10K per Month in One Year Challenge

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Hi everyone! How is everyone’s week going? It’s Friday, so that’s a good sign 😉

My week has been great! A week full of work with a little bit of fun mixed in (a trip to The Fresh Market for pumpkins, fresh coffee and dessert!) – nothing better. Tomorrow I’m working from home and plan on relaxing this weekend with my family. My girls have been so tired all week after daycare, so I haven’t seen too much of them and I want to make up for it this weekend with lots of quality time. Cami, my 3-year-old, has actually been asking to “go rest” when she gets home from daycare, and she usually ends up falling asleep for the night 🙁 This is at roughly 6pm, by the way. (Perhaps this is why she wakes for the day at 5am, haha.)

Today I wanted to elaborate a little bit more on my “Life Update” post from earlier this week regarding my goal of increasing my freelancing and blogging income to $10K a month within one year.

My Schedule

I know some of you probably think I’m crazy, and I probably am. To be honest, I don’t know for sure how this will turn out. But I sure as heck am going to try. Here’s a rough schedule of my days and how I’m going to fit everything in:

Monday thru Friday: Up at 5am to write for about an hour before the girls get up (5 hours/week). Work again from 7:30-9:00pm (7.5 hours/week) before hanging out with John and going to bed. This is an additional 2.5 hours per day freelancing/blogging in addition to my FT job. To me, this is extremely doable as I have been pretty good about eliminating distractions online.

Saturday and Sunday: I plan on working roughly 2 hours per day either when the girls are napping or in the evenings.

Total hours: 16.5 hours. This schedule leaves room to work more, too, if need be. But I think this is a great starting point. I might end up dedicating like 4 hours on Sundays to get my blog posts done for the week, but we’ll see. I’ve never been the best at staying on top of my blog schedule.

I’m also going to be more open with my readers about how much traffic I’m getting to my blog and what kind of income I’m making each month from the blog. I probably have averaged $200ish per month from blogging for the past few months and I’m determined to increase that number. Coupled with finding great freelance clients, I really do think I can hit this goal of $10K by October of 2016.

Why $10K a Month?

$10K per month in one year seems like a huge challenge for me, but it also seems attainable. A LOT can change in a year and you never know what opportunities lie ahead. Last year, for example, we had just moved across the country. I had just started this blog and was about a month away from losing one of my best freelancing clients. I was able to gain new clients in personal finance through my blog and replace what I was making with the client I lost immediately. A few months later, I got my FT dream job and John and I purchased our dream home. All of this happened in a year. That actually seems way harder than making $10K a month now that I’ve typed it all out.

$10K a month would also give John and I more options. If he wanted, he could quit his job and pursue his passions. While I’m sure he would still work, it would be really nice to have more family time together. My girls enjoy FT daycare, but I really miss them, and so does John. We could easily and comfortably live of $10K a month – including traveling, saving and saving for retirement. What would you do with $10K a month? What kind of lifestyle would that allow you to have?

Do You Want to Join?!

Depending on what you’re doing now and what your personal situation is, maybe you don’t want to shoot for $10K a month within one year. However, I would love it if you set your own goal for the next year and worked with me on achieving it! We are all in this together and I want you guys to succeed just as much as I want to succeed! So, let’s help each other out, keep each other motivated and support each other! Mom’s really can “have it all” with a bit of hard work and focus!

For those of you who don’t have a blog, the first step is starting one. You can do so through my Bluehost link here (affiliate link). If you sign up through me, you’ll receive hosting for just $3.95 per month! I also have a guide that can walk you through the process of starting a profitable blog (not just a hobby blog!!). We’re in this together!!

Who’s with me?!

