If you’re expecting a child, you’re likely planning for the time you’ll take off work to bond with your newborn.
While it’s important to take time to recover and care for your baby, it’s also important to consider the financial impact of taking time off work. Fortunately, there are ways to make money while on maternity leave that can help offset the loss of income.
It’s for this reason that many new parents choose to explore work-from-home opportunities. Many companies offer remote work options, allowing you to earn money while still being able to care for your baby.
Freelancing or starting your own business is another option, as it allows you to set your own schedule and work from home.
Taking advantage of your skills and expertise can be a great way to survive financially while on maternity leave and even monetizing your hobbies, such as selling handmade crafts or offering photography services, can be more lucrative than you may expect!
So keep reading to find an option that works for you!
How to Make Money on Maternity Leave
Maternity leave is a special time for new mothers to bond with their babies. But it can also be a time to earn some extra cash.
Here are some of the best side hustles you can do from home while on maternity leave.
1. Freelance Writing
Freelance writing is a great way to make money while on maternity leave. In fact, if you’re worried about money during maternity leave, this would be my recommended go-to due to how much work there is out there and how you’re paid immediately on finishing each assignment.
So if you enjoy writing and have a way with words, you can offer your writing services to businesses, bloggers, or websites. You can write blog posts, articles, product descriptions, press releases, and more.
To become a freelance writer, you need to have good writing skills and an understanding of the different writing styles.
From there, you can find freelance writing jobs on websites like Upwork, Fiverr, or Freelancer. You can also reach out to businesses directly and offer your services.
As a freelance writer, you can work on your own schedule and from the comfort of your home. You can choose the projects you want to work on and set your own rates. You can also build a portfolio of your work and use it to attract more clients.
2. Virtual Assistant
A virtual assistant (VA) is someone who provides administrative, technical, or creative assistance to businesses or individuals remotely. As a virtual assistant, you can offer a wide range of admin services like scheduling appointments, managing emails, social media management, data entry, and more.
To become a virtual assistant, you need to have solid organizational and communication skills. You also need to be proficient in using different software and tools.
FYI: Check out the sites at this link to find virtual assistant jobs for beginners as a good starting point.
What makes this one of the best jobs during maternity leave is that you can basically choose to work on a part-time or full-time basis. You can also work for multiple clients at the same time and earn an even better income.
Not sure if becoming a virtual assistant is for you? Why not check out check out this FREE webinar to see if this is your ideal work from home job! It covers:
- The fastest way to get started as a VA
- How to get the right clients to start earning money ASAP
- Why you definitely don’t need to be a tech whiz to succeed
3. Blogging
Blogging is definitely a popular way to make money online. If you have a passion for writing and a topic that you enjoy writing about, you can start a blog and monetize it.
The best part is that you can write about anything from food, fashion, travel, parenting (especially great as a new parent!), or lifestyle, with these lifestyle blog post ideas showing you just how many different topics you can touch on.
To monetize your blog, you can use different methods like affiliate marketing, sponsored content, or ads. You can also offer products or services related to your blog’s niche.
At the same time, let’s be honest: Blogging requires patience and dedication. It takes time to build a loyal audience and establish yourself as an authority in your niche.
However, if you’re willing to put in the effort, blogging can be a very rewarding way to make money while on maternity leave.
Thinking about starting a blog to make extra money?
Great choice! After all, it’s one of the cheapest online businesses to start at under $3 per month – less than a cup of coffee! In fact, that’s the price you’ll get if you launch your site with Bluehost, which is easily my top pick for the best website host for beginners to use.
Not only will you get a free domain name, but you definitely don’t need any tech experience to get started.
To find out more, check out my simple step-by-step guide on how to start a blog as I show you the exact steps I took to start on the path to earning thousands of dollars every month – on the side of my full-time job!
4. Online tutoring
Online tutoring jobs are a great way to make money while on maternity leave, especially if you have teaching experience or expertise in a particular subject. You can offer your tutoring services to students around the world through online tutoring platforms like Chegg, Skooli, or TutorMe.
To become an online tutor, you need to have good communication and teaching skills. You also need to have a reliable internet connection and a webcam. You can choose the subjects you want to teach and set your own rates.
