Tips on Earning Money as a Stay at Home Mom

Earn money at home! How many times have you seen that particular ad in the back of the National Enquirer or some other classified ad?

I gave up a well paying career 20 years ago to become a stay at home mom, although never lost interest in making money. Maddeningly, my career wasn't the type that could be done from a home office. Instead, of giving up, I took a long
 look at my lifetime of experience in all sorts of other tasks; many which could be adapted into a career suitable for a stay at home mom.

So what kind of jobs are available for stay at home mom? There's more than you might think. Here a some ways in which my friends and I have managed to contribute to our family income:

Child care

Yep, part of being a mother is that you get really good at caring for children. Many of my friends provide child care for a couple of infants, which brings in anywhere from $600-1000 a month. While I like my own babies, watching someone else's infant wasn't as interesting to me. Instead, I put my years of hospital nursing experience to good use and only cared for children who were sick and couldn't go to their regular daycare or school. Average salary, $3-5 an hour.

Bookkeeping

Most mothers are great at balancing the checkbook and managing household accounts; some of us we even prepare our household tax forms. Are you adept with money management? Providing a home bookkeeping service is a great way to earn money. Small non profits, irrigation districts, charities, are some of the businesses that typically use part time bookkeeping help. Average salary $10-12 hour.

Alterations & Sewing

Several of my friends make wonderful incomes by designing and sewing custom clothing, accessories, wedding dresses and draperies. Got a great pattern for a fabric tote or warm infant hoodies? Whip up a selection and sell them exclusively at a downtown boutique. Average salary $500-2000 a month.

Crafting

 
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Excellent tips!

Posted on 03/20/2008 at 4:03:10 AM

;-)

Posted on 08/26/2007 at 12:08:00 AM

I do ebay and writing and squeak by, but at least I'm working.

Posted on 08/10/2007 at 8:08:00 PM

Dancing Mooney, yes, thanks for the tip! I'll definitely be checking that one out :)

Posted on 08/09/2007 at 5:08:00 PM

Great tips. I recently became a stay at home mom and it is a huge adjustment. I went from making a full time income to holding up a sign that says, "will write for peanuts."

Posted on 08/09/2007 at 2:08:00 PM

Very good article. Dancing Mooney thanks for the heads up on etsy.com. I'm not very artsy but I know lots of ladies who are. Sounds like a great resource.

Posted on 08/09/2007 at 1:08:00 PM

Wonderful advice! I'm hoping to do accounting/bookkeeping/clerical work from home as I near the completion of Associate degrees in both business and accounting. :)

Posted on 08/09/2007 at 7:08:00 AM

Wish I could stay at home.

Posted on 08/08/2007 at 11:08:00 PM

Great article! If you're interested in tapping into that artsy side of your life, check out etsy.com. It's a great place to buy and sell all things handmade, and a wonderful resource for artists and crafters to get their goods out on the web. ;)

Posted on 08/08/2007 at 12:08:00 PM

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