Extra Income

[westgre]

Since the birth of DS, we have been having money trouble. Not only do we have increased daycare costs and increased health insurance, but I've been paying back the advance I took while on maternity leave so we would have some income during those six weeks. I make too much money to get WIC or daycare help. We've cut back our spending as much as we can. We use cloth diapers at home and I breastfeed. We have no cable and limited phone service.
I've contemplated getting another job in my field, but I would prefer to work from home. I hate to separate myself more from DS because I'm not the most successful pumper and I want to preserve breastfeeding until he's at least a year old.
My next thought was to work for a local company owned by a WAHM who makes handbags. It's set up similar to Pampered Chef or Mary Kay type stuff. But I don't know how much profit I would actually make from that. I also thought briefly about making some diapers, but I don't have a serger. I could always try to e-bay some of Lyra's outgrown clothes.
Anyone ever work for a company from their home or have any ideas for me to make extra income from my home?
Thanks!

[BarbieSmith]

Not a huge amount of help, but instead of eBaying (where fees will eat of a lot of the profit) consider selling Lyra's outfits first on some Yahoo groups (BabyChildrenStuffSwap or BBB-swap) or at Mothering.com - no fees!

The MLM selling is difficult. You *can* make good money, but the discipline and aggressiveness it may take is difficult for some women. I have SAHM's selling our candles and while a few make a *lot* of money - we give a 15% straight cash commission so we are unusually generous - quite a few start and then give up when they realize that they actually have to go and *get* the sales, LOL! It looks so easy at first (when you add up how quickly you can make money) but then the realization hits that you actually have to *work* a little at it :) But if you are really motivated, it *can* work fabulously, really!!!

I don't know if I've helped you at all... I hope a little?

Hugs mama,
Barbie



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www.SmithAngels.com - we want to adopt again! :)

[TaChapm]

I have had a lot of luck selling Mary Kay. I signed up to try to earn extra money to pay for IVF and got pregnant and now I am pregnant again. Needless to say I have not been overly active in it but I still make a good bit of money on the side. I think I have only had a total of 5 parties. I am not too into the whole party thing and don't really push it. If someone wants to have one I will.

Most of my sales are reorders from friends and family and contacts I meet along the way. I have 2 recruits who approched me about signing (I'm not a big recruiter either) and I make 4% of their sales. My sister is one of them and she is doing really good so I get a decent check from her sales.

What I like is that when I need extra money I can always get it. I just make some calls and send out a few emails and usually get what I need. This has come in handy around birthdays and holidays (esp. when the Grinch stole our Christmas) and when we have had unexpected medical bills. I am averaging about $200-$500 a month from my sales and I am on bedrest. It doesn't get much easier.

It isn't for everyone. I never thought I would do good at it but I am doing ok considering that I don't put too much into it. I am so not a girly girl and rarely wear much makeup yet I have still done well with it.

Tara
Mommy to Jackson 11-10-02
Tyler William 6-9-05
Baby Jaci...Due September 5, 2006!

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[essnce629]

Tara-- I'm interested in learning more about becoming a Mary Kay consultant. How much of your own money do you have to put in to start up? I could really use some extra income right now also :).

***Latia
Birth and Postpartum Doula

Conner 8/19/03 (homebirthed water baby)
http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/a/aug2003angel
http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_sapphire_24m.gif Self-weaned at 24 months!

[TaChapm]

I sent you an email through the boards. Let me know if you didn't get it!

Tara
Mommy to Jackson 11-10-02
Tyler William 6-9-05
Baby Jaci...Due September 5, 2006!

http://b4.lilypie.com/gzWfm8.png

http://b2.lilypie.com/sJmVm7.png

http://bd.lilypie.com/UEZ3m8.png

[KBecks]

I think that selling stuff you don't need is a good temporary fix, and the fees aren't all that much to risk. I've heard that back to school season is big for buying so you may want to try listing in mid-July and August?

You could also sell books, CDs or whatever on Amazon or Ebay and any other things locally via Ebay or Craigslist. I sold a dresser we didn't need recently on Ebay and it worked out well.

I wouldn't get involved in any business that requires a significant up-front investment from you.

I've been noticing people who make custom hairbows and nursery decorations and stuff on Ebay, but there's probably significant competition out there. Kind of interesting though!