If you are a stay at home mom who used to be in the workforce, you may be experiencing some feelings of guilt for no longer bringing in any income for the family. While you need to realize that your role is now to take care of your family and home, and not necessarily to provide any financial stability, it might make you feel better, and help out your checkbook, to make a few bucks on the side. Try these opportunities to make some cash at home without sacrificing your responsibilities as a homemaker, wife, and mother.
Ebay. Selling items on Ebay is relatively easy to learn how to do and once you get the hang of it, doesn’t take a lot of time. Baby items are big sellers on Ebay so consider selling your child’s gently used clothing, gear, and even toys. Empty baby food jars are purchased for organization and craft projects and they too will sell. Think about the items you could sell, then search Ebay to see if there are like items selling before you place your auction.
Associated Content. Associated Content pays writers for article submissions. If you like to write and have the ability to produce well-written articles, give AC a try. You can write about what you already know about whether it be parenting, crafts, home school lessons, cooking, or your previous career. It doesn’t cost anything to sign up to be an Associated Content Producer. Don’t ever sign up for any freelance writing job that does require payment.
Direct Selling. If you have contact with other adults through church, moms clubs, etc, you might consider trying direct selling. Programs such as Avon have very little commitment. You pay just $10 to get started and you have no parties to plan and attend, and very little paperwork to complete. Just make sure you really do your research so that you understand what sort of time commitment the direct selling program will require.
Secret Shopping. Mystery shopping really is a viable way to make some extra money. If you can find the right secret shopping company you may even be able to mystery shop the stores that you already visit on a regular basis. Just keep in mind that there is a time commitment here. You will likely have to take a test on the questions you will be required to ask during the mystery shop before you visit the store. You will be required to do specific things while visiting the store, and then you will have to record what you found when you return home. It takes some time and effort to get started with secret shopping as well, but again, don’t ever pay a website or company to let you work for them. If the company is valid, you will never pay them anything, they will only pay you for your services.
Offer Your Services. Think about what you are good at. Do you have nice handwriting? Perhaps you could address wedding invitations. Can you knit? Perhaps you could offer your knitted items for sale at a local craft store or craft show. Think about what you are already good at and then try to devise a way that you can use your talent to make some extra money.
Check Out Part-Time Jobs. If you have children in school and are at home alone during part of the day, take a look at what part time jobs might be advertised in the local newspaper. You might be surprised by what you find. There are some jobs that may only be 6-10 hours a week. Others might offer a telecommuting option where you could work out of your home. You could work very part time, enjoy the adult interaction and feeling of satisfaction you get from working, make some money, but still keep your priorities of home and family first, right where you want then.
You should never feel guilty for choosing to be a stay at home mom. If making some extra money to help out your family is important to you, however, try these ideas to get started adding to the bank account today.
