Being a stay-at-home mom is hard. Let’s face it— most of the time you don’t get the credit you deserve for the endless things you do, love and dedication you show. It’s already more than a full-time job. So what do you do when, on top of everything, you really need to bring in some extra money as well? How do you have time? Where do you start?
We wrote this post with you in mind. The already-busy mom who needs a side hustle that is flexible and simple. We’ve made a list of 10 ideas that are doable from home and on your schedule. We tried to keep the descriptions short so you can just get a bird’s-eye-view and hopefully get inspired to pursue one of these or something similar. We hope this is helpful to your success!
1. Freelance Writing
Freelance writing is a great way to earn money from home as a stay-at-home mom. You’ll create content for websites, blogs, magazines, businesses and more.
As in so many things, pay varies based on experience and the specific details such as the type of writing that it is, but beginners usually earn around $0.05 to $0.10 per word, while more experienced writers often charge $0.20 to $1 per word or more. Of course, it’s really up to you and the clients you find. Don’t be afraid to charge what you’re worth!
To get started, you should create a portfolio of your best work and use platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, or ProBlogger Job Board. You can also consider pitching directly to websites and publications in your niche of expertise.
As you build your reputation and client base, you can increase your rates and potentially turn this into a full-time career.
2. Virtual Assistant
If you’ve ever done administrative work, becoming a virtual assistant might be a fit for you. Much like working in a physical office, a VA provides support to businesses or entrepreneurs, but you guessed it, remotely. This gives you a lot more flexibility than a regular 9 to 5.
Pay usually ranges from $15 to $30 an hour, depending on your skills and experience. However, as in all the options in this list, you work for yourself and your pay is what you negotiate with the client.
You could get started by listing services on websites like Belay or Time Etc.
3. Online Tutoring
Another Flexible way to earn money from home is online tutoring. If there’s a particular subject or subjects that you have a knack for, you can teach students of all ages and make extra money while also truly helping others out. Many platforms allow you to set your own schedule, making it flexible enough to fit your current life—with a couple adjustments of course!
Pay rates can range from $15 to $50 per hour, depending on your qualification, the subject, and the platform you use. If you have more specialized knowledge, you can earn even more.
To get your start, check out platforms like VIPKid (for teaching English), Chegg, or TutorMe. These sites often require a college degree and sometimes a teaching certificate. You can also use general freelancing platforms like Upwork to find tutoring gigs. The key is to create a strong profile highlighting your strengths and putting your best foot forward.
4. Graphic Design
If you’re creative, techy, and have an eye for creating things that have visual appeal, graphic design might be something to consider.
You’d market yourself to create visual content— such as logos, social media graphics and other marketing materials— for businesses of all kinds.
Like so many things, pay varies based on experience and ability, but people just starting out can earn around $35,000 a year with the upper end being $70,000 or more. As you grow, you could contract work out to other designers to grow as much as you want to. By the hour, designers make anywhere from $25-$150 per hour.
If you’re brand new to this idea, you might take online courses through platforms like Coursera or Udemy to learn industry-standard software like Adobe Creative Suite. Build a portfolio of your best work, even if it’s just personal projects at first. Then you could look for entry-level positions on job boards like Indeed or LinkedIn, or try freelancing through sites like Fiverr or 99designs to gain experience and build your client network.
5. Social Media Management for Small Businesses
As everyone knows, social media marketing is a necessity for most businesses to reach their potential. Yet, many small businesses don’t utilize these platforms nearly as much as they could. Why? Running a small business can be severely demanding just to keep the “have-to’s” going and things that seem like an extra often fall by the wayside. Often, all it takes to get hired as a social media manager is to help a business owner see what he stands to gain by utilizing your services. You could even offer a money back guarantee that makes your fee a no brainer.
Pay varies widely, but most managers earn between $30 to $75 per hour, with experienced professionals commanding higher rates. You could also work on a flat monthly rate instead of an hourly bill.
To get started, brush up on your social media skills through free online courses. Then, look for entry-level opportunities on job boards like Indeed or LinkedIn. You can also try freelance platforms such as Upwork or Fiverr to build your portfolio. As you gain experience, you can specialize in specific industries or platforms to increase your earning potential.