As an online tutor, you can work on a flexible schedule and earn a good income. You can also specialize in a particular area like test prep or language learning to really command the big bucks from students who are looking to learn from experts in these fields.
5. Etsy Shop Owner
Etsy is a popular online marketplace for handmade, vintage, or unique items. If you have a talent for making crafts or even things like online products, you can sell your digital downloads on Etsy and make money while on maternity leave.
To make money on Etsy, you need to create a shop and list your items (and if you need some inspiration, these Etsy shop ideas will get you on the right track). You also need to have high-quality photos of your items and write a compelling description.
From there, to get an audience flowing your way, you can use social media to promote your Etsy shop and attract more customers.
As an Etsy seller, you can work on your own schedule and set your own prices. You can also build a loyal customer base and get repeat business.
6. Join paid focus groups
If you’re on maternity leave and need money, why not try joining some paid focus groups? How it works is that companies and organizations conduct focus groups to gather feedback on their products or services. They then pay participants to share their opinions and insights.
And there’s seriously good money to be made here. In fact, as a focus group participant, you can earn anywhere from $50 to $250 per session. You can also participate in online focus groups, which allow you to participate from the comfort of your home.
To join a paid focus group, you need to sign up on websites that offer this (my picks for the highest paying ones are easily Survey Junkie and Respondent). All you have to do is fill out a profile and answer some screening questions and you’ll be good to go.
From there, if you meet the criteria, you’ll be invited to participate in a focus group – and watch the money start rolling in!.
One great part of using Respondent is that, after you sign up with them, you’ll immediately have access to all of the different focus groups that are currently available to you.
This is much better than other companies, which only reach out to you by email if they think you’re a fit – so you may not even know if any focus groups are available.
Sign up for free with Respondent here to see which paid focus groups are available to you right now – and to see how you can earn up to $250 for each one!
7. Transcriptionist
Transcription is the process of converting audio or video files into text. If you have good typing skills and a good ear for language, you can become a transcriptionist and make money while on maternity leave.
To become a transcriptionist, you need to have good listening and typing skills. It also helps to be proficient in using transcription software and tools, although many companies will teach you how to do this.
Check for transcription jobs on websites like Rev, TranscribeMe, or GoTranscript.
As a transcriptionist, you can work on a flexible schedule and from the comfort of your home. You can also specialize in a particular area like legal or medical transcription and become an expert in your field.
Check out this completely FREE seven-day course on how you can get started making great money by working as a transcriptionist from home. It covers:
- Why transcriptionists are so in demand and the skills you need to tap into this demand
- Exactly what it takes to succeed as a transcriptionist
- Where to find transcription work to know where to find clients
Find out more by signing up for the free course on jumpstarting your transcription career.
8. Social Media Manager
Social media management is another one of the best jobs during maternity leave if you enjoy spending time on social media and have good marketing skills. As a social media manager, you can help businesses grow their social media presence and attract more customers.
And you can often make extra money if you specialize in one particular platform. For example, you could choose to become a Pinterest manager, where you can help businesses create and manage their Pinterest accounts.
This involves creating pins, boards, and campaigns to attract more traffic and sales.
To become a social media manager, you need to have good communication and marketing skills. You also need to be proficient in using social media platforms and tools.
But what’s great about working as a social media manager is that you can work on a flexible schedule and from home, making it a perfect job you can do while on maternity leave. Plus, if you pick a platform you already enjoy using, it’s like getting paid for what you were doing already!
Specialized training always helps – and if you want to learn everything you need to know to be a successful Pinterest manager, the Become a Pinterest VA course is easily my pick for the best online training in this field.
- How exactly to find clients and land a Pinterest manager position
- The best strategies for onboarding and working with clients
- The fees you should charge so you’re not being underpaid
- Carefully refined templates you can use to launch your services with clients, invoice them and more
And if you just want a taster, click here for a FREE webinar on what being a Pinterest VA is really about – including how much money you can really make!
9. Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing is a great way to make money while on maternity leave, especially if you already have a blog or a social media following.
As an affiliate marketer, you’re basically getting paid to advertise. How it works is that you promote products or services on your blog or social media accounts and earn a commission for each sale made through your affiliate link.
