Throughout the year, I’m regularly answering questions on money and/or budgeting. If you have a question you’d love for me to answer in an upcoming post, please submit it here.
This week’s question is:
“I’ve been looking into part time work that I could do from home as supplemental income for our family. My husband and I both work full time, we have two kids (one that has special needs), and we’re trying to get out of debt. I would love to find something I could do from home a few hours a week to help with this. I love to read, and have skills in proofreading and editing, so if I could find something along these lines, that would be great. I’ve done some research, and, honestly, it’s hard to know where to begin looking. I want to make sure
to go with something that is legitimate, but am struggling to find the right thing. I just wondered if you have any insight on this?” -Carey M.
Yes, You Can Start Earning Money from Home!
I’m so glad you reached out, Carey! First, I just want to say I totally understand where you’re coming from. So many moms find themselves exactly where you are: juggling multiple responsibilities, wanting to make a little extra money, and unsure where to begin.
The good news? You absolutely can find something flexible, fulfilling, and legitimate. And, based on what you shared, you’re already more qualified than you think!
Let’s break this down a bit.
You Don’t Need to Have it All Figured Out — Just Start!
It’s completely normal to feel unsure at the beginning. There are so many options, and it’s hard to know what’s legit. But, if you can give yourself permission to start small and take one step at a time, you’ll begin to see doors open.
You mentioned that you enjoy reading and have proofreading and editing skills. That’s a fantastic foundation! There are entire industries that rely on people with an eye for detail and a love for language:
- Freelance proofreading and editing
- Transcription
- Virtual assistant work (which often includes content or email proofreading)
- Blog or social media content reviewing
All of these are roles you can do from home and scale up (or down) depending on your availability.
Start with What You Can Do (Not What You “Should” Know)
You (or someone else who’s reading this) might be thinking: I don’t have formal training. Who would hire me? But here’s the thing: Many work-from-home opportunities don’t require a fancy resume.
They require people who are:
- Reliable
- Communicative
- Organized
- Willing to learn
That sounds like you, right?
So many women disqualify themselves before they even begin. But the skills you’ve used to raise a child with special needs, to manage a household, and to work full-time are all marketable skills. They show you’re responsible and attentive to detail, and that you can handle pressure. Employers love that!
Be Strategic With Your Time
Because your time is so limited, focus on options that are flexible and don’t require a major time commitment upfront. Some ideas to explore:
- Join freelance platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, or ProofreadingServices.com to offer your editing skills
- Reach out to bloggers or small businesses who may need part-time editing or proofreading help
- Look for transcription work from companies like Rev, Scribie, or TranscribeMe
- Consider starting a side hustle proofreading self-published authors or online course creators (there’s a growing need here!)
You don’t have to commit to 20 hours a week. Even just 3–5 hours can help move the needle forward financially.
Want Help Getting Started?
If you’ve been dreaming about earning an income from home — but aren’t sure where to begin — I’d love to invite you to my FREE Live Workshop: Yes, You Can Earn From Home next Tuesday, August 12th.
In this live, 60-minute workshop, I’ll walk you through:
✔️ The truth about working from home (and what most people get wrong)
✔️ 3 myths that keep so many women stuck — and the truth that can set you free
✔️ Why you don’t need a fancy resume or business background
✔️ The three most practical paths to earning from home and how to choose the one that fits your life
✔️ Real-life examples from women who’ve started small and seen big results
✔️ The biggest mistakes to avoid when you’re just getting started
✔️ Practical next steps you can take this week to start moving toward your goals
I’ll also share a new program I’ve created for women who want even more step-by-step support and I’ve carved out time for a live Q&A on the workshop so I can personally answer your questions.
You’ll walk away encouraged, equipped, and ready to take your first steps toward working from home — without feeling overwhelmed or wondering if it’s even possible.
Honestly? This is everything I wish someone had told me before I started my work-from-home journey years ago.