Are you like me and every year you set resolutions that go something like this? “I want to lose 50 lbs by the beginning of next year.” “I am going to get organized and keep my home clean every single day.” “Every day I am going to read my Bible before my family wakes up.”… Continue reading Set Goals, Not Resolutions for the New Year
Have you ever seen a lazy mom? I mean, a truly lazy mom?
Most mothers and wives love what they do.
We raise children and tend to our husbands. We strive to make our houses a home. Our responsibilities vary widely within the home and often it is a 24/7 job. We rarely get days off.
Nobody can replace the mother and the wife as the keeper of our home.
However, because we don’t get days off (or even much time to ourself) it is important that we remain encouraged, inspired, and learn from the most reputable sources.
Christian Homemaking
As a busy mom of six young children, my schedule is pretty full, leaving me very little free time.
However, I do love to read. Reading allows me to grow, mature, and learn new things as a wife and mother.
Of course, my Bible is the most important book that I read, and most of us know that as mothers and wives we need to read the Bible.
In fact, the Bible should be our number one resource on parenting, marriage, homemaking, and helping us in the roles of Biblical womanhood and Christian homemaking.
But over the past nineteen years I have found other valuable resources that can be used in addition to the Bible to help and assist me grow as a Christian homemaker.
*Christian Book “Warnings”
Too many “Christian” books that I would consider to be reader-friendly, have no spiritual depth.
They are appealing to the eyes and ears, but leave no lasting impact on our hearts. One must be careful in what we read because an can have a negative effect on us.
Look for books that promote a deeper understanding of the role of Biblical Womanhood and Christian Homemaking.
Book Recommendations
Because I care about what I read, I will only recommend and share what I personally have read or own to my readers.
Of course, these books should never replace your Bible as a place of encouragement, inspiration, and teaching of the Gospel.
However, I highly recommend these books on Gospel-centered living and for their homemaking help in teaching you how to effectively manage your home.
TOP 15 MUST READS FOR THE CHRISTIAN HOMEMAKER
Jen Wilkins, Women of the Word.
Dave Ramsey, Total Money Makeover
Donald S. Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life
Amy Dacyczyn, The Complete Tigthwad Gazette
Martha Greene, The Homemaker’s Mentor Treasury of Homekeeping Skills: A Vintage Keepsake Collection
Elizabeth George, A Wife After God’s Own Heart
Holman’s Study Bible for Women
Elizabeth George, A Woman After God’s Own Heart
Elisabeth Elliot, The Shaping of a Christian Family: How My Parents Nurtured My Faith
Elisabeth Elliot, Let Me Be a Woman
Erin Harrison, Living Virtuously: A Wife’s Complete Guide to Keeping Her Heart and Home
Do you have too much month left at the end of your money? (Dave Ramsey quote)
Whether you are a stay-at-home mom, a wife that works, or a mom that works; money struggles can seriously impact a family.
You may have read my story before on how my husband and I previously handled money.
We were up to our ears in debt and handled money very poorly. We had creditors calling, loans that were not being paid, and too many credit cards to count.
It was time for us to get our priorities straight when it came to how we handled money.
We are pretty much a single income family, I clean a few hours a week to help bring in some cash. Nearly all of the income provision falls upon my husband’s shoulders.
There are many things that need to change before a couple learns how to handle their money. First of all, it is important that a husband and wife take the time to develop the communication skills to talk about money. You can fine those skills below in the article, How to talk about money These skills will help open the door for honest and straightforward communication between husband and wife.
Secondly, learn what impulse buying is and how to overcome it.
And finally, learn how to be frugal with your money. Ladies, it is very important that as women we manage our family’s money well. Learning how to be frugal in all areas to reduce waste and unnecessary expenses. There are many ways to be frugal, but in order to successful at it, one must begin with training the mind to view things different and it usually begins with being content.
But what if you are already doing that, what else can be done? How can a mom help the family make money when she works from home?
DETERMINE WHAT JOB IS RIGHT FOR YOU
So you have tried having garage sales and realize they don’t make that much money? Maybe you have tried a MLM and realized sales weren’t for you. Or perhaps you know that you cannot make a living licking envelopes these days.
