Passive income is an incredible way for stay-at-home moms to reach their financial goals. As the demands of modern parenthood continue to evolve, many stay-at-home moms are seeking ways to contribute to their household income while maintaining flexibility to focus on their role as a mom (and everything else that comes with being a stay-at-home parent).
Passive income can offer more flexibility than a traditional work model. Most passive income streams are fully remote and can be scheduled around your needs, with the flexibility to work during naps and evenings. Once the groundwork is laid, passive income requires less of a time commitment than something like a side hustle and might not even require you to spend any time working on it for weeks at a time.
In this blog, we will cover:
- What is passive income?
- 15 Ideas for passive income for stay-at-home moms
- How to choose the right passive income stream for you
- Strategies to make $500 a day in passive income
- Passive income for your child’s financial future
What is Passive Income?
Passive income refers to earnings derived from activities that require an upfront investment of time, effort, or resources, but then continue to generate revenue with minimal ongoing involvement. This distinct form of income sets itself apart from traditional employment and active businesses, as it provides the luxury of generating funds while allowing you to focus on other priorities, like taking care of your family.
Passive income is greatly different from a side hustle. While both passive income and side hustle offer avenues for additional earnings, they operate on different principles. A side hustle involves trading time and effort for money through activities like freelancing, consulting, or part-time jobs. In contrast, passive income sources require initial groundwork followed by a less hands-on approach. Of course, no income source is ever truly passive, besides perhaps a trust fund or residual checks for acting work. But even residual checks require you to check in from time to time to ensure that you are being paid accurately. But the goal with passive income is to find the greatest balance between effort and payout to fit your needs. This flexibility grants stay-at-home moms the flexibility to balance income generation while balancing their other responsibilities.
Passive Income Ideas for Stay-at-Home Moms
1. Dividend Stocks
What it is: Invest in stocks that distribute dividends regularly, providing you a share of a company’s profits.
Example: Purchase dividend-paying stocks in reputable companies known for their stable performance and consistent payouts. You can learn more about these stock options in my live investing class with a Q&A Sign up here.
2. Rental Opportunities
What it is: There are so many different options for rental opportunities. From renting out your spare room to renting out your car on Turo, you might be surprised how soon you could get started in the world of rentals.
Examples: Looking to purchase a home? It might be worth considering an option that allows you to rent out part of your residence to help pay for your mortgage. Consider a home with a spare room, a mother-in-law’s quarter, or a duplex.
3. Affiliate Marketing
What it is: Promote products or services through your blog, website, or social media. Earn commission for each sale made through your unique referral link.
Example: If you are passionate about wellness, promote your favorite supplements on your personal blog and earn commissions on sales made through your recommendations. The best part? You don’t have to worry about providing a product yourself as you do in traditional E-Commerce, and you don’t have to wait for a brand to contact you like you would with brand partnerships. Although, if you do well for a company as an affiliate marketer, it might lead to a brand deal down the road!
4. Create an Online Course
What it is: Leverage your expertise in a specific area to create an online course that can be sold to interested learners.
Example: Ask yourself- What is one thing you have done/researched/thought about every day for the last 3 years? What do your friends often ask you for help with? Find your area of expertise and develop it into a course using platforms like Udemy or Kajabi. Promote your course online by creating a social media following or connecting with influencers to post on their platforms.
5. Print on Demand
What it is: Design custom graphics for merchandise like T-shirts, mugs, and phone cases, and let a print-on-demand service handle production and shipping.
Example: Create a line of family-themed T-shirts and accessories, catering to fellow parents and caregivers.
6. Automated Dropshipping
What it is: Set up an online store and partner with suppliers to fulfill orders directly to customers, eliminating the need for inventory management.
Example: Curate a collection of eco-friendly baby products and market them through your dropshipping store.
7. Create an App or Software
What it is: Develop a mobile app or software that solves a specific problem or fulfills a need, generating income through downloads or subscriptions.
Example: Design a time management app tailored to busy parents, offering tools to organize schedules and tasks.
8. License Your Photography
What it is: Monetize your photography skills by licensing your images or videos to stock photo websites, where businesses and creatives can purchase and use them.
Example: Capture high-quality images of parenting moments, children’s activities, and family outings for commercial use.
9. Write an eBook or Audiobook
What it is: Share your knowledge or storytelling abilities by writing an eBook or audiobook that can be sold on platforms like Amazon or Audible.
Example: Pen a parenting guidebook that offers practical advice and personal anecdotes, resonating with fellow moms.
