to think there must be ^something^ I can do from home?

[PaellaUmbrella]

Work-wise I mean.
DD is coming up to 2 now and I would dearly like to keep being a sahm, but we're struggling on DH's wage alone.

I don't have a career as such to go back to, so going back to work would probably involve call centre work/ retail/ something equally soul sapping for minimum wage. Which of course would also need to cover childcare.

So what I would really like to do is work from home - is it naive of me to think there is something I could do? I'm not creative, so setting up a cottage industry making things isn't going to happen. I like to think I'm reasonably intelligent and articulate - I did sign up to one of the article writing websites, but the work there was very thin on the ground and it soon became apparent that you'd struggle to make a living from it.

I only need to make a few hundred a month, a little part-time wage, not looking to become a millionaire...

Do any of you work from home and if so, can I ask what you do?

If it were that easy, more of us would do it.

Have you looked into proof-reading? I know a couple of people that do it.

child minding?

I wish I had a good suggestion: I'm in the same sort of situation, and nothing I think of seems feasible. Instead, I'm going to have to bookmark this and read with interest. Fingers crossed for you, and a of solidarity

I'm a translator. Got any languages you could brush up? How's your English?

The trouble with "working from home" is that you need to actually work, which is difficult if you are also looking after a 2 year old.

Proof-reading
Editing
Translating
Marking exam scripts
Tutoring
Teaching a musical instrument

are all jobs people do part-time from home.

Well, can you go out to work when your husband is at home, hopefully that would negate any child care costs.

I was in the same situation as yourself, I plumped for the minimum wage soul sapping job - it worked out really well, I got paid holidays, made some new friends, enjoyed being out of the house for a bit.

Becoming a mystery shopper? They like people with children as it makes the shopper seem more real.

Avon? Park? Ann Summers? Are body shop still going? They all want reps and party hosts.

I work for a major PLC, we all wfh, they saved millions by not giving us offices to work from. It's great for flexibility but it is still a full-time job, you couldn't do it with a child around, I will need fill time child care when I return from mat leave.

Even in soul sapping jobs you can develop a career. Train to be a manager, and move up the job ladder.

You can't until you start, though.

You can easily make things, like cakes, or hand made things, and sell them.

Even train to be a child minder, if you already have children at home and need an income.

I'm in a similar position. I do ebay, mystery shopping and used to write bespoke filler for websites but the pay was criminally poor.

Mystery shooping is pretty good, you only get about a tenner a trip on average but if it's somewhere you're going anyway or something you were going to buy anyway, it can pay off.

For instance, if I'm going to the bank, there is often a mystery shop going on in town that I can do. I've even had them for pizza deliveries and meals out, so it can make a little money as well as save you a little. You can't always take children, but some companies don't mind. You can also do basic phone calls to banks for around £6. Not much, but it all adds up to money for jam and you can do it in your pyjamas in around 20 minutes.

The trouble with "working from home" is that you need to actually work, which is difficult if you are also looking after a 2 year old

Sadly I agree.

Most folk I know in OP's situation do cleaning, retail or carer work when their partner is at home. I have done web content writing, too (not to mention all the free content I give to MN ).

Sex line?

I worked from home for about a year. The best advice is to do whatever you did before you became a mum.
If you have call handling experience then you could possibly work as a virtual personal assistant.
I'd advise against trying a career change. I had years of experience in journalism and pr so I was able to pick up clients who needed those services from article and web writing, to issuing press releases and newsletters.
However, as you've found, thinking you can just start writing articles probably won't work out well for you unless you have a particular niche that negates your lack of journalism experience eg if you have an in-depth knowledge of training dogs, or growing certain plants, then you could possibly pick up work writing articles in your specialism.
Also, sketch out a business plan before you start and remember to schedule time for looking for work. Decide on your hourly rate and stick to it. I know that all sounds a bit excessive for earning £200 per month but it helps to keep you on track

Get ebaying. Start with all the crap you having laying around the house, including unwanted gifts, and clothes which don't fit anymore. And when you bank that money, start looking in charity shops and around car boots sales for anything you can make a profit on online. This is how my friends and myself manage to stay at home. It is so easy I cannot believe more people don't do it. My turnover was £40k last year. You can list six items a day and make money. Guaranteed.

Babysitting is good, you can do it in the evening when your dh is home, a couple of evenings a week would add up to pretty good money.

Charge people to keep their dog or other pet with you while they are on holiday (no idea of the regulations on this, just know I'd rather do it than use kennels).

Dog walking, if you could do it whilst also pushing a buggy or with child in a backpack?

Do you have a degree? Could you tutor?

I think child minding would be your best option and greatest earner.

I worked night shifts in a nursing home to cut out child care costs but my DS was at school so I was able to catch up on sleep then. Sorry, that probably doesn't help you very much but it's an option when your dc is a bit older.

Actually the pet sitting is a good idea. There is a local woman who charges ten pounds a day to spend half hour with your pet in your home and feed it, change litter etc. She was the only person doing it in our town and she is still going strong.

This could be especially good when your 2yo goes to a playgroup or something.

40k Lovelyladuree??? What on earth do you sell??? Wow - please share more tips.

lovelyladuree- 40K??? Wow.

I do agree though, I had a sort out and made about £200 just from books, clothes, unworn shoes and even fridge magnets.

Perfume sells especially well so if you have a half used or unwanted bottle, put it on ebay.

Turnover is not profit.
(I have learnt that from the Dragons' Den)
How much of the 40k is actually profit?

lovelyladuree, may I ask if yuo have to be a registered business seller to use ebay like you do?

PM me if you'd prefer to speak off yhread.

I'm a childminder, its great for being around for your own children but a massive invasion on your home, and not guaranteed income, our area has been quiet for months and most have spaces.

Thanks for all the replies, really appreciate it.

I will have a look into childminding and see what that involves...

I have a degree in English Literature and Language which for one reason or another, I've never made use of. I'd love to do something like proof reading or marking exam scripts, as I envisage I could do something like that in the evenings once DD's in bed, which would be perfect.

lovelyladuree 40K, that's amazing! I'm always intending to put things on eBay and never get round to it. What kind of items do you make most money from?