Being a stay-at-home mom comes with a full schedule, but inflation isn't exactly making it easy for everyone right now, and the groceries don't pay for themselves. More people than ever are turning to side hustles to bring in some extra cash and help their families put food on the table. The problem is that 75% of side hustles barely turn a profit and end up being more trouble than they're worth. That's just not a risk most moms can afford to take.

This article explores 39 side hustles for stay-at-home moms with a realistic breakdown of how much free time they take up and how much extra money they can bring in each month. Some can even be turned into a full-time job or business that you can run straight from your couch during nap time (now that’s a life hack).

P.S. These side hustles aren't just for moms or current stay-at-home parents. Maybe you want to spend more time with your kiddos, or you just want more control over your schedule in general. Pop on over to our 100% no-cost publishing training to see how to get started! Some moms have seen results liek adding an extra $500 or even $10,000 a month with our system. Sign up now.

Are There Any Legit Side Hustles from Home?

Yes, tons of legitimate side hustles give you the opportunity to work from home and plan around your schedule as a stay-at-home parent. The "catch" here is that new scams are popping up every day, targeting retirees and people who might be new to the side hustle world or might not know any better.

Ways to Protect Yourself from Side Hustle Scams:

• Research Thoroughly: Before committing to any new opportunity, search for online reviews and check the credibility of the company on trusted platforms like the Better Business Bureau or Trustpilot.
• Start Small: If you're going into the freelance world, start with small tasks or projects to test the waters before fully committing your time and resources to a client that might not be the right fit.
• Seek Advice: Consult with other freelancers or individuals who have worked with the company/platform in question. You can reach out on LinkedIn or Twitter/X with a short message explaining that you’re interested in a new opportunity but want to make sure you’re protecting yourself and your family online. 

39 Side Hustles for Stay-at-Home Parents

#1: Self-Publishing on Amazon

Self-publishing on Amazon is a solid side hustle that brings in money through royalties earned from every book sale on their Kindle Direct Publishing platform.

Quick Note: As the publisher, you're responsible for bringing a great book to life, but that doesn't mean you have to be a great writer. You can delegate all the writing, editing, and even formatting to specialists and freelancers who are great at what they do and happy to help. You'll have to pay them upfront for their work, but all the royalties you earn from the fully published book will go directly to you!

Time Commitment Required

These are strictly estimates but generally true for new publishers working on a 30k-word manuscript.

Initial Time Investment:

• Research & Writing: 3-6 months (varies by book-length and personal pace)
• Editing & Formatting: 40-60 hours
• Cover Design & Marketing Setup: 10-20 hours

Ongoing Efforts:

• Promotion: 2-10 hours/week
• Planning Your Next Book: 3-5 hours/week

Income and Earning Potential

Your income will depend on things like how you price your book, which royalty bracket your book is in, and how many formats of the book you're selling (i.e., audiobook, eBook, paperback, hardcover)

Projected Income Range:

• New Publishers: $0 - $500/month
• Experienced Publishers: Potentially $1,000-$10,000/month

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Flexibility in scheduling and topics
• No inventory management
• Recurring royalty income (in fact, see for yourself why self-publishing is among the best passive income ideas for stay at home moms.)

Cons:

• Requires strong self-motivation
• Initial earnings may be low
• You will need basic tech skills

How To Get Started

The first step to making money with self-publishing is as easy as joining this free webinar.

We'll even show you how to use different AI writing tools to speed up the process without sacrificing the quality or integrity of your work.

Hear Directly from an AIA Student and Single Mom of 3

Even with all the distractions and craziness that comes with raising 3 boys on her own, Carolina was able to support her family with her publishing side hustle. She shares her best advice for all the newbies here:

#2: Freelance Writing or Blogging

Although you don't have to be a writer to publish a book, writing is definitely a skill that's in high demand right now. From billboards to websites, blogs, and emails, you have tons of options when it comes to offering freelance writing services.

Time Commitment Required

You can start freelance writing or blogging with as little as a few hours per week and eventually build up to full-time hours.

