to share........i cant really get a job...however i would love to do something from home that allows me to earn extra money and make me feel important lol...the kids are back to school tomorrow and besides possibley doing some volunteer work that im going to check out.... i would like some ideas on earning money from home so i can do it when i feel i can and spend the hours that im able to....Please no babysitting, my kids are in school fulltime and im a stay at home mom, been there, done that.........dont get me wrong, i do love kids, but heck when mine are in school i dont want others here lol....before taking a very early retirement, i worked in office settings, typings filing and all that good stuff! likely couldnt remember a darn thing now....Anyone need someone to type and send off letters lol? Im open to any suggestions or where i can seek...i dont live in a very big city, so i think the options are going to be slim
smiles
janetc
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aboard shoplove....thanks for sharing your story and congrats on your success, i love hearing when our ladies have become successful. Im still brainstorming about different things, just need to do alot of research. I will check out your website
thank you
smiles
janetc
hi- this is my first time posting here- i finally found somewhere to put my two cents in! :) anyway, i have two small children and really wanted to work at home so i could, of course be with them as they grow up. so i started an online gift and home accessories shop!- [url]www.miabode.com[/url]. i really didn't think i could do it at first (money being a main concern) but the initial costs to start a web store were very reasonable. as for stock for my gift collection i started handmaking items and gradually i started to carry brand names. it has taken a while to get where the site is today, but it has been worth very penny and man hours! sometimes it gets a little crazy at times (christmas season) but i love the fact that i can make money doing something i enjoy and spending all day with my girls is a great feeling. well i hope i maybe gave you an idea of something you could do for work at home, the internet has endless possiblities. hope you find something you can do that will make you happy! :D
:) I know of a Great home run business. It's not for everyone, but if you like being around baby's you'll love it. I know of someone that has a buiness & she is doing well. Go to [url]www.weepiggies.com[/url] and take a look. I could be for you!
Hope this helps
Todd
I should tell you that today is my first day on this website, and after reading the various reponses --- coming from a marketing/business background --- please be cautious of the "mystery shoppers" thing. Reeks of "consumer victim".
Hi: When I worked at the hospital there were always older folks who needed help. Feeding them meals, reading to them the local paper hi-lights, doing their hair, nail polish on the nails (they love it). Often they ring the bell for the toilet but have to wait so long for help. Before you help move a person check with the head nurse as often only an employee can help move a patient.
Taking them outside in the wheelchair for fresh air. Bring in cookies or puddings, but also check who can have that with the RN. There are so many cut backs on the staff that the employees do not have time anymore for that.
It is such a rewarding thing to do. I am sure you will really enjoy it. You may get a job out of it too. If you leave your name with the head RN as a "sitter" she can put you in touch with family members looking for a sitter for a few hours for their loved one, Have fun...with your disability this allows you to sit down as well most of the time. If they have a notice board on the geriatric floor post an ad as a sitter and also in the staff room on that floor.
There's a gal here locally who started up a company doing "online shopping". She guarantees lowest prices anywhere, she does the shipping, buying, etc. I'm not sure how she gets paid, and how much she makes, but she had an ad in the Herald a few weeks ago (might have been the Daily News). I think the name of her business is "Finders Keepers" or something to that affect. It might be something worth looking into as a side career.
sorry about that lore....i thought when you wrote "welcome to my world" that you were sitting in my position lol it certainly goes to show communicating by words on here, can be misleading lol Wow you have got a very busy and fulfilling life already......you must be very proud,....
smiles
janetc
Janetc! I can't believe that gap I've left out of my previous postings!!!! Reading your message made me realize that you guys don't know that I don't have kids!! Funny, because I feel like I know some of you fairly well, but really, it's just knowing what we type into this cyber world!!
