways to bring in some extra dough. My sister owns a consignment store (in a diff. state than where we are) and I have learned a lot from her experiences and helping her out when I can. I love shopping at these stores and have even sold some things through them. Watching her manage owning a store and being a single mother of 4 has made me think I could do it too. I have done a lot of research and have written a business plan (2/3 completed). I would have my children with me at the store (at least until they reach school-age, but I may homeschool them too). I am not sure how all this will work out, but I am certain that God has put this desire in my heart. I don’t want to go into starting my business with debt though. If anyone has any ideas/tips, I would love to hear them. Thanks!
For 10 years, I was blessed with the abitlity to stay home with my kids. Now that they are all in school full-time, I am working at their school during the school year. Year-round, I run a home-based business offering the best quality and value in children’s books. Check it out: http://www.TheStoryStash.com I get a regular night out with the girls where I get to share some of my favorite passions: children, literature, and great deals. And I get paid for it! It is a win-win-win!
I am starting an online business, An Image to Remember. I love framing pictures and memorabilia. Once I get that part of my business up, I plan to sell stationary too (another love in my life). Right now, I am setting up an office and a website, so that I’ll be running my business part time come January…just six months before our first child arrives! I’ll be able to stay at home with our child and bring in extra money too! What a blessing! As a side note, all of you are an inspiration. I love reading your comments!
Hello all, I am a mother of four who has been out of a job for about 18 months now, I moved to a small town in Henderson NC but has been unable to find a job, I was looking into working at home but do not know where to start and to whom I can start off with, It is very hard for my family right now to keep up with the bills and all, so if anyone have any suggestions I will greatly appreciate it…please, I am enjoying the story and with my tight budget Money savings moms have been a great help. Thank You! [email protected] is where i can be contacted.
Thanks for the story Crystal…can’t wait to read more.
I am a teacher turned stay at home mom for almost 2 years now. We had so many problems with my first son in daycare and not being taken care of, that my husband and I had enough. We took a giant leap and just prayed God would provide. He has even through job hour cuts and 1/2 our income being wiped out. I started cleaning houses to make money for groceries and gas. I then had friends ask about teaching my money saving/coupon tricks, so now I teach coupon classes and average one a week. It’s nice for extra spending money and I get to “teach” again, which I love. We have also made the biggest leap towards financial freedom by selling our home, paying most of our credit cards off, moving back to our hometown and renting a home until we are debt free. You have been such an inspiration through all of this Crystal!
I also blog at http://www.coupondealsandsteals.blogspot.com and hope to start having that become more of a business as well.
I decided to stay home with my son on a spur of the moment (when he was in the 5th grade) so we had no savings built up or plans for how to do it – just took the plunge and everything has worked out, thanks to God’s blessings. I made a great salary but was able to cut out a lot of expenses due to not working – ie: clothes, gas, meals out, expensive gifts, etc. With planning and sites such as this one, I have been able to make our income go further. And then I was hired to work at our church for the children’s ministry – 5 hours a week. I am the “gofer” person – I shop for the church, make the posters, put up the bulletin boards, pack the goodie bags for Harvest Fest, make phone calls, etc. etc. etc. You would be surprised how many little jobs there are that I can do (many from home)- so it may be a good idea to see if your church or business needs someone like that. Even with the bad economy my church has continued to pay me – every time I say they can cut me out of the budget they protest because they are getting a lot of good for a little bit of money ( I do the jobs full timers hate!). For additional cash, I sell on eBay. I have also contemplated selling my skills – teaching others how to sew, knit, cook, etc. This is a great post -I may find other ideas to try!
God has been so gracious to let me stay at home with our 2 little girls. My husband is a pilot and gone frequently, so we decided that it would be the best if I am at home with them full time. However, money is definitely tight and we try to spend wisely and pinch our pennies! I am also a registered nurse, so after much praying about seeking additional income, I was offered a job to do telephone triage nursing from home for just a few hours each week! What a blessing this has been and there is always opportunity to pick up a few more hours if needed!
Thanks so much for all of your encouraging and wise words regarding saving money and living on a budget. You have inspired our family to try to live on less and give more! I look forward to reading your blog each day!
I work from home selling Tupperware. I’m actually currently doing a series on direct selling and some of the tips I’ve learned in the past year that I’ve been selling Tupperware. Check it out at http://life-with-less.blogspot.com.
I’m looking forward to the rest of your series!
This topic is interesting – especially for those of us who are on a definite career path (I’m an attorney) and want to explore how working at home (with or without kids) will impact us.
I do so appreciate your site and the trial and error methods that brought you to where you are today. I am a pastor’s widow and need to make an income and the Lord brought AVON to me through my daughter. I give out books and my web store information as I go to stores, gas stations, doctor’s offices and to friends and church contacts. I also love the web site I get as an Avon store online that allows shoppers to order directly through my web store and have Avon shipped to their door. http://www.youravon.com/jsarbaugh I do much of my business at home, and also have gotten other ladies to join, so I have a ministry with them for the Lord, too. One can do fund raising through the site, also, so that is a help to groups desiring to fund their projects. As my group grows, I get a residual check on the work and sales of those I have trained. Training is available online, so anyone, anywhere could do this.
I am a WAHM. I do medical transcription and love it. Thanks for doing this series. I am looking forward to the rest of the series.
I am a stay-at-home mom two to amazing little girls: Kailee and Sophia. I am also an Army wife — married to an amazing man, Seth.
Although I love being able to stay home with my girls full time, I never thought this is what I would be doing. I thought, “I have a degree for goodness sakes!” God had a totally different plan in mind. 🙂
I have, over the years, dabbled in different things to make a few extra dollars — keying, running an eBay business selling designer dresses, selling random things on eBay for profit, etc, etc. I have always enjoyed sales (this is what I did during my 4 1/2 years of college) but I knew there was no way I could work in the sales field after having a family — the hours are too demanding.
I have given thought to doing things like Pampered Chef or Party Lite but never found myself passionate enough about the products offered and I never really felt God leading me in that direction.
Just a little over a month ago a friend introduced me to Scentsy. I fell in love with the product because it is safer for me and my family! I had been praying for years about doing SOMETHING and so I began to pray about selling Scentsy. After just a week I knew this is where God wanted me. The only thing I was skeptical about was the start-up cost of $100 but I decided that it was worth a try.
I have been selling Scentsy for about 5 weeks now and LOVE it (especially since I already received my first commission check!) It is a product I am passionate about — and that is important in anything you do — and I get to interact with other women from all walks of life. I am a very outgoing personality (and my husband is definitely not — haha) so this is really good for me.
Crystal, you are definitely right, anything you decide to do from home takes a lot of time and effort. I have put countless hours into getting my little “home-based business” up and running and I am loving every minute of it. It is a matter of timing — I mostly work on Scentsy during naps (quiet time for my oldest) and in the evenings after everyone has already gone to bed since I am a bit of a night owl.
I am praying now that God uses me to speak to these women about Him while interacting with them.
You can find more about “The Safe Candle” at my website: http://www.scentsy.com/MaryMiddleton
Well I guess the comment boxes don’t allow html. The first link I put up for my design business is:
designsbysummer.blogspot.com
Thanks!
I enjoyed reading your story and can’t wait to read more!
I’ve been a work at home mom off and on since my oldest was born seven years ago. I would dabble in different things but never really found anything that drew in income sufficient for the amount of effort I had to expend. Then I discovered blogging. And with that the world of blog design. I already had the skills to make it happen, I just had to learn all the ins and out of blogger and I did.
I set up my blog design website: Designs by Summer, and business has been coming in ever since.
I’ve also recently opened up shop at etsy: summeresque.etsy.com”
I sell polymer clay beads, polymer clay earrings, wire work earrings, combined medium earrings and the like. I love that I can work from home and that I absolutely love what I do!
Crystal, I love your blog–it has been an incredible blessing to me and my family this past year. I have worked at home for the past five years as an attorney. I am at the office one day per week and work from home the other four. I took a break from my profession and was a SAHM for twelve years when my kids were younger. Being a WAHM is great but I agree with you that it takes lots of hard work and dedication. Some days even cleaning the bathrooms sounds more appealing than writing a legal brief that is due! However, the flexibility and family friendly schedule makes working at home so worthwhile! I am looking forward to the rest of your series.