Income and Earning Potential

Blogging income comes from ads, affiliate marketing, sponsored content, and product sales, which can fluctuate based on traffic and engagement. Other types of writing can typically be charged on a per-hour or per-project basis.

Earnings for writers/bloggers vary quite a bit:

• Beginners: $0.01-$0.10 per word
• Experienced: $0.10-$1.00 per word or more

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Flexibility in your schedule
• Variety of projects and opportunities
• Minimal overhead costs

Cons:

• Inconsistent income
• Business management
• Competition

#3: Travel Planning

Travel planning involves creating itineraries and arranging trips for others. Good organization and budgeting skills are a must (two superpowers a lot of moms have, let's be honest!)

Time Commitment Required

You'll need to dedicate time to researching destinations, booking accommodations, and creating travel itineraries tailored to your client's preferences.

Income and Earning Potential

• Fee-for-service: Charge a flat rate or hourly fee (ranges from $20/hour to $300+ per trip)
• Commission-based: Earn a percentage from bookings through hotels, airlines, or tour companies.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Easy to schedule around parental duties and family life
• Income grows with experience
• Access to secret travel deals

Cons:

• Workload fluctuations based on holidays
• Customer service
• Competition

#4: Custom T-Shirt + Design

Creating personalized apparel is a fun creative outlet for a lot of moms and a great way to generate income from home.

Time Commitment Required

Initial setup:

• Research: 10-20 hours
• Equipment setup: 2-5 hours

Ongoing:

• Design creation: 30 minutes - 3 hours per design
• Customer service, marketing: 5-10 hours/week

Income and Earning Potential

Income for custom T-shirt businesses will depend on things like order volume, shirt quality, and whether you outsource any of the process to other graphic designers.

As a super general guide, you can turn a profit anywhere from $10 to $40+ per clothing item, with handmade pieces bringing in double or even triple that rate.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Scheduling flexibility
• Creative control
• Scalability

Cons:

• Upfront investment
• Marketing takes time and energy
• Inventory management and shipping

#5: Transcription

Transcription involves converting speech into written text for things like TV shows, movies, YouTube videos, and more!

Time Commitment Required

Jobs can range from short audio clips to longer projects. Depending on whether you're a contractor or a regular employee, you get to control your schedule, choosing how many hours per week you dedicate to transcription work.

Income and Earning Potential

• Beginner: Around $15 per hour
• Experienced: Up to $25 or more per hour

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Flexible scheduling
• Low entry barrier
• No degree required

Cons:

• May require investment in some equipment
• Some audio files can be difficult to transcribe due to poor quality
• Requires a quiet environment

#6: Translation Services

If you're fluent in more than one language, offering translation services could be a profitable side hustle.

Time Commitment Required

Translation tasks can range from small, one-time projects to ongoing projects with regular deadlines.

Income and Earning Potential

Languages with High Demand:

• Spanish, Mandarin, Arabic, German
• Potential Earnings: $0.10 - $0.30 per word

Less Common Languages:

• Danish, Portuguese, Hebrew, Estonian
• Potential Earnings: $0.20 - $0.50 per word

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Flexible hours
• Tons of industries hiring
• No degree required

Cons:

• Inconsistent workflow
• Competition
• May require assessments to prove skill mastery

#7: Virtual Assistant or Executive Assistant Services

Virtual Assistants provide administrative services remotely, while Executive Assistants might also take over certain personal tasks, such as scheduling grocery deliveries, booking medical appointments, and shopping for employee appreciation gifts.

Time Commitment Required

• Part-time: 10-20 hours per week
• Full-time: 35-40+ hours per week

Income and Earning Potential

Beginner: $10 - $15

Intermediate: $16 - $30

Advanced: $30+

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Opportunities for bonuses
• No degree required
• Long-term client relationships

Cons:

• Low starter income
• Long hours at times
• Self-marketing and networking

#8: Babysitting

Babysitting is a flexible and rewarding side hustle that can align well with your schedule, especially if you’re already caring for your own children.