It definitely helps to have good marketing skills and an understanding of affiliate marketing principles.
You should also keep in mind that affiliate marketing requires patience and dedication. It takes time to build a loyal audience and establish yourself as an authority in your niche. However, if you take the time to get to that level, affiliate marketing can be an incredibly lucrative way to make money while on maternity leave.
Just ask Michelle Schroeder-Gardner, who makes more than $50,000 a month just from affiliate marketing through her site. And her course, Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing, shows you how to do exactly the same thing yourself. She teaches things like:
- The exact steps she took to earn over $300,000 from a single blog post
- How to pick the right affiliate products to promote
- How to increase conversions
- How to build trust and not lose followers (so you don’t sound too sales-y)
…and a ton more.
Grab here FREE affiliate marketing e-book here as an easy starting point – it’s packed with tips for bloggers to start earning major money!
10. Pet Sitting
If you love dogs and have a space in your home (and the energy to handle it right now), starting an at-home doggy daycare can be a great option for cash in hand work on maternity leave. As a doggy daycare owner, you can provide a safe and fun environment for dogs while their owners are at work or on vacation.
To start a doggy daycare, you need to have a space in your home that is suitable for dogs. You’ll also need to find a way to reach out to pet owners, so try advertising your services on social media, Craigslist, or by word of mouth.
As a doggy daycare owner, you can set your own hours and rates. You can also offer additional services like dog walking, grooming, or training. Build a loyal customer base, get repeat business and you’ll start earning a consistent income in no time!.
11. Online Surveys
Online surveys are a great way to make money while on maternity leave if you have some free time and a phone…with the former probably being harder to get at the moment than the latter!
Many companies and organizations conduct surveys to gather feedback on their products or services – and they then pay participants (like you!) to take the surveys.
To participate in online surveys, you need to sign up on websites that offer paid survey opportunities. Once you’ve joined, you may be asked to fill out a profile and answer some screening questions, but these tend to be pretty basic and are just there to make sure they’re getting the right range of people.
Pro tip: If you want to make some extra cash from doing surveys, it’s best to focus on sites that are actually proven to pay legit money. My top picks for these are the following:
- Survey Junkie: By far the highest paying survey site out there. Plus, it comes with the added option of having focus group opportunities from time to time, which pay up to $150 an hour just for giving your opinion!
- Swagbucks: One of the best money making apps out there, with options to earn extra cash including completing surveys, playing games, watching videos and searching the internet. And you’ll get $10 for free just for signing up!
- MyPoints: Another great app for making some extra cash with not only surveys, but also games, videos and more (not to mention the free $10 you’ll get by following the prompts after signing up).
- InboxDollars: Provides a ton of ways to make money from your phone, including extra surveys that the others don’t always have. And that free $5 they give you for signing up is a great start!
As a survey participant, you can earn anywhere from a few cents to a few dollars per survey. This means that this won’t make you rich, but it can be a good way to earn a bit of extra cash from time to time.
Related: Is Swagbucks Worth It? The Ultimate Review
12. Voice-over artist
If you have a good voice and a talent for acting, why not become a voice-over artist as a way to make money while on maternity leave?
As a voice-over artist, you provide voice-overs for commercials, animations, documentaries, or video games. You clearly need to have a good voice for this, and some acting skills will help, but you can also very easily do this as an amateur.
You can find voice-over jobs on websites like Voices.com, Voices123, or Upwork. And whichever one you choose, as you’ll see, you can work on a flexible schedule and from the comfort of your home as a voice-over artist.
Voice-over acting does require practice and dedication, as it can take time to develop your skills and build a portfolio. However, if you’re willing to put in the effort, voice-over acting can be a rewarding way to make money while on maternity leave.
Want to learn just what it takes to become a voiceover artist – for free?
This FREE voiceover workshop will show you just what it takes to succeed (and make money!) in this industry.
It’s run by Julie Eickhoff, who’s been working from home doing voiceovers since 2011. In that time, she’s narrated and produced more than 100 audiobooks, among other voice products – and she’s now here to teach you how to do the same thing yourself!