I was lucky enough to be a music teacher before a stay at home mom, so now I have a voice and piano studio in my home. I teach from 6-8pm Monday through Thursday. We are blessed with my husband’s job getting him home at 5pm so we can still eat dinner as a family before I teach. It’s definately a sacrifice of that evening family time, this is not the kind of work I can sneak in during naps and after bedtime, but it brings in about several hundred dollars a month and I do enjoy it.
Something I would like to add about “being able” to be a stay at home mom is that many women who I talk to who say that I am “lucky enough” to stay at home don’t realize the planning and sacrifice that it has taken to do so. We planned from before we got married to only live on my husband’s income because mine would be gone once we had a family. So, I wish I had the guts to tell these ladies to downsize their lifestyle and see what they can do on just one income. It may mean half the house, half the car and half the vacations, but definately twice the joy of seeing each moment in your children’s lives! It’s probably more possible than you think!
https://www.moneysavingmom.com
I have worked from home as a full time Realtor with an internet driven Real Estate company for the past 6 months. That means I don’t have to go out looking for clients, they come to me, via the computer. It’s great because I completely control my schedule and work when I want to for the most part. It fits my lifestyle and family life perfectly. I LOVE your blog and I am very excited about this particular series.
Hugs,
Mimi
I work from home with my business as a Thirty-One Gifts consultant. I will bring home approx $750 in my check from my October comissions. My goal is to savce $500 for me and my business and give everything over that to my husband for bills. We have recently incurred a large amount of debt so I would like to help pay that down and get us debt free in 2 years. It was a real eye opener when my husband said the other day that if we did not have to pay on our debt that we could save for a cruise in only 3 months. I love what I do and can work it around my family. My website is http://www.mythirtyone.com/cbusbey
I have a PhD in biology, and I proofread and edit scientific papers written by researchers who do not speak English as a first language. I love having a job I can do while nursing my babies. The work is very flexible – each paper has a deadline, but I can choose how many papers I want to edit per week. It’s also interesting work, and it helps researchers in other countries get a fair shot a publication, since their work can be judged on its scientific merit, rather than on the quality of their writing.
I am a work from home mom of a 2 yr old little girl. I am a realtor. Most of my work is in the evening and on weekends which works out perfect with my husband’s “normal” schedule. He is home to watch our daughter while I work and vice versa. Most of my work during the day is done by phone and email, i.e. blackberry and home office. If I have to attend something during the day my mother chips in but it is very rare and usually I know about it way in advance, like closings. My husband can take half days and has monthly comp days to help me out also. The extra money is certainly filling in the gaps as my husband took a 40% pay cut in February. It is a tremendous amount of work and your weekends are not your own but I like it better than not being able to stay at home with my daughter. Blessings to all!!!
Kim Johnson
Katy, TX
http://www.leycokaty.com
Thanks for sharing, Crystal! I work from home part-time as a meeting and event planner for corporate events and weddings. I also blog at redemptionunlimited.blogspot.com
Thank you for posting your story…I can’t wait to read more. I love reading your money-saving tips each week and passing them on to others.
I have been a work at home Mom for 16 years now. In fact, my children are now grown and married and we are expecting our first grandchild in April!!
My husband & I both work from home and we love helping others. Being home to raise our children was a huge blessing and the time we had to spend with them is really reflected in the relationships we have today.
We help other people that want to work from home as well. We have taught many people to have the same success that we have had and that gives us such a wonderful sense of purpose. Our website is http://www.SeekandFindNow.com.
God bless & can’t wait to read “the rest of the story”!
Joyce
I’ve been a stay-at-home mom for 3-1/2 years and started up my blog http://familystampingfood.blogspot.com as a creative outlet for my recipes and scrapbooking, but then my 2nd child came along and I have given up my scrapbooking completely and now focus on keeping our family fed on a meager budget with the help of my loving hubby 🙂 I’ll receive my first google ads check for $100 in a month or so — I’ve been blogging seriously for about 7 months. I’m really interested to read what you have to say about working from home. I find I get overwhelmed really easy some days.
I can’t wait to read more! I’ve been a SAHM now for over 10 years. I blog, complete surveys, send in rebates, bargain shop, and recently started to make custom cakes. I’ve only had a few paying customers but I’m really enjoying it! You can see my cakes here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/15834329@N00/sets/72157615824464140/
Hi Crystal!
I was a Manager in the corporate world for 10 years until I was recently laid off. After being home and having the opportunity to spend more time with my family, I decided to try to stay home. Sure we miss the income, but I have a pretty successful Tupperware business that I work from home. My website is http://www.NKYTupperware.com or http://my2.tupperware.com/NKY and I absolutely love it! Still always looking for ways to make more money!
Shannon
HI, your site has been so helpful..we have recently had to start being on a budget, and couldnt have done it without u!
I am a stay at home mom, and i would love to find something to do at home. I have a bachelors in social science, but i just cant seem to find anything to do from home..any suggestions and websites that can help me find a legitimate job?
thanks so much!
I just became a stay at home/work from home mom. My husband and I have been married for 5 1/2 years and were finally able to have a baby. My daughter is now 4 months old. When we had our daughter we decided that I would quit the corporate world and stay at home. I am loving this change but missing our dual income.
My husband and I are also attempting to be debt free. All we have left is our house payment. To help pay extra on the mortage I decided to become a Discovery Toys Independent Consultant.
If you have never heard of DISCOVERY TOYS you need to check out my website. They are amazing. The toys are all specifically designed to help your child learn and develop. Plus they are fun, safe, and have a 100% WARRANTY. If you have a problem with you toy in 20 years they will replace it or give you a cash refund. Since I am a money saving mom that is always looking for quality -this sold me on the toys.
This business adventure has been great for me so far. I am always looking for new people to join my team. Let me know if you are interested in making some extra money from home and getting awesome toys for free.
Website: Discoverytoyslink.com/janellestevens
I have worked part-time as a college faculty member in order to be home when my kids left for school and when they returned. It worked well for me. I deliberately chose this educational course so that I could be flexible for my kids. I’m really glad that I did this. My husband received a promotion recently, and I was facing major burn out, grading some 2,000 paper at home after kids are in bed for thirty years can take its toll.
He encouraged me to quit after all these years. I took a semester off three years ago and have not been back. When we made the decision, I had to cut out a lot of extras. We never lived extravagantly, but I had to hit with a vengeance any leaks in our financial dike. I saved a thousand dollars a year by switching to a different but reputable home insurer. My mind is always on the bottom line. It is hard work to be frugal and hard work to work. Since mine has been a job which is part-time in the home and part-time away, I felt I had the best of both worlds. I miss my students. I miss the professional associations, but I don’t miss grading papers for five or six hours a night.
I have always wanted to be a SAHM, or even WAHM – but I am a Dental Hygienist, and my income was our main income. Shortly after returning to work after having our first child, I was dismissed. Dental Hygiene jobs are very difficult to come by in my area. It was scary knowing that our budget completely fell apart and we would no longer be making it month to month. We (DID!) have savings, so every month we went negative, we are able to make up the difference – but now that savings is almost gone. Fortunately I did qualify for unemployment – and that helps a bit, but when that runs out – we’re not sure where we’ll be!
BUT – At the same time, I feel that this has been the biggest blessing from God- I would have never had the guts to leave my stressful work because I knew what it would do to my finances – and I have been able to enjoy my son through his early months!
Recently I signed up with a company to try and start my own version of business of liquidations. I have been working on getting things organized – so I have not made any money yet. I am hopeful!
The whole time I was pregnant, one of my favorite motto’s was ‘9 months to find a work from home job!’… ‘6 months left to find a work from home job!’… and now I’ve been working toward that goal – and now I’m counting down months until unemployment runs out… If I have not made any money by that time, I will for sure be going back to work even if at least one day per week (if that is all I can find!)
Thanks for sharing your journey. I am looking forward to hearing your story!