Actually, I'm already working from home, doing consulting work in my field. I've just begun doing this and am working on my first contract right now. I'm enjoying it. Between that, my volunteer work and working on my Masters, I'm actually pretty busy. The hard part is, answering questions when people ask what I do. Because I've always been in a profession, I'm used to answering and people know exactly what it is that I do. Now that i'm consulting from home, etc., I tend to respond "I don't actually work", which is a stupid answer and does wonders for my self-esteem!!
I think that volunteering in a nursing home/hospital is a wonderful idea - gets you out of the house (does anyone else need that incentive in order to do their hair???) and rewards you at the same time as making someone else's day.
Good for you,
Lore
you hit the nail on the head, i think volunteer work is the most rewarding. The one passion i have been really thinking about is at a hospital in the seniors ward. This has played on my mind after the passing of my grandmother, i would go see her each day and as sick as she was she would continue to get out of bed to help the woman next to her ( fell many times as a result) this poor woman was blind and they would bring her food to her, plunk it on the tray and walk away, the nurse would come in and say you must eat.....well then i noticed her moving her hands around the tray....grandma then told me she was blind and could not find her food without help....up she would go to help her and of course that is when i took over when i was there....until this day, that really disheartened me that she was not offered any help. Im certainly going to check into volunteer for these folks, i thought even if its helping them eat, to lending an ear....or even reading to them. I noticed being up there alot too, some never had very many visitors....i remember thinking, gosh dont they have family....thanks lore...have you decided what you are going to do, do you think you would like to work from home or are you fulfilled your volunteer work that is set in place and being with your children
smiles
janetc
Hey,
I remembered that you weren't able to do physical work - in my experience, none of my volunteering has been physical (although I'd like it to be!!). Look around your community and think about what is valuable to you and see if you could sit on their board. I am the chair of a school for the arts, and it is exteremly rewarding. The Arts Council in many communities is also looking for people to sit on boards, sell tickets, etc. - not physcial work, but work that needs to be done.
Another idea is reading on tape for CNIB. Novels, nonfiction, textbooks, etc. all get read onto tape for the blind to listen to. I believe they are always looking for volunteers. nursing homes are always looking for people to sit with clients too.
GOod luck.
Lore
I have done it ! At least, I had a friend that used to take me out to dinner once in a while, and I remember him taking me to Winners once, we had to check out the dust bunnies (sorry, DBD, no offense) in guy and gal changng rooms. He quite often had to take a companion of the opposite sex for that kind of thing, and that was ME! He got paid, and free meals or whatever, often had to buy something and return it to evaluate return procedures etc., and the reports were sometimes funny .... like the time a particular restaurant had a 22 million page questionnaire, including such things as was the server's bottom button on their uniform golf shirts fastened, or were they wearing black shoes??? Sometimes certain dishes at restaurants had to be ordered; he was given an allowance for the meal and paid a fee as well, but it could take weks to get the payment. Oh, yeah, we did some time/motion stuff in a bank when they were rolling out some new service, lots of variety and no particular training needed to do mystery shopping.
sorry this is so long - got carried away with myself again lol
A volunteer possibility is in literacy - you are trained and then teach an adult to read - ususlly confidential, can be done at your house or the library often helps out with meeting space.
There's a thought, check out the library for volunteer opps, they might just know who is looking; also Red Cross, Heart and Stroke, Kidney Foundation and the other big ones may have something you could do that suits your time and physical requirements.
Good luck !
I have been thinking of finding something else to do career wise as well. Working at home would be nice. What about ebay? I know some people love it. My fiance's aunt goes to auctions and sells what she buys on ebay for a profit. I don't know with your disability and children if that would be good for you.
If you have any talents, artistic or otherwise, I am sure you could sell that. At home telemarketers? Haha I know it isn't exactly fun but if it is extra cash you are looking for, it might be up your alley.
DBD and the others had great ideas!
Since I am thinking of something along the same lines, I will post this website I found. Even though you have to pay for her services, she offers a lot of links to other sites and gives some great ideas of her own... worth checking out.
