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$3,275 in Extra Income and My Goals!

Last Updated: October 1, 2014 BY Michelle Schroeder-Gardner - 53 Comments

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you. Please read my disclosure for more info.

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Hey everyone! I know that every weekend and every month seems to fly by, but I really mean it this time: September went by super quick!

I love October and Fall. Mainly because it means that sooo many holidays are upon us. And I really love Christmas so that just means that we keep getting closer and closer. And as you can see, my online income in September was awesome! I am very happy with this.

Also, lots of fails on my list, but I still consider September a successful month.

We plan on handing out candy this Halloween. Usually we go out every Halloween, but this time we plan on staying it (we still plan on going out the weekend before of course 🙂  )  Over 5 years of living together and this will be our first time! I can’t help but be a little excited. However, I did price out candy and it looks like we’ll be spending around $50. Hopefully I don’t eat it all myself either.

You can find my 2012 yearly goals update here.

September Goals

  1. Cut my food budget down to $400. FAIL. BLEHHH Should we even talk about this? Haha we will do better! We did a little too many celebrating last month.
  2. Workout at least 4 times a week and run with my dog. PASS. We’ve been running at the track in our neighborhood. I love it!
  3. Make an extra $1,500 this month. PASS PASS PASS. See below 🙂
  4. Read 2 books. FAIL. I didn’t read any and I didn’t finish the last Hunger Games book.
  5. Lay new stones around the front of our house. FAIL. We were going to look at the store, and then turned out because we were lazy.
  6. Hire someone to put carpet in. FAIL. Haven’t done this yet. I plan on calling places soon. I hear the best time to do this is soon, as if we wait any longer than we will run into a Christmas rush for carpet. What did you do to save money on carpet?
  7. Paint the guest bathroom. FAIL. Plan on painting it coral soon though!
  8. Install a new light in our dining room. FAIL. Wow lots of fails on my list.

October Goals (some of these are the same as I wasn’t able to accomplish them).

  1. Cut my food budget down to $500. I increased this a little bit. Hopefully this can be done!
  2. Workout at least 4 times a week and lose 3 pounds. Keeping this on my list so that I can constantly be thinking about it. I’ve also put on a little extra weight since school has ended. I hate it so I’m determined to lose it.
  3. Make an extra $1,500 this month. I kept this at the same amount as last month (even though I did awesome last month!). I’m thinking I can definitely do this 🙂
  4. Do all of the house stuff from last month that I did not do. Lay new stones around the front of our house. Hire someone to put carpet in. Paint the guest bathroom. Install a new light in our dining room. The list goes on and on.
  5. Find an awesome Halloween costume. I have no ideas. What are you going to be?
  6. Plan a girls trip to KC to see a friend. We were supposed to go in 2 weeks, but instead it was pushed to November. Oh well!


Blog Goals (I’m not focused on numbers, but it is interesting to see where I’m going).

  • Twitter Followers: Goal was for 1,200, I’m currently at 1,230. I’m hoping to get 1,350.
  • Alexa rank: Goal was to be under 90,000. I’m still stuck at around 90,000. I noticed that ever since I switched to WordPress, that is has been dropping (my 1-month and 7 day average) though. My goal for October is to be at 85,000.
  • RSS readers: Goal was for 1,300, I’m WAY under this because I lost over 700 subscribers from the switch from Blogspot to WordPress. Oh well! Hopefully you guys are all still reading 🙂
  • Guest post at least 2 times this month. I failed at this yet again.

 

Extra Monthly Income in September

  • Online Income – $2,425
  • Selling Clothes – $0
  • Miscellaneous – $472
  • Mystery Shopping – $53
  • Rent – $325

So I actually made $3,275 extra last month!

How did you do in September? Any extra income?

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53 Comments
Filed Under: Goals Tagged With: Goals, Life

About Michelle Schroeder-Gardner

Michelle is the founder of Making Sense of Cents, a blog about personal finance and traveling. She discusses how her business has evolved in her side income series. She paid off $40,000 in student loans by the age of 24 mainly due to her freelancing side hustles. Click here to learn more about starting a blog!