13. Bookkeeping
Bookkeeping is a great way to make money while on maternity leave if you have experience with accounting and finance. As a bookkeeper, you can help small businesses or individuals with their bookkeeping tasks like recording transactions, reconciling accounts, and preparing financial statements.
You’ll need to at least have fairly good math and analytical skills and being proficient in using accounting software and tools will help.
But from there, search for bookkeeping jobs on websites like Upwork or Freelancer.
14. Translating
If you’re fluent in another language, you can become a translator as an ideal side hustle while on maternity leave. As a translator, you can help businesses or individuals with their translation needs like documents, websites, or software.
You can even specialize in a particular industry, like legal or medical, and become an expert in your field.
To become a translator, you need to have excellent language skills and an understanding of cultural differences. You can find translation jobs on websites like ProZ, Gengo, or TranslatorsCafe.
15. Data entry
If you have good typing skills and attention to detail, consider working in data entry as a great way to make money while on maternity leave . As a data entry operator, you’re basically getting paid to type given that you’ll be helping businesses or individuals with their data entry tasks, like entering information into databases or spreadsheets.
To become a data entry operator, you need to have good typing skills and an understanding of different software and tools. You can find data entry jobs on websites like Upwork, Freelancer, or Remote.co.
As a data entry operator, you can work on a flexible schedule and from the comfort of your home. Just keep in mind that data entry requires accuracy and speed. In particular, you need to be able to enter data quickly and without errors.
However, if you’re good at it, data entry can be a great option for anyone looking to survive financially while on maternity leave.
16. Proofreader
Proofreading is another great way to make money while on maternity leave if you have excellent grammar and language skills. As a proofreader, you can help businesses or individuals with their written content like blog posts, articles, or books.
To succeed in a proofreading job, you need to have good attention to detail and an understanding of different writing styles. You’ll be able to work on a flexible schedule and from the comfort of your home, accepting as much or as little work as you can manage.
Proofreading does require patience and attention to detail, as you need to be able to spot errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation. But otherwise, this is definitely a flexible way to make some extra money during your maternity leave.
Want to know how much money you can make doing this?
Just ask Caitlin Pyle, who’s proven just how successful this can be by making more than $70,000 per year as a proofreader.
To help you do the same, Caitlin‘s created a free workshop to show you just how to get started as a proofreader. Her workshop goes through:
- Why proofreading could be the perfect fit for you to make money
- How she used proofreading to get lifestyle freedom
- Her strategies for attracting your ideal clients
Click here to sign up for Caitlin’s free proofreading workshop.
17. Website tester
You don’t need any tech skills to test websites for money. Instead, it involves reviewing websites as a “normal user” and seeing if there are any problems when navigating around.
This means that you’ll be helping businesses or individuals test their websites for functionality, user experience, and design.
Having good attention to detail and an understanding of different web browsers and devices helps a lot. But you can work on a flexible schedule and from the comfort of your home with this, which is perfect with a newborn as you can basically test websites around, say, their sleep schedule.
18. Online researcher
Online researching does just what it says on the box – you do research for individuals or companies to help them complete a specific project, like market research, competitor analysis, or industry trends..
Clearly, having some technical background in the topic helps, but it’s not always necessary. Most importantly is having good research and analytical skills, as well as. Patience and attention to detail also helps, given that you need to be able to find accurate and relevant information on a particular topic.
As an online researcher, you can work on a flexible schedule and from the comfort of your home. You can also specialize in a particular industry like healthcare or technology and become an expert in your field.
Given how this will involve a lot of sitting, it’s a great job for a pregnant woman to earn money as well as after you’ve given birth.
19. Resume Writer
Resume writing is a great job you can do while on maternity leave if you have good writing and editing skills. As a resume writer, you can help job seekers create resumes that stand out and get noticed by employers.
To become a resume writer, you need to have good writing, editing, and formatting skills. Resume writing also requires creativity and attention to detail. You need to be able to highlight the skills and achievements of job seekers and present them in a clear and concise manner.
Check for resume writing jobs on websites like Upwork, Freelancer, or Fiverr.
20. Online Personal Trainer
Online personal training is a great way to make money while on maternity leave if you have a passion for fitness and health. This could be especially good if you’re working with other new parents who may be struggling with their exercise regimen, as you’ll be someone who can clearly empathize with them.
