I hope you had a good weekend!
School started back for Kailyn today. I’ve been sleeping in a little over the past two weeks so I was really worried that it would be hard to go back to our normal routine but luckily, the morning went pretty smoothly!
I also meant to publish this post on Friday but then life happened. So sorry, but you’re getting double posts from me today. That’s rare 🙂
December Income Report
Surprisingly, December was my best income month to date! I didn’t realize this until logging into my Paypal account on Friday and seeing a large affiliate payment. I expected to receive that this month so now I’m a little worried that January won’t be as good as December. We shall see!
In December I made $3,865.07
Just as reminder this is what I actually got paid for in December. That means the majority of it was for work that was done in November. This is also a pre-tax amount and since I’m self-employed I have to hold taxes back myself. (And I’m extremely worried I didn’t hold back enough last year. But that’s a different story for a different day.)
The income broke down like this:
- Freelance Writing/Virtual Assistant/Blog Management – $2,182.50
- Blog Income – $1,682.57
That’s quite a jump in blog income for me! To break it down further here’s where the blog income came from:
- AdSense – $447.09
- Net – $249.99
- Affiliate Income – $629.24
- Direct Advertising (Sponsors) – $356.25
A couple of notes. The Affiliate income unfortunately won’t be a recurring monthly income source. The majority of it came from the EBA affiliate program. A huge thanks to everyone who signed up under my link. It was very much appreciated and if you need help with anything at all please email me!
P.S. If you’re interested in starting a blog too, check out How to Start a Blog for Only $12 per Year. This post walks you through setting up your own WordPress blog through GoDaddy, my favorite hosting company.
And in other blog news I finally broke the 100k pageviews mark which is just huge for this blog! I finished out December with 115k pageviews and those keep steadily climbing. For anyone wanting to make more money from their blog or just grow their readership I highly recommend Elite Blog Academy. (Won’t reopen until Spring.) This program is the best thing I’ve ever done for my blog!
Spending/Saving
I’ve got some pretty lofty goals for 2015 which include earning $60k this year and saving $20k for a down payment. I think I will hit the $60k mark however, it might take me a couple of months to really build up momentum with my income and I’m fine with that.
With Christmas being last month my spending was a little high. (But not too bad I feel like I kept Christmas very reasonable and went for quality over quantity.) I also had to buy a new computer. My current laptop is missing buttons and is now getting so hot I’m afraid it’s going to catch on fire.
As much as I didn’t want to I bit the bullet and dished out $510 for a nicer laptop than what I currently have.
Even with Christmas, the laptop, and more taxes since I have more income this month, I still managed to save $249.99 (plus retirement savings.) In January I’ve got to get the savings amount way up if I’m going to hit my goal.
I’ll be working on slashing my expenses and getting my budget in order for the whole year this month. (As you’ll see with the money management series going on.)
I’ve also been stalking the Frugal Woods blog. If you’re looking for some inspiration to really cut your costs check them out. They have the same mentality as Mr. Money Mustache only they write in a way that doesn’t make you feel lazy/worthless/stupid for not wanting to ride a bike everywhere.
In a nutshell it’s an amazing blog that will make you reconsider the way you manage your money without sounding preachy or making you feel guilty. It’s definitely been added to my favorite blogs list and has been inspiring me to really cut my expenses back.
One Blogger Making a Difference
I also wanted to tell you about an amazing Charity that one of my blogger friends, Josh from CNA Finance, has started.
Josh was looking for a way to give back and decided to start in his own city. He and his friends started Under the Bridge, a program that provides meals for the homeless. They’ve been delivering homemade meals to the homeless in their city and are looking for even more people to get involved.
I’m so proud that he’s doing this and it’s definitely inspired me to look for more ways to give back. You can check out all the amazing stuff he’s doing at Under the Bridge.
How did December treat you?
That’s some really impressive income from your blog — congrats!
