When you’re a stay-at-home parent, you have to work really hard to keep those expenses under control in order to stay in your budget.

You clip coupons, negotiate rates, cook from scratch, and do a thousand other little things you hope will add up to big savings.

Sometimes when people ask me what I do all day, I want to tell them “Worry. Plan. Work. Repeat.”  I’m a working mom… I just work on different things than other people do at a job outside the home.

Sometimes you reach a point where you have to figure out how to bring in extra income.  And you have to figure out a way to bring in that extra income while still being able to care for your children at home.

Here are a few things I’ve done that have helped bring in some extra income and allowed me to be home for the kids:

Freelancing

What is your passion?  Do you have a background in graphic design?  Can you write?   Are you great task master?  Put your skills out there and get hired for freelance positions ranging from single projects to regular work.

My primary source of extra income has been my writing.  I’ve been blogging here at Northern Cheapskate for four years, and while I don’t make a lot of money on the site (especially in comparison to the hours I put in), I am able to bring in some additional money doing something I absolutely love.  The blog has also opened the doors to paid writing opportunities on other websites.  I work on my writing while my boys are at school and preschool, and in the evenings when they’re asleep.  Sometimes I’ll sneak in a few moments of work when they’re playing nicely together.

If you’ve got a skill, share your knowledge.  Teach some community ed classes in the evenings and earn a little extra cash.  If you used to work in an office setting, figure out how to telecommute.

Selling stuff

I’ve held garage sales, sold stuff on eBay, peddled stuff on Craigslist, brought stuff to consignment shops, cleaned out my cupboards, and traded in items at Amazon.  Nearly every single person on the planet has more stuff than they need. And chances are, those very things that you don’t need can be sold to someone who does need them.   If you’re an experienced bargain hunter, you can buy things for super cheap and sell them for a profit.

Taking surveys

Consider taking online surveys to earn extra money. You definitely won’t get rich taking surveys, but the little bits do add up.  You have to be very comfortable answering questions about yourself and your buying behaviors, and you have to be willing to wait a few weeks to get your money.   The key to making this work is to diversify.  Sign up for several survey companies so that you have many streams of income.  Surveys are easy to do from your smartphone while you’re waiting to pick up your kids or while you’re watching TV in the evenings.  I’ve been selected for product trials several times and the products (toilet paper, diapers, and food items) have helped stretch our budget as well as providing an income.

The key to being successful in earning a little extra spending cash is to find legitimate ways to make money that don’t take a lot of energy away from your family and involve tasks that you enjoy.

Online Trading

Although this method can be viewed as controversial due to risks involved, many people choose online trading as a means of acquiring extra income. Online stock trading through a brokerage, Forex and CFDs trading all became industries with hundreds of thousands of clients all over the world. Of course, if your aim is to make money and not to lose it, this kind of activity should be taken very seriously. First you’ll need to do some self-education on the aspects of trading, markets and what makes them move, where to get recent and reliable market data etc.

Now it’s your turn: What are some ways you’ve brought in some extra money?