If you or your spouse are a stay at home parent, do you have a way to generate supplemental income?

2018-03-22T10:04:12-04:00

My significant other is a stay at home mom. She's looking for a way to generate a little extra income, but with my work schedule and the kids school schedules, getting a job with the right schedule would be difficult. She's a crafty person and is considering Etsy as a possibility. What do you or your spouse do? Are there avenues like Etsy that you use?

Response by SPC David Willis made Mar 22 at 2018 10:12 AM

2018-03-22T10:12:07-04:00

Etsy is good, multi level marketing things are a big deal right now. My wife sells essential oils which don't cost much to get into. Some of the MLMs cost thousands of dollars to get into and some are easier.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 22 at 2018 10:38 AM

2018-03-22T10:38:58-04:00

There’s a lot of good MLM and direct sales companies out there! However your SO could also get an insurance license, a real estate license, or if they have a bachelor degree a tutoring job that is strictly online. One company that excels in tutoring is VIP Kids - I know a lot of stay at home moms that tutor and make up to $20 an hour. I do surveys and market research when I can and get paid pretty well for the time spent.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Mar 22 at 2018 11:12 AM

2018-03-22T11:12:17-04:00

Would tutoring be a possibility, SSG Private RallyPoint Member?

Response by Cpl Tom Surdi made Mar 22 at 2018 11:22 AM

2018-03-22T11:22:29-04:00

I work from home, I'm a freelance architect and my workload varies. Sometimes I have more work than I can handle and sometimes I go through a drought. I went through a particularly long drought a few years ago, and I was able to supplement my income by advertising my services as a mechanic as well ( a hobby of mine I have pursued for over 2 decades). All I did was advertise my skills in local papers telling people what I could do. It took a little bit to really get going, but it really helped me out financially for those 7 months or so I didn't have my normal work. Your wife could do the same. She could also start a you tube channel and post videos from there, I have several friends who do that and they can make some pretty decent money posting how to videos. The point is, don't let your significant other focus her prospects to just businesses and websites, there is whole world of people just waiting for your services out there and you'll be amazed at the ways you can find them.

Response by SGT Eric Davis made Mar 22 at 2018 12:32 PM

2018-03-22T12:32:02-04:00

Can be a customer service worker online! All she need is internet, computer and a land line! Work certain amount of hours a day!

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 22 at 2018 12:37 PM

2018-03-22T12:37:47-04:00

My wife stays at home, cares for our child, and puts up with me...a harder job, I don't believe exists.

She's a talented seamstress, and brings in a little from mending, fitting and other work. During the spring/summer, she sells produce at our local farmers' market. Once a month, she teaches weaving and spinning at a local historic site.

I write freelance on the side for a recognized clothing catalog, am a (less than affluent) novelist in addition to my full time job in sales; we get by.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Mar 22 at 2018 12:56 PM

2018-03-22T12:56:22-04:00

It's a tough decision for one to be a stay-at-home parent. Sadly, we spend all that we earn, on one-, two-incomes or more, plus a dollar. So, my wife and I decided that we could make do with whatever I earned and she stayed home. Other parents admonished her that we were over protective of our children and that they would never have the confidence to amount to anything. Funny, our kids turned out to be the most confident and successful among their peers. I know that isn't the answer you were looking for. I'm just trying to say that kids need security and there's nothing that provides them with that more than having a parent at home. Even when they're at school, they know someone is there, ready to jump in if needed.

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Mar 22 at 2018 1:04 PM

2018-03-22T13:04:36-04:00

There are actually plenty of real jobs that can be performed at home as long as you have a phone and computer with internet access. USAA does it, a lot of customer service hubs do it, I know that tech places do it... If you have the means to do one of these jobs I would say do this. the hours are based on when you would already be up and about, the pay isn't bad, and it allows for the stay at home spouse to contribute in a meaningful way to the collection of wealth for the family.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 22 at 2018 1:23 PM

2018-03-22T13:23:14-04:00

My stepmom is on disability and can't work at all. So she started up a Facebook page where she sells items that she crochets. I'm not sure how much she makes off it. She just has her Facebook group page she made.

My dad has a full time job but on Sundays he works as a "layman" for his Methodist church (I think that's the term). He goes around and preaches at some of the local churches to help out the pastor I believe. He said he gets paid a little bit for it. I can't remember if it's every week or every month.

They are obviously older and no kids at home but if you're involved in church or any other activities see if they have any paid positions. If you're already there participating why not get paid if she can?

Response by PVT Mark Brown made Mar 22 at 2018 1:46 PM

2018-03-22T13:46:02-04:00

While I had a full-time job, my wife was also on the payroll at my business (insurance agency.) But in the times she was unable for one reason or another we also collect and sell antiques via several venues. Earlier, when our kids were really small, my wife worked for a company that was very accommodating to her scheduling needs. KB (wife) was always able to be home when the boys were home. This was ALWAYS our first priority. The boys were at the top of the list of what needs to be taken care of. Has to be that way. I fear that in society in 2000s that is not the case and our community conditions bear that out. I could go on and on about this issue, but I am sure you all understand and probably feel the same as I do.