Making extra money at home is a common goal among stay-at-home moms. If you choose to stay at home with your children, you may feel the strain of paying bills and surviving on one income or you may wish to use your skills to contribute monetarily to the household. Whatever your reasons for making money, stay-at-home moms can earn an income with a little creativity and a lot of motivation.
Step 1
Make a list of your skills and talents. Starting a business or finding work you can do at home should revolve around what you are good at so you still have time to spend with your kids, says Donna Otto, author of "Loving Life as an At-Home Mom." You can consider jobs that are related to your education or you can simply list things you are good at doing. Otto recommends thinking about jobs such as babysitting, typing, editing, party planning or pet-sitting as feasible options since these types of jobs allow you to schedule your work around caring for your children.
Step 2
Decide how much money you want to make and how many hours you are willing to work. Generally, you will not want to spend 40 hours a week working since you want to spend time with your children. If your family needs a little extra money to pay the bills, determine how much income you need to bring in. If you plan to work because it brings you joy, make a decision regarding how much work will be enough to satisfy you. Many corporations hire at-home employees to make phone calls a few hours a day. You may also choose to start your own business by putting in a few hours a day until you are successful.
Step 3
Send out resumes. If you want to find a job working for someone else, you will need to update your resume to ensure it adequately outlines your experience and education.
If you are starting your own business, market it heavily. Outline what your business offers to consumers and find creative ways to spread the word. Send out fliers, pass out business cards and talk up your new business at every opportunity. You can also consult with small business organizations for advice on helping your business to succeed.
Step 4
Create a schedule that details how your day will be divided. If your goal is to have time with your kids by staying home and caring for them yourself, you will need to carefully budget how much time you are willing to spend making money, recommends Liz Folger, author of "The Stay-at-Home Mom's Guide to Making Money From Home." You will need to find an appropriate balance between caring for your children and earning money. Many at-home mothers choose to only work during nap times and after their kids are in bed. Other mothers choose to hire a sitter for a couple hours a day to work. Make a choice that is right for your family and that still allows you to be the stay-at-home mom you want to be.
Tips and Warnings
- Choose a career that you enjoy, recommends Folger, or you will have very little motivation to start a business or keep a job.
- Avoid work at home scams. Check with the Better Business Bureau, recommends Folger, to make sure you are not taking a job that will only take your money.
References
- "Loving Life as an At-Home Mom;" Donna Otto; 2006
- "The Stay-at-Home Mom's Guide to Making Money From Home;" Liz Folger; 2000