In fact, this is often an option to make money while pregnant and not working that people don’t think of. And if you build clients then, you can also continue to support them after they – and you – give birth.
As an online personal trainer, you can help clients achieve their fitness goals through virtual coaching and training sessions. You generally need to have a certification in personal training already, but good communication skills are also important.
Online personal training also requires motivation and dedication. You need to be able to create customized fitness plans for clients and keep them on track towards their goals. But if you think you can do that, this is a great way to stay in the fitness field during your maternity leave.
21. Life Coach
Life coaching requires empathy and understanding. You need to be able to listen to clients’ needs and provide guidance and support. However, if you’ve got the knack for it, life coaching can be a rewarding way to make money while on maternity leave.
After all, as a life coach, you can help clients achieve their personal and professional goals through virtual coaching sessions. It’s an especially great way to make money while on maternity leave if you have good communication and coaching skills.
To become a life coach, you’ll likely need to have a certification in life coaching along with bringing good communication skills to the table. Search for life coaching jobs on websites like Coach.me, BetterUp, or Noomii.
You may also be interested in: 41 Best Online Jobs for Stay at Home Moms
22. Airbnb Landlord
Airbnb hosting is a great side hustle while on maternity leave if you have a spare room or a whole property that you’re not using.
In particular, if you plan to spend part of your maternity leave away from your home, like staying with family, you can rent out your space on Airbnb and earn extra income.
To become an Airbnb host, you need to create an Airbnb account and list your space on the platform. You also need to provide a clean and comfortable living space for your guests and communicate with them promptly and professionally.
Set your own rates and availability and, from there, you’ll be good to go!
23. Online Chat Support
As an online chat support representative, you can help customers with their inquiries, issues, or complaints through online chat. And what’s great about this is that companies that offer this often want people to work at odd hours.
This means that if you’re trying to work around your baby’s sleep schedule to earn some extra cash, this could be a good option to do just that.
To become an online chat support representative, you need to have good communication and typing skills. You don’t, however, necessarily need to be familiar with customer service software and tools as most legit companies will train you on this.
Find out more about getting paid to chat here.
24. Rent Out Your Car
Renting out your car is a great way to make money while on maternity leave if you have a spare car that you’re not using. In fact, this could suit many new parents who aren’t commuting by car to work while on maternity leave, letting you earn some extra cash from this currently unused car.
As a car owner, you can list your car on car-sharing platforms like Turo, Getaround, or Zipcar and rent it out to people who need a car. All you have to do is create an account and list your car on the platform – and wait for the bookings to start rolling in!
25. Rent Out Your Stuff
Like renting out a car you’re not using, renting out stuff you’re not using is another great option if you’re on maternity leave and need money.
Whether it’s sports equipment, photography equipment or so much more, you’re probably beyond busy with your new arrival, meaning some of your hobbies have to go on pause for the moment. So why not use this as a way to do some cash in hand work on maternity leave!
You can list your items on rental platforms like RentNotBuy, Fat Llama, or Loanables and rent them out to people who need them.
26. Graphic Designer
Graphic design is perfect if you have the right skills, and while making money drawing is definitely a great thing to do if you can, it’s also a bit more than that.
That is, you need to be able to create designs that communicate a message and evoke emotions. However, if you’re good at it, graphic design can be a rewarding way to make money while on maternity leave.
To become a graphic designer, you need to have good design, color, and typography skills. You also need to be proficient in using design software and tools like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, or InDesign.
Websites like Upwork, Freelancer, or Fiverr have a ton of freelance work in this field. For example, you can help businesses or individuals with their design needs like logos, branding, or marketing materials.
Find out more about: 35 Best Ways to Make $100k a Year From Home (or More!)
27. Ebook Author
Writing ebooks is a great way to make money while on maternity leave if you have a passion for writing and expertise in a particular topic. This is especially the case these days given that you can write and self-publish ebooks on platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing or Apple iBooks.
Clearly, good writing and editing skills will help. But given that you’re writing this yourself and so only have to report to the person in the mirror, you can definitely work on a flexible schedule and from the comfort of your home here.
It’s true that writing ebooks requires passion and dedication. You need to be able to write engaging and informative content that resonates with your readers.
