Pregnancy brings along a range of emotions, and you are at the top of the world thinking about bringing in a new life and mixed feelings about whether you will be able to maintain your lifestyle work-wise. In addition, the joy of motherhood can get disrupted by financial worries, especially if you are unemployed.
But let me tell you that it is possible to be a business owner without having tech skills and become a mother at the same time. All you need is determination and time management; even if the circumstances seem overwhelming, you may strike gold without the need of hiring a startup consultant. In the end of this article, you should have lots of ideas on how to make money while pregnant and unemployed.
A solopreneur is someone who runs their own business. They are self-employed and run their company without any help from others. A solopreneur can work from home, but they may have employees that assist them.
The great news for expectant mothers is that you can be your boss. But did you know that being an entrepreneur, a freelancer, or a solopreneur is the future of work. So let's embrace the challenges with a positive mindset to get a lasting reward. There are numerous advantages of being a business owner or a solopreneur and making money on maternity leave, such as:
This means that you can schedule your work accordingly while focusing on prenatal care. So if you had a sleepless night, you could adjust your work timings the following day.
Unlike a 9 to 5 job being a solopreneur enables you to spend quality time with your family. You can work remotely and manage to take out time for all the special moments.
Saying no to an assignment in the corporate world can cost you your job, whereas being a freelancer gives you a choice to accept what you can deliver and reject what you cannot do.
While some of you might not have thought about it, creating your budget can clarify many aspects like the existing expenses and a post-delivery expense forecast. This would enable you to think through how much effort you need to put in, the sources of earning extra income, and the time allocation.
Pregnancy could be very unpredictable in terms of your body conditions. You might be advised to bed rest and not be able to work for some time. So you need to plan ahead to be able to streamline your finances during the pregnancy.
Once you have created a budget and thought about what is working and not working out for you, give yourself a deadline to achieve your goals. But don't be too hard on yourself and know when to take a step back for your health and your unborn baby's health.
Be it multi-billion dollar companies or solopreneurs, communication is a key factor behind the success of a reputable company. You need to be open with your clients about what expertise you can bring to the table in exchange for money and your capacity to work as an expectant mother.
The U.S Government offers financial assistance to pregnant mothers and has initiated several programs like the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program for low-income families. However, according to research, the real cost of having a baby in the United States is $11,000 for an uncomplicated pregnancy and having insurance coverage. Without insurance, the costs can approximately $30,000 - $50,000.
This is not all, the cost of prenatal care ranges from $30,000 without health insurance, and for a C Section, it hypes up to $50,000. If we break it down further, the cost per visit is $90-$500. To make things more difficult, each lab test could cost up to $100. The costs are really high, which is why it is also good to consider learning how to make money while pregnant and unemployed.
Pregnant mothers are also required to see a dentist regularly to avoid gingivitis. The rules vary from state to state for the dental care of expectant mothers. While each state offers insurance for dental coverage as well, it still is an expense to deal with.
Although there are different programs offering cash assistance to families and initiatives from the local health care department to help keep the mother and baby healthy. Despite the financial assistance, you need to have extra money to cover all the unforeseen expenses.
Let's look into several ways to make money while being at home and prepare yourself for all the happy moments and blessings. First, you can choose between what source of income to adopt for generating extra money.
A virtual assistant (VA) is a person who works remotely from home using technology to provide customer service and other administrative tasks. VAs are used by businesses to handle various clerical work that would otherwise require hiring additional employees.
Let's look into some of the hundreds of services virtual assistants offer:
Plenty of people would hire virtual assistants to utilize the company's information and resources to create social media posts, run marketing campaigns, schedule appointments, follow up on tasks, keep track of projects and make sales. In addition, you can help a reputable company plan events and brainstorm ideas.
Customer service is the act of providing customer care services to customers. This includes answering questions, resolving problems, offering advice, and solving issues. A virtual assistant can help your business offer better customer service.
If you have strong communication skills, you can easily handle phone calls, emails, chats, text messages, etc. Next, you need to look for a reputable company through a search engine and apply as a VA, the application process might take a few weeks, but you are sure to find something.