10. Digital Printables and Designs
What it is: Create digital designs for invitations, party decorations, and printables and sell them on platforms like Etsy. You can also create digital downloads like grocery lists or financial planners.
Example: Design unique party invitation templates with customizable text fields and graphics.
11. Art Licensing
What it is: License your artwork to companies for use on products like stationery, home decor, and apparel, earning royalties on each sale.
Example: Partner with a stationery brand to have your hand-painted designs featured on greeting cards.
12. Drone Photography Services
What it is: Offer aerial photography services using a drone for real estate listings, events, or landscape shots, earning a fee for each gig. You can either rent out your drone for a less involved option or offer to take the photos yourself and charge a higher fee.
Examples: Partner with your local government and get paid to capture stunning aerial views of local parks, landmarks, and community events.
13. Digital Product Subscription Box
What it is: Curate and deliver monthly digital product bundles, such as e-books, templates, and design resources through a subscription model.
Example: Launch a subscription service that delivers a selection of new fonts, graphics, and templates to creative professionals every month.
14. Handmade Craft Kits
What it is: Design and assemble DIY craft kits with all necessary materials and instructions, and sell them directly through your website or Etsy.
Example: Create a kit for making personalized embroidered wall art for newlyweds to celebrate their new home,
15. Renewable Energy Investments
What it is: Invest in solar or wind energy projects through crowdfunding platforms, earning returns from the clean energy sector.
Example: Contribute funds to solar farm projects that generate energy and revenue while positively impacting the environment.
Choosing the Right Passive Income Stream
Before diving into a passive income endeavor, it’s crucial to consider your skills, interests, and available resources. Assess the potential returns, required initial investment, and level of ongoing involvement. For instance, if you have a passion for writing, affiliate marketing might align with your strengths, while rental properties might require more significant upfront costs and additional skills you might not be interested in developing.
1. Do a Self Assessment
Begin by taking stock of your strengths, talents, and interests. Consider what activities you enjoy, what skills you possess, and what knowledge you could leverage. A self-assessment will help you identify opportunities that align with your passions, ensuring a more enjoyable and sustainable passive income endeavor.
If you have been out of the workforce for a while, this can sometimes feel a bit awkward. I know many new parents start to feel like they have had a shifting identity or even have a bit of an identity crisis when they start asking themselves “Who am I?”. Finding friends and loved ones who can help speak to this might help you with any blocks you encounter while doing a self-assessment. If this feels like an area where you need more support, therapy might also be a great option to help you dig deep into getting to know yourself.
2. Research and Education
Once you’ve identified your areas of interest, delve into research. Understand the various passive income options available and their pros and cons. Choose one or two options from the list above that seem like the best contender and head over to YouTube for some first-hand experiences and advice from someone in that field.
3. Initial Investments and Risk Tolerance
Evaluate the financial resources you have available and are willing to invest upfront. If you are looking for quick cash, you might be in the market for a side hustle. But passive income is what helps with long-term wealth building and is accessible to everyone who has a little extra time each week.
Different passive income streams require varying levels of initial investments. For instance, real estate may demand substantial capital, while starting an online blog or affiliate marketing could have a relatively lower (or no) entry cost.
Assessing your risk tolerance before you begin is also important as you will want to know how big of a gamble you are willing to take. High risk, high reward might be interesting to you, but if you are looking to be mainly hands-off and build wealth over time, I have a free class for you.
4. Time Commitment
Consider how much time you can realistically dedicate to your chosen passive income stream. While these endeavors require less active involvement compared to traditional employment, some might still demand periodic attention, especially in the initial stages. Choose an option that aligns with the flexibility you need as a stay-at-home mom.
5. Market Demand and Trends
It might be helpful to research the current market demand for the products or services related to your chosen passive income stream. Trends and consumer preferences evolve, so it’s important to pick an option that has a stable or growing demand. Validate your ideas through market research and competitor analysis.
6. Scalability and Growth Potential
Assess the scalability of your chosen income stream. Some passive income sources, like affiliate marketing or online courses, can be scared up more easily as your audience grows. Evaluate the potential for long-term growth and how much control you have over expanding your income.
7. Alignment with Your Values
Choose a passive income stream that resonates with your values and beliefs. Building a sustainable income source often involves building a brand and reputation. Ensuring that your ventures align with your personal values will help you stay motivated and maintain authenticity.
8. Diversification
Consider diversifying your passive income sources to mitigate risks. Relying solely on one income stream could expose you to potential financial fluctuations. Spreading your investments across different assets or opportunities can help create a more stable income portfolio.
