How to make extra money as a SAHM

[FromAtoBin21months]

As me and my fiancé have separate bank accounts (he works so the wage goes to his account) and we have 2 children under 3, I don’t really get much money in the bank apart from CB.

Obviously I’m bloody sick of having nothing in the bank. I Was wondering if there’s anything I can do from home to get a bit extra for myself? Doesn’t have to be a huge amount of money, but enough to get me by

Posting to see what genius ideas people come up with

Can he not transfer money to you each month? I’m a sahm, we have separate accounts. Each pay day he transfers enough money over each month for shopping, things dc will need, petrol, anything else.

As an aside the only thing I can think to make some extra cash is eBay. Which I find a pita.

You could sell your unwanted items on Shpock, gumtree or eBay but I would highly recommend Shpock, also if I see anything cheap in shops on sale I normally buy and then re sell for a couple of pounds more on Shpock and it all adds up, I work part time so this is a good way to earn a bit of extra cash on the side x

I'm the same, I have recently had my first child, and would like ideas to earn extra money!

Sahm here. I wanted to have a separate account (rather than sharing everything). So i worked out how much I needed per month to feel independent (treats, coffees, petrol, classes for children) then have that ‘allowance’ paid as a direct debit. If I need to do a big clothes shop for the children etc then I just use his credit card.

I do sell on eBay, buy things in charity shops but sounds like you need to discuss your finances first.

Have you looked at secret shopper ? There are quite a few companies around...basically you sign up tell them which areas you can cover then they send you "assignments" I've done secret shopper in asda, currys, new look, lloyds pharmacy and a couple of travel agents. You are given a list if things to look at or ask an assistant for. You then have to email your report at the end. Pay wise can vary but usually around £12 it's quite easy and I found could schedule it when I was going into yown anyway. Never earned a fortune as I did not accept everything they offered...but it was a little extra for bits and bobs.

Why aren’t you sharing money fairly? If you’re at home you should have equal access to the money.

Invoice your fiancé cost of childcare for 2 kids

He does transfer me money when I need it. But sometimes it's a hassle as it can take him a day or two to do it, and I'm sick of nagging him. It feels so demeaning. I suppose it doesn't help when he can only do transfers over the phone as well

Good idea about buying and selling. I've got a few things that need going too.

You should work out a family budget, and split the surplus income between you. There should be none of this transferring money when you need it shite, to be perfectly blunt.

You need to get him to set up a standing order into your account. You shouldn't have to be asking him every time you need something. If he won't do that then the relationship is on very shaky ground.

Me and my husband have a joint account for bills a separate joint account for food, a joint savings account (and two personal help to buy isas) and then each have a personal account for whatever we want to spend it on (clothes, extra food, entertainment, transport - not just "play money") we split the money that doesn't go into food, savings or bills. Taking CB into account I actually end up with more than him (CB goes into my personal account).

Personally I think if he's going to marry you (fiancé) he should do it properly and set up a joint account.

Can you work even a couple of nights a week? I had a zero hours contract at a supermarket as a sahm and worked 6-10 two nights a week. It gave me something to put on my cv at least so when I no longer had to be a sahm it was easier to get a ft job. My friends are all selling bodyshop, candles, avon etc. It seems like too much hassle to me.

Your current set up doesn’t sound great. It’s awful for you to have to nag him for money. Why not set up a regular direct debit into your account?

To answer the question in your OP, I used to do a bit of marking (people studying distance learning courses) when I was a SAHM.

You need to have access to that money! This is a ridiculous set up.

You should not be needing to ask. Your account should be joint for bulls and the children and you should have your own account with an allowance for you.
You have a job already raising his children ( he would have to pay for 247 childcare and full time cleaner etc otherwise) he doesn’t get to have all of this help so you can support his career for free whilst you scratch around. It doesn’t work like that.
Op you need to really make a stand. You need to value everything you are doing and realise there is great value to what you are doing.
Work as a team sharing assets and then decide where to go work wise.

I agree that you shouldn't need to ask. I'm not a SAHM but what we do is have a joint credit card that we use for day to day expenses that we then pay off at the end of the month. Could that work for you so you don't have to ask?

OP, I would love to earn some extra money too - I can't earn enough to pay for childcare so am a SAHM at the moment - hopefully back in the world of work next year when we get our free childcare hours!

Have you looked at things like leaflet distribution, dog walking etc? If you're out and about anyway you might be able to earn a few £ extra. Or there are websites which offer casual admin work. Do you have any particular skills/ qualifications to use?

But yes, I agree with PP, it would be nice if your DP gave you some money without you having to ask every time!

Can you work even a couple of nights a week? I had a zero hours contract at a supermarket as a sahm and worked 6-10 two nights a week. It gave me something to put on my cv at least so when I no longer had to be a sahm it was easier to get a ft job. My friends are all selling bodyshop, candles, avon etc. It seems like too much hassle to me.

I wish I could work. I'd love to - have even looked around. But he works long and varied hours 6 days a week. He's out the door at 7.30 am and the earliest he gets home is 8.30 pm at night, longest is about midnight. Then he works till 1pm saturdays and from home sundays. So it's difficult to find something

Have a look at peopleperhour.com OP and see if there's anything you could do - I'm signed up, can only WFH at the moment too!

I've made a stand in the past and he says he'll set up a direct debit but then forgets. Tbh I'm done with the asking. We've racked up a bit of a council tax debt because it was in my account and I didn't have the money in there (partly my fault I acknowledge that) which he's paying off in bits.

I may try and get a joint account set up, so then I know how much is going in and out.

Kids and separate accounts? Asking for household cash? Just no.
Start with getting a joint account that his=your finances go into.
Then you can see how money is spent and how you both budget.

If you need a job then good ,but i think you are starting from a weakened position if you are trying to disproportionally carry your family.

My friend learnt how to do shellac nails. Minimal outlay. She is busy all day (school hours) doing mani and pedi at £20 a go from recommendations off of our local fb site. Helps she was popular to start with and unexpectedly good at it I expect.

@RubySlippers77 I don't really have any specific skills/qualifications . Did a childcare course, some a levels. I've had a look at the website and it looks interesting but nothing that I have a great knowledge of.