Cash Money: $7,083 in July Income and Blog Updates
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Good morning, everyone! It’s that time again. I know, I know. You can hardly contain your excitement, am I right? Of course I am. We’ve moved into an entirely new month and that means that it’s time for me to share my cash money update. In case you haven’t checked in lately, July was an awesome month for us. Greg quit his old job at the beginning of June and decided to take the whole month of July off before starting his new career. We traveled some and I worked a lot. Income was good, especially considering the fact that I took part of the first week off due to July 4th in addition to the entire last week of July off. Despite the fact that I took some serious vacay, I still managed to bring in a decent income. So, without further adieu, the total amount of money of cash money that I grossed as a self-employed goddess in July was……*drumroll, please*
$7,083
This total includes all of the money that I made from my various streams of income:
- Credit Card Sales
- Consulting
- Freelance writing
- Affiliate advertising
Cash Money Details
Please remember that I make the majority of my income from a variety of freelance writing jobs, not my blog. Also, please keep in mind that this is my pre-tax income. I pay taxes quarterly and will soon be handing a giant chunk of my hard-earned cash over to Uncle Sam. However, this is the grand total of my income after expenses. Thankfully, my expenses are pretty weak. I basically wear pajamas and I use the two computers that I already own. Other than my two computers, I don’t really need to spend any more money to complete my assignments. Hell, I don’t even own a printer! Here are the expenses that I deducted from that amount:
- Staff Writing: $360
- Blog Hosting: $12
- Internet $35.50
- Giveaway $30
I also consider my Republic Wireless smartphone an expense, although I don’t currently have a bill due to a recent promotion I signed up for. Obviously, I had another great month. And although I am pretty darn happy about it, I do think that I am going to make a lot less in August. Here’s why:
- I am not currently working on any new advertising
- I just finished a few freelance writing projects
- I just finished up with a consulting job
- I don’t have a ton of freelance writing projects in the works so far in August
But, no biggie. A fluctuating income is definitely part of becoming self-employed. And remember, my goal income is a lot less cash money than I’ve been bringing in. Regardless, if you are interested in hiring me for the variety of skillz that I offer, please feel free to contact me through my contact form! Here are the goals that I decided upon when I quit my job:
- Gross at least $4000 per month to replace my income from my full-time job
- Exercise at least once per day
- Eat healthier and continue juicing fruits and vegetables
- Spend more quality time with my kids
- Cook most meals at home
- Be a cooler, nicer, and less-stressed version of myself
Even though this upcoming month might be slim in terms of income, I still hope to gross at least 4K. But, of course I would like to earn more. Obviously. The good news is that I’ve got quite a surplus amount of money built up in my business account for Club Thrifty LLC. The extra cash that I’ve accumulated can be used to balance out the slower months. And that’s the whole purpose of budgeting and saving to begin with, am I right?
How was your income in July? Did you meet your goals?
Nice work! As a freelancer, I can’t imagine a much better way to start than with a couple months that blow your goal out of the water. It gives you an immediate cushion and I would imagine relieves some of the anxiety that could accompany making the switch to self-employment.
Yeah, definitely. I don’t mind beating my goals!
Congratulations on another great month. I like how you outlined concrete, achievable goals after leaving your full-time job. Not only are you achieving them, you are knocking it out of the park! Maybe it is time to consider upping your goals to see if you can bump that income up a bit or increase your exercise, etc? Although I am sure you do not want the stress level to go up as well. Maybe set a goal of maintaining a $7,000 per month income. If you fall short at $6,500 or $6,000, no big deal as you are hitting your needs. By setting a higher goal, you may surprise yourself and even hit a higher amount. Anyway, great job and best wishes on continued success!
I might “up” my goals in the future but I feel pretty comfortable with where they are now!
That’s awesome, good for you. I would love to get to the point of making that much money at home too one day, and still have the ability to spend quality time with my kids. Quantity wouldn’t hurt either.
Well, to be fair…my kids go to daycare. However, my time with them is higher quality because I’m able to get all of my work done during the day when they’re not home.
July was my best month ever with the blog, but I also think August will be a bit slower. I don’t have as diverse income from the blog/writing as you do, but I definitely would like to increase affiliate income, consulting income (from Excel/Access/etc.) and look into new income streams!
I like your 4k goal and I think it’s very reachable, and the months will balance out I’m sure!
Thanks DC!
I’m working on affiliate income right now as well! I have to go back through all of my old (popular) pages and add affiliate links. It’s a long process!
You didn’t just “make it rain”, it looks like a monsoon! Congrats on another great month Holly!
Haha. Thanks!
What an awesome month you had Holly. You are a trooper and Greg must just love you to bits. I think when a couple transitions the way the two of you have and can stand tall through the ups and downs that’s meant to be. I know with your drive which has been clear since your move you will succeed without a doubt. Keep up the great work and don’t look back… keep running forward.
CBB
Thank you!!!
Congrats on another awesome month. We had a decent month as far as extra income goes, but it could have been better. August looks slow for us too, but hopefully we’re both surprised and it turns out to be awesome 🙂
I hope so!
thriftgenuity.com
Hi Greg,
I’m a bit confused – when looking at the demographic of Payday Loan users on Wikipedia it quite clearly states that-
“Most payday loan borrowers are white, female, and are 25 to 44 years old”
And only after slight adjustments do the other 5 groups come in to play…
Why did you omit this fact that most payday loan borrowers are white females?
Maybe an oversight on your part…
Cheers,
Mark
huh?
I got the exact same comment from him too. It’s spam. Grrrr.
Ahh…I thought that was what it was. I actually emailed him back thinking that he left a comment on my blog by mistake!
