SAHM Ways to Make $ ???

Updated on September 21, 2011
M.M. asks from Santa Monica, CA
9 answers

How do you SAHMs make extra cash?
I mean not having a business like Herbal Life or anything like that but just extra cash?
I've sold some items on Craiglist
-had a garage sale
-turned in our aluminum cans
-sold all of my gold jewelry (that's what they are looking for these days)

What else am I missing?
Not wanting to sign onto something or have parties to sell things.
So anything else you ladies can think of?

3 moms found this helpful

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B.H.

answers from Dallas on

I petsit & walk dogs. Make 400-600 per month while my kids are in school and can take them with me when I have to.

1 mom found this helpful

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K.B.

answers from Tulsa on

I cleaned for a bachelor who was NASTY, volunteered at church meals so I could get in on the free food, ran errands and took elderly to appointments, did laundry for men, babysat, petsat, cleaned an algae-infested pool, housesat, and did bookkeeping for elderly who could not see to write checks.

3 moms found this helpful

M.L.

answers from Houston on

I learned how to do balloons and facepaint. I make balloons for tips at restaurants through http://www.balloondistractions.com and on the weekends I do parties, I even dress like a clown or princess, though I most often come in casual clothes. http://www.everafterentertainment.com

While it is not something I do at home with my kids, I can do it evenings/weekends when my husband is home from work.

I also sell my handmade jewlery designs and vintage finds at http://www.jeweledambrosia.etsy.com

I have sold things on craigslist and ebay, by garage saling, taking things home, cleaning them making minor repairs if needed.

1 mom found this helpful
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V.D.

answers from Salt Lake City on

Good question. Glad you posted it. I was just trying to find out a way to make some money myself. Its hard thing to find legitimate work inside the home that doesn't take all your time away from your kids. Good luck. I like some of the ideas other have posted. The only thing I've been able to do is sell on craigslist.

1 mom found this helpful
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A.L.

answers from Charleston on

Couponing! Saves me about $175-$300 a month depending on how much time I take to really do it well.

1 mom found this helpful
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B.M.

answers from Chicago on

I always understood it to be..... (and I have been a WAHM, SAHM, and WOHM) is that the focus of a SAHM is to SAVE money not make money. In a way it IS making money, because the savings will generate a "net" profit, but it's by reducing the expenses that are associated with support for the home (ie- daycare, eating out, commuting costs, work clothes etc).
*Also it's about reducing stress for the household - you don't have to juggle 2 vacation requests, time off for sick days, involvement in school etc
* As well as quality of interaction with your child - being a SAHM allows you to volunteer at school, chaperon field trips, be there when they get home etc.

So - the first place you should look to generate an increase in "net" money for your family is your budget. is it in place? Do you stick to it? Are there areas you can generate additional savings?

I don't know how old your kids are.... but anything that you do will require that SOMEONE watch your kids. You can't bring your toddler to your pampered chef show or color with them while you are on the phone with a client. So, that becomes an expense that needs to be offset by how much you make at that job (or how flexible it is.... can it be done only during nap, whenever that is... or while kids are at school etc) - ie the mom below who sells e-bay.... she can do that when her kids are occupied and she can take her kids with her when she "shops" for the initial purchase.

So, before you decide what you want to do as a SAHM that GENERATES income rather than SAVING money you need to figure out your parameters....

1. how much time do you have / are you willing to devote to this job?

2. Is it an environment where you can bring your kid(s) or will you need childcare of some sort.... how much will that cost and will you still net a profit after childcare is covered?

3. What skills do you have that someone would want to pay for? Can you be a virtual assistant? proofreader? Tutor? do you have an ex-employer that would have remote work for you to do? There are jobs that are more flexible - babysitting, because your child can be present and included. Secret shopping (but you don't make lots of money) can sometimes be with your kid.

4. Do you have an idea of how much money you want to earn and is it realistic? You can only really figure this out at the end of your "business plan".

We can recommend a ton of jobs, but you should start by defining your biz plan and parameters.

Good Luck!

1 mom found this helpful

C.R.

answers from Boston on

I own 4 franchises on the internet where I just teach folks how to save money and make money online. I love it. I did the MLM home party things and hated them. I hate sales. :)
Message me if you would like more info.
:)

H.K.

answers from Gainesville on

I am making 1,000 a month by going out to garage sales and buying kids Gymoboree and Gap and brands like that and selling on ebay. Coats and shoes and dresses sell the best...Where would i be without ebay!!!!

C.O.

answers from Washington DC on

I sell our stuff that we are no longer using on craigslist and ebay.

I dog sit and care for dogs/cats when their owners are at work - great exercise for me and $15 a walk...

Like 3Ms - I go to garage sales and buy things that are in good to great condition and wash them and list them on ebay....

I understand about not wanting to do parties and selling things by going to people's homes - got that - while I love Pampered Chef and PartyLite - selling like that isn't my thing!!

GOOD LUCK!!

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