How Stay-at-Home Parents Can Make Money From Home
Being a stay-at-home-parent is tough — and it can be even tougher losing out on a source of income. With the rise of remote-friendly jobs and side gigs, there are more opportunities to make money from home as a stay-at-home parent. We have a list of nine stay-at-home parent jobs that cater to varying schedules, skill levels and interests.
Can You Really Earn Income From Home as a Stay-at-Home Parent?
It is possible — in fact many people are doing it every day. Our list of ways to make money from home as a stay-at-home parent features sources of income that have flexible schedules and no commute, so you can keep your childcare at home. We talk about side gigs like playing mobile games like Solitaire Smash and taking surveys on sites like InboxDollars. We also list jobs that could lead to full-time gigs like data entry and virtual assistant jobs.
However, it’s important to do what works best for you. If you can take on enough work to make a full-time income, that’s great, but starting out with side gigs is good, too.
9 Flexible and Legit Ways to Make Money as a Stay-at-Home Parent
1. Take Online Surveys for Cash or Gift Cards
Companies are always looking for consumer feedback to improve their products and services. This is an extremely flexible option, as surveys typically take just a few minutes. And you only take as many as you want to. In exchange, you earn points that can be redeemed for cash or gift cards.
Some of the best survey sites we recommend include:
A great way to keep your survey income organized is to use a dedicated email to manage offers and maximize opportunities across multiple sites.
2. Test Websites and Apps for Cash
If you only have a few spare minutes throughout the day, you can do app and website testing. Companies are looking for every day users like yourself to test their websites and apps for user experience, bugs and feedback. This could be before it launches or before an update.
It’s a flexible way to earn cash from home because you just need your phone or computer. Platforms KaskKick, FreeCash and UserTesting can help you get paid to test apps from home.
3. Play Games for Money
Enjoy a game of Solitaire or bingo when you get a break. Certain mobile games offer real cash rewards for playing. Some games let users compete in skill-based tournaments where they can win money, while others provide small earnings just for playing regularly.
A few of the best money-making games are:
See The Penny Hoarder’s full list of games that pay real money here.
4. Take on Data Entry Jobs
Detailed-oriented people with typing skills are great for these jobs. Data entry involves manually inputting data into a spreadsheet or database. You can find remote data entry jobs on platforms like Clickworker and Upwork. These jobs have become popular, so there’s potential for scams. Vet every listing by researching the client and don’t take any jobs that require you to pay fees or are offering an amount of money that seems crazy high.
5. Narrate Audiobooks from Home
Lots of audiobooks are narrated by freelance workers. You can find work through platforms like ACX, which allows you to audition for narrating opportunities. Then, once you find an author who wants to work with you, you negotiate pay and timeline. Some projects could be royalty based, so you continue to earn money after you complete the project.
6. Flip Used Items for Profit
If your house is already filled to the brim with restored furniture and decor, you could sell your next project. You can upcycle dressers, chairs, tables and lamps and sell it to someone looking for a deal. People who flip home items often use Facebook Marketplace to sell it. If you already have the tools and an eye for good bones in the thrift store, you’re ready to get started. The biggest barrier might be storage space. If you’re lacking in that respect, start with one project at a time.
Another tip: this same concept applies to clothing. If you have sewing skills, you can fix or elevate thrifted clothing and sell it online. You can even turn used fabrics and curtains into clothing items.
7. Sell Online Courses or Workshops
The courses or workshops you sell can be on any subject you have a deep understanding of. This could include budgeting, car maintenance, social media marketing and anything else people might want to learn about. Create a thorough course or workshop through platforms like Teachable or Udemy.
This will take some upfront work, but once the course or courses are live, you don’t have to do much more work after that. You could also upload shorter how-to videos to YouTube and make more money that way.
8. Sell Crafts or Handmade Goods Online
Did you build your own side table thanks to your woodworking skills? Do you have an abundance of hand-crafted mugs because you love pottery? Sell your homemade items on Etsy, Facebook Marketplace or Amazon Handmade. You can also go to local art fairs and farmers markets if you have the time. You can give your community unique items that support entrepreneurs like yourself. Focus on a niche so you stand out among your competitors.
9. Offer Virtual Assistant Services
You don’t need a formal degree or extensive training for this one. You help busy business people with tasks like scheduling, email management, customer service and anything else they don’t have time for themselves. All of this can easily be done from the comfort of your home nowadays. Unless the company is looking for specific qualifications, most of the time all you need is exceptional organizational and communication skills. Check freelance marketplaces like Fiverr and Upwork for jobs or join virtual assistant Facebook groups.
Tips for Balancing Work and Family Time
This is another tough aspect of working as a stay-at-home parent. Balancing work and family responsibilities is important. Start out with a schedule that’s realistic for you and your family. Use tools like to-do lists, reminders and calendar apps to keep everything organized. Then, take on more if you feel it’s working for you. The best part is, if you try one of these side hustles and it doesn’t work for you, there are others you can try that might be a better fit.
Making Extra Income on a Parent-Friendly Schedule
How much income you’re able to bring in will vary depending on the type of work you do and how much of it you can take on. However, it is achievable. If you have the time or skillset to try more than one side gig, do that so you can see what works best for the best payout. You can also network with other parents who utilize flexible jobs to bring in money. Update your LinkedIn, start small and get organized so you can have the best chance for success.
