Need advice on ideas to make $ to pay off van...

[jjordan]

I would definitely start by looking into tutoring (even online tutoring). And if you can reliably find last-minute childcare for the 2 year old, then subbing is a good idea as well. I would not expect to make any money doing knitting, sewing, or crafting. Though if you wanted to, I think you'd have better luck trying to organize classes (and marketing them carefully) than making things to sell.

There are also the "standbys" of babysitting or cleaning houses. Of course cleaning would require that you have childcare for the 2 year old. But cleaning generally pays more than childcare so you'd still come out ahead. And for childcare, if there is another mom you know who would like to swap a few hours of childcare a week, that would be enough for you to clean one house.

[jengojengo]

Thanks for all the ideas! I would love subbing but the last minute child care is a huge problem.

[MamaJules]

How about "all of the above"? Try out several of those ideas, and see where each of them gets you. Eventually you can figure out what works and what doesn't. I think you could make money on any of those, but it depends on your personality and your individual circumstances.

[Newton]

I would try tutoring or home daycare or even before/after school care to have more flexibility. If you want to try crafting try it on a smaller local scale to get a feel for it. Another thing that you could do locally is alterations, even just shortening pants, very little cash outlay and it gives you another option.

[Cathy_B]

I'm a big fan of paper routes. We used to clear $500/month and never needed extra childcare because we had a drive route and the kids could come along (unless they stayed home with the other parent).

[jengojengo]

Originally Posted by Cathy_B I'm a big fan of paper routes. We used to clear $500/month and never needed extra childcare because we had a drive route and the kids could come along (unless they stayed home with the other parent).

I never thought of that! What, do you have to get up at 3am?

[NotLad]

Paper route, tutoring (online would be great) or child care.

[sweetDD]

I agree with the all of the above, if you can do it all why not,..but you can also do freelancing.

[BNC]

The WAHM world of knitting and sewing is REALLY hard to make money at. If you want to go that route be prepared to do LOTS of trades in the beginning until people learn to recognize your name and product.

I would go with selling whatever you have around the house on Ebay

[jengojengo]

Originally Posted by BNC The WAHM world of knitting and sewing is REALLY hard to make money at. If you want to go that route be prepared to do LOTS of trades in the beginning until people learn to recognize your name and product. I would go with selling whatever you have around the house on Ebay

Yea, that's what I've heard. The world is just moving pretty fast for small time cottage industry. I do some things to earn money online, but that is kind of a slow growth thing, so I really wanted to see more progress. I've rounded up some stuff to sell on ebay and craigslist, so we'll see how that goes.
Thanks!