Category: Work from Home

Being a stay at home mom is a job in itself. Between parenting, cleaning, preparing meals, chauffeuring the kids everywhere, and taking care of yourself, you definitely have your hands full.

But being a stay at home parent doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice having a career as well. There are careers that can be done from home or that can easily assimilate into your life as a mom so you can succeed at work and at home. And the extra money doesn’t hurt either!

We’ve compiled a list of 7 great jobs for stay at home moms. See if any of these pique your fancy!

1. Remote Writer or Editor

If you like writing and reading, this could be the job for you. Blogs, businesses, and other websites always need writers to create content and editors to make that content perfect.

Some jobs will pay you per article and some will be per word. It can also be on a per hour or per project basis.

This type of work has a lot of variety. You could be a copywriter, a proofreader, a content creator, a copyeditor, and more. Some of these jobs require more creativity while others are more technical. Think about what skills you have and excel in to decide which path is right for you.

If you think that you can quickly create quality written content, then this career could be lucrative and fun. You could even specialize in writing for parenting or stay-at-home mom advice blogs!

While you don’t necessarily need a degree for this type of work, it can’t hurt. You can also get some more info on furthering your education to make you a more attractive hire.

2. Tax Preparer

Tax preparers do exactly what you think they do: they help prepare all of the papers, files, and forms for people to file their taxes. This job won’t be the best stay-at-home jobs option for everybody because it requires much longer hours during January through April (a.k.a the dreaded tax season).

What makes this a great job for stay at home moms is that tax preparers can usually take the rest of the year off once tax season is over. This will free up almost the entire year for you to focus on being a mom, while 4 months will have a more work focus.

This is another job that doesn’t require a college degree, and it’s still one of the best high paying home jobs.

3. Social Media Specialist

Social media specialists are responsible for overseeing and running a business’ or website’s social media pages and accounts. You’ll create content, optimize those posts for search engines, and drive traffic to the business or website.

This type of job requires past experience working with social media and usually requires a degree. If you have the experience and the background, you can easily telecommute as a stay at home mom.

4. Pet Care

If you love animals and have the ability to be active, then pet care could be the job for you. Between dog walking and pet sitting, this type of job is fun, active, and definitely a necessary commodity for people.

You can join dog walking apps to easily connect you to nearby pets and owners that need dog walkers. You can also simply ask around your neighborhood to see who needs help with pet care during the day, especially if the owners are gone to work each day.

If you don’t mind having pets in your own home, pet sitting is also a great option. You could earn hundreds of dollars per month simply by hanging out with cute 4-legged friends. Not too shabby!

5. Tutor

Whether you opt for online or in-person tutoring, this type of job is super flexible and can help you earn some significant cash. You’ll be responsible for creating lesson plans, explaining concepts, and helping kids complete their assignments.

Some tutors charge 25 dollars or more per hour, which means you can earn an easy 25 dollars while your kids are at a playdate or even napping. This type of work can be done on your own schedule and can fill up as many hours as you’d like.

Getting clients could depend on your previous teaching experience along with your background knowledge in certain subjects. But since tutors are needed in every and all subjects imaginable, there’s almost definitely a subject you could tutor in.

6. Virtual Assistant

Virtual assistants are usually responsible for a number of tasks that will slightly vary depending on the company you’re working for. These tasks could include:

• Social media management
• Data entry
• Organization
• Scheduling
• Invoice management
• Customer service

Becoming a virtual assistant doesn’t require a degree and it can be done remotely, which is perfect for many stay at home moms. Those with previous experience as an assistant or in an administrative role might be more likely to be hired, but many places will provide training to new hires anyway.

7. Personal Stylist

If you have an eye for fashion and enjoy picking out outfits for your friends, and even for your kids, then a role as a personal stylist would be perfect for you. This job is another option that is super flexible and can be catered to your specific schedule.

You can work with companies and brands to put together outfits for websites, clothing subscription boxes, photoshoots, and even for customers directly. This job requires an eye for design, style, size, and comfort. If you think that sounds like you, then this is a great flexible and fun job for stay at home moms.

Top 7 Jobs for Stay at Home Moms: Wrapping Up

Adding a career on to the already tough job of being a stay at home parent can be tough, especially if you’ve been out of the “career game” for a while. Hopefully, one of the 7 jobs for stay at home moms piqued your interest and is getting you excited about going back to work.

