✏️📚 Back-to-School Budgeting + 5 Easy Side Hustles for Moms
Hey friend,
It’s that time again — backpacks, planners, new routines, and buying all the things.
In our house, it’s a mix. Some of my kids head off to school buildings — my special needs kiddos especially thrive with that structure — and some are still home with me as we continue homeschooling. So while it’s not quiet exactly, there is a shift. A little more space in the day. A little more mental bandwidth. And yep… a new set of expenses. 😅
And while I hope you budgeted ahead for this season (and if not — no shame, there’s always next year 😉), it’s still easy to go overboard in the name of “just one more thing.”
🎒 A gentle reminder:
Stuff doesn’t equal success.
Your kids don’t need everything brand new or on-trend to thrive this school year. What they really need is love, support, and a parent who isn’t stressed out by money.
If you’re feeling the financial pinch — or just want to create some breathing room in your budget now that the kids are out of the house for a few hours — here are…
💡 5 Easy Side Hustles While the Kids Are in School:
- Errand Running / Grocery Delivery: Partner with Instacart or Shipt and work during school hours — done by pickup time!
- Freelance Work (Writing, Design, Admin Help): You’d be amazed what you can do in 2-3 focused hours on platforms like Upwork or Fiverr.
- Selling on Facebook Marketplace: Declutter your house and make money? Yes, please. Look around — you probably have $200 worth of stuff just sitting there.
- Tutoring or Homework Help: In-person or online — if you’re good at a subject or just patient with kids, this can pay surprisingly well.
- Pet Sitting or Dog Walking: Rover or Wag apps are great, but you can also just post in your local community group. People LOVE someone trustworthy with flexible hours.
You don’t have to flip your whole life upside down to make a little extra money. And you don’t have to spend a fortune to love your kids well this school year.
The goal is freedom.
Financial peace.
And margin — for your budget and your mental load.
Cheering you on like always,
💛 Jenny Cioto
Financial & Life Coach
See you next week!
