Updated at: 26-04-2022 - By: Sienna Lewis

When you’re on unpaid maternity leave, you may be wondering how you may make money.

The reasons why a woman could need unpaid maternity leave are numerous. The question is, how does she make money while she isn’t in a job? Pregnant women can make money without having to return to their jobs with these suggestions

Women who don’t want to deal with the nuisance of getting out every day and working in an office but yet want to earn more than the minimum wage are increasingly turning to online occupations.

These options allow a mom-to-be to work around school pick-ups and other childcare difficulties if they arise at home as well, allowing for greater flexibility.

How long does an employer have to hold your job for maternity leave?

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) allows parents to take 12 weeks of unpaid leave to care for a new baby. During those 12 months, your employer is obligated to keep you employed. Your company must have at least 50 employees and you must have worked at least 1,250 hours in the prior year in order to qualify for FMLA leave. The FMLA has been expanded in several states, allowing employees of small businesses to take extra time off or to grant them additional rights.

How To Make Money While On Unpaid Maternity Leave - Krostrade

Can fathers take maternity leave?

Paternity leave is a term for maternity leave that is granted to males who are expecting a child. In addition to that, the FMLA allows fathers to take time from work to care for a new kid. The same rules and regulations are in effect.

Ways to Make Money While on Maternity Leave

Find Unclaimed Money

Did you realize that you could be sitting on a fortune that is just waiting to be discovered? An estimated $42 billion in unclaimed money and property is currently awaiting its rightful owners in the United States. It’s true that hardly everyone has unclaimed funds lying about, but if you’re strapped for cash due to the addition of a tiny human to your household, it’s worth a shot.

Unclaimed dividends, investments, bank accounts, and IRS refunds are common sources of lost cash. Unclaimed cash can be located in a variety of ways, including by contacting the IRS or your bank directly or by using search engines like unclaimed.org or missingmoney.com.

Sell Gift Cards

It’s a common occurrence. As a Christmas or birthday present, you receive a gift card that you know you’ll never use. Any event can be ruined by a “awful gift card,” whether it is for a service you currently use or for a store you’ve never been to. The good news is that these vouchers can be redeemed for essentials for your children, such as diapers, clothing, and other necessities. GiftCards.com and Cardpool.com allow users to purchase and sell gift cards in exchange for cash or their preferred electronic gift cards.

Freelance

Working from home while you’re on maternity leave is an excellent way to keep your income steady while you’re taking care of your newborn. It appears that people with advanced degrees are more likely to work from home, according to data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. What does this imply for parents who work? More and more senior-level jobs are moving to the virtual world, making it possible for parents to work from home while also taking care of their families.

With a little planning and preparation, you can make the most of your time as a working mom and a successful professional. Here are a few examples of jobs that can be done from home:

  • Writer/Editor
  • a member of the customer service team
  • Designer of Visual Communications
  • Develop a website
  • Marketer for the Web

Rent Out an Extra Space in Your Home

While on maternity leave, you may want to consider taking on a part-time job. Gig workers utilizing other task-service and ride-sharing platforms make an average of $824 per month on Airbnb, which is roughly three times more than Airbnb hosts, according to Earnest data.

If you have a spare room in your house that isn’t occupied by baby stuff, use it! In order to make money, you may want to consider renting out your spare room, guest house, or even your backyard. For a nightly charge, websites like Airbnb let property owners rent out portions of their residences as a vacation rental property. Owners can then decide how much, when, and how often their property will be rented out. Your monthly mortgage and other living expenses can be paid for in a variety of ways with the money you borrow in this way. It goes without saying that money does not come cheap. In order to keep your guests happy, you’ll have to put in some time and effort yourself, which might take up a lot of time as you become a new parent.

Hipcamp may be a better option if you don’t want to deal with the upkeep of having guests in your home on Airbnb, HomeAway, or VRBO. Instead than renting out the entire home, Hipcamp allows owners to rent out a portion of their property. It’s far easier for hipcampers to put up their tents or trailers on the site than reserving space on a holiday property.

Start Investing

It’s a good idea to think about how you might make the most of your possessions by investing any spare cash you may have. You don’t have to be afraid of stock market data and graphs if they’re the stuff of your dreams. There are numerous options for investing your spare cash (other than on the traditional stock market).

  • Contribute to a 401(k) or Roth IRA with company match.
  • IRA or taxable account contributions can be set up to be made automatically.
  • Acorns, Robinhood, or Stash can be used to invest in small amounts via an investment app.
  • Invest the extra money you make from your maternity leave side job.

