Our family lives on one income so I am always thinking of how to make money in extra ways.
*This post on how to make money contains affiliate links. At no cost to you, I may receive compensation or extra income when you sign up for some of these programs.
I love to travel. But, I also love being a mom that is there for my family. Because our family chooses to only have one income, I am constantly on the lookout for ways to bring in some fun money. We are pretty good about sticking to a budget and never overspending what my husband earns. But when I make money we get to go on another trip, or on a nice date night, or sign the kids up for a fun, learning activity.
There are many avenues for making extra money. Having a positive and creative mindset can help you access different revenue streams.
Here are 9 outside-the-norm ideas for making extra money (without becoming a salesperson!)1. Babysit/daycare
Startup costs: $0
If you already have kids, you have everything you’ll need to get started.
Potential Earnings: $30-100/day
I watch one extra child $30/day x 8 days a month = $240 per month = $2,880. This is the cost of a cheaper daycare. Most in-home daycare can charge much more than this!
I am paid to do what I am already doing all day!
2. Lacrosse Referee
Startup costs: $200 (training, membership fees and uniform)
Potential Earnings: $50-85/ game
I only work on nights and weekends and I never work on Sundays since it is my day of rest. I am able to choose which nights/ weekends I am able to work. Sometimes I get a babysitter if my husband can’t be home. Usually, Dad is there with the kids. There are 2 seasons of lacrosse in the fall and spring. Refs make $45-85 per game (or per hour of reffing). I typically earn $2500-$4000/year.
I am paid to WORK OUT!
3. Landlord
Startup Costs: Own a rental home or manage for someone who does
Potential Earnings: $250/month and it will increase as the cost of rent increases.
We own 2 rental homes. Rather than use a property manager to take care of the property and find renters and make leases, I do it all. It was a learning curve to write a lease and figure out online payment websites. And it can be a little stressful when we get the call that the garage door broke while I am in labor with a baby. But it is totally doable!
I remember how slow and frustrating property management was when we were renters so I know that we are definitely serving our renters better by doing it ourselves. We don’t have much cash flow on our rentals yet, but the renters pay the mortgage, and without the cost of a property manager we make $250 a month on each home. $500/month x 12 months =$6000
We’ve had 3 calls in the past 4 years of owning 2 rentals. It is a bit of work to get new renters in, but then we are set!
I am paid monthly for being available if anything goes wrong!
4. Airbnb
Startup costs: $0
You can start right where your home is. Show pictures and be accurate about the description of the property and you can rent your home exactly the way it is.
Potential Earnings:$100-$350/night
I set up to host guests in our home while we are traveling. I do the cleaning and prep for the home to save money. We’ve hosted 11 different groups and have earned over $8000 in 9 months! Click here to get started as an Airbnb Host.
Read more about how to get started and 8 perks (besides the $$) of hosting.
I am paid to clean my house and go on vacation! Best gig ever!
5. Write a Blog
Startup Costs: $100 to buy a website and security
Potential Earnings: The sky is the limit. The bloggers I took this course from are earning $98,000/month! Of course, this isn’t a get-rich-quick scheme, but if you have an expertise and a voice, you can influence others and make a difference, while making money.
Bloggers and Social Media influencers can make good money from the comfort of their home (or traveling on paid trips!). I followed this 5-day crash course to help me jump start my blog in only 5 days.
If you already have a blog and would like to monetize it, this is a perfect step-by-step practical course to get you there. 30-day Blogging blast off or 21 Day Travel blogging course
6. Sell used items online
Start-up Costs: $0 You already own everything you could sell. Sometimes I buy things at garage sales that are a good deal and sell them for more online.
Potential Earnings: $10-100/month
Selling unused items on Facebook when we upgrade furniture or devices when my kids grow out of a toy or clothing that is still nice, I post it on facebook. I’ve sold dining room tables, purses, shoes, ceiling fans, outlet covers, baby items, toys and more.
I am paid to dejunk my house!
7. Swagbucks
Startup Cost: $0 You need a computer and internet.
Potential earnings: $1-3/day
Swagbucks is a website that pays you to watch videos, takes surveys, shop online and rates online content. All you need to know is in this post. Click here to get started and earn an easy $3 just for signing up.