Thanks 🙂
Congrats on the page views and December income. I agree with you as well, one of my favorite blogs right now is Frugalwoods.
Thank you! Yes, I’m loving Frugal Woods. I had never spent too much time reading until this weekend and before I knew it I had read every post on the blog!
We slept in basically every day the past two weeks as well and I was worried about our back to work/school routine, but it went fine!
Yes! LOVE Frugalwoods 🙂
I’m thinking school is going to be cancelled tomorrow because of snow. I was really hoping they’d call tonight so I could sleep in again tomorrow lol. But getting up today wasn’t too bad!
i’m not a jealous person at all but i have to say I’m a bit envious of your income goals. I know you deserve it thought and work hard and are ever so helpful for others! 🙂
Don’t get envious yet. Right now it’s just a goal and I’m going to have to work hard to reach it. Plus, you know that if I can do it you can too! And if you do start a blog I’ll help you avoid all the mistakes that I made 🙂
Thanks! 🙂 Well you definitely inspire! I’m rooting for you so keep it up. 🙂
Congrats on your December income, Alexa! You are seriously converting me to sign up with EBA when it reopens in the spring.. I’m kind of kicking myself for not doing it sooner!
Also, I hadn’t really read the FrugalWoods before, but now I will! Thanks for the rec!
EBA has been amazing for me. I had been stuck at around 30k pageview for months and since I’ve joined my pageviews (and obviously blog income) have been on a very steady rise. It’s definitely worth the money.
Congrats on a great December! December was high for spending on low on income for me (bad combo). However, I’m really trying to start making money from home in 2015 and getting serious about it.
Once you get serious about it the sky is the limit. 🙂 Hopefully we can both make more money from home this year!!
Wow what you’ve accomplished is incredibly impressive and might have to look into the blog academy…if it doesn’t get in the way of many many other goals! Ahhh! Too much that I want to do! Anyway, congratulations on all your success!
Thank you! Elite Blog Academy is definitely the best thing I’ve ever done for my blog but I totally understand the too many goals thing 🙂
Those are amazing pageviews, way to go! Great income, too. I love frugalwoods, and your description of the way they don’t put anyone down is so true.
Thank you! And yes that’s what I like about Frugal Woods. It’s like a Money Mustache Mentality without bashing other people.
Awesome income in December! Even taking out the EBA payments (I got mine too, and it was awesome!) you had a great month! I haven’t been around CNA finance at all lately, but I’ll have to jump back in to see what this charity is all about! Looking forward to watching you reach your goals (especially that $60K one!) in 2015! They seem like they’ll make you stretch, but are attainable at the same time!
Sounds like you had a great income month–that’s awesome. And thank you so much for your extremely sweet mention of Frugalwoods! Wow, I’m totally flattered! I really appreciate it. I’m a big fan of your work too 🙂
I am so excited for you!! And, I was one of the people who signed up under your link 🙂 I also love the Frugalwoods. They are my people.
I am so happy for your success and I know that you will exceed your 2015 goals. I love Frugal Woods one of my favorite blogs for me too! December was OK for us but we are back on track.
You are correct about EBA and I will recommend it as well. Thank you, Alexa.
Congratulations on the great December income! I look forward to seeing the great things I’m sure you’ll do in 2015.
The numbers look impressive. Keep up with good job 🙂 I am sure a lot of readers get inspired to increase their income through your income reports 🙂
wow what an awesome increase! looks like 2015 will be an even better year for you. I love when the kids don’t have school. I was just thinking that this morning not only do they get a break from homework but so does mommy!
Wow!! Great job on the income!! I have to say, I think I’m going to NEED to buy EBA this spring to take my blog to the next level!! I’ve heard nothing but great things about it!
Congratulations again!! Your blog is an inspiration!! 🙂
Great job on your income! I’ve heard good things about EBA so I might join next time it comes around. Hope you do great things and hit your goal in 2015!