I’ve been home since my son was born 4 years ago. Last year, after my daughter stopped nursing, I wanted to find something that would provide some income, get me out of the house a little and do something for me. I started in direct sales doing chocolate tasting parties. I love it. I’m only out of the house about 3 or 4 times a month, but have been able to build a team and do most of my work at home when the kids are napping or occupied. http://www.dove-chocolate-discoveries.com/sites/thechocolatemom
Wow. So many people are in similar situations. It is so encouraging to hear about. When my husband started law school, we both quit our jobs, sold our home and moved to San Diego = EXPENSIVE. I was pregnant with twins (also after fertility issues and having given up…and they were natural, not from In-Vitro!), and was determined to stay home with them. We were able to live on our savings for sometime, and I started “couponing.” Eventually, I wrote my own sale tracking/coupon matching database to help me find the absolute best deals. I track thousands of items from many stores in the southern California area, including meat and fresh produce. After having TONS of people ask for help on saving money on their groceries, I made my database available to the public for a small fee. We are going through a small transition in our business, but plan on having the database again available to the public soon. You can check out our new (and still a work in progress) blog at: http://www.myfrugalicious.com
I have three kids, ages 6,5, and 3. I am SO blessed to be able to stay home with them, and make some money by teaching piano lessons out of our home. I have about 19 students weekly right now, and they are spread out enough that my kids don’t suffer. =) In fact, I believe it’s been good for them, since we homeschool, to socialize with the different students and parents coming in and out of our home all the time. I have been doing this since before our first was born, so it’s just been a part of their lives! It is also good for me, because it helps me make better use of my time outside of lessons. Besides which, I love working with kids, and I love music!
I work at home! I am a WAHM of one, married to my hubby for 3.5 years now. I primarily work on my blog, http://www.mommygaga.com, where I blog about my work at home balance. I also host giveaways, write reviews on cool mommy-must-have products, and share freebies and coupons. I sell on eBay, do freelance work and a host of other fun stuff online. I also have a WAH website for moms, http://www.mommygaga.net.
I am trying to become a WAHM
Currently I:
-sell on ebay / craigslist
-take online surveys (SurveySpot and Global Test Market are the ones I have been doing mostly)
-babysit 2x a week at a gym (and get a free gym membership! My son loves playing with the other kids too!!)
-write articles for eHow
I’d love to figure out how to increase my streams of income since what I make is 100% savings and extra student loan payoff.
I’m a stay at home mom. Things are really tight and now I’m trying to get creative. I have been making tutus for a few years now and decided to try and start a business – Tutu Cute For Me. I don’t have my own website yet, but got a facebook page for it. I also make the most adorable capes and plan to start marketing those also. I know I won’t get rich but if it can help pay some bills and I’m doing something I love than I’m excited. I love making beautiful tutus and love seeing the girls put them on and just twirl. You can just tell they feel beautiful. What a great feeling.
http://www.facebook.com/tutucute
I’m a new SAHM mom, with a blog on the side. I’m hoping that the blog will one day be successful and earn a little extra spending income. I’m looking forward to reading the rest of your story.
My Blog: http://alli-n-son.com
I am a stay at home mom of three and my husband is a teacher here in CA. I definately have to pinch pennies to stay afloat. I do not make income at home but my job is to use our money the best we can. We cut cost by living in a cheaper neighborhood, we have one car (my husband rides a bike) I coupon shop. We don’t go out to eat very much at all we may get a take and bake pizza 1 time a month and go out to eat on birthday’s or anniversary. We save what we can etc. It is a job in and of itself. I tried to do mystery shopping and it didn’t really seem like the money was worth it.
Yes I work at home and go to school full time.
The stereotype of a SAHM or WAHM being lazy is laughable.
I have been a SAHM mom for a little over a year now.
Needless to say, there has been a learning curve. Not only with the amount of work and discipline it takes, but also with the ever-tightening of the belt and another round of layoffs coming up. Having said that, I wouldn’t trade being a SAHM for the world though!
I am most thankful for His providence thus far, although I do continually pray for “better days” to come financially.
As for me, I started selling Watkins a few months ago. Still struggling to get it going in this economy, but I’m praying that the holidays will inspire someone to check out my biz and buy something. The link is: http://www.watkinsonline.com/sengleman.
Thank you for this most encouraging and uplifting blog! Great reading! 🙂
I don’t consider myself a work-at-home mom; I consider myself a stay-at-home mom who happens to bring in a little cash in her spare time. I feel very strongly about that because some moms are work-at-home moms, but they have made their work into just as much of a “career” as if they were in an actual workplace and I fear their children see them just about as little as if they were in an actual workplace. Like you, Crystal, I feel very strongly that my first priority is to my home and family. Whatever income I can help bring in comes after those responsibilities are taken care of. I teach piano lessons in my home as well as work on my blog (www.thedealscoop.com) during the morning hours and naptime. Am I getting rich working such few hours? No way. But I am rich in what really matters – time spent with my precious children while the years quickly flee, an orderly home, and a happy husband. The Lord always has and always will take care of our financial needs in amazing ways!
Crystal, I love this story because my husband and I had infertility issues for about 2 yrs before we got pregnant and all I wanted was to be a mom. Sure, I am well educate but I want a family more than anything. I am expecting our little boy in about 3 weeks. And I guess it just goes to show you God has a plan for everyone.
Hey, Crystal! I really enjoy your blog and am looking forward to reading this series! I did have a question though, I’m a SAHM to 2 two and under and am pregnant with my 3rd. My husband is going back to school full time and working. My question is- if it’s not too personal- how did you pay for you husbands schooling without going into debt? We are commited to being good stewards with our money, but we see absolutely no way for my dh to go to school without taking out loans…Thanks for doing this series, I’m looking forward to reading the rest of it!
I really enjoy reading this series Crystal. I am also a work at home mom. It’s tough. Really tough! But I love every minute of it. I answer phones for our party rental company, and I also blog: http://www.couponersunited.com
I have 4 children, and will begin homeschooling them very soon.
I AM REALLY ENJOYING reading all of the comments too!! 🙂
Crystal, I share your and your reader’s desire to stay at home with our children. It is a commitment we made before we married and we stuck to it amid graduate school bills for both of us and God has honored that desire and commitment. It is truly a blessing to know you are making an eternal investment in little ones. We did, however, find it necessary to look for other income a couple of years ago as my husband is in full-time ministry as a pastor and our expenses were increasing with three little boys. After much research and prayer, I joined Pampered Chef as a consultant in 2008. I have loved the income, flexibility of the job, the emphasis of the company on helping others learn how to cook in order to stay home as a family at dinner time (!) and just the opportunity to be with other women in my community. I have loved it and it has truly blessed our family. It does take some discipline in juggling home and biz and not allowing the latter to overshadow home life, but I am learning and growing in it. Would love to share this opportunity with others who are interested- my website is: http://www.pamperedchef.biz/betsyscooking
We have paid off our debt and are currently using this income to pay some of our bills. It is a blessing!
I am also a work-at-home mother of two children. I just have started a shop on Etsy in the hopes that – while my husband is in dental school – I will be able to stay at home and continue to make a little income on the side. I am able to sew while the kids nap, and it’s been a WONDERFUL creative outlet for me! I am so thankful for MSM series on working at home – how helpful!
winneyandbea.etsy.com
I am a stay at home mom of 3! 2 boys that are 6 and 2 and one little girl that is 7 months… I would LOVE to work from home but I really just don’t even know where to start although my sis and I just started a blog that we are really excited about! If anyone has any ideas that they would like to throw at me to help me get started PLEASE do!!!!
http://theskinnyonsavingapenny.blogspot.com
I work part-time outside the home 3 days a week, which means I am a stay-at-home mom 4 days a week. I have to say for me it’s great! I have a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood and I know my 2 kids are safe, cared for, and stimulated in day care 3 days a week. I also enjoy my work, my workplace, and the interaction with co-workers. Working part-time outside the home and full-time at home allows me to enjoy the best of both worlds.
I was a middle school teacher prior to having my son in 2007. Once I laid eyes on him I knew there was no going back! I too tried MANY different routes to try to make money for my family…garage sales (can we say a lot of work for little profit!?), Ebay (ran out of stuff to get rid of!, and looked into some other ideas. In May 2009 I thought I would give my go with an at home business. I wanted to do something that would help others and really feel like I was making a difference and not just making a little extra money. I have found something that is working for me- I TOTALLY agree with Crystal..it requires work- but if you are passionate about it…it sure helps you keep going! If anyone is interested in what I am doing please email me at stacyandben AT JEFNET Dot com. SO excited to continue to read this series! Blessings to all you parents out there- we have the most important job in the world! 🙂
I am very interested in this series. I, too, am a stay-at-home wife (most of the time) and after struggling through random jobs here and there and even starting a few businesses along the way, I don’t feel like we’re any farther along than when we started. One business starting venture that I always seem to pick back up is a home-based business where I embellish standard baby items (like blankets, onesies, bibs and burp cloths). You can check it out at whattacutebaby.blogspot.com I’m looking for something else to fill in the gaps, so keep bringing the information! Thanks!
Great series!! I work from home PT while I homeschool my oldrest. I work with a foster care/adoption ministry recruiting AND supporting families who want to become foster or adoptive parents.