There are tons of ways to earn extra money as a stay at home mom. Check out our blog for more tips on earning money as a mom.

A 2016 Gallop survey established that at least 43 percent of the American workforce spent some of their time working remotely. In 2012, the number was 39 percent.

Evidently, more Americans are embracing working from home or from the neighborhood bookstore or from whichever other remote location they fancy!

If you are looking to join the growing army of remote workers, good move. But before you leave your 30th-floor office or accept that remote position, here’s what you need to know about remote work.

1. There Are Potential Health Benefits

Work is the 3rd most common source of stress in America, only behind money and the uncertain future of the nation.

Are you among the 61 percent of Americans who feel work is doing them more harm than good? Of course, the most effective way to battle stress is to see a mental health specialist, but there are other helpful steps you can take, like opting for remote work.

Working from home eliminates some stress triggers, such as workplace conflicts and commuter traffic, from your life.

2. You Need a Hell Lot of Discipline

Working remotely improves productivity, according to a couple of studies.

Well, it’s true your productivity can rise, especially if you’re suffering from workplace stress. But it takes the discipline and dedication of a bee to get work done from your couch.

You must learn how to beat the temptation of stepping into the kitchen for a quick bite every now and then or of flipping through the channels to see what’s happening around the world.

You have to set a schedule and live by it. Otherwise, a whole day can easily go by and all you would have done is flick on your laptop and stare at the keyboard.

3. You’re Probably Not Going to Get Pay Stubs from Your Employer

Yes, remote work is beneficial to both employers and employees, but, from a legal standpoint, there is more than meets the eye. There are several laws involved when dealing with remote employees, which is why many employers opt to hire these workers as independent contractors.

That certainly means no pay stubs for you, which also means filing your taxes is likely going to get a lot harder.

But worry not! There are online platforms that enable you to create pay stubs so you can stay on top of your income.

4. Got Wonky Internet? Time to Switch Providers

The internet is the single largest enabler of remote work.

If your home connection is just about as reliable as a politician’s promise, it’s time to cut the cables and find a reliable provider. You don’t want to lose a connection when you are in the middle of an important Skype call with your boss, do you?

It’ll cost you more to get a good connection with a larger bandwidth. But that’s a worthwhile expense. It enables your ability to deliver and is still probably less expensive than the cost of commuting to an office.

Remote Work Could Take Your Productivity to the Next Level

Going remote has its pros and cons, but for the most part, it will give your productivity, career, and health a much-needed boost. And with the information we’ve provided here, you’re no doubt in a better position to make up your mind about working from home.

Need more work from home tips? We got you!

Are you a haircare professional looking to start a salon business from your home? If so, we don’t blame you–there are a lot of benefits from opening your own business from home, from being your own boss to the convenience of being in your own space. But opening your own salon business requires money, industry knowledge, and a readiness to take care the paperwork, policies, and protocols required for a business.

In this article, we’ll cover the ins-and-outs of opening your own salon business so you can set yourself up for success!

How to Set Up Your Own Salon Business from Home

Running a business from home can be great, but it does require a lot of planning and preparation. Here are some key things you need to do before opening your own salon business from home.

Register Your Business

Before you can start providing haircare services, you need to register your business with the local government and choose your business’s legal structure. You then will have to register with your state and apply for a federal tax ID number. You should keep in mind that there may be limits on what you can name your business and that you’ll need to pick a legal structure like LLC to make sure your assets are protected in case your business ever faces bankruptcy or legal issues.

Obtain the Necessary Licenses & Permits

The licenses, permits, and insurance you’ll need will differ by location, so make sure to check your local government website to see what’s required for your salon business. You may also need to get a special cosmetology license or additional ones if you want to provide other beauty services like nails or hair removal. You should allow between 9 to 12 months to complete any cosmetology program.

When I doubt, check your local government’s website. That way you’ll know if you need other things like business owner’s insurance policy or a home occupation permit or other health and safety permits.

Make Sure Your Space Meets Local Codes

If you want to start a salon business from home, you have to make sure it meets your local codes for businesses. Your town or city may require that you have a permanent wall between the part of your home you live in and the main salon area. They may also require that your salon has a separate entrance and even a separate restroom specifically for customers.

If your salon space can’t offer these things, you may need to do renovations to meet these local codes. But don’t worry, you can always apply for a business loan or try to find a partner to help finance your renovations.

