Being a mom is an incredibly rewarding job, but it can also be challenging to balance family responsibilities with the need to generate income (especially without a college degree).

If you find yourself in that boat, you're in the right place! In this blog post, you'll find 15 lazy ways moms can make money in their spare time, with quick overviews about how to get started with each side hustle and how much $$$ they pay, on average. No experience or education required!

Forget the mundane and overrated ideas; we’re diving into fun and flexible side hustles that can bring in extra income without overwhelming your schedule. Whether it's self-publishing, freelancing, or pet sitting, there’s something here for every mom.

One of the best ways to make money on practically autopilot, is self-publishing books on Amazon. All you need is just an Amazon account and WiFi connection. We break it down in this 100% free publishing training! Drop by and see for yourself!

What Can a Mom Do to Make Money at Home?

As a mom without a formal degree, there are still tons of ways for you to make money while staying at home, thanks to AI and a little ingenuity. Many of these opportunities fall into broader categories that offer flexibility and the ability to work at your own pace.

This list is in no way exhaustive, but it's a start!

1. Teaching and Tutoring
2. Digital Products and Services
3. Shopping for Others
4. Repurposing/Flipping
5. Content Creation

#1: Kindle Publishing

What's Most Profitable? Non-fiction niches like self-help and memoirs are insanely popular as eBooks, print-on-demand hardcover & soft cover books, and audiobooks. Platforms like Amazon's KDP pay a flat percentage royalty rate for each copy and each version of the book sold, which then gets paid directly to your bank account each month.

How Easy Is It? Self-publishing is relatively straightforward:

1. Choose Your Topic: Focus on a topic that's already making sales for your competitors.
2. Write, Edit, and Format: Use tools like ChatGPT and Publishing.ai or hire freelancers.
3. Design a Cover: Use tools like Midjourney and Canva to get the job done.
4. Publish on Platforms: Use Amazon KDP, Smashwords, or other platforms.
5. Market Your Book: Promote your book through ads using the right keywords.

How Much Can I Make? Earnings vary widely. Some authors and publishers make a few hundred dollars a month, while others earn thousands. Stop by the Publishing.com Student Success Hub to see hundreds of success stories from single parents, couples, and coaches!

Benefits Of Kindle Publishing

• ‍Low Startup Costs: Minimal upfront investment compared to traditional publishing and most other side hustles.‍
• Flexibility in Scheduling: Work on your book at your own pace. Whether you have a few hours a day or just on weekends, you can fit writing (or outsourcing) and publishing into your schedule.‍
• Recurring Income Potential: Once published, your book can generate passive income as long as its online. As sales accumulate, you can begin to earn royalties without ongoing effort. See for yourself why self-publishing is one of the top passive income ideas for mothers.
• ‍Easy to Get Started: Platforms like Amazon KDP make the process simple. Step-by-step guides and user-friendly interfaces help you upload, format, and publish your book in as little as an hour.
• ‍Work From Anywhere: All you need is a computer and an internet connection. You can write, edit, or manage your self-publishing business from anywhere in the world.

How To Get Started With Self-Publishing a Book

AIA Course: A lot of courses these days take your money and then disappear, leaving you with outdated information within just a matter of a few months. The AI Publishing Academy, on the other hand, is constantly being updated with the most relevant and digestible information you need to create and start earning income with high-quality books (yes, even as someone who has no interest or skills in writing!)

Free Webinar: Publishing.com also offers a zero-cost publishing training for newbies interested in seeing how this business model works and the kinds of results it can actually produce.

Student Testimonials: See how Karina went from a total beginner to one of Publishing.com's most beloved publishing coaches in less than a year!

#2: Sell Used Items in a Bundle

What's Most Profitable? Selling used items in bundles can bring in a decent chunk of change, especially with baby and kids' clothing, toys, and maternity wear. Accessories like hats, shoes, and bags also do decently well. You'll want to organize items by size, theme, or age group and use the right keywords in your listings to attract more buyers.

How Easy Is It? Platforms like eBay, Poshmark, Depop, and Facebook Marketplace let you get started ASAP:

1. Sort and bundle items.
2. Take quality photos.
3. Write detailed descriptions.
4. Set a reasonable price.
5. Post and wait for buyers.

How Much Can I Make? Earnings depend on quality and demand. On average, you can expect 10%-16% profit margins.

#3: Freelance Writing, Proofreading, and Sensitivity Reading

What's Most Profitable? Freelance writing can be profitable, especially in blogging, copywriting, and technical writing. Proofreading can also be lucrative, with jobs available on platforms like Fiverr and Upwork (though there's also tons of competition to consider). Sensitivity reading is a growing field that pays well for reviewing manuscripts for cultural appropriateness and helping authors or publishers avoid misrepresentations and stereotypes.

