Being a stay-at-home mom is one of the most important (and busiest!) jobs there is. But even though raising kids is our main priority, there are still plenty of ways to make money from home without taking on a traditional 9–5. If you’ve ever wondered, “What are the best side hustles for stay-at-home moms?” I’ve got you covered.
These are three of my personal favorites—realistic side hustles I’ve tried myself that bring in extra cash while still fitting into the stay-at-home lifestyle.
1. Selling on Facebook Marketplace
When it comes to making money fast, selling things you already own is hands-down one of the easiest side hustles for moms.
The truth is, we all have more stuff than we realize—baby gear your kids have outgrown, toys collecting dust, duplicate kitchen gadgets, clothes that don’t fit anymore, or decor that no longer matches your home. Instead of letting it sit in storage, why not turn it back into cash?
Facebook Marketplace is my go-to platform because:
- You can list items quickly with just a few photos.
- Buyers in your local area can pick up the items.
- It’s flexible—you can do porch pickups if you don’t want to meet face-to-face.
It’s clutter out of your house, money in your pocket, and breathing room in your home. Out with the chaos, in with the cash.
2. Mystery Shopping
This one was totally new to me when I started searching for side hustles—I had never heard of mystery shopping before!
So, what is mystery shopping? In short: companies pay you to visit stores, restaurants, or service providers and then give feedback on the customer experience. Sometimes you just give feedback, other times you also get reimbursed for purchases you make.
When I first looked into it, I wanted to avoid scams, so I took this Mystery Shopping Course. It was a game-changer. It gave me clear direction and included a resource list of legit mystery shopping companies:
- 70+ options in the U.S.
- 22 in Canada
- 15 in Europe/UK
- 11 international (Australia, Mexico, UAE, Asia, and more).
The best part? You can start small with fast food or retail shops, then work your way up to bigger opportunities like free hotel stays or entire vacations reimbursed.
I’ve even been able to do some shops with my kids. One of my favorites was an oil change shop. I got the oil changed on two different vehicles, had the full cost reimbursed, and was paid $85 on top of that—all while my kids stayed in the car and had fun watching.
3. Survey & Receipt Apps (BrandClub + Fetch)
If you’re looking for side hustles that take almost zero effort, survey and receipt apps are a great way to make passive income.
Two of my favorites are:
- BrandClub – Connect your shopping accounts, then answer short surveys for the brands you already buy. I’ve earned $100 in just under three months! (If you use my link to sign up, we both get $2!)
- Fetch – Scan receipts (or link your online shopping accounts) and earn points toward gift cards. It’s a slower game—I’ve earned about $70 in 5 years—but it’s literally free money for receipts you already have. (If you use my link to sign up, we both get 2,000 points!)
Here are my referral codes so you can start earning right away:
- BrandClub: Sign up through this link
- Fetch: 4332U (Or click on the hyperlink in the paragraph above)
Both are super flexible, making them some of the best survey apps for stay-at-home moms.
Final Thoughts: Real Side Hustles for Real Moms
At the end of the day, being a stay-at-home mom means your family comes first—but that doesn’t mean you can’t earn a little extra income on the side. Whether it’s selling clutter on Facebook Marketplace, diving into mystery shopping, or using apps like BrandClub and Fetch, there are real opportunities to make money from home.
Every dollar adds up. And sometimes those small wins—like getting paid for receipts or turning old toys into cash—make all the difference in your budget.
👉 For more frugal living tips, side hustle ideas, and homemaking hacks, come hang out with me on Instagram or TikTok. I share what’s working for me in real time so you can find what works for you, too.