Anonymous wrote:If you're crafty, look into an Etsy store. Mine covers our daycare cost for the year.

Whoa! I'm super crafty. What do you sell that you make this much on Etsy? How did/do you promote yourself??

I made $40k as a receptionist at a law firm. How old is your kid and where do you live? Downside to law firms are limited paid leave and holidays observed. Depending on your kid's age and where you live you could put them in an early childhood education program for free in DC. If you live in DC Martha's Table is good for all ages (if my memory serves me correctly). Best wishes!

Anonymous wrote:I have 2 friends who are young moms. They started a housekeeping business together. They work opposite days so 1 watches both kids while the other cleans and vise versa. It has worked out well for them. They each work 3 days per week. No childcare cost and they split the money.

This is just flat out smart. I wish they were my friends. We could cycle it so we each had a day for ourselves.

What a great set-up! Built-in cardio, low stress work, and cash money.

They'll have a great story to tell.

I have 2 friends who are young moms. They started a housekeeping business together. They work opposite days so 1 watches both kids while the other cleans and vise versa. It has worked out well for them. They each work 3 days per week. No childcare cost and they split the money.

Anonymous wrote:Pharm tech, massage therapy, nursing or trades op. These pay well and don't require a masters

True. But they do require schooling so might not be in OP's realm of possibilities.

If it is:

I recommend looking at a vocational school and getting your LPN. Many Offer night classes and you can be done in 10-18 months. Jobs pay ok (my friend makes $18/he full time with benefits) Later, when your kid is older and in school or perhaps circumstances change a bit, you can get your RN which opens up a lot more avail abilities.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can get childcare that is 10-12/hour even a nanny

This is a $15/hour job, did you forget she has taxes, transportation, lunches and professional clothing to coordinate into her starting budget? Also your $10-12/hour nanny fee is naïve to say the least because it doesn't count taxes, transportation to events, plus snacks and fees for events and books and games and all sorts of nanny needs.

Many of my friends have wonderful nannies at 10-12 an hour. You just need to be ok with non cacausions.

What area is this in?

Pet sitting and dog walking are also good ideas.
House cleaners make $25/hour under the table.

Babysit someone else's kids along with yours.

Pharm tech, massage therapy, nursing or trades op. These pay well and don't require a masters

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can get childcare that is 10-12/hour even a nanny

This is a $15/hour job, did you forget she has taxes, transportation, lunches and professional clothing to coordinate into her starting budget? Also your $10-12/hour nanny fee is naïve to say the least because it doesn't count taxes, transportation to events, plus snacks and fees for events and books and games and all sorts of nanny needs.

Many of my friends have wonderful nannies at 10-12 an hour. You just need to be ok with non cacausions.

That's fine and good but a 15/hr job will not support even 10/hour nanny rate. Especially if OP is married and her small income is essentially taxed in the higher bracket.

Any thought of starting a business that you can start with kids and eventually grow?

Pet sitting
Dog walking
Day care
Run Errands

Or working up on picking up skills and certifications?
Coursera has quite a few classes that you can take online for free (not for certifications though)

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can get childcare that is 10-12/hour even a nanny

This is a $15/hour job, did you forget she has taxes, transportation, lunches and professional clothing to coordinate into her starting budget? Also your $10-12/hour nanny fee is naïve to say the least because it doesn't count taxes, transportation to events, plus snacks and fees for events and books and games and all sorts of nanny needs.

Many of my friends have wonderful nannies at 10-12 an hour. You just need to be ok with non cacausions.

Anonymous wrote:Legal secretary - just work on being able to type quickly

Legal secretaries need so much more than typing. They assist with research, legal filings and briefs, and greeting clients, which requires a professional wardrobe. Most legal secretaries have at least some paralegal training.

Anonymous wrote:You can get childcare that is 10-12/hour even a nanny

This is a $15/hour job, did you forget she has taxes, transportation, lunches and professional clothing to coordinate into her starting budget? Also your $10-12/hour nanny fee is naïve to say the least because it doesn't count taxes, transportation to events, plus snacks and fees for events and books and games and all sorts of nanny needs.

Anonymous wrote:Seriously, what can I do that pays more than $15/hour with a limited skill set (I haven't touched Excel in over 5 years and I don't even know what Adobe is, for instance) and a junk degree?

Go to the library and take the free courses to update your skills.