Working for $28 an hour adds up faster than it feels in the moment — and for stay-at-home moms weighing childcare, time, and flexibility, the real question is whether that rate gives you the income and freedom you want. Below I’ll break down what $28/hr looks like yearly, how it stacks up for different schedules, and then give 28 realistic, mom-friendly business ideas you can start from home to reach (or exceed) that income.
What $28 an hour equals
– Full-time (40 hours/week): 28 × 40 × 52 = $58,240 per year (pre-tax).
– Part-time (20 hours/week): 28 × 20 × 52 = $29,120 per year (pre-tax).
– Flexible (15 hours/week): 28 × 15 × 52 = $21,840 per year (pre-tax).
Is $58,240 a “good” income for a stay-at-home mom?
– It depends on your local cost of living, household needs, and whether you need benefits like health insurance. $58k is above the U.S. individual median wage and can cover a lot for a single-earner household in many regions. For families where you’re supplementing another income, even part-time hours at $28/hr can be a meaningful boost.
– Remember taxes, self-employment expenses, and occasional income variability if you go freelance or start a business. Balancing flexibility and stability is the key.
If you want to start earning from home, consider these 28 business ideas that fit around kids, naptimes, and school runs. Each idea has a short description, practical setup steps, and estimated startup costs.
1 — Freelance Writing
Description: Write blog posts, emails, product descriptions, or client content. High-demand niche writers (finance, parenting, health) can command premium rates.
Practical setup steps:
– Create a portfolio of 3–5 sample articles.
– Set a profile on Upwork and Fiverr (link to both every time mentioned).
– Pitch target blogs and businesses; set per-article or hourly rates.
Estimated startup costs: $0–$200 (domain and portfolio site optional).
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2 — Virtual Assistant
Description: Support entrepreneurs with inbox management, scheduling, and admin tasks. Flexible hours and lots of recurring work.
Practical setup steps:
– List your services and hourly rates.
– Create profiles on Upwork and Fiverr.
– Learn basic tools (Google Workspace, Zoom, calendar apps).
Estimated startup costs: $0–$150 (training courses optional).
3 — Start a Blog
Description: Build an audience around a niche (parenting, frugal living, food) and monetize with ads, affiliates, and digital products.
Practical setup steps:
– Follow a step-by-step guide to starting a blog.
– Get reliable website hosting and set up WordPress.
– Produce consistent, helpful posts and grow traffic via Pinterest and email.
Estimated startup costs: $50–$200/year (hosting, domain, basic theme).
4 — Pinterest Manager
Description: Manage Pinterest accounts to drive traffic to blogs and shops. Great for moms who understand visuals and content repurposing.
Practical setup steps:
– Learn Pinterest best practices and set up a business account.
– Offer monthly management packages: pin creation, scheduling, and analytics.
– Use Pinterest tools and schedule pins for clients.
Estimated startup costs: $0–$100 (design tools, scheduler optional).
5 — Social Media Manager
Description: Create content calendars, write posts, and handle engagement for small businesses.
Practical setup steps:
– Decide on niches (local businesses, bloggers, shops).
– Use a social media scheduling tool to batch-create and schedule posts.
– Offer package pricing for monthly content and interaction.
Estimated startup costs: $0–$50/month (scheduling tool).
6 — Sell Printables (Etsy or Shop)
Description: Design and sell downloadable organizers, planners, and educational printables.
Practical setup steps:
– Design items in Canva; create a few listings.
– Open an Etsy shop and optimize listings for search.
– Promote on social channels and Pinterest.
Estimated startup costs: $0–$50 (Canva Pro optional, Etsy listing fees).
7 — Handmade Goods on Etsy
Description: Sell crafts, baby items, or home goods made on your schedule.
Practical setup steps:
– Validate ideas with small batches.
– List on Etsy and use SEO-driven titles and descriptions.
– Ship efficiently and collect reviews.
Estimated startup costs: $50–$500 (materials, packaging).
8 — Print-on-Demand Store
Description: Sell shirts, mugs, and home goods without inventory via print-on-demand services.
Practical setup steps:
– Create designs and connect to a platform (Shopify or Etsy).
– Promote products via social media and Pinterest.
Estimated startup costs: $0–$30/month (platform fees, optional mockup tools).
9 — Online Tutoring
Description: Tutor school-age kids in reading, math, or test prep via Zoom.
Practical setup steps:
– Determine your grade/subject specialties.
– List services on tutoring platforms or advertise locally.
– Set up simple lesson plans and scheduling.
Estimated startup costs: $0–$100 (materials, video setup).
10 — Teach English Online
Description: Teach conversational English to students overseas on flexible schedules.
Practical setup steps:
– Apply to reputable companies or freelance.
– Set up a quiet teaching space and stable internet.
– Schedule lessons around naps and family time.
Estimated startup costs: $0–$100 (camera, headset).
11 — Transcription
Description: Convert audio into text for podcasters, lawyers, or researchers.
Practical setup steps:
– Practice with sample audio and learn style guides.
– Offer services on Upwork and Fiverr.
Estimated startup costs: $0–$100 (foot pedal, software optional).
12 — Data Entry
Description: Simple remote work entering or cleaning data — good for flexible hours.
Practical setup steps:
– Create profiles on freelance marketplaces like Upwork.
– Apply to part-time or task-based listings.
Estimated startup costs: $0–$50.