Recycle

With a few clicks of the mouse, you may be on your way to receiving paid for your maternity leave and disposing of your household waste in an environmentally friendly manner. Even if you don’t think your products are recyclable or marketable, there are services that will pay you for them.

  • Become a seller of cardboard boxes on BoxCycle.com.
  • On Craigslist, OfferUp, or Facebook Marketplace, put your moving boxes for sale.
  • The biodiesel company in your area will buy your old cooking oil and turn it into fuel for their vehicles.
  • Your local Staples or similar office supply retailer can buy your old ink cartridges.

Sell Your Art

Selling your handmade creations on Etsy could help you save money if you’re itching to take some time off work. From knitwear to homemade kitchen utensils, you can sell your handmade goods on this platform.

Save with Online Coupons

It’s possible to save money by changing the way you spend your money. You’ll probably start to feel at home while perusing internet shop sites for diapers, baby food, and clothing. For busy parents, online shopping can be a lifesaver, but there’s a way to avoid overspending. When buying infant and home supplies, consider using a browser plugin like Honey or an online coupon site like Groupon to save money. When you’re shopping in-store, download the shop’s app (if they have one) so that you can access coupons and specials there, as well.

Become an Influencer

When it comes to affiliate marketing, “mommy bloggers” have risen to prominence. These bloggers are compensated both in goods and cash for writing and photographing blogs and photographs endorsing certain products. Influencer marketing is predicted to become a $5-10 billion dollar industry in the next five or ten years because of this model’s popularity.

Teach an Online Course

Who says you can’t get compensated to share your expertise? There are many ways to turn your years of practice into money, whether it’s teaching people how to paint, or advising others on how to land a new job. Udemy, Skillshare, and Video School allow you to develop your own curriculum and teach others what you’ve learned through online courses.

Get the Right Savings Account

Using money to earn money while on maternity leave may seem contradictory, but with the correct bank account, you can cash in on interest and minimize your monthly expenses. It’s a good idea to do some research before choosing a savings account for your rainy-day cash. Compound interest on a bank account can help you save money while you do nothing except sit around and wait for it to grow. Interest rates can be increased by leaving savings accounts unattended for a predetermined period of time.

Use our compound interest calculator to see the long-term benefits of saving money.

Minimize Your Bills

Whether it’s a mortgage, utilities, or a streaming service, the majority of your money is probably going toward paying the bills. If you want to retain your existing standard of living, you’ll have to keep paying for all of these things. There are programs like Billshark and Truebill that allow you to lower how much you spend on monthly bills, but you may not be able to completely eliminate them from your monthly budget.

Many of these applications work with agencies to cut the amount you have to pay each month by negotiating lower rates.

License Your Photos

Take advantage of this money-making opportunity if you have the artistic vision of Ansel Adams or Annie Leibovitz. No matter how much time you have on your hands while you wait for the arrival of your new baby, you may use your photographic skills to earn some additional cash online. Getty Images, Shutterstock, Stocksy, Adobe Stock, and iStock are just a few of the many stock photo sites available.

Use Your Credit Card Rewards

It’s possible to get cash back incentives, travel points, and gift cards for new parents depending on the type of credit card you use. During particular months, several credit card providers offer additional cash back points and prizes. These reward schemes might also be useful when you’re going to the grocery store or having a bite to eat on a regular basis.

Check out our partners’ cashback credit card deals.

Rent Out Ad Space on Your Vehicle

Parents have a lot going on. It doesn’t matter if you’re running errands or commuting to school; once you have children, you’re going to be driving more. Renting out space on your vehicle for advertising can help you offset the additional costs of driving more miles. Carvertise and Wrapify, for example, connect businesses with individuals who want to install advertisements on their vehicles. Make some extra money from a job you already have with this easy-to-use method.

When you get back to work and start commuting again, it’s a good idea to follow this advice and make sure you meet the requirements of several car-advertising websites.

Explore Peer-to-Peer Lending

It is possible for small enterprises and individuals to obtain capital from private investors through peer-to-peer lending, often known as “marketplace lending.” Upstart and Funding Circle allow you to earn interest on the money you lend as a private lender.

Pet Sit or House Sit

Taking a newborn home with you after birth can be a challenge, but if you have a few extra weekends free before the baby is due, consider housesitting for a family in need. Staying with a homeowner who offers first-rate amenities can feel like a mini-vacation for you and your partner before the baby arrives.

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Drive for a Rideshare Company

Nearly half (48 percent) of Uber drivers had children under the age of 18 living at home in a 2015 survey by Benenson Strategy Group. According to Uber, the company’s structure is tailored to the needs of its drivers, not the other way around. The app’s ability to be tailored to the needs of busy parents may be why it’s so popular.