One thing to keep in mind here is that, obviously, you won’t get any money for this until the book is written. This means that, if you’re worried about money during maternity leave, you may want something that pays more immediately.
However, if you’ve been dreaming of writing your own book for some time, this could be the perfect opportunity to do so.
28. Printables Creator
Selling printables on Etsy is a great way to make money while on maternity leave if you have a creative streak and expertise in a particular niche. As a printables creator, you can design and sell printable products like planners, worksheets, or wall art.
To become a printables creator, you need to have good design and marketing skills. But there’s no need to have particular expertise in any sort of design software, as Canva is fantastic for this (and you can sign up for Canva for free here).
And what’s particularly great about this is that it can become a source of passive income. That is, once you’ve set it up so that you’re selling these prints on Etsy, you don’t really have to do anything else. People will (hopefully!) find your products and keep buying them – without any further work from you!
29. Scopist
As a scopist, you work with court reporters to edit and proofread their transcripts before submission. This means you’ll need to have good grammar, punctuation, and spelling skills.
It also helps to have some proficiency in using scoping software and tools like Eclipse or CaseCAT.
However, if you have good attention to detail and good command of the English language., scoping can be a great way to make money while on maternity leave.
30. Sell Secondhand Clothes
Want to make some money and declutter your wardrobe? Then you can definitely try selling secondhand clothes as a way to make money while on maternity leave.
This is particularly worthwhile if you have clothes that are in good condition and no longer needed. Then, just sell your clothes on online marketplaces like Poshmark, ThredUp, or Depop.
Make sure you take clear and attractive photos of your clothes and create detailed descriptions to attract potential buyers.
Related: What Sells Best on Poshmark to Make the Most Money?
31. Sell on Amazon FBA
Selling on Amazon FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) is a great way to make money while on maternity leave if you have products to sell and want to leverage the power of Amazon’s customer base.
As an Amazon FBA seller, you can list your products on Amazon and have them shipped and fulfilled by Amazon. This means that you don’t actually need to own the stock yourself at your house, as Amazon will take care of that for you.
That said, it’s not completely hands off, as selling on Amazon FBA requires research and strategic planning. You need to be able to find profitable products to sell and optimize your listings for maximum visibility and sales.
However, once you get the hang of it, this really can be a lucrative way to make money.
You may also be interested in: 27 Amazing Ways to Work for Amazon From Home
32. Virtual Receptionist
As a virtual receptionist, you can help businesses with their phone and administrative tasks like answering calls, scheduling appointments, or managing emails. That is, it’s exactly like being an in-person receptionist – you just work from your own home instead
This means that, to become a virtual receptionist, you need to have good communication and organizational skills. Being able to provide a great customer service experience and manage multiple tasks efficiently will also definitely score you points.
It also helps to be familiar with administrative software and tools like Google Workspace or Microsoft Office.
You can find virtual receptionist jobs on websites like Upwork, Indeed, or Remote.co.
33. Travel Agent
Being a travel agent is a great way to make money while on maternity leave if you have a passion for travel and good sales skills. As a travel agent, you can help clients plan and book their travel arrangements like flights, hotels, and tours.
To become a travel agent, you need to have good sales and communication skills, as well as attention to detail and customer service skills. You need to also be able to provide a personalized travel experience and handle unexpected situations.
You can find travel agent jobs on websites like Indeed, Glassdoor, or ZipRecruiter. You can also specialize in a particular type of travel like luxury or adventure and become an expert in your field.
34. Grant Writer
Working as a grant writer is a great way to make money while on maternity leave if you have good research and writing skills. As a grant writer, you can help non-profit organizations or businesses secure funding by writing grant proposals.
Employers will likely prefer that you’re familiar with grant databases and guidelines like Grants.gov, Foundation Center, or GuideStar. But even without that, it’s most important that you’re able to find and research funding opportunities and write compelling proposals that meet the funders’ requirements.
You can also specialize in a particular type of grant like education or healthcare and become an expert in your field.
To get started in finding grant writing jobs, check websites like Upwork, Freelancer, or GrantWriterTeam.