Comments

  1. DC@Young Adult Money says

    October 2, 2012 at 6:22 am

    Congrats on the extra monthly income! Seriously that is huge. I am really focusing on side income because it just feels like "extra" and I would love to beef up my savings or put some more money in investments.

    You make a lot of goals each month so I hope you don't feel bad for not passing all of them. I also have goals of reading books but never seem to get around to them. Too much else going on.
    My recent post What is the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI)?

    Reply
    • MakingSenseofCents says

      October 2, 2012 at 9:20 am

      Thanks! And yes, extra income is nice because I can apply it towards debt and it's like I'm not even missing any money.
      My recent post $3,275 in Extra Income and My Goals!

      Reply
  2. jefferson @SDR says

    October 2, 2012 at 6:34 am

    We didn't do very well on our "home improvement" goals lately either.. It just seemed like our energy levels were down in September, and it was hard to get going. October is going to be better tho, I can feel it. One of my favorite months!

    Nice work on all of the blogging income.. That is a huge number!
    My recent post Debt Payoff Progress: On Target With the End in Sight

    Reply
    • MakingSenseofCents says

      October 2, 2012 at 9:21 am

      Yeah I hope October is better for the house as well! I just have too many ideas.
      My recent post $3,275 in Extra Income and My Goals!

      Reply
  3. Savvy Scot says

    October 2, 2012 at 6:57 am

    Hey… Well done on the blog stat… and on the goals. It is great you are making time to run! How did you manage to build up such a great subscribers list? I am really struggling on this front!

    Reply
    • MakingSenseofCents says

      October 2, 2012 at 9:22 am

      I think I was able to build up my subscribers list quickly because I don't just focus in one area (such as pf), I do travel, fashion, beauty, etc.
      My recent post $3,275 in Extra Income and My Goals!

      Reply
  4. Melissa says

    October 2, 2012 at 7:11 am

    Wow, I also would like to know how you got that much online income?! As in, detailed step-by-step hehe. Great job!

    Reply
    • MakingSenseofCents says

      October 2, 2012 at 9:22 am

      Email me if you have any questions 🙂
      My recent post $3,275 in Extra Income and My Goals!

      Reply
  5. Lance @ Money Life and More says

    October 2, 2012 at 7:36 am

    That is some sick extra.income! Also, there is a Christmas rush on carpet? I guess I learn something new everyday!

    Reply
    • MakingSenseofCents says

      October 2, 2012 at 9:23 am

      Yeah I guess it's because everyone wants new carpet before family gatherings.
      My recent post $3,275 in Extra Income and My Goals!

      Reply
  6. @Lbeemoneytree says

    October 2, 2012 at 7:48 am

    Glad you had an excellent month as well! Yay you! You have to tell me your online income secret

    Reply
    • MakingSenseofCents says

      October 2, 2012 at 9:24 am

      Thanks! If you have any questions, just email me 🙂
      My recent post $3,275 in Extra Income and My Goals!

      Reply
  7. gregjohnson975182420 says

    October 2, 2012 at 8:06 am

    VEGAS!!!!!

    Good job on reaching some of your goals. Good luck on the rest for next month!!!

    Reply
    • MakingSenseofCents says

      October 2, 2012 at 9:25 am

      Thanks!
      My recent post $3,275 in Extra Income and My Goals!

      Reply
  8. Brian says

    October 2, 2012 at 8:40 am

    Way to rock your extra income!

    We put candy in a dish on our porch every year for the kids to take. We used to actually wait for kids, but then we realized that only like 5 come around. This year we will leave another dish out and we are taking our little guy to some sort of town festival for his first halloween!

    Reply
    • MakingSenseofCents says

      October 2, 2012 at 9:26 am

      Our neighborhood is usually screaming with little kids, so I'm excited.
      My recent post $3,275 in Extra Income and My Goals!

