College Application Guidance

• For parents, the process of helping their children apply for colleges can be overwhelming. If you have a teaching background or if you have gone through the admissions process yourself, start a business as a college application counselor. Advertise your services to parents at local high schools and talk to guidance counselors to find customers. As part of your service, keep track of application deadlines, help with essays, and make sure your students have everything in order.
  
  

Freelance Writing

• If your free time varies, you can make extra money as a freelance writer. Depending on your interests and skills, choose from a number of outlets. Build a blog about a topic you love and post regularly; once you have built a readership, add advertisements or promote affiliate products to make money. You can also write for content providing websites. If you have a writing background, submit queries to your favorite magazines or websites; look for writer's guidelines for direction. Freelance writing allows you to do as much or as little as your schedule allows.
  
  

Home-cooked Meals

• If you stay at home during the day and have a talent for cooking, consider starting a service that delivers home-cooked meals. Choose a menu of your favorite dishes and offer them fresh or frozen; by giving more than one option, you can work with customers' schedules. Cook frozen meals in advance so you can fill orders immediately, and take only as many fresh meals you can handle. By providing healthy, comforting food, you can give a valuable service to people who are too busy to cook for themselves but do not want to sacrifice health and taste. Check into your state's regulations for commercial kitchens before selling meals.
  
  

Event Photography

• If you have a decent digital camera and an eye for a good photo, start an informal event photography business. During your free time, head out to local community events like sports games, festivals and performing arts sessions. Take photos during each event, making sure to capture big moments and individual players or performers. Upload your photos to a website with a built-in ordering system so parents and participants can buy copies. Print your website address on a business card to hand out at events or ask the announcer to mention it over the loudspeaker.