How mums can build their own income and financial independence
Mums build their own income by doing three things in order: getting money that is legally and practically theirs (their own account and their own super or retirement savings), learning one skill that people will pay for, and growing that skill into steady paid work in stages. It matters because women in both Australia and the US retire with less: in Australia the median super balance for women aged 60 to 64 was about 26% lower than men’s, and in the US women’s average Social Security retirement benefit is roughly $400 lower each month. She Sells, with a team in Australia and the US, is one route: it trains women in remote sales (closing and appointment setting) and, for She Soars graduates, helps them land a role.
Why your own income matters: the numbers
Financial independence isn’t about not trusting your partner. It’s about not being one separation, illness or redundancy away from having nothing in your own name. The data in both countries shows why that worry is reasonable.
| Measure | Australia | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Retirement savings gap | Median super at 60 to 64 (June 2023): $163,218 women vs $219,773 men, a 25.7% difference (ASFA, October 2025) | Average monthly retired-worker Social Security benefit (December 2024): $1,779.93 women vs $2,181.34 men (SSA Annual Statistical Supplement, Table 5.B4) |
| Pay gap | Private sector average total remuneration gap of 21.1%, so women earn 79c for every $1 men earn on average (WGEA) | Women are more likely to work part time, with less access to retirement plans, and more likely to interrupt careers to care for family (US Department of Labor) |
| How long the money has to last | Women held 43.6% of total super assets in June 2023 (ASFA) | A woman retiring at 67 can expect to live about another 20 years, over two years longer than a man (US Department of Labor) |
Career breaks are a big part of the story. Every year at home with kids is usually a year with no employer super or 401(k) match. The fix isn’t guilt. It’s a plan.
Step 1: Get money that is actually yours
Before you earn a single extra dollar, set up the plumbing so that what you earn stays in your name.
- Your own bank account. A joint account is fine for household bills. Keep one account in your name only, that you can see and access on your own.
- Know your super or retirement accounts. In Australia, log in to your fund (or myGov) and check your balance, fees and insurance. In the US, find any old 401(k)s from previous jobs.
- Know the household picture. What comes in, what goes out, what debts exist and whose name they’re in. Independence starts with information.
Australia: super is part of your pay
If you’re an employee, your employer must pay compulsory super for you, at a minimum rate the ATO lists as 12% from 1 July 2025. Under Payday Super, from 1 July 2026 employers must pay it for each payday. There’s also new help for career breaks: if you get government Parental Leave Pay for a child born or adopted from 1 July 2025, Services Australia says the ATO will pay a 12% super contribution on that payment, starting from July 2026. If you work as a contractor, ask up front whether super is paid, and if it isn’t, plan to top up your own.
US: IRAs and spousal IRAs
For 2026, the IRS allows up to $7,500 a year across your traditional and Roth IRAs ($8,600 if you’re 50 or older), or your taxable compensation if that’s less. If you file a joint return, you may be able to contribute to a spousal IRA even without your own earnings, as long as your spouse has them. That’s worth a conversation at home while you’re out of paid work.
Step 2: Build an income from a skill, not a gimmick
The fastest way to lose money as a mum looking for income is to buy into something that promises it without teaching you anything. Skill-based income is slower to start but it’s portable: if one client or employer ends, the skill comes with you.
Good skill-based options share a few traits:
- Businesses already pay for the skill (you can find real job ads for it).
- You can learn it in months, not years, and practise it at home.
- It can be done remotely or in flexible hours.
- Pay grows as you get better, not just as you work longer.
Remote sales ticks those boxes, which is why it’s what we teach. Appointment setters message and call leads to book sales calls; closers run those calls and help buyers decide. I started as a primary school teacher in a small town, had my first taste of sales in network marketing in 2014, and moved into remote sales in 2020, when I made $440 in my first month. That’s my result, not a typical one, and it shows how small the start can be. I’ve since generated over $10M in online sales.