In addition to providing services to clients, VAs can also use their skills to make decent money online. They may offer freelance services like:
You can also make extra money by transcribing an audio file into text. For example, you could transcribe Podcasts or any other type of audio file. All it takes is listening and fast typing skills, and you do not require any experience to get started with this job. Do a quick search for transcription jobs and get started right away. You will have to undertake a simple onboarding process to let you start transcribing.
If you have a command of programming languages like JavaScript, HTML, etc., try offering web designing services to clients. Utilize your art of creating visually appealing websites and easy to navigate. You can design the layout, colors, fonts, graphics, etc.
Among hundreds of services you can offer as a Virtual Assistant, you can use your graphic design skills for a company website. These may include designing logos, buttons, banners, icons, etc.
A good editor should have the ability to cut out unnecessary parts, add transitions, and combine multiple files into one. So take up video editing projects to earn extra cash when the baby comes out of your womb.
In this era, online presence is equally important for one-person blog owners or multi-billion dollar companies. Both require people to manage and handle social media accounts and platforms.
Becoming a virtual assistant enables you to build a positive online reputation for a reputable company. You can help social media accounts, schedule posts, and create content. You can also set up email campaigns, track conversions, and analyze data.
Data entry jobs require entering information into a database or other computerized system. They can include any number of different tasks, from entering names and addresses into a contact list to creating spreadsheets and databases.
According to Payscale.com, a Virtual Assistant can earn anywhere between $10-$26 per hour based on their skill level and experience, and the average annual salary for a VA is about $34,000. While some people prefer working from home, others enjoy being able to travel and meet new people. So let's comprehend each field to unveil the possibilities of earning some extra cash.
Freelance writers work independently from a company or organization. They are self-employed and work on projects that they choose themselves. A freelancer can write about anything they want. Some freelance writers make money through advertising revenue, while others may charge per word or project.
Since content writing has gained popularity and is an important part of all websites, new and fresh ideas are always in high demand. Writing blog posts could get you the extra cash you need if you get unpaid maternity leave. You can create some good content in exchange for money.
Having video skills is not common among business owners. Expectant mothers having creative video-making skills can do wonders while working remotely. You can create catchy content of high quality through the following basic video skills:
Your video-making skills can help you earn money faster while proving an asset to the company. Companies require video skills to quickly get the message across to the target audience.
A life coach is someone who helps people improve their lives. They help clients identify what they want out of life, set goals, and develop strategies to achieve those goals. A life coach can help you make better decisions about your career, relationships, finances, health, and even spirituality.
1. You can help others improve their lives.
Life coaching helps people achieve goals they may not have thought possible. If you have a corporate background, you can work with clients to develop strategies that lead them toward achieving their goals. They can identify areas where clients need improvement and then provide guidance and resources to assist them in reaching their full potential.
2. You can make money helping others.
A career in life coaching can get you plenty of money to welcome your baby. Employment prospects for life coaches are predicted to grow by 29% between 2012 and 2022, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). In addition, the BLS projects that demand for life coaches will increase at a rate faster than average due to increased interest in personal development.
According to another survey by BLS, the annual income for life coaching is about $61,900.
3. You can use your knowledge and experience to change the world.
There are many ways in which life coaches can positively impact society. Some examples include assisting individuals who struggle with mental health issues, providing counseling services to those dealing with divorce or other family conflicts, and teaching self-improvement techniques to children.
4. No Formal Requirements
The best part about being a life coach is that no formal training is required. Life coaches help people improve their day-to-day lives, careers, and relationships. Convert your skill into a money-making skill to save enough for your delivery.
A fitness coach is a person who helps people improve their fitness through exercise and nutrition. You could use it as a money-making skill by teaching the fitness regime and yoga postures you follow for your prenatal care to others. However, it is advisable to consult a doctor before changing any exercises.
So if you follow a routine that others notice and ask you for advice, become a health coach. Being a health coach, you can help people make positive changes in their lives that improve their health. In addition, you, as a health coach, can help others achieve their fitness goals and overcome obstacles. You do not need to be a medical professional; follow your passion for helping others live healthier lifestyles.
Unemployed mothers having strong communication skills can opt to be a parent coach who helps parents raise their children. Parents are often called upon to help other parents raise their children, so why not grab it as an opportunity to bring in the baby with plenty of money in hand? This can include helping children with homework, teaching them how to behave, and even providing advice about what they should do.