How Easy Is It?

• Freelance Writing: Initially, sourcing clients can be challenging but usually becomes steadier with experience and a portfolio.
• Starting a Proofreading & Editing Business: Requires extra attention to detail and marketing your services.
• Sensitivity Reading: Beneficial to have a background in cultural studies or personal experiences and requires high amounts of empathy, research, and consulting.

How Much Can I Make?

• Freelance Writing: $30-$300+ per article.
• Proofreading: $15-$50+ per hour.
• Sensitivity Reading: $250-$500+ per manuscript.

#4: Embroidery or Monogramming

What's Most Profitable? Personalized apparel, home decor items, and accessories like tote bags and hats tend to pay well. Custom designs for wedding gifts, baby items, and corporate branding can also bring in higher profits.

How Easy Is It? You can get started with cheap, user-friendly equipment and online tutorials. Then, as you improve, you can invest in better machines and tools for more intricate designs and patterns.

How Much Can I Make? With good promotion, you could make anywhere from $500 to several thousand dollars a month.

#5: Calligraphy and Cardmaking

What's Most Profitable? Creating custom cards or calligraphy artwork for weddings, birthdays, and anniversaries can be profitable pretty much year-round.

How Easy Is It? Mastering calligraphy takes time, but with practice and online tutorials, you can get started with Etsy or your own business website pretty quickly.

How Much Can I Make? A slow month might only bring in a few hundred dollars, while an established online business might bring you thousands. It can definitely be pretty variable, though, so keep that in mind.

#6: Selling Online Courses

What's Most Profitable? Check platforms like Udemy or Teachable to see what's popular. Parenting, health, wellness, and cooking are just some of the trending topics from the last few years.

How Easy Is It? Creating and selling an online course usually consists of these steps:

1. Choose a topic you know well.
2. Plan your course structure.
3. Create engaging content (videos, articles).
4. Choose the right hosting platform.
5. Promote the course through social media and email campaigns.

How Much Can I Make? Successful creators can make several thousand dollars per month.

#7: Print on Demand Goods

What's Most Profitable? Popular items include t-shirts, hoodies, phone cases, and mugs.

How Easy Is It? Redbubble and Teespring make it easy to get started. You just need to:

1. Create your designs.
2. Select products to sell.
3. Sync with your online shop.
4. Market your products.

How Much Can I Make? Earnings are going to depend on the type of item you're selling and your profit margins, but the average seller can expect a couple hundred dollars a month in their first year or two.

#8: Pet Sitting

What's Most Profitable? Dog sitting typically pays more than cat sitting, but you can also offer services for exotic animals like lizards, sugar gliders, etc. Offering services like house visits, overnight stays, and dog walking can boost your income.

How Easy Is It? You can offer your services to friends and family first, then build a profile on online platforms like Rover or Care.com to start gaining a good base of reviews.

How Much Can I Make? Rates vary, but you can earn:

• Dog Walking: $10-$30 per walk.
• House Visits: $20-$50 per visit.
• Overnight Stays: $50-$100 per night.

#9: Start a YouTube Channel

What's Most Profitable? Some popular niches include parenting advice, beauty, cooking, DIY projects, home organization, and fitness.

How Easy Is It? You can start a YouTube channel from a phone or laptop in pretty much no time at all:

1. Choose a niche you’re passionate about.
2. Create your channel and customize it.
3. Plan, film, and edit your content.
4. Optimize titles, descriptions, and tags for visibility.

How Much Can I Make? Earnings depend on subscribers, views, and monetization strategies, but a good following count can translate to thousands in ad revenue and brand deals.

#10: Rent Out a Space in Your Home

What's Most Profitable? Renting out a spare bedroom, basement, garage, or parking space in a high-tourist area is another great way to earn money without a degree or work experience.

How Easy Is It? Platforms like Airbnb and VRBO make it easy to post your space and interact with guests. You'll need to:

1. Clean and prepare the space.
2. Take clear photos.
3. Create a profile on a rental platform.
4. Manage bookings and coordinate check-ins and check-outs.
5. Clean the space in between rentals and black out the dates your space won't be available.

How Much Can I Make? Earnings vary by location and demand, but you can expect ranges like:

• Spare Bedroom: $50-$100 per night.
• Garage Storage: $100-$300 per month.
• Parking Space: $200-$500 per month.

#11: Grocery Shopping for Others

What's Most Profitable? Services like Instacart, Walmart's Spark, and Target's Shipt let you shop for others and choose which grocery orders to take on, so you can control the size of the orders and the distance of the deliveries.

How Easy Is It? Most grocery store delivery apps require the same steps:

1. Sign up for Instacart, Shipt, or your preferred service.
2. Complete the necessary background checks and training (usually just a few videos).
3. Accept shopping requests and deliver groceries to customers.

