I have been very busy earning money over the last 6 years of ‘not working’
- I have sold old books on Amazon
- Sold old highchairs, clothes bundles, cots and buggies on eBay
- I have sold my second hand baby /child stuff at NCT sales
- I have done online surveys
- I have done a very occasional lecture/teaching day on a freelance basis for m y old job
- I have done TONs of car boot stalls
- I have run a Tiny talk baby signing business 1 morning per week – which I then sold for profit
- I have written a book and had it published
- I have been involved in market research groups
- I have mystery shopped
- I have developed my blog which now features the occasional sponsored post
- I have marked essays for my old work place on a freelance basis
You're totally worth it but I'm a bit tired!
It’s a busy life being a stay at home mum!!! In fact I know very few stay at home mums who don’t have to earn money.
I remember talking about this with my lovely mum and saying it seemed so unfair that it was so hard to manage on one wage these days. She laughed and said it’s always been hard, people were just less materialistic years ago and didn’t expect so much or desire so much. She told me she had done many things to afford to be a stay at home mum, hand sewing, stuffing envelopes, offering childcare. Sounds familiar!
What do you do to earn a bit extra?
Made me smile, I was a stay at home mum (19 yrs ago) I spent time altering clothing & making the occassional made to measure dress. Setting up & running a mother & toddler group, then chairing a LETS (anyone remember them? -some still going)
ok only the first one earned any money!
Looking forward to hearing more interesting comments!
Oh don’t you just try everything I have near enough done the same list as you, not yet done the baby clothes selling as we want another and not selling anything incase we have another boy! Or car boots or book but done everything else, including Avon and selling crafts it is mad what you think you will do isn’t it. I think working out how to make money is a job in itself! x
Ooo that reminds me of my mum… childminding, car boots, selling children’s clothing, tupperwear, Avon….
I did some very basic writing/research though a freelancing website. The contact I made has offered me increasingly complex work and I’m soon to start writing a blog for a website he’s launching. I’ve also written essays for students who are cheating in their exams, mostly via an agency (who take a massive cut of the fees!).
I have sold stuff on Ebay in the past but to be honest I’d rather keep a close eye on my budget and not have the money then go to all the hassle of listing, selling and posting for sometimes less than a couple of quid profit. I did sell an old pram, crib and highchair by putting an ad the local newsagent’s window, though.
I have discovered how much fun it is to sell at NCT sales recently. Very collegiate with the other mums!
I have also ebayed, preloved, mumsnetted and netmumsed stuff.
I have done most of the above (apart from the book, which is still in the pipeline!). I am also lucky that people will occasionally pay to hear me sing, so I make a bit of money at that.
When I worked, I earned the same salary as my husband and we still spent it all on I don’t know what. I thought we’d never manage on one salary. But my needs and wants are so much less now and I wouldn’t go back to my high income high stress job for anything in the world!
You have been such a busy woman and really show others that you can do it – you can be a stay at home mum and bring in some money – well done.
Great list!
Sometimes I think people don’t realise how many opportunities to make money are out there. I did the same for about four years before launching my business, I still do a few on that list 😉
Author
Thanks na…hey you’ve been prtty busy yourself!
I left work last January to concentrate on my own business selling Phoenix Trading greetings cards and stationary. I can fit it around the children and don’t miss any of those important school or nursery events. It is a great way to earn a bit of extra money and make new friends.