      Reply
  9. therandompath says

    October 2, 2012 at 9:11 am

    Wow, great job on the extra income 🙂 Woo hoo!!!

    Congrats to your boyfriend on doing so well at his new job! That is awesome 🙂
    My recent post Bloggers Unite! My First Blogging Conference

    Reply
    • MakingSenseofCents says

      October 2, 2012 at 9:27 am

      Thanks!
      My recent post $3,275 in Extra Income and My Goals!

      Reply
  10. MakingSenseofCents says

    October 2, 2012 at 9:20 am

    Thanks!
    My recent post $3,275 in Extra Income and My Goals!

    Reply
  11. MakingSenseofCents says

    October 2, 2012 at 9:21 am

    I'm sure you will get there soon!
    My recent post $3,275 in Extra Income and My Goals!

    Reply
  12. MakingSenseofCents says

    October 2, 2012 at 9:22 am

    Thanks!
    My recent post $3,275 in Extra Income and My Goals!

    Reply
  13. MakingSenseofCents says

    October 2, 2012 at 9:24 am

    I hope I make more!
    My recent post $3,275 in Extra Income and My Goals!

    Reply
  14. MakingSenseofCents says

    October 2, 2012 at 9:25 am

    haha thanks
    My recent post $3,275 in Extra Income and My Goals!

    Reply
  15. MakingSenseofCents says

    October 2, 2012 at 9:25 am

    Yes I definitely did 🙂
    My recent post $3,275 in Extra Income and My Goals!

    Reply
  16. MakingSenseofCents says

    October 2, 2012 at 9:25 am

    October will be the month of home improvement! So many things on my list. And congrats on your first ever online income.
    My recent post $3,275 in Extra Income and My Goals!

    Reply
  17. MakingSenseofCents says

    October 2, 2012 at 9:26 am

    Thanks!
    My recent post $3,275 in Extra Income and My Goals!

    Reply
  18. MakingSenseofCents says

    October 2, 2012 at 9:27 am

    Well our neighborhood has tons of kids and if I'm going to give out candy, then I don't want to be the house that gives out lame tootsie rolls 🙂 I want to give out the good candy!
    My recent post $3,275 in Extra Income and My Goals!

    Reply
  19. Christa says

    October 2, 2012 at 11:06 am

    Have you checked out the boutique hotels a street or two up from Ocean Drive in South Beach? My friends and I find ridiculous deals at these when we visit, and the rooms are always awesome. Keep your options open, all of South Beach is a party, you don't have to stay right on Ocean Drive to get the South Beach experience.

    Congratulations on your extra income – truly inspiring!
    My recent post An Open Letter to Dave Matthews of The Dave Matthews Band

    Reply
    • MakingSenseofCents says

      October 2, 2012 at 1:47 pm

      Some of the girls that I'm going with would not willingly stay at a boutique hotel and we all kind of want to go the luxurious route anyways. We need to start saving! I should also say that I stayed in a boutique hotel last time I was in Miami, and I LOVED it.
      My recent post $3,275 in Extra Income and My Goals!

      Reply
  20. laura says

    October 2, 2012 at 12:46 pm

    What a brilliant month Michelle! Well done 🙂
    My recent post 2012 Financial Goals #10

    Reply
    • MakingSenseofCents says

      October 2, 2012 at 6:42 pm

      Thanks!

      Reply
  21. MakingSenseofCents says

    October 2, 2012 at 1:48 pm

    Thanks! And yes set that goal 🙂
    My recent post $3,275 in Extra Income and My Goals!

    Reply
  22. MakingSenseofCents says

    October 2, 2012 at 1:48 pm

    Thanks! And yay we're really leaning towards SoBe.
    My recent post $3,275 in Extra Income and My Goals!