Our website is currently under construction, but I will provide the link when it is finished.
I am working my way to become at stay at home mom. I work full time right now to make ends meet but I would love nothing more then to work from home with my child. I started a blog a short while ago, have sold on ebay and craigs list but I know that is just the beginning and bless you for posting this.
http://discountdallas.blogspot.com/
I work part-time from home by designing stationery and photo cards. Still getting the hang of it after almost 3 years.
http://www.libbyludesigns.com is my website/blog.
Check it out!
I would like more tips about working at home. Currently I am a Mary Kay Beauty Consultant part-time as well as a bookseller on amazon.com. I am contributing to our income a little bit right now and would like to increase that. I really desire to work at home and have been praying for quite sometime for the Lord to show me what else I can do in order to continue at home with my 1 year old and one on the way.
Hello!
I am a legal transcriptionist and work from home. We have three boys – 3, 3 and 1 – and are welcoming boy #4 in less than 5 weeks. 🙂 My job is GREAT – I can type before the boys wake up, while they’re napping and after they’re in bed. The one struggle I have is my workload is always inversly proportionate to the amount of time I have – but I’m working very hard on working ahead so that, when there’s a crunch time, I’m prepared.
We’ve put ourselves in a LOT of debt over the years, and are *thankfully* in a position where my income is going straight onto debt. We have a LONG says to go, but it’s very rewarding to see the bottom line get a little smaller each paycheck.
I can’t thank you enough for blessing and encouragement of your website! I refer to it multiple times a day, and honestly wish we had discovered it (and Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University!) seven years ago instead of 20 months…but I’m SO thankful that we’re learning (and applying!) these lessons now while our children are little and won’t remember our bad habits. 🙂
I commented above but forogt to add my blog site…oops…here it is http://www.valuingtoday.blogspot.com
Once again I think this series will bless and help many women out there. Thanks again Crystal!
youare very inspiring
I work full-time outside the home but am slowly building up my other “side’ work so that sometime I may be able to be home. I teach at various universities teaching on-line classes (I have a master’s degree in my field). I’d ramp up my teaching in a heartbeat if I could figure out a way to replace my employer-provided health insurance.
I’m glad that you are posting this series! We have sort of kind of followed the same path in our family. I did need to WOH for a while, and the kids came with me, but I knew I really wanted to be at home.
xoxo steph
Hi Crystal,
Thanks for sharing. I find your blog so encouraging! I am not a stay-at-home Mom. Truth is, I am not even a Mom yet. But, I CAN’T WAIT to be a Mommy! I work now but am working diligently to create multiple income sources so when I am blessed with children, I can stay at home with them AND contribute financially to my family.
I have created a blog, http://www.smartmoneybabe.com
where I share my attempts at saving and making money.
I also earn money writing articles for Associated Content: http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/593392/sandra_knasiak.html.
Can’t wait for the rest of the series!
Thanks again!
I make baby & toddler leg warmers (http://BabyGooseCo.etsy.com/ ) and am considering adding a few other baby gifts to my shop.
Also, I work part-time as a proofreader for our little local newspaper. It’s 2 mornings a week, and it doesn’t pay much but my MIL watches my daughter for free – they both look forward to it – and it gets me to town without the little one so I can run errands. :>)
We’re also looking at trying to sell wheat berries from our farm, eggs, and beef at a farmers’ market next year. (Well, I’m thinking take orders for the beef, hubs is thinking bring a cooler of frozen hamburger!) However, I’m not sure if there is a big enough market for these sorts of things that are NOT organic, or chemical/hormone free. We believe in using standard farming procedures because using extra stuff costs extra money, so of course we don’t do more than we need to! But organic means higher costs and lower yields, and the process is quite difficult, and it’s not something we’re in a position to do. (I’ve been working on wrapping my head around all this lately . . .)
I am interested in all learning about all the ways you make money while at home, I am a stay at home mom with three children, I have recently started working as a medical transcriptionist, that is bringing in a little income,and I do it at night after the kids go to bed, and I also sell on ebay, craigslist, and half.com. but that is just here and there. I homeschool two of our three children, the youngest is only 1. The Lord has always greatly provided for us at all times. My husband would love to work from home too, and we are seeking God’s will for us at this time. We also have a big garden and do a lot of canning, I have also used craigslist to get free unwanted apples that were great for canning. For free. God is so great. We are also part of a homeschool group that receives free bread once a week from a local bakery. There are so many avenues out there if we only just knew of them all.
I love this post!!! Before kids I taught some piano lessons, and since then I have done lots of sewing, smocking and heirloom sewing for a bit of income (though I must note, it can be VERY difficult to make a profit from sewing…. it takes a LOT of time from start to finish to make a garment, and I find most customers do not realize how many hours go into a handmade garment. They hope to pay LESS for handmade than at the store.) If you do try to start up an “at home” sewing business, I have a few tips!
1. SIMPLIFY- find a few “time effective” patterns (without collars, few buttons, etc) and stick with those. Too many choices means more time hunting for and cutting out patterns AND means you need a lot of space for your business!
2. Divide you week into a “sewing pattern” . On Mondays, compile orders, cut out garment; Tuesdays and Wednesday, sew. Thursday, finishing touches. Friday, ship orders, etc. Streamling makes things time effective, which yields a better profit!
3. MAKE YOUR KIDS FEEL LIKE A PART OF YOUR BUSINESS….They love to “help” and even a 19 month old love to sort material (aka, pile it into a heap on the floor 🙂 They are the purpose for stayingat home… don’t miss out on them!!!
These are just a few tips (of many!) that have helped me to build a little at home sewing business while still homeschooling 3 little ones. It’s NOT high income, but if adds up little by little!
You can visit my site at http://www.flitterbugs.blogspot.com
Thanks Money Saving Mom. You have been a huge inspiration to me. I am a registered nurse who went to school and worked when my oldest daughter was born. With my youngest I have been blessed to stay home and really want to continue to do so, but money is so tight. Well, yesterday I decided to start a Mom Blog to share my experiences saving money in the Puget Sound area of Washington. I don’t know if I will make money, but I am going to give it a try, and if I don’t maybe I can still help others by sharing my expecriences. Thanks for all you do!http://pugetsoundprudence.blogspot.com/
I’ve been working from home since before I graduated high school (homeschool) along with short bits of working outside the home – something I never really enjoyed. I’ve done sewing / needlework in just about every form imaginable including knitting lace shawls. I now am back to focusing on my original sewing business of providing quilting services (both long-arm machine and hand quilting), although I am still willing to do other sewing projects.
I am now married and will become a new mother in January / February 2010, so working from home has become essential for me especially as we intend to homeschool our children as we were.
I’m still working on my web site, but anyone can email me with questions or if they are interested in getting their quilt tops quilted at michal_c1984 (at) hotmail (dot) com
~Chelsea
I have been selling premade scrapbook pages on ebay for the past 5 years(my store is Pumpkins & Peanuts and my seller id is snoopymissy)- it’s been fun turning my hobby into a means to make a little extra money for my family… I’m always interested in finding out some other ways I can try and earn money though! Thanks for the series!
I’ve been working from home for a little over a year now. It’s with a Christian ministry, through a local company in our small town. They have a website where you go to request prayer. I (along with a handful of other ladies) process these requests, making sure there are no last names, cities, personal info, inappropriate content, etc. It pays decent (abt $7.50/hr.) and it’s fairly flexible. I can do it from anywhere that has internet (I have a laptop and we have wireless, so I can even sit in the backyard while the kids play and work). We’re getting ready to add internet access to my cell phone so I’ll be able to work when we travel, as well (which will pay for itself in one afternoon for the whole month). I have a 12 hr. period that I’m responsible for covering, but I don’t have to be on that entire time. I usually spend a total of 4-6 hrs. a day working and almost all of that is during nap time and after the kids are in bed. God has blessed us greatly through this local company (my husband also has a 2nd job at the company). If we didn’t need the extra money for our debt snowball, I wouldn’t be working.
So fun to read this story! Thank you for sharing!! Eagerly awaiting your next post 🙂
i love when you write about your struggles during law school. My husband is on year three — graduates in May and I’m so excited. There are times when we could have been more frugal, but these times of cut back have really helped us too.
Someday I’d love to work at home and be a writer. Now I’m stuck in corporate america…
I suppose I can proudly say that I’m a work-from-home mom!! I’ve been in business for exactly one year, and in May, I started to bring in a consistent income that allowed me to stop watching other people’s kids. I love that my papercrafting hobby turned into a business! It is a lot of work, but I love it, and I love that I get to be home with my kids and can take some of the pressure off of my husband.