But there are things that you can do to help bring in an income to help your family, if you understand
As women we were created differently then men, but we are also created each with our own set of skills, passions, and talents that make us different from each other.
Using the combination of that knowledge of how you were created and what your unique personal qualities are will allow you a glimpse into several possible income generators for you.
Determine Skill Set and Strengths
What areas in your life do you excel at or are proficient at?
Maybe you have excellent writing skills.
Or perhaps you are really good at baking and decorating cakes. The following are just a few examples of areas that have great potential for mom’s who want to work at home.
Technology
Writing
Baking
Sewing
Vehicle repair
Gardening
Editing
Tutoring
Singing
What are you strengths?
What comes naturally to you?
What can you do effortlessly without almost even thinking? Often, these strengths are areas that you can capatilize on and use to bring in an income to help your family as well.
*Make a list of what your strongest skills are
*List all of your strengths
What are your passions?
What could you spend time on for hours on end and not have it be a chore?
Do you love to read, write, or sew?
What about baking, crafting, or driving?
Are you a planner?
Do you have a passion for organizing and cleaning?
Your passions are often the areas where your God-given talents lie, and there is no reason why you cannot use them to bring in an income if you and your husband agree to it, especially if it is necessary to help your family.
For example, I love to write and would write for hours if I had the chance. This is one of the reasons why I blog and have been able to use my passion for writing to aid me in the Titus 2 ministry.
*Make a list and include all of your passions
Education and Experience
Do you have an education in a specialized field? Have you received advanced training in a particular area? What technical training have you received in your life time that could be used to advance you in bringing in an income or making money?
Before becoming a stay-at-home mom, I was a teacher. Teachers can work from home as tutors or college professors. A nurse that once worked and this now home, can be an at home nurse that works for a health hotline and answers medical questions.
A dog groomer can work from home.
A cook, chef, or baker can cook or bake and sell things from home.
If you have administrative experience, you could become a virtual assistant.
A hair stylist can create a studio at home and cut hair from home.
There are so many things that can be done from home based on previous education and training. The beauty of working from home, either online or doing work at home, is that it allows you to be creative.
Where does your experience lie in past jobs or careers? Wherever your experience was it can be used in creating a work at home position in many areas.
*Make a list of all your education, training, and experience
Does Location Matter?
The area where you live will influence what you do to a certain extent. However, for many virtual jobs location does not matter as long as you have great wi-fi and a computer.
But if you want to raise chickens and live in the city, you will have to probably change your plans.
And if you live in Alaska and want to give tours of Hawaii, those plans won’t work well either.
Basically, consider your location depending on the type of work at home job you’re considering.
TIPS
With your list of skills, passions, education, training, and experience now is the time to sit down and make a list of what you are interested or could possibly do. Below is a list of encouraging tips to help you along in the process.
Be creative
Think outside the box
Be flexible
Consider the needs of your family
Ask your husband for ideas and guidance
Involve your children (if applicable)
WORK AT HOME JOBS
Below is a list of work from home examples to get you thinking and moving in the right direction. I would love to hear from you ladies on how you make money from home. How do you help your family make money or save money?
Babysitter
Daycare provider
Virtual assistant
Photographer
Cleaner
Home stager
Hair stylist
Writer/blogger
Tutor
Cook/Baker
Sell crafts on etsy
Sew
Wood worker
Customer service representative
Virtual scheduler
Online resale shop
Designer
Graphic arts
Amazon Turk
Landscaper/yardwork
Personal grocery shopper
Wash other’s laundry
Create and sell your own products (soaps, clothing, aprons, wood working, painting, signs) The list is limitless.
Dog walker
Data entry
Medical coding and/or transcription
Become a consultant
This list is not complete, but instead merely suggestions to help you realize the possibilities. May this encourage you to be creative, flexible, and get the ball rolling on all of the possibilities of real ways to earn money while working at home.
Mommas, if you want to work from home to help make money, it is possible. Don’t give up. Pray about and seek the Lord’s will for your family in this area. If you are a mother that is blessed enough to not have to work outside the home at all, don’t take that for granted.
However, for those that need to make money, working from home is the next best thing because you can still be home with your children.
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