SAHM income options

[34saving]

Okay, I'm hijaking this from "what did you do to get out of debt?" We need some real options for Lenny's wife (and lots of others of us) to make some extra money. So, what do you stay at home moms out there do for extra income . . .even if it's just a little bit? Preferably no start up costs and no sales.

Here's an easy one: There's a link in my signature to my blog. I've blogged about a survey company. I've been very happy with them, but I won't bother retyping the details here, since they're already in my blog. They don't pay too much, but the ONLY investment is a little bit of time.

[cicy33]

I do the paid email thing. mycoupons.com has a whole thread with nothing but paid emails. I won't get rich but maybe I can make a few dollars!

[34saving]

How/what do you do with the paid e-mails? I went to the site, but I couldn't find anything that sounded like what you're talking about . . .

[cicy33]

go to mycoupons.com, at the bottom you will see a sideways list of names, click on shopping boards, you may need to register, do the free one. I am a free member. Go to the index of sites, and choose Rewards Programs - "RP - Referrals. and that should do it. Sorry, I tend to go to that site automatically! hope this helps.

[marjorie]

This sounds incrediably simplistic, but I once read a personal finance book that suggested that whenever possible you should have hobbies that pay, or save you money in some way. I know it sounds nuts, but if you can make a game out of lowering the grocery bill, perhaps sell crafts/services/whatever you're good at, do things like online surveys, mystery shop if that's an option... pretty soon all the little tiny amounts start turning into larger amounts. I'd be looking into letting your dollars breed more dollars with all the bank promotions going on if I could spare some $$ for a limited period of time. Another thought might be to barter when possible. Perhaps a trade of childcare for goods, for example...

[DivaJen]

Originally Posted by 34saving

So, what do you stay at home moms out there do for extra income . . .even if it's just a little bit? Preferably no start up costs and no sales.

1. I tutor out of my home.
2. I sell at eBay and half.com.
3. We do garage sales occasionally - maybe once a year.
4. I run DivaTribe and earn money via sales in the store, advertising, Google Adsense, etc. (though much of that has to go back into running and promoting DivaTribe)
5. I've sold handmade items of my own in my store - I sold a few scarves, and I have a necklace for sale right now as part of the $20/$5000 challenge.

[Snoopy2645]

I do surveys, & I mystery shop, & I do demonstrarting at walmart on weekends, I also do ebay a little bit & have a few garage sales every year. I have considered babysitting but I really dont think its for me. I also know thier are some telephone jobs you can do right at home but havent been lucky enough to get one but hope to someday!

[34saving]

Craigs list is a great place to buy, sell, barter, and even advertise a garage sale -- all for free. (It exists in Australia too.) www.craigslist.org

Originally Posted by cicy33

go to mycoupons.com, at the bottom you will see a sideways list of names, click on shopping boards, you may need to register, do the free one. I am a free member. Go to the index of sites, and choose Rewards Programs - "RP - Referrals. and that should do it. Sorry, I tend to go to that site automatically! hope this helps.

This is pretty cool. I just signed up for 2 sites, and it seems pretty worthwhile. Thanks for the tip!

[cicy33]

you do have to keep in mind that you have to kinda determine the ones that do the best. some suck, some are good!

[34saving]

I sell stuff on eBay and Craig's list. I tutor both independently and for a local school district. I had my first garage sale this year. I do surveys for an online company and a locally based one. I started a blog . . .not quite sure if that will make any money though . . . I'm with Marjorie. I totally make it all a big game. The money is how you keep score. (Like this week I got free body wash, lotion, a 4 12 packs of Diet Cherry Pepsi ) Oh, that reminds me. I also write to companies a lot with honest feedback be it positive or negative. Lots of times they send me free stuff.

[PrincessPerky]

I found a hobby My website (in my sig) actually makes loot now (for two whole days .)

I also have done some babysitting, for friends, no regestration or whatever needed there.

We are about to test how well DS makes money with his cookies and stuff, I have a feeling with the construction around here he can make some on the workers at least.

Fundraisers for the comunity, thru an MLM company that I already joined for the discount. I set up a fundraiser whenever I can con them into it, the community makes loot and I make loot, all for a days worth of time, and a couple hours making a flyer/bugging people to mail it. I know he lives in an apartment, but maybe a church fundraiser? or something.

Nothing dramatic, but every little bit helps. (and I am in that 90% of my income is neccessities, the other 10% is cable net and some beef.) all the extra I make goes to the CC, that and OT of DH.

[cicy33]

I considered a fundraiser idea here but can't figure out what the rules are. Am I allowed to profit as long as I give to a project?

[PrincessPerky]

I think the rules vary on who is benefiting, for me It is like a DT party (MLM company) except I share the profits with the HOA.

Trust me the fundraiser 'stuff' comming home with kids from school, sports and churches, the company in charge is making money, and so is whoever talked the school or whatever into doing it. (with very RARE exceptions)

[jmjj215]

My hobby has always been personal finance. I learned how to use Excel relatively proficiently in school. I made a budget for me and my wife and, after a long time using our system, thought people might buy it. That's what I'm doing to make some side money.

Although, I probably should mention that it is extremely demanding and time-consuming - and not something you can just do over night. It's taken hundreds and hundreds of hours. But it's a hobby - so what do I have to lose right?

Originally Posted by cicy33

you do have to keep in mind that you have to kinda determine the ones that do the best. some suck, some are good!

I signed up for a few and am going to report the results in my personal journal in a month or so. Some might take longer to payout, but cash is cash. I also am using Google AdSense on my blog. And my other thing is 'finding' money ~ we bought ink the other day from Staples, and it cost almost $6 more in the store than online. I complained and they refunded me the difference Little things like that bring money into my hands that I would've previously just blown off.

[cicy33]

Wow! our ink is the same no matter what. now, yesterday I did bring in a coupon for office max to staples, they took it and gave the 110% discount as well, so I got an extra $1.50 off over the coupon amount. not much but I was happy!

[cicy33]

by the way, what is Google adsense? Also definitely sign up for mypoints.com they are great! takes a little while to earn points. but you get free cards with money on them. When I had a land line I frequently did the aol thing to get free points and then I convert them to a free $50 Home Depot card for my dh. he just loves it! and it saves us when he needs to buy a few tools.

[34saving]

Google adsense is a way of adding advertising to your website or blog without having to contact advertisers directly. The owner of the site (you) gets paid if people click on the ads.

https://www.google.com/adsense/

[cicy33]

I will look into that. I am getting ready to open my own website and was hoping to make a few dollars off of it! Signing up for freebies won't get you money but they do save money! and sometimes you get coupons because of it.