Nice little side job

[Dinghy]

I've seen it mentioned different times where people are looking for something to do to earn a little extra money. I've stumbled onto a nice little part time job that could be turned into a full time one if I wanted. I started cleaning house for our old doctor's wife a few years ago when I was laid off. I know their daughter pretty well, and just did it as a favor to her. I ended up staying with it after I got called back to work because I felt too bad quitting when I knew she really needed the help. I only go one day a week for about two hours, so it wasn't hard to do and still work full time. I only have to dust, run the sweeper, and clean the bathroom. Well the other day my neighbor asked me if I'd help her a little before she gets some company since I'm laid off again. I went over today and the woman was in tears as she thanked me for coming, and she gave me a big hug. Her son has been telling her that she can't keep up with the house any more and it's really upsetting her. They have always been very proud, independent people. They're both in their 80's and you'd never know it, but it is starting to get hard for them. Any way, as we were talking she told me how many people are looking for somebody to clean for them. She mentioned how many women in town do it full time and are booked solid. She couldn't find anybody that had time to help her! I would never have thought that many people could afford to have somebody come in. So it looks like I'll be working for her too!! I don't mind because I've know her for years and I'm pretty comfortable with her.
I thought with so many people trying to homestead that this could be a way for them to earn a little money, but not be tied to a full time job. Even living in the boonies there would probably be an elderly family close by that could use some help. I have been wanting to do something to earn a little extra money, but I would never have thought of this. I have chronic fatigue and really didn't think I could handle a part time job. I knew I didn't want to work in a store again, and around here that's about all there is. This works out great because I can make my own hours, and if I don't feel good I can go a different day. I have been getting paid $10 an hour and that's not bad for such easy work. I only make a little more than that for doing back breaking work in a factory!
I just thought it was worth mentioning, maybe there is somebody else who wouldn't have thought of doing this either.

 

[juco]

I just thought it was worth mentioning, maybe there is somebody else who wouldn't have thought of doing this either.

Certianly it's worth mentioning! and as a matter of fact, I've been thinking a lot about this very thing. We could desperately use the extra money right now, but since we homeschool and farm, it's difficult to stick to a schedule made by some one else.

I was thinking that house cleaning would be just the ticket. I don't mind the work. How would you go about getting a client base? Advertising? Print flyers maybe?

Do you take your own cleaning supplies or use theirs?

 

[Dinghy]

I use their cleaning supplies. That's just the way it worked out. I don't know if people that do it for a living take their own or not. If I wanted more jobs I wouldn't even have to advertise. The first woman I cleaned for has two sisters who have casually mentioned they'd like to have me clean for them. I don't know how serious they are. I didn't pursue it because I already have a full time job. I've had a few other women who saw me cleaning say the same thing. Word of mouth seems to work good. If the people you work for are happy, they tell their friends and relatives and it just spreads from there. That way they know what kind of work you do and if you're trustworthy. These elderly women are afraid to have stangers come in their house, so it really helps if someone they know recommends you. You could advertise in the paper too. If there is such a shortage of available people, I'm sure you would get some calls. It's a nice way to meet people too. I really enjoy talking to these elderly women. They tell some really interesting stories from "the old days". And they love the company too. Sometimes I spend as much time talking as I do cleaning. It's a nice job if the women you work for aren't real picky. Some want the nap of the carpet to run the same way with no foot prints and stuff like that. I couldn't handle somebody that was that obsessive!

 

[Pepper]

Dinghy, I have been tossing this same idea around in my head. I would like to make my own personal spending money. (for my preps ). DH does help me prep, but he does not take it as seriously as I do. So, when I spend money on preps I have to answer all kinds of questions, as to why, etc....grrrr.

Reading your thread gave me the nudge I needed to get started. Thanks for telling how much you charge an hour. I just didn't know what was the going rate for this type of work.

Also, who ever might want my services are going to have to be willing to supply me with their own cleaning aids. Dang if I would wish to spend my hard earn money on cleaning supplies....lol

Thanks for the tip.

Pepper

 

[Dinghy]

Hi Pepper, I don't know what the actual going rate around here is for cleaning people. $10 is what I was offered, and since it was close to what I make at the plant, I figured that was close enough. I think these women probably asked around to see what other people were paying, so it's probably close to what everybody else gets. I would try not to have to use my own supplies if I were you. If they insist then you would have to charge more to include those prices. That stuff isn't cheap! The main place I clean uses the cedar scent Pledge polish. I love it and went to buy some for myself, until I saw that it cost $3.99! Then add in the glass cleaner and toilet cleaner and kitchen and bath disinfecting cleaner, and you're looking at big bucks!
I consider this extra money and use it mostly for preps too. Or for things to fix up the house. Once in awhile I'll splurge and by myself new socks or something, LOL! It's nice to have "your own money".

 

[ChainedLightning]

I was working at a client's house when their cleaning lady was there - she spends about three hours cleaning a house that's probably around 3,000 square feet (cleans four bathrooms, dusts, vacuums, mops, windex, etc). She gets $90.00 to do this every other week. And, she is booked up and can't take on any new houses.

She uses their cleaning supplies with one exception - she brings her own swiffer wet jet to mop with.

