Being a single mom is no easy feat—you’re handling bills, groceries, and your children’s future all at once. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone.
Many single moms want to earn extra money without adding more chaos to their already busy day. That’s why, after reading countless Reddit threads and spending hours digging around the internet, I’ve put together a list of side hustles that actually work—and a few that don’t.
Keep reading, and by the end, you’ll have a better sense of how to make extra money as a single mom.
How to make Money as a Single Mom Online
If you cannot leave home for another few hours besides your main job (and rightfully so), fret not because there are many online side hustle for single moms online. Most of these single mom income ideas pay on hourly basis, and you raise your charges as you gain more experience.
Here are some legit money making at home ideas you can invest your time and energy in:
Freelance Virtual Assistant (VA) Work
Freelance VA gigs require you to handle administrative tasks like email replies, scheduling, and data entry, to name a few. This role works well for single moms because it offers hourly pay and flexible hours. You can earn around $15 per hour as a beginner, but experienced VAs charge $30 or more. You can find clients on sites like Upwork and Fiverr, and even local businesses may need help.
Proofreading & Editing
Proofreading can be a good second job for single mom. This hustle asks you to check written content for grammar, spelling, and clarity, so it’ll work if you have a keen eye for detail. You can work from home at your own pace, and freelance platforms list opportunities. Average rates hover around $20 per hour, while specialists charge a bit more. Earning potential in this online side gig grows as your experience and portfolio expand.
Online Tutoring or Teaching
Online tutoring lets you share knowledge in subjects like math, language, or science through video sessions—if you’re good with them, of course. According to many Reddit threads, single moms choose this gig because it lets them choose how much they work, and they even get to set their own hours. Rates vary between $15 to $30 per hour, according to your experience.
Social Media Manager for Small Businesses
Another good way to gather emergency cash for single mothers is social media management. Small businesses generally lack time or resources to handle their social pages, which makes social media management a solid side hustle. You’d create posts, reply to comments, and keep track of trends—the rates for this gig range from $15 to $40 an hour.
Freelance Graphic Design or Illustration
If you enjoy drawing or working with digital tools, graphic design can be a rewarding side hustle. Single moms with an artistic side can specialize in branding, social media graphics, or custom illustrations and make around $20 per hour. Building a portfolio on sites like Behance or Dribble will help you attract clients who need these services.
Local Side Hustles for Single Moms
There are many ways for moms to make extra money, especially those who want to stay near the house and work for a few hours only. Here are some single mom opportunities many fellows have made money from without commuting to a far-off place:
Childcare/Babysitting for Local Families
There will be families near you who need a hand with babysitting. Reach out to them if you’re confused about how to make extra money as a single mom. Since you’re already a mom, your experience is valid for the service too. Parents prefer someone nearby and reliable, so you can build a steady client list through word-of-mouth or local parenting groups. Plus, this job requires minimal travel time.
Cleaning and Organizing Homes
If you’re good at tidying and enjoy transforming messy spaces, this side hustle can be a big help for local homeowners. Cleaning services typically pay $15–$25 per hour and organizing closets or pantries can fetch higher rates if you specialize in sorting and labeling. You can even offer special packages for seasonal deep-cleaning—clients love the convenience of hiring someone in their vicinity.
Mobile Notary Service
A mobile notary visits people’s homes or businesses to witness and verify signatures on important documents. If you can get certified in your state as a notary, this gig will solve your qualms about how to make extra money as a single mom. Most notaries earn $75–$100 for each appointment—usually for real estate or legal paperwork.
Event Staffing (Catering/Serving)
Weekend weddings, corporate events, and private parties need extra staff for serving or setting up. Single moms like these gigs because they happen mainly on weekends, and pay ranges from $15 to $25 an hour. Word-of-mouth works well if you want to work with an event organizer, as happy hosts recommend you for future events. You can also sign up with local staffing agencies. Your tasks with this gig will include carrying trays, setting tables, or cleaning up, but the shifts are short.
Selling Handmade Goods at Local Markets
Local markets offer a direct way to sell your creations if you’re good with crafts—like candle-making, knitting, or painting. Many single moms report earning a few hundred dollars per weekend by renting a small booth. Since customers prefer buying handmade items, quality work, and friendly interaction can boost your word-of-mouth sales.
Passive Income for Single Moms
Building something that runs on autopilot after a while is the best way to make passive income for moms. Sure, you have to put in hard work initially, but once your project is established, you practically earn a passive income. Here are some passive ideas for a single mom struggling financially:
Print-on-Demand (POD) Merch
Print-on-demand services mean you upload designs for T-shirts, mugs, or tote bags without keeping inventory. Once you upload your artwork to sites like Redbubble or Teespring, they handle printing and shipping. You earn a commission each time an item sells. It may take time to see major profits, but each sale adds up.
