Looking for a way to help contribute to your family’s income? We get it.
Trying to raise a family in 2022 can be financially challenging (to put it mildly). If you’re determined to continue to stay at home with your kids, we applaud you! This is such an important decision and every family needs to decide what works best for them. There are options for you to be able to generate income on the side while still being home with your kids. Here are 5 ways to make money as a stay-at-home mom (most of these include options your kids can be involved in!):
1. Otter (earn more than $21/hour average)
Otter matches parents who need childcare with caregivers and stay-at-home parents. We work around your schedule, and match you with other parents in your community who are looking for responsible, trustworthy caregivers to take care of their kids. The best part? Having your kids with you while you work (and also providing socialization and fun for all kids involved). Win-win! Sign up is easy and the Otter team is ready to help match you with careseekers - based on location, hours needed, and even parenting styles.
2. Dog Walking (income varies depending on hours)
This one may be fun to get your kids involved in! There are always people who would love someone to walk their dogs during the day. If you love dogs, this is a great chance to get some exercise (for yourself and your kids), and to teach the kids to have a great work ethic from a young age! The kids can play with the dogs at the dog park, get out some energy, and maybe pick up a little entrepreneurial spirit in the process! To find potential customers, you can network by talking with friends/neighbors, or sign up through an app like Wag! or Rover.com.
3. Focus Groups (earn up to $200/session)
There are many great things to love about living near a city - the food, the weather, the beauty of the outdoors, and the many opportunities the city offers. If you’re looking for a way to make money on the side, Focus Groups may be a perfect fit for you! Focus groups are organized and led by market research companies. These companies are hired by other companies that are interested in what people think of their products. You get to arrive, share your honest thoughts, and get paid for them! Many focus groups will pay between $50 - $200 per two hour session.
4. Grocery Delivery (earn at least $7-$10 for each full-service shop and deliver batch)
If you have kids who don’t mind car rides, and you have to get groceries anyways, why not help someone else who can’t make it to the grocery store? You can network to meet other busy families who are looking for someone to pick up groceries, or use an app like Instacart. To get started, you simply sign up for an account, pass a background check, and pick which orders you’d like to shop for (including which store). This is another great way to show your kids the value of helping others! While in the store, they can help pick out the best produce, and double check to make sure you have the right product. Once the groceries have been picked up, you can deliver to the customer and continue on with your busy day!
5. Flipping Items (income varies, depending on the amount of pieces/work put in)
If you enjoy finding a good deal, and are somewhat artsy, this may be the perfect fit for you! Start by looking for used furniture or other items you can improve upon at thrift stores or even estate auctions. Better yet, take the kids with you and involve them from start to finish! Finding an older bureau or nightstand and restoring it can be a fun experience that leaves you feeling accomplished. Be sure to research how to properly refinish that piece of furniture (or whatever other item you are working on). You’ll get better every time, and you can list the refinished pieces on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist.
No matter what path you choose, we encourage you to always try to keep a healthy work/life balance. Every mom feels guilt, whether they’re working full-time, staying home full-time, or working/staying at home part-time. Keeping your priorities in check every day can help the mom guilt stay at bay, and keep those you love at the front and center of your life (where they belong)!