I am paid to shop online and share my opinions!
8. My achievement
Connect your Fitbit or other fitness tracking apps and make a little money just for moving around and working out like you normally would! Click here to easily get this set up.
Startup costs: $0
Potential Earnings: $10/month
I am paid to workout!
9. Substitute teaching
Sign up as a substitute teacher in your kid’s school district. I only substitute at their school on days that it works out to leave my younger kids with a sitter or with dad working from home. I love being in my kid’s school and hearing behind the scenes information about teachers, programs, and curriculum. Although this does take you away from your family a bit, it actually brings you closer to the school-aged kids. Plus, you get to choose when to work and when to decline.
BONUS: Other Ways to earn extra income
Other options for how to make money as a stay-at-home mom can be teaching preschool, piano lessons, voice lessons, daycare or childcare at a gym, selling products online or working as a virtual assistant. Many of my friends do direct sales and make great money from home.
This is all extra income actually coming into our home. As a stay-at-home mom, there are many ways I save our family money. More on Saving Money {Coming Soon}
What do you do to contribute financially to your family?
Pin to remember these ideas
Our family lives on one income so I am always thinking of how to make money in extra ways.
*This post on how to make money contains affiliate links. At no cost to you, I may receive compensation or extra income when you sign up for some of these programs.
I love to travel. But, I also love being a mom that is there for my family. Because our family chooses to only have one income, I am constantly on the lookout for ways to bring in some fun money. We are pretty good about sticking to a budget and never overspending what my husband earns. But when I make money we get to go on another trip, or on a nice date night, or sign the kids up for a fun, learning activity.
There are many avenues for making extra money. Having a positive and creative mindset can help you access different revenue streams.
Here are 9 outside-the-norm ideas for making extra money (without becoming a salesperson!)
1. Babysit/daycare
Startup costs: $0
If you already have kids, you have everything you’ll need to get started.
Potential Earnings: $30-100/day
I watch one extra child $30/day x 8 days a month = $240 per month = $2,880. This is the cost of a cheaper daycare. Most in-home daycare can charge much more than this!
I am paid to do what I am already doing all day!
2. Lacrosse Referee
Startup costs: $200 (training, membership fees and uniform)
Potential Earnings: $50-85/ game
I only work on nights and weekends and I never work on Sundays since it is my day of rest. I am able to choose which nights/ weekends I am able to work. Sometimes I get a babysitter if my husband can’t be home. Usually, Dad is there with the kids. There are 2 seasons of lacrosse in the fall and spring. Refs make $45-85 per game (or per hour of reffing). I typically earn $2500-$4000/year.
I am paid to WORK OUT!
3. Landlord
Startup Costs: Own a rental home or manage for someone who does
Potential Earnings: $250/month and it will increase as the cost of rent increases.
We own 2 rental homes. Rather than use a property manager to take care of the property and find renters and make leases, I do it all. It was a learning curve to write a lease and figure out online payment websites. And it can be a little stressful when we get the call that the garage door broke while I am in labor with a baby. But it is totally doable!
I remember how slow and frustrating property management was when we were renters so I know that we are definitely serving our renters better by doing it ourselves. We don’t have much cash flow on our rentals yet, but the renters pay the mortgage, and without the cost of a property manager we make $250 a month on each home. $500/month x 12 months =$6000
We’ve had 3 calls in the past 4 years of owning 2 rentals. It is a bit of work to get new renters in, but then we are set!
I am paid monthly for being available if anything goes wrong!
4. Airbnb
Startup costs: $0
You can start right where your home is. Show pictures and be accurate about the description of the property and you can rent your home exactly the way it is.
Potential Earnings:$100-$350/night
I set up to host guests in our home while we are traveling. I do the cleaning and prep for the home to save money. We’ve hosted 11 different groups and have earned over $8000 in 9 months! Click here to get started as an Airbnb Host.
Read more about how to get started and 8 perks (besides the $$) of hosting.
I am paid to clean my house and go on vacation! Best gig ever!
5. Write a Blog
Startup Costs: $100 to buy a website and security
Potential Earnings: The sky is the limit. The bloggers I took this course from are earning $98,000/month! Of course, this isn’t a get-rich-quick scheme, but if you have an expertise and a voice, you can influence others and make a difference, while making money.
