Passive Income For Single Moms: 30 Side Hustles For Single Moms
Are you a stay at home mom, a superhero, one of those wonderful working moms? No matter what kind of mom you are, we all want to provide for our children and give them the best life possible. However, being a mother is not always easy, especially when it comes to finances.
Are you tired of working hard all day and then barely scraping by at the end of the month? Are you longing for a more relaxed lifestyle, one where you can sleep in and take vacations with your kids whenever you feel like it?
Do you need to find the perfect side hustle idea?
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These ideas for passive income for single moms can help you make that dream a reality. With a little effort up front, you can set yourself up to earn money on your own schedule, giving you the freedom and flexibility to live life on your own terms.
Each idea is something that you can start today and begin generating income. So whether you’re looking for some extra spending money or you want to create a full-time income stream, there’s something here for you.
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What is passive income
Disclaimer! There is no such thing as 100% truly passive. Anybody who says otherwise is lying. Even if it’s just a little bit of time each day to maintain your stream of income, that’s not passive.
To be clear, when we talk about passive income, we’re talking about money that you make without having to work for it. This could be from investments, from rental properties, or from other sources. The key is that it’s not something that you have to actively work on each day in order to keep the money coming in.
That might sound like a dream come true, but there are some things to note before you quit your day job
For one thing, true passive income takes a significant amount of upfront work to get started. Once you’ve put in the initial effort, though, you can typically sit back and let the money roll in without doing much (or any) additional work.
Additionally, passive income streams tend to be relatively slow and steady, which means they will not make you rich overnight.
However, over time, even a modest passive income stream can start to add up, giving you more financial breathing room and eventually leading to financial freedom.
The many benefits of passive income
There’s nothing quite like the feeling of earning money through passive income. I’ve woken up in the morning to Etsy sales, come back from a trip to affiliate sales and heard a ping of an email about ad revenue while sitting on the couch watching TV!
While it may not be as exciting as a high-pressure job that brings in a steady paycheck, passive income has some major advantages.
- It can provide you with a sense of financial freedom. You’re not reliant on a single employer for your income, which means you have more control over your time and your life.
- You get to choose your own hours when you’re not working a full time job. With passive income or side hustles, you have the flexibility to work as little or as often as you choose.
- Passive income streams tend to be more resilient than active income streams. For example, if you lose your job, your passive income sources will still be there, providing you with a much-needed financial safety net.
- Side hustles are a great way to earn more money, but they can also lead to passive income if you play your cards right. For example, you might start a blog as a side hustle and then eventually generate enough revenue from ads and affiliate links to quit your job and work on your blog full time.
- As a single mom, passive income allows you to still be there for your kids while also bringing in some extra cash. It can give you the financial flexibility to stay home with your kids or take them on fun vacations without having to worry about money.
- And finally, passive income is a great way to build long-term wealth. While it may not make you rich overnight, overtime, even a small passive income stream can add up to a sizable nest egg.
What do you need to create passive income streams
Before you can start with your side hustle, there are a few things you’ll need:
An idea
If you don’t yet have an idea for how you’re going to earn some extra money, that’s where I come in. My 30 side hustle ideas will have you making money in no time.
Go through the list and find an idea that suits your interests, strengths and lifestyle. Once you’ve found a few possibilities, list them out in order of how you want to get started (never start more than one idea at a time).
Time
As I mentioned earlier, most passive income streams will require some initial effort on your part. You’ll need to invest some time upfront to get things started, but once you’re up and running, you can typically sit back and let the money come in without putting in much additional work.
As a single mom, you’ll obviously not have a lot of time to play around with your new venture. That’s why it’s important to choose an idea that doesn’t require a lot of time commitment to begin with.
Most single moms who have passive income businesses put in just a few hours a day – when the kids are asleep, at school, or otherwise occupied.
If you can find an idea that only requires a few hours a day to get started, that’s ideal. Once your business is established and generating income, you can then start to scale up your time commitment as needed.
A laptop and an internet connection
In order to make money online, you’ll need a laptop and an internet connection. If you don’t have a laptop, try to borrow one from a friend or family member to get you started.
You’ll need to be able to store your files somewhere safe, so an external hard drive is also a good idea.
Investment money
You can start a side hustle for very little money – in some cases, you may not need to spend any money at all. However, if you’re looking to make more substantial sums of money, you may need to invest some cash upfront.
This could be in the form of paying for a course, hiring a virtual assistant, or investing in marketing or advertising.
As a single mom, you may not have a lot of spare cash lying around. If that’s the case, you don’t need to invest in everything all at once. Take it one step at a time and only invest in what you need when you need it.
A willingness to learn
The beauty of the internet is that there are a million and one resources available to help you learn whatever you need to know.
