Big announcement: Friday was my last day working the day job.
Thanks to all of the comments from you guys I worked up some nerve and talked to my boss about the quit date. Although, I think he’d much rather have kept me longer he gave me the option of Friday being my last day and I took it.
I’ve got to confess. I’m excited but also pretty darn nervous.
The next few months will be spent trying to fill my days with a little more work and figuring out what my new normal will look like.
In case you were wondering how I was able to quit my day job with one year’s worth of effort, here’s how.
I Started a Blog
According to my latest hosting bill I started this blog on October 23, 2012. Single Moms Income was born just a few short months after separating from my husband. This blog was a positive outlet for me as my life went through numerous changes.
Since my ex-husband and I opted for shared parenting I was faced with not being with my kids on a daily basis for the first time in my life. I was pretty depressed – I missed them soooo much when they were gone. So, I took that negative energy and channeled it into something positive. I spent my time working on this blog, dabbling with niche sites, and reading about ways to make money online.
This blog led me to all sorts of opportunities, connected me with like-minded people, and inspired me to give freelance writing a shot.
I Faced My Fears & Went For It
When I first came up with the idea to write for money I really didn’t know what I was up against. There is some fierce competition in freelance writing even for the really, really crappy jobs. I quickly realized that if I was serious about earning anything as a writer that I’d have to market myself – a lot.
I began shooting out emails to blog owners introducing myself and asking if they needed help with their blogs. I was rejected or ignored over and over and over again.
“You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take.” – Wayne Gretzky
The first time I was rejected it stung pretty bad. I took it personally but decided to try again anyways. I got rejected several more times but each time it hurt less until one day it just didn’t bother me anymore.
The fear of failure and rejection was pretty powerful at first but I overcame it with time. Obviously I still don’t like to put myself out there just to be shot down but at least I don’t take it personally now.
I Kept My Expenses Low
Another factor that enabled to me to quit my job is the fact that my expenses are low, real low. My budget is about $1,600 a month and I foresee this being even less now that I’ll be working from home. I’ll spend a lot less money in gas and I won’t be making random purchases at the gas station or on fast food since I won’t be around any of these places.
My budget covers all the necessities for my family and even lends me a little fun money. Plus the only debt I have is the loan on my trailer which equates to $226 per month. This is much less than most peoples rent. If I had debt or higher expenses then I wouldn’t have been able to quit.
I Saved Money
I’ve earned more freelancing the past three months than I have from my day job. And since my day job just about covers all my expenses I’ve been able to save my freelance money. I wanted to reach the $10,000 mark in my emergency fund before quitting but haven’t quite gotten there.
The good news is that I still have about $1,700 worth of freelance money owed to me and hopefully coming to me within the next few days.
I am not sure yet if I’ll add this to my emergency fund or put in a separate “salary fund.” Either way I’ll be extremely close to the $10,000 mark within a matter of a few weeks. This is enough to cover almost six months’ worth of my expenses. And, since my income as a freelancer is very diverse I don’t foresee ever needing to use a large amount of money to pay my bills. If I lose one freelance job I can find others to pick up.
I need to make $2,000 per month to cover my expenses and taxes ($1,600 expenses, $400 taxes.) Even if I make more money than this I will not give myself a raise. I’ll continue to save the money.
I Have a Back Up Plan
If worse comes to worse, which I don’t think it will, I can always go to work for my family. I am lucky in the sense that my dad owns two businesses and so does my grandma. If freelancing doesn’t work out, or if I need to make a few more bucks to get by, I can run the cash register or help out in the office to earn a little extra money. Not glamorous work, but something that will help me pay the bills if it comes down to that.
I Did It
It doesn’t yet feel real to me that today I am working for myself. It may take a week or two to fully kick in that I really just quit my job. I am all kinds of emotional, nervous, excited, and ready to see what the future holds.
I know that there will be up weeks and down weeks. I’ve just got to get it in my head that it is okay to have a bad week. That’s why I’ve saved my money. And, those down weeks will give me plenty of time to look for new jobs.
So, for me the future is looking good! I am so grateful to everyone who reads this blog or has emailed me with words of encouragement. If it wasn’t for all of you guys then I really don’t think I would ever have done of this. So, thank you so, so much. I love all of you!
