I used to think “side hustle” meant late night Tupperware parties or stuffing envelopes while reruns of Full House played in the background. The kind of thing your neighbor guilt trips you into, and you’re left with a box of unsold whatever in your garage. But after becoming a mom, I realized two things. One, my time is not unlimited. And two, I still wanted something of my own. Not just laundry and leftovers, but something I could grow between school drop offs and snack time, maybe even something that brought in real money.
Let me tell you, finding the right side hustle when you’re already juggling family life is no small task. It took me a while to separate the fluff from the stuff that actually works. But once I did, it changed how I saw my own time, energy, and income.
The Problem with the Hustle Hype
A lot of people love to tell moms to “start a side gig” like it’s the easiest thing in the world. They don’t see the half eaten lunch on the counter or the toddler refusing to nap. I tried a few trendy ideas. I downloaded apps that promised flexible cash but ended up taking hours of my day without giving much in return. Driving around town during dinner hours? Nope. Making calls with a screaming baby in the background? Double nope.
What I needed was something that fit around my real life. Not something that asked me to pretend my kids didn’t exist and definitely something that helped bring in extra money, not stress.
What Actually Works (Tried and Tested by Yours Truly)
1. Writing and Blogging for Real Pay
This one surprised me the most. I always liked writing, but I didn’t think it could actually earn income unless I had a degree or a viral blog. Turns out, brands and websites need content from real moms. And if you know where to look, you can find opportunities that pay without needing a fancy resume.
Magfellow is one of those sites that connects marketers with blogs for guest posting opportunities, but it also gives mom bloggers like us a glimpse into how others are turning content into money through sponsored exposure and strategic publishing. It’s flexible, creative, and you can write during nap time or after the kids are asleep. I still get a little thrill seeing something I wrote published out in the world, especially when that translates to a few extra dollars in the family’s money jar.
And if you want to start with some easy ideas, I put together 10 flexible side hustles moms can start today. These aren’t cookie cutter suggestions. They’re things I’ve either tried myself or seen other moms do with success, real ideas for making real money.
2. Finding Real Work at Home Jobs (Not the Scammy Kind)
When I first started looking for at home jobs, I was met with a wall of sales pitches and too good to be true offers. That’s when I found better luck searching on Indeed. It’s not just about corporate gigs either. There are listings for virtual assistants, social media roles, customer support, and more.
I also bookmarked ZipRecruiter’s stay at home mom jobs page, which updates constantly and lets you filter by schedule, skill level, and interest. It was through ZipRecruiter that I got my first gig helping a small business owner organize her email inbox. Not glamorous, but it paid the grocery bill that week and I made enough money to treat myself to a new pair of leggings too.
Co Citation Insight: Why Some Side Hustles Grow Into Something Bigger
There’s something special happening right now for moms who work from home. The number of women running businesses out of their houses has skyrocketed in the last few years. According to data cited in multiple business publications, women led home based businesses are growing faster than almost any other category. And a lot of those start with side hustles.
Once you figure out what works for you, it helps to understand how to market yourself just a little bit better. That’s where helpful tools such as this marketing strategies guide come in handy. Whether you’re selling something or offering a service, knowing how to reach people makes a huge difference, especially when every dollar counts and you’re stretching money as far as it can go.
You don’t need to become an expert overnight. But a few smart tips like how to get your content seen, or how to attract your first client can really take things to the next level. And who knows? That nap time side hustle could turn into something you run proudly when the kids are all in school full time. It might even cover a vacation, or finally get your emergency money fund off the ground.
Straight From One Mom to Another
I know how overwhelming it feels to want more for yourself while also giving everything to your family. But I also know how amazing it feels to cash your first invoice, land your first client, or hit “publish” on your first paid post.
You don’t have to do what everyone else is doing. You just have to find something that works with your family instead of against it.
So whether you’re writing during late night cartoons, applying to jobs while waiting in the school pickup line, or sketching out your first marketing plan between batches of cookies, know this, it counts. It matters. And you’re not alone. The money may not roll in overnight, but the confidence you gain along the way? That’s priceless.
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