Tuesday, November 18, 2025

Ask Crystal: How Can I Start Working From Home a Few Hours a Week With My Skills? and more...

Throughout the year, I’m regularly answering questions on money and/or budgeting. If you have a question you’d love for me to answer in an upcoming post, please submit it here. This week's question is: “I’ve been looking into part time work that ...
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Intentional finance. Intentional family. Intentional business.
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Ask Crystal: How Can I Start Working From Home a Few Hours a Week With My Skills?

Throughout the year, I’m regularly answering questions on money and/or budgeting. If you have a question you’d love for me to answer in an upcoming post, please submit it here.

This week’s question is:

“I’ve been looking into part time work that I could do from home as supplemental income for our family. My husband and I both work full time, we have two kids (one that has special needs), and we’re trying to get out of debt. I would love to find something I could do from home a few hours a week to help with this. I love to read, and have skills in proofreading and editing, so if I could find something along these lines, that would be great. I’ve done some research, and, honestly, it’s hard to know where to begin looking. I want to make sure to go with something that is legitimate, but am struggling to find the right thing. I just wondered if you have any insight on this?” -Carey M.

Yes, You Can Start Earning Money from Home!

I’m so glad you reached out, Carey! First, I just want to say I totally understand where you’re coming from. So many moms find themselves exactly where you are: juggling multiple responsibilities, wanting to make a little extra money from home, and unsure where to begin.

The good news? You absolutely can find something flexible, fulfilling, and legitimate to allow you to work from home. And, based on what you shared, you’re already more qualified than you think!

Let’s break this down a bit.

Crystal Paine at her desk with an open laptop as she smiles looking off to the side.

You Don’t Need to Have it All Figured Out — Just Start!

It’s completely normal to feel unsure at the beginning when you are figuring out how to work from home. There are so many options, and it’s hard to know what’s legit. But, if you can give yourself permission to start small and take one step at a time, you’ll begin to see doors open.

You mentioned that you enjoy reading and have proofreading and editing skills. That’s a fantastic foundation! There are entire industries that rely on people with an eye for detail and a love for language:

  • Freelance proofreading and editing
  • Transcription
  • Virtual assistant work (which often includes content or email proofreading)
  • Blog or social media content reviewing

All of these are roles you can do from home and scale up (or down) depending on your availability.

Woman holding a black coffee mug with bold white text that says “GET AFTER IT.”

Start with What You Can Do (Not What You “Should” Know)

You (or someone else who’s reading this) might be thinking: I don’t have formal training. Who would hire me? But here’s the thing: Many work-from-home opportunities don’t require a fancy resume.

They require people who are:

  • Reliable
  • Communicative
  • Organized
  • Willing to learn

That sounds like you, right?

So many women disqualify themselves before they even begin. But the skills you’ve used to raise a child with special needs, to manage a household, and to work full-time are all marketable skills. They show you’re responsible and attentive to detail, and that you can handle pressure. Employers love that!

Woman sitting on a bed working from home on her laptop.

Be Strategic With Your Time

Because your time is so limited, focus on earning money from home options that are flexible and don’t require a major time commitment upfront. Some ideas to explore:

  • Join freelance platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, or ProofreadingServices.com to offer your editing skills
  • Reach out to bloggers or small businesses who may need part-time editing or proofreading help
  • Look for transcription work from companies like Rev, Scribie, or TranscribeMe
  • Consider starting a side hustle proofreading self-published authors or online course creators (there’s a growing need here!)

You don’t have to commit to 20 hours a week. Even just 3–5 hours can help move the needle forward financially.

Promotional graphic for a free online workshop with bold text reading “FREE WORKSHOP!” followed by “Yes, you can earn from home!” and “How to start – without a degree, experience, or a huge following.” A button at the bottom says “Click here to sign up.”

Want Help Starting to Work from Home?

If you’ve been dreaming about earning an income from home — but aren’t sure where to begin — I’d love to invite you to watch my FREE Workshop: Yes, You Can Earn From Home.

