working from home-what exactly can you do?

Sheena · 2001-09-07T19:19:31+00:00

Hello! Mumsnet Jobs team here. We've noticed this thread is fairly old now, and some of the information is out of date. We've put together [[https://www.mumsnet.com/jobs/flexible-working/working-from-home this article]] of advice, tips and tricks to start working from home. Alternatively, you can look at the work from home opportunities on [[https://jobs.mumsnet.com/searchjobs/?Category=513024&countrycode=GB Mumsnet Jobs]]. We hope this is helpful! --------------------------------------- Hi, I'm trying to get typing work that I can do at home. I live in Swansea and used to be a legal secretary. Does anybody know how I can get started.

Judith1 · 12/09/2001 20:36

Hi.I would like to find work from home too.I am used computer (Microsoft office/Sage etc) and am an accounting technician.

Any suggestions?

I do also sell Avon which gets me out of the house and I meet some nice people.Have a look at www.avon.uk.com

Munchkinsugarpie · 07/11/2001 23:51

Whilst hungrily looking for some part/time business offers / use your computer for home work ads/ etc. etc. I came across a direct Marketing organisation (similar to Avon) called KLEENEZE.

You've probably heard of them, had their catalogues delivered through your door, or maybe even have purchased something from them!!

I'd be SO grateful to hear from anyone who has experience of Kleeneze in any way, especially, if you're a distributor. Can you really earn good money?

Is this the sort of thing you can do easily with a toddler?

Help !! All advice anxiously awaited mumsnetters!

Jessi · 08/11/2001 12:42

Munchkinsugarpie,I think I know who Kleeneze are, and I'm sorry to say that what I've heard isn't very favourable. Apparantly, if this is the same company, you have to buy some stock as a starter kit to demonstrate to clients what the products are. You then have to leave the catalogues at places, friends houses etc and hope that they order from you. I think the payment system is abit like that Pyramid scheme thing that was going on a while back. Its complicated and you don't earn very much. Someone I know of lost alot of money. I would be very catious!! Sorry to put a dampner on it!

Hmonty · 09/11/2001 09:12

Have you considered running your own business? My husband franchisees a business (that he a friend set up years ago) to other people. Some run it full time and some part time. The idea is that you can employ part time staff yourself so that you don't have to do all the work yourself, and, hopefully, reap more rewards as a benefit.

I won't advertise his company here but if you are interested get hold of a copy of a monthly publication called The Franchise Magazine. There are loads of businesses listed (from the huge and expensive to the less well known and cheap to start)....Obviously you will need to shell out to start the business up but then it's your own business and you own all the stock etc...and can sell it on as a going concern if it doesn't work out.

Tigermoth1 · 09/11/2001 17:26

Two things spring to mind:

How about playing host to a foreign language student?. A friend of mine does this from time to time. The students stay 1-3 weeks. My friend offers breakfast and an evening meal and also provides simple English language coaching/conversation for approx 10 hours a week. This means she gets paid considerably more than someone offering pure B&B. She has got a teaching qualification, but not a TEFL one. I don't think her agency demand any special qualifications for this.

2 How about running a market stall at weekends? I have done this in the past. Not for everyone, especially at this time of the year, but you are your own boss, so can set your hours - and you can make money out of it. If anyone wants to know more, I'll post a longer message.

Cocococo · 13/11/2001 22:25

Tigermoth where's the agency that your friend works for? That sounds really interesting as we have a spare room and I was thinking of doing a TEFL.

Tigermoth · 15/11/2001 15:53

Cocococo, ...oh it's nice typing that out!... anyway, back to business, I think your best bet may be phoning language schools and foreign student accomodation agencies in your area to ask them about the scheme. My friend has told me that this arrangement is fairly common.

She lives in Brighton and has been with her agency for a few years. She has two primary-aged children and has found the work fits in well with her lifestyle. She can choose to have students during school terms, but keep the holidays free. Students are availabe at all times of the year.

If you have difficulty finding out more info, let me know, and I will ask my friend for details of her agancy. They may be able to advise you on a similar set up in your area.

I have to say the idea has always appealed to me, too. Much better than spending rainy Saturdays trying to flog damp clothes at Portobello market!

Cocococo · 15/11/2001 19:52

tigermoth, would be so so so so grateful if you could get the details of the agency in Brighton as my friend is moving down there this week and is looking for something similar.
thanks a bunch!

