16 Weekend Jobs for Moms to Do Right Now

If you’re a busy stay-at-home, homeschooling mom, or you work out of the home and need to make some extra money, you may want to look at working on the weekends.  Fortunately, there are many jobs you can do from the comfort of your own home (at least part of the time) on the weekend, to bring in extra cash.

We’ve compiled a list of 16 jobs that fit the bill:

Mystery shopper.  This job seems to be too good to be true, but you can get many perks from working as a mystery shopper and sometimes make money on top of that.  One blogger is getting freeoil changes for life thanks to a mystery shopping gig, so the benefits can add up.  If you want to pursue this line of work, make sure to choose one of the reputable companies.

Personal chef/baker.  If you love to bake, consider selling your goods to family and friends or at a farmer’s market.  The only caveat here is that, depending on your state, you may need to have an inspection and get a license.  One way many people get around this is to be a personal chef and cook at the client’s home.

Freelance writer.  Freelance writing can be done anywhere at any time.  This job offers the ultimate in flexibility.  To find jobs, consider initially using sites like Elance and oDesk.  Eventually, you may be able to stop relying on those sites as you find clients of your own. (Check our our interviews with two different freelance writers here and here.)

Online tutor.  If you are or were a teacher and have a Master’s degree or higher, you could likely find a job as a tutor online.  Especially high in demand are math and science tutors and foreign language tutors.  Tutoring is available for all ages from kindergarten to undergraduates.

Sites like tutor.com and tutorvista.com are two of the popular ones that hire tutors.  You’ll also need to meet basic technology requirements like having a high speed Internet connection, a headset, Microsoft Word, and a digital pen and pad. 

Educational materials developer.  Another job for the teachers, developing educational materials and selling them online can be profitable.  Some teachers sell their materials at sites like Teachers Pay Teachers, CurrClick, or through their own websites or blogs.

Instrument or voice teacher.  If you have significant experience playing an instrument or singing, you could offer lessons right out of your home.  Once you get your first student, you will likely find more clients thanks to word of mouth.  Consider contacting local high school and college music teachers to let them know of your services.

Etsy shop owner.  A crafty person can create goods as time allows and sell them in an Etsy store.  Selling on Etsy is competitive, though, so you’ll want to research the market and offer something that is different from what other sellers offer.

Blogger.  Blogging is now a crowded market, so making money isn’t as easy as it used to be.  However, with patience, dedication, and perseverance, making some money is possible.  If you have a unique voice and a decent following, you may be able to work as a brand ambassador. (You can start by signing up with these 5+ companies that actually pay!)

In general, though, don’t expect to get rich from this job.  Instead, you’ll be more likely to get perks like reviewing and giving away items on your blog.

Soap maker.  Many people now are looking for more natural products, and that includes personal care items like soap.  If you’re able to make soap, you could easily sell online or at farmer’s markets.  Expect a rush of sales near Christmas.

Virtual assistant.  As the blogging space gets busier and more and more brick and mortar companies seek to outsource work, virtual assistant jobs are more prevalent.  For this job, you should have office or administrative experience. 

If you’re looking for more information about becoming a virtual assistant, consider reading The Bootstrap VA by Lisa Morosky.  This book will guide you through the various tasks available for virtual assistants as well as suggest ways to find jobs and support.

Direct sales.  Do you love to socialize?  Are you good at selling things?  If so, you may be the perfect candidate for a direct sales job.  Some direct sales companies include Plexus, Avon, Mary Kay, Dove Chocolate, Usborne Books, DoTerra Essential Oils, and The Pampered Chef.

Babysitter.  This is a great job for a stay-at-home mom because you can work while taking care of your own children.  Depending on the amount of money you need, you could work weekends and nights only (plenty of parents work second and third shift or weekend shifts and have a hard time finding childcare for those times).  Depending on your state and the number of children you babysit for, you may need to become licensed.

Bookkeeper or accountant.  If you have more than two years’ experience as a bookkeeper or accountant in an office setting, you might find work in these fields.  Two places where you can search for jobs include Monster and AccountingDepartment.com.  Get a refresher on your skill with these free bookkeeping resources.

Web designer.  If you have a knack for web design, you could find yourself very busy.  Again, you may find many clients in the exploding blogging market.  If you have a friend who blogs, ask her to put out the word to her other blogging friends that you are available.  You'll also want to check out our weekly job leads list, which often includes jobs for programmers and designers!

Part-time instructor.  If you have at least a Master’s degree, you could find part-time work as an adjunct college instructor.  These jobs are most often offered on nights and even weekends.  You may need to go to campus to teach, but you can do your grading and course planning at home.

Computer repair technician.  Our world is dependent on computers, and yet very few of us know how to fix them if things go wrong.  There is always a need for computer repair technicians, especially if you offer good rates and excellent customer service.  You can advertise locally and through a website.

What other jobs would you add to this list that are perfect for weekend work from home?