advice

What can I do to help out financially while staying at home?

February 17, 2020
I recently wrote a post, Cut back on these things to Save Money. This post helps offer ways you can cutback financially so you can afford to be a stay-at-home mom on one income. You can even make these cut backs just because you want to start saving money and spending less.

Aside from making cutbacks and sacrifices to our family's everyday lifestyle, a question I know I always asked myself was "What can I do to help out financially around the house?".

As a stay-at-home mom, one of my biggest struggles was that I felt like I wasn't helping out. My husband made the money and I spent the money. I know we are married so the whole what's yours is mine applies and we happily share a bank account but when my husband's birthday or Christmas rolls around and I buy him gifts using his own money, I feel bad. That may be one of the reasons I love making gifts?!

My husband is a very understanding person. He works hard making the money while I stay home and take care of the kids. Even though I don't have an income, I save us money by taking care of the kids and not having to pay a bunch for daycare or a nanny. 

I save us money because I clean the house so we don't have to hire a maid. 

I save us money because I make a lot of things for cheaper than buying them at the store - decor, birthday cakes, Halloween costumes. 

I save us money because I try my best to come up with different ways to help make a little extra money around the house such as cash back apps. 

You may be wondering what you can do to help out financially around the house aside from taking care of your kids and doing everyday chores?

There are several different ways you can help out financially. Some are as simple as using coupons and shopping sales to save money while others are more extravagant like starting a mini business out of your home. 

Keep in mind that taxes may apply to any income you make. Every state is different so make sure to check with your tax advisor / accountant before you start making an income so you don't get in trouble.


Here are 10 different ways to help out financially around the house:


1. Coupons & Money Back Apps
Always check for coupons. Cut coupons out of weekly ads. Print coupons off the internet. Use coupons and money back apps. Before you eat at a restaurant, look for a coupon. Before you buy that shirt you have to have, look for a coupon. Before you go grocery shopping, check for a coupon on a money back app. Before you make an online purchase, make sure to activate your cash back.

Most stores have apps that help with saving money at their store. You can find some of them in my post, Digital Coupon Apps and Websites.

My go-to for getting money back and saving on everyday shopping trips is Ibotta (referral) and online shopping is Rakuten (referral). You can check out these and more money back apps in my post, Best Cash Back Apps and Websites.


2. Sign Up for Rewards Programs 
Most stores have rewards programs that give you an extra percent off and randomly send you coupons. Sign up for store rewards programs.

Most stores also have credit cards you can sign up for to get an extra percent off. I try to avoid credit cards, but if you remember to pay it off right away, you can save more money.

You can also sign up for a Cash Back credit card to earn cash back on all your purchases. Just make sure to pay the cards off right away and don't go crazy to avoid going more into debt.


3. Product Testing
Sign up to sample and test out products. This isn't going to make you any money but it will save you money because you don't have to buy the products they send you to test. I have received several different make-up products, body washes, and even some food samples to test out. 

Check out my post, Product Testing Websites that Work, to find some product testing websites. 


4. Shop Sales
If you need to buy clothes, home decor, kitchen appliances, or anything else, shop the sales, shop the clearance sections, and ALWAYS check for coupons before you buy.

Keep in mind that just because you have a coupon DOES NOT mean you have to use it. Stores send out coupons in hopes of getting you into the store to spend money you weren't planning on spending in the first place so try not to fall for the scheme and ONLY buy / use coupons for items you need.

Shop the day after Holiday sales for the following year. Everything holiday is usually marked 50% off the day after the holiday and keeps dropping until it is gone.
  • Valentines' Day - buy Valentine's cards for school next year
  • Easter - buy egg dye kits, plastic eggs, Easter baskets for the next year
  • Halloween - buy costumes for the next year
  • Thanksgiving - Black Friday Shopping 
  • Christmas - buy wrapping paper, ornaments, decor for the next year; holiday body wash, perfumes, chapstick for everyday use.


5. Organize your Home
You may be wondering how organizing your home will help out financially. By organizing your home, you will be more aware of what items you have in your house so you won't spend extra money on items you already have and chance those items expiring.

I love having back-up items. One way of saving money is to stock up when there is a sale but be careful and check expiration dates. When you overbuy, you chance wasting money if you don't use the item in time. It's nice to have back-ups but don't go overboard and just because it is past the expiration date doesn't mean it is bad. Google the item if you are unsure. Some items last years after the date.

Organizing your home also allows you to get rid of things you no longer need or want. You can then sell those items for money or donate them. Less clutter = a happier home and a happier you. 

Check out my post, 10 Simple ways to keep your House Clean & Organized for some tips on where to start!



6. Yard Sale / Sell Online
You just organized your home and now you have a bunch of stuff you don't want, now what? Start by having a yard sale. Yard sales can be time-consuming and you may not make a lot, but hopefully, you will get rid of some stuff and make some money, after all, every penny counts!

Yard Sale Tips - price everything, sell cheaper, organize it the best you can, stay out until at least 2 pm to get the lunch crowd.