Ride-sharing services such as Uber and Lyft allow drivers to choose their own schedules and hours, making them ideal for parents who need to take care of their children while they’re at school. Uber and Lyft XL programs, which charge more for large and luxurious vehicles, would accept your mom’s SUV or van as proof of your extra room.

Deliver Food

In a recent poll, the Federal Reserve found that one-third of working individuals also employed in the gig economy. Delivering food for Ubereats or Postmates is a common way to make money in this economy.

Sell Your Clothes

If you’re a first-time mom, you’ve probably accumulated a closet full of things you’ll no longer need, as well as baby clothes your child has outgrown much too quickly. Why not recoup some of the value of these unwanted gifts? It’s also a terrific method to free up space in your house while you’re on maternity leave, as your kid will outgrow his or her things soon.

Adult clothes e-commerce sites:

  • Poshmark
  • Depop
  • thredUP

There are numerous websites that sell children’s clothing:

  • When I was a kid,
  • My Children’s Clothes
  • Kidizen

Take Surveys for Cash

Taking online surveys for cash is one of the simplest methods to earn money while on maternity leave. This is a simple money-making solution that doesn’t take up a lot of your time because you’ll likely have a lot to accomplish around the house when the baby is asleep. Instead of scrolling through social media or reading the news on your phone while you’re on vacation, consider one of these survey sites to earn some extra cash:

  • A Survey Hog
  • Vindale Investigations, Inc.
  • YouGov
  • Dollars in your inbox

There are a variety of payment options available, depending on the website.

Start Babysitting

If caring for a newborn is too much for you as a new parent, you could offer to babysit for someone else. If you have a friend or family member with a young child, you may be able to take care of both children at the same time. As they grow older, it may be beneficial for everyone if they have a friend to play with.

Test Websites

Many companies are looking for people to test out their websites in the same way that they look for people to fill out online surveys. When it comes to user experience, developers are willing to pay in cash, check, PayPal, or gift cards for this information. UserTesting, Enroll, and UserFeel are some of the most popular tools for conducting online testing.

It doesn’t get any better than this. For this maternity leave position, you merely need to be internet-savvy and fluent in English.

Become an Online Juror

If you’re searching for a method to supplement your income while on maternity leave, serving as an online juror may be a good option. If you’d want to play a juror in an online mock trial, there are numerous websites where you can do so for free. For those who want to know how a jury will react to their arguments in court, this can be an excellent starting point. A few mock-trial services also offer in-person trials, which cost more than online but require more time and effort.

Applicants for online juror positions must meet the following requirements, in order to participate:

  • More than 18 years
  • As a United States citizen
  • If you’ve been found guilty of a felony or misdemeanor, you’re out of luck.
  • Must be able to read and write at a basic level
  • Becoming a lawyer or paralegal or legal assistant is not allowed.
  • Cannot work in the insurance industry in certain positions.

Sell Furniture

Your baby will outgrow furniture as rapidly as they do their clothes, so it’s probable that you’ll have to get rid of some old pieces to make room for some new additions to the nursery or soon-to-be kid’s room. Many online marketplaces, including Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace, allow you to post items for sale such as old televisions, furniture, gadgets, and home goods.

Affiliate Marketing

While on maternity leave, I choose to make money through affiliate marketing (and beyond.) What I was looking for was a job that would allow me to work around my baby’s schedule and take time off whenever I needed it.

Blogging

As a home-based business, blogging has become a popular option for many women, with some earning as much as $100,000 per year from their blogs.

Affiliate marketing and blogging have a lot in common, but they’re not the same thing. Affiliate marketing is only one of many methods to generate money with a blog.

As an example of how blogs generate revenue, consider the following:

  • Affiliate marketing is a way to make money by
  • Placing advertisements on a website
  • Sales of goods and services
  • In-kind contributions
  • Consulting

Bloggers can make money while on maternity leave if they enjoy writing. To learn all you need to know about blogging and generating money blogging, I recommend Income School.

Freelance Writing

Taking up freelance writing while on maternity leave is a terrific option because it’s flexible and provides a lot of income potential.

Freelance writers work for themselves.

Articles are the most popular form of work for freelance writers. In addition to traditional print publications like periodicals and newspapers, this could encompass internet publications like blogs and corporate websites.

How Much Do Freelance Writers Get Paid For?

Earnings for independent writers might vary greatly. It is possible for new freelance writers with no portfolio to earn $25 for a 1000-word essay; yet, it is possible for more experienced writers who have built a strong portfolio to earn up to $0.125 per word!