No matter what your skill level or background, there’s always something new to learn – and that’s especially true when it comes to business and marketing.
If you’re not sure where to start, there are plenty of free online courses available that can teach you the basics. Once you’ve got a handle on the basics, you can start to branch out and build on your skills.
Perseverance
Without putting a downer on your new venture, the majority of passive income businesses fail within the first six months. Meaning people give up after such a short time.
The reason most passive income businesses fail is because people give up too soon. They don’t see the results they want immediately, so they give up and go back to their old 9-5 job.
So, if you’re going to succeed with your passive income business, you need to have perseverance. You need to be willing to stick it out, even when things are tough.
There will be times when you feel like you’re not making any progress, but if you can push through those periods and keep working towards your goal, you’ll eventually find success.
A bank account
How else will you get paid from your profitable side hustle?!
Some countries are more difficult to sign up for payment processors and have a harder time getting accepted, but there are some alternatives you can use.
There are also a number of online payment processors that you can use regardless of where you live, such as PayPal or Stripe.
Passive income for single moms: 30 ideas to get you started today
1. Start a blog
One of the most popular ways to earn a passive income is to start a blog. You can blog about anything you’re passionate about or that you have extensive knowledge about, and with a little effort, you can start earning money from your site.
To get started, all you need is a domain name and hosting (which you can get for as little as $2.95 per month). Once you’ve set up your site, you can start writing content and promoting your site to attract readers.
Most bloggers make their money through:
- affiliate marketing
- sponsored posts
- display advertising
- selling digital products
If you’d like to learn exactly how to start your first blog, sign up to my free 5 day email course below!
2. Sell ebooks
If you’re a good writer and have a lot of knowledge about a particular subject, you can create an e-book and sell it online.
This is a great way to earn passive income because once your book is published, it can continue to generate sales for years to come. Plus, it’s relatively easy and inexpensive to get started – all you need is a word processing program.
You can sell your ebook on online marketplaces such as Etsy or Gumroad.
3. Sell online courses
If you’re an expert on a particular topic, why not share your knowledge with the world by designing and selling an online course? You can film and edit the lectures yourself, or outsource the production to a professional.
Once the course is complete, you can upload it to a platform like or and start earning passive income from students who are eager to learn what you have to teach.
This is a time consuming option upfront, but once the course is complete and online, it has the potential to generate income for years to come.
4. Rent your spare room
If you’re a single mom and looking for a way to make some extra cash, why not consider renting out your spare room?
It’s a great way to earn passive income, and it can be surprisingly easy to set up. Just list your room on a site like Airbnb or , and start collecting rental payments.
You’ll need to take care of basic cleaning and maintenance, but once you get the hang of it, it can be a breeze. And who knows, you might even meet some interesting travelers along the way!
5. Invest in real estate
Investing in rental properties is another great way to earn a passive income.
For this, you’ll have to put a significant amount of money down upfront, but if you choose the right property and manage it well, you can start generating a healthy return on your investment.
With the help of a property management company, you can make this venture even more passive, giving you the freedom to live your life without having to worry about your investment.
6. Start a drop-shipping business
Dropshipping is a type of e-commerce business where you sell products without having to carry any inventory.
Instead, when a customer places an order on your site, you simply contact the supplier, who will then ship the product directly to the customer’s door.
This is a great way to get started in e-commerce without having to worry about inventory, storage, or shipping. Plus, it’s relatively easy and inexpensive to set up – all you need is a domain name and hosting for your website.
To get started, you can sign up for a free trial of Shopify, which will give you everything you need to get your e-commerce business up and running.
7. Become a social media manager
Are you a whiz at social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram? Social media management is a lucrative business, and it’s only getting more popular.
Pretty much all businesses these days need a social media presence , but not all of them have the time or know-how to undertake effective social media management. This is where you come in!
As a social media manager, you can help businesses grow their online following and improve their engagement with customers across all social media platforms. You would be responsible for creating and managing the social media accounts for businesses or individuals. This can include posting updates, running ads, engaging with followers and monitoring analytics.
And the best part is, you can do it all from the comfort of your own home.
8. Create and sell printables
Printables are all the rage these days. From planners and to-do lists to wall art and coloring pages, there’s a printable for just about everything.
And if you’re feeling crafty, you can even create your own to sell!
Whether you’re selling them on Etsy or your own website, printables can be a great way to earn some passive income. They’re easy to make and once you have created them, they can sell over and over again without you having to do any further work.
9. Start a print on demand business
If you’re creative and enjoy designing products, why not start a print on demand business? With print on demand, you can create and sell custom products without having to carry any inventory yourself.
There are a number of platforms that allow you to set up your own shop and start selling, such as Printify or Printful. All you need to do is design the products and list them for sale in your shop (whether it be your own Shopify website or on Etsy). When someone makes a purchase, the platform will take care of manufacturing and shipping the product for you.