Make sure you don't have to pay a fee to have a yard sale in your area. Some cities require a yard sale permit and no more than two or three yard sales a year. Check your town's policy so you don't get in trouble and know what you need to do to file taxes.

You can also try selling items online. Facebook yard sale groups and Marketplace are a great place to start. There is also Craigslist and apps such as LetGo you can try. Make sure to ALWAYS meet in a public location if you sell online. 


7. Ebay 
Sell items that are worth more on eBay. You can sell clothes, purses, games, movies, vintage items, and more on eBay. You can go through your items and find things to sell. Several people also frequently shop yard sales, flea markets, and Goodwill to find items and flip them for a profit. If you plan to flip items, you need to have an understanding of what to look for and what it is worth so you don't end up losing money.

Some things you may have sitting around the house you think are worthless may actually be worth more than you think. Old toys, magazines, legos, dolls, vintage clothes - always check eBay before you toss it out or sell it for cheap.

My husband and I found out some things we were going to put out at the yard sale for $1-$5 were actually worth $30-$80 online. Keep in mind that just because it is listed for a high price on eBay doesn't mean that you will get that price because people can list their items for whatever they want. It at least it gives you a starting point though. 

Also keep in mind that eBay, PayPal, and shipping all take a percentage of what you sell. 


8. Work from Home - Company Jobs
There are several work from home jobs out there. A lot of them are considered to be a "pyramid scheme" but if that doesn't bother you then go for it. I have not personally signed up for any of the work from home companies but have had some friends be successful and others say it's not worth it.

Every work from home company has a different start-up cost and requires different things from you. What you get out of it really depends on what you put into it.

Some work from home company jobs include: Paparazzi, Plunder, Pure Romance, Usborne Books, Mary Kay, Avon, Rodan & Fields, Advocare, Herballife, Scentsy, LegalShield, LulaRoe, Pampered Chef, etc...

 I am not affiliated with any of the companies named.


9. Work from Home - Independent Jobs
There are several different jobs you can do from home if you are willing to put in the time and sometimes start-up cost to work from home.

Some jobs you can start from your home are: Photography, Babysitting, Blogging, Virtual Assistant, Editing, Author, Crafter, Freelance, Massage Therapist, Doula, Baker, Travel Agent, Tutoring, House Cleaner, etc...

If you choose to be a crafter, you can try to sell your products on Etsy. Depending on the job and the income you plan on bringing in, you will need to get a business license through your local courthouse.


10. Learn Basic Skills
You may be wondering how learning basic skills can save you money. By learning a few basic skills you will be more apt to DIY. By doing things yourself, you can save money on what you would pay someone else to do that thing for you.

A few basic skills to start with are:
  • Cooking - learn to cook so you won't eat out as much. Making your own pizza, coffee, and birthday cakes will save you money as well.
  • Sewing - learn the basics of sewing such as threading a needed and tying a knot so you can fix holes in jeans, shirts, pillows, etc... instead of having to throw that item away or pay someone to fix it for you. 
  • Laundry - learn ways to get stains out of clothes to avoid having to go to the dry cleaners. 
  • Haircuts - learn how to cut your own hair or your family's hair. A clipper set runs $20+. Imagine how much money you can save cutting your family's hair. 
  • Car Maintenance - learn to change a tire, change the oil, fill up the fluids, and wash your car by hand.
  • Lawn Maintenance - learn to do your own landscaping, mulching, weed eating, and cut your own grass. You can find a cheap lawnmower on a yard sale site. 

These are just a few basic skills to learn. There are several more skills you can learn to save you money. If something breaks around your home, I recommend doing some research and watching YouTube videos to see if you can possibly fix it yourself.  

My husband has learned several new skills since we bought our house to help save us from having to higher a professional. Our air went out one summer. Just for someone to come look at it was going to cost $80 and that didn't go towards fixing it. Several YouTube videos and a $15 part later, the air was fixed.


Like I said above, keep in mind that taxes may apply to any income you make. Every state is different so make sure to check with your tax advisor / accountant before you start making an income so you don't get in trouble and know what you need to do to file taxes.

Not all of the things listed above will bring in an income, but they will help you save money. By saving money you are helping out financially around the home because that means that's less money you would be spending elsewhere.

Just because you choose to be a stay-at-home mom doesn't mean that you can't help out finically around the house and just because you choose to be a stay-at-home mom doesn't mean you have to help out financially around the house. Everyone's situation is different so talk to your spouse and see what works best for you and your family. 

My main way of helping out around the house aside from taking care of the kids and everyday chores is finding coupons, using money back apps after I go to the grocery store and making things myself from Halloween costumes to bedroom decor to birthday cakes and gifts. I even taught myself how to cut hair so I give my husband and kids haircuts every month to save money. I also have taught myself some basic photography skills and take my family's pictures to save on hiring a photographer. These may be simple things but they work for our family and help us save money.

Every person has something they are good at. Find what you are good at and try to use that skill to help out around the house. Mine is organizing and crafting. Yours may be cooking or gardening. No matter how big or little it may be, you are still helping out financially and every penny counts when you are on one income.
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