to ask what you do if you are self employed/work at home

[PocketFluff]

In a few threads recently people have talked about being self employed, some only doing a few hours a week, or being able to have a work at home job that fits around the children.

Can I be nosey and ask what it is you do and get a bit of the action myself?

[pianodoodle]

I teach music :)

[SillyTilly123]

I'm not technically employed, but dp has his own gardening business and my job is to drive him about (because he doesn't drive ) and do the books/make appointments etc. I think next year i'll put myself on the books though so I can "earn" too.

[AngelsLieToKeepControl]

I started a small business, I paint furniture, murals, canvas (usually childrens characters) and I also do memory boxes and other bits and bobs. I started a few months ago and am doing really well so far, although I have had to cancel doing a few murals this month since I broke my ankle which is the down side to being self employed, I don't get any sick pay.

[ilovesooty]

I'm a counsellor in private practice in addition to working full time.

[Brittapie]

I've done ok in the past doing the direct selling type things (Ann Summers, Usborne, Avon) but you do need to be a certain type of person to be successful.

[ChrisTheSheep]

I do publicity for an educational charity run by friends.

[MaeMobley]

accountant/ bookkeeper.

[Contraryish]

Translator

[Joysmum]

I do up buy to lets up and then manage them myself.

[ConfusedPixie]

I do childcare SE around my two nanny jobs. Usually babysitting but some stuff during the day when I can too.

From home (and when I babysit) I knit stuff. I haven't started selling yet but I have an original theme for knitting so hopefully it'll be popular when I do start selling in the New Year :)

[ComtesseDeSpair]

I'm a researcher and policy wonk with a national charity. I can work from home about 85% of the time or whenever I don't have to attend meetings or supervise the rest of my team. (Although perhaps oddly, I often choose to go to the office anyway as I like the atmosphere and contact with colleagues and the outside world.)

I've not always been able to work from home, though - only as my work has evolved to the point that it generally makes no difference where my desk is - and there's also been a fair bit of negotiation with my line manager and rest of the team. I think working from home requires more motivation especially if you're prone to procrastination generally!

[WilsonFrickett]

Copy writer/poet/aspiring novelist if I ever get the bloody book finished.

[strawberriesandplumbs]

Local magazine/advertising and buy to let.

[MiserableCowWhenUpTheDuff]

Online seller...

We sell jewellery online (through amazon and our own site) it allows me and OH to both work from home :)

[SummerRain]

I work for several market research companies, mostly mystery shopping but we do online projects too which can be done at home. I also do dps books and do all the administration and running of his business. And I do freelance work when I can get it,business admin, writing up documentation and whatever else comes my way.

I've just stated a new job wohm though and I have to say it's great to get out of the house, being stuck at home constantly was tougher than you'd think... I was starting to feel really isolated.

[PocketFluff]

Wow, a real range of jobs here!

[LittleMissGreen]

I worked as a self-employed software engineer/web designer for a few years.

[SharpLily]

I write and proof read. Sometimes there's a little translation thrown in too.

[Purplehonesty]

I am childminder during the day, a cake maker and crafter at night!

[cakewitch]

I make cakes

[Anchoress]

Writer.

[oldnewmummy]

Technical writing and consulting. I also do a bit of lecturing, but that's not from home (obviously).

[OnlyThePurpleOnes]

Freelance graphic designer. Sometimes I have in-house contracts lasting anywhere from a week to a month, otherwise i'm working for private clients from home or from a freelance workspace.

[hottiebottie]

Another translator here.