Site Links










Top Posters
Dotsie 23647
chatty lady 20267
jawjaw 12025
jabber 10032
Dianne 6123
Latest Photos
car
Useable gifts!
Winter wonderland/fantasy for real
The Soap lady meets the Senator
baby chicks
Angel
Quilted Christmas Stocking
Latest Quilt
Shelter from the storm
A new life
Who's Online
0 Registered (), 194 Guests and 0 Spiders online.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Forum Stats
3239 Members
63 Forums
16332 Topics
210704 Posts

Max Online: 409 @ 01/17/20 03:33 AM
Page 1 of 3 1 2 3 >
Topic Options
#34762 - 07/07/05 07:42 AM Making enough $$ to stay home
starting over Offline
Member

Registered: 06/30/05
Posts: 383
Loc: Illinois
Anyone out there making enough as a writer to be able to stay home full time? If so I would like to hear from you! My ultimate goal is to make enough from writing to scale back work and work from home. Anyone out there making it--without income from a partner?

Top
#34763 - 07/06/05 08:45 PM Re: Making enough $$ to stay home
Happy Birthday Princess Lenora Offline
Member

Registered: 11/11/04
Posts: 3503
Loc: Colorado
Hey, starting, when you get the answer to this one, please let me know! I live off my husband, he subsidizes all my work. He is my emotional and financial support. And given the topics I write about: child abuse, sexual violence, and domestic violence, he never tires of hearing my latest rant on the subjects. He is a silent partner in the war against these epidemics. Anyway, I would love to earn a living as a writer. I have not even broke even in regards to my book yet. And I've yet to accept a speaker's fee. I know of at least 3 on this site who make a living from speaking/writing, so I hope they will chime in. Good luck, Lynn

Top
#34764 - 07/08/05 07:41 AM Re: Making enough $$ to stay home
chickadee Offline
Member

Registered: 09/26/04
Posts: 3910
Loc: Alabama
starting over, someone here had a site about making money at home...forgive me but I can't remember...ladies?
Chatty has posted what she is doing with real estate. Doing it all on her own too, am I right, Chatty?
What about a part time job? I find that works for me.
Let us know what you find out.
chick

Top
#34765 - 07/07/05 08:47 PM Re: Making enough $$ to stay home
jawjaw Offline
Da Queen

Registered: 07/02/03
Posts: 12025
Loc: Alabama
If you are not relying on your income for insurance coverage, then I would say the world is your oyster. I know I'll be at home soon, and I'll be paying 353.00 a month for insurance coverage. And that doesn't cover dental. Thank goodness my sis is the office manager at the dental office. Well, that and I have some dirt on the dentist. Just let him try and charge me!

Sher is the member here that has a web site devoted to making money from home. She is a fountain of info, and a sweetheart. Go here for one of her homepages http://www.wiping-the-crazy-off-my-face.com/

and here for her work at home site: http://www.momandhermoney.com/

hope this helps!

JJ

Top
#34766 - 07/08/05 02:20 AM Re: Making enough $$ to stay home
smilinize Offline
Member

Registered: 11/08/03
Posts: 3512
Loc: outer space
Here's my take on writing for a living.

I always told my kids, you only get paid to do things that someone either cannot or will not do and you pay to do things that are fun and you get paid to do things that are not.

Most folks learn to write in the second grade so most can and many will. Some get paid to write the fun stuff, but most get paid for journalistic writing or technical writing and the other types that are all work and no play.

What money I have actually made from writing came from doing what no one wants to do--writing government proposals and business plans. Yuk.
I still do some press releases which are all work and no play and sometimes that pays a little, but it's no fun.

I've made a few thousand from doing what I love--writing musicals. And I have made a few hundred from writing stories and articles. But unless a musical becomes a Broadway hit or I somehow publish a best seller, I'm not sure writing for a living is a viable option.