Anniemo · 15/11/2001 21:52

I have managed to fit in various jobs mainly working from home. Party Plan was a good option - especially children's books eg Dorling Kindersley or Usborne. As long as you have a partner at home in the evenings they can generally be fitted in around the family and the bonus of lots of books is great. I have also typed thesis for students - it is worth checking with your local college or university to see if this is a possiblity. At the moment I do admin work for a local charity from home and also teach piano (which can sometimes be hard with a baby bouncing on your knee!)

Tigermoth · 16/11/2001 14:08

Cocococo. I'll phone my friend in the next few days and get back to you, I assume she won't mind passing on the info - she always seems to have more than enough work herself.

ker · 25/01/2002 10:13

i would like to do some sort of home work i find it hard as i have a husband that works 3 shifts ie mornings nights and aternoons a 3 year old that go's to nursery 12.30 till 3 and a daughter that just started school 8.45 till 3 trying to find something to fit round that i find very hard at the moment i just deliver leaflets but want to change to something different any sugestions??????? on homework or anything else

Hilary · 29/01/2002 22:22

I would love to be earning some money for something I can do at home without leaving my children with anyone. I like the sound of typing books, editing , market research as Liz mentioned. I think it would suit me. Any more details of where to find people who need this sort of work doing?

WorkAtHomeMom · 02/04/2002 18:46

Hi there to all,
I was very much in a similar position after the birth of my daughter. I had lost my maternity benefits, had no job lined up and even so, I really hated the thought of leaving this precious bundle with a stranger whilst I did the 9-5 to pay for said stranger.
Anyway, I am starting up a site for women mainly, but any stay at home partner, who wants to sign up to advertise their skills and look for jobs. And its not like other sites where you keep getting links to fish 4 and all that stuff.
It's free right now and it is going to be huge!!!
Just check out www.workathomemom.coms.ph and send me a message if you think its right for you.
Also, tell a friend! (-:
I don't care what anyone says anymore, I will be a supermom. I will work and be there for my child, after all, if I can't enjoy the benefits or any money I make, then why bother working?
Luck to all and take care,
Kay and Alese.

salalex · 02/04/2002 22:01

Workathomemom, I tried to look at your web address but couldn't understand why it was telling me to register a domain name - I want to look at your site! Advice for technophobe please!

Joe1 · 03/04/2002 09:28

Salalex, I tried to look too and got the same.

buh · 18/04/2002 19:06

HI,I have just been reading through the messages from stay at home mums wanting to earn extra money. I started to work for a party plan company selling childrens clothes. I was'nt sure at first if it was the right thing for me to do.That was six months ago and I'm still here earning great money and making new friends and its really easy I do 2 or 3 parties a week and earn £100 for 9 hours work knowing my children are being looked afer by Hubby or Gran.If any other mums are interested please email me.

cocococo · 21/04/2002 11:12

I gave up a career in Marketing to become a SAHM to my 8 month old DS but started to get a bit bored around Christmas time and was looking for work I could do from home.

I heard about a local website called netmums.com from the nct and I'm now the editor.

You basically set up a website that pools all of the information of everything to do with bringing up kids in your local area. Its not advice on parenting (mumsnet does that much better than we ever could!) Its advice on what to do, where to go, doctors, parent and toddler groups, activities, clubs and classes etc etc.

I started in January and I love every minute of it. I've made tons of new friends and I hardly have any time to get bored these days. I can highly recommend it as a great way to get motivated and put something back into your local community.

If you go to the netmums.com homepage you can click on a link to find out how to set a site up in your area. If you want an idea of the end product then have a look at my site (Hillingdon) check out the noticeboard area.

Here's the crunch, its definately not going to make you rich but a sponsor has just come on board which means you'll get some pocketmoney. (Helps to pay towards my mumsnet addiction!)

As a result of my work for netmums DS and I now go parent and toddler swimming, to Monkey Music classes and a brilliant educational playgym that has just opened.

As well as making lots of new friends I've found it really useful for networking for when I'm ready to start doing some freelance marketing and pr work.

HTH

jasper · 21/04/2002 12:35

cococo I saw a feature on the woman who started netmums.com in the Tesco baby mag this morning. I thought to myself it was possibly yhe only other web address I could commit to memory !

cocococo · 21/04/2002 20:35