13 — Microtask Platforms
Description: Short online tasks (labeling images, quick research) you can do in 10–20 minute blocks.
Practical setup steps:
– Sign up for reputable microtask sites; set availability for short windows.
– Use phone or laptop during breaks.
Estimated startup costs: $0.
14 — Taking Surveys for Cash
Description: Earn small amounts for time by completing online surveys.
Practical setup steps:
– Sign up on multiple reputable survey panels.
– Use spare moments for short surveys; track payout thresholds.
Estimated startup costs: $0.
15 — Stock Photography or Graphics
Description: Sell photos or digital graphics on marketplaces for passive income.
Practical setup steps:
– Build a portfolio of high-quality images or templates.
– Upload to stock sites and tag for discoverability.
Estimated startup costs: $100–$500 (camera or editing tools).
16 — Affiliate Marketing with Sales Funnels
Description: Recommend products and use email + landing pages to convert readers into buyers using sales funnels.
Practical setup steps:
– Pick a niche and sign up for affiliate programs.
– Build a lead magnet and set up a funnel to capture emails.
– Promote via blog posts, Pinterest, and social media.
Estimated startup costs: $50–$300 (email service, funnel builder).
17 — Create and Sell Online Courses
Description: Pack skills into a course (crafts, cooking, productivity) and sell on platforms or your site.
Practical setup steps:
– Outline the course and record lessons in short modules.
– Host on a platform or your own site (use website hosting if self-hosting).
– Launch to your audience and iterate.
Estimated startup costs: $100–$1,000 (recording tools, hosting).
18 — Membership or Paid Community
Description: Offer ongoing value through a paid group for recipes, learning, or parenting support.
Practical setup steps:
– Choose a platform (Facebook Groups, Circle, or a site hosted with website hosting).
– Create exclusive content and onboarding.
– Promote through content and Pinterest.
Estimated startup costs: $0–$200 (platform fees).
19 — Resume and LinkedIn Services
Description: Help job-seekers polish resumes and profiles; charge per package.
Practical setup steps:
– Create sample resumes and a service page.
– Offer tiered packages (resume only, resume + LinkedIn).
– Promote to local groups and on freelancing sites.
Estimated startup costs: $0–$100.
20 — Bookkeeping for Small Businesses
Description: Handle invoicing and simple bookkeeping for local entrepreneurs.
Practical setup steps:
– Get comfortable with QuickBooks or similar.
– Offer monthly packages and get references.
– Use secure processes for financial data.
Estimated startup costs: $0–$300 (training, software).
21 — Freelance Graphic Design
Description: Create logos, social media graphics, or marketing materials for clients.
Practical setup steps:
– Build a portfolio using Canva or Adobe tools.
– List services on Fiverr and Upwork.
Estimated startup costs: $0–$200 (software subscriptions).
22 — Podcast Editing and Show Notes
Description: Edit audio and write show notes for podcasters who want to outsource production.
Practical setup steps:
– Practice with editing software; offer one-off edits to build testimonials.
– Create clear pricing for episodes and packages.
Estimated startup costs: $0–$200 (software, headphones).
23 — Video Editing for Creators
Description: Edit short-form and long-form videos for YouTubers and small brands.
Practical setup steps:
– Learn an editor (Premiere, DaVinci Resolve) and build sample edits.
– Offer teaser clip packages and full edits.
Estimated startup costs: $0–$500 (computer/software).
24 — Start a YouTube Channel
Description: Build video content around a niche and monetize with ads, sponsorships, and affiliates.
Practical setup steps:
– Choose a niche, batch-record short videos, and optimize titles/descriptions.
– Repurpose content to Pinterest and social platforms.
Estimated startup costs: $50–$500 (camera, lighting optional).
25 — Amazon FBA or Online Reselling
Description: Buy products wholesale or thrift and resell on Amazon or other marketplaces.
Practical setup steps:
– Research profitable products; test with small quantities.
– Learn listing optimization and shipping processes.
Estimated startup costs: $300–$2,000 (inventory).
26 — Create and Sell Templates (Canva/Shop)
Description: Design ready-to-use social media, planner, or business templates to sell.
Practical setup steps:
– Create a suite of templates in Canva.
– Sell via Etsy, your blog, or marketplaces; promote on Pinterest.
Estimated startup costs: $0–$100.
27 — Self-Published eBooks
Description: Write short guides or books and sell on Amazon Kindle or your site.
Practical setup steps:
– Outline a simple, highly-focused book (recipes, tips, guides).
– Format and publish on Kindle or your website; promote to your audience.
Estimated startup costs: $0–$200 (editing, cover design).
28 — Offer Services on Fiverr or Upwork
Description: Package microservices (voiceover, quick logos, short videos) for fast client turnaround on Fiverr and Upwork.
Practical setup steps:
– Create clear gig packages with examples.
– Use client feedback to refine offers and raise prices.
Estimated startup costs: $0–$100.
As you consider these options, remember that $28 an hour can be reached through full-time steady work or by stacking flexible income streams (freelance clients + a blog + a digital product). If keeping hours tightly limited matters, look for recurring monthly-retainer clients (virtual assistant, Pinterest manager, or bookkeeping) that pay predictably.
Which path suits you? Start small, validate demand, and scale the ideas that fit your family rhythm. You don’t need to do everything at once — pick one to test, set simple income goals, and refine from there. Good luck building income that fits your life.