However, like most writers, I continue to write and hope only because I must.

smile

Top
#34767 - 07/08/05 05:45 AM Re: Making enough $$ to stay home
chatty lady Offline
Writer

Registered: 02/24/04
Posts: 20267
Loc: Nevada
I write and answer phone fantasy calls all day long and do my Real estate paperwork but it hasn't taken off yet enough to be a viable income. Its scetchy and I haven't really done much advertising. My Erotica paid well but I don't do it much anymore...My Mystery storys did nada even though everyone said WOW, how great! Go figure....I would love to stop the phones and everything else but so far cannot, so I do it all. [Razz]

Top
#34768 - 07/08/05 07:15 AM Re: Making enough $$ to stay home
Happy Birthday Princess Lenora Offline
Member

Registered: 11/11/04
Posts: 3503
Loc: Colorado
Miss Chatty, if you stopped the phones and everything else, what would you like to do? LLL

Top
#34769 - 07/08/05 02:30 PM Re: Making enough $$ to stay home
chatty lady Offline
Writer

Registered: 02/24/04
Posts: 20267
Loc: Nevada
I have met so many good publishers and have so many outlets for work but never seem to find the time to write for profit. My writing career has become a hobby, fun and I've been giving out interviews all for free and thats my choice but I should do some serious writing again. Whenever I get started the phone rings or someone needs me for something. I would like to make a living writing and stop procrastinating... [Wink]

Top
#34770 - 07/09/05 07:53 AM Re: Making enough $$ to stay home
Dotsie Offline
Founder

Registered: 07/09/08
Posts: 23647
Loc: Maryland
starting over, the most important part of making a living at writing is knowing how to promote your work. Are you a salesperson? I think most professional freelancers are also very business minded. You have to manage your writing endeavors like a business. Can you do that? There are many freelancers online who are willing to share how they make a living staying home and writing.

Top
#34771 - 07/09/05 12:27 PM Re: Making enough $$ to stay home
meredithbead Offline
The Divine Ms M

Registered: 07/07/03
Posts: 4894
Loc: Orange County, California
Writing poetry for profit is an oxymoron. My essays are only slightly more saleable. I accept that the writing I do will never make hardly any money at all. At least I'm not selling out HAHA!

Top
#34772 - 07/09/05 06:46 PM Re: Making enough $$ to stay home
smilinize Offline
Member

Registered: 11/08/03
Posts: 3512
Loc: outer space
quote:
Originally posted by meredithbead:
I accept that the writing I do will never make hardly any money at all. At least I'm not selling out HAHA!

I love that Meredith. I'm going to post it somewhere.

Maybe I'll make a fridge magnet out of it and put it beside the Albert Einstein quote my daughter gave me that says, "Great Spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds!"

Thoughts for the day.
smile

Top
#34773 - 07/10/05 03:18 AM Re: Making enough $$ to stay home
Sherri Offline
Member

Registered: 03/12/04
Posts: 1177
Loc: Decatur, Illinois
I'm at home, not making enough to live on without my husbands income, but I'm doing something now that is starting to bring in income.

I'm mystery shopping. It fits me to a T, the money is finally beginning to come in, it does take a while because most companies pay on the 15th or 20th of the following month for work done the previous month. I started doing this the first of June. It's something I enjoy, I go up to about 50 mile radius, and I'm signed up with enough companies I can get 3 or 4 shops in the same town. I also take my husbands smaller car to help with gas. I usually get a shoppers fee and a small reimbursement. The other day I did a grocery shop, they paid me, and will reimburse me $25 of items I would have bought anyway.

I do have to watch myself, I love to shop and so I am tending to spend a little more than what I should. Also, it's a nice way to be reimbursed for a nice dinner out with your significant other.

Top
#34774 - 07/12/05 02:21 AM Re: Making enough $$ to stay home
starting over Offline
Member

Registered: 06/30/05
Posts: 383
Loc: Illinois
JawJaw,
Your response intriques me--not the insurance part but that you feel you'll be able to stay home soon and have enough income. How?

Also, I am self insured and only paying 157.44 per month for full coverage, including a dental discount plan. It includes $25. office visit, $10 medicine etc. Seems good. If you want to know more send me a private message and I'll fill you in--might be worth checking into..

So, at this point everyone is pretty much working at something else and writing is a part-time, hobby thing--how do we progress past that? Seems like I spend all my time marketing and very little time writing. And I can't really call it marketing--more like looking for possible markets to inquire to etc. it's a frustrating cycle.

Top
#34775 - 07/12/05 04:08 AM Re: Making enough $$ to stay home
jawjaw Offline
Da Queen

Registered: 07/02/03
Posts: 12025
Loc: Alabama
Writing and then selling it IS frustrating SO, but worth it.

