Help? Creative ideas to make $500/month

[LauraMoser]

I currently babysit my nephew, and my cousin's two kids. I have a lead for a part time kid as well, which I am meeting with them today.

I want to stop babysitting my cousin's kids, as there has been ongoing issues. To do so, I need to find a way to make about $500 a month to replace what I make watching them, plus a little bit of a cushion. I'm open to any options pretty much, but still want to be able to watch my nephew and the new kid (pending that new kid works out). Therefore, I can't do full time work outside the house. I can, however, work part time out of the house, which I'm not against. I am currently almost 30 weeks pg, so getting a pt job now may be a challenge.

So far these are my ideas:
-Find one full time kid to babysit
-Part time evening/weekend job outside the house
-WFH job (but we all know this is pretty much wishful thinking in most cases) I have applied to tutor.com upon a suggestion from someone on MMMoms, but have been waitlisted.
-Direct sales (I've tried this before without much luck, but maybe if I find a product that I can really get behind? I also worry about the start up costs)
-Budget cuts (We are pretty bare bones as it is though, so whatever we would cut would not amount to $500)

Any other suggestions that I should check into? Any help is greatly appreciated!! And also, I'd like to get this figured out within the next 10 weeks so I can tell cousin I'm done once baby comes.

[Deleted]

Did you decorate the cake in your siggy? Is there any way to develop that into a side business? Not easy, I know.

[LauraMoser]

Sept 14, 2012 9:42:48 GMT -5 @tokenhoser said:

Did you decorate the cake in your siggy? Is there any way to develop that into a side business? Not easy, I know.

Actually yes. And my long term goal, once my kiddos are in school, is to really grow it into a business. Right now I do a cake here and there, maybe two or three a month for friends/family. I am checking into a lead for licensed kitchen rental space, since licensed kitchens are required in my state. It takes time is what I'm learning. I'd really like to find something more immediate than that for now though.

[Deleted]

The most flexible job I've ever had was doing telephone surveys for a market research company. Like, calling people and begging them to take a survey. It was super boring, but it paid a few buck above minimum wage, allowed me to select the shifts I wanted (which were generally 5-9 pm), and it would be doable while pregnant. They were ALWAYS hiring as it's kind of a got a lot of turnover. Boredom might beat stress in your case. Google for market research + your location?

[zarapipe]

I would try sell more cakes. Start a facebook page, make flyers, network

[CloudBee]

Could you do royal icing and decorate fancy cookies? Or cupcakes? That would be easier with regard to taking up space in your kitchen. Cookies have a bit of a shelf life compared to cakes, and you could sell to bakeries or put brochures on community bulletin boards advertising. A website would be easy.

[mrshabious]

Sept 14, 2012 9:51:36 GMT -5 zarapipe said:

I would try sell more cakes. Start a facebook page, make flyers, network

You may want to pair up with someone who has a side cupcake or cookie business. See what you can leverage.

As for direct sales, I have two friends who do Dove Chocolate at Home (not me, so I don't benefit one way or the other). One moved to "catalog" only sales and the other does parties. After 3 years of doing it, they each easily bring in $1k a month. This is p/t work for both. It is worth some google research

[keweenawlove]

My mom sold Pampered Chef when she was a SAHM. She did pretty well with it for a long time. The start up costs are relatively low.

[LauraMoser]

Token- I will look into that. Thanks!
Zara- I have a FB page, but am starting to work harder on building a bigger client base.
Cloud- Good idea with the cookies. That could be a great way to make a little more money on top of the cakes.

I can always count on you wonderful ladies to think outside the box!

[mrssavy42112]

That cake is beautiful. You could try to get more involved with that, as mentioned. Just make sure to check the local laws regarding running a food business from your home. My cousin in Cali is a chef & had a hard time running her business from home due to laws.

I do Mary Kay and am successful (I know that may sound arrogant, but it’s the truth). It’s a low start-up and flexible.

[8675309]

I can't get past the fact that you only got paid $500/mo to watch 2 kids? That's cray-zay!

As far as how to make extra money, I like the cookie idea and I would also consider opening an etsy shop if you have any other crafty biz ideas. I have a few friends who do VERY well on etsy.

[LauraMoser]

Sept 14, 2012 17:31:17 GMT -5 8675309 said:

I can't get past the fact that you only got paid $500/mo to watch 2 kids? That's cray-zay!

As far as how to make extra money, I like the cookie idea and I would also consider opening an etsy shop if you have any other crafty biz ideas. I have a few friends who do VERY well on etsy.

I'm in a pretty LCOL area, so that's part of it. And I was trying to help her out with making it a little more affordable since she is family, and a single mom. Trust me, I have kicked myself about not charging more many times, lol. Oh well, I want to replace them anyway.

I do like to craft. I like sewing, knitting, and crocheting. I also like to draw and paint when I get the chance. The problem that I see with etsy is that its so saturated with the same products. Tons of knitted hats, crocheted scarves, pillowcase dresses, etc. I have thought of giving it a try before though, so maybe I should. Maybe I'll go dig a little deeper around etsy to see what ideas I come up with to try out.

[Deleted]

What about Halloween costumes? You might able to pick up a little side work immediately for that?

I saw amazing knitted cabbage patch kid hats on pinterest. If I knew where to get those, I would buy them for my nieces because they are hilarious.

[weardogbride]

Are you good with Fondant? There are several shops on Etsy that makes fondant cake/cookie/cupcake toppers and ship them out. They are not cheap and I have ordered for several events, so I am sure others do as well! Also, if you are good at decorating cookies, people sell custom ones on Etsy as well and ship them out. You may not need a pro kitchen for that, but I'm not sure.

[keh2oblue]

I have a friend that works on a contract basis for this company doing phone scheduling for clients. You actually get paid for the amount of calls not for actual bookings. I interviewed with them a few weeks ago, but due to my impending labor & birth, I am not able to commit at this time, but they seem to still have openings:
paragonplanners.com/services.php

[chia]

Sept 15, 2012 22:03:43 GMT -5 keh2oblue said:

I have a friend that works on a contract basis for this company doing phone scheduling for clients. You actually get paid for the amount of calls not for actual bookings. I interviewed with them a few weeks ago, but due to my impending labor & birth, I am not able to commit at this time, but they seem to still have openings:
paragonplanners.com/services.php

What kind of appointments are they scheduling?

[hippygirl]

On SO board someone was inquiring about being a phone sex operator.

[Deleted]

You could always try to get a pt job at a local bakery or grocery store bakery dept decorating cakes.

[keh2oblue]

Sept 15, 2012 23:39:09 GMT -5 chia said:

Sept 15, 2012 22:03:43 GMT -5 keh2oblue said:

I have a friend that works on a contract basis for this company doing phone scheduling for clients. You actually get paid for the amount of calls not for actual bookings. I interviewed with them a few weeks ago, but due to my impending labor & birth, I am not able to commit at this time, but they seem to still have openings:
paragonplanners.com/services.php

What kind of appointments are they scheduling?

Haha, totally legit stuff, though I don't know exactly. I think my friend's sales person sells some sort of mechanical equipment. She gets paid regardless of the amount of bookings, but she is required to book at least 20 appointments or make 200 calls/week. She works about 2-3 hours/day.