Hey everyone. Happy Tuesday! To the left is one of our engagement photos. I promise a post FULL of them will be soon 🙂
As you can see from the title of this post, June was a great month. I don’t know if July will be a repeat of this, but I’m hoping so. I have been adding more and more to my side hustles, and my lack of free time definitely shows for it. Good thing that I enjoy everything I do!
In June, I made $11,993 in extra income, after some expenses.
There were some other expenses, and they are listed below. In case you are new to my blog, “Extra Income” consists of all income that I make that does not include my office job that I have in the financial services industry.
Extra income also does not include any money that W makes, as he doesn’t do too much for extra income (he just started something a few weeks ago) and he is mostly commission at his work (so it fluctuates every month anyways).
As I say every month in my income update posts: this is not all super easy. None of it is. I spend enough time to make this a full-time job on top of my already full-time job. Luckily, I do enjoy what I’m doing so it’s not like I’m dreading anything. The goals that we have are also a great motivator. The fact that I plan on making the jump to self-employment is the biggest motivator that I will ever need! Read further on my Extra Income page.
As always, if you have any questions about my monthly extra income that you would like me to include next month, please let me know.
This is for the month of June and before some fees and expenses (expenses that lower the amount above include around $1,800, and include payments for my virtual assistant, staff writing on my blog and work with FITnancials, PayPal fees, etc.) being taken out. June’s number above includes a rent payment from my sister. So after all expenses and fees, I made approximately $10,192. In the amount above, I do not count the amount that I bring in from blogs that I help run, only the amounts that are my actual earnings.
Blog News
There were some hosting problems with my blog last week, but for the most part, that should be resolved now. There might be some last minute kinks from switching my hosting, but everything should be working.
My sister’s blog is still doing well. Please subscribe to FITnancials if you haven’t yet. She has many plans for her blog, and just earned her personal trainer fitness certification last month and started a job as a personal trainer also. She’s doing great! And she actually just started her first semester in college as well. I feel like a mom sending her child to college, haha!
My newest blog Diversified Finances is going well also. I haven’t posted on there too often, (about one to two times per week) but that is the plan for right now anyways.
If you are looking to start a blog, don’t forget to read my post How To Start a Blog. It gives step by step instructions on starting your own blog. Also, one of my most popular posts this past month was How To Make Money Blogging.
Staff Writing
This is what I wrote for the past four months and this section is still pretty much the same.
I’m not doing as much staff writing as I used to. It has slowly dwindled down since the Fall (I started turning down some writing opportunities, while one was hit by the Page Rank issue recently). Thankfully this is something that has worked out for the best, as now I can focus my time on other things. Right now I only write for one personal finance website and one hotel’s travel blog.
As you can see below, I made approximately $750 in staff writing last month. I’m still not sure where I want to take this and if I want to ramp this up anytime soon. Time is the main factor right now.
I made a post titled So You Want to Be a Freelance Writer?, so please read further about this topic in that post.
Update on my newest side hustles – Blog Management and more
My blog management side hustle has been going well. I now manage different aspects of several different blogs, and that is what has helped me ramp up my extra income last month. This is all awesome of course since I plan on making the switch to self employment.
Some of you have also said that I should start an e-book. I have been debating this now for some time, and once I have more time, I would like to pursue this more. What are some good e-book ideas? Freelance writing, having a blog, something else? Let me know!
Are you interested in becoming a virtual assistant? Don’t forget to also read about what exactly a virtual assistant does.
Extra Monthly Income in June (all after expenses)
- Staff writing – $750
- Blog (consulting, managing blogs, & direct advertising and Adsense) – $7,917
- Affiliate Income – $1,200
- Virtual Assistant tasks – $0
- Selling Clothes – $0
- Miscellaneous (not related to blogging and online income)- $0
- Mystery Shopping – $0
- Rent (We rent a room out to my sister) – $325
Comparisons and 2013 Extra Income total (after expenses, but before taxes)
- Total extra income for June: $10,192
- Income in May: $7,641
- Difference: +2,551
- Total so far in 2013: $46,040 (AWESOME!)
How did you do in June? What are your extra income goals?