Freelancing allows you to work from home and set your hours. You can take on different projects depending on what you feel comfortable doing. There are many ways to make money online. Some people choose to work full time, but others prefer to work part-time. Whatever works best for you, remember that you need to find something you enjoy doing. As long as you are making money, you are not working too hard.
Bookkeeping is the process of recording financial transactions that occur between two parties. This can include cash, checks, credit cards, debit cards, online payments, etc. A bookkeeper's job is to ensure that the accounting records are accurate and up-to-date. They may also prepare reports about the company's finances and make recommendations regarding how to improve business practices.
Suppose you have the skill to reconcile bank accounts, strong communication skills and are comfortable with bookkeeping software such as QuickBooks Online or Xero Accounting Software. In that case, you stand a chance to make plenty of money before you give birth.
If you're interested in becoming a freelance bookkeeper, do a quick search on LinkedIn. You'll find many opportunities posted by companies looking for help. Once you've landed a freelance bookkeeping position, you can work your way to earn a decent amount by the time baby comes into the world.
A freelance graphic designer is someone who works independently from a company. They are self-employed and do not have any employment contracts.
If you know, the skill can opt to be hired as a freelance graphic designer. Work for multiple clients at once and charge different rates for each project.
Freelance graphic designer often uses social media sites like Facebook and Twitter to promote themselves. Plenty of people would hire a freelance graphic designer based on recommendations from friends and family members.
Pregnancy is a time when most women feel isolated from the outside world. So make use of the internet to showcase your craftiness. You can sell things you have created and make money on maternity leave. Several online marketplaces and websites help you find customers. For example, Etsy is a platform to display your homemade crafts. So grab on this opportunity to generate extra money.
Facebook marketplace allows you to sell anything you don't need anymore, such as your old television, out-of-size clothes or decorations, etc.
Online marketplaces are great to sell what you have. Still, they also offer you additional benefits during pregnancy, such as shopping for products while staying at home and finding discount deals that would not normally be offered to them in stores.
In the United States, a few online marketplaces sell free stuff for infants and babies, such as baby clothes and diapers, etc.
Blogging can be used as a way to make extra money while pregnant. You can use your blog to write about pregnancy; this could include products you would like to try while pregnant. Else you could write about anything you are passionate about or even choose a particular niche to write informative articles.
Once your viewership increases, you can post ads related to your blog. Try placing affiliate links in your blog to receive an amount every time a reader clicks on the link. You could be among the one-person blog owners ready to welcome their baby with plenty of cash in hand.
Cashback Apps are websites that offer users a way to earn money back from their purchases. They do this through affiliate marketing, where they get paid commission based on sales generated by other companies' products.
All you need to do is use reliable cashback tools to make money faster.
Using cashback apps is a money-making skill that helps you earn money on maternity leave.
For an extra source of income, try hour tutoring. If you have been an exceptional student and know a particular subject well, convert it into a money-making skill. You can offer hour tutoring to people online or become a tutor in person. Did you know through VIPKID, you can get a chance to make around $20 per hour tutoring?
The United States government takes several financial assistance initiatives through which funds are granted to the federal government and further divided between states and county agencies. In addition, low-income families can get child benefits and register for various income support programs.
However, not all maternity expenses can be met with these programs. Therefore, it's always better to have a backup plan and save plenty of money during your pregnancy to have sufficient when the baby is born. If the list still leaves you with questions, you should consider chatting with a startup coach or startup consultant. They can help find the perfect job for you.
So don't get worried about being unemployed and pregnant; you can choose from any of the side hustles explained in this article. You can take control of the situation and be ready to cherish some beautiful moments with your infant. By now, you should already have an idea on how to make money while pregnant and unemployed.
Ronald Osborne is an Australian entrepreneur and experienced business coach. With over ten years of business and mentoring experience, an MBA specializing in Finance, along with launching/partnering with over 10 of his own companies around the globe, he has been able to achieve his version of success. Ronald has been able to help large telecommunication companies, law firms, trade businesses, and everyday business owners improve their business and take it to the next level.