In this 60-minute workshop, I’ll walk you through:

✔ The truth about working from home (and what most people get wrong)
✔ 3 myths that keep so many women stuck — and the truth that can set you free
✔ Why you don’t need a fancy resume or business background
✔ The three most practical paths to earning money from home and how to choose the one that fits your life
✔ Real-life examples from women who’ve started small and seen big results
✔ The biggest mistakes to avoid when you’re just getting started
✔ Practical next steps you can take this week to start moving toward your goals

I’ll also share a new program I’ve created for women who want even more step-by-step support. You’ll walk away encouraged, equipped, and ready to take your first steps toward working from home — without feeling overwhelmed or wondering if it’s even possible.

Honestly? This is everything I wish someone had told me before I started my work-from-home journey years ago.

Click here to join the FREE workshop!

FREE WORKSHOP

Yes, You Can Earn From Home

Wondering how to start working from home with skills you already have — even just a few hours a week?

Have you started to earn money from home? We’d love to hear about your experience in the comments!

   
 

How to Use ShopBack to Give Your Holiday Shopping a Cashback Boost

The holiday season is upon us, and between prepping gift lists, planning for big‑sales like Black Friday and Cyber Monday, and managing family budgets, every extra penny back counts. That’s where ShopBack comes in.

This year, you can make your savings go even further with ShopBack’s Black Friday Cyber Monday (BFCM) Cashback promotion, running November 18 – December 5. Whether you’re shopping for toys, household items, groceries, or even travel, ShopBack can help you earn money back on what you already planned to buy.

But if you’re completely new to ShopBack, don’t worry. I’ve been testing out this platform and learning more about how it can help with my holiday spending this year. In this in‑depth review, I’ll cover how ShopBack works, how to get started step‑by‑step, how much you could earn, whether it’s legit, and other tips like how you request a payout.

So What is ShopBack Exactly?

In short: ShopBack is a cashback platform (website + app) that partners with thousands of online (and in some markets, offline) retailers. When you click from ShopBack to a retailer and make a purchase, ShopBack receives a commission from that merchant, and passes a portion of it back to you in the form of cashback.

Some key points:

  • ShopBack works with over 20,000 stores worldwide.
  • The concept is simple: shop what you were already planning to buy, but go through ShopBack so you earn money back.
  • According to reviews, quite a few “regular shoppers” find that every little bit — even 1‑3%, plus bigger percentages during sale events — adds up quickly.

How ShopBack Works: Step by Step

Here’s how you, as a savvy shopper (especially if you’re budgeting for a family, like many readers here), can integrate ShopBack into your routine.

1. Sign up for free.

Visit ShopBack here to sign up.

2. Browse or search for your favorite store via ShopBack.

Using the website or app, find the retailer you want by name or category (for example, electronics, clothing, or travel). Click through the “Shop Now” or “Get Cashback” button.

3. Complete your purchase as usual.

Once you click through to the retailer from ShopBack, make your purchase: add items to cart, checkout, etc. The important step is to click through from ShopBack so that the purchase is tracked. You can also download the free ShopBack Google Chrome extension, which makes it easier to activate the cash-back offer with partner retailers.

4. Track the cashback status.

After purchase, you’ll often see the transaction marked as “pending” until the retailer confirms it (returns, cancellations, etc. can delay things). Then it will move to “confirmed” and you’ll be able to withdraw.

5. Request a payout (or use the cashback).

Once the cashback is confirmed, you can usually withdraw the cash to your bank account, PayPal, or similar payout methods. Or you may choose to use it for future purchases.

Bonus ways to earn more.

  • Use ShopBack during big sale events (like the Black Friday and Cyber Monday promotion) to stack discounts and cashback
  • Use the browser extension (if available) or mobile app to make sure you don’t miss cash-back opportunities.
  • Consider referring friends. ShopBack rewards you when a friend signs up and makes a purchase through a partner retailer.

How Much Can You Earn with ShopBack?

Now, you’re probably not going to retire off your cashback (ha!), but you can earn a nice little chunk of change back on purchases you were planning to make anyway. Of course, it depends on how much you shop, where, when, and how big the cashback rates are. The cash‑back percentages vary by retailer and by the size of your purchase. Some everyday purchases might only give 1‑4% back; during special promotions you might see 10% or more.