    Reply
  23. Ginny says

    October 2, 2012 at 2:19 pm

    Wow your side income is impressive! How on earth do you do that?
    My recent post A pox on you, the poorly made Halloween costume edition

    Reply
    • MakingSenseofCents says

      October 2, 2012 at 6:41 pm

      Thanks! If you'd like, you can email me and I can tell you all about it 🙂

      Reply
  24. brianna says

    October 2, 2012 at 3:22 pm

    wow how do you make this awesome extra income????

    Reply
    • MakingSenseofCents says

      October 2, 2012 at 6:42 pm

      Haha email me and I can tell ya 🙂

      Reply
  25. Emily @ evolvingPF says

    October 2, 2012 at 3:44 pm

    With $3k in extra income you can do both Vegas and South Beach!

    Reply
    • MakingSenseofCents says

      October 2, 2012 at 6:42 pm

      Haha if only my friends had that much extra income as well!

      Reply
  26. iheartbudgets says

    October 2, 2012 at 3:52 pm

    Nic work! Nice work on the side hustles, obviosuly the blogging is really paying off.

    I would say South Beach, but I have never been to either place!
    My recent post Why I Am Not Refinancing My Mortgage

    Reply
  27. MoneyBulldog says

    October 2, 2012 at 4:42 pm

    Good Job Michelle, will be $5000 next month! I'll switch my feed now.
    My recent post Will Moving To A Nicer Area Lower Insurance Premiums?

    Reply
    • MakingSenseofCents says

      October 2, 2012 at 6:42 pm

      I hope it's $5K next month! That seems like a little too high for me though haha

      Reply
  28. Aloysa says

    October 2, 2012 at 7:13 pm

    You are rocking it with all the extra income! Way to go. It is a great number. You should be very proud of yourself. 🙂
    My recent post I’d Rather Have New Shoes Than Kids

    Reply
    • MakingSenseofCents says

      October 2, 2012 at 9:54 pm

      Thanks! 🙂

      Reply
  29. Lesley says

    October 2, 2012 at 8:50 pm

    if you're interested in guest posting for me when i go on vacation next week, the offer still stands (: that can help your goal a bit.
    My recent post {diy} transplanting a plant.

    Reply
    • MakingSenseofCents says

      October 2, 2012 at 9:55 pm

      I totally forgot about that! I'll try and do one for you because I would LOVE to 🙂

      Reply
  30. kimateyesonthedollar says

    October 2, 2012 at 10:57 pm

    If you are able, buy your Halloween candy on October 31. It is usually marked way down on the actual day. That's cool that your significant other is doing so well at his job. That must be a huge bonus for the two of you.
    My recent post What You Need and Don’t Need For New Baby

    Reply
  31. Kate says

    October 3, 2012 at 12:38 am

    Congratulations! Great goals and great job keeping up with them!
    My recent post Motivation Monday: Unwind

    Reply
  32. Canadianbudgetbinder says

    October 3, 2012 at 8:46 am

    Way to go Michelle!! That's some great side income. Mr.CBB
    My recent post The Grocery Game Challenge October 1-7, 2012-Giving Thanks!

    Reply
  33. OC Budget says

    November 15, 2012 at 12:10 pm

    wow, I need to know how you made that extra income. Great job!
    My recent post Alternative To Amazon.com and Drugstore.com

    Reply
  34. hazelmae89 says

    April 1, 2013 at 1:24 am

    i want to earn extra income and but I still don't know how, can you help/?
    Thanks,
    yard clean ups

    Reply
  35. Josephine says

    April 23, 2013 at 4:41 pm

    i also wanted to earn extra income from this and that's how I would like to live these days. I know that everything will be just so fine. paleo diet what is it

    Reply
  36. Josephine says

    April 23, 2013 at 9:41 pm

    i also wanted to earn extra income from this and that's how I would like to live these days. I know that everything will be just so fine. paleo diet what is it

    Reply

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Hello and welcome!
My name is Michelle and I'm the author/owner of Making Sense of Cents. Learning how to save money and make more money changed my life. It allowed me to pay off $40,000 in student loans, start my own business, and I now travel full-time.

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