Lifestyle

Ten Easy Ways for Moms to Make Money from Home

September 1, 2012August 30, 2012 by Karla Urwitz

Who today isn’t living as frugally as they can? If you count yourself among this cost-conscious, dollar-stretching group, you know that there are times when your budget can be manipulated no further. When this happens, it may be time to start thinking of ways to bring in some extra income. But how does an already busy mom spend time earning money without sacrificing her family? Whether you want to start a home-based business or take on a part-time job, there are a variety of ways that you can start bringing in extra cash. Here are ten ways that frugal moms like you are bringing in extra cash:

Virtual Call Center

There are several companies that hire customer service representatives to work from home. If you have a land-line and a high-speed internet connection, you can easily find work with one of these companies. One requirement that these companies share is a dedicated and quiet work environment. This type of job may be best suited to moms whose kids are in school during the day.

Sell Your Stuff

If you have a basement full of “stuff,” selling it online can be a great way to earn extra money. Many frugal moms make a reliable income by selling items on sites like Craiglist and eBay. If you’ve got a good eye, you can take the kids out on a Saturday morning and pick up treasures from your local garage sales. Many moms have sold items that they found for a bargain at a garage sale for more than ten times what they paid for it. Remember, one man’s junk is another man’s treasure.

Pet Sitting

If you love animals, and your kids are old enough to help out, you may want to consider pet sitting as a side job. Keeping pets in your home will take less time away from the family and will ensure that the pets are cared for properly. Many people prefer pet sitters to boarding kennels where daily fees average $30, making this a potentially lucrative side-job.

After-School Care

Just as you wouldn’t want your children coming home to an empty house, there are dozens of moms whose work schedules don’t allow them to be home when their children return from school. Open up your home to these kids for a few hours every afternoon for a bit of extra cash.

Direct Selling

If you love cosmetics, candles or even home decor items, you can find a great part-time job with a direct-selling company. Avon, MaryKay and Pampered Chef are just a few companies that utilize home agents to sell their wares. Direct-selling allows you to schedule parties when they are convenient for you, meaning you won’t have to work during your kids’ sports events or after-school activities.

Join Etsy

Many frugal moms also turn out to be crafters. It may be time to turn your love of crafts into a way to make some extra money for your family. Whether you sew, quilt, make body-care products or create stunning jewelry, you can turn your passion for crafts into a money-making opportunity. You can easily open a store on Etsy and sell the things that you love to make.

Freelance Writing

If you possess an ability to write clear, grammatically correct prose, turn your talent into a freelance writing career. You can find work on community sites like Craigslist, blog services or even offer your articles to the highest bidder. Writing can be a fantastic way to earn extra money without taking any time away from your family. You can write after the kids go to bed, while the little ones are down for a nap or before the rest of the house wakes up.

Sell Your Photos

If you fancy yourself a bit of a shutterbug, sell your photos online. You don’t have to take special outings to snap great shots; you can easily sell the photos that you take on an eve-ryday basis. If you do feel like heading to the park for a few special shots of the autumn leaves, take the kids along and make a day out of it. Many people enjoy decorating their homes with shots of birds, flowers and other beautiful shots of nature.

Start a Blog

Blogging is similar to freelance writing, in that you make extra cash by putting your fingers to the keys. Unlike freelance writing, you make money from your blog by utilizing affiliate links. If you have something interesting to say about a subject and can keep your content fresh, blogging can be a flexible way to generate income.

Offer Your Services

Because everyone is good at something, it stands to reason that you have a special skill that others need. Whether you can iron a shirt in ten seconds flat, can whip up a perfect resume or can alter a garment like a professional, offer your services to your friends, family and neighbors.

Making a couple of hundred dollars extra a month won’t make you rich, but it will mean that your dollars don’t have to stretch quite so far. For more tips on making money, check out MakeCrazyMoney.org. The best thing about the ideas listed above is that you can do each without neglecting your family. Each of these ideas allows for you to be flexible while earning a little bit more for the pot every month.

Karen Boyarsky is a freelance blogger writing for MakeCrazyMoney.org/. You can follow her on Twitter @Boyarsky_kareni.

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Karla Urwitz

As a full-time career oriented mother of one, I love all things travel. I was in the hospitality business for 15 years and loved it. So why not become a travel agent. I have been a travel agent since 2019 and enjoy helping others make memories. Now I am finding a balance between work, travel, and life.