Purchase the Proper Equipment

First things first, you’re going to need a wet station so you shampoo and condition clients’ hair. This space will also be essential if you plan to offer coloring services. After that, you’ll need salon chairs, which cost between $100 to $300 on average.

You’ll also need salon pro equipment like hair dryers and color processors, as well as standard beauty supplies like razors, scissors, shampoo, conditioner, hair spray, hair gel, and other haircare essentials.

Budgeting is incredibly important when it comes to maintaining inventory since you’ll be replacing it regularly. Make sure to look for hair care brands your clients will trust, and buy the necessary products for any additional services you offer like coloring and extensions.

Design Your Space

Once you have the proper equipment and inventory, you can get to the fun part: decorating the space! Your salon should reflect your personal style while still being inviting for clients. While the major design ideas are up to you, make sure have things like large mirrors, reception area chairs, and shelving for equipment and any retail items you’re selling.

Not sure how to design your home salon? Here are some design tips:

• Visit other salons to get design ideas
• Use neutral colors for walls, window treatments, and flooring
• Add pops of color to the space through decor, wall art, and rugs
• Consider additional amenities like a coffee machine, coat rack, and other waiting area accommodations

By following these tips, you can create a warm and inviting space that will attract clients and lend credibility to your business.

Set Up a Website

Now that you have your salon space, you need to spread awareness about it! You should have a salon website that provides address and contact information, highlights your space, and explains the services you can provide. Try to follow local SEO best practices to make your website appear higher in search results, so customers can easily find your website.

Establish a Social Media Presence

A website isn’t enough when it comes to spreading awareness. You also need to use social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to spread the word and promote your brand and services. Make sure to update these profiles regularly, connect with clients and potential clients, and encourage them to spread the word about your business.

Figure Out Pricing

Making a profit is the make or break point of any salon business. You should calculate your prices based on things like overhead costs, competitive rates, and operating expenses. Think about how much you spend on things like products, equipment, and utilities, and make sure you can cover these costs while maintaining a profit of at least 10 to 20%.

Decide on Services

When opening a salon, you should absolutely know what services your target audience is looking for and how they align with what you want to offer. You should always offer services like cuts, washes, and basic styling, but if you live in a wealthier area you may want to consider adding high end services.

If your skill set doesn’t match the demographics of the people in your area, consider additional training to make sure you can provide what customers are looking for. By offering services like coloring and extensions you can add variety to your offering, which will broaden your clientele and drive greater sales.

Final Thoughts on Starting Your Own Salon Business

Starting your own business isn’t easy, but it can be incredibly rewarding (and profitable) if done right. By following the tips in this article, you can set yourself up for success and make it big as a business owner.

Are you hoping to open your business at home? Do you have any other questions? Let us know in the comments!

Let’s face it: some people aren’t built for the nine to five.

Maybe you don’t like waking up and battling through rush hour traffic. Maybe your eyes are constantly drawn to the clock and you don’t like being tied down to a schedule. Maybe you just don’t like putting on pants in the morning.

Fortunately, there’s no shortage of opportunities to work from home no matter your motivation. More Americans are working from home than ever before. In fact, 43 percent of employed Americans said they spent at least some time working remotely.

We live in an age where it’s possible to support yourself financially without ever leaving your bedroom. Are you ready to ditch the office life? Here are 10 ways to make money from home!

1. Online Surveys

Everyone has opinions. It’s easier than ever to find a platform to express your views, no matter how insane they might be. I’m looking at you, Twitter.

Have you ever thought of getting paid for providing your opinion? Online surveys are becoming a popular method to make money from home.

Research companies are always looking for insights from consumers. You can make a few dollars in a matter of minutes simply by answering a few questions online.

Sites like InboxDollars, The Opinion Panel and OnePoll offer daily surveys to a number of demographics. You can even sign up for Swagbucks, which gives you money for taking surveys and surfing the web.

You might not make a full income taking online surveys. But they are a fast and easy way to make some extra cash.

2. Fiverr

Have you ever done someone a favor for $5? That’s the essence behind Fiverr, an online marketplace where people sell their services to others.

Fiverr is full of people looking to pick up extra work. All you have to do is sign up, offer your services, and wait for someone to take your offer.

You can offer anything from writing to graphic design to simple chores. You only make $5 per task, but you can bundle multiple tasks to earn some extra money.

