Homeschool Mom Side Hustles: My Experience With Instacart, Reselling & Collaborations

Hi, I’m Lauren, a homeschooling mom of three. I love the flexibility that homeschooling offers, but let’s be honest: flexibility doesn’t pay the bills. Over time, I have experimented with different side hustles to support my family while still prioritizing my kids' education. In this blog, I want to share my honest experiences, what has worked for me, what hasn’t, and why I believe there are plenty of options out there for other homeschool moms, too.

Affiliate Marketing: The Dream That Didn’t Quite Fly

Affiliate marketing means promoting products and earning a commission when someone buys through your link. In my case, I chose products that were completely relevant to the homeschool niche. Despite this, conversions were very low. The links were good and on-target, but the audience just wasn't ready to buy in large numbers.

To succeed with affiliate marketing, you need an engaged audience that trusts your recommendations and is prepared to make a purchase. Building that type of community takes time, and without that foundation, it is hard to see significant income from affiliate links alone.

Reselling: Curriculum and Thrift Flips

I started reselling curriculum I no longer used or items I found at thrift stores and yard sales. I never had trouble with shipping or managing inventory, and it wasn’t more work than it was worth. The main reason I didn’t make much money was simply because I didn’t do it very often.

Reselling can be a great side hustle for homeschool moms who are willing to put in steady effort. There is real potential to earn by consistently finding good items, listing them, and actively marketing to other homeschoolers. However, like any business, it rewards consistency.

Gig Work: Instacart and Flexibility

Gig work offered me flexibility and fast cash. With Instacart, I have made around $60 in five hours on slow days and as much as $200 in five hours on great days. While the earnings are unpredictable, the ability to work around our homeschool schedule made it worthwhile.

To get the most out of Instacart, I focused on scheduling during high-demand times, stacking orders efficiently, and keeping essentials in my car to stay comfortable. Although it does require physical effort and adds miles to your car, Instacart allowed me to earn immediate income without being tied to a strict schedule.

Social Media Collaborations: My Best Hustle

This has been my most successful and reliable side hustle. Brands approach me for collaborations, AND I also pitch myself to brands directly and only accept paid collaborations. I no longer trade content for free products because I realized that this approach undervalues the effort, time, and creativity that go into creating high-quality content.

Now, I create a professional media kit, highlight my audience engagement, and show exactly how my content aligns with a brand’s mission. By focusing on paid partnerships only, I have been able to turn social media collaborations into a solid source of side income that continues to grow.

Digital Products and Consulting

Creating digital products, like printable planners, lesson plans, and educational worksheets, has great earning potential. For me, this has been similar to reselling: the opportunity is there, but I haven’t put in enough effort to make it successful yet. Platforms like Etsy and Teachers Pay Teachers are ideal for selling these resources, and social media is the perfect place to promote them.

Consulting is another option. Experienced homeschoolers can offer one-on-one guidance to new homeschooling parents. This could include helping them choose curriculum, design daily schedules, and answer common questions about getting started. Digital products and consulting can be fantastic sources of income if you are willing to dedicate time and stay consistent.

Other Side Hustle Ideas

Here are some other options that might fit well with homeschooling life:

• Private tutoring

• Freelance writing or virtual assistant work

• Pet sitting or dog walking

• Data entry or transcription

• Crafting or selling on Etsy (homeschool planners, family crafts)

• Homemade products like lotions, soaps, or candles

Finding What Works for You

The best place to start is by doing a self-assessment. Think about your strengths and interests. Do you love planning, designing, teaching, or writing? Once you know where your skills lie, decide how many hours you can realistically dedicate each week. It might be as little as five to ten hours.

Try combining different approaches. You might do a gig like Instacart, create a small digital product, and pitch one brand collaboration. Track your results closely. Which hustle brings in the most money for the least amount of time? Focus your energy on what performs best and scale it up as you learn.

Mindset and Daily Strategy

Consistency is key. It is important to treat your side hustle like a business. Create a routine, develop templates for pitches or listings, and stay organized. Join online communities of homeschool entrepreneurs to find support, share tips, and stay motivated. Small daily actions add up and lead to growth over time.

Conclusion

Homeschooling and earning an income can absolutely work together. Affiliate marketing requires a strong, engaged audience. Reselling and digital products need dedication and consistency. Gig work can provide fast money. Social media collaborations, when done professionally and for pay, have been my most reliable option so far.

Start by taking one small step today. Pitch to a brand, create your first printable, or sign up for Instacart. You don’t need to have everything figured out at once. Over time, you’ll discover what works best for you and your family.