Work at home

Yes that's why it couldn't be too much, you are allowed a certain amount which I would have to check.

Just a thought, but might extra income affect any of your/your husband's benefits?

Don't forget to look at your insurance if you start taking in people's pets.
I imagine you will need specific insurance as well as having to amend your buildings/contents insurance.

There you go! Good luck ☘️

Thanks everyone, some great ideas on here. I can't really work due to Emphysema but have lots of experience in the admin/accounts/management side of things so that could be worth considering. I also love animals so the small animal boarding might be worth it too. Thanks for your input x

Do you like dogs? There seems to be a market for dog sitting in your own home. Some dog owners prefer their pooches to go somewhere homely rather than to a big kennels, or so I'm told. Or perhaps offer to take in small caged animals - rabbits, guinea pigs etc - while their owners are on holiday, even goldfish. The old marketing maxim is 'know your customers, know what they want and then give it to 'em'. A bit like Mr Dyson finding out that his target market (people who do the cleaning) don't like the cords on their vacuum cleaners so.......well, you know the rest! Good luck, I hope you find something.

Have you any other skills you could offer? Can you do accounts? Use spreadsheets, proof-read? Write a best seller?

We sell on ebay. We buy items from auctions. I recently bought a collection of table lamps (2) and vases(4) made by a well regarded studio potter in Cornwall and sold them for twice the price on ebay.

However, what ever it is you decide to sell, you do need to know your product and that there is a market for it. We have always had an interest in vintage and old things and have learnt to know our products and markets. It is not a certain form of income. I generally expect to sell for twice my buying price, but somethings have bombed, not sold and ended up in a charity shop, others have flown and done really well.

Is there any way you can go out to work for one shift a week in a pub, cafe, nursing home? Could anyone in the family look after your DH or could he be left for 5-6 hours? It would give you an income and company and get you out ?

The trouble is lots of stores now offer personalised products that were a niche market for homecrafters.

Also the rules on testing for thinks like toys and clothing is totally onerous and on top of that you need insurance cover.

Add to that the whole crafting market is saturated .

I think the first thing you need to do is research. Look at what’s trending, at what price point. Never be afraid to charge what something is worth - a premium product will always have a premium price. There is always someone selling cheap , but you’re not competing with them.

I can’t offer you any guidance on what to focus on , that will depend on where you live, how you want to sell and to whom.

Good luck !

Have a look at the website Not on the High Street. This would be a better platform for you and you will see the variety of ideas

Have a look at the website Not on the High Street. This would be a better platform for you and you will see the variety of ideas

A family member does bespoke handcrafts, anything that can be handmade such as cushions, bags, baby blankets etc. She has quite a little business going.

Thanks Missfoodlove, yes I receive carer's allowance, good idea about specialising, there's so much competition.

Have you made sure you are getting attendance allowance/carers allowance?
Online selling is becoming much harder.
Ideally you need to specialise in something for example stamps,coins, vintage clothing.