Work from home jobs, help please

[Deleted]

My H is home with the kids (ages 2 and 4) while I work FT.  We are in the red every month and our savings is going quickly.  H has a background in graphic design but his salary would pretty much just cover daycare costs if we decide to do that.  He has done some freelance stuff, but nothing consistent and getting paid is always a huge pain in the ass.  At this point, he just needs to find something.

I have no issue taking over when I get home (at 5pm M-F) but I'm not sure what he can do. Something second shift?  I don't know what his options are.

Do you guys know of something he can do at night from home?  I am open to any suggestions.

[cleo29]

I thought you two were separating? What happened there?

I honestly have no clue about graphic design stuff. I think continuing to look for something full time, just to see what salary options are out there.

[Deleted]

Who knows what the fuck is going on our marriage? I don't.. and it depends on the day. Trying to put that aside and honestly separating only makes the issue more complicated (double rent, etc).

We live in a HCOL area so even renting a smaller place saves us nothing.

[revolution]

Does he have to WFH? Can he get a job evenings or weekends somewhere?

ETA:  I am thinking outside of graphic design.

[ECB]

Jun 7, 2013 10:13:32 GMT -5 aeg511 said:

I know it's not desirable, but a few guys I know delivered pizzas. The tips on a weekend night can be pretty good.

How about an evening/night shift at home depot/lowes etc. ?

This is what I'm wondering.  It's not glamorous, but it would be $$. 

[revolution]

Where do you do the most shopping? Target? local grocery store? Can he try for a job somewhere like that in the evenings/weekends so you 2 have an income and you get a discount at somewhere you shop regularly.

[pinkflats]

Jun 7, 2013 10:13:32 GMT -5 aeg511 said:

I know it's not desirable, but a few guys I know delivered pizzas. The tips on a weekend night can be pretty good.

How about an evening/night shift at home depot/lowes etc. ?

I agree with this, or delivering newspapers since that takes place early in the morning.

How in the red are you? Is it something a part time job could fix, or does it need to be full time?

[Deleted]

Jun 7, 2013 10:15:14 GMT -5 ECB said:

Jun 7, 2013 10:13:32 GMT -5 aeg511 said:

I know it's not desirable, but a few guys I know delivered pizzas. The tips on a weekend night can be pretty good.

How about an evening/night shift at home depot/lowes etc. ?

This is what I'm wondering.  It's not glamorous, but it would be $$. 

No, he doesn't have to WFH, I just figured he could make more money, higher skill set?

Honestly, part of his issue is pride.  He grew up in this town and everyone is pretty stuck up.  I think he is embarrassed to work one of those jobs.  Not that it is a good reason at all not to do them.

Evening/night shifts are his best bet.

Thanks guys.

[Deleted]

Jun 7, 2013 10:16:24 GMT -5 pinkflats said:

Jun 7, 2013 10:13:32 GMT -5 aeg511 said:

I know it's not desirable, but a few guys I know delivered pizzas. The tips on a weekend night can be pretty good.

How about an evening/night shift at home depot/lowes etc. ?

I agree with this, or delivering newspapers since that takes place early in the morning.

How in the red are you? Is it something a part time job could fix, or does it need to be full time?

If we refinance and he gets a part time job it is manageable.  It will still  be tight but I think we could make it work.

[snickers]

I really like the idea of a night job.
No daycare bills!

[Deleted]

Why can't he freelance? We use a freelance graphic designer. That seems to be an easy career to be self-employed.

[Jalapeñomel]

I´m looking at waiting tables in addition to temp work when we move to NYC so we can save some serious money before the baby comes. You can make great money waiting tables if you work at the right restaurant.

[ECB]

Jun 7, 2013 10:18:35 GMT -5 calamity said:

Honestly, part of his issue is pride.  He grew up in this town and everyone is pretty stuck up.  I think he is embarrassed to work one of those jobs.  Not that it is a good reason at all not to do them.

    

My thought on this- depends on his attitude.  Yes, money is tight, working is a necessity, and "admitting" that sucks.

So... spin it.  He gets one of these jobs?  I'd either:

1- be all "want to bring in some extra $$ so that we can do XYZ (travel to Europe, do to Disney... whatever) w/ the kids".  Make it about something fun and positive. 

or

2- "Wanted to do something a little different for awhile and get out of the house for a bit.  Heard great things about working here and thought I'd give it a shot!".

HE acts like he wants to do it and doesn't care?  No one would think twice about it. 

[Deleted]

Jun 7, 2013 10:23:51 GMT -5 elle said:

Why can't he freelance? We use a freelance graphic designer. That seems to be an easy career to be self-employed.

1) He doesn't know how to find the jobs.
2) Getting paid in the past was a huge issue

I think this is his best option, he just really has no idea about how to build it up

[circa1978]

I agree that there is a lot of graphic design work out there for freelance. It can be a PITA to bill and the tax situation isn't ideal but it can be done, for sure. If he's not self-motivated enough to do that, then I do think a evening shift someplace with a discount seems like a solution.

[Deleted]

Jun 7, 2013 10:25:22 GMT -5 ECB said:

Jun 7, 2013 10:18:35 GMT -5 calamity said:

Honestly, part of his issue is pride.  He grew up in this town and everyone is pretty stuck up.  I think he is embarrassed to work one of those jobs.  Not that it is a good reason at all not to do them.

