I was really busy in the month of August. There were a couple weeks when I did excellent on the scheduling front and other weeks where I struggled. So, I didn’t accomplish as much as I wanted to in August but I hope I can turn September around.
Here’s how my August goals panned out.
Parenting
-
Teach the girls one Bible lesson per weekWe used the online Bible curriculum, read short kids books on God, The Bible, and helping other people. - Read another parenting book. {I bought one but have only gotten a quarter the way through it. I didn’t read nearly as much as I normally do in the month of August.}
Blogging/Writing
Find 4 new consistent writing jobsI found six new jobs and even turned down one.Make $800 in extra income
Just as a reminder I only made around $430 in extra income in the month of July. So, I thought $800 would be a pretty challenging goal. Well, drum roll please, in the month of August I made a total of $2,455.75. That is nearly double of what I make a month from my day job. And, I made the majority of this amount just in the past week alone! I am still kind of in disbelief and hope I can do half as good this month.
Personal
- Go to Church every Sunday {The same as last month. I missed two Sundays. These happen to be the Sundays when I don’t have the girls. I just can’t bring myself to get out of bed.)
Wake up at 6:30 am on weekdaysI didn’t wake up at 6:30 every weekday. Some days I didn’t get up until 7:00 while other days I was up at 5:00. In the end I think it all evened out so I consider this goal a success!Make and stick to a very tight weekly budgetKilling it! I had set a goal to not eat out at all. I did end up eating out once but still happy with my progress. I’ve also been looking for ways to lower my budget. I am trying the Republic Wireless phone out right now. I hope it works so I can cut my phone budget to $19/month.
September Goals
I can’t believe it’s already September. I’ll turn 27 in just a couple of weeks. I feel so old. It was like I was 16 yesterday. Now I am in my late twenties with two kids! Crazy!
On to the goals for September.
Parenting
- Have learning days with the girls at least three times a week.
- Take them somewhere educational and fun. Most likely the Zoo or the Aquarium.
- Teach them something about the Bible each week.
Blogging Writing
- Make $1500 in blogging/writing income.
- Do work as it comes. Zero procrastinating!
Personal Goals
- Finish reading Positive Discipline for Preschoolers
, The Yahoo! Style Guide
, and The Deborah Company: becoming a woman who makes a difference
.
- Cut my monthly budget by $50.
- Add $1500 to my emergency fund.
The income and savings goals are pretty big for me. In order to save an extra $1500 I first have to earn an extra $1500. I just hope that the jobs keep coming in the way they did last week.
I am going to try and schedule even better this month so that I work in all of my goals while still working my regular job and giving my kids the attention they need.
What are your goals for September?
Great work on the goals Alexa! I love how you have set financial goals but also some that relate to your role as a parent. Parenting like anything else is a skill that can be learned. We just don’t take the time to do it as much. In the end, becoming a better parent and impacting your girls spiritually will be the most rewarding thing you ever do.
Thank you, Brian. I love reading your blog and the way you relate your posts to the Bible, it’s really great. I want my girls to have a solid foundation so that they have confidence and hopefully be able to avoid peer pressure when they get older.
what an awesome month!!!
Thank you, Faith!!
Holy crap Alexa…August was AWESOME!!!
I really love your monthly goal sharing and your end of the month recaps!! You are truly inspiring and I wish you and your girls nothing but the best!!
Take care and keep on doing what you’re doing!
Lyle
Thank you, Lyle!
Go Team Alexa!!! Great August for ya! Keep up the good work. You are an inspiration to many. Thank you.
Thanks so much Britnee 🙂
You have always been fantastic when it comes to blogging/writing goals. I am always inspired by you Alexa. Well done and all the best for September too
Thank You!
Wow great job on your income! You are doing great!
Thanks, Michelle! 😉
Good job on the income. I hope this month goes even better.
Thanks, Kim!!
What an amazing month Alexa! You’re an inspiration for sure!
Thank you, Josh!
Whoo Hoo! We are partying for you over here! Great job. All the Best ~ Christie
Lol Can I come party with you Christie! 😀
Wow! Congrats, I am still trying to learn how to make money freelancing over here. I also struggle with eating out. I think my fall goal will be to stay in and put that money in savings so I can end the year in a strong financial position. Happy upcoming birthday. I turned 27 last month. So far it’s been great 🙂
I used to be horrible at eating out. Six months ago I ate out 5+ days per week! I keep telling myself “it’s just food!” and have done so much better.
Congrats…you are doing great! I love all the quotes you put up on your posts and in your ebook. Where do you find them?
I’m a quotes junkie. I find a lot of them on pinterest though. Or I just Google what I’m specifically looking for.
Wow! You did great! I love reading your blog! I enjoy reading about your goals and how you accomplish them! ~~Pam
Thank you, Pam!
wow, what an amazing month for you! Congrats!
Thank You!
Wow, you are killing on that side income. Keep up the good work!
Thanks! 😉
You rocked August! Congrats on that side income! Here’s to seeing it grow even more! Hope you guys get to go to the zoo/aquarium! That always makes for a fun day.
Yes I have not went to the Zoo or the Aquarium yet this summer. I really want to go too!! I am going to have to make that a top priority!
Wow awesome work on the extra income. Would love to read about how you go finding all this work. You must be doing some hardcore marketing!
I’ll probably post more on that later this month. But, on my weekly emails I’ve already shared my resume and the email templates I use. I share more freelancing type stuff in the emails than I do on my blog.
Congrats on the great month of income! That’s so awesome! What else are you doing besides writing? Or is it just a lot of writing?
I did a TON of writing last week but it’s also coming from blog advertising.
Alexa,
For the online income how much of it was freelancing and how much of it was blog advertisement?
I’d say that about 40% of it was blog advertisements and 60% was freelance writing. I haven’t tallied up the exact percentages but that’s what I think it is.
Congrats on blowing your $800 goal out of the water! Its great to see that your goals include teaching your daughters and some personal growth. Nice job!
Thank You!
Awesome! I bet you feel awesome that you exceeded your goal by so much. Great job!
Yes, it definitely feels good and keeps me motivated to do better!
Excellent work on achieving so many goals, kudos to you, be proud of the little things accomplished as well as the Big.
Anna
Congratulations, Alexa! Keeping going after your goals!
Alexa, amazing job in August!! At this rate you’ll have NO problem making the switch in January. Good luck in September!
way to kill your August freelance income! amazing!
Congratulations on the extra earnings! I bet you’re going to see it going up and up from this point. 🙂 Keep up the fantastic work.
I had a friend who gave up procrastination for Lent one year. I thought it was a hilarious (but great) idea! Good luck with the September goals.
These are great goals and you are doing quite well for yourself. Keep it up Alexa!
You’re rocking it with the freelancing. Wow. I am in awe and have so much admiration for you. Great job!!!