[url]http://www.changingcourse.com/careeradvice.htm[/url]
Local Children's Aid Society are always looking for volunteers - they are typically organized geographically, so there should be one close by. Sometimes volunteers are drivers (they get mileage to offset cost of gas and wear/tear); mentors; board members; sometimes clerical support. A lot of social service organizations rely upon volunteers - you could check with United Way too.
i would have to go through my phone book and check....our city is small and doesnt offer much, but sometimes there is those business's you just dont know about........thanks for another great idea
smiles
janetc
companies in your area. If so, give them a call. A friend of mine does contract work for a print company. They produce tags then friend attaches wires to tags. It is piece work and sometimes hectic as the work needs to be finished 'yesterday'. It does provide a bit of income on an unsheduled basis.
you guys are brill....dbd, you have some wonerful ideas and many that interest me of course i would love to help people in there homes with organizing and decor (of course with some training) however i could only help verbally i would not be capable of physical work....im very limited to what i can do physicaly...just give an idea....most of my household chores have to be completed with the help of my hubby and children....i can do some of the easy parts of the basics........but like i said the one thing that im good at is using my mouth lol okay, dont anyone elaborate on that one lol
zephre......i will certainly check out the website and see what that is all about....i have never heard of that....it would be cool even if i can do the phone one,,,,
i will certainly let you all know and keep the ideas coming
smiles
janetc
cmm, I don't think video taping employees without their knowledge is legal.
janet, I think the temp agency suggestion is a good one. You may be able to do data entry, checking etc..
I have never heard of having to pay to be a mystery shopper. I would be extremely leary of that! PS - I am in consumer research.
Here's a website for mystery shopping. This is the one that sends me lots of requests for shops. [url]www.westcoastmysteryshopping.com[/url]
Check it out and see what you think!
Is there something you like and are able to do that would be of value to others other than typing? I'm thinking of things like meal prep, shopping, organizing (closets, file systems, garages whatever)? There are so many things so many people just don't have the time or the interest in doing that are really everyday things that the traditional stay at home mom used to take care of. Maybe you could figure out what people in your area might buy from you and give it a try through a community paper or something similar.
Another option might be checking out some of the coffee shops or restaurants in the area and seeing if there is something you can supply. Maybe you have a killer recipe? A few years ago (before Post actually figured it out) a student here made and sold rice krispie squares to coffee shops to help put himself through school. At the time it was something you just couldn't get unless (as the ad said), you mommy made them for you, so they sold very well. So the simplest things can be a good way to make some cash.
I wonder if there are working mothers in your area that would kill to have home baked cookies and such especially for the holidays. Maybe you could offer a dessert service or supply lunch packs for their kids. I think if you think of all of the things you enjoy doing, that you didn't have the time to do when you were working you might be able to come up with something. You could see if there is something you could do all of the time or some of the time (like the holiday fare).
There is also a whole big market out there of elderly or widowers (in particular) that doen't get the nice home cooked meals or treats they like. In the senior's building my mom used to live in you'd be surprised at how happy some of them were when she made her bran muffins (she loved to bake but always made more than she could eat). There was also a man there who baked loaves of bread once a week and sold them. The thing with places like that (or singles buildings for that matter) is most people won't take the effort to bake or make stews and such as they just haven't the room or the appetite to eat all they make. So they just don't make the stuff. Of course the other part of that is they either don't know how to make stuff or they don't have the equipment.
The same goes for knitting (not the seniors..they have that coming out of their yingyang), but what about for young families and the homeless (for no pay unfortunately for you, but good for them. Here some centres will supply knitters with wool if they will knit for their clients).
If you are okay to read and sit, you might consider finding out about clipping services. They cut out articles or ads from various publications for various clients (politicians often use such services).
If you are a social person, you can be a phone volunteer for various places. Often home bound folks like the people contact and have people who check in on the regularly by phone.
There have been some people here who have set up some very successful gift basket services. They make up baskets for all sorts of things from builder gifts to home buyers to anyone needing a hospital or birthday gift.
