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Forty percent of parents worry about being able to pay for basic family expenses like food and utilities, according to a survey from Chase Bank. At the start of the pandemic, 50 percent of families were having to switch off between paying for different essentials like rent versus utilities, says a survey by Parents Together Action. Worrying about money is stressful for anyone, but particularly so for parents who know that their financial troubles impact the young humans who depend on them. Saying no to yourself on a certain purchase is no big deal – telling a child you can’t afford something is a special kind of heartache.
It’s no surprise that Zapier reports that one in three Americans have a side hustle today. With some parents still homeschooling due to the pandemic, the demand for telecommuting jobs is on the rise as they give parents the flexibility to watch their children while earning extra income. Moms and dads across America are looking for side hustles that pay well, so we’ve compiled a list of side hustles from home that parents can do.
Teach Other People’s Children
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This might be one of the best side hustles from home that parents can do because some parents are already doing it for free. If you are already teaching your children from home due to the pandemic, then this side hustle takes up nearly no extra time. Some parents prefer to keep their children homeschooled as the Omicron COVID-19 variant is at large, but don’t have the time or experience to do the teaching. You can include other children in the homeschool lessons you’re giving your children, and you don’t need to leave your home. Simply have them join the lesson virtually for a fee. If you are an expert in a certain area, you can also offer tutoring lessons over Zoom for those needing a little extra help in one subject.
Pet Sit
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If you love animals and your home can accommodate them, pet sitting is an easy way to make extra income that requires very little effort. If you take on just three dogs per day at $40 per day, that’s $120 extra a day. If you have a yard, the pets can play and do their business out there. Otherwise, expect to take them for a few walks a day. In some cases, you might need to administer medication and monitor/separate pets during meal times. Beyond that, there’s not much more that goes into pet sitting. You can even pet sit while you do another side hustle, like being a virtual assistant or re-selling goods online.
Rent Out Your Car
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If you are working from home, homeschooling or just staying home because of the pandemic, your car might just be sitting in the garage or driveway collecting dust. Meanwhile, you’re still on the hook for car payments and car insurance (which Bankrate reports Americans pay an average of $1,674 per year on). Perhaps you even have to pay extra for a parking space in your building. To offset these costs, you can rent out your car. A platform like GetAround lets you do so safely, pays promptly and offers extensive insurance. If you’d prefer to do things the old-fashioned way, you can make a post on the Nextdoor app notifying neighbors that your car is available for rent for a fee.
Work As A Virtual Assistant
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Entrepreneurs and companies everywhere need someone on-call 24/7 to answer the questions and handle the issues that come up from their customers and prospective clients. That’s why they look to virtual assistants. If you’ve ever logged onto a company’s website and had a chat box pop up in the corner, with an individual asking you, “How can I help you today?” that’s a virtual assistant. The job is relatively simple because it’s all done on your computer, and you only work when someone makes an inquiry. Most virtual assistants set flat hourly rates since they must be on-call throughout their shift. But if nobody has questions during your shift or customers only present simple issues, it’s a pretty easy way to make a few bucks.
Re-Sell Free Found Goods
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If you are looking for a job that allows for part-time hours and totally autonomy, look into re-selling free found goods. This requires a bit of an entrepreneurial spirit and the pay is inconsistent, but when it pays well, this side hustle can be quite lucrative. Here’s how it works: scan platforms such as Nextdoor, Facebook market and Craigslist. Look for people listing items for free. Every day, people who are moving or clearing out storage spaces give items away. They don’t have the time to try to sell the items, nor do they personally need the cash. All they want is somebody to take the things off their hands. When you see something of value, jump on it. You will need to leave your home just to pick the items up, but once you have them, you can do all re-selling from home on platforms like eBay and Facebook market.
Proofread
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If you have a strong grasp of grammar and AP or the Chicago Manual of Style, you can make money as a proofreader. There are sites like Proofed.com that are dedicated entirely to hiring proofreaders, but there are also sites like Upwork or Fiverr where you can bid on all sorts of jobs, including proofreading. Rates vary but if you have a specialty background such as medical, legal or cyber security, you can expect to make a bit more than a generalist would. Plus, you get to learn new information and get paid for it because you’ll be reading all sorts of content.
Baking
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Has everyone who has tasted your baking suggested you start your own business? Maybe it’s time to take the leap. You don’t need a brick-and-mortar location to sell baked goods. You can make your packaged treats available for sale online, and make them in your very own kitchen. Depending on where you live, you might need a permit for your home-based food business. Once you’re up and running, you can finally make a profit on those muffins, cookies and cakes that friends and family have always told you were worth something.
Birthday Party Planner
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There are countless parents who would love it if someone else took over the planning of their children’s birthday parties. Working parents don’t have the time to order the bouncy castle, arrange for entertainment, buy decorations and find affordable food options. That’s not even mentioning all of the price and vendor comparisons that go into it. Larger event planning businesses charge too much for a simple kid’s birthday party. But as a parent, you know what kids want out of a birthday party and can offer your planning services at a fraction of what big companies do — but still at a profit for yourself.
Tour Guide & Family Travel Planner
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If you live in a city that tourists love to visit and you know like the back of your hand, you could provide a unique travel experience for visitors. You can curate a fun, family-friendly travel package, based on the landmarks, restaurants and experiences you know and love. Through word of mouth, friends can send visiting families to you who will pay a fee to have you arrange everything. You might be able to arrange for a percentage kickback from vendors when you bring them new customers. If you want to go bigger, you can set up a website where customers can find you and book your services.