Some popular print on demand products you can sell are:
- Tshirts
- Mugs
- Tote Bags
- Stickers
- Hoodies
10. Become a Virtual Assistant
If you’re organised and enjoy helping others, becoming a virtual assistant could be a great way to earn some extra money.
As a virtual assistant, you would be responsible for handling various administrative tasks for businesses or individuals, such as customer service, bookkeeping, scheduling appointments and managing social media accounts.
You can work with multiple clients and set your own hours, making this a great option if you’re looking for flexibility.
11. Become a freelance writer
Are you a good writer? There’s no shortage of ways to make money from your skills if you are. Whether you want to write for fun or to earn some extra cash, there are plenty of opportunities out there for freelance writers.
We already spoke about starting your own blog, but there are other options if you want to be a freelance writer, such as writing for other blogs or websites, writing eBooks, or even ghostwriting.
One great way to find freelance writing jobs is to join a site such as Upwork. Here, you can browse through available writing assignments and choose the ones that fit your skills and interests, or you can set up your own account and offer your freelance writer services to clients directly.
Read also: Write for a Digital Nomad Blog: How to Stand Out From The Competition
12. Dog walking or pet sitting
Not exactly passive work but pet sitting or dog walking are still great ways to make some extra money, especially if you’re an animal lover!
If you live in a city or urban area, chances are there are plenty of people looking for someone to walk their dog (or dogs) while they’re at work or busy with other things. And what’s better than getting paid to spend time with furry friends (literally my dream come true!).
Alternatively – since you’re likely a single mom if you’re reading this – you could offer pet sitting services from your home. That way, you can look after your little one as well as the pets at the same time.
13. Start a YouTube channel
If you’re creative and enjoy making videos, starting a YouTube channel is one of the best side hustles for single moms.
With over 122 million daily active users, there’s definitely an audience for just about any type of channel you can think of. You could make Youtube videos about being a single mom, about baking, DIY on a budget… The possibilities are never ending when it comes to YouTube videos.
And with YouTube’s Partner Program, you can start earning money from your channel once it reaches a certain number of subscribers and views.
14. Sell stock photos
Do you have an eye for photography? If you answered yes, then you could make some extra cash by selling photos online.
Stock photos are used by businesses and individuals for a variety of purposes, such as on websites, in marketing materials, or even as artwork.
There are a number of stock photo websites where you can upload and sell your photos, such as and Getty Images. When someone purchases one of your photos, you will earn a commission.
And if you want to go a step ahead, you could start your own stock photo website. Check out Ivory Mix or Styled Stock Society for some ideas.
15. Offer graphic design services
If you’re creative and have experience with graphic design, you could start offering your services to businesses or individuals.
Every business has graphic design needs. They require a logo, a website, social media graphics, and marketing materials like business cards and flyers.
If you’re just starting out, you can use a platform like Fiverr to find clients. Once you’ve built up a portfolio of work, you can then start approaching businesses directly.
16. Design websites
If you’re good with web design, you can start offering your services to businesses or individuals who need a new website or want to redesign their current site.
As with graphic design, there is a big demand for web design services. Many businesses don’t have the time or resources to design their own website, so they turn to freelancers.
Web design is an easy way to earn money as a side hustle if you’re in the know.
17. Develop an app
You’d need to have prior experience for this one, but it’s a fantastic way to earn extra money with minimal effort once the app itself has been created.
If you have a great idea for an app, you can develop it and then sell it on the App Store or Google Play. Alternatively, you could create a free app with in-app purchases.
There are a number of ways to monetise an app, so do your research and find the best option for you. You’ll need to have a significant amount of money as an up front investment, but it will be worth it in the long run.
18. Offer webinar training
If you’re an expert in a particular field, you can offer webinar training to others who want to learn from you. And if you’re a single mother, this is a great side hustle you can carry out in your own time at your own pace.
This side job requires very little effort once the initial work has been done. You can record your webinar once and then sell it multiple times to prospective students.
19. Offer consulting services
Again, if you have experience in a particular field or industry, you can offer your services as a consultant. This is a great way to earn money without having to commit to a full-time job and you can do it as a single mother.
As a consultant, you can work with multiple clients and set your own hours. You’ll be paid for your expertise and advice, so this is an ideal way to monetise your knowledge.
20. Affiliate marketing
Affiliate marketing is a type of performance-based marketing “in which a business rewards one or more affiliates for each visitor or customer brought about by the affiliate’s own marketing efforts“.
If you have a blog or website, you can sign up for affiliate programs and earn commission on sales of products that you recommend.
