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$4,273 in Extra Income and Life Updates…

Last Updated: BY Michelle Schroeder-Gardner - 45 Comments

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Happy Wednesday everyone!

I switched up my Weekly Update post this week to today