My store: http://www.thedigichick.com/shop/view_all.php?manufacturerid=72
My blog: http://kelleighratzlaff.com/
I’d love some visits!! I recently became coupon crazy, so I post my scores there, too!
I work for a small local government so I am able to do the work at home on my own time. It is very hard to find the time even if it is just 10 hours a week. I work 4 hours a day, outside of the house while my daughter is at school. I also blog at http://www.freeisfun.blogspot.com-probably why I can find the time to do the other stuff!
To Milk Donor Mama …
Would you mind sharing the name of the freelance writing company? Sounds fantastic!
Thanks!
Christy
[email protected]
I love your site and your story. You are so authentic and I think that’s what has made your blog so successful and a pleasure to read.
I am currently a stay-at-home Mom. But I hadn’t planned it that way. Complications with my first pregnancy during the first trimester put me on bedrest and I had to leave my job. That was almost two years ago and it has been a big adjustment for me – mentally and financially.
I will be launching my own kids event website in December. It will be a place parents in my community can go to find a local calendar of events/activities, a kid-friendly business directory, and a blog that will cover everything from ‘the best toddler parks’ to ‘the best iphone apps for kids’. I think it will be a hit in my community, and if it isn’t, it will at least make me a better Mom since I’ll be doing so many activities with my daughters as I do ‘research’ for my website.
I’ve been staying home since right after we got pregnant with our first child three years ago. We now have two children and a franchise of Aire-Master, which I do all the office/administrative work for (from home). I also have 3 blogs that I’m not having much luck monetizing and I’m a writer for Demand Studios (which is proving to me much more lucrative than blogging…at least for me).
I worked for a large auto manufacturing company for 10 years and I quit one week prior to having my son. Within 3 months of my departure, they called & asked me to contract work from home and I did so for an additional 3 years! Now, however, I am working as a photographer. Love it!
http://www.photoreflect.com/pr3/store.aspx?p=226091
Here is my brand new site! http://www.BargainsAndBlessings.com
I have been blessed to stay home now for 11 years. I left Corporate America when my first child was 1 yr old, and God has continually blessed us through these years on one income. This year with the economy downturn we have noticed more “crunch” which led to my journey in couponing (and finding your site!) I have been able to share with many people in my area how to get started couponing, and have just started this week a blog also, where I will be sharing the deals I find, and blessings along the way. I know it is small now, and may never generate as much as the bigger sites like yours does, but I pray that God will bless this as He sees fit. He’s so faithful! 🙂 Thanks for your site, and all the help you give others!
I’m really looking forward to this series as I am presently in the process of looking into and pursuing more ways for me to make money from home. I already blog, although I do that more for fun not so much for the income, which so far isn’t much anyway. 🙂 I am considering starting a store on Etsy though and am still brainstorming about other ideas.
Before having my daughter, I worked full time as a graphic designer. About a year after I had her, I had the opportunity to freelance a little from home for a guy I used to work with. Now that she’s in school, I’ve been accumulating more & more clients based only on word of mouth. The best part is that as a freelancer, I can work 10 hours a week and make just as much as I did working 40 hours!
I joined a local stay at home moms group after my daughter was born. And it surprised me that the majority of SAHM’s I met actually do something to help supplement their income or earn spending money for their families.
I run an in-home daycare so I can be home with my children. I also knit & crochet occasionally for profit but, not much. Every little bit helps though. ;o)
I love reading personal stories like this!
I started http://www.northerncheapskate.com two years ago to help me stay focused on our goal of being able to live on one income as a stay-at-home mom. I also started the blog to help keep my brain from turning to mommy mush!
It actually came as a surprise to me that this was something that I could make money doing! I love being able to help others while caring for my family, too! Our family just works better with me at home, and I like that I’m able to contribute to our income. I also love the community that I’ve discovered online. I’m having a blast with my kids…. and my blog!
I’m a licensed home daycare provider. I just had my second child and I LOVE that I get to stay home with both of my kids and earn a living at the same time. I’m licensed to watch 8 kids (including my own) and I won’t lie… it’s not easy… but it’s worth it for me, so I make it work.
I do not work from home yet. I would love to get to that point though. I started a blog last month http://wichitacoupons.blogspot.com it’s all about coupons, saving, and living frugal.
I can’t wait to hear more!
I work out of the home full-time and do a few things part-time in the home.
My part-time in-home ventures are Lemongrass Spa, where I serve as a consultant. It’s great to represent products that are earth and skin friendly. I really have a lot of fun with it and so do my customers! http://www.ourlemongrassspa.com/Lisette Additionally, I blog about money saving strategies and homemaking as a full-time out of the home worker at http://www.buyonsaleandsavethedifference.blogspot.com As someone who loves to write, read and research, this endeavor is my favorite of everything that I do, but I am discovering that there is a lot to getting a blog off the ground!
First I have to say you have me waiting impatiently for the rest of your story 😉
Second…Veronica you spoke of coding but didn’t give us a way to get ahold of you. Or find the info about the coding program I am interested so please fill me in on how to do that thanks…
I work from home im a mother of 3 and started working from home many years ago doing different things. I have even been a therapeutic foster mom for almost 7 yrs. That decision was decided as a family and once my children were ready for a break from it all we took it. I now work for an insurance company setting appointments for their salesmen. Although I have worked in the past for a customer service company called “West at home”. They are a great place to work for when you need money and they even pay for their training too. The pay varies from mimimum wage to ?? depending on which skill (company) you are working for I was working for HSN (Home shopping network) taking orders… I am always looking for more ways to make money so Thanks again for posting and look forward to more…
My husband has also been furthering his education our entire 4-year marriage. While working fulltime (and having several other side jobs), I was encouraged to use my talent with floral design to start a side business. For 2 1/2 years I worked two jobs–one during the week and one on the weekend, doing mostly floral design for weddings. All the hard work has paid off, and now that our daughter has joined our family, I am able to stay home with her and continue my floral design work. I also work with an AWESOME wedding design company, UDesigns (www.udesignsweddings.com). The Lord has been so good to allow my little business to flourish and grow. You’re right, though, Crystal, it doesn’t happen without a lot of hard work, too!
I am so thankful that the Lord allowed me to have a position that could be used outside the home or at my home – piano teaching. Before I had my son, I spent 4 years teaching outside of my home, but now that I am a SAHM, I am able to bring in a little income through teaching students at my home. It’s a great job and I love being able to do both!
I am a SAHM and wedding photographer. This allow me to stay home during the week and on weekends that I have a wedding, my husband gets some daddy time with the kids. Or, if he’s helping me with the wedding, the boys go to grandma’s. This extra income is all going into a savings account for a downpayment on a home. By doing this, I get to be the kind of wife and mom that I want to be, as well as get to express some creativity.
http://www.lpdesignz.com
I am a work at home mom. I keep 6 children at my house everyday, including my 1 year old son. I homeschool the oldest two children. I think this is the best of both worlds because I get to stay home with my son, make money, and he gets the opportunity to learn important social skills under my watchful eye!!
Although I am by no means getting rich, I make enough money to cover our mortgage and basic utilities! People are willing to pay very well for quality childcare. I have also been able to hire my Grandmother to come and help out 4 days a week. It is win, win because because it gets her out of the house and keeps her active. Additionally, she is very helpful with the children (they love her) and she keeps my house clean! I have requests from parents frequently to keep their children but I do not want to have so many that I am unable to spend quality time with the ones I already keep!
I would advise anyone who loves children to consider this possibility! We are very thankful to God for allowing me to do this!!
I have been working fulltime from home as a graphic designer for over three years now. I go into the office (where I worked for almost two years before my first child) a few hours a week and do the rest from here with my now three-year-old and nine-month-old. My husband is in graduate school, so I’ve been able to provide a paycheck and benefits until he’s in the workforce. You are right that it is a lot of work, but a huge blessing, too.
I do not work from home, but would love my husband to stay home with our children, should we have any. I love my job and could never leave it… I miss my patients when I am gone for longer than a week.
We buy used books at thrift stores and garage sales, then resell them online. When we started we were just trying to free up room on our bookshelves. Now we are starting to see it as an extra form of income each month!