Time Commitment Required

• Part-time: A few hours per week
• Full-time: Several full days per week
• Occasional: As needed for date nights or special events

Income and Earning Potential

Income for babysitting depends on several factors, including your location, experience, and the number of children you're watching. On average, babysitters earn $15 to $25 per hour across the US.

Additional certifications, such as CPR and first aid training, can increase your rates.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Extra cash
• More socialization for your kiddos
• Rewarding work

Cons:

• Variable income
• Responsibility & liability
• Evenings and weekend requirements

#9: Survey Taking

Most side hustle blogs talk about taking surveys as a way to earn some extra cash on your own schedule. This probably won't make you a millionaire but might help you in a pinch.

Time Commitment Required

You can spend as little as a few minutes to about an hour daily.

Income and Earning Potential

• Average Earnings: Typically ranges from $0.50 to $5 per survey

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Convenience
• No skills needed
• Get paid for your opinion

Cons:

• Inconsistent work
• Lower earnings
• Scams or minimum payment thresholds

#10: Online Tutoring or Teaching

Online tutoring or teaching is a flexible way for you to share your expertise with students of all ages while working from home.

Time Commitment Required

• Part-time: 5-20 hours/week
• Full-time: 20+ hours/week

Income and Earning Potential

If you decide to offer online tutoring services, your income can vary depending on factors such as the subject you teach, your qualifications, and the platform you use.

• Average Hourly Rate: $15 - $30/hour
• Top Earners: $50+/hour

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Flexible schedule
• High demand
• Mentorship

Cons:

• Inconsistent workload
• Competition
• Technical requirements

#11: Renting Out a Room

Renting out a room in your home can be a lucrative way to earn extra income, but it's definitely not viable for every family.

Time Commitment Required

Renting out a room involves initial preparations, such as cleaning and possibly furnishing the room.

You will need to:

• Advertise the space (a few hours to set up)
• Screen tenants (variable, depending on responses)
• Manage the rental (a few hours a month)

Income and Earning Potential

Typical monthly income ranges:

• High-cost areas: $800-$1500
• Low-cost areas: $300-$700

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Recurring source of income
• Utilizes existing space
• No degree or experience required

Cons:

• Loss of privacy
• Potential for tenant issues
• Being at the mercy of the market

#12: Podcast Editor

As a stay-at-home mom, editing podcasts can be a decent side hustle that lets you work at your own pace.

Time Commitment Required

Minimum Hours per Week: 5+ hours
Maximum Hours per Week: 40+ hours

Income and Earning Potential

• Starting Rate per Hour: $15 - $30
• With Experience: $50+ per hour

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Flexibility
• High demand
• Entertaining

Cons:

• May require initial investment in software and hardware
• Inconsistent workflow
• Very technical

#13: Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing offers you a flexible way to earn income by promoting products or services and earning a commission from sales made through your referral.

Time Commitment Required

Depending on your dedication and strategy, the time you invest in affiliate marketing can range from a few hours a week to a full-time effort. Initially, you'll spend the most time learning the basics and setting up your affiliate links.

Income and Earning Potential

You can earn anywhere from $50/month to $5,000+/month.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Flexibility
• Low start-up costs
• Scalability

Cons:

• Income variability
• Competition
• Dependence on third parties

#14: Craft Selling

Etsy is obviously the biggest craft platform out there, but there are tons of other options for selling things like pottery, jewelry, quilts, photography prints, and more!

Time Commitment Required

• Design & Creation: 5-20+ hours/week, depending on project size
• Marketing & Sales: 5-10 hours/week for online store management, craft shows, etc.

Income and Earning Potential

• Part-time: $100 - $500/month
• Full-time: $1,000 - $5,000+/month

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Pick your own schedule
• Run your own online store
• Travel to different events all over the world

Cons:

• Initial investment
• Apps take a big cut of your sales
• Seasonal sales

#15: Gardening

Gardening is an age-old hobby, which means it's not going anywhere! Why not turn your green thumb into some extra cash? You can make money by sharing advice, offering Done-for-You planting services, or selling plant propagations.

