What Can I Do To Earn Income

[babylove276]

I have not worked in twenty years. I was on ssdi after my son passed away but I tried going back to work recently and ended up quitting. I live with my sister who has a four year old I have been babysitting for over a year. My sister complained the entire time I worked that I should quit. Now that I quit she says she will start paying me two hundred a month for sitting. I hoped to earn more and I have to go through all the complaining every time I mention a job offer. I haven't had any luck in my field so the offers are usually lower wages. The only thing I can think is write an ebook for sale. What else can I do?

[Mamyalynne]

Are you skilled in any crafts?

You could fit them in around child minding and sell the products.

[Barsel]

What is ssdi?

[Buenchico]

^^^ SSDI is Social Security Disability Insurance, Barsel, which tells us that the questioner is in the USA. (This website is based in the UK, Babylove276, but we welcome questions from all around the world. There won't be that many people around to answer your question right now though, as it's 1.30am here).

Forget the eBook idea. To write anything of quality will take many hundreds of hours (or more) and you might end up only making $50 from it. Writing an eBook as a hobby would be a great idea but writing to make any real money from it is basically a non-starter.

Perhaps you could start by telling your sister what other people pay for child care in the USA and getting her to improve her offer?
https://www.cnbc.com/2021/05/19/what-parents-spend-annually-on-child-care-costs-in-2021.html

Some people (who're able to spot designer goods and who know a bargain when they see one) seem to make decent money by buying stuff from charity shops (or do you call them 'thrift shops'?) and then selling on eBay or other selling sites (such as Ruby Lane). Others make things and sell them on Etsy (or similar).

More traditionally, people have made (and continue to make) money from home-based services such as clothes ironing.

[Smowball]

Excellent advice from buenchico as usual x

[bobbinwales]

Be careful though that earning income won't reduce your ssdi. I don't know how it works I'm the US but you should check.
There must be jobs available in hospitality but maybe low paid but it may persuade your sister to increase her sitting pay

[barry1010]

Bob, "An SSDI recipient can qualify for benefits no matter how much money she has and, in many cases, no matter how much she earns."

[barry1010]

But it goes on to say " In order to qualify as "disabled," an SSDI applicant must show that he is almost completely unable to work at any job whatsoever. The applicant must have a physical or mental impairment that makes it impossible for him to engage in any "substantial gainful activity," and this impairment must be expected to last for longer than one year or to result in death. If an applicant is able to engage in substantial gainful activity, then he will typically not be eligible for SSDI. The Social Security Administration generally defines "substantial gainful activity" as being able to earn more than $1,260 a month (in 2020) from working. "

Contradictory, I think https://specialneedsanswers.com/the-basics-of-social-security-disability-insurance-ssdi-12852

[bednobs]

It seems rather muddled. If you haven't worked for 20 years your sister may well have changed her attitude since then! What is your field? You may well find your skills have become out of date in 20 years and that a period of updating might be required

[bobbinwales]

//I have not worked in twenty years... I tried going back to work recently and ended up quitting.//

It is a bit muddled bednobs but I read it she hasnt worked in a regular fulltime or permanent job for 20 years but did try a new job recently and quit very quick- maybe after a just a few days.

What sort of income are you looking to earn babylove ontop of your SSDI