In answer to your question, I have other writing jobs that sustain me, plus I have some speaking engagements. I also have no bills. Or very few. So, if I choose to stay home, I won't starve. I didn't say I would be living the life of Riley, but with just household expenses, I should be fine. The main thing for me is that I will be living my dream of writing full time. I so hope you get to do that too!

p.s. The insurance is the COBRA rate from work which I can keep for 18 months. I found out that my car insurance company has cheaper and BETTER insurance. Rates about the same as yours. Isn't that crazy? Thanks for the tip though..it is appreciated!

JJ

Top
#34776 - 07/12/05 06:02 AM Re: Making enough $$ to stay home
jawjaw Offline
Da Queen

Registered: 07/02/03
Posts: 12025
Loc: Alabama
SO,
I realized I didn't answer your question, or at least not all of it. How does one balance the writing, marketing, and other parts of their life when they have chosen writing as a career?

I'll give you what I know works for me, then I'm sure others can also give you tips for making it all mesh.

For me, it's a matter of discipline. This goes against every creative fiber inside of me...but it is the only way I can get anything done. As I've stated in other post, I use a timer for just about everything. So many minutes are allotted for research, so many minutes for answering emails, and so many minutes for yada..yada...yada. When articles are due or its time to write one, I adjust the time, if needed. I also don't answer the phone and don't post in here or anywhere else, until I'm done.

I think it is a matter of setting boundaries, goals, and priorities. Make list to see what needs to serve you NOW, what can wait, or what needs more attention/time. You have to have some sort of system in place. Otherwise, you will become overwhelmed and frustrated. And...something will suffer. You might even miss a deadline, and that would be the kiss of death to a writer. Also, think about this. If you have a system in place, and you take care of business, then you have all of this wonderful "free" time to play! Like NOW!

I hope this helps! JJ

Top
#34777 - 07/21/05 12:37 AM Re: Making enough $$ to stay home
unique Offline
Member

Registered: 12/21/04
Posts: 483
Loc: North Carolina
Hey JJ - Here it is (I think)

Top
#34778 - 07/21/05 12:58 AM Re: Making enough $$ to stay home
jawjaw Offline
Da Queen

Registered: 07/02/03
Posts: 12025
Loc: Alabama
This was it. And it was Staring Over who offered it. Bless her heart. I sent her a PM since I haven't seen here in here in a while.

My insurance company who CLAIMED to be cheaper and BETTER wanted 808.00/month. Hello? I don't think so...eeek! I didn't want to own the dang company, just get insurance.

JJ

Top
#34779 - 07/21/05 01:45 AM Re: Making enough $$ to stay home
unique Offline
Member

Registered: 12/21/04
Posts: 483
Loc: North Carolina
Aren't insurance companies crazy? If I had $808.00 a month to spend on health care - I wouldn't NEED THEM, now, would I? Sheesh.

Top
#34780 - 07/21/05 01:52 AM Re: Making enough $$ to stay home
jawjaw Offline
Da Queen

Registered: 07/02/03
Posts: 12025
Loc: Alabama
Very good point. If I had 808/a month to spend ON ANYTHING, I wouldn't give a rip.

JJ

Top
#34781 - 07/21/05 05:32 PM Re: Making enough $$ to stay home
jawjaw Offline
Da Queen

Registered: 07/02/03
Posts: 12025
Loc: Alabama
Staring Over! You around? I've sent you a PM, and have asked here, but no reply.

Can you expand on the insurance premium you're paying? I and others, would be very grateful to hear about it...

Thanks--JJ

Top
#34783 - 06/08/06 07:19 AM Re: Making enough $$ to stay home
chickadee Offline
Member

Registered: 09/26/04
Posts: 3910
Loc: Alabama
I was asked to check out a website that offers a job to do surveys. How do I check out if it is ligit. Sherri, didn't you do suveys at one time. Anyone know the website address to check for scams in this case?
chick

Top
#34784 - 06/08/06 07:59 AM Re: Making enough $$ to stay home
Sherri Offline
Member

Registered: 03/12/04
Posts: 1177
Loc: Decatur, Illinois
Chick, I still do on-line surveys. I find they don't bring in enough to make a living, but every now and then it is nice to get a check in the mail for a few dollars. I can refer you to the survey companies I use if you want to send me your e-mail.

More than happy to do that. Just today I was asked to participate in a survey and qualified to test an air purifier in my home. Lots of points for that, and they have a good redemption record as well. Another place to earn points and I have earned plenty, is MyPoints.com. There are many ways to earn here and I have always been paid promptly when I redeem my points. I have earned several $50 gift certificates from target, walmart, and kmart. Just as good as cash, and I had one to use before my husband started getting his temp disablility check.

