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Original poster

Sahm who would love to set up a little business ideas please.

210 replies

Somersby12 · 07/12/2023 00:58

I am a very happy sahm & I need to be due go dhs irregular work pattern which involves being on call /needing to leave the country at the last minute etc.. So I obviously need to be here for the dc.
I would love to set up a small enterprise to keep myself busy & for the extra income for myself. Would love some ideas & I am absolutely not in any way crafty. Non crafty ideas would be most welcome

OP posts:
ConstantRain · 08/12/2023 11:31

I run my own business but it has taken me a while to get here. It was also a leap of faith but I knew I wanted to do it.
I invested in courses, getting experience, researching lots and lots. That was around 3 years.
I work around 22 hrs a week, take most of the school holidays off, I have a 'side hustle' with a tech company that has a low hourly rate but adds up. I do this at home from time to time.
I had to have an interest and knowledge about this as well and it can be quite challenging.

NerrSnerr · 08/12/2023 11:32

If you're actually wanting to earn money and not just a hobby I think your best bet is some kind of job. Quite a lot of people advertise for casual personal assistants for people with disabilities, could that work? Could do when husband is around/ kids at school.

I'll be honest it's not the case you cannot get a proper job because your husband works away, you're in the very privileged position to choose not to work because he works away.

Vettrianofan · 08/12/2023 11:36

garlictwist · 07/12/2023 05:49

I don't think there's such a thing as a "little business" that turns a profit, if there were everyone would be doing it. It's very hard to run a successful business that makes enough to be worthwhile. You will likely run at a loss in the beginning and the taxes and red tape can be hard work to navigate. My husband now runs his own successful business making bags but it was just him making very little money for many years before he got anywhere.

The relative in my family who is self employed with an online business doesn't earn enough to live off. She relies on working tax credits, probably doesn't have pension provision either. Have never seen the point but I suppose if it keeps you busy why not 🤷🏻

margotrose · 08/12/2023 11:37

AnonyLonnymouse · 08/12/2023 11:27

True, I had forgotten about the DH working away. Maybe a visiting model wouldn’t work and it has to be something that she can do from home.

I just think her best bet is a part-time job. When you run your own business you need to be reliable and show up no matter what.

You can't do that if you're essentially a solo parent half the time.

margotrose · 08/12/2023 11:38

To add, especially as OP has no childcare either, it's just not realistic.

Wiccan · 08/12/2023 11:48

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Wiccan · 08/12/2023 11:57

Somersby12 · 08/12/2023 08:31

I'm not being dismissive! I came on here to look for ideas to earn extra cash. I don't know of anyone who works in these industries so I'm not aware of the structure or time constraints of such businesses.
This thread has been very informative & I can tell from the replies what won't work with my own commitments.

I'm so sorry you are getting such snotty responses. I just can't understand some people on MN it's such a weird place at times. I run a small dog product " tiny business" 😁 . I make enough money and I'm really happy . I'm an artist and have sewing qualifications so it's a bit easier for me . I just went with what I was most skilled at . Do you have any hobbies ? Perhaps start there. 🙂

Luckydog7 · 08/12/2023 11:57

I learned a new piece of drawing software and now make 3d models and environments freelance. Turned over about 9k in my first year but this is an area I haved worked in on and off for 15 years or so.

During maternity I was desperate to do something so did a combination of clickworking, online surveys and match betting and made about 2k over a year with minimal input beyond checking apps and 20minutes of work here and there. The £10 per day thread was great for resources for this.

mewkins · 08/12/2023 11:58

sashh · 07/12/2023 07:45

My dad has his shirts picked up by, "The Iron Lady" who delivers them back a day or two later beautifully wrinkle free.

Not exactly stimulating work but it has return customers. I don't know if the COL crisis has impacted her, I imagine it has.

Oven cleaning? Check if it is available in your area, there is no point setting up something that already has a saturated market, the last time I booked I had to wait a few weeks.

The guy who cleans my oven was a prison officer, he did the training and started working in the evenings until he could go full time.

People will always be born, die and in between they have to eat so jobs linked to those three things are always needed.

I'd do ironing too! Minimal outlay and flexible.

Vettrianofan · 08/12/2023 11:59

girlfriend44 · 07/12/2023 21:40

Seems a tad odd asking people what you can do?
What are your interests and skills it's a personal thing.

Nothing odd, the OP is just looking for inspiration. No different to asking for career advice 🤷🏻

Original poster
Somersby12 · 08/12/2023 12:00

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Thanks @Wiccan she does sound very unhappy alright!

OP posts:
Belltentdreamer · 08/12/2023 12:00

Childminder - it takes work and determination but you can make decent money and still always be there for your kids. With the new funding rates if you focus on primarily under 3s you could make money even on a couple days a week term time only - if there is demand in the area.

you can’t be workshy with it though - but you’re going to make more than a couple of quid reselling kids clothes on Vinted - which for most people is the reality with reselling.