Thanks to work on grants last year, I have 2.5 months summer salary this summer. So July income was quite lovely. Too bad August will only be half that!
Hey, great job on your July income!
Sounds like a great income month. Good job! 🙂
Thanks Michelle!
Congrats on a great month Holly! Mine was so-so, but did have some decent affiliate income which balanced it out. August looks slower for me as well, but you never know.
That is so true. Things can turn around pretty quick!
Woohoo, Holly! Great job on July income! I had my highest side hustle income yet at $376 last month, but hope to only go up from here. 🙂 Have a great day!
Great job Laurie!
Wow, Holly! That’s really cool that you can bring in that kind of income while Greg is training for his new job. I think most people are never able to take that opportunity because the can’t replace a paycheck long enough to learn something new. I bet August will be better than you expect too.
I sure hope so!
Congrats on a great month! You knocked your goals out of the park.
Thanks Connie!
Very impressive indeed, Holly. Hard work pays off. Pat yourself on the back for sure!
Thank you!
The best goal is to be the cooler, nicer, less stressed version of yourself! It’s definitely one of the results of more freedom and financial independence!
Yes, definitely. I am a high stress person in general, and my husband believes that my new work situation has made a huge difference in that respect. I don’t get stressed out as often anymore and I’m so much happier as a result.
Congrats Holly on the cash money made. It is even better that you did it in a month where you went for a vacation. Win-win for you.
Yeah, that’s what I thought!
Awesome! Congrats on the job well done!
Hey, thanks!
To be able to get at least what you made from your last job is nothing to sneeze at. Congrats on the great month!
Thanks Tara!
You had a great month there, I am sure things will be similar in August – new opportunities appear all the time to those who actively search for them!
I do have one question though: why do you need two computers? I manage all my writing on one laptop while I’m on the move and my old desktop PC when I am at home. I don’t think you’re actually ambidextrous and write a post with each hand 😛
Ha!
Well, there are two of us so we need two to work on things at the same time =)
I usually use my laptop during the day because I like to sit in my favorite chair in my living room. Sometimes I work in my office at night because it’s quieter =)
Congrats on blowing your goals out of the water! Even if August is a little slower for you, I bet you’ll still manage to kill your $4,000 goal. My income for July was pretty good, of course always hoping that August is better. I’ve got a few things in the works for extra income, just waiting to see how they will pan out!
I hope that it goes awesome!
Great job, Holly! And it’s nice that you have that solid cushion in your LLC account to pay yourself out of in months that are a bit down.
Yes, it is nice. Hopefully I won’t have to use it though!
You just roundhouse-kicked $%@ that month!
Pretty much! =)
Yea having that surplus on those great months will definitely carry you on those slower months, which of course we always hope doesn’t happen but being prepared for it is key. My side income was good last month but not my freelance income. I pulled in less than 3k, but I was close to my projected amount thanks to side income. I think back to this time last year when work was slow AND I had no extra income. No bueno! Hope August is a great month for you!
Thanks, back at ya!
Nice job Holly. July was the first month I started to show positive revenue on my blog, so I’m pretty happy about that!
You should be!
Impressive! Especially in your pajamas.
I’m wearing yoga pants today, but thanks! =)
Work hard. Play hard. Congrats on a great July Holly 🙂
Thanks!
WhooHoo! Awesome month. You are an expert budgeter so even if August is slow for you you will do fine! But you never know, blog and freelance work is sporadic you could pick up enough jobs to surpass July’s income.
Hey, thanks! It certainly would be nice!
I love the goal of working out once a day. I’m aiming for a little more than half of that (18 times per month)…but it’s great to get motivation from others trying for bigger goals.
Congrats on the income and good luck next month!
Looks like another great month! And I love having extra pad for those months when it inevitably slows down a bit and to give Greg time to ramp up in his new job. Knowing you, August will still be great.
Go Holly! I still can’t wrap my head around these massive numbers but so hapoy for people who are able to make a living doing wjat they love. When you say consulting what does that entail?
I think it’s great you are sharing your experiences about being self-employed. I know many aspire to that goal so it’s valuable to see what others are going through. Sounds like you had a great month, especially with Greg free from work. That had to have been fun!
Great job on the awesome month! That’s great that you were able to go on vacation and have some time off and still pull in that much. It must be comforting, and I’m sure you’ll still meet your goal for this month. Never know what August may bring!
Wow Holly, another great month! Keep up the good work – it’s very inspiring!
This is absolutely incredible. You made something that sounds impossible into a reality.
Congratulations on a fantastic month! I hope that you’re wrong about your August predictions and end up doing just as amazing in August!
Wow, you are doing so well! Congrats! You must be proud of yourself. You quit your job and now you can easily replace that income. Good job!
That’s awesome! And great goals too. I would definitely become self-employed for those same exact reasons. I don’t have kids yet, but when I do in the future, I would like to work from home! Also happiness and freedom is much more important and beneficial and I would love to take that over being chained to a desk 😛
Heck yeah homie! Nice work. And don’t get too discouraged if it drops. Self employment includes those dips, but the truly successful are those to find a way back out of it and come out even stronger for it
What kind of staffing writing expenses do you incur? Are you referring to people you’ve hired to help you on your blog? Great job for July! What an inspiration. Last month was my first blogging and I made a total of $850 – $805 from selling stuff and $45 from freelance writing.
Great job hitting your goals in July!
You’re rockin’ it! (In your pj’s!)
Another great month! August is looking slow around here too, I guess everyone is enjoying the sun, but July was better than expected so that is just fine
Great work Holly. I love reading the updates. As someone just recently started out in online blogging, your progress is very interesting to follow. Keep up the good work!
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