 

[Dinghy]

Wow, that's good money! At the main one I do I have to sweep 5 regular rooms, 3 small rooms, dust 3, clean 2 bathrooms, and what ever else I see that needs done, like wipe off the kitchen cupboards if something dripped down them. I usually spend about 2 hours, sometimes less, sometimes more, and get $25. She pays me the same every week because she knows sometimes I don't feel up to doing more than the bare minimum, and other days I go like lightening and get a lot done. So it evens out in the long run. That way I don't feel so guilty if we spend time talking either. If I've talked I just stay longer until all the work is done. If she paid me by the hour, I would feel more restricted. If I purposely stay longer to do something extra, like scrub the porch or some bigger job, she'll pay me extra.
I wish I could afford to have somebody come and clean my house!! My kids teased me when I started doing this. They asked how I could clean for somebody else when I couldn't keep our house clean. I said that I lived with the 3 Little Pigs, and they were only two old people who didn't make messes!!

 

[booger]

I did that a few years ago when we lived in a rural town. I started by hanging a flier (or is it flyer? My brain's already shut down for the night.) in a local gas station. Just one. Before very long, word got around and I had more than I could handle. That also got a lot of extra side-work for DH, doing lawns and handyman things. The only down side was that most of our clients were elderly and usually very lonely--led to a lot, lot, lot of talking with them so that it would take 4 hours to get a 1-hour job done. I eventually gave up the cleaning biz because of that.

I've been thinking about doing it again but don't know how to work around the talking thing. Any ideas?? I'd love to bring in some money again but don't have the time to spare just to keep someone company.

By the way, I used my own cleaning supplies. I jsut found it easier to use what I knew rather than whatever someone happened to have around. Often times, they'd be out of cleaning supplies. Doesn't cost much to buy your own supplies if you make your own and keep it simple.

 

[Caplock50]

I'm disabled and could use a little help around the house. Know of anybody in the Texarkana area of Texas would be willing to take me on? I won't be able to pay much; fixed income and all.

Dinghy, see? It *was* worth mentioning. Already drummed up some business for somebody.

 

[Dinghy]

I'm disabled and could use a little help around the house. Know of anybody in the Texarkana area of Texas would be willing to take me on? I won't be able to pay much; fixed income and all.

Dinghy, see? It *was* worth mentioning. Already drummed up some business for somebody.

Glad to see somebody thinking about it! Maybe you could barter something for the help? Some people would be willing to take less money if it's cash under the table that they don't have to report.
Booger, I haven't found a good way to avoid the talking yet. If they just follow me around as I work that's not too bad. If I have to stop what I'm doing, then I get a little nervous. I have to be done in time to get home and get a quick supper fixed for the family and get ready to go to work. I leave my house at 3:15 and hate to feel rushed.

 

[Flagwaver]

Dinghy, you sound like you have a golden heart.

The going rate depends on where you live in the country. In some places you can make real good money.

The good thing is you can always drop any job where someone acts "off".

I heard Dr. Laura tell someone once that if a housekeeper accidentally breaks something, let it go. Don't make an issue of it. That's the kind of person you want. Someone who treats you with respect and knows we're all human.

I'd be careful to always know who's home when you're working though. Make sure the wife is there.

I like using my own supplies because I can pick the ones that work the best for me, make the job easier and don't aggravate my allergies.

Another good job is watching people's animals when they're gone on trips. In my area the going rate is $12 per visit, usually 3 visits per day. If you're good with animals and love walking outdoors, this is a good job I think. You visit the owner and dog first to get well acquainted before you take on any animal. If it were me, I'd avoid any dog that is psychotic.

 

[Dinghy]

Hi Flagwaver,
I don't know how golden the heart is, but I do have a real soft spot for most old people. I worked in a grocery store deli/bakery 10 years ago and used to make a big fuss over the old people, they were so friendly. The other women didn't pay much attention to them. I still run into one of the guys once in awhile and he always gives me a big hug and asks how I'm doing. That's the only thing I miss about working there.
I'm always being told not to worry about breaking something. My hands are lousy because of damage from all the repetative(sp?) motion at work. I'm scared to death of dropping glass decorations or knocking the crystals off the lights. I had to take the glass doors out of the kitchen cupboards last week because they were really dusty. They sit in a track over my head, and they're heavy antique things. I did them when "The Mrs." was out of the house. I figured that way if I dropped one and broke it I could leave a note and skip town before she ever knew what happened! I told her that the next time I saw her and she laughed and told me to quit worrying so much! She said she's always hated those doors any way!
You're right about knowing who's home. I don't have a problem with that thank goodness. The husband had a stroke and can't get out of his chair. He has 24 hour care givers, so I'm never alone in the house. Something else to think about is, if you're left in the house alone, you would probably get blamed for anything that they thought was missing. Old people mis-place things a lot, and that can cause problems.

 

[Flagwaver]

Alright, a brief sidetrack. I hope you don't mind, but you brought some good stuff to mind.

Appreciating older people - me too, Dinghy! Many of them are such treasure troves of wisdom and experience. I'm like you. I want to be around them for many reasons and the sad thing is that the longer I live, there will be fewer and fewer of them. In a way doing work for such people is a blessing.

I laughed thinking about the woman's comment to you "not to worry so much" if something gets damaged. That's funny. We all have things in our homes we wish someone would break so we could finally "let it go" right?

Well, I do. No! Not that!

 

[Dinghy]

Hi Flagwaver,
You're right about the old people being treasure troves. I love listening to them. My neighbor has lived here all her life and she's told me the history of our house and neighborhood. I would never have heard it all if it wasn't for her. I love hearing how they used to do things too. If only they could remember all of it!
I have a few things I wouldn't mind if somebody broke. It would give me a reason to replace them! Only those are never the things that do get broken!!