I am all too familiar with that feeling in the pit of your stomach, when you look at your bank account mid- month and wonder how the heck you’re supposed to make it stretch to the next pay day! It can be so disempowering when you are constantly living in survival mode, living pay cheque to pay cheque. But unfortunately if you are a single parent you are likely living on a single income, and it isn’t easy, and a little extra cash can go a long way- so here are 100 top side hustles for single mums that will help lighten the load and boost your income.
Why Do You Need A Side Hustle As A Single Mum?
Single parents are juggling it all daily, the kids, the bills, the chores, and the never ending to-do list, so being financially secure and independent should be a priority, as all of this is a lot harder to manage when you are also struggling with money.
Financial stability is so important for single mums, as it gives you the ability to handle whatever shitshow is thrown your way, whic will help you to thrive, not just survive.. Having a side gig can help you to reach your financial goals way faster than scraping by on your 9-5.
I am a big believer in having a money pot dedicated to unexpected expenses and also little sinking funds for those other big expenses, but trying to find the money at the end of the month to add to these pots can be difficult without that little bit of extra money coming in on the side.
So, if you Have debt to pay off- get it paid faster. car breaks down- you got it covered. Need to move home- you have options. Want to take the kids on holiday- you can afford to!
This post aims to share this list of side hustles that are realistic, profitable, and mum friendly- don’t worry you will not find any scams here!
What Makes a Good Side Hustle for a Single Mum?
Finding the perfect side hustle as a single mum can be tricky, I mean we already have so much on our plates, we can’t just add on another full time job to our list. There are only so many hours in the day after all!
Whether you are a working or a stay at home mum, everybody’s schedule is busy, and everybody’s schedule is different too, so make sure you find a side hustle that fits around your spare time, your school runs, your main job, and your self-care- remember that is non-negotiable!
If you are already struggling to pay the bills, then something with a tonne of outlays just to get off the ground isn’t exactly ideal, so look into the side hustles that have very low startup costs- I mean, who has a tonne of money to throw at an idea anyway?!
Whatever you do, look for the right side hustle for you that will allow you to work from home, or at least not far from home, does not require too much of a time commitment, and that you can work around your own busy schedule, so you are not adding any unnecessary stresses onto your already busy life!
Online & Remote Side Hustles For Single Mums Who Want To Work From Home
Side hustles that can be done from home are absolutely perfect for those of you who still have small children and cannot get out to work yet as well as for those of you who want an extra income to fit around their full-time job.
So whether you are a whizz at web design, have fab communication skills, or are a talented Graphic Designer, take a look at this list and see what you can make work for you!
A great place to find online freelance work is through Upwork.
- Freelance writer
- Virtual assistant/ administrative support assistant
- Social media manager
- Proofreading & editing
- Blogging
- Selling digital products (e-books, printables, templates)
- Graphic design
- Web design
- Affiliate marketing
- Online coaching or consulting
- YouTube content creator
- Online tutoring
- Course creation (Teachable, Udemy, Skillshare)
- SEO specialist
- Email marketing specialist
- Dropshipping
- Etsy shop (printables, handmade items, digital art)
- Customer service rep (remote)
- Online transcription
- Data entry
- Selling stock photography
- Tech support (remote)
- Social media content creator
- Podcasting
- UX/UI testing
Local & Flexible Work For Single Mums Who Want To Get Out Of The House
Not everyone wants to be glued to a computer screen and would rather get out of the house to work. These side hustles are perfect for those of you who want to get out, socialise, exercise and build connections in the local community.
- Babysitting
- Dog walking or pet sitting
- House cleaning services
- Personal shopping
- Errand running service
- Mystery shopper
- Makeup artist
- Mobile hairstyling
- Photography (weddings, portraits, newborns)
- Baking & cake decorating
- Home organizing services
- Event planning
- Face painting for parties
- Local delivery driver (Uber Eats, Amazon Flex)
- Party entertainment (clown, princess parties, balloon artist)
- Driving instructor
- Personal styling
- Gardening & lawn care
- Airbnb host (rent out a room or property)
- Renting baby gear or equipment (e.g., strollers, cribs)
- Mobile car detailing
- Selling thrifted or upcycled furniture
- Teaching fitness classes (yoga, Zumba, pilates)
- Doula services
- House-sitting
Passive Income & Creative Hustles For Single Mums With A Creative Flair
If you are a single mum with a creative streak, these side hustles are fantastic for putting those talents to good use, whilst also making some cash on the side!
- Writing & selling e-books
- Monetizing a blog
- Selling on Amazon KDP (low-content books like planners & journals)
- Investing in real estate (buy-to-let properties)
- Buying and flipping domain names
- Self-publishing romance or children’s books
- Starting a subscription box business
- Creating an app or software tool
- YouTube automation (faceless YouTube videos)
- Stock market investing & dividend stocks
- Selling AI-generated art or content
- Renting out baby equipment
- Running a print-on-demand business (T-shirts, mugs, phone cases)
- Passive YouTube income from old videos
- Selling Pinterest templates or services
- Licensing music or beats for content creators
- Starting a Patreon for exclusive content
- Renting out a storage space or garage
- Monetizing a TikTok account
- Selling a niche membership site
- Running a niche podcast
- Earning cashback through apps (e.g., TopCashback)
- Creating and selling Lightroom presets
- Selling handmade candles or soaps
- Print-on-demand stationery
Service-Based & Freelance Hustles for Single Mums With Skills
Put that degree to good use and take a look at these service based side hustles. Maybe you are a marketing expert with the skills to increase businesses social media presence, or an english grad with a great eye for detail- here is a list of the best side hustles for you!
- Resume writing services
- Translation services
- Voice-over acting
- Online therapy or coaching (if certified)
- Career coaching for mums returning to work
- Proofreading and beta reading for authors
- Legal document preparation (if experienced)
- Email copywriting
- Cold calling sales for businesses
- Resume & LinkedIn profile optimization
- Influencer UGC (User-Generated Content) creation
- Property management for landlords
- Freelance bookkeeping
- Selling courses or masterclasses
- PR & media pitching services
- Social media engagement specialist
- Sales funnel building for small businesses
- Local advertising agency (helping businesses get visibility)
- Grant writing for charities and businesses
- Virtual event planning
- Renting out props for events or photography
- Online dating coach
- Career mentoring for young professionals
- Coaching single mums on financial independence
- Running a local networking group for mums
Recap On Side Hustles For Single Mums
Like I said above, financial stability is important, and whilst not all of these hustles will be a good fit for you, these are some fantastic ideas here to get you started.
Just make sure that whatever one you choose it:
- Fits around your own schedule
- Doesn’t require a huge monetary outlay
- Is something you will enjoy
I hope this list helps you to find your ideal side hustle!
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