Time Commitment Required

You might choose to spend 10-20 hours per week answering questions online or conducting home visits. As your client base grows, you may find opportunities to expand to a full-time workload.

Income and Earning Potential

For initial consultations, you could charge between $50 to $100 per hour.

For ongoing garden management or larger projects, fees might range from $200 to $1,000+ per project.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Flexibility
• Job satisfaction
• Turning your hobby into a business

Cons:

• Variable income
• Physical demands
• Market knowledge required

#16: Car Cleaning Services

Offering car cleaning services allows you to maintain a flexible schedule while capitalizing on a consistent need in your community. It might not be glamorous, but there's a bigger market for it than you might think.

Time Commitment Required

Typical car cleaning takes 1–3 hours per vehicle, depending on the service level provided. Depending on the number of clients you find, you'll also need to set aside a few hours each week for administrative tasks.

Income and Earning Potential

• Basic cleaning: $20-$50 per car
• Deep cleaning: $75-$150+ per car

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Job security with a long-standing industry
• Low startup costs
• Scalability

Cons:

• Physical work
• Weather dependent
• Variable income

#17: Creating and Selling Online Courses

Creating and selling online courses can be a flexible way to generate income while sharing your knowledge and skills with others on just about anything you could think of (i.e., How to Become a Social Media Manager, How to Do a Backflip, How to Train a Dog, etc.)

Time Commitment Required

• Initial Setup: You have to invest time to create high-quality content, which could take several weeks to months, depending on the course's complexity.
• Ongoing Maintenance: Once your course is live, you'll need to dedicate a few hours weekly for updates, marketing, and responding to student questions.

Income and Earning Potential

• Price Range: Courses can sell anywhere from $10 to $1000+

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Scheduling flexibility
• Scalability
• Passive income potential

Cons:

• Upfront work
• Market saturation
• Technical requirements

#18: Real Estate Investing with a Third Party

Investing in real estate through third parties like Arrived Homes can be an attractive side hustle for stay-at-home moms interested in potentially generating passive income. This platform allows you to invest in rental properties with a lower financial barrier to entry compared to traditional real estate investments.

This is definitely a newer side hustle on the market, so it's hard to say whether it's worth it or not just yet, but it's definitely an option that could offer stay-at-home parents a lot of flexibility.

Time Commitment Required

With real estate investment apps, the time commitment is minimal. Once you invest, the platform manages the properties, which means you spend little time on tasks such as maintenance or tenant management.

Income and Earning Potential

Earnings from these investments come from:

1. Rental Income: A proportional share of the monthly rental payments, distributed as dividends.
2. Property Appreciation: Potential gains from the increase in property value over time.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Low entry cost
• Passive income potential
• Income diversification opportunities

Cons:

• Illiquidity
• Market risk
• Platform dependence

#19: Personal Shopping or Styling Services

You don't have to do a ton of research to know that stores like Shein are making billions of dollars in the clothing industry. Whether clients are too busy to shop for themselves or just not sure what to buy, your expertise can guide them to fashion solutions that suit their style, budget, and needs.

Time Commitment Required

• Part-time: Tailor to your schedule; can range from weekends to select hours during the week.
• Seasonal peaks: Consider higher demand during holiday seasons and special events.

Income and Earning Potential

• Hourly rates: Typically, shoppers/stylists charge between $25 and $100+ per hour.
• Project-based pay: Rates may vary for a wardrobe overhaul or event styling.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Flexibility
• Variety
• Potential for tips

Cons:

• Client dependence
• Irregular hours
• Investment in constantly changing trends

#20: Personal Coaching

Personal and career coaching also offers flexibility and opportunity for income depending on your expertise and ability to find clients.

Time Commitment Required

• Part-time Basis: You can start on a part-time basis with a few hours each week.
• Flexible Hours: Schedule sessions according to your availability.

