Tomorrow is a big day. HUGE actually.
Its kindergarten registration day and my first baby will be heading off to school in just a few months. (Queue tears.)
Kailyn just can’t wait to go to school. She’s been asking about school since she was first able to talk. And while my nerves are a bit on edge to send my baby to school I’m trying to keep it from her.
Fingers crossed for me that I don’t burst out in tears as I sign her up. This will be a happy, happy day for her and a reminder to me at how fast time flies by!
March Income Update
March was a record month for me. The extra freelance jobs that I’ve taken are starting to pay off. What’s weird though, is that this probably the worst month I’ve had blog income-wise in more than six months. But it’s the best month I’ve had with freelance jobs.
I’m actually pretty thankful for this. There’s so much that can go wrong with blogging at any given time that’s out of your control. Freelancing is pretty straightforward and for me, more stable. So, I’m happy.
With all that said my income from the month was $2,716.34
April Goals
My goals kind of sucked at the beginning of the year –and I’m pretty sure that’s why I haven’t made the kind of progress that I want to make.
So, I’ve got to bring the goals back!
Here are my goals for the month of April:
- Write two blog posts on SMI weekly
- Add Another Page to SMI and reorganize some things
- Save 10 percent of my income for real estate (either buying a house or buying an investment property) I’ll do a post on this later. I’ve looked at some foreclosures properties and nothing has been too great!
- Invest income I earn from Google Adsense (Have been doing this for a few months by purchasing dividend stocks.)
- Save $30/ a piece for the girls college
Other Financial Updates
My Dad received a little bit of an inheritance and he (very generously) gave me $6,000. After debating what I should do with it I ended up putting every penny of it on the loan I took out on the trailer. I did this because 1) I hate monthly payments 2) It was a guaranteed return on my money (no longer paying interest)
The loan balance was right around $6,750 so now I just have to pay off the remaining $750. Then I’ll be 100 percent debt free!! And I’ll have an extra $226 per month freed up in my budget. Yay!
I’ve also started investing but I still need to open up an actual retirement account. (Shame on me!) All the investing I’ve done so far has been in a personal investment account.
I also need to update my budget. Last month was a train wreck. There was so much going on in my personal life that I over spent big time. And……I just did it again.
I wanted to have an Easter party for my kids, nieces, and nephews. My Dad wanted to have it at his house but I’m in charge of the kid fun. I just spent around $150 on candy, a piñata, cookie cutters, cupcake kits, and about 120 Easter eggs. I ended up buying way, way too much stuff. The good news though, is that I can save a lot of this stuff for Ava’s birthday next month.
I get way too into throwing kid parties. Too easy to go over budget. Time to reign in the spending!!
That’s all for now!
How was your March?
Kindergarten registration…what an awesome day! We just had a big milestone in our household as well…first child to hit the teen years. Yikes! Time goes by so quickly.
It does. Time goes by way too fast! Good luck with the teen years 😉
Oh yes, I think puberty is harder on me than her. Watching her become a woman is fascinating and thrilling but very bittersweet.
There are some no or lower fee companies you can open an Roth IRA with. I have mine through USAA you have to be a military member for that though. But if you have parents that were in the military and they have been members you could still qualify. They have less fees than most i have read but they are a conservative company i believe for investments.
Thanks for posting your goals it’s very motivational you are doing great by the way and i hope you have fun at registration day!
Adorable pictures…wow kindergarten, time flies doesn’t it? Pretty awesome with the income and almost paying off the trailer. And good to hear you started investing. I’m a big fan of Vanguard and their low fees. Though I think the minimum to open a retirement account is $1000.
My baby is going to graduate from high school ! Aagh! Now, i swear that I am 26. But, that math doesn’t work out very well ….. 😉
~ Christie
PS Be glad that she has a positive view about going to school!
Aw, kids grow up so fast! She is adorable, by the way!
And congrats on another awesome month as a freelancer! 🙂
Kindergarten registration already? How fast they grow up. As far as overspending, we have our ups and down. The important part is that you get back on track. Good job on your March income!
I think your March income is still something to be thankful for. There are just times when it’s like that but you are good at what you do and I am sure you will rebound from it and be able to do more.
Congrats on the income! This is SO true -> “There’s so much that can go wrong with blogging at any given time that’s out of your control. Freelancing is pretty straightforward and for me, more stable.” I started my first freelance job writing for the FeeX blog and I’m loving the weekly income. I have a couple writers on my site and having the consistent freelance writing income helps me be less worried about ‘what if my blog income drops off a cliff?’
I think freeing up that extra cash every month is going to be huge for you long term. And you’ll be debt free! That’s incredible. It’ll be here soon!
Congratulations on the strong month of income! I’ve never made any income from blogging, but I can certainly see how freelancing provides more stability. Best of luck with the first day of kindergarden. That’s so exciting!
Congrats on throwing your little windfall against your debt. Good move.
Paying off your debt or being 100% debt free is one of the best thing that can happen to someone! It’s been the worst month for your blog income, but I think you still manage to pull it off and earn a good amount of money last month.
Congratulations for your child is finally going to school. It’s so nice knowing she’s very excited about it.
I’m getting ready to register my oldest for kindergarten this year too. In fact, she turns 5 on the 27th. It makes me so sad. Time has just flown by!!!