P.S. If you want to start a blog here’s how to do it professionally for as little as $12!
Congrats on quitting your job! It’s so awesome to see you and some others I know pursue writing/blogging/etc. full-time. The fact you are able to keep your expenses at $1,600 or less is huge. Looking forward to seeing where the freelance life takes you!
Thank you, David!
This is so awesome Alexa! It’s pretty amazing that you were able to completely replace your day job in just one year. My guess is that with all this extra time you’ll not only be able to increase that income, but have much more time to enjoy your life as well. I’m really excited for you. Nice work!
I really hope that I can increase my income some more! Right now I am focusing on baby steps. I fear if I set my goals too high at first I’ll end up disappointing myself. Little by little, I’ll get there. Thanks, Matt!
Congrats Alexa! It’s new so much fun watching your blog grow, and you’ve already taught me a ton about freelancing and making money on the internet.
Thank you!
Wow! Congratulations on your new move. That’s exciting. I am impressed you are able to keep your expenses down amd it’s great that you have several months of expenses in the bank. Here’s to blowing your 2K target out of the water!
Thank you! I hope I can blow that 2k out of the water over the next several months!
Love your blog! I’ve been paying down my debt probably have it payed off this next summer. But your blog is what really got me thinking I need an emergency fund. So I’ve paying the minimum on my debt and the rest is going into a savings for a while. Thank you for that! I think you have done this well. You planned everything out and like you said you live cheaply and you have a back up plan too! Good Luck!
Thank you so much Becky! That really means a lot to me! Good luck with paying off the debt by next summer and building up the emergency fund. You’ll have to let me know how it goes!
i made my mother read this post , she was astonished and certainly developed a sense of respect for you at that very moment. i will follow your blog regularly now.thank you so much alexa,this is inspiring
Thank you so much Hans! Your comment just made my day. I certainly appreciate it!
Ahh congrats Alexa! That a huge step. It sounds like you are doing very well already but it’s great that you have a backup plan, just in case.
Thank you!
Congrats Alexa! It is pretty amazing what you accomplished in one year. Hope to hear more about the transition to being a full time freelance writing. Oh and I love the quotes you put up on your blog and in your book (especially the sports ones!). The Wayne Gretzky quote reminds me of the Michael Jordan one where he says: “I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”
Thank you! I am big on the motivational quotes. I had never heard that one from Michael Jordan but I really, really like it.
You’re an inspiration. Congrats Alexa!
Thanks, Carrie!
Congrats. You conquered through it all. I would say you have already jumped the biggest of the hurdles. And you have done all this in one year. Keep up!!
I hope it’s the biggest of the hurdles and thank you 🙂
I love that Wayne Gretzky quote! Congrats, I am so happy for you and am excited to see what the future holds.
Thanks, Kim!
Very inspirational. So happy to see how people are changing their lives and taking charge of their dreams. Keep up the good work, it’s been surely a busy year, but it does look really good 😉
Thank you 😀
Thats so great! It is great that you were able to take the plunge. I am sure its a sign of many good things to come.
I hope so 🙂 thanks!
Congratulations Alexa!
I just discovered your site a week ago and must say your very Inspirational.
Thank you, Heather!
That is such an inspiring story, Alexa! You deserve it and by sharing your success you are giving hope to others who want to achieve the same thing. You have a solid plan and I know that you’ll continue to multiply your income.
Cheers,
Ree
Thanks, Ree!
Whoo Hoo! I hope you are feeling good about this. I have enjoyed following your blog for the last year or so and getting to know you a bit. It’s funny, even though I read all your posts I still don’t know how you did it. I guess that daily action is the basis. You just keep plugging away at it!
Congrats!
~ Christie
I have very much enjoyed getting to know you too, Christie! Glad to have you around to talk to!
Loved your post. I really identify with many of the things you said. I was a single mom at one point and share custody also. I still cry every other Friday when I have to drop them off at their dad’s house. My youngest stands on the porch blowing me kisses and it literally breaks my heart. Every. Time.
Congratulations on your success. I admire your goals and tenacity!