3. Freelancing

The digital world has made it easier than ever to connect with job opportunities all over the world. Case in point: freelancing.

Freelancing is a great option for people with a specific skillset. Writers, web designers, graphic designers, editors, and virtual assistants can all freelance to make money from home.

Freelancing lets you sell your services to a number of clients across the globe. You can find clients via freelance marketplaces like Upwork.

You can also create your own website or blog to attract clients. Struggling to attract people to your blog? Here are tips on getting more blog traffic.

4. Investing

You don’t have to work on Wall Street to get in on the stock market.

Nowadays, there are tons of opportunities to invest your money online. There are countless online brokers like E*TRADE that let you buy and sell stocks.

Not ready to invest big bucks? You can get started on Stash. This app lets you start making investments for as little as $5.

5. Airbnb

Forget about hard work. You can make money from home simply by renting out your extra rooms.

Airbnb is an online marketplace and hospitality service where people can rent short-term lodging. Many travelers use this service to find places to stay whether it’s a crowded apartment or private cottage getaway. You can make hundreds of dollars per night using Airbnb.

Want to make the most of your rental? Make sure your home is clean. You should also make sure your home’s exterior is appealing. Small things like using a Cookson garage door or cleaning your windows can make a big difference.

6. Sell Old Items

Let’s be honest. You don’t need a Nintendo 64, 10-year-old shoes, or that shoddy old bike.

You don’t have to throw all your old items away. There are plenty of services that let you sell your used items for money.

You can make a trip to a local thrift store to get rid of some old clothes. You can also use the online marketplace.

OfferUp is an application that lets you find and connect with local buyers. Simply post your item, add pictures and a description, and wait for buyers to message you.

7. Earn Credit Card Points

Look: I’m not saying you should open up a bunch of credit card accounts. But there’s no denying that credit cards offer juicy rewards to loyal members.

Find a credit card that offers monthly rewards or a sign-up bonus. Some credit cards also offer cash back on purchases or free travel points.

You can earn money while making your normal purchases. Just remember to pay off your card in time.

8. Drive

Do you like driving? You might as well get paid for it.

Ridesharing applications like Uber and Lyft are constantly on the prowl for reliable drivers. You can work flexible hours, meet new people, and make some extra money.

Yes, you have to actually get out of the house for this one. However, the average Uber drive makes $15.68 per hour before expenses. Not bad for a side gig.

9. Mystery Shopping

You can make money and get free items as a mystery shopper.

Mystery shopping lets you get out of the house and visit retail stores. Your team will give you instructions on where to shop and what to ask. You will follow up and give them feedback on your shopping experience.

It helps your wallet and businesses. The free retail items are an added bonus.

10. Focus Group

Are you passionate about the products you buy? You might want to join a focus group.

Focus groups let you give your feedback to companies on products and services. The companies use your opinion to fine-tune their product development.

Many focus groups are done face to face. There are some available in the online marketplace. You can make a trip to Find Focus Groups to get a list of available focus groups.

Make Money From Home

There’s no shortage of opportunities to work from home. Use this guide to explore and find the right job for you. You can avoid the office, make some serious money, and enjoy your newfound freedom.

Are you looking for more moneymaking tips? We can help. Check out more ways to earn money on our blog.

You started your blog because you’re passionate about what you do—whether it’s being a mom, an accountant, a gardener or a social media marketing whiz.

But let’s face it. You also want to get more blog traffic. You want to develop a following. And maybe you’d even like to make some money on the side through affiliate partners.

You want to find like-minded people who like what you have to say. You know they’re out there. How do you get them to your website?

Fortunately, there are some great ways to get more blog traffic on a budget. Let’s explore how.

1) Get a Real Domain Name

When you started your blog, you may have just been testing the waters. But now you’re ready to give it a go for real.

If you’ve still got Wix, Weebly or BlogSpot on your domain name, it’s time for an upgrade. If you’re serious about becoming a professional blogger, you need a real domain name.

Your website name is a major part of your personal brand. If you’re hanging on to a free domain name to save money, you’re costing yourself more.

People won’t take you or your website seriously.

Even if it’s not true, it looks like you’re just one of the many weekend bloggers who half-heartedly throws a blog together. If it looks like you don’t care, they won’t care either.

