Earning Money while Having Quality Time with Your Family

Nothing can surpass the beauty of motherhood.

Breathing new life into this world is such a wonderful experience despite the drastic physical changes and labor pains that all moms go through during and after pregnancy. However, a mother's responsibilities do not end at changing diapers and waking up late at night when the little ones cry. You can add to that a growing list of financial responsibilities that you must never overlook until the kids are all grown up.

Most mothers have to give up work, so they can have enough time for recovery and mommy duties. Truth be told, it can get a little overwhelming sometimes because there are other things that you want to accomplish for yourselves. It seems impossible to drop everything and go back to what you love doing, but the chance of not being able to fulfill the demands of your roles as mothers is really high.

A flexible work setting without setting a foot outside our front doors – that’s what most moms need nowadays. In this setup, moms can juggle work, household chores, mommy duties, and quality time with the whole family, which is something most regular employees cannot afford to do.

What are your options? You can earn money at home through freelance jobs or with small business ventures that can maximize any of your skills, talents or experiences.

Small Business Ventures

There are a lot of housewives who have converted into being mom-entrepreneurs. You can venture into a traditional or online business that you already know. It can be baked goodies, clothing and accessories, or imported bargains. You can also get a franchise of a food cart which is very popular among young entrepreneurs nowadays. 

Feel free to scrutinize and learn more about different business opportunities that you can do at home and require very little capital.

Freelance Job Opportunities

If you don't have the resources to start your own business, there are a lot of freelance job opportunities to choose from – be it a project from your former employer or from a freelance job post online. Choosing to work from home gives any individual, most importantly, stay-at-home parents, to be productive and to earn an income without having to worry about what's happening at home.

Some of the most popular freelance opportunities for moms involve jobs for writers, designers, communication associates, online English tutors, and editors. Filipino moms who are proficient in English are at an advantage because most countries that outsource writing, editing, and online tutorials prefer Filipinos since we are known for being the world's number one country for Business English.

Some Downsides to Consider

Just like any regular job or full-time employment, having your own business or being a freelancer also has some disadvantages. Take note that you need to process all the documents on your own. You will never earn paid time-off credits or leaves. You need to file your own tax returns and contributions for SSS, PhilHealth, and PAGIBIG. It is also important to note that you will not get an HMO coverage which most regular employees get from their companies. On top of that, you can also anticipate delays in payments, especially when your clients or bosses are based abroad.

Final Tips to Note

·         Always negotiate your rate.

·         Never take projects which are way below the industry rate.

·         Document everything – from emails to invoices and payments.

·         Give a list of Philippine Holidays to your client so you can make necessary arrangements.

Whether you choose to start your own business or take freelance work, always evaluate the situation. What are your responsibilities? How much time can you give? At the end of the day, you need to make sure that everything that works out well in your family and in your individual life.

Cristina Beltran of MoneyMax.ph