How to Manage Your Finances As a Stay at Home Mom

When you're a stay at home mom, the bills keep coming and it worries you a lot on how you can help paying the bills and increase family income for your steady cash flow. Delivering a baby must not stop you from earning for your family too because gone are the days when the guys as head of the family should only be the provider and bread winner of the family--it is a teamwork and you, as a mom, should also help your partner increase your income for your family's savings. 

So, in this article, I will share my side hustles and strategies to manage finances and earn money even when I'm staying at home.

Here are some tips on how to earn money online even when you're at home: 

5 Tips on How to Earn Online as a Stay-at-Home Mom

1. Sign up for an account in Upwork.

Start freelancing and remote work by signing up for an account in Upwork. Many companies and clients offer remote positions that allow you to work from the comfort of your home. Depending on your skills and interests, you can find jobs in areas such as writing, graphic design, web development, customer service, and more. Websites like Upwork, Freelancer, and Fiverr can help you connect with potential clients and employers.

Freelancing is an excellent way for stay-at-home moms to earn money online. Whether you have writing, graphic design, social media management, or any other skill, there's a market for it. Websites like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer allow you to create a profile and offer your services to clients worldwide.

My tip: Start small and gradually build your portfolio. Over time, you can increase your rates as you gain experience and reputation. Freelancing not only provides a flexible work schedule but also enables you to work from the comfort of your home.

2. Apply for a Full-time or Part Time Job.

If you want to earn extra income, you can apply for a full-time or part time job. Depending on your skills, and what you love doing, you can apply as an Accountant or Bookkeeper if you love numbers. There's a lot of job boards in need of these positions. You can try applying via Upwork, OnlineJobsPh (if you're from the Philippines like me). Most of my friends who also work from home tell me that they are working as an online tutor and it works for them because they can choose the time they can work and it's flexible.

Others prefer working as a Virtual Assistant. You can apply for this job in various platforms like: Athena, Yokly, Upwork, 

For me, I love writing so I applied for a job as a Content Writer. I had projects with clients from Upwork and last year, I received an offer from LinkedIn employer to be their writer for Blue Pen Articles. I'm still with them and I'm earning enough to pay for our groceries and electricity. I'm not a finished product you know, actually, I'm still exploring these avenues online on how I could earn more. I'm learning with you. Like this blog for example, I created it years ago, but I seldom update it due to time constraints. I am still learning how to monetize my blog. So I started now because I should have started way back and years ago. 

So, if you have a passion for writing, sharing your experiences, or offering advice, consider starting a blog or a YouTube channel. These platforms can be monetized through advertising, sponsored content, and affiliate marketing. While building a following and generating income may take time, it can be a fulfilling way to share your expertise and connect with a like-minded audience.

My tip: Update your resume and your LinkedIn Profile, if you don't have one yet, create an account at LinkedIn right away and fill out with your information. 

3. Open an online store.

Start selling your products online. After I quit my job as a Customer Service Representative, I opened my milk tea shop business because that was then my favorite drink and it was the trend even before the pandemic. I had a lot of customers starting form my family, my friends, and my neighbors. It was a hit but I can tell it was tiring because I cook the tapioca pearls and I prepare the drinks as per order. I wait for ice delivery and I also book for the shipping of the milk tea drinks. Then I had an offer to work remotely as a Copywriter, it was just project-based lasted for 3 months and I'm back to being a full-time mom again. 

If you're thinking how was I able to manage being a full-time mom and work full time. It was really a struggle since I didn't have a baby sitter back then and my husband works during daytime from 6am to 3 pm too. My shift starts at 10 pm to 7 am. After three months, I took some rest and went back to accepting orders or writing gigs. It's a good thing because writing jobs are always there and you can work anytime you can, anytime you're able. 

Last May 2023, I applied for a job as an Email Specialist. I applied at Indeed.com and noticed that the employers there are responsive and you will know and get feedback if you made it after a couple interview or not. I worked from 7am to 4pm and I hired part time baby sitters who cold take care of my 2-year old daughter from 7 m to 12 noon only. The work was good paying but it was more on Sales and it was too stressful for me since the team needs to call from time to time. So, I decided to discontinue working there and go back to my part-time writing gigs and went full-time with my online business.

This time, I'm selling vintage clothes and I'm happy. Orders keep on coming almost everyday and it's been just 2 weeks we're almost halfway to the amount we invested as a capital. Here's our Shopee online store and our Facebook pages: My Shopping Page/Trendsetter's Online Shop PH. You will notice that the price of our vintage T-shirts are so affordable but the designs are nice, cool, and suitable for any type of occasion: casual, street, formal, etc. Whatever style, you name it, we've got it for you!

4. Participate in Online Surveys

Participating in online surveys and market research can be a simple yet effective way to make money from home. Numerous companies are willing to pay for your opinions and feedback on products and services. Websites like Swagbucks, Survey Junkie, and Vindale Research offer cash or gift card rewards in exchange for your time.

My tip:  Honestly, I haven't tried these yet but it's worth a try an I will do later. While this may not make you a fortune, it's a convenient way to earn some extra cash while your kids are napping or playing independently.

5. Budget and Save your Money

Save your money for necessary things. Do not buy things that you don't really need. One of the most critical aspects of managing your finances as a stay-at-home mom is budgeting and saving. Create a detailed budget that accounts for all your household expenses, including groceries, bills, fare for trips, allowance for food, milk, diaper, toiletries.

For my family, what works for us is that we buy groceries weekly (instead of monthly). By doing this, we can limit the amount that we spend for the weekly budget. Say, 2,000 to 3,000 max per week only for the grocery then 600 for husband's fare going to work and 1,000 for food. We order cooked food because during the pandemic, we cook our meals but then we realized that cost of ingredients aren't getting cheaper. It's decided that we can save more if we just buy our homecooked meal from our trusted online caterer--very affordable, healthy, home-cooked, and delicious meals. 

Conclusion

Being a stay-at-home mom is a rewarding, challenging, and demanding role. It often requires a great deal of time and effort, but it doesn't mean you can't contribute financially to your household. Thanks to the digital age, there are numerous opportunities for stay-at-home moms to save and earn money online. 

From budgeting wisely and leveraging cashback programs to exploring freelance work and selling items online, these strategies can empower you to achieve your financial goals while still prioritizing your role as a caregiver. Remember, success in this endeavor often requires patience, persistence, and adaptability. By staying informed and continually seeking new opportunities, you can enjoy the benefits of saving and earning money online, all while maintaining a fulfilling and rewarding life as a stay-at-home mom.