Looking for Practical Ways to Make money and Pay off Debt Working from Home? Read this guest post from Jacob at Dollar Diligence.
As the cost of living continues to increase year over year in most regions throughout the United States, the need for dual incomes grows, especially in households where there are young children.
However, a recent Gallup Poll estimates that the majority of working parents would prefer to have mom or dad stay at home with the children during the day. Several research studies point to the benefit of having a stay-at-home parent in a household when kids are under the age of five, but when money is tight, it may not seem like a feasible option.
One of the reasons opting to stay at home with kids seems like a far-reaching dream is the debt burden millions of families face. Student loan debt accounts for more than $1.3 trillion spanning over 40 million borrowers while the average credit card balance per household comes in at a hefty $16,425.
Without including car loans, student loans, mortgage payments, and personal loans, the average American household shells out between a few hundred to over one thousand dollars in debt payments each month.
Because interest accrues on consumer debts so long as the balance remains unpaid, having debt as a stay-at-home parent can seem like an impossible obstacle to overcome.
For some, however, the thought of earning an income from home is uncomfortable, given that there are inherent challenges to balancing time spent with the children and getting paid for work.
Want to make money and pay off debt working from home?
If you’re a current mom or dad who stays at home with the kids, or you are considering making that shift, there are a few strategies to bring in enough to expedite paying off debt while also enjoying time with your children at home.
Here are 5 Practical Ways to Make Money and Pay Off Debt Working from Home:
Make Money With Offline Jobs
Earning an income at a stay-at-home parent does not necessarily mean being glued to your phone or your laptop. Many parents who spend the days with their children generate extra income to help pay down debt by doing offline jobs.
Offering to watch another child or two from the neighborhood can bring in a few hundred dollars extra each month, and it does not require sacrificing the attention you give to your own children.
The same can be done by pet sitting at home or offering dog walking services throughout the community. You’re able to bring your child along while earning some extra cash.
If you have a specific skill, like playing an instrument or photography, providing lessons in the home can be another great way to create an additional income stream without giving up your stay-at-home status.
Start a Blog and Monetize It
Blogging is a great way to earn money and you can have fun doing it! Though it may take a while to build up a following, once you do, you can earn some serious money from your blog.
There are a few ways you can do this. First, you can review products or services for companies and write a sponsored blog post about them. Also, you can sell banner advertisements throughout your site.
Another way to make money by blogging is through earning affiliate commissions from generating leads for a company’s product or service.
Ana explains well how to start a blog here: How to Start a Successful Blog Making Money Since the Beginning and how to monetize your blog successfully here: 7 Best & Sure Ways to Monetize Your Blog Year-Round.
Get your FREE guide to start a blog now by clicking on the picture below:
Going Minimal for a Profit
Many stay-at-home parents go the route of purging unwanted to unused items around the house to bring in more money to the household.
Decluttering the home may include old clothes, kids’ toys, or furniture that simply doesn’t serve a purpose any longer. Instead of setting these items out by the curb, stay-at-home parents can earn extra money by selling to neighbors, church members, or local friends and family.
There are a handful of online selling services and social media groups where items can be posted quickly and shared with eager buyers, and at no charge to you the seller. While this may not be a steady stream of income, selling unwanted items can put a dent in debt balances without the need to take significant time away from your children.
Another great way to make money is through direct sales. Though many of you may have already heard of this, in short, it is when you sell products to someone else not in a retail location. Think jewelry, makeup, skincare products, supplements, books, purses, essential oils, etc. There are tons of opportunities to make money with direct sales – and they can actually be quite profitable if you are successful.
What’s so great about direct sales is that much of the work is already done for you and it isn’t very expensive to get started. Typically you just have to sign up, pay a small startup fee, and you will receive your products to start selling! You can often market them both online and in-person (such as at a party). This is one of the most popular options for stay-at-home parents –and rightfully so – as there are no limits on how much money you can make and it is easy to get started.
Use Your Skills to Make Money Online
If you are good with numbers, people, or words, you have ample options as a stay-at-home parent to generate an income through online platforms.
Hundreds of thousands of businesses large and small, within the United States and Canada, are constantly looking for freelance workers who are paid an hourly rate or on a project-by-project basis to complete outsourced tasks. This could mean data entry for a sales company, content development for a business blog, or even technical support for a large corporation.
The beauty of offering your unique skills as a freelance worker online means you have total control over your schedule, giving you the time you need with your children. Also, there is no limit to how much you can earn as you set your rates based on your experience and knowledge.
Ready to make money and pay off debt working from home?
Having debt is a common factor in deciding whether or not to be a stay-at-home parent, but opting to spend time with your children during the day does not mean giving up your ability to contribute financially to the household. While there are some work-from-home gigs that require more time and effort than others, moms and dads who want to be at home have several options for bringing in extra cash to help pay off debt that does not require sacrificing quality time with the kids.
Recommended Resources to Help You Make Money & Pay Off Debt Working from Home
Jacob runs his own personal finance blog called Dollar Diligence. Aside from his teaching career, he likes to learn & write about managing money and going on road trips to new locations. Follow him @DollarDiligence!
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