Hope this helps.

Top
#34785 - 06/07/06 08:07 PM Re: Making enough $$ to stay home
chickadee Offline
Member

Registered: 09/26/04
Posts: 3910
Loc: Alabama
Thank you Sherri, I PM'd you.
chick

Top
#34786 - 06/07/06 08:44 PM Re: Making enough $$ to stay home
Dancing Dolphin Offline
Member

Registered: 03/06/06
Posts: 2529
Loc: Southern California
I did the Mystery Shopper thing for a little while. It's not enough money to keep you going, but if you have time and like to eat out, it's kind of nice.

For example, I did a shop at a gas station and got paid $12. However, I spent about 1/2 hour before I went reviewing the survey, then 20 minutes at the station, then another 30 minutes completing the online forms for the company. So I spent about 1.5 hours for just $12. But I needed the gas, so it was a place I was going anyway.

I did a New Car shop one day where you do four dealers. It paid $100. But I spent a lot of time preparing, spent most of the day visiting the dealers, spent money on gas getting to them all, and then had to spend about 2 hours later completing all the forms.

Again, if you have lots of time and aren't looking to get rich, it is interesting. It was fun to sit in all those luxury cars! But I gave it up to pursue other more lucrative things.

Kathy

Top
#34787 - 06/09/06 07:45 AM Re: Making enough $$ to stay home
starting over Offline
Member

Registered: 06/30/05
Posts: 383
Loc: Illinois
Sorry JJ never got the PM, I'm here! What did you need dear?

Top
#34788 - 06/09/06 07:48 AM Re: Making enough $$ to stay home
starting over Offline
Member

Registered: 06/30/05
Posts: 383
Loc: Illinois
Whoops never mind JJ! This thread was from last year!

Top
#34789 - 06/09/06 12:23 AM Re: Making enough $$ to stay home
AvalonBlondi Offline
Member

Registered: 11/07/05
Posts: 1096
Loc: West Chester ,PA
Have any of you ladies done Focus Groups?,,,I have been doing one or 2 a week and it pays pretty well...between $75 and $200 per session...they last between 1 and 2 hours and it's fun and informative...they feed us and I have met some very nice people...you can't make a living with it...but it's enough to do a few "extras" like pay to have my hair done etc...I think most big cities have them...

Top
#34790 - 06/09/06 05:46 PM Re: Making enough $$ to stay home
Dotsie Offline
Founder

Registered: 07/09/08
Posts: 23647
Loc: Maryland
Blondi, we have them here. The company is called Baltimore Research and they ae driving me crazy. I did one of their reasearch groups last summer and earned a very quick hundred dollars. But now they are driving me crazy. I have answered their little surveys about 20 times by phone to see if I'm elgible to be part of the research and I am never elegible. I answer all their questions and then they tell me "nope." I can't stand it so I've stopped answering their calls and now they're emailing me.They'll never tell me what's thrown me out of the pool either. URG.

I'm glad it's working for you!

Top
#34791 - 06/10/06 07:50 AM Re: Making enough $$ to stay home
AvalonBlondi Offline
Member

Registered: 11/07/05
Posts: 1096
Loc: West Chester ,PA
Wow..that's really annoying Dotsie...I haven't been turned down to any of the ones I have been called for yet...but I pick and choose the ones i respond to....they email me first and if I am interested and qualify agewise etc then they call me...twice when I got there they paid me my $100 and let me go because they had overbooked!!!!...not a bad gig... [Smile]

Top
Page 1 of 3 1 2 3 >



NABBW.com | Forum Testimonials | Newsletter Sign Up | View Our Newsletter | Advertise With Us
About the Founder | Media Room | Contact BWS
Resources for Women | Boomer Books | Recent Reads | Boomer Links | Our Voices | Home

Boomer Women Speak
9672 W US Highway 20, Galena, IL 61036 • info@boomerwomenspeak.com • 1-877-BOOMERZ

Boomer Women Speak cannot be held accountable for any personal relationships or meetings face-to-face that develop because of interaction with the forums. In addition, we cannot be held accountable for any information posted in Boomer Women Speak forums.

Boomer Women Speak does not represent or endorse the reliability of any information or offers in connection with advertisements,
articles or other information displayed on our site. Please do your own due diligence when viewing our information.

Privacy PolicyTerms of UseDisclaimer

Copyright 2002-2019 • Boomer Women SpeakBoomerCo Inc. • All rights reserved