Congratulations on welcoming a new member into your family. Maternity leave is a well-deserved rest and a chance to bond with your newborn. However, with a new member comes new financial responsibilities and you might find yourself looking for opportunities to make extra income during maternity leave. In this blog we’ve listed some unique ways you can boost your income during maternity leave and continue to earn extra income after it’s over.
Here are 9 tips to boost your income during maternity leave:
1. Embrace the Gig Economy
Gig economy has made it easier to earn extra income whether from freelance writing, graphic design, or virtual party planning for baby showers, birthday parties, or small business events. You can start this with little to no investment. All you will need is a good internet connection, creatives and a compelling copy to market your services. You can offer discounted or free services to build a portfolio and then start marketing online and on freelance platforms.
2. Rent Out Your Space
If you live in a big city and have an extra room or a rarely used parking spot, renting it out will add some passive income. Take photos of the space and share about it among your friends or on Facebook. If you plan to do this in the long term, you can make a formal listing on AirBnb.
3. Invest in Low-Maintenance Online Businesses
Find an e-commerce product that you can order in bulk and then sell from the comfort of your home. It is a low-maintenance business model that doesn’t need constant oversight. You can automate most of the process with just 5-10 hours of work every week.
To find a good product for Amazon, first visit the Amazon’s Best Sellers list to find popular categories and trends. Use tools like Jungle Scout or Helium 10 to analyze market demand, competition, and potential profitability. Look for products that are lightweight, unbreakable, easy to transport, and within $20 to $40 of selling price.
4. Utilize Cashback and Reward Programs
While not a direct income source, you can use cashback and rewards offered on your everyday purchases to offer grocery, gas, and supplies expenses. Apps with the best offers include Rakuten, Ibotta, Honey, Swagbucks, and Fetch Rewards. Other than that, look for coupons in newspapers and local magazines.
5. Create and Sell Digital Products
Put on your creative hat and create digital products including social media templates, email templates, and printables on Canva. Even though this side hustle needs upfront efforts and skills, you don’t have to worry about shipping or inventory. Research Etsy for trending digital products and note which items are popular but also consider areas where you can add more value. Reading customer reviews helps as well.
6. Participate in Online Surveys and Studies
While this might not replace a full-time income, participating in online surveys and research studies can provide an opportunity to supplement your income. Only register on reputable platforms like InboxDollars, Pinecone Research, MTurk (Amazon Mechanical Turk), American Consumer Opinion, and Data Annotation.
7. Start a YouTube Channel
A YouTube channel takes extensive work, it is also a way to generate multiple sources of income. You can monetize through ads, sponsored posts, and affiliate marketing and also turn your videos into blogs. You can work with brands to create UGC (user-generated content) for new brands, which has become quite popular over the last few years.
8. Offer Virtual Assistance Services
If you have skills in areas such as email management, scheduling, or social media, you can offer your services as a virtual assistant. With a flexible working house, you can work around your baby’s schedule while managing household responsibilities.
9. Moving Box Rentals
If you want to eventually transition into being a full-time business owner, opening moving box rental service is the way to go. You will need some funds to buy sturdy, reusable moving boxes, create a website, and market it across social media and Google. You can also reach out to local moving companies, realtors, and party planning businesses to spread the word. We’ve covered all about starting a moving box rental side hustle in our 14-week course. By the end of the program, your business will be ready to launch and earn profit. Want to know more? Book a Clarity Call with Carrie today!