Let’s say you spend $200 on holiday gifts, and you shop through a store that’s offering 10% cashback. That’s $20 back in your pocket! Add in a few grocery orders through Instacart, maybe a pair of shoes from Nike or something fun from Amazon during a flash sale, and suddenly you’re looking at $50–$75 in cashback, just from shopping smart. And that’s money you can use toward groceries, gas, or just to give yourself a little breathing room.

Another thing I really like about ShopBack is that you don’t have to jump through a ton of hoops. No scanning receipts or chasing down offers. You just click through their site or app before you shop, and it tracks automatically. Once the retailer confirms your purchase, your cashback will move from pending to available, and then you can cash it out via PayPal, bank transfer, or however it works best for your setup.

Payouts & How to Get Your Money

This part’s super easy, and honestly, it’s the most satisfying part, right? Once your cashback is confirmed and ready, you can cash out straight to your bank account or PayPal.

ShopBack will show your earnings right in your account, and once you reach the payout minimum (this can vary depending on your location, but it’s usually around $10 or so), you can hit withdraw and send the money to your preferred method. I like to let mine build up a little and then cash out right before the holidays for a little extra wiggle room in my budget. It feels like a reward for being intentional with my shopping!

Just make sure your payment info is set up ahead of time so you’re not scrambling when it’s time to transfer your earnings. And, if anything doesn’t match what you expect, their support team is responsive and helpful.

Is ShopBack Legit?

I get it. Anytime you hear about a cashback app promising to give you money just for shopping, your guard naturally goes up. Mine did, too. But after testing it out and doing some research, I can confidently say: yes, ShopBack is 100% legit.

It’s been around for years and is used by millions of shoppers worldwide. They partner directly with well-known retailers like Walmart, Amazon, Best Buy, and Macy’s, and when you shop through their links, the store pays ShopBack a commission. Then, ShopBack turns around and gives a portion of that commission back to you as cashback. That’s how it works. No catch. No sketchy business.

Now, just like with any cashback program, things can take a little time. Your cashback might not show up right away because the store needs to confirm your purchase. And if you return something or cancel an order, that cashback can disappear. But if you follow the steps mentioned in this article and stick to what you were already planning to buy, you’ll find yourself saving money.

Black Friday & Cyber Monday: What to Watch

Okay, let’s talk about the real excitement: ShopBack’s Black Friday/Cyber Monday (BF/CM) promotion. This is hands-down their biggest cashback event of the year, and it’s packed with amazing deals across some of the top brands we all know and love.

The promotion runs November 18 through December 5, and during that time, ShopBack is rolling out both full-day deals and flash sales with extra high cashback rates. One you absolutely don’t want to miss? The 1-hour Amazon Flash Sale on November 28 (Black Friday) from 4PM–5PM PT where you can earn 50% cashback (capped at $15) during that window. Yep, you read that right…50%! It’s limited to one order per user and only valid during this time, so it’s worth setting a reminder for.

Beyond that, you’ll see 10% cashback at Best Buy, Walmart, eBay, and Home Depot, up to 50% at Temu and 15% at places like Macy’s and ULTA Beauty. There are also special flash deals for DoorDash, Uber Eats, Sam’s Club, and more sprinkled throughout the weekend and on Cyber Monday.

Here’s what I recommend: take a few minutes now to make a shopping list. Then, when the sale hits, use ShopBack to click through to those retailers and snag the best deals. That way, you’re not just scoring holiday savings. You’re earning money back on top of it.

Shop Smart, Save Big, and Get Paid for It

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: if you’re already shopping online, especially during the holidays, you might as well earn a little money back while you do it. ShopBack makes that super simple, and I love that it works with stores I already use and trust.

Is it life-changing money? Probably not. But it’s real money that you can use toward your family’s needs, add to your savings, or just tuck away for a rainy day. And with all the amazing Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals coming up, now is truly the best time to give ShopBack a try.

Ready to start earning cashback on your holiday shopping? Sign up with my affiliate link here.

   
 
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