    

My thought on this- depends on his attitude.  Yes, money is tight, working is a necessity, and "admitting" that sucks.

So... spin it.  He gets one of these jobs?  I'd either:

1- be all "want to bring in some extra $$ so that we can do XYZ (travel to Europe, do to Disney... whatever) w/ the kids".  Make it about something fun and positive. 

or

2- "Wanted to do something a little different for awhile and get out of the house for a bit.  Heard great things about working here and thought I'd give it a shot!".

HE acts like he wants to do it and doesn't care?  No one would think twice about it. 

These are really great points!

[pixelpassion]

What about Bartending? it's usually a night job and I feel like he might not find it as "embarrassing" as delivering pizzas, etc.

[cheeseandcrackers]

Has he searched for companies that are hiring GD people to work from home?

I know my sister worked from home for a year when she had a kid as a graphic designer making good salary.

[circa1978]

The best way to find freelance work is through his personal network. Former employers, industry contacts, networking at professional events. Get the word out that he's got hours to bill. Or there are a lot of creative placement agencies - he could work for one or look for gigs at mediabistro or the like.

[Deleted]

Jun 7, 2013 10:25:32 GMT -5 calamity said:

Jun 7, 2013 10:23:51 GMT -5 elle said:

Why can't he freelance? We use a freelance graphic designer. That seems to be an easy career to be self-employed.

1) He doesn't know how to find the jobs.
2) Getting paid in the past was a huge issue

I think this is his best option, he just really has no idea about how to build it up

www.freshbooks.com/blog/2013/01/16/freelance-jobs/

My dad's used Elance pretty successfully.

[cleo29]

Jun 7, 2013 10:25:32 GMT -5 calamity said:

Jun 7, 2013 10:23:51 GMT -5 elle said:

Why can't he freelance? We use a freelance graphic designer. That seems to be an easy career to be self-employed.

1) He doesn't know how to find the jobs.
2) Getting paid in the past was a huge issue

I think this is his best option, he just really has no idea about how to build it up

Does he actually want to do this?  That is a bigger part of the issue. If he really wants to work and build up a career, I would think the drive would be there to figure out how to set things up, get clients, etc.

[donthasslethehoff]

If you live in a HCOL area, I think it's safe to say that restaurants around town are relatively busy. He should wait tables. I can't count the number of people I know who have degrees, are very smart, and still wait tables/bartend because the money can be that good.

[Deleted]

Jun 7, 2013 10:34:53 GMT -5 cleo29 said:

Jun 7, 2013 10:25:32 GMT -5 calamity said:

1) He doesn't know how to find the jobs.
2) Getting paid in the past was a huge issue

I think this is his best option, he just really has no idea about how to build it up

Does he actually want to do this?  That is a bigger part of the issue. If he really wants to work and build up a career, I would think the drive would be there to figure out how to set things up, get clients, etc.

He does really want to do this.  This would be ideal because then even when the kids are in school he can be home when they get home from school.

Part of the issue right now is that we need the money NOW and I know it's going to take time to build up.

Suggestions of waiting tables are a great idea.  He needs to suck up his pride.

[cleo29]

Jun 7, 2013 10:46:12 GMT -5 calamity said:

Jun 7, 2013 10:34:53 GMT -5 cleo29 said:

Does he actually want to do this?  That is a bigger part of the issue. If he really wants to work and build up a career, I would think the drive would be there to figure out how to set things up, get clients, etc.

He does really want to do this.  This would be ideal because then even when the kids are in school he can be home when they get home from school.

Part of the issue right now is that we need the money NOW and I know it's going to take time to build up.

Suggestions of waiting tables are a great idea.  He needs to suck up his pride.

Yeah ,I think wait tables in the evening and spend some time visiting area businesses about their graphic design needs.

[Deleted]

I think his attitude is the problem. It isn't hard to find graphic design freelance work. You collect half up front and the other half before you send the design. Not hard. And advertise on Facebook, LinkedIn, Craigslist, and by doing a kickass website (which I would expect from a graphic designer). If he isn't doing those things then he should get an unskilled job because he clearly doesn't have the drive to work in his field.

[Deleted]

Work from home isn't going to work when he's at home with a 2 and 4 year old.  That's a full time job.  I would suggest that he get a job on evenings and weekends - waiting tables, delivering pizzas, Starbucks, unloading trucks for a retail store, etc.  I would check Craigslist for these types of jobs.

[Deleted]

My dh drove a limo it was great money and tips

[Deleted]

Starbucks!!

Lol.

No really, the most flexible schedule I have EVER had. Even in college.

[Deleted]

Jun 7, 2013 10:25:32 GMT -5 calamity said:

Jun 7, 2013 10:23:51 GMT -5 elle said:

Why can't he freelance? We use a freelance graphic designer. That seems to be an easy career to be self-employed.

1) He doesn't know how to find the jobs.
2) Getting paid in the past was a huge issue

I think this is his best option, he just really has no idea about how to build it up

My graphic designer friend makes about $1,000 a month on the side selling cards and invitations on Etsy.  He can also do business cards, letter head, logo design, etc through an etsy shop.

[Deleted]

Timeline:

Wait tables and build his website.
NETWORK THE FUCK out of things.
See if he can use any of those sites, plus LinkedIn, to get something super duper easy for little money to start getting attention to himself.

Finish the website.
Build up more GD work.
Quit the restaurant.

FREEEEEEEEEEEEEE.........lance.