Since taking my “Mommy Sabbatical” from teaching 4 years ago, I’ve tutored, provided parttime in-home child care and worked as a wedding coordinator at my church. My latest gig is blogging, though – for the last 6 months or so, I’ve made an attempt at a local money-saving blog to benefit families struggling with the rough economy in Michigan:
http://www.macombmoneysavers.com
THanks for starting this series! I’m in suspense about what happens next….! My husband and I are in a similar situation, as I am due with our first child in 5 weeks and he hopes to be accepted to PA school in the near future…
Love, Alicia
Looking forward to this series. Good start!
LOVE IT! Can’t wait for the next one!
I started working at home as a medical transcriptionist when my oldest was around 2-1/2. I now have four children. I work part-time. It’s a juggle at times but worth it if it keeps me at home! We don’t depend on my income, but it sure does help with whatever “extras” we want. It took TIME for me to be more productive in my work (I’m paid based on production) as I became experienced.
Probably the biggest endeavor that a lot of moms have is keeping it “realistic” as far as what/how much they can work and care for their children/family.
While some may think I don’t make much money working part-time, by the time I figure in the tax benefits and what I would spend on daycare, transportation costs, wardrobe, not to mention convenience foods and/or eating lunch out….it adds up quickly! I won’t even get into the effects of the physical and emotional stress I had when I worked full-time outside the home.
Wow – I didn’t realize how long my comment was – sorry! You can see how passionate I am about this topic 🙂
I do work at home now with my blog now being my business (http://mommysnacks.net).
Crystal you are so right in that working at home is WORK! Sometimes I feel it’s more challenging than when I went into an office! So many priorities and requirements we moms have on our shoulders!!
Before I started my site, I also worked from home as an HR Manager. I had the flexibility to work primarily from home and go into the office just one day a week. It worked fine for the first few months.
With my personality, I felt complete guilt that I was not in the office as much for the work I needed to accomplish. That one day gradually grew and grew until I was giving more time than I should to my career and not my family (which is the primary reason I went part-time/work at home in the first place).
Long story short, I resigned. I’m home with my kids. I’m doing something I love (helping people). I do consider it a blessing and answer to prayers.
Looking back, I felt guilty when I was away from my kids in the office working. Then to see how I felt guilty being away from my work to be with my kids. Yeah, a plethora of emotions!
I’m sure you’ll touch on this, but people need to consider limits and boundaries when working at home. It’s so easy to run to the (home) office and check email quickly. That 5 minutes can easily turn into a 3-hour project.
Having the creativity to work at home is a gift. There are so many behaviors necessary to make you truly successful (ambition, initiative, passion, drive, just to name a few). But, those behaviors, and that creativity, can actually be a hindrance if those boundaries aren’t set. Been there, done that and trying not to go back there again! 🙂
Looking forward to read the rest of your series on this subject!
I am a former RN & after growing tired of the politics involved in the medical field I decided I wanted to quit. I started working from home as a network marketer with a great candle company. I am also working on a blog site for my couponing & saving. Love your site!!!!
Great start to what we all know will be a great series. I feel every stay at home mom is a work at home mom the difference is the pay. I just started my blog in September, it’s hard to work to get up and running but the rewards will pay off down the road.
Lovepeaceandsaving.blogspot.com
I have several small income streams as a work at home wife.
My main job is teaching online for a local college. I kind of fell into that, but I LOVE it and hope to keep doing it for a long time!
I blog at Frugal Homemaker Plus- http://frugalhomemakerplus.blogspot.com and make a small amount of money blogging.
I also do surveys, mystery shop, and conduct audits. The audits are labor intensive, but they only last 2 days and I only do them every other month or so.
I am in the process of starting a small business as well, but I’m working at it very slowly. It will be launching early next year if all goes well! 🙂
Beth,
what does a ‘coding’ person do?
Thanks,
a
I find small ways to earn money from blogging, resale of old books, and a few photography submissions here and there.
I have two kids I stay home with and my husband is in flight school for two more years.
We recently found that God has been so utterly faithful in giving us creativity to stretch our money that we’ve decided to donate all the blogging money to clean water from now on.
http://www.mypennypile.com/2009/10/blogging-with-new-purpose.html
This gives us new joy in our frugal adventure!
I can’t wait to read the next part of the series. I have been a mostly at home mom for almost 9 years but during the time my boys were both home I worked various part time jobs outside the home (flute teacher, industrial cleaning, amusement park sweeper, substitute teacher, direct sales, greeting card merchandiser, youth center activity director) At times when I had multiple jobs going at once it made life crazier than if I’d just worked full time. I now substitute teach while my boys are in school but am seeing the need to develop multiple streams of reliable income as my husband contemplates a career change and as I would really like to just work from home (or at least have the freedom to turn down subbing jobs for classes I am not as comfortable teaching or on days when I am not feeling well, without feeling guilty).
My blogs are homekeepin-heather.blogspot.com, uncurablebookworm.blogspot.com and spumonispot.wordpress.com
Where are you guys teaching couponing classes? A few of my friends have suggested I do this, but I have no idea where to teach them or advertise them. How much are you charging for the sessions? Any suggestions? Thanks so much!
Great series! I am looking forward to reading more! I do work very part time outside the home (10 hours or so a week), and have a few at home jobs that supplement our income. I do some online tutoring, score for a testing company, and have been doing some contract work for a new web site over the last few months. My mom has an Etsy shop – http://cjscraftcorner.etsy.com which I maintain online and we also sell Avon. It is definitely not a full time income, but every little bit helps! 🙂
I work at home as a medical transcriptionist. This is one career that has a very good ratio as far as cost of college versus the income generated from the job.
Well, I’m not a mom; so I don’t know if this counts or not, but I work from home as well as a job outside the home.
I do the bookkeeping for my husband’s business, run a tax business of my own and earn money by running several blogs.
You are spot on with your statement that it takes a LOT of work! Working from home is not for sissies or those with the get rich quick mentality. It takes a long time to build up those earnings!
Can’t wait to read the rest of your series.
Trixie
IN a seperate comment-
Crystal, I really enjoyed this. I am even more aware at how blessed we financially really are! Gulp.
Amber-
A Mother’s Helper is kind of someone that can come in and help take care of the house or kids or whatever so you can do what you need too. Laundry, cooking, cleaning, you know, a mother’s helper! 😉 😀
Amanda-
Our family has opted out for health insurance. It can be done. Since being married I have been hospitalized once and my husband has had to have shoulder surgery. Most of my bills are in the thousands that we pay every 6 weeks. We are going through a private (read expensive) DR to “cure” our diseases. I have thyroid issues/fibromalgia I am told but not sure just how accurate that is. And hubby has Depression which is another $100-$200 in meds. I dont say this to puff myself up. Its hard work. But it can be done.
FRT, and I dont share this with a lot of people but we make $16,000 a year. The only way I am able to keep afloat a lot is
A) I can sew. My Mumsie taught me. I am also self-teaching myself to knit. IF I can learn, anyone can. I am VERY VERY visual. Instructions are not clear for me. Youtube and friends have helped me a lot. Crocheting is a bit harder. (Etsy store is cottageprimrose.etsy.com)
B) I am an emergency babysitter (emergency comes up I am usually available). My sister(s) are full time babysitters and when they have something come up I can usually sub for them.
C) I do respite care. I do NOT recommend this for just anyone. Its a lot of hard work. We are very blessed to work with a Christian family.
D) I yardsale/thrift shop and resale.
Everything little thing like now I’m putting more time into MSM so I can save even more.
I am a Mom of 2 almsot under 2 (my eldest just turned 2 last tuesday). Its a lot of work being a SAHM or WAHM. It does not involve watching soaps all day if your dedicated to being a MOM. ROFL. 😉
I am also VERY blessed because I have family in town. I am the eldest of nine (youngest sib is 5). Everyone on my side is still in town. I am 21. My husband is the 3rd of 8 and his arents are still here. Its very convienent to once in a while ask for a babysitting time. That may not always be the case.
Just some thoughts and my life story. LOl. Yes, I am a homeschool graduate and intend to homeschool as well. 😀
I work full time outside the home and have a daughter who’s almost 3. In January, I started freelance writing for a website that pays me by the article. I’ve earned $5700 doing that this year, and I do it from home whenever I want. I just need a computer and internet connection. I had a miscarriage last month, and I just took a pregnancy test this morning (nauseated and sore boobs!) and it turned positive!
We have been living on just one income and using the other to pay cash for a used very good car (last year), and paying down our mortgage. God willing, our mortgage will be paid off by the time my maternity leave runs out. My due date is about July 1st 2010, and I have enough leave saved to be paid through October 2010.