Income and Earning Potential

• Varies Significantly: Earnings can range from $20 to $200+ per hour.
• Client Base Growth: Income potential increases as you expand your client base.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Flexibility
• Minimal hours
• High earning potential

Cons:

• Client dependence
• Certification costs
• Marketing costs

#21: Web Development

Web development is a versatile side hustle that involves creating and maintaining websites for clients. You can also add additional services like UX and UI.

Time Commitment Required

To become proficient in web development, you should be prepared to dedicate at least 10-20 hours per week to learning and practicing your coding skills. The time commitment for client projects can vary quite a bit depending on project complexity and your coding efficiency.

Income and Earning Potential

• Beginner Developer: $15 - $35 per hour
• Intermediate Developer: $35 - $75 per hour
• Experienced Developer: $75 - $150+ per hour

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• High demand
• Work is mostly remote
• Opportunities to scale income with experience

Cons:

• Requires significant upfront time investment to learn
• Irregular work hours & tight deadlines
• Start-ups historically have higher layoff rates

#22: Personal Chef or Meal Prep Services

As a personal chef or offering meal prep services to local businesses, you get to help clients who might not have the skills or time to cook for themselves.

Time Commitment Required

You can choose to operate part-time or scale to a full-time business.

Don't forget to factor in all the other related work, too!

• Shopping: 2-4 hours per client
• Preparation: 3-6 hours per client
• Delivery/Setup: 1-2 hours per client

Income and Earning Potential

Income varies based on location, service offerings, and client base. 

You can charge per hour ($25/hr or more) or per meal ($15/meal or more).

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Flexibility
• Passion for cooking
• You can make a real difference in disabled or elderly folks' lives

Cons:

• Variable income
• Physical demands
• Local regulations and ordinances

#23: Freelance Graphic Design

Creating visual content for clients can be a great way to turn your graphic design skills into a thriving side hustle.

Time Commitment Required

• Part-Time: Typically, 5-15 hours per week
• Full-Time: 30+ hours per week

Income and Earning Potential

• Beginners: Approximately $15-$25 per hour
• Experienced Designers: Can exceed $75 per hour

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Potential to work remotely and set your own hours
• No degree required for many jobs
• High income potential

Cons:

• Inconsistent workflow and income
• Client acquisition and administrative tasks
• Competition

#24: Voice-over Work for Commercials or Animations

This opportunity taps into your vocal talents and creativity, offering a fun and engaging way to earn money from home. 

Time Commitment Required

Starting out in voice-over work typically involves creating a demo, setting up a home studio, and auditioning for roles. Depending on the work you secure, your time commitment can range from a few hours per week to full-time hours.

Income and Earning Potential

Average Hourly Rate:

• Beginner: $20 - $30/hour
• Experienced: $50 - $100+/hour

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Remote work
• Growing industry
• Work for your favorite shows

Cons:

• Initial costs
• Inconsistent work
• Requires a quiet environment

#25: Blogging Your Life & Passions

As a stay-at-home mom, you can turn your unique perspective and interests into content that resonates with others (and pays you).

Time Commitment Required

This is one of those side hustles that takes time before you start reaping the rewards.

Initially, you should expect to spend about 10 hours per week setting up your blog, which includes choosing a niche, planning content, and learning the basics of SEO. 

Once you've established a solid base, your blog may require more time to create content, engage with your audience, and implement other monetization strategies (like affiliate links, ads, etc.)

Income and Earning Potential

Early Stages: $0 - $500/month (mostly from ads)

Mid Stages: $500 - $2,000/month (ads and affiliates)

Established Stages: $2,000+/month (multiples streams: ads, affiliates, products, services)

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Flexibility
• Creative outlet
• Low start-up costs

Cons:

• Slow income growth
• Time-intensive
• Market saturation

#26: Virtual Bookkeeping or Accounting

Virtual bookkeeping or accounting is a viable side hustle for stay-at-home moms who are good with numbers and organization. Reputable platforms for finding legitimate data entry jobs include FlexJobs and ZipRecruiter.