For example, Amazon has an affiliate program called Amazon Associates where you can recommend products you love. Or you can sign up to the likes of Booking.com or Viator to promote your favourite hotels and travel tours.
21. Take online surveys
Stay at home moms can make good money by taking online surveys when they have some spare time.
There are a number of companies that offer paid survey opportunities, such as and . All you need to do is sign up and start taking surveys. You’ll then be rewarded with points which can be redeemed for cash or gift cards.
Most business owners carry out market research to find out what their target audience wants. They do this by commissioning surveys which they then use to improve their products or services.
While the average pay for taking surveys isn’t much, it’s still an easy side hustle which single moms can do from the comfort of their own homes with little time.
22. Invest in the stock market
This is one of the ultimate side hustles if you can learn how to do it successfully.
Investing in the stock market can be a great way to earn money and build your wealth over time. If you’re new to investing, there are a number of resources available to help you get started. I recommend following Ali Abdaal on YouTube, he’s got fantastic tips on how to get started with investing in the stock market.
23. Create and sell social media templates
If you’re a busy mom who’s creative and good with design, you can create social media templates and sell them online. This can be a great passive side job once the templates have been created.
There are a number of sites where you can sell your social media templates, such as and Etsy. You can also promote your templates on your own website or blog.
Making money by creating templates is something you can do on your own schedule, making it one of the best side hustles for single moms.
24. Do voice acting
If you’ve got a great voice, you can get paid to do voice acting. This is an incredibly fun side hustle which can be quite lucrative if you land the right gig.
Voice actors can get paid for some time after the initial recording, making it a great passive income opportunity.
There are a number of ways to find voice acting work, such as through online platforms like Fiverr or Voices.com. You can also approach businesses directly and inquire about any voice acting opportunities they may have.
25. Start a membership club
If you’re a single mom with a lot of knowledge or expertise in a particular area, you can start your own membership club. This is a great way to earn money while helping other moms.
As the club’s founder and leader, you’ll be responsible for setting the price and creating content (such as video lessons, downloadable resources, tips and other content) for the membership site.
Memberships provide a great extra income which you can depend on each month. You’ll just need to put in a few hours of work each month in order to have the relevant content for your club ready. If you’re lucky, you could have tens, if not hundreds of members!
26. Sell learning material to teachers
If you’re good at a particular subject, you can create learning materials and sell them to teachers. This is a great way of making money while helping others learn.
There are a number of ways to sell your learning materials. Teachers Pay Teachers is the most popular for selling learning materials. Etsy is also another option. Best thing about selling online material is that you can choose as many platforms as you like!
You could also approach schools or individual teachers directly to see if they’re interested in your materials.
27. Sell your music
If you’re a musical single mom, you can make money by selling your music. This is a great way of monetising your passion and turning it into a source of income. Making money is so much easier when you’re doing something you love!
Similar to taking photographs and selling stock photos to businesses, music tracks are also in high demand. YouTubers and businesses are always on the lookout for new and fresh music to use in their videos, so this is a great opportunity to get your music out there.
28. Start a podcast
If you’re a single mom with a lot to say, starting a podcast could be a great way to make money. All you need is a microphone and some recording software, and you’re good to go!
This is one of my favourite side hustles for single moms.
Podcasts are becoming increasingly popular, so there’s definitely a demand for them. You can generate income from your podcast in a number of ways, such as through advertising, sponsorships or by selling products.
29. Rent out your car
Car rental has become increasingly expensive recently. Just this week, I read of someone being quoted €51,000 to rent a car in Ireland for 9 days!
Now, I’m not saying you should charge anywhere near that, but renting out your car can be a great way to make some extra cash. It’s also a great way of monetising something, especially if you’re not using it all the time.
If you live in a city and only use your car for getting out of the city at weekends, why not rent it out during the week and make a side hustle out of it.
30. Create and sell planners
Another of my favourite extra income ideas, and something I personally make good money with myself, is to create and sell planners.
Planners are big business at the moment, with people all over the world looking for new and unique planners to help them stay organised. Some of the most popular planner types you can make money selling include:
- fitness planners
- weekly chore planner
- budget planner
- blogger planner
If you’re creative and have a good eye for design, this could be the perfect side hustle for you. You can sell your planners on Etsy or through your blog if you have one.
Final thoughts on creating a sustainable passive income stream
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So there you have it, 30 creative side hustles for single moms.
Hopefully a few of these passive income ideas sound like something you could do and are excited about trying. If not, keep brainstorming until you find an idea that really speaks to you.
Some of these may be more appealing to you than others, but don’t be afraid to mix and match until you find something that feels like a good fit.
Remember, the key is to start small and gradually build up your earnings so that eventually passive income becomes your main source of income.
What’s your favorite way to earn extra income? Do you have any other side hustle ideas? Let me know in the comments below!