Leave a Reply
June was a great month for me as I made a decent amount through advertising deals and was able to finally hire a staff writer. I like that you make a decent amount from staff writing, but with a regular 9-5 I really don’t think I will pursue it (though I thought about it in the past!). It’s absolutely inspiring to see that you went from ~$600 to in May 2012 to over $10k in June 2013!
The staff writing that I do isn’t too bad. I only write for one blog now, and it’s only twice a week. The topic is very easy to write about also, and I can write the articles in less than 30 minutes.
Why would you write for other blogs and not just write for another one of your blogs? Is it more profitable for you to do this. Seems like it would benefit you in the long run to just write for yourself? Just trying to understand what is takes. Thanks!
There are many positives of writing for other blogs: getting your name out there and diversifying a little more so that my income is solely from my own sites.
You’re killing it Michelle! Keep up the good work and let us know more of your tips for success. It seems like expanding is a viable way to increase your income! We’ve recently tried to start a second blog by my fiancee, Tori, at http://adventuringdollars.com/
Good luck with your new blog 🙂
First of all, super cute engagement pic!! Second, you are kicking it on the side hustle stuff!!! So, it looks like most of your income comes from helping others with their blogs, is this true? Do you charge a monthly fee to manage their blogs? What does management look like, from your end of things? Share your wisdom, girl! (this is where an e-book could be super successful for you, too).
Most of my income comes from my blogs, with around 25% from other blogs. I’ll probably break that apart next month. I get a percentage of their earnings for now 🙂
A breakdown would be great. I’d love to see whether it comes mostly from sponsored posts, affiliate links, etc….Thanks, Michelle!
Very inspiring, Michelle. Congrats on the milestone!
I “discovered” your site by way of Young Adult Money and really enjoy reading your content. It’s genuinely useful, and a very easy read.
Re: this post, I’d also love to see a breakout of your blog income. I really appreciate your openness about revenue but I’d love to know the proportions of consulting, blog management, and adsense. You’re the new benchmark for my capitalistic goals 😉
I look forward to your August followup post! 🙂
Aww, aren’t you all adorable! I think you could quit the day job at any time, but milking both as long as you can has to put you in a great spot.
Thanks Kim. But, boy, am I tired!
Great picture! And great work on the extra income. The increase from the previous months is pretty impressive. Sounds like the new business venture was a success.
Thanks Matt!
Great work Michelle! June was a great month for us as well and continuing to see a solid upward trend as the blog gets older. My main goal for this month is to get restarted on my redesign now that the previous plan is no longer possible.
Thanks John!
Well done! I think an ebook could be nice, it is not my thing but it is basically like writing 20 posts and you can make a nice little cash from it. I’d rather give a free ebook with aff links though.
Yeah I’m not sure what I will do. It’s a hard decision!
Your success is so inspiring, Michelle. The pic is awesome, you two seem so happy!
Thanks Ree!
Damn. That’s all I have to say!
Haha thanks!
I don’t even know what to say Michelle. First, awesome job. These numbers are impressive. Second, how did you get started in the blog management space? I have a lot of experience with this as I have been writing and working with blogs for about 7 years. I would love to branch out to include more things, but I am afraid of the time commitment. Having a baby really puts a damper on the amount of time you can dedicate to things.
Thanks Grayson. And I have been asked by various blogs to do this by them directly emailing me. And yes, I don’t think I could do all of this if there was a baby in the mix!
Thanks Jordann! I definitely think you will be able to reach $4K.
A truly awesome month! Congratulations Michelle. You work so very hard!!
Thanks Cat!
I’m so in awe of your extra income. I don’t think I’ve broken 10k this year let alone in the month! Just starting to work towards monetizing my blog to supplement my “crappy actor salary”. Thanks for all the advice and inspiration!
Welcome 🙂
Wow, you’re doing amazing with the extra income! If I could make anywhere near that my debt would be paid off really quick!
Thanks!
Nailed it!! My first big side income goal is $500. I’m not quite there yet. I just got accepted to write for a studio so I’m stoked to start that project! Fist pump!
WOOHOOO Keren 🙂