When I first decided to become a stay-at-home mum, I knew it would take more than just good intentions to make it work financially. The desire to raise my children full-time was strong, but the realities of living on a reduced income meant I had to get creative, resourceful, and above all—patient.

*This was the house we built in Normanville. We were lucky enough to secure 1990’s prices on a block of land to build on, which was one of the catalysts that led to our journey on the road.*

Extending the Pay-Out
The first step in making this transition easier was extending the payout from my previous business over two years. This gave us breathing room and allowed our family to gradually adjust to living on one income. It wasn’t a long-term solution, but it bought me time to figure out what came next.

Buying Smart
In a stroke of luck—and timing—we bought a block of land in Normanville for $47,000, which felt like 1980s prices. Building a house on it became our next big project, and by carefully managing the process, we were able to create our dream home without overextending ourselves financially. Life was good. We moved into our Normanville house with our daughter Hannah, who was 2.5 years old at the time.

snuggles with baby Maddie was extra special and although I have a lot of fond memories of her as a baby, the truth is, there is also a lot of trauma associated with this time in our lives, and often the memories are bitter sweet.

A Diagnosis that Changed Everything

Our daughter Madelyn was born in 2017, and when she was 7 weeks old and just as we were settling in, life threw us a curveball. We received a grim prognosis and our lives completely spiralled. Thankfully, by the grace of God, the horrible prognosis did not come to pass, however the experience altered our path dramatically. We realised how fragile and unpredictable life could be.

In response, we sold our home, choosing to rent while we found our footing.Later that year, we purchased a fixer-upper in North Plympton, South Australia. I was 8 weeks pregnant and experiencing the worst of morning sickness when we moved in. Due to the complications from my daughter’s diagnosis, the pregnancy was classified as high risk. Between regular monitoring and raising two little girls, we began renovations—a chaotic mix of excitement, exhaustion, and determination.

We had our work cut out for us. For the record, steaming wall paper off walls, it is absolutely as horrible as you would imagine it to be

Renovating During a Pandemic

This is our (almost) finished covid project. It is a real cute, rustic tiny house and has brought us consistent income, which has helped me remain a SAHM. We have been very picky with the tenants, due to this little house being in our backyard.

Renovating with young children is never easy, but COVID-19 brought unexpected obstacles. The banks froze lending, preventing us from borrowing the funds needed to complete the house. Left in limbo, we pivoted to what we could manage.

There was an old corrugated shed on the property, and instead of letting it go to waste, we began a shed conversion project, transforming it into a one-bedroom granny flat. It was a smaller, more affordable project, and completing it gave us a sense of progress when everything else felt uncertain.

That shed became more than just a project—it became an income stream.

Once finished, it provided us with passive income, helping to stabilise our finances during a time when we couldn’t move forward with the house.

*I actually learnt so much about myself and my abilities through this project, it was very empowering… I think my husband was even surprised with my motivation to help and learn new skills.*

Finishing the House and Hosting International Students

*Our students adored our kids, having them stay with us was such a blessing to our family.*

Eventually, we were able to source enough funds to finish the house. With our renovations complete, I still had the drive to contribute financially while staying at home with the kids. That’s when we decided to host international students through a homestay program. Over 18 months, we earned approximately $60,000 in a tax-exempt allowance.

This experience enriched our lives in ways we hadn’t expected. Our children were exposed to different cultures, and we built connections with students from around the world—all from the comfort of our home.

The Birth of 'How So Stay at Home Mum’

Through all of these experiences, I realised I wasn’t alone. Many mums want to stay home with their children but feel trapped by financial constraints. I started How So Stay at Home Mum as a way to share ideas, encouragement, and resources with other mums looking to find creative ways to generate income while prioritising family.

From up-cycling furniture to hosting international students, I’ve explored countless ways to make money from home. There was a season when I was excited to upcycle furniture to sell. Although it didn’t take off as I had hoped, the investment was minimal—just my time and some supplies from Bunnings. Despite the limited financial return, I had fun in the process and created some cool things for my kids, like a guinea pig hutch.

*This was Hannahs 7ths birthday present, with 3 little pet guinea pigs to go with it of course*

Following that, I entered a downsizing phase, selling items on Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree, making about $5K. This period not only helped financially but also improved my mental health. Less clutter meant I felt less overwhelmed, and it marked the start of my minimalist journey—one inspired by several books I will gladly recommend to anyone interested.

This journey, while financially beneficial, also allowed me to engage more deeply with my family and community. I volunteered on the governing council at kindy, helped with Mother’s Day stalls, and participated in school excursions. It was exactly the kind of involvement I had always dreamed of as a stay-at-home mum. In todays day and age, no matter what you are interested in or skilled at, there are so many possibilities if you’re willing to think outside the box.

*Miss Hannah and I a few years ago. Spending quality time together*

Final Thoughts

My journey to becoming a stay-at-home mum has been anything but traditional, but every twist and turn has shaped the life we have today. I hope my story inspires other mums to pursue their own paths, knowing that with creativity and resilience, it’s possible to create a fulfilling, family-centered life while still contributing financially.

If you’re curious about different ways to earn or want to connect with like-minded mums, I’d love to welcome you to our community at How So Stay at Home Mum.