You could get more blog traffic just by showing that you’re committed to your fans, your blog, and your topics.

Choose a platform that’s fast and mobile-friendly. Get your blog set up. And then find a domain name that exemplifies what you do.

2) Welcome Visitors with a Great Experience

A great visitor experience will help you get more blog traffic because people will come back and share with friends.

As a bonus, providing the right experience helps improve your visibility in searches. When your site is optimized for people, you’re on your way to being optimized for search engines as well.

Site Speed

Do everything you can to make your blog as fast as possible. Nearly1/2 of people expect your blog to load in 2 seconds. After 3 seconds, most people will go somewhere else. If it takes over 5 seconds, you won’t get much traffic at all.

Free speed testers like WebPageTest.org will help you understand if you’re on the right track. Google also has a speed test but it’s not compatible with Ajax-based sites like Wix.

If your site is slow, you can do some things by yourself to speed it up.

1. Reduce the sizes of your images.
2. Don’t overdo videos
3. Don’t overdo embedding
4. Check your site each time you add something new

If you want to learn to do more, take free coding classes at W3Schools or pay to get a class certificate.

But check with your web host first. Some sites that run on templates give you limited access to the code.

Navigation

You might be amazed by the clever navigation options made available to you. But to provide the right experience, keep navigation simple and intuitive. If your visitors have trouble knowing what to click when they visit, they won’t come back.

And they won’t tell their friends.

That’s less traffic for you.

Use vibrant images and great writing to wow your visitors. But keep navigation simple.

Mobile-Friendly

Test the mobile-friendliness of your site. Over 1/2 of traffic is on mobile devices. Your blog should look amazing on it.

Some quick tips for mobile-friendliness include:

1. Making sure your web host adjusts the page for mobile (or you do)
2. Using large, easy-to-read fonts
3. Keeping paragraphs short
4. Eliminating distracting elements on mobile
5. Checking how your site appears on mobile

3) Think Outside the Blog

You can’t get more traffic because people can’t find you.But as long as people can’t find you, you remain hidden at the bottom of the barrel on search engines like Google.

A vicious cycle plagues your site.

Reach out to other bloggers with similar blogs. Be on the lookout for opportunities to guest post on the other site. Agree to write them an amazing post in exchange for a link, bio, and pic.

Many sites these days use Gravatar. You can upload your pic and information. Then when you guest post, your Gravatar follows you from site to site.

What you’re doing is leveraging someone else’s traffic to gain a following. Through this, you can earn your own traffic and build a stronger personal brand.

Ever heard of the Oprah-Effect? It’s like that but on a smaller scale.

4) Get Social on Social

Get more blog traffic by sharing with others on social media.

You’re probably already active on social media. But social media for a blog can be very different.

You may want to start a dedicated account for the blog or use your own. Share inspirations and other blogger’s posts. In addition, entice people back to your website to check out your latest blogs.

Show that you’re part of a community in your niche. And through it, build a following of people who will visit and love your website.

Use free automation tools like HootSuite to schedule posts for maximum impact. They also have great tools to help you curate posts to share on your account.

Be personal and approachable in your posts—not overly promotional—to earn a following.

5) Be Consistent & Stick with It

It can take a little time to build up your blog. For a while, the people may come in at a trickle. It can be discouraging.

But fake it ’til you make it. As you continue to drive more people to your site, your visibility in search engines and on social media will rise.

You’ll be able to do less promotion and more working on your blog. You can even monetize your blog with affiliate ads if you want. But don’t overdo it and lose your loyal fans.

Set a schedule for your posts. Your goal should be 1-4 amazing articles a week. Some of the most successful bloggers post 15-20 pieces of content a month.

But never sacrifice quality for quantity.That could hurt your blogger brand. Keep fresh ideas flowing in by spending time on other blogs, social and forum sites to see what people are talking about.

Start a topic log where you jot topics every time one comes to mind. This way, you never run out of ideas when it’s time to write.

If you have trouble keeping up, hire a content writer to help manage your blog. If you’re monetizing your traffic with affiliate marketing, they’ll easily pay for themselves.

Get More Blog Traffic Now

With these tips and consistent effort, you can quickly begin to get more blog traffic. Get serious with a real domain name. Be active on social. And create the right “customer experience”.

When you do, people will want to come back and tell their friends.

For more thrifty momma tips on everything from DIY to running a business, check out our blog.