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Comments

diane @smartmoneysimplelife says
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I might just join you in that challenge. I’m ready to take my blog to the next level and I’ve just started an online course to learn the ins and outs of freelance writing so… time to set some goals.
Good luck!
- Sarah Brooks says
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  Yay please join me!!! It doesn’t have to be $10k, it can be any number you want! But goals are what keep us going, and if we all encourage each other and help each other I know we can do this!!
Cat@BudgetBlonde says
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I absolutely love this challenge and can’t wait to hear how it goes!
- Sarah Brooks says
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  Thanks, Cat!! I have a full year, so I’m thinking this will be realistic!! Hopefully anyways 🙂
Sarah @ Seriously Lovely says
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Considering that so far I haven’t made any money from my blog at all and I have zero freelancing clients, $10K/month seems like a bit of a stretch for me lol. I think $1K/month would be a more reasonable goal for me to work toward. I can’t wait to read more f your tips and suggestions for getting there!
- Sarah Brooks says
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  Hi Sarah! $1000 per month is an awesome goal! When I first started freelancing three years ago, my goal was to make $700 a month. I was able to surpass that within 7ish months and it kept going from there (then it went back down after having another baby lol). But if I can do it, you can do it!!! I’ll be sharing some tips soon!
Jim says
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$10k is definitely attainable and it says a lot that you set your sights there, I look forward to reading about your progress. 🙂
- Sarah Brooks says
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  Thanks Jim!! $10K would allow us a comfortable lifestyle with enough to save for retirement. Plus, it would give us options as a family! Happy to have you following along!
Shirria @ GDTH says
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Like Sarah, I’m new to blogging and do not have any freelance clients. I haven’t even been a guest blogger. But I’m always up for a challenge and I think If I could earn an additional $1,000k/ month from my blog I’d be happy.
For us newcomers willing to participate, are you going to share tips that you thought helped you along the way?
- Sarah Brooks says
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  Hi Shirria! I will definitely be sharing tips along the way and I absolutely 100% think you can earn $1000 per month – whether that’s through blogging, freelancing or a combination of both. Best of luck!!!
Jef says
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Loving the challenge Sarah, knew you were destined for great things!
All the best & will be sure to keep supporting you even if it’s by viewing along the way 🙂
- Sarah Brooks says
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  Hi Jef! How are you doing?! Long time no chat. Thanks for the encouragement! How’s everything going on your end? Feel free to shoot me an email!
Jess @ Best Credit Cards Canada says
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An aggressive and inspiring goal. I love it! You read of people achieving this so I have no doubt that you can too. Your schedule looks organized and well thought out. I’m excited to follow this journey!
- Sarah Brooks says
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  Thanks Jess!! What’s your goal?! I’d love to have you join in!! The goal doesn’t have to be $10K!!
Stefanie @ The Broke and Beautiful Life says
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Great goal and one for me too. I had one month this year where I broke 10k and I got crazy excited, but I’m typically closer to half that.
- Sarah Brooks says
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  Hi Stefanie!! $5K consistently is super impressive! I’ve never had a $10K month but I can only imagine how good (and busy!) that would feel! Can’t wait for the day it happens, and best of luck to you too! I know you will get there again in no time!!
Kristina-Cents and Order says
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What an awesome challenge Sarah! Count me in…now for the first goal of hitting $1,000 a month by the end of the year!
- Sarah Brooks says
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  You got this, Kristina!! I just checked out your blog and I love it!! Do you plan on the $1000 coming from freelancing or blogging?
  - Kristina-Cents and Order says
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    From blogging. With working full time and 3 kiddos, I don’t see having the time (or interest) in freelancing. Maybe VA work, but not writing.
Desiree says
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$10k a month is an amazing goal, I can’t wait to see your progress through the year.
Also, I would love to hear more on how your investing has been going and any new tips you have learned there.
- Sarah Brooks says
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  Hi Desiree! Thanks, I hope I can achieve this goal. Do you have a goal in mind?! I’d love to have you join!
  I should do a post on investing! But in sum, we’ve pretty much automated everything. Plus my husband and I now have matching 401K plans through our employers which is nice. We do hope to invest in some individual stocks in the coming months which I will be writing about.
Cheri Read says
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I’m in, Sarah! I have a couple of different ventures and this is EXACTLY my goal. We all need accountability!
- Sarah Brooks says
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  Yay!!! Awesome!! What are your different ventures?! And yes, we’re all in this together!! Let’s support and encourage one another 🙂
  - Cheri Read says
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    I have just started freelance writing and I have a small eBay store. 🙂 Can’t wait to read about your progress!
Danell says
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Hi Sarah,
I just found your site. That’s a great goal! I’m another newbie so have made $0 from my blog, no guest post or freelancing yet either. Does your $10k goal include your full time job, I assume? I think my goal will be $700 from my blog in one year. I’d be thrilled with that, especially if it was consistent. Looking forward to checking out more of your site.
- Sarah Brooks says
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  You can definitely hit $700 in a year! Honestly, I bet you can do that in six months!! I’ve written a few posts on how to find freelancing jobs that you might want to check out. And nope! The $10K a year does not include my FT job!! Crazy huh?!
Jenny says
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Saw this on Pinterest and it is super motivating! I’m adding your blog to my feedly to follow this journey. I have tried and failed a few blogs, started and stopped a direct sales business, and recently decided something I may want to do in the future. I barely make $10k from all my part time jobs a year, so maybe my first goal would be $10k combined with my husband’s job a month. I’ll have to do some mapping and planning, but from those of us living barely $4k a month, I don’t even know what I’d do with that amount of money! I guess we’ll find out in a year! ?
I think in a year we should take a virtual shopping trip or vacation together to celebrate our new rich lives! Good luck to you and everyone else joining your challenge. I’m off to read more of your blog posts.
- Sarah Brooks says