The honest bit: many remote sales roles are commission-heavy or commission-only, and results take time. Read commission-only sales jobs: pros and cons before you choose a role, and check how much remote closers make for public pay data.
Want to see if remote sales could be your skill? Book a free call with the She Sells team.
How She Sells fits
She Sells has two programs. She Launches is the foundation: live coaching, role play and frameworks for setting and closing. It doesn’t include direct placement. She Soars is the career program through the She Sells “Cert III in Remote Sales” certificate, with placement facilitation: once you’re certified, our recruitment team works with you to land a role within 90 days, or your money back. See our programs for details. There’s also a free community if you want to look around first.
Step 3: A staged plan to grow your own income
Trying to go from zero to replacing a salary in one leap is how mums burn out. Stage it instead.
| Stage | Goal | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Foundations (first month) | Money in your own name | Open your own account, check super or retirement accounts, write down household income and debts |
| 2. Learn (months 1 to 3) | One saleable skill | Pick one skill, learn a framework, practise weekly with feedback |
| 3. First paid work | Your first dollars | Take a part-time or entry role, ideally with some base pay, and track results |
| 4. Build | Regular income | Increase hours or responsibility as results improve; keep a buffer for slow months |
| 5. Protect | Long-term security | Pay yourself into super, an IRA or savings each time you’re paid, before you spend |
The timeline will vary. Some women move through stage three quickly, others need longer because of kids, health or how much time they can protect each week. Judge progress over months, not weeks.
Making it fit around the kids
Protect two or three focused blocks a week to learn and practise, even if they’re short. School hours in Australia or the US school day often work for setting; closing calls can fall in evenings when buyers are free. If you have little ones, our guide to working from home with a toddler has practical tips.
Red flags that cost mums money
- Pay to join. If the “job” needs you to buy stock or a starter kit, it isn’t a job.
- Recruit to earn. If the money mostly comes from signing up friends, walk away.
- Income promises. Real employers talk about the role, the pay structure and the work, not lifestyle screenshots.
- No clear employer. You should know who pays you, how and when.
I started in network marketing, so I know how appealing it can look. Learning a skill businesses pay for is a different thing. Our guide to legit work-from-home jobs vs scams covers more warning signs.
Talking about money at home
Building your own income can shift things in a relationship, so say it out loud early. Explain why it matters to you, what time you need, and what help you need with the kids while you learn. Agree what your income will be used for: your super top-up, your savings, shared bills. Being clear now avoids resentment later, and models something good for your kids.
If you’re aiming higher than “a bit extra”, read how to replace your income working from home.
Results vary. Nothing here is a promise of income. See our earnings disclaimer.
Ready to start building your own income? Book a free call with the She Sells team.
Frequently asked questions
How can a stay-at-home mum get her own income?
Start by opening an account in your own name and checking your super or retirement accounts. Then pick one skill businesses pay for, learn it with feedback, and take part-time paid work as your first step. Remote sales, bookkeeping and admin support are common examples that can be done from home.
Why do women have less super or retirement savings than men?
Lower average pay, more part-time work and time out to care for children all reduce what goes into super or retirement plans. ASFA found the median super balance for Australian women aged 60 to 64 was 25.7% lower than men’s in June 2023. In the US, women’s average Social Security retirement benefit is also lower than men’s.
Can I build income without leaving my kids?
Yes, many women do it from home in short, protected blocks of time. Setting work often suits school hours, while closing calls may fall in evenings. Expect it to take longer when your time is limited, and plan for that.
Is remote sales a reliable income for mums?
It can become one, but it usually isn’t reliable at the start. Many roles are commission-heavy or commission-only and results take time. Look for roles with some base pay while you build your skills, and keep a buffer for slow months.
Does She Sells help you get a job?
She Soars includes placement facilitation: once you’re certified, the recruitment team works with you to land a role within 90 days, or your money back. She Launches is a foundation program and doesn’t include direct placement.
