Trying to help bring in some income from home.

Updated on September 18, 2013

I was put on bed rest three months before having Michael.  We had already decided that I would be a stay-at-home mom and were trying to get things financially set as best we could before being diagnosed with gallstones and being put on bed rest.  So, since we didn't have that extra three months like we thought, we cut out all extra expenses that just weren't necessary (still kept Netflix so I had something to keep me occupied while my husband was at work).


My first check.
The first year and a half, I didn't really do much on trying to bring in income.  Just spent my time taking care of Michael.  I read blogs about ways people had made money from home and to be honest, some of the ways just weren't for me.  One blog suggested a website, Inbox Dollars.  I checked it out and it really looked like something I could spend the time that Michael was napping on.

I was earning about $40 a month, but summer came and it kind of went to the back burner.  What I like about it is that you know upfront how much money a survey is going to make you, unlike other sites out there that you earn points and hardly ever know how much money you're really making.  There's more than just taking surveys on there to earn money.  You can watch videos, play games, print coupons, and shop certain stores online through their website.

Another way that I have brought money in is by selling things via online yard sale pages on facebook.  I've made more money doing this.  I know that I could probably bring in more if I would sell Michael's clothes he's outgrown and his toys he doesn't play with anymore, but we plan to have another baby in a year or two and I don't want to have to buy new stuff.  It's not that easy to sell on facebook, have to keep at it, but it's a great way to earn money and get rid of stuff that's just collecting dust in the house.

I haven't made enough through this, but I have monetized my YouTube videos.  From what I'm seeing, the more views on a video that's monetized, the more money you'll make.  The same goes with writing a blog and earning money from it.

This is what I've done so far.  I know that it doesn't bring in much, but I would honestly rather do this than go and work a full-time job and putting Michael in daycare.

Update:
I had completely forgot about a few other things that I've been doing.  I use coupons as much as possible.  I haven't been able to be as good as those people on Extreme Couponing, but I have saved some money doing that.  We also watch how much we spend at the grocery store.  Before we would just go in and get what was on the list, maybe more, and not even think anything about how much everything is going to cost.  Now, we know how much we have to work with, a lot of times it's $30 a week, and bring up the calculator app on the cell phone and start adding each time we add something to the cart.  A lot of foods taste the same no matter the brand so, we buy store brand most of the time.  There's still those items, like Ketchup, that you have to go name brand on.

I have downloaded an app on my Android cell phone, Ibotta.  Haven't really used it because most of the offers are of items that we don't use.  Sounds like a great concept - earn money grocery shopping.  Still trying to figure it out.

Another way I've tried, but have not been successful with is making slideshows for people.  My first slideshow was for mine and my husband's wedding nine years ago.  I have since done a slideshow for my husband's best friend's wedding, my sister-in-law's wedding receptions, a 50th anniversary party for my husband's grandparents, a 25th anniversary party for my in-law's, and first birthday parties for one of my nephews and Michael.  I have been putting it out there on Facebook, but no luck.  I charge $15 an hour.  Depending on how many pictures and songs, it could take anywhere from two hours to five hours.  I've had a couple people contact me, but have never gotten back to me after our first talk. If you like what you just read please click to send a quick vote for me on Top Mommy Blogs- The best mommy blog directory featuring top mom bloggers

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1 comments

  1. Another thing that I forgot to put is that we're collecting cans to take to a local scrap metal place that pays. We've been setting aside every soup can that we use and pop cans that we drink.

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