At that point, our plan is for me to stay home with the baby and our daughter who would be almost 4 by then. I would continue writing. I’ve also sold crafts in the past. I would also consider caring for another child in my home for some additional income.
I hope and pray that this baby grows inside of me and we have a healthy, full term baby. We’ve been trying for this child since June. Our daughter was a total surprise and we never thought it would take more than a month or two to get pregnant with another baby.
I work Part time at my church now, and work from home, but before I got my PT job, i was solely working from home. I keep after school kids in my home from 2:30-5:15, and at one point I was making almost 350.0 a week! I don’t keep as many kids now, but I am still bringing in at least 140.00 a week. I also sell items on Ebay when I have the time.
Great series! I have a 3 1/2 year-old daughter & I watch two children in my home 4 days a week. I also tutor very part-time as an added cushion. I love being at home & thank God everyday for it!
I am working towards becoming a Family Child Care Provider. I have been a stay at home mom for 2 years, ever since my som was born. I love staying home with my son. I just started blogging.
http://www.bensmomma.com
I am looking forward to the rest of your series! Great start 🙂
I am a SAHM but I find ways to make money on the side, here & there. Nothing too steady, even though I would like it to be! I am starting to make some items that I hope to be able to put in a craft show in the Spring. My current project is little girls pillowcase style dresses. So that is fun!
I too have a website, http://www.savingourway.blogspot.com.
Thanks for all you do!
🙂
I worked continued to work full time out of the home while my 3 year old was young. At that time my husband worked from home. His business was steadily growing and so as the birth of our second daughter approached, we knew that something had to give. The nature of both of our work required extremely odd hours at times as well as widely inconsistent shcedules. I decided that I would stay at home following the birth of my 2nd daughter. I have been home with her a year now and still freelance in the same profession that I was previously emplyed full time in, but that work is as desired. I can easily take or refuse work without consequence (other than not receiving a check if I don’t work 😉 ).
I also work part time in the home and out of the home doing billing and marketing work for my husband’s company.
I have just recently started a blog (as in this past weekend).
I am having fun with that already and learning all about setting up different features and tools. You are most certainly correct that even the little things require amazing amounts of energy, focus and drive to implement and keep up!
I look forward to hearing more in this series, especially regarding the “business” of blogging!
Thanks for all the thought you put in to your blog.
I’m fortunate that I’ve been able to come up with multiple sources of income as well without jeopardizing my time with my family. I am home most of the week and I blog at http://lifeofftheshelf.blogspot.com. I also do freelance writing for local publications once in a while. On Fridays, I clean our church building. My grandma watches my toddler in the Sunday School room while I do my custodian duties. It works great for us. Some other ideas I want to pursue are teaching piano lessons (my parents just recently gave us their piano) and playing piano for weddings and other events.
Thanks for the series! Can’t wait for more!
I’m a stay a home mom also, but I have an Event planning business on the side. I love staying at home and making my own schedule, but I will say that it can be tough at times. Managing two boys, one 7 and one 4, plus a business is very busy. But I wouldnt not go back to an 8-5 office job EVER!
http://www.aneventtoremembercharleston.com
I am not currently stay-at-home, (or even a mom yet!), but when I was in High School, I got my cosmetology license. I did this specifically so that I would have the option to work from my home if necessary. I now cut hair for friends and family, and having this skill is a blessing– one I could turn into a job (either in the home or out of the home) and would allow me the flexibility to pursue the things that really matter.
I am not a work at home mom, however I work part-time during the hours in which our children are at school. I know many Mommies out there home school… But if a Mommy does not homeschool, working during school hours is very rewarding. I have the satisfaction of working and earning an income as well as the satisfaction of being at home with our children every moment that they are at home. I took a substantial pay cut to take this part-time position but I have found we have saved far more money by me being at home than I earned full-time! I hope this helps someone! P.S. Ladies: I have made great money selling hot Christmas toys on Ebay! XOXO
I absolutely love your story and can’t wait to hear more! We have two boys (3.5 and 2) and have a girl on the way in February. I teach piano in my home 3 days a week (http://www.studio-88.net) and am a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator (http://www.sarahayes.typepad.com). I agree that working at home is hard work but 100% worth it!!
I vowed to stay at home at least the first year for each of my three babies. God blessed our wishes and I have stayed at home for five years with my second child. I now have a third and a suprise fourth on its way. I work from home with an online olive oil club. A total blessing, but it may not last long with the economy. I’m blessed with other talents such as sewing and cooking and I have made side money with these in the past.
I LOVE reading your blog and thrilled that you are able to generate income from it! 🙂
I have been a work at home Mom for the past 7 or so years. It does take a good deal of trial and error and hours and hours of work! It seems that you never really leave the “office”. Work does seem to always be on your mind when you work from home, completely different from when I worked in an office.
I turned my hobby into my business. I actually scrapbook for others as my business. It is something that allows me to be my creative self. I was recently picked up as and illustrator for an up and coming stamp line “The Pixie Cottage”, a new outlet for me! 🙂
Here is my blog with all my links: http://tycaalaksdesigns.blogspot.com/
I am a work from home, homeschooling, SINGLE mom. I was terrified of ending my abusive marriage because I didn’t want to leave my 18 month old daughter. I had always wanted to be a stay at home mom. But God has taken care of us! Within two weeks I had two work-from-home jobs as a bookeeper and apartment manager. We don’t live in an amazing home or have tons of extra things, but I am able to proved for us as well as be home with and homeschool my 4 1/2 year old daughter. God is good!
I sort of work at home. I am a PhD student, and except for about 2 hours of babysitting a week so I can meet with my advisor, I do all of my research from home. I get a stipend of about $30k and I don’t attend classes, so I consider myself more of a work-at-home mom, than an in-school mom. I guess it is somewhere in the middle. I have two little kids and I have to say it is a huge adventure/challenge to try to do this with two kids. I can’t wait to be done!
I’m a copywriter. I write a lot of web content for small business websites though my own business
http://existdesigns.com
and then I do quite a bit of freelance work for a large ad agency where I write marketing content for major universities and hospitals.
To all the teachers out there– my daughter is in preschool a couple of mornings a week. While I don’t want to home school her myself, I would love for her to have that type of learning experience. I know my sister used to tutor home schooled students–perhaps you could do a “in-home” school–making money (with proper licensing, of course) and staying home with your kids.
I run LivingOnADime.com a website that teaches people how to save money and get out of debt.
We have been in business for 10 years and working on it for 12 years (it took two years to get my first book Dining On A Dime Cookbook written) on our business. We self publish our books and e-books.
I completely agree that if you are expecting just to start making money one day working at home isn’t for you. It takes time and a lot of work! So much so that for us that it was 8 years before we saw any profit at all. (I do have a chronic illness so that limits the amount I can do.)
Tawra
I work full time at home as a medical coder. I’m currently pregnant with our first child. I will cut down to 30 hours a week after the baby is born. Though I cannot be clocked in for my secular work and take care of my baby, I will try to fit it around Gramma’s schedules and naps, as well as a couple hours in the evening when my husband is home. We’re sure it will be well worth it to be able to be home with our baby. If anyone is looking into coding, there is a one year certificate program available. If the program is accredited you’ll be able to get a job in the field. Great pay, too, and benefits!
Hi Beth! I’m looking into pursuing medical coding as a part time job at home. Any leads for employment, companies that hire? And what school offers the one year certificate program?
Thanks.
I work part time at home with the same company I have worked for for 18 years. When we moved out to the country, they let me work from home. It works out well – only 10-15 hours a week. I also homeschool my daughter who is in highschool.
I have been working from home for a little over a year now. I was inspired by you! 🙂 You are right in that it takes A LOT of work, but it’s definitely worth it so that I can be home with my kids.
I blog at http://www.thethriftymama.com where I share deals and tips to help you live a more natural and thrifty lifestyle.
This is fantastic! I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the series, and am a huge believer in the power of multiple streams of income. I blog (http://www.mashupmom.com) and run a careers site for librarians (http://www.lisjobs.com). I’m a freelance writer, editor, and workshop leader; I’ve published professional titles for librarians and my first book for everyone else comes out this spring. I’ve started teaching coupon classes. And all this combined with couponing/saving allows me to be a work-at-home mom.
My situation is very similar to yours ~ lots of little jobs here and there, but I’ve never worked in the secular workforce since getting married.