9. Start Small and Experiment
Don’t be afraid to start small and experiment until you find what works for you. Begin with a manageable project or investment and gradually scale up as you gain confidence and experience. Learning from your successes and failures will help you refine your approach over time.
Check out this blog on the power of mindset for more ideas on this.
10. Seek Professional Advice
Lastly, if you are unsure about your options or need guidance, consider consulting mentors or coaches who specialize in passive income strategies. Their expertise can provide valuable insights and help you make informed decisions.
The right passive income stream should complement your role as a stay-at-home mom, offering both financial stability and the flexibility to prioritize your family’s needs. By conducting thorough research, reflecting on your personal strengths, and carefully evaluating different options, you’ll be well on your way to selecting an income source that suits your goals and aspirations.
Strategies to Make $500 a Day in Passive Income
Business Goals
Achieving a substantial daily passive income requires strategic planning and execution. Here is a simplified example of a business plan to reach the $500 per day milestone.
1. Choose a High-Potential Passive Income Stream
Select an income source with a proven track record of generating significant returns. If you aren’t sure about this, reach out to someone who is doing what you wish to be doing. You’d be surprised how many people are willing to share what they have learned!
2. Set Clear Goals
Define the daily income target and work backward to determine the necessary investments, resources, and timelines.
3. Diversify Your Portfolio
Invest in multiple passive income streams to mitigate risks and increase overall income potential.
Marketing Plan Ideas
1. Build a Strong Online Presence
Develop a website or blog to establish authority in your chosen niche and attract potential customers.
2. Implement Effective Marketing and SEO Strategies
Optimize your online content for search engines to drive organic traffic and increase your visibility. SEO is used on practically all platforms now, including social media. It’s hard to imagine a passive stream of income where you won’t need to engage with SEO and marketing, so if you aren’t comfortable with it now, it might be worth investing in some training to get a better understanding.
3. Leverage Social Media
Promote your passive income streams on social media platforms to reach a wider audience and engage potential clients. This can include creating your own content, working with influencers, and creating ads. There are lots of free resources to help you map out effective social media content. I would recommend starting by searching on Instagram for tips and tricks.
Passive Income for Your Child’s Financial Future: A Story
Meet Emily
Emily, a devoted stay-at-home mom, had always dreamed of providing a bright future for her daughter, Lily. Balancing her responsibilities as a mother and her desire to contribute to the family’s finances, Emily ventured into a creative side hustle- handcrafted jewelry. Her passion and dedication led her to establish a successful online store, offering unique and personalized pieces that resonated with her growing customer base.
As her side hustle began to gain traction, Emily realized that her earnings could serve a greater purpose beyond just immediate financial support. She saw an opportunity to create a lasting legacy for Lily– one that would secure her daughter’s financial well-being and dreams. With this newfound motivation, Emily decided to take a portion of her side hustle income and venture into the world of investing (passive income).
Emily’s Investing Journey
As Emily continued to nurture her jewelry store and channel her earnings into investments, she learned about the power of compound interest. Over the years, her investments gradually grew. Emily consistently reinvested dividends and interest, allowing her investments to compound and multiply. The “small amount” she contributed every month, started to double, then triple what it would have been if she had solely saved the money in a regular savings account.
Lily’s 18th Birthday
Years passed, and the day arrived when Lily turned 18. Emily’s commitment to investing had yielded remarkable results. Not only did her own investment portfolio grow significantly, but the account she had set up dedicated to Lily had also blossomed into a substantial sum. With her daughter now on the brink of adulthood, Emily gifted Lily not only a loving and nurturing upbringing but also a sizeable financial gift that could help Lily fund her own dreams and ambitions.
This is a hypothetical story inspired by true stories that happen all the time when people understand the power of investing. It’s so common for people to think that if they only have a small amount to invest, they shouldn’t bother investing at all. But the main player in the game of investing is actually time.
If you are a stay-at-home mom and you are hoping to provide financially for your child’s future, I would recommend learning about the power of investing and starting an account for your kids.
I go into more of this in my free investing class with a live Q&A. You can sign up here. Be sure to bring your questions!
Final Thoughts
In the realm of stay-at-home parenting, passive income offers a viable path to financial independence and empowerment. By understanding the nuances of passive income versus side hustles, exploring diverse income ideas, and following a strategic plan, you can achieve your financial goals while maintaining the flexibility required for you to prioritize your first job of being a parent.
Remember, the journey towards financial stability is uniquely yours. Just like parenting, no two entrepreneurs’ paths will look exactly the same. Embrace the ride, make informed choices, and savor the rewards of both parenthood and entrepreneurship.
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