Aspiring Freelancers: Tips for Success

Begin by signing up for a freelance writing course taught by someone who has had success as a freelance writer. That’s exactly what Gina Horkey’s freelance writing course is for, and it was the first course I took when I began working as a freelance writer.

Online English Teacher

If you enjoy working with children and want to earn money while on maternity leave, consider becoming an online English teacher. This is a popular work-from-home opportunity for new moms.

Since the most popular times to teach English online are usually between 5 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on weekdays and the entire weekend, having a babysitter on hand is a necessity.

What do online English tutors do for a living?’

Students from other countries learn English from native speakers through webcam. Online English tutors typically work with students one-on-one or in small groups to help them improve their English proficiency.

Are Online English Teachers Paid a Fair Salary?

Online English teachers can earn anywhere from $16 to $22 an hour, on average, depending on the organization they work for.

Palfish

For those looking for a flexible career that pays well and doesn’t require a bachelor’s degree, Palfish is one of the top online English teaching firms. Of course, if you have a bachelor’s degree, you may still work for Palfish. Even if you want to, it’s not a need.)

There are perks like a $15 props fee and the ability to teach entirely from your smartphone or tablet using Palfish, which can bring your hourly rate up to $22. That means that you don’t need a computer to use Palfish to educate (and it also means teaching with Palfish is highly portable.)

EF Online

For those looking for work as an English instructor, EF Online is an excellent option. Employees at EF Online are required to be fluent in both American English and British English. Only nationals of English-speaking nations like the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada are eligible to apply for the positions at this company.

The following is the breakdown of the pay:

  • The hourly rate is $13.20 per hour, or 2 classes per hour.
  • Classes are held from 6:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST), with a surcharge of $2.80 per hour added.
  • In the event of a no-show, you will be charged $2.00 per additional hour.
  • To earn an extra $2.00 per hour, you must teach 45 or more half-hour lessons in a month.

VIPKID

In China, VIPKID is the most popular platform for online English tutors. On Forbes magazine’s “Best Work From Home Companies” list for 2018, the company was ranked #1. Teachers on the VIPKID platform can earn as much as $22/hour.

Survey Junkie

Currently, Survey Junkie is one of the most popular polling sites. Their members have received almost $9,000,000 since their establishment in 2005. In addition, you can use Survey Junkie’s free browser extension to find surveys that are most relevant to your interests and earn more money.

Vindale Research

Vindale Research’s online surveys are one of my favorite ways to earn money while watching television.

Vindale Research is one of a select few survey sites that I’ve joined to see if they’re worth the time and effort.

Vindale Research’s daily studies are one of its outstanding aspects. Each daily study pays between $0.75 and $1.25 and you can take a maximum of 10 per day. You can make up to $25 a day by doing the daily studies on your own.

Of course, like with many survey sites, you may or may not be eligible for surveys based on their target demographic, but it’s worth joining to check if there are any surveys you qualify for so that you may earn money during the adverts of your favorite TV shows..

Facebook Ads Manager

Working with small businesses to run their Facebook advertisements could be a terrific method to make money while on maternity leave if you’re a frequent Facebook user.

Ad Managers at Facebook are responsible for a variety of tasks.

Lead generation campaigns for small businesses will be your responsibility as a Facebook Ads Manager. Many small company owners don’t have the time or skill to run their own profitable Facebook ads, which is a shame because Facebook ads may be a great way to generate leads and revenue.

Who Makes the Most Money as an Ad Manager for Facebook Ads?

According to Indeed, a Facebook Manager makes an average hourly wage of $17.74. Freelance Facebook Ads Managers can set their own pricing and earn more money, but acquiring clients is your responsibility as a freelancer.

Fall Maternity Dress Sleeveless Turtleneck - Sexy Mama Maternity

How to Manage Ads on Facebook:

In addition to being a father, Mike Yanda is also a successful Facebook advertising manager who has worked as an independent contractor for the past few years. His revenue quickly grew to full-time and he and a friend collaborated to launch Facebook Side Hustle, a course that teaches others how to build a profitable Facebook Ads Manager business.

FAQs

Can you work during unpaid maternity leave?

You may agree to work for your employer for up to 10 days without interruption of your maternity leave or salary in exchange for your services to the company. A day like this is dubbed a “staying in touch day.” Whether you’re attending a training session or a meeting, you should take a day to stay in touch.

Can I earn money while on maternity pay?

Child benefits, universal credit, and child tax credits may allow you to earn money while on maternity leave. Additionally, you may be able to increase your pre-maternity leave income by taking use of your SMP (which may be supplemented by your employer). Your maternity pay will not be affected by the additional income.

Can I get a part time job while on maternity leave?

