“The most noble profession.”
I liked the sounds of that.
It was what my hematologist called my job when I told her I was a stay-at-home mother.
It’s not often that the role of “Mama” elicits such an honorable response, especially from someone whose profession requires years of education, credentials and expertise; but I’m grateful that God has given me the opportunity to raise my son. In an hour where it is nearly impossible for so many to make ends meet on a single income that should be considered a tremendous blessing.
I have to admit that while I love and appreciate the incredible fulfilled dream of being a stay-at-home Mama, there are times that I do yearn for a little “extra” to fluff the nest, or spiff up my guys… or maybe even to buy something for myself that didn’t come off a Goodwill rack.
I suppose a lot of women march up to their husbands and make them cough it up, but… I don’t like to be that kind of burden to Mark. He’s always pretty good about giving me a little something if he can, but he has a lot of financial responsibility to consider. The man is the salt of the earth. He would give with all of his heart and sell the shirt off his back to do it, but I don’t want my little “extras” to be an added financial obligation to the long list he already has.
I refuse to be the wife that squeezes the last cent out of my husband’s pockets, or inadvertently makes him feel like he isn’t providing well-enough because I want to spend everything I can get my hands on.
For some wives, maybe that’s all they feel like they can do, because as a stay-at-home wife… it can feel like your hands are tied. You can’t get an outside job because you have a home and family to take care of… because childcare would cost as much as you’d make if you got one… because someone else would be raising your child…
So they’re kind of stuck.
Where do I get money, unless I get it from my husband?
That’s a good question.
*crickets*
Before we were married a preacher told us that it’s ok for the wife to make money, as long as meeting the primary needs is not hinging on her. There is wisdom in that advice for a variety of reasons. The woman was not intended to bear that load in addition to the responsibility of the home and the option of laying it down needs to be available if things are getting neglected or the load becomes too heavy. Her income is meant to be a “fluffy” income.
Aka: Income that makes things more “comfortable” but isn’t a necessity.
Actually, there’s a pretty good example of this depicted in the Proverbs 31 woman.
Now listen… there’s a complete internet sub-culture dedicated to the Proverbs 31 woman that will contradict what I am about to tell you. They’ll try to convince you that YOU are NOT supposed to get a dime anywhere besides your husband. I can tell you exactly what will happen. You’ll become listless and depressed and read Amish romance novels all day while Bob & Larry babysit your kids on the tablet, because you are stifled, suffocated and broke… dead stinkin’ broke and it’s sad because that “foundation” is completely and utterly unscriptural.
If you haven’t read Proverbs 31 in awhile, do yourself a huge favor and go read it!
The woman is a WORK HORSE!
And by work horse… I mean…. The lady ain’t got time for romance novels.
Shoo.
She’s an entrepreneur!
Which by the way means….
She makes money. 
In fact… her financial savvy is mentioned multiple times.
I know… you’re shocked…
It’s like a News Flash from 970 B.C.
Biblical women work their rear ends off… and make money too.
How awesome is that?
And there’s a super neat principle laid out by her example.
Look at what she provides with her income.
“She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.” (Proverbs 31:20-22)
She helps the poor, dresses her family well… and most commentaries agree that those “coverings of tapestry” are cushions for her house.
The Proverbs are known to be a book of wisdom, and I think when it comes to household finances they set the prime example here. Her income is not a main source of provision that overshadows, replaces, or matches the husband’s. He’s the big breadwinner meeting the needs of the family… She’s not taking away from her husband, she’s not neglecting the home… she’s making money within the appropriate parameters of her biblical role, and using it to help others, make her house cozy and dress her family well.
Isn’t that fascinating?
It’s your husband’s job to provide for your human needs for existence. It’s yours to provide an atmosphere of comfort.
Her income is to augment areas that are not necessarily his immediate responsibility, or at the forefront of his mind.
It kind of blows you away, because it’s instinctive for us, isn’t it? Husband got the house… now she makes it pretty. He meets the needs, she makes it special.
That’s pretty sweet.
For the past several months I’ve been looking for ways to emulate her example so I don’t have to pester Mark if I want to spruce up the living room, or get a special gift for someone just because, or get him an outfit he’d never spend his own money on. I’ve asked the Lord to lead me and He has!
I really debated sharing my little secret because *once upon a time* I found me a lucrative money-maker and… being the nice person that I am… told some friends… they swooped all over ol’ Bessy the cash cow like a flock of vultures and consumed every fiber of meat until all that was left was bare bones. My generous info-release marked the end of that venture and I had to go a-hunting for new cash flow to fill my piggy bank.
Les. son. learned.
Except this time. This time I really feel like sharing it because I know there are some Mamas whose hands are tied and could really use something like this.
Well… also because this time it won’t affect me. 
BOOM!
I found a creative little option for extra cash by working for a company called Leapforce.
This is a legitimate JOB. It’s not filling out surveys for pennies or writing articles for peanuts. You don’t have to find 3 people to sign up under you, or shove a lame product down people’s throats. It’s a job with an hourly wage… you just get to do it from home.
It’s beautiful and perfect for my Mama friends.
My schedule is completely flexible, I make $13.50/hour, and to summarize my job description, I evaluate search engine results. Sounds pretty simple, right? It is, and it isn’t. The work is very “conceptual”. It’s not for everyone. You have to be at least a slightly analytical person. The work is mind-numbingly boring 95% of the time and mind-boggling complex 85% of the time. Employees communicate with each other in chat, and you get to know people who tend to work the same “shifts” as you, just like you do with co-workers in an office.
There are a few basic requirements:
- You must have high speed internet
- You must have a smart phone
- You must agree to work a minimum number of hours per week
- You are responsible for filing your own taxes as a 1099 contractor
They prefer you to have a college degree and some level of legitimate work experience. Like most places of employment that requires some degree of moderate intelligence. There is a lengthy application process, you’ll submit a resume, study a large amount of material (Round one alone was 120 pages!) and take a pretty heavy exam to qualify. I’m not gonna lie. The process IS daunting, overwhelming, and you will find yourself wondering why on earth you attempted it, but have some patience and pray for the Lord’s help and you’ll get there. You will wonder all along if you’re being sucked into a gimmick and I assure you, you’re not. Trust me… I would NOT promote a gimmick… that’s a major pet peeve of mine.
After you’re accepted, you will be limited to one hour of work a day during a proving time. In order to get more hours you will have to wait for your work to be reviewed, or do scads of simulations to prove you are capable of more tasks. For about two weeks you will spend a very large amount of time fulfilling this process, meeting requirements, and training, and you won’t be paid for any of that. It’s just kind of the price you pay to get where you’re going.
There is a steep learning curve, seriously, but eventually you get the hang of the process and what is expected of you. It’s a lot like any other job, only, you don’t have to sacrifice your home, or raising your children for it.
It fits perfectly into my schedule. Most days I get the household chores out of the way first, and then, while Zane is taking a nap or peacefully playing with his toys I can slip into the office and get a couple hours in. If he’s fussy or needs me, I simply pause my work and go back to it when I can. No pressure.
So… if you’re interested, you should use this link when signing up!
https://www.leapforceathome.com/qrp/public/jobs/list?uref=4c2496f9bd1255d95f8f2d726efcfa9f
If you’re hired, I’ll *eventually* get a referral bonus! (But don’t worry… referrals are not necessary to earn money, They’re just a little perk…. )
Best of luck to you Mama! I hope it’s the opportunity you’ve been praying for!