Bloggers and Social Media influencers can make good money from the comfort of their home (or traveling on paid trips!). I followed this 5-day crash course to help me jump start my blog in only 5 days.
If you already have a blog and would like to monetize it, this is a perfect step-by-step practical course to get you there. Blogging blast off or Travel blogging course
6. Sell used items online
Start-up Costs: $0 You already own everything you could sell. Sometimes I buy things at garage sales that are a good deal and sell them for more online.
Potential Earnings: $10-100/month
Selling unused items on Facebook when we upgrade furniture or devices when my kids grow out of a toy or clothing that is still nice, I post it on facebook. I’ve sold dining room tables, purses, shoes, ceiling fans, outlet covers, baby items, toys and more.
I am paid to dejunk my house!
7. Swagbucks
Startup Cost: $0 You need a computer and internet.
Potential earnings: $1-3/day
Swagbucks is a website that pays you to watch videos, takes surveys, shop online and rates online content. All you need to know is in this post. Click here to get started and earn an easy $3 just for signing up.
I am paid to shop online and share my opinions!
8. My achievement
Connect your Fitbit or other fitness tracking apps and make a little money just for moving around and working out like you normally would! Click here to easily get this set up.
Startup costs: $0
Potential Earnings: $10/month
I am paid to workout!
9. Substitute teaching
Sign up as a substitute teacher in your kid’s school district. I only substitute at their school on days that it works out to leave my younger kids with a sitter or with dad working from home. I love being in my kid’s school and hearing behind the scenes information about teachers, programs, and curriculum. Although this does take you away from your family a bit, it actually brings you closer to the school-aged kids. Plus, you get to choose when to work and when to decline.
BONUS: Other Ways to earn extra income
Other options for how to make money as a stay-at-home mom can be teaching preschool, piano lessons, voice lessons, daycare or childcare at a gym, selling products online or working as a virtual assistant. Many of my friends do direct sales and make great money from home.
This is all extra income actually coming into our home. As a stay-at-home mom, there are many ways I save our family money. More on Saving Money {Coming Soon}
What do you do to contribute financially to your family?
Pin to remember these ideas
Fly by the Seat of our Pants contains affiliate links. When you buy through the links it helps keep this website running, at no extra cost to you.
27 Comments
Great ideas. I’ve done several off this list, some with more success than others. I love achievemint since I already west a fitbit and just money for what i already do.
So much to do out there. Thanks for the heads up.
Great ideas! I’m working on the blogging one right now. It takes up a lot of my extra time but it is worth it!
Thanks for the ideas! Blogging has been a great source of income for me! I took the same course, definitely recommend it also!
Are you making money with it? I haven’t yet, but hoping to!
These are great ideas. I love blogging, and selling items from my home. Some day I might try Airbnb hosting.
That is great that you have the option to get rental income.
So many options you can’t go wrong. Thanks
Great tips! There are so many options now. 🙂
These are great ideas. I do Airbnb. I refurbished some vintage campers and rent them out up at the lake during the summer.
thats a great idea!
These are great tips that anyone can implement into their lives! I’ll definitely be trying some of these!
I had no idea I could make money off my fitbit! what a cool thing. Not sure I’d make a very good Lacrosse coach though.
Its not much, but its easy!
Resourceful! And willing to work. Way to figure out how to do so many productive things.
Im a hustler! Thats for sure!
You have come up with some terrific income ideas. I think you end up promoting yourself from “SAHM” to “Mompreneur” in most cases 😉
I like that promotion!
Awesome ideas listed….I feel like I’m always looking for additional ways to make a buck! There are a few here I will definitely check out.
I’ve heard of Swagbucks but didn’t know how it worked. And, getting paid to exercise is pretty cool! Thanks for sharing how you make extra money.
It’s nice to read some new ideas that are different from the standard “10 ways to earn money”…
I like these ideas! Some of them are out of the norm, which makes your list so awesome.
I’ve had to hustle to find ways that are worth my time and energy!
Really good ways to make extra money.
Some great ideas listed! Thanks 🙂
This is a great list
I would like to look into achievement. How simple does that look? Thank you for some suggestions for us moms to make a bit of extra cash. Do you not worry about your stuff with Airbnb guests?