Time Commitment Required

Initially, you may spend:

• 10-15 hours a week for a small client
• Up to 20-30 hours a week for multiple clients or more complex accounts

Income and Earning Potential

• Entry-level: $15 to $20 per hour
• With experience: $30 to $60 per hour or more

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Flexibility in work hours and location
• Stable demand for financial services
• Potential for high hourly rates

Cons:

• Can have tight deadlines during financial cycles
• Requires staying updated with accounting software and tax laws
• Stressful work

#27: Part-Time or Virtual Event Planning or Coordination

Event planning or coordination can be a great way to channel your organizational skills into a profitable side hustle.

Time Commitment Required

Initially, you could spend anywhere from 5 to 15 hours a week on smaller events.

Larger, more complex events or an increase in clientele may require more hours.

Income and Earning Potential

Beginner: $15 to $30 per hour or a flat rate per event

Experienced: $50 an hour or more

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Flexible work hours
• Ability to work from home
• Be part of other people's special days

Cons:

• Irregular workflow
• Possible high-stress situations
• Client-dependency for income

#28: Standardized Test Writer

Creating standardized test content can be a smart opportunity if you've built up expertise in a particular subject.

Time Commitment Required

Typically, projects may require 5-15 hours per week.

Income and Earning Potential

• Beginner: $20 to $30 per hour
• Experienced: $50 or more per hour

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Lower competition depending on the subject
• Have a direct impact on the education system
• Easy to work remotely

Cons:

• Inconsistent work availability
• Initial lower pay
• A degree may be required

#29: Subscription Boxes Creator

Subscription boxes like Barkbox (for dogs) and Smashbox (for beauty lovers) have taken off over the past decade. Launching a subscription box service lets you cater to a niche market and satisfy specific consumer interests. The trick here is to differentiate your product to make it stand out in an already crowded market.

Time Commitment Required

Starting a subscription box service demands significant upfront time investment.

You’ll need to:

• Research trends and select products (5-10 hours/week)
• Pack and ship boxes (1-2 days/month, depending on volume)
• Provide customer service and manage subscriptions (2-4 hours/week)

Income and Earning Potential

• Start-up phase: Breakeven to modest income as you grow your base
• Established phase: Potentially $1,000-$5,000+ per month

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Recurring revenue potential
• Scaling your business
• Flexibility to work from anywhere

Cons:

• Upfront investment
• Competition
• Retention challenges

Ten Bonus Side Hustles for Stay-at-Home Moms

Not quite what you were looking for?

Here are 10 more side hustle ideas for making extra money online, rapid-fire style.

1. Taking Over Social Media Management for a Small Business
2. Conducting Market Research
3. Selling Photographs
4. Dog Walking or Pet Sitting
5. Content Creation
6. Selling Used Clothes
7. Offering Micro-Tasks or Errand Services Like Laundry
8. Flipping Furniture or Electronics
9. Personal Training
10. Starting a Stationary Business

How Can a Stay-at-Home Mom Make $500 a Month?

To make an additional $500 a month, consider freelance writing for blogs, managing a social media presence for small businesses, offering photography services, or self-publishing. Platforms like Upwork constantly list new gigs, but they go quickly!

When was the last time a side hustle accidentally made you $1k?

How Can a Stay-at-Home Mom Make $2,000 a Month?

$2,000 won't just poof into your bank account and will involve more consistent work. Starting a home daycare, becoming a remote customer service representative, building a craft business on Etsy, or building your own publishing business are all great options. These roles often require more dedicated hours upfront but offer higher earning potential in return.

All good things take time!

Ed didn't just create and sell a publishing business for over $100k overnight. It took years, but eventually, he was able to completely outmatch his previous $20k salary from publishing alone.

Every Story Starts with a Single Page

Once upon a time, there was a side hustle for stay-at-home moms that let them...

• Take more family vacations
• Invest in their kiddos' futures
• Find time for themselves, too

Hint: it's self-publishing, and we have proof!

You are formally invited to attend our totally free webinar and discover the secrets to starting your self-publishing business (yes, even as a total beginner, even with zero experience, and yes, even as a busy mom!).