Thoughts About
Earning from Home

Proverbs 31:24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it;
and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

Question 1:

I have enjoyed your site and the great links.....my question is.....do you ladies have an idea for making extra money to help with the household....but not ANYTHING that would take me out of the house and away from the family? I have tried Avon, Tupperware, etc....they are all selling (which I detest) and it does not work...we homeschool and all! Will be anxious to hear what your ideas may be. Thank you for your time!

Answer 1:

Dear friend,

Thank you for writing. Here are some ideas for working at home:

1. Teaching a skill from home.

If you know how to play any musical instrument or are an artist or have some special skill, you might consider giving lessons. You could try spreading the news that you are teaching by word of mouth, so you can have more choice about your student. You could also see if you can post a notice on a bulletin boards in some reasonable churches in the area. Christian schools, the local library, banks, and homeschool academies or groups are other options. (I recommend having a letter to give prospective students laying out the rules you wish them to abide by in you home. Also, don't get caught in going to the student. Make them come to you.)

Other things to teach - quilting, drawing/painting, sewing, cooking, math, English, etc.

2. If you make, grow, or have anything that you could sell to somebody you might consider trying to sell it on one of the various online places for that. There is eBay and Etsy and others, I'm sure. This is probably the easiest way to sell. Another option is to collect things - books, or some do-dads that are collectable in second hand stores - and then sell it on eBay. I heard of an evangelist and his son that at least partially support themselves by buying collectible plates in second hand stores and then re-selling them on eBay. Specialized products may be the best way to go with this. I've also heard the selling random things in general can be less than great. From experience I would say that unless you're very organized, this process may become very time consuming.

3. If you sew, you may want to consider selling that ability. In other words, sewing for others. You can advertise by word of mouth or with a simple business card tacked up in public places. Let people know that you sew for people but make sure to advertise the specific types of things you wish to sew. Some things you may not want to take on for reasons of conviction or practicality. Also, search the web for people that need someone to sew for them. I have a friend that is sewing for a lady on the east coast (USA) who sells modest clothes and dolls. My sister-in-law in Australia had a business like this, but she ended up with so many orders that she had to stop taking custom orders!

background and graphics by Mary Stehens
updated 2018