In order to work during your maternity leave, it must be agreed upon in advance by both you and your employer, and this should happen before you start working.

What happens if I don’t return to work after maternity leave?

There are still benefits in place for any leftover vacation time and time spent on maternity leave even if you don’t go back to work. Statutory maternity pay will continue to be paid even if you decide not to return to work during your maternity leave.

What happens with maternity pay if you get pregnant again?

SMP and Maternity Allowance are still available to you even if you no longer have a job, and you do not have to repay any SMP/MA if you choose not to return to work.

What happens if you don’t want to return to work after maternity leave?

Your contract will inform you how much notice you must give your employer if you decide not to return to work. You must offer at least a week’s notice if there is no contract in place. Ensure that you are compensated for any unused vacation time, including the time you accrued while on maternity leave.

What do you do if you are pregnant and have no job?

It is possible to apply for disability insurance (DI) for your pregnancy-related disability and recuperation following delivery if your doctor/practitioner confirms that you cannot work. To quit receiving unemployment insurance (UI) benefits, you must first stop certifying for them and tell UI that you are no longer qualified and available for work.

How much money should I save for maternity leave?

For two months of maternity leave, you would only need to save $4,000 rather than $7,000 if you do not receive any paid leave or disability benefits. C-sections may necessitate you taking at least two months of maternity leave.

How long does a company have to give you for maternity leave?

Maternity leave policies vary by country and state, as well as the industry in which the company operates.

For example, several organizations have various regulations regarding the amount of time an employee can take off after delivering birth. It’s possible that some employees will get more vacation days than others.

Two months before the due date is the standard notice period for pregnant employees, but this varies by employer and job type. If a pregnant woman needs extended time off from work, some employers demand just one month’s notice, while others want up to three months’ notice, depending on the stage of the business cycle.

It’s also worth noting that your employer has the right to hold it against you if you’re unable or unwilling to notify them in advance of your pregnancy.

When should I stop working when pregnant?

This is a difficult issue to answer because it depends on the circumstances. When it comes to assessing how long you can work while pregnant, there are certain basic parameters that many doctors use:

Ask yourself if flying with your baby is required at all times, and if so, whether or not it is safe for your child to do so. If that doesn’t work, try to locate a different route.

Consider whether or not certain tasks could harm you and/or your unborn kid. Lifting large objects, especially in the later stages of pregnancy, may pose a risk, but jogging up and down the stairs may not be as dangerous (but still avoid any strenuous activity).

As a result, you may want to adjust some of your daily routines in order to avoid certain activities that your doctor advises you to avoid at all costs.

Can I start maternity leave before the due date in Malaysia?

You can, in fact, take maternity leave before your due date. It’s possible, though, that your employer has some reservations about this and will withhold any cash for (number) weeks until the kid is due. It is imperative that you receive written confirmation that your compensation will not be reduced if you begin taking paid leave earlier than expected.

Does maternity leave include weekends in Malaysia?

In Malaysia, maternity leave can be taken for an extended period of time. Your company’s regulations may vary, however weekends are typically not included. In most cases, you won’t be allowed to claim maternity leave that includes weekends off unless you work for a government agency or are self-employed.

Keep in mind that revealing too much information about your personal reasons for why this is the case may not be suitable in a work environment where you’ve known each other for a long time.

Cultural traditions rather than legal requirements under Malaysian law are the driving force behind extending your paternity leave to include Saturdays and Sundays. As far as maternity leave is concerned, women in Singapore aren’t provided any at all.

Is maternity leave compulsory in Malaysia?

Malaysia does not require maternity leave. When a woman is on a menstrual leave, her employer must pay her 60% of her base income for six weeks and no more than one year.

There are no exceptions to this rule for pregnant women, who receive 100% of their regular wages during the 30-day paid confinement period following the birth of their child, unless the company requires them to work or she chooses to do so under special circumstances, such as a natural disaster or the threat to her life and health from firebombs.

If an employer gives fewer than three months’ notice before taking parental leave without good cause, the worker is entitled to up to a year’s income in compensation.

Can I resign during maternity leave in Malaysia?

In Malaysia, you have the right to resign from your job while on maternity leave. In order to allow your company to identify a suitable replacement for your role, this must be done before your six-month maternity leave begins.

No notice time is required if it is within four weeks before or after the birth of a child. Maternity leave workers must give two weeks’ notice if they plan to leave their jobs during the remaining days of their leave (if any).

Additional written notice can be given at the conclusion of your pregnancy and/or when you return to work after Maternity Leave, if necessary. Under Section 71(a) of the Pregnancy Disability Leave Act, an employer cannot force a female employee to resign while she is on maternity leave, but she has the right to do so.