It is sooo hard to do shared parenting. It was horrible for me at first. I still sit around and think about them when they’re with their dad but I try to keep myself busy. I don’t know if that’s a feeling that ever goes away.
I am really happy for you! I knew you could do it.
Congrats Alexa! I definitely know that you can do this. You seem so determined. We need to keep each other motivated 🙂
For sure! I’ll email you when I start to slip 😉
That’s great! I hope to one day be able to do this full time. Enjoy the new life path!
Thank you! If I can do it, you can do it too!
Yay Alexa!
You know I think you’re awesome! I know you can do it and I see you making a lot more money in the future!
I think you’re awesome too 😉 It was actually some of your comments that really stuck with me and made me want to do this full time even more – so thank you!
Congrats on quitting your job Alexa! I know how crazy scary, yet liberating, that can be. I just quit my job on May 1st of this year and it’s been a roller coaster trying to figure out my new “normal” too. But the freedom and flexibility is definitely worth it. I know you’ll become a massive freelancing success, since you have the drive and the backup plan to do so. Such an inspiring story! Thanks for being so open and honest.
Very much crazy scary yet liberating. Luckily I had a few good things come my way today that made me feel really good about the decision. Thanks, Carrie and best to you as well!
Congratulations, Alexa! It’s great that you were able to quit last Friday. I am very excited and happy for you! You seem to be very determined and you know what you want, and this is a key to success! Good luck! 😛
Thanks, Eva!
Whoohoo! I’m so happy that you’ve taken the plunge. I’m filled with admiration for you — not being particularly entrepreneurial myself, I love seeing that trait in others. I’m sure things will work out well for you and the family. Well done!
I would have never guessed that you weren’t entrepreneurial. It must be rubbing off on you through your blog 🙂 And, thank you!
That is pretty amazing that you have only been doing this for 1 year. You should take a lot of pride in that. Your honest writing style is quite endearing. Keep it going!
Thanks Kyle. I really appreciate that!
Congrats on making the jump! I know a ton of people that would love to do the same and you’re already on the way! Keep up the good work!
Thank you, Lance 🙂
Congratulations on finally making that step!! You are so wise to have saved up such a huge emergency fund and come up with a plan B, although I’m sure you’ll make it work just fine! Good luck!
Congrats on the move Alexa! I know this is something you have been dreaming about for some time.
Huge congrats Alexa! That is awesome. You’re doing and have done all the right things to make this a success. I can relate to that feeling of nervousness, but I encourage you to use that to drive you now and in the future. Keep up the great work and very excited to see what’s in store for you. 🙂
That is so awesome Alexa…and even though I don’t know you personally, I’m sooooooooooooo proud of you 🙂 You’re going to do great!
It’s kind of funny, my post that I just published is similar in nature to this post and I’m glad that you beat your fear down. Life is too short to be afraid!
Once again congrats Alexa and take care. I look forward to seeing your writing career blossom 🙂 All the best to you and your little ones.
Lyle
Thank you, Lyle! Yes, I just read your latest post and totally related! Great minds think alike, huh? 😉
Congratulations Alexa! What a big step, I’m excited to follow your new journey, and hope it works out well for you! One day I hope to work for myself, but I definitely need to conquer the fear of putting myself “out there”.
Congrats Alexa you made it! I was working last 6 years ago in a small business (I’m living in a small city) but after 2 years I decide to find my luck as a VA and luckily I found a good client.
Congrats, Alexa! I am sure that now that you will be able to focus entirely on your freelancing and this blog, you will earn a lot more. I am actually sure that you will earn a lot more than you plan to earn and that you made the best choice. Good luck and keep us posted!
Thank you, C!
Very inspirative for me, but still hard to me.
Congrats Alexa! I know you’ve been planning this for awhile so I’m glad to see you were able to achieve your goal!
This is such a unique and awesome perspective! It is definitely easy to fall into over-creating or over-consuming. Thanks for this post!As i read this article, i find it very informative. it is a nice one because it deals with an interesting ideas and information. I like it so much as from the first time i read it, the information that are used here attracted me a lot. They take my attention from the first look, so thanks so much for sharing with us this great topic in this great website. You are doing a great work here. I must say you’ve done a wonderful job by sharing your article with us. It took more time for me to read it fully, But it’s worth it Really.