35. Healthcare Assistant
As a healthcare assistant, you can help healthcare providers with virtual administrative and clinical tasks like scheduling appointments, taking vital signs, or assisting with medical procedures.
This means that this could be perfect if you have an interest in healthcare and good interpersonal skills, especially good communication and organizational skills.
You don’t necessarily need to be familiar with medical terminology and procedures as long as the employer is prepared to train you on the job. But what you do need to have is empathy and attention to detail.
In addition, you need to be able to provide a compassionate and efficient care experience for patients and follow healthcare regulations and guidelines, including confidentiality requirements.
36. Loan Processor
A loan processor works with financial institutions to process loan applications and ensure compliance with lending regulations and guidelines.
Accordingly, to become a loan processor, you need to have good analytical and organizational skills, plus attention to detail and critical thinking skills. After all, a lot of your work will require you to be able to analyze loan applications and documents and make informed decisions based on regulations and guidelines.
Indeed, Glassdoor, or ZipRecruiter are all great places to start here.
37. Podcaster
As a new parent, I’m sure you have something to say – whether relating to parenting or something unrelated if you’re sick of always having to hear about babies!
So being a podcaster is a great way to make money while on maternity leave, especially if you have a passion for storytelling and good communication skills. As a podcaster, you can create and host your own podcast on a particular topic or niche and monetize it through sponsorships, advertisements, or merchandise.
Offer a unique spin – like being a new parent – and you’ll be well on your way to building an audience. Sure, don’t expect to make big bucks overnight with this.
But by creating engaging and informative content that appeals to your target audience and promoting your podcast effectively, you’ll be on your way to being the next big thing in podcasting.
38. Dog bakery owner
Don’t worry if you didn’t know that dog bakeries existed. You’re not the only one! But given that, last year, Americans spent $95.7 billion on their pets, with $36.9 billion spent on pet food and treats, there’s definitely money to be made here.
If you guessed that dog bakeries are businesses that produce dessert-like items for dogs to eat, you’re absolutely right. Although the items are decorated to visually appeal to humans, it’s the dogs that get to consume and enjoy these treats.
This is a massively growing side hustle at the moment, with many people making well in excess of $10,000 a month from their dog bakeries. And so why couldn’t you do the same as a great side hustle while on maternity leave?
Want to start making money as a dog treat baker ASAP?
The Diva Dog Bakery course has everything you need to know about launching your own dog treat business, including:
- How to make your products look ultra professional when displayed, packaged and, of course, when they’re ready to eat!
- Exactly how to go from hobby to real life business, including navigating some legal requirements
- Free recipes that are proven to sell
- Pricing, marketing, promotion and more!
It was created by Kristin Larsen, who earned up to five figures a month from her own dog bakery business. She was even invited to have her products in the gift bags given out at the Emmy Awards!
To find out more, check out my Diva Dog Bakery course review here.
39. Online moderator
The primary job of an online moderator is to oversee discussions on message boards or chat rooms, reviewing content to make sure none of the posts violate the site’s standards. These standards might include restrictions of racism, hate speech, sexism, and other types of offensive content or behavior.
You can find paid moderator jobs in small private forums or for large tech companies like Facebook or Twitter. Some of them do require you to work a minimum number of hours each week, but they also often appreciate people who are willing to work outside of normal business hours.
As such, if you have the flexibility to work at odd hours, this could be a great job you can do while on maternity leave.
40. App tester
Similar to website testers, app testers are hired by companies to ensure a positive user experience. App testers test an app’s usability and functionality, making sure that there are no glitches on the app and everything is running smoothly.
Although getting paid to test apps is very unlikely to become a full-time job, it can be a solid idea if you’re on maternity leave and need money – and it’s definitely an easy freelance job in which to get started.
The job isn’t physically demanding, you can determine your own hours, and you can work from the comfort of your own home.
41. Flipper
Furniture flipping is when you buy something and then resell it at a higher price, usually after doing some refurbishments. This means that if you’re looking for a bit of a creative outlet while also being able to make money while on maternity leave, this could be for you.
Local second hand stores can be a gold mine for things that can be sold at a much higher price on sites like eBay, but it’s also worth keeping an eye on what’s available on Craigslist and similar sites. People often aren’t aware of the value of what they’re selling, which is something you can definitely take advantage of.