I think if you sit down and think of how you would like to spend your time, you might come up with some ideas. Chances are you have people around you could ask for ideas too when it comes down to it. Since starting in your own community is a great way to go, that might be your first stop. Just keep your eyes open for people who are complaining or wishing for something that you might be able to provide.
I think Zephyr is on to something good. I don't know their exact title, but companies hire shoppers (mystery shoppers?) to 'shop' their employees for quality and customer service. I hire shoppers for our employees in the US. They do video shops on them. They just go in to the establishment that they're hired to shop and sometimes look for a particular employee, or just anyone and pretend they are a person off the street interested in what they're selling, etc. Usually a hidden camera on your purse strap or clothing is involved in order to record the shop. The tape is then sent to the company that requested the shop and they usually review it with the employee that was shopped, going over what they should/shouldn't have done. There are shops for all kinds of businesses. You wouldn't exactly work from home but you can take on as many shops as you want that the head-office can give you. You kind of work on your own schedule. Don't rule it out though, because I believe there are phone shops that you can do that may be more convenient for you. As far as what company to look for, I'm sorry, I don't know. I use a US based service. Have never looked into something like that here. Good luck. :)
never heard of them zephre....where would you get info on that and what exactly is it?
thanks
smiles
janetc
the secret shopping services? I have seen so many ads for them that I looked into them a while back. To register it cost, I think $25. I know, I know, you shouldn't have to pay to work. I was really curious about how it works, though. I've never actually done anything for them, but I do get a few emails a month for shops that are required in my area (which would also be your area :)
you guys are good
zephre...oh gosh i took a sewing course once and i couldnt follow a pattern if my life depended on it lol now straight sewing i could possible do...mmm that is a thought
foxxy...yes we do have temporary agencies here, i never thought of them and im not sure of any disability agencies....but will check into that too
thanks guys
smiles
janetc
okay pauld, you just scared the heck out of me lol........what ever i choose has to be pretty simple...my typing is pretty slow these days but i can still do it. Board meetings and such im not sure of...that may be difficult to sit through
Lore.......my staying home was unfortunately not a choice i made, and you are so right it is very difficult....but likely easier for me as i dont feel well enough to go out and work full time....or even some part time. Im classified as disabled and working outside of the home was just not possible. As for what is important to me....i do feel a need to earn some money as the kids get older their needs are becoming much more costly. I would also like to do volunteer as i feel i need to help when i can, i find it really fulfilling....unfortunately even volunteer work can be physical work that i cant do, but i wont give up on that as im sure there may be something available.
thanks guys
smiles
janetc
Do you have a temp. agency where you live ? I think if you registered with them they could let you know what is available as far as home office work. They can courrier work to your home I would think. You mentioned you have a slight handicap so why not call the handicapped agency near you. There are many people who are limited to what they can/cannot do. Good luck...if it was me I would babysit a couple of dogs in my home who needed company during the daytime. That of course involves walking them if you do not havea fenced yard. Also if you have a local paper try an ad. in there as well. Good luck on the hunt... :)
You could provide sewing services, hemming, etc. (I am completely incapable in this department and have paid upwards of $20 to have a pair of pants shortened - really annoying for someone that is 5' tall and needs EVERYTHING shortened!)
no idea at the moment how to go about finding clients or a company that hires freelancers, but some sort of transcription service (typing from audio cassettes or computer files) could be a good work-at-home job for someone with good typing skills and a computer...
the medical community uses those a lot (although some training with all the terminology may be required), some court reporting types, large board meetings, or even media production companies (long documentary interviews before they are edited down, or the final version of a show so it can be closed-captioned).
that and maybe bookkeeping services for small local businesses, although that requires moving a lot of paper back and forth to-from client locations
I'm thinking.
What is the most important to you - feeling useful/like you are accomplishing something or earning some extra $$? I have more ideas for the first than the second (welcome to my world), that's why I ask.
It's hard being at home, isn't it?
Lore