6. Blogging
Blogging is one of our favorite options. Like most things worthwhile, blogging is not a get rich quick scheme– it takes time to build readership and income for a blog. But if you can work on useful content over time and tie that content to affiliate products, use display ads, or use other methods of monetization, you can build a healthy side income and even full-time income. The best thing is, it’s flexible and eventually has very passive elements to it. Of course you’ll have to continue to work on it to grow and maintain it, but the income can outpace the time you spend, in the long run.
Incomes vary widely. It can take a while to make anything at all but those who blog as a business and take it seriously can make into the six figures or more.
Get started by learning from many of the free resources online, Youtube, etc., or to get better organized information, opt for one of the many courses available by popular blogging teachers such as Blog Growth Engine by Adam Enfroy.
7. Proofreading
If you have strong language skills and an eye for detail, proofreading could be a fit for you as a flexible gig to make money from home. As a proofreader, you’ll check the grammar and formatting in various documents.
Pay rates vary, but most proofreaders earn between $15 to $30 per hour, with the more experienced sometimes making more.
To get started, you can begin to build your business on freelance platforms like Upwork or Fiverr. Websites like Proofreading Services and Scribendi also hire remote proofreaders. It’s a plus to have a degree in English or a related field, but not a must as many companies offer tests to prove your skills.
8. Etsy Shop Owner
Starting a shop on Etsy is a popular way to sell handmade items, vintage goods, or digital products online. This side hustle calls for a little creativity and market research to find the intersection between what you can create and what there is demand for. As an Etsy shop owner, you would do everything including creating and listing products, managing inventory, handling customer service, and shipping orders.
Earnings vary widely depending on what you sell, your pricing strategy, and how much time you invest. Some shop owners make a few hundred dollars a month as a side income, while others turn it into a full-time business earning thousands. Etsy takes a small fee for each sale.
To get started, visit Etsy.com and click “Sell on Etsy” to set up your shop. You’ll need to choose a shop name, create listings with good photos and descriptions, set prices, and decide on shipping options. It’s important to research your market and optimize your listings to stand out in Etsy’s search results.
9. Personalized Gift Creator
Consider starting a side business creating gifts if you’re artistically inclined. You can promote personalized items for special occasions like custom jewelry, photo gifts and home decor pieces. If you don’t want to use popular print on demand methods you could take a more hands on approach to ensure better quality and customization. However print on demand remains an option for this type of business.
Earnings can vary widely typically ranging from $20 to $100 per item based on complexity and materials used.
Get started by setting up an Etsy shop or create a website using platforms like Shopify. Invest in any necessary equipment (like an engraving machine or heat press) based on your chosen niche. You can skip the equipment by offering products that you can sell through “on demand” providers. Social media marketing, especially visual platforms like Instagram and Pinterest, is crucial for attracting customers looking for unique, personalized gifts.
10. Baking and Cake Decorating
Starting a small business baking and decorating custom cakes and other treats is a great side-hustle idea if you have this particular skill and enjoy giving customers a special and personalized experience. As a custom baker, you can bake any number of things– cakes, cupcakes, cookies, and other sweet treats– for special occasions like weddings, birthdays, and more.
Pay varies widely, but many custom bakers charge between $3 to $10 per serving, with more elaborate designs and premium ingredients fetching higher prices. For example, a simple birthday cake might cost $50 to $100, while an intricate wedding cake can range from $300 to $1,000 or more on the upper end, depending on the complexity and size. Additionally, bakers often charge extra for premium flavors, fillings, and custom decorations.
If you’re brand new, you should take some baking classes or find that grandmother or friend who could help you build your skills. If you just need some new ideas or techniques, courses from platforms like Udemy or Skillshare are a good option. You can set up your business through an Etsy shop or create a website using Shopify. Ensure you follow local health regulations and obtain necessary licenses. Marketing your baked goods on platforms like Instagram and Facebook can help attract a steady stream of customers eager for personalized, delicious treats.
In conclusion, being a stay-at-home mom doesn’t mean you can’t contribute financially to your household. There are numerous legitimate and simple ways to earn money from home. With dedication, persistence, and the right strategies, you can build a successful income stream from the comfort of your home. So take the first step today and start exploring these opportunities!