You are so inspirational to me! Wow, after just a year. You’ve done so much. I think I’m a hustler, but you are the SUPER hustler. I’m trying to watch and learn 🙂
Incredible! Congrats, Alexa!
Congratulations on quitting your day job! That is so awesome and inspiring. Good luck with being completely self-employed – looking forward to reading more from you 🙂
Congratulations!
I’m so happy for you! Congratulations! You’re going to be so successful in this new venture; not only do you have the skills to make it work, but you’re always so positive.
Hey Alexa! Just wanted to let you know that I recently came across your blog and have read a ton of it in the past 24 hours! I am your new biggest fan 🙂 Keep up the awesome work and thank you for sharing your journey with us. I’m also trying to hustle online as a freelance writer and I’m just soaking up everything you’re talking about. GREAT work.
I just found your blog through your comment on Carol Tice’s site, and just reading this post is so inspiring! Congrats! I’ll definitely stick around here!
Congratulations!! I am so impressed at how low your expenses are. I hate to admit it, but they’re lower than the rent on our apartment alone. Eeeek!
Congratulations! I’m AMAZED that success can come so quickly if you employ the right strategies. Thanks for sharing your insights. I hope to get there soon!
Congratulations on quitting your job! Regardless of what you choose to do in your life. You have the persistence to do it! I’ve recently quit my job too. It was probably the best decision of my life. No longer do I wake up and force myself out of bed, down a black coffee, look at the pictures on my wall of a dream I want to make reality and then rush off to try beat the rush hour commute. I get up everyday leading my dreams, one day at a time.
Hi there! I just would like to give an enormous thumbs up
for the nice info you might have here on this post.
I shall be coming again to your blog for extra soon.
Hiya! I just would like to give an enormous thumbs up for the good information you
Excellent excited synthetic eye to get fine detail and may anticipate
problems just before they take place.
Your story truly inspires me!
I am someone who is trying to make the internet thing work, but its really not that easy. Reading your story and your blog, I have a renewed energy and determination.
I have hope that with hard work, I can make it work also. So thank you for sharing your story.
You are an inspiration! I’m not a single mom, but I am striving for the same things you did! Entrepreneur in a multitude of passions! Cheers to you, and your kids will be so grateful that their mom documented her story for them to look up later on. Congratulations on taking the leap, and making it to the other side!
I came across your blog today and am really looking forward to reading it (a lot of catch up to do)! It seems we have a lot in common so it should be a good read, and I’m sure that you’ll have amazing tips to help me out with my own blog, saving, and general single mom endeavors!
Wow, I can definitely relate to this situation. I am currently a single mom living off of my blogging income. It is tough but possible. I never expected to be a single mom either. My husband decided to leave me about 7 months ago but my princess and I are doing just fine on our own. Dreams can turn into reality if you set your mind to it, work hard and don’t give up!
Its like you read my mind! You seem to know a lot about this, like you wrote the book in it or something.
I think that you could do with some pics to drive the message home a bit, but instead of that, this is great blog.
A fantastic read. I will definitely be back.
Congratulations Alexa. Belatedly admittedly. All I can say is keep up the great work. As Earl Nightinggale said, the law of cause and effect commands that if you increase your service, your rewards must increase proportionately, everytime, inevitably. So keep on finding out what your audience wants and get better at giving THAT to them. I’m also working on my online biz while working part time. I find that my online progress increases the amount of part time offline work that I can do because of the skills I acquire in the process and the fact that I am using them to create tangible results for myself. Lastly, joint ventures are great. They can add a much needed cash splash to your biz every now and then. I encourage everyone starting online to quickly see how they can use JV’s. No need to fly solo. The Wrrior Forum is a haven of experienced Joint venture partners if you have something valuable and in demand to offer. Go Alexa. Go!
I can totally relate! It’s so great to see other single moms who have been through the same situations and pulled through. I would love to have you write a guest post on my blog. It’s about making more money and spending less so I can become a work at home mom. I think your writing and subjects would fit so perfectly. I hope to hear from you. : ) Amazing blog btw.
This is obviously a old post but on time for me. Thank you for sharing your story of bravery. I love your blog.
This is a very inspiring post, great job!