Welcome to my monthly income report where I share how much money I make online freelance writing and blogging. If you read last month’s report, you’ll see I took a huge jump in my income. I’m happy to report that May was almost as good as April. Unfortunately, I know for a fact June’s income will be less due to taking time off during May to travel.
May Freelance Income: $2,288
Breakdown of my income
March was the very first month that I made money from my blog. In April, I also took in a little more than $100 from Google Adsense. Unfortunately, this month I’m back to earning roughly $30/month from ads. Google doesn’t pay out until you cross the $100 threshold, so I don’t expect to see another payment until July (in which the entire amount will be recorded in that month’s income).
This month, all of my money earned came from freelance writing. Without going into too many details, I work for a few individual clients, I post regularly on a few blogs and I write for a leading banking site, GOBankingRates.com.
Plans for my income
May was a slow, slow month due to traveling. Now that we’ve been back a week, I feel ready to work and am looking forward to taking on as much as possible without sacrificing time with my daughters and husband. While I would love to earn $5K per month or more, now might not be the time and I am OK with that. Right now, my goal is to stay right around the $1,500 mark. That might not seem like a ton to some people, but for us it’s good! It gives me enough time to work on my blog, be present with my daughters, spend my evenings with my husband, etc. I’m learning as I get older that life is all about balance. When my kids are in school full-time, I will re-evaluate my business and the direction I want to take it. For now, I’m content “maintaining.”
Here’s to another great month! How was your month?! Do you set income goals each month?
photo credit: Flickr via 401kcalculator.org
Holly@ClubThrifty says
atCongrats on a great month! I have an income goal, yes. Since our entire livelihood is based on freelance income, I really have no choice! Fortunately, my bare minimum goal is fairly now so it’s not hard at all.
Sarah Brooks says
atI gotta say… I hope one day to be in your shoes!!! Since my kids are home with me a lot it’s a bit hard to find the time…but I really hope one day I’m pulling in five figures a month!!
Jayleen @ How Do The Jones Do It says
atI haven’t made much on my blog but I’m hoping to get there someday! It’s great you’ve found a good work/life balance!
Sarah Brooks says
atThanks!! The getting up earlier thing has helped with feeling stressed and rushed for sure! I haven’t made much on my blog either haha but I’m hoping to continue growing it and looking forward to what could happen in a few months/years! Keep up the great work!! 🙂
Kristin says
atGreat job! That’s awesome you have a few different sources of blogging income. I keep saying I need to venture out away from my blog and try to write for other sites, but I’m struggling to find the time aside from my day job. I am so excited for you!
Sarah Brooks says
atThanks for the kind words!! Well, this (writing) is ALL I do haha, if I had a full-time job I don’t even know how I’d find the time to blog!! I admire those of you that can work a ft job plus blog/write! Way to go!!
Jef says
atAwesome work Sarah! Well deserved and good to hear/see 🙂
Would be interested to know the process of what’s involved in the design of you site i.e. have you done this yourself and/or do you have VA’s helping out?
In terms of setting goals for income from freelancing this is something I need to do although I’m not sure I’m as motivated given my 9 to 5 provides a decent income.. I have to get hungry!
Sarah Brooks says
atHey Jef! How are you?! Thanks for the kind words! My site’s design is from http://www.pixelmedesigns.com. I purchased a premade theme called “Graceful”. Laura (the owner) is super helpful and you can customize the theme to your liking (as far as colors and fonts, if I remember!). I’m thinking of changing my other site to this theme too as I’ve really liked it this far!
Harmony @ CreatingMyKaleidoscope says
atCongrats on the continued success! It’s nice to read about someone who has well-rounded priorities – not just obsessed with making more money. We’re working really hard to pay off debt, but still take time to relax and play with our children. Balance is so important to well-being.
Sarah Brooks says
atAww thanks!! Yup – balance is key!! My kids and my husband are my world. As much as I would love to make thousands of dollars each month, I’m just not willing to do that at the expense of time with my family.
Best of luck in your goals!!
DC @ Young Adult Money says
atWhile I’m all for stretch goals, I think there is value in “coasting” or keeping the status quo. Like you said, you are happy with $1,500. You may prefer that over working tirelessly to reach $2.5k, $3k, etc. where you really end up hitting walls or doubling your hours. I’m not gonna lie, I’ve coasted with my blog the past year or so and I’m perfectly fine with that. I get a little side income and I have an established site that I can really dive into whenever I feel the time is right. For now though, I think it’s an accomplishment just to have an active, established site considering everything else going on in my life (applying to grad school, taking the GMAT, a full-time job that is taking up more and more of my energy, focusing on my health a bit more, house projects…the list goes on).
Sarah Brooks says
atGrad school?! That’s awesome!! What degree will you be getting??
Yep – while I would love to make more (who wouldn’t?!), the reality is we are doing just fine where we’re at and life is more (so much more) than money and working all the time. To make more money, I would have to give up a lot of things that I love right now – including spending my time with my girls, relaxing in the evening with my husband, exploring our area, reading, cooking, etc.
Best of luck with your grad school application!! I know you’ll do great 🙂