I currently own the website http://www.childrens-church-ministry.com, and it is monetized in several different ways. My biggest income boost is the eBook (I actually have two, but one does way better than the other) on my site. What a blessing to get those e-junkie notifications in my inbox announcing a sale! I also post on Craigslist and eBay when we get in a tight, and God always manages to provide a creative idea or gift for allowing us to meet budget.
I worked from home on and off before my son came, mostly writing and also doing some freelance XML for a company I used to work for. I am so blessed now that my husband is out of school. As long as we’re careful, we have more than enough from his salary.
I am also a work at home mom, and I love it!! I have three young kids and am able to be home with them and work some to bring in extra income. I work with a direct sales company selling great jewelry, awesome income, and incentives! I feel lucky that I found something that I can do and still be able to be home with my kids!
I am very interested in hearing your story and am looking forward to the rest of this series!
Doesn’t 2 lines mean you would be having twins woah…
I started working from home this year. I sell vintage items on Etsy (whimsicaljunk.etsy.com) and I’m hoping to eventually add some of my hand-altered and handmade items throughout the coming year. I’m very excited about it and I love it so far!
But it’s also been a real challenge balancing everything in our home life. This post is so timely as I started homeschooling this year, as well, (just to add another thing to my plate!) and I’m trying to find the balance through it all.
I look forward to the next installment. I gain so much inspiration about caring for my home from your blog. Thank you for that!
~ Jennifer
I am also a work at home mom. I run http://happyhomemakercindy.com/ and teach couponing classes to large and small groups.
When I first started my blog and teaching I did it mostly for fun but after spending over 40 hours a week or more teaching others how to save money. I decided I would have to treat it a job. It’s been a hard road. Blogging for a living is hard work and not for everyone. I knew that when I started this journey (after reading many of your posts) that I work have to work countless hours for free before I would reap the rewards. After over 8 months of hard work I am just now starting to make a little money from my site to cover all the money I have spent on it. LOL!
I just started charging for my coupon classes and sometimes feel bad about doing so, but this is a job now and I have to treat it that way. I am doing what I love and have such a passion for helping others same money. As, I have heard it said “do what you love and the money will come.”
Cindy
I work at home for the company that I left when I had my daughter. I quit my job when she was born and soon after, I asked if some of my “old” work could be done at home – the rest is history. I have been working at home for 2 years now, so it never hurts to ask!
I’m a stay at home mom who just so happens to LOVE to sew. I am slowly trying to turn my hobby into a job. I would love for it to become profitable enough to allow me to continue to stay at home with my daughter and maybe one more little one. We’ll see!
my blog: http://www.littlebiggirlstudio.blogspot.com
my shop: http://www.lbgstudio.etsy.com
I also started being a stay at home mom for my dauger of 3 1/2 years old. I always have worked and loved it. But I felt a tug that I should stay with my daughter at home(I also wanted to.). It was hard at the beginning,I felt so bored and felt I, was not doing anything for the family. We also dont get that much money coming in but I am trying to cut down on everything. I am trying to find some part time job perhaps at night or maybe at home. I am looking into medical transcriptionist and will take a course in it. I hope everything goes well so i can help my husband. I am sure it will since I have God on my side. I would love to hear your story and love your website,keep up the good work. Thank you
I am currently a teacher but I want so badly to be a stay at home mom. My little girl is 4 months old and it kills me each day to leave her. I sometimes get discouraged because I truly don’t see how it can be possible for me and my family for me to stay at home. Is it worth praying for if you know it’s impossible? (But I know that nothing is impossible with God and that’s why I keep praying). We are currently doing the total money makeover and will have everything except the house paid for in 2 years but my biggest fear is not having health insurance for my family – it is impossible to get my husband private health insurance due to his height and weight. Thanks for this piece on stay at home moms – maybe it will open a whole new door I haven’t thought of!!
I’m sorry, I feel quite ignorant asking this, but what is a mother’s helper?
I work at home for a financial ministry. I worked there full time until my first baby was born 7 years ago, and I’ve been working from home since then. I use the Internet and e-mail to complete various projects for the ministry, as they need me. We don’t depend on my income at all, because it is hit or miss, but it’s nice when we have it.
I love being able to care for my four babies and homeschool them while bringing in a little income.
I’ve been married for almost 12 years, and we, too, saved up to build our home debt free. It took us about 3.5 years to complete it, but boy, was it worth the time and effort! If we hadn’t done things the way we did, we couldn’t afford for me to stay home with my kids! What a blessing!
P.S. Instead of a stay-at-home-mom, I like to call myself a “domestic engineer.” 🙂
I started an online cloth diaper store about a year ago. With 11 children I have lots of diapering experince!
So far it has been great!
I’m slowly admitting to myself that I am a “work at home mom.” I never thought about it as such since the side jobs were just that — very much on the side. But, now that my income is increasing, as is my time investment, I guess I need to ‘fess up. I write magazine articles (www.fishmama.com) as well as blog at http://www.lifeasmom.com and http://www.goodcheapeats.com
I always enjoy reading about your life, Crystal!
Thanks for sharing.
I am working from home by doing online surveys, a few mystery shopping jobs, and writing books. I’m thinking about selling some crafts online.
My website is candyfoote.com
~Candy~
I’m looking forward to this series! I am a stay at home mom that works, up until recently 2 jobs and I am happy to say that it is now down to 1 woo hoo! It has been a juggling act for sure and working so much can take a toll on your body. I decided that my health and mental, emotional and spiritual well being was far more important then 1 of my jobs and that was a great decision for me and God has miraculously provided for our family. Now, I work for a family friend from home helping her with a marketing business. I have the flexibility to work whatever hours I like and it is a true joy! Since then, I started a blog to share what I’ve been learning in life, tips and tricks and a myriad of other things. I am a person who loves to share and to be able to share on my blog is a great outlet for me.
I look forward to your next installment!
I’m so excited you’re writing about this. We are about 3 weeks from having our first baby and I’m currently working full time. Hubby’s in school and works as well (part-time) and I dream about one day being able to stay home to take care of my family. Just can’t financially figure out how to make that happen yet…
I tutor online for tutor.com. If anyone is interested, I am pretty sure they need higher-level math and science tutors right away, and you can always apply for other subjects which they take on as needed. You can e-mail me at jlp5544 AT hotmail DOT com if you want to know more about it. I really enjoy it. You set your own hours, but it’s mostly when kids are home from school. It is not anything like a full time income, but I only work about 5 hours a week, so I don’t expect that!
aghh – it’s like the stories as a kid that stopped at the best part! 🙂 Can’t wait till next week to read the next segment!
Thanks, Crystal!
I work from home while I take care of my 3 kids and homeschool the oldest. I am a freelance medical writer, and I blog about women’s and children’s health (my name above is linked to my site). I also do some simple blog setup and design projects when they come my way. My husband and I both work from home, so it always seems like we have a million things going at once.
Why did you have to stop at that point in your compelling story?! I want to read more! I’m looking forward to your next post in this series.
I am in the beginning process of starting a business from home. I had tried Arbonne for about a year and had ZERO success… Instead I walked away from my business with at least $2000 debt. Arbonne made money, I did not. This is not the case for many woman who do this type of business, but it just didn’t work for me… so I had to get creative.
I’ve been toying with the idea of starting my own custom party decoration/stationary/invitation business for years. After throwing my son’s 1st birthday I decided to really work at it. So many people loved the little details I put into the party and decorations that I decided I had to give it a chance. So here I am starting from nothing and trying to start this business and work my business right. I’m excited to have an opportunity to try to start a business doing something I love. I’m doing a lot of praying and planning. It’s going to be a long process and I’m going to have to be patience but it will be worth it in the end!
I look forward to the rest of your series! Thanks so much!!
I work from home full time as a medical transcriptionist. I chose this profession on purpose so that I would be able to stay at home with any children I might have and still work, and I currently have an almost 2-year-old boy who keeps me very busy.
I do not work from home, but would love to get to the point that I can. I have my blog (www.nickels-n-dimes.com) that I do on the side and I am learning about how to generate multiple streams of income so maybe this can become a reality for our family in the future.
I am very interested in this series and think it’s a great idea! Thank you for taking the time to share with everyone your journey!
HI, I am a new stay at home mom for about 6 months now. I have been looking for things to do to contribute financially. Havent had much luck so far. :(( My blog is thedenotekiddos.blogspot.com
I’ve been blogging at http://thesuburbanjungle.blogspot.com
I have made a little income there and now am going to be a Deal Pro for savings.com
Thanks for all your great advice. Keep it coming. 🙂
Way to get the series going! Lookin forward to hearing more 🙂
~Allie