Daisies12 · 08/12/2023 12:04

Pinkpinkpink15 · 07/12/2023 01:19

OK, not what you asked but make sure you have a pension & savings etc out of the family income. Too many marriages end in divorce & the SAHP is left without financial security in their own name.

For an entirely different reason I'm looking at doing something to be self employed again. I can't return to previous self employed things so need something new, but no idea what.

This. You are in a risky position not having your own job and pension. I'd look for something part time and school term time if necessary. Will help to then go back more substantially once they're older. Don't rely on your marriage.

MissTrip82 · 08/12/2023 12:13

determinedtomakethiswork · 07/12/2023 09:18

@Fairymother why would anyone employ a tutor unless they had teaching experience?

I earned good money as a tutor for high school students in chemistry, physics and maths as a medical student. It doesn’t sound like the OP is I a position to do this but it’s very very common for people with no teaching experience to tutor.

OP I’d do some study to qualify in something. You must be interested in something - pursue that.

gotomomo · 08/12/2023 12:17

Taking in ironing or shirt washing is a great low cost start idea, easy enough to do even when kids are on holidays too (clients will abandon you if you don't work every school holiday as a warning. We pay £1.50 an item for ironing £2.25 for shirt wash and iron (minimum 5) and she picks up and drops off (we provide hangers) she has quite a few regulars plus people like us who only use her periodically but large amounts.

Wiccan · 08/12/2023 12:18

Oh god , the same trope that us SAHMs must be that dumb that we don't know how to manage our own pensions and savings . We did work before we had kids you know . Please don't assume all of us are in abusive , coercive , cash starved marriages / relationships. The OP asked for advice on a a side hustle not her personal finances .

NerrSnerr · 08/12/2023 12:26

Wiccan · 08/12/2023 12:18

Oh god , the same trope that us SAHMs must be that dumb that we don't know how to manage our own pensions and savings . We did work before we had kids you know . Please don't assume all of us are in abusive , coercive , cash starved marriages / relationships. The OP asked for advice on a a side hustle not her personal finances .

Of course many SAHP have pensions etc but many, many don't and get into trouble if their partners leave them or become unwell/ die.

greyhairnomore · 08/12/2023 12:43

I read on here about someone who did inventories for rental properties.

margotrose · 08/12/2023 12:52

The OP asked for advice on a a side hustle not her personal finances

They're both connected, though.

Especially considering she says she wants to earn a certain amount and most "side hustles" won't make her anywhere near that due to her availability and how unpredictable they can be.

Vettrianofan · 08/12/2023 12:52

Itsallok · 07/12/2023 07:28

If your kids are in school then think about things that can be done then - but realistically, the vast amount of "cute little businesses" for SAHM with no skills make no money. Fact. Stop using your husband as an excuse to never work. Or at least pledge to not come back to MM whining when your husband leaves you for someone less boring.

Unnecessarily harsh. Get a grip of yourself. Just because you are online, there's no need to speak to someone like this. It's supposed to be a supportive environment.

Wiccan · 08/12/2023 12:55

You don't need to explain it to me I worked in the judicial system for more years than i care to remember so I'm guessing I have a lot more experience. There are many women/ men in employment who's husbands / wives /partners take their wages from them and control their access to the money and have no pension or savings. It is not primarily a SAH situation. Unfortunately there are many people on MN who have a real problem with SAH parents . The OP has asked for advice on a side hustle but many posters have gone straight for the SAHM position and it happens on every single thread where the OP mentions they are a SAHM/W.

Wiccan · 08/12/2023 12:59

Vettrianofan · 08/12/2023 12:52

Unnecessarily harsh. Get a grip of yourself. Just because you are online, there's no need to speak to someone like this. It's supposed to be a supportive environment.

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😲 I cannot believe they actually thought that was ok to post that ! .

Baldieheid · 08/12/2023 13:01

Whatever you do, look carefully into insurance so you're covered, just in case.

Running errands might be a good one if you've got transport. Taking things to dry cleaners, post offices, doing grocery shops, etc.

Do you have any visitor attractions locally that use guides? With your people skills picked up in retail, that may be a natural fit.

janfebmarchapril · 08/12/2023 13:03

I know someone who sells stuff for other people on Vinted for a 50% profit. Goes to their houses, photographs, lists and sends

Vettrianofan · 08/12/2023 13:03

Wiccan · 08/12/2023 12:59

😲 I cannot believe they actually thought that was ok to post that ! .

Show quote history

@Wiccan exactly. I sometimes wonder if people realise before they post that there's another human being behind the screen reading these comments. The OP asks for advice, and most of us are trying to help. But then others use it as an opportunity to stick the boot in.

OP another idea which has been mentioned a few times and as a SAHM I am currently doing too, is studying part time with the OU (will take me 6 years but worthwhile to fill in the gap of unemployment whilst being at home for years). It offers flexibility around busy family life. Would this be something you could look into? Lots of interesting degrees to choose from 😀