When you have to stay at home to manage life with kids, then any avenue for making extra money for the household tends to have to circuit around the home computer. Anything more involved than that tends to overcomplicate the already attention-intensive process of taking care of growing minds. Here are a few ways for you to earn a little bit of extra income using the home computer:

1. Part-time writing

There’s a Hurston inside us all. Writing has been a woman’s outlet for centuries when no other way of expressing ourselves was available or allowed. Getting gigs writing copy might be hard starting out, but part-time writing for advertisers who need hyperlinked content is a good start you can later use as experience. Online news sites like Patch.com are always hiring too, so don’t be afraid to investigate online classified for such opportunities.

2. Telemarketing

It’s not as glamorous as a paid writing part time position, but the advent of voice over-IP technology has made the job of the telemarketing almost exclusively an at-home position. It’s a great way to potentially make some cash while keeping kids within eyesight. Hours might not be your own like with other home jobs though.

3. Online Surveys

Market researchers like Survey Head are always looking for more people to participate in survey taking and always have rewards ready to be dished out to those who do. While the gains might not always be as actual as the enticing offers survey companies make, you’re sure to get some use out of what you can get and cash earnings are definitely possible.

4. Photo/Video Editing

This is a great one for moms with a little bit of tech savvy flowing through their veins. Editing photos and videos for weddings and other functions can be a great paying career easily executed from home, but you better have the skills and creative talent that’s demanded.

5. Online Auctioneering/Sales

Avoid offers of “holding” and “shipping” products for people in return for making some sort of initial payment, as these tend to be scams. But plenty of wholesalers in your area could need help selling their products online. Simply call around to see if there’s anyone interested. It doesn’t take much but an inventive advertising mind to get a popular online auction in action.

Being limited to the confines of the home for the sake of family doesn’t mean you can’t earn some extra money. Just keep an open mind about your talents and the opportunities that are out there.

Samantha Gregory

Samantha A. Gregory is an author, consultant, and speaker. She’s a single-mom lifestyle, money, and parenting expert featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times, Essence Magazine, HuffPost, ABC News, and Mint.com.

Samantha founded the award-winning RichSingleMomma.com™, the first online magazine featuring personal finance, parenting, and personal development content and courses for single moms.

She aims to inspire women who are ready to thrive and not just survive in their single motherhood journey. Connect with her on Instagram @richsinglemomma.