Markets in your area can also be a great source of new stock. Given that these are usually held on Saturdays and Sundays, this could be perfect for you if you’re looking for a weekend job.
Not sure if furniture flipping is for you?
Rob and Melissa Stephenson definitely think it’s for them, given they made $130,000 from just their first year of flipping. Based on their incredible success in doing this, they’ve created this FREE webinar to show you how you can make money flipping too. It includes:
- How to know whether flipping is the perfect job for you
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Click here to sign up for their free webinar to start making money with flipping.
42. Virtual friend
Working as a virtual friend basically involves chatting with people online. This is usually done by voice over a platform similar to Skype – but don’t worry, it’s purely platonic.
It’s generally used by people who are looking for some sort of social interaction, whether they aren’t able to leave their homes at the moment or simply don’t have time to do so. In some cases, it also involves acting as a mentor to someone, kind of like working in a coaching role.
There are a bunch of sites that offer this so to find out more, take a look at our article on how to get paid to be a virtual friend.
43. Virtual stylist
Much like a virtual interior designer, you may not expect to be able to work as a stylist in any sort of virtual form. However, this has been a booming industry in recent years with many people looking for advice from stylists who aren’t necessarily located in their immediate area.
This means that if you consider yourself as having a particular sense of style, you could definitely market this to potential clients. This would usually begin with a video call where you try to get a sense of the client’s needs, which also gives them a chance to see if your sense of style is something that appeals to them.
From there, the extent of your involvement is pretty much up to you. Whether you go ahead by making recommendations on clothes they could try on or by being more involved through having them model style updates for you in subsequent video calls will depend on the level of service you want to offer.
And you could also target other new parents! After all, they may not be feeling super comfortable with their postpartum bodies, so helping them style this could not only involve earning some extra cash, but can really go a long way to helping them feel their best.
44. Online juror
You may not have heard of an online tour before, but it’s a really interesting position if you’re able to get it.
It involves you working with lawyers to help them prepare for trial and practice their arguments. Lawyers often want to see how their arguments are received by actual people before having to face the real jury, so that’s where you come in.
You’ll be asked to give feedback on their arguments, particularly regarding whether you’re convinced the clients position has been properly justified.
You can find positions like this on sites like eJury, although they’re not available all the time so you may have to check a few times before finding something. If you do manage to get a job like this, expect to earn up to $150 for your time, although this can go up for more complicated cases.
45. Elderly companion
Working with the elderly can be extremely rewarding and, perhaps unsurprisingly, things don’t usually go at quite the same pace as other jobs.
But that can be perfect if that’s exactly what you’re looking for. Your range of tasks here can really vary, from doing things around the house and helping the person out with some of their needs, to simply being a friendly e ar and having a chat with someone who may not be able to get out that much.
In some places, you need some sort of certification to have this kind of role or at least a form of clearance, so check your local area to see what applies for you.
And, often, you’ll even be able to bring your baby with you to clients! Many of them will really appreciate having this plus one during your appointments, so this can be a good way to be the bright spot in their day, while also making money while on maternity leave.
Can I work from home on maternity leave?
Yes, you can work from home while on maternity leave. In fact, many women choose to work from home as a way to earn extra money during their time off. One of the most popular ways to work from home on maternity leave is by doing remote work or side hustle jobs that you can do online.
This allows you to stay home with your baby while still earning money.
There are many different types of work-from-home jobs available, including freelance writing, virtual assisting, and online tutoring. You can also start your own business, such as a blog or an Etsy shop, and work on it during your free time.
It’s important to remember that while working from home can be a great way to earn extra money, it’s also important to take care of yourself and your baby. Make sure to set realistic expectations for yourself and don’t overwork yourself. Remember, your baby – and your own well being – are your top priority!
And if you’re on maternity leave and are worried about money, don’t forget to check for any government assistance during maternity leave that may be available.
That said, if you’re interested in working from home on maternity leave, there are many resources available to help you get started. Check out online job boards, freelance websites, and social media groups for job opportunities and networking.
Overall, working from home on maternity leave can be a great way to earn extra money and stay connected to the professional world. Just make sure to prioritize your baby’s needs and take care of yourself as well.