Time goes by way too quick! I feel like I blink and the weekend is here already. I didn’t get a chance to share how I did with February’s goals or my plans for March so I want to give you a quick update.
I completed 50% of my goals in February.
- I didn’t touch my emergency fund.
- I read two books.
- I didn’t obsessively check stats.
I spent the majority of my free time in February finishing up on the bookkeeping job. The two weeks’ notice actually turned into four weeks. This was my first week of only having one day job! I got to spend all day Thursday working on my other goals.
My extra income goal for March was $300. 9 days into March and I have already made $160 so I am hoping I can put in some hard work and exceed the $300 target.
March Goals
- Make at least $300 in extra income.
- Read 3 books.
- Find a staff writing gig.
I am going to keep this month’s goals short and sweet so that I can stay focused.
Life Update
No more divorce drama. Ever since the ex-husband and I had the conversation about doing what is best for the girls things have been going very smoothly. (He has been getting on my nerves, but I keep that to myself J )
My oldest daughter started gymnastics this week and she couldn’t be more proud of herself. It’s the best feeling in the world to see her so excited for something. I am very glad I finally got her started.
I didn’t enroll in the budgeted plan for the electric bill last month. I had family members telling me not to do it because when the electric company evens up at the end of the year I will owe a lot of money! So I thought I took the necessary precautions to keep the electric bill low.
I kept the heat as low as I possibly could, made sure there were no lights or TV’s on in any rooms we didn’t use, and used my Eden Pure Heater a lot. (It’s supposed to cost something like a dollar a day to run?) Well………..things didn’t work out. This month’s electric bill – $520.92. Yepp, I’m officially screwed.
Posts I Loved
I want to start sharing some posts from others that have beneficial to me and that I think could be beneficial to you. This week’s topic is Online Business (Whoohoo!) except for Mandy’s post about Self Worth because it’s just too good not to share!
Life
Net Worth Is Not Your Self Worth from Mandy @ Money Master Mom. This post is a great reminder that there is so much more to life than money. Mandy is a great person, always showing random acts of kindness and has some pretty fantastic ideas.
Online Business
The Deadly Math Mistake That Will Make Your Freelance Business Fail from Carol Tice @ Make a Living Writing. Ever since Melissa from Mom’s Plans introduced to me to Carol’s blog I have been hooked. This is now my go to place for all things freelance related.
How to Start a Blog – Tips for a Beginner from Michelle @ Making Sense of Cents. It’s probably no secret that Michelle is one of my favorite bloggers. She works hard and has reaped the benefits of doing so. I wanted to share this in case any of you were considering to start a blog but didn’t know what to do first.
An Online Business is NOT a Passive Income Source from Grayson @ Debt Roundup This is such a great reminder that in no way, shape, or form is an online business passive. It takes a lot of work, but the good thing is the work is fun! (or at least I think so)
Increased Productivity = More Money in My Pocket from the Happy Homeowner As a budding online entrepreneur the happy homeowner has a list of things she needs to get done. I do a few of things she suggests as well such as sitting in a quiet area to get things done and avoid distractions.
Are You Suited to be An Entrepreneur? From Jordann @ My Alternate Life. Jordann brings up a great point in this post that entrepreneurism isn’t for everyone. She sorts through some of the pros and cons and weighs in on whether owning her own business is a good path for her to take.
Niche Website Project Part 2 – The Unveiling from My Money Design. I have a micro niche website myself that should break even on an annual basis. I hope that eventually it will take off. I love diferent ways to make money online and in this post MMD shares his strategy. I wish him all the luck with his new endeavor IRAvs401K Central
You’ll have that $300 is no time! Especially if you keep following Michelle’s advice. I’m still impressed week after week by how much she manages to bring in.
Thanks for the links! I do appreciate it! What is your micro niche site? Do you have other sites or experience with niche sites from before?
I started my niche site almost a year ago. The idea for it is pretty out there, and I am kind of hesitant to reveal it. I think I would have to go into detail on why I chose it first lol. But it has been a great learning experience and I am thinking of starting another. Do you ever read the adsense flippers blog?
No, I haven’t. Do they have some good advice?
I usually read Niche Pursuits and Think Traffic for all my blog ideas.
They have really good advice. I haven’t been to the two you mentioned I am gonna have to check them out soon.
Thanks for the mention, Alexa!
I read Spencer’s Niche Pursuits as well. (And have gotten to know him a bit over the last couple of years) I follow Corbett’s ThinkTraffic too, although probably not as regularly.
You’re welcome! Thanks for all the great info you share!
Thanks for mentioning my rant about online business. Happy to hear that you agree and that you think it is fun to run a business. I enjoy running one as well.
sign up for the budget plan(PIPP PLUS). ask questions first.. but i can tell you i have american electric power (AEP) And there is no end of year huge payment. they dont do that anymore. actually if you pay your bill on time for 24 months then any arrearages are decuted monthly.. i went from owing over $6000.00 in arrearages to nothing. 🙂 and still on a budget of 56.00 A MONTH!!! i signed up for budget plans for electric and gas( columbia gas). with columbia gas, as long as i pay the payment on time, they eliminate anything over the pipp (budget) payment. its also 56.00 a month. i love your blog. its like reading my own life and learning all the things i should have done many years ago.. i have 2 girls, divorced, bought a trailer ( we had it for 12 years) and worked 72 hours a week.. totally crazy…… but we did it!!! you go girll i am proud of you!!! you are way ahead of where i was with savings, plans, etc.
Thanks so much Kim! I would be in heaven if my electric bill was $56/ month. I can’t do the $500 a month, especially now that I have went down to one job. I am going to call the electric company tomorrow and ask about those budgeted plans.
And 72 hours a week?!?! I don’t know how you did it! That’s an insane amount of time to work but I guess sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. Sounds like we have a lot in common. Best of luck to you and your two girls!
Thanks for the mention! I’m pretty positive that you’ll reach $300 🙂
That really stinks about the $520 bill. It’s insane!
Greetings! I know this is kind of off topic but I was wondering which blog platform are you using for this
site? I’m getting fed up of WordPress because I’ve had problems with hackers and I’m looking at alternatives for another platform. I would be awesome if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.