How Much Can I Make? Earnings depend on the number of orders you complete and tips, but on average, you can make $10-$25 per hour, with the potential to earn much more money during peak times or with tips.

#12: Flip Items from Thrift Stores

What's Most Profitable? Clothes, toys, electronics, and home decor all have solid markets. Look for brand names and items in good condition.

How Easy Is It? Sourcing items is going to take some time, but once you have a thrift shop you can count on, you can streamline the process.

1. Visit thrift stores or yard sales in new neighborhoods to compare selections.
2. Clean and restore items.
3. Research online to set fair prices.
4. List items on eBay, Poshmark, or Facebook Marketplace.
5. Ship sold items to buyers.

How Much Can I Make? Earnings vary a lot, but there are business leaders like Gary Vee who have made six figures just flipping items like furniture.

#13: Online Surveys

What's Most Profitable? Websites like Survey Junkie and Swagbucks are some sites that will pay you for your opinions through points that convert to cash or gift cards.

How Easy Is It? It takes almost no effort to get started.

1. Sign up on survey websites.
2. Take surveys anytime, anywhere.
3. Earn points while multitasking during your downtime.

How Much Can I Make? Surveys typically won't become a primary income source, but they can still be a convenient way to make extra cash without a degree.

#14: Extreme Couponing

What's Most Profitable? Focus on high-demand items with significant discounts, like groceries, household products, and toiletries. Prioritize products you use regularly and look for stores with double coupon policies.

How Easy Is It? Couponing requires dedication and organization but can save your family a ton:

1. Collect coupons from newspapers, flyers, and online.
2. Organize them in a binder or filing system.
3. Plan your shopping trips by matching coupons with store sales.
4. Bring your organized coupons and loyalty cards while shopping.
5. Track your savings to stay motivated.

How Much Can I Make? You can save thousands per year on your regular expenses or even turn a profit by reselling discounted items and/or creating content for social media to educate other moms about couponing.

#15: Mobile Car Detailing

What's Most Profitable? Offering premium services like pet hair extraction or inside-outside detailing with wax is a great way to make even more money than basic car packages.

How Easy Is It? Here's what you'll need to get started:

1. Gather basic supplies: cleaning products, microfiber towels, vacuum cleaners, brushes, sponges, and an optional pressure washer.
2. Practice using your own car and friends' cars to build experience.
3. Start charging for your services and offer promotions to attract clients.

How Much Can I Make? Earnings can reach upwards of $15-50+ per hour with profit margins as high as 15% to 20%.

What Are the Best Income-Generating Jobs for Moms Without Prior Work Experience?

If you're a mom without much prior work experience, you can start simple and still earn a good income! Part of starting and running a new online business is making mistakes, so don't let fear or imposter syndrome hold you back.

None of the side hustles on our list require a degree or work experience and are mostly beginner-friendly. You can be your own boss and earn extra money on your own time, working around things like your kids' nap time or daycare pick-ups and drop-offs.

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

Moms looking to make $500 a month most likely aren't going to be able to do that with surveys alone, but it's not uncommon to hit that goal with freelancing services like writing, graphic design, or social media management.

Of course, another way to earn extra income is self-publishing! Instead of selling your time, you get to sell your ideas, giving you way more freedom over your schedule and income. You can even outsource 90% of the process.

Just ask Supermom Leslie!

How Can a Stay at Home Mom Make $2000 a Month?

Making an extra $2000 a month is going to take work, that's just how it is.

One option is starting a blog in your area of expertise and monetizing it through affiliate marketing or sponsored content. Another option is providing childcare services, working as a nanny, or starting a daycare center in your home.

Then again, there is a third option, and you can probably guess what we're going to say...Self-publishing!

Though it's definitely not the norm for newbie publishers, some authors and publishers are making well into six figures less than 5 years after publishing their first book with recurring royalties.

Listen to Nicole's experience with publishing here: 

What Do Moms, Rockstars, and Self-Publishers All Have in Common?

They all know how to turn their passions into income! As you explore the various ways to make money from home, remember that the key is finding what works best for you and your family. Whether it's teaching, freelance writing, or self-publishing, there's a path for everyone.

Quick disclaimer: Publishing isn't magic, and you can't pull a bestseller out of a hat like a rabbit. The thing is you can outsource 90% of the work to ghostwriters and AI, which comes pretty close to magic if you ask us. And even better news? That 10% of work that's required can go on to pay you royalties f-o-r-e-v-e-r. Like the happily ever after kind of forever.

If you’re curious about how self-publishing can fit into your life and boost your income, don’t miss Publishing.com’s free webinar! Discover the secrets to start making money with your ideas!