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  Hi!! Very nice to meet you!! I would HIGHLY encourage you to map out some of your own specific goals as far as income and come up with a plan to make it happen! We are all in this together, so feel free to email me if you want to chat or just motivate each other! Do you have kiddos? How old are they?! And what is this something you want to do in the future?!? I know you can do this and I’m happy to have you following along my journey!!
  - Jenny says
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    I always get really giddy when a blogger writes back, haha. Thank you for taking the time. I have a three year old and one due in April. I decided I want to be a business teacher to put my business degree to use. Ironic I have a business degree, but struggle with $ and entrepreneurship, I know. I have ADD ( I just started treatment when I found out I was preggers again) and my whole goals and motivation changed when I got pregnant the first time (the same year I graduated college). I love motivating people and encouraging others, and love the thought of extra days off with my kiddos, so my family and I think teaching would be a good fit. The plan is to finish teaching requirements, land a job, and find extra ways to add income since a teaching job and my hub’s job will still not be 10k/month.
    Thanks for the encouragement and offer to help ?.
Kristin says
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I totally thought I commented on this, but realize I didn’t. I’m totally in! This is a crazy goal for me and I don’t know why I think I can’t do it. For some reason, I have been dreaming small and hoping I make enough to pay my bills and have some left over. Why am I not dreaming bigger? I need to have more confidence in myself! Let’s do this!
- Sarah Brooks says
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  YAY!!! Girl you can TOTALLY do this!!!! We’re in it together!!
Shalott says
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I’m so inspired by your work ethic! I don’t know if I could ever do $10k but I can probably challenge myself by getting to $5k! I have a tough time monetizing my blog without feeling like I sold out though. Any advice?
- Sarah Brooks says
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  I’ve made a few mistakes as far as that’s concerned, but it’s a learning experience for sure. I personally am leaning towards affiliate sales. With those, you can find products you believe in and promote them on your site. I don’t really like advertising specific products like on Amazon, but I do like selling books and courses on blogging and freelancing since that’s what I’m so passionate about! I’m also writing an eBook. I have no expectations for sales, but it will be great to learn how to write and publish a book!
Malea says
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This is absolutely my goal and has been for a while! I’m staring with a base goal of $3k per month and building up to $10k.
What’s interesting is that so many of us feel like, “OMG! $10k a MONTH? What an insane amount of money!” but if you look around, there are TONS of ordinary people earning that much already. Yes, some of them have highly skilled jobs, but a lot don’t.
I’m totally in on this! This post is good motivation to help keep me going.
- Sarah Brooks says
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  I know right?! I think that too – $10K/month is a respectable salary but let’s face it, it’s not millions!!! We just have to hustle hard and get there! I know tons of freelancers and bloggers who are at that mark! Good luck and so happy to have you in!
Janne ETz says
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I’m a little late to the party–just found this post on Pinterest. And I literally JUST started a blog. Haven’t posted my first article yet, haven’t even chosen a theme. But I’m in! Since I’m so brand new, I’m thinking $10K in a year is a little optimistic, but I think $4k is doable. I know myself and I need to have other people holding me accountable or it’s way to easy to procrastinate. So, I’ve signed up for your emails and I’m eager to get started! Best of luck to us both!
- Sarah Brooks says
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  Yay!!! Welcome!!! This makes me so happy!! I think you will love blogging! Feel free to email me if you have any questions 🙂
Lisa Berberette says
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My business (www.spinbobstudios.com) has been growing, giving weekly needle and wet felting classes along with selling the supplies. My next step is to get my products on my website, and begin working on projects for magazines and to write a book. I have a digital Halloween business (www.pumpkinlady.com) and can see what can be done…but I need to do this for my other business to earn a solid year round income. My goal is to make it so big that my husband can retire from his IT job in two years or less and can concentrate on his health and pursuing his own passion. I still cannot grasp the idea of how people find our blog and then the money comes from…advertising? Products???? I could definitely use support in figuring this out! And honestly, I truly believe we can do even better than we are dreaming about!
- Sarah Brooks says
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  Hi Lisa!! Thanks for the comment! I think starting a blog dedicated to your needle and wet felting would be awesome!! It is such a niche topic and those can do extremely well! You would make money by placing ads on your site (Google Adsense, for example), selling your own products, selling other people’s products (this is called affiliate sales – you earn a commission from selling someone else’s item), selling books, receiving sponsored posts (for example, Michael’s might want you collaborate with you on a project and would pay you $$$ for using their supplies when describing how to do the project) and more! The options really are endless!!
Amanda says
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I’d love to start this challenge up with you!! Do you have a group going? I’d love to keep in touch with someone who has the same goals as myself!
Petrish @ Debt Free Martini says
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Ok….I am so late, but since I am retiring from the military and need the extra funds, I would like to join the challenge for 5K a month. I have been blogging for 2 years and so ready to step it up a notch!
Nell says
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I know I’m a bit late to the game here, but I just came across this on Pinterest. I love what you’re doing and I’d like to make an attempt at it too. Though my figure will probably fall closer to say $500. My husband and I have just started blogging…kind of. We have 4 kids ages 6yrs, 5yrs and 2yr old twins. So life is a bit crazy? But we’re trying to make a go of it and it’s something we really want to make happen, but are a little clueless as far as how to encourage readership and then even how to maybe make a little extra income. I’ll be coming back to read more of your posts! Thank you for your motivation and encouragement!
Just Plain Marie says
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I’m a little late in joining you, but my goal for the end of 2016 is $15K/month. It’s stretching myself to a crazy amount, but I am committing to trying. I need to work on a book and e-course that I’ve started, get some more solid content written up, and get better at promotion.
XRP says
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recently i was trying to increase my monthly income….i am already making $30,000 a month….
Tammy McKinney says
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I just started my blog last month, so 10K monthly might be a little high. But, I am making my goal 1K monthly by next year and hoping to surpass that!