How To Make Some Money At Home

[bluegrassmom]

I work 2 part-time jobs that add up to about 20 hours a week. However, I feel as if my place is really at home with my daughter and it is tearing me up inside that I have to work. My husband works a full time job and farms and we could live off of his income except that we have to pour a ton of money into the farm. He gets mad whenever I bring this up, but for him to farm I have to work at least part-time (he is seriously pressuring me to go full-time). If it weren't for the farm, I could stay home with my daughter which I feel is more important than anything else. I did some number crunching and figured out that after daycare, gas, and other expenses, my take-home pay is around $6000 a year. So in order for my husband to allow me to stay home (he says even if we had tons of money, he'd still make me work because apparently he would rather have someone else raise our daughter so this may not work anyways, but if I show him some numbers I may be able to convince him), I need to still bring home that money. I know there are job opportunities where you can work from home and I'm just wondering if anyone out there has some ideas on how I could make some money at home so I wouldn't have to leave my daughter. I've tried ebay-the few things that sold, went for so little that it barely covered the listing costs. I also have tried posting my daughter's outgrown clothes and some other stuff (all in perfect condition and for reasonable prices!) on Craigslist, but it's been almost 2 months and I've only gotten 1 inquiry on my almost 30 postings (she backed out btw, so I haven't sold anything). I've considered doing daycare myself, but I rent a small apartment so it just isn't logistically or legally possible for me to have more than a few kids (I can have up to 2 families without being licensed and I can't get licensed because I rent), but i don't think that would bring in enough money. I know there are women out there who manage to make money at home. How do they do it?!?!? What am I doing wrong? I am absolutely miserable not being at SAHM, it's all I've ever wanted to do with my life and now I still can't.

[bornin03]

Deleting......

[craftyashley]

From what I've found it's very hard to make money at home these days. Especially with the influx of independent reps for this, that, and the other company. (and a poor economy with less people willing spend money frivolously) I would talk to your husband and really get down to if you staying at home is more important than the farm. Good luck!

[bornin03]

Deleting.....

[bluegrassmom]

I am seriously considering starting a home daycare. I need to make at least $125 a week and I don't think that would be too difficult if I get a few kids. I pay my sister $160 a month and I know she's way underpaid :) And my sister-in-law said that I can have up to 2 families without being licensed. My house is small though and I only have 2 bedrooms-mine and my daughter's. But I could move her into my room for naps and put the other kids in her room. I have a huge yard and porch that's great for playing on even when it's raining. If anyone has any advice for me on starting a nonlicensed home daycare, let me know! Plus I have my blog which so far, has made me $0.01. Yay!

[rdgally]

Hi Bluegrass. It's amazing how the balance of importance and priorities shifts for us Moms once we have our little ones. I feel the same way as you in regards to being home and being the one to raise my daughter. I'm sorry your husband is being so unsupportive. Have you talked to him about this?

As far as making money from home, I was very lucky to have found an outsourcing site about a year ago through which I get a lot of freelance writing work. It's called oDesk (http://www.odesk.com). I'm not sure what your particular skills are, but they also have a lot of jobs in web design, programming, data entry and even virtual assistant jobs. Perhaps you have experience in one of these things. I'd head over and set up an account (it doesn't cost anything) and start applying for work. Don't mistake it for a get rich quick scam, or nonsense stuff like paid surveys. This is literally outsourced work from real companies and individuals.

I've been working on there for almost a year and have steadily been able to increase my workload. My goal is to transition to full time freelance work and quit my 9-5 job so I can stay home and set my own schedule.

Hope this might help you the way it's helped me too. Good luck!

[wright1212]

I know how you feel. I want to really homeschool, but my end of the deal is I will pay for all supplies/activities. So I must make money. I am fortunate in that I have an M.Ed. so I will be teaching community college night classes. But also looking into other options as well. I am a member on free website for surveys and secret shoppers. However in 3yrs I have had 1 local secret shop and after many screening surveys only qualified for 1. But still worth being a free member..
You must play on your qualifications- I am also looking into teaching baby sign language classes.
For homedaycare go to your states website and search the bylaws. Here in TN you can have 3 nonfamily members w. no license. However you must be on ground level and still have 1st aid training and basic safety inspection. You can easily charge at least $60 a week up to $200 a week. But be wise to invest 1/3 to 1/2 back into good nutrious meals and learning materials. This will set you good customer base and potential to expand later. whatever you choose advertise yourself. when you think about it you (or your services) are for sale for whatever you want to do..
Most cost cutting tips- we only buy used clothes, member of a coupon website, plan food only by whats on sale. Use his farm to make money- I dont know what kind it is but can you grow your own garden, can you buy calf to sell for 2x $ as a cow? Could you move onto the farm one day and avoid rent? could you charge rent to others need land for their animals? just get creative!

[sapphiresky78@yahoo.com]

I work 2 part-time jobs that add up to about 20 hours a week. However, I feel as if my place is really at home with my daughter and it is tearing me up inside that I have to work. My husband works a full time job and farms and we could live off of his income except that we have to pour a ton of money into the farm. He gets mad whenever I bring this up, but for him to farm I have to work at least part-time (he is seriously pressuring me to go full-time). If it weren't for the farm, I could stay home with my daughter which I feel is more important than anything else. I did some number crunching and figured out that after daycare, gas, and other expenses, my take-home pay is around $6000 a year. So in order for my husband to allow me to stay home (he says even if we had tons of money, he'd still make me work because apparently he would rather have someone else raise our daughter so this may not work anyways, but if I show him some numbers I may be able to convince him), I need to still bring home that money. I know there are job opportunities where you can work from home and I'm just wondering if anyone out there has some ideas on how I could make some money at home so I wouldn't have to leave my daughter. I've tried ebay-the few things that sold, went for so little that it barely covered the listing costs. I also have tried posting my daughter's outgrown clothes and some other stuff (all in perfect condition and for reasonable prices!) on Craigslist, but it's been almost 2 months and I've only gotten 1 inquiry on my almost 30 postings (she backed out btw, so I haven't sold anything). I've considered doing daycare myself, but I rent a small apartment so it just isn't logistically or legally possible for me to have more than a few kids (I can have up to 2 families without being licensed and I can't get licensed because I rent), but i don't think that would bring in enough money. I know there are women out there who manage to make money at home. How do they do it?!?!? What am I doing wrong? I am absolutely miserable not being at SAHM, it's all I've ever wanted to do with my life and now I still can't.
Sell Avon! I'm a rep., and the extra money helps. If you're a people-person, you can really make some money.

[wendyw329]

Actually it has been proven that Direct Sales Companies do better when the economy is down. People are still looking for ways to have fun and more and more are having get togethers instead of going out to eat. I am a consultant with Thirty-One Gifts. Monogrammed purses, totes, etc. We also have a baby/kid and teen line. I usually hold a three parties a month and my check is around $400. I agree that it would be harder with a company lots of people have heard of though. Depending on where you are, you may or may not have heard of Thirty-One Gifts. The company is debt free and growing. The potential for growth is wonderful. All direct sales businesses are limited to what you put in them though. Check out www.mythirtyone.com/4713 if you want to see Thirty-One Gifts.

[Workin'Mama]

i know there is a legitimate work at home company called West. www.west.com or www.westathome.com. i worked for them the only this is it was not steady. you are kind of on call but it would be a good back up though.