How to Make a Full-Time Income From Home As a Mom [With Roadmap]

If you’re searching on Google or YouTube for ways to make a full-time income from home, you might notice there’s a bunch of not-so-great advice out there.

Some articles suggest doing online surveys, using money-making apps, or tackling tiny tasks for just a few cents each. Sure, these things might get you a bit of extra cash for your coffee fund, but they’re definitely not going to replace a part-time job, let alone a full-time one.

Let me tell you, I’ve been in that spot, and it’s not fun. I get that many new work-from-home moms want to make quick money and then figure out how to earn more in the long run.

So, if you’re in a hurry to make money but also want to eventually make a full-time income from home, here’s my suggestion. First, find a way to make some quick money. It might not pay much, but it’s just temporary. Second, once you’ve got that sorted, look for something better with more income potential.

Step 1: Start with a Quick Money Method

If you’re looking to make some quick cash, consider trying something like writing for a content mill. It won’t pay much, but if you need money right away, it’s a way to get started.

If you’re okay with earning an extra $20-$80 per week and aren’t worried about how long it takes, there are a few ways to make money pretty quickly. It’s not as easy as doing online surveys, though, because that doesn’t really get you anywhere.

Now, I’ll be honest – if you can skip this step, that’s great. The pay for this kind of work is not fantastic. But if you need money and can’t start a business right now, it’s one of the best ways to earn from home. If you have a skill you can freelance with and get paid better, go for that instead.

If you can’t skip this step for now, check out Textbroker and other online content mills. They pay $2-$20 per article, and you get your money weekly through PayPal, so it’s quick.

If you want other options, there are a few more content mills like ContentFly, iWriter, Zerys, Skyword, and Word Agents. I haven’t tried them, so I can’t speak from personal experience.

You submit a sample article or apply to be a writer, and don’t worry if you’re not a fantastic writer – these companies don’t pay much. That said, you can make $20-$80 per week pretty easily with content mills and writing simple articles.

As soon as you can, though, shift your focus to freelancing or starting a home-based business – that’s step 2.

Step 2: Build Your Online Business or Work Towards a Remote Job

For us work-from-home moms, the big goals are either getting a remote job with a company or starting and growing a business that we can run from home.

If you’re on the lookout for a remote job, start by keeping an eye on job listings from remote job boards. It’s also a good idea to set up a portfolio website, especially if you’re aiming for a creative position involving design, code, or writing.

If creating a website seems like too much, you can use portfolio sites like Dribbble or put together a folder in Google Drive or a presentation using Google Slides.

Check if the job you want requires any certifications, get them if you can, and keep applying to jobs that seem like a good fit. Most importantly, showcase your best work in your portfolio and keep it updated.

Step 3: Starting a Business from Home and/or Freelancing

This is the area where I can offer the most help because I’ve been through it myself. So that you know, I’m not a fan of network marketing/direct sales/MLM. I believe there are plenty of ways to create a real business that YOU OWN and run from home.

Here are some ways you can do this:

• Freelance Work: You offer a service (like web design, in my case). As a freelancer, you’re your own boss – set your prices, choose your clients, and control your schedule.
• Running an Online Store: Sell digital or physical products in an online store. It may have higher startup costs, so if you need money quickly, start freelancing or open a local home-based business while building up your shop.
• Blogging/Podcasting/YouTubing: People really make full-time money from these, but it takes time – from months to years. If you’re in a hurry to make money, start freelancing or something else while building your blog or YouTube channel.
• Social Media Influencer: It’s a real thing. Small businesses use influencer marketing for a better return on investment. It takes time, so build it up on the side while freelancing or starting another home-based business.
• Starting a Local Home-Based Business: Open a local/home-based business, maybe occasionally leaving your home. Some require minimal childcare. Ideas include in-home daycare, photography, reselling thrifted items online, and crafting for local markets.

Once you can focus on growing your business, any of these options can be a legitimate way to make a full-time income from home.

My big advice: Go all in on ONE idea. If you need money right away but dream of something that takes time (like becoming an influencer or blogging), start freelancing ASAP and work on your big goals on the side. This way, you’ll have some income coming in and less stress about bills as you pursue your dreams.

Wrapping Up: How to Make a Full-Time Income From Home

These are just my suggestions based on what I’ve been through, but if you’re stepping into this journey, here’s what I would recommend:

1. Begin with a not-so-great, low-paying job, like writing content for Textbroker to meet any immediate money needs. Don’t stick with this longer than necessary, though!
2. After a few weeks, if you’re feeling more prepared for long-term goals, start freelancing. This way, you can set your own prices and earn more money. Here’s a list of freelance skills that I recommend offering as a service provider.
3. If your aim is to start your own home-based business, an online shop, a blog, a YouTube channel, etc., begin building it up on the side while freelancing. It might take a few years to turn one of these into a full-time income, but it’s achievable!