Creating and Selling Digital Products
Your digital products can be a long-term passive earning source. From digital products, I mean e-books, printable planners, design templates, and more. Once you create them, you can sell them infinitely without reprinting or shipping. Platforms like Gumroad or Etsy let you list your items and collect payments automatically. This income approach suits busy moms who have specialized knowledge or creative skills. The more you market your products, the better they’ll sell.
Cash-Back and Rewards Apps
For single moms who can’t spare much time, cash-back apps like Rakuten, Ibotta, or Swagbucks offer small but steady savings. You earn rewards on everyday purchases like groceries, gas, or online shopping. The amounts might seem small initially, but you can build up a tidy sum with consistent use of these apps—like a few hundred dollars a year.
Renting Out a Room or Storage Space
If you have a spare room or a garage corner, renting it out can produce passive income. You can advertise the space on Airbnb for short-term stays or rent storage space to neighbors needing extra room. Rates vary by location but can range from $300 to $700 a month or more. Sure, you’ll need to keep the area clean and safe, but beyond that, it’s a relatively hands-off way to bring in extra cash.
Earning Dividends Through Index Fund Investing
This is a niche hustle, but I have seen women making good sums from it. In index fund investing, you buy shares of a fund that tracks a market index, like the S&P 500, and earn dividends as companies profit. You can start small—just $50 or $100 a month—and reinvest the dividends to grow your holdings. Over time, these earnings accumulate. It’s definitely not a quick fix, but if you stay consistent, it can become a reliable source of passive income.
How to Make 6-Figure as a Single Mom
We’re talking big numbers now, you see. If you want to earn big moolah as a single mama, we need a complete path switch—something that gives you a solid direction and makes you the best at what you do. The following ways for single moms to make money can grow into full-time careers if they do the needful:
Real Estate Sales or House-Flipping
Real estate is always lucrative if you’re good at networking and negotiating. Some single moms start as agents and earn commissions on property sales. Others get into house-flipping by buying undervalued homes, renovating them, and then selling at a profit. But know that this path demands research on housing markets, plus some upfront cash or financing.
Launching a Specialized Consulting Service
If you have a background in HR, marketing, or finance, think about offering consulting services. You provide expertise to businesses or people who need guidance in your specialty and earn a side income. Consulting usually comes with higher hourly rates or flat fees, and you can scale by taking on bigger clients. Happy customers refer you to others, which grows your network.
Starting an Amazon FBA or E-commerce Business
Amazon FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) can be a powerful income stream. You source products—sometimes private-label or wholesale—and ship them to Amazon’s warehouses. They handle packing, shipping, and customer service. Your profits can grow if you choose popular items and manage your budget well. Alternatively, you can launch an independent e-commerce store via Shopify.
Freelance Agency Model
A freelance agency model means gathering a team of freelancers—writers, designers, or marketers—and pitching larger projects than you’d handle solo. You manage tasks, communicate with clients, and handle billing. Single moms on Reddit say that agency models can reach six figures faster than traditional solo work. You can then scale by adding more team members as projects grow.
Also Read: Stay-at-Home Mom Schedule
Money Making at Home Ideas for Single Moms
How to be a single mom with no help? Start making money from your home so you can keep an eye on the little ones and build your life on the side. Here are some more easy side hustles for single moms to do from home:
Remote Customer Support Representative
Big companies like Amazon or Apple hire remote customer support reps, and you can benefit from that. You’ll field calls, answer emails, and resolve basic issues. Most roles pay hourly, averaging $15–$20, and training is usually provided online. If you have a calm phone voice and basic tech skills, this can be a reliable income source.
Transcription and Captioning
Transcription and captioning let you work whenever you have a free block of time. Sites like Rev, TranscribeMe, and Scribie pay per audio minute. You’ll listen to recordings—podcasts, videos, legal files—and type out the content. Fast typing and a strong command of grammar boost your earnings.
Home-Based Baking/Catering
If you’re a whiz in the kitchen, baking or small-scale catering is a cool side gig. You can specialize in themed cupcakes, home-cooked meals, or custom birthday cakes—you can then sell online or open a small store. Social media and word-of-mouth are powerful marketing tools for such services because selling a tasty bite is not hard.
Virtual Bookkeeping
Small businesses need bookkeeping help but can’t always hire a full-time accountant. So if you understand basic accounting or can use QuickBooks, this is a fine home-based side hustle. You’ll manage invoices, track expenses, and handle payroll. Hourly rates often start around $20 and can exceed $40 with experience.
Extra Income Ideas for Working Single Moms
A future wealthy single mom does whatever she can to secure her finances. It’s tiring, sure, but a girl’s gotta do what she gotta do, right? Here’s how to make extra money as a single mom at every chance you get:
Weekend Rideshare or Delivery Gigs
Driving on weekends can help you earn extra without clashing too much with your weekday schedule. You log into the rideshare or delivery app, pick up people or items, and make money on each trip. Some moms plan routes near their kids’ activities so they’re never too far away.
Mystery Shopping or User Testing
Mystery shopping companies pay you to review local stores or restaurants to test their customer service and product quality. Meanwhile, user testing involves checking website or app functionality and sharing your feedback. Both gigs are brief and can be slotted into your daily routine.
Flip Items from Thrift Stores
Flipping thrift store finds is popular among moms who love bargain hunting. You look for gently used, brand-name items or collectibles and resell them online for a higher price. Top thrifty ideas include secondhand clothing, furniture, and vintage décor, etc. It takes some practice to spot valuables, but once you get the hang of it, you can earn from flipping them.
Pet-Sitting or Dog Walking
If you’re an animal lover, pet-sitting or dog walking can be your side job. You can look after pets in your home or visit the owner’s place when they’re at work or traveling. You can coordinate dog walks around their kids’ drop-off and pick-up times to stay present where needed.
Short Tasks on TaskRabbit or Handy
Task-based platforms like TaskRabbit and Handy match you with people who need help with minor errands, furniture assembly, or home projects. You pick tasks that suit your skills and schedule, so there’s a lot of flexibility. It could be anything from organizing a kitchen cabinet to helping someone move boxes.
Avoid These 5 Side Hustles as a Single Mom
A single parent struggling financially is almost desperate to get a few more $$ in, and that makes her bait for scammers. There are many shady side hustles that can make you lose your time, money, and even peace of mind. So when shortlisting side jobs for single moms, here a few options to avoid:
- Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) Schemes: MLM programs require you to sell products and recruit more sellers under you with promises of big payouts that rarely materialize. Many single moms discover they spend more than they earn on startup kits and monthly product orders. Online forums are full of cautionary tales about mounting costs and strained friendships. If a company’s focus is more on adding new members than an actual product’s quality, it’s a red flag worth steering clear of.
- “Make Thousands Overnight” Real Estate Seminars: Certain seminars promise to teach you real estate secrets that’ll supposedly earn you huge sums fast. Often, they’re upselling expensive courses with vague strategies and hidden fees. Many people who have tried these warn that such seminars are long on hype and short on actionable advice.
- “Envelope Stuffing” and Data Entry Scams: These scams claim you’ll earn easy money by stuffing envelopes or typing simple data. In reality, there’s barely any market for envelope-stuffing services today, and genuine data entry jobs aren’t advertised as “get rich quick.” Many of these programs charge a sign-up fee and offer zero real work.
- High-Risk Forex/Crypto Schemes (Run by Unverified Gurus): Forex or crypto trading isn’t inherently bad, but watch out for unverified “gurus” who promise immediate riches. These self-proclaimed experts charge hefty fees for “secret tactics,” which may be nothing more than guesswork. Markets can be volatile, and you could lose money you can’t afford to lose.
- “Dropshipping” Courses with Unrealistic Claims: Yes, dropshipping can work—but not the way many online courses hype it. Single moms in various Reddit threads mention spending hundreds on “masterclass” courses only to find oversaturated products and hidden shipping costs.
Final Words
Thank you for joining me on this journey to financial independence and knowing how to make extra money as a single mom. Every bit of extra effort counts towards building a better future for you and your children when you’re running a solo show. Stay committed and test all your options for a better financial future.
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FAQs
How to work as a single mom without help?
To manage work as a single mom without help, prioritize flexible job options that align with your child’s schedule. Then establish a solid routine, utilize affordable childcare when necessary, and maintain an organized calendar to balance your work and parenting.
What can I buy and sell to make money?
To make money by buying and selling, focus on items like vintage clothing, electronics, and collectibles. Source these items from thrift stores or garage sales and resell them online for a profit on platforms like eBay, Etsy, or Amazon.
How to have emergency cash for single mothers?
To build an emergency fund, start by saving a small but regular amount from your paycheck into a dedicated savings account. Cut back on non-essential expenses to boost your savings faster. Also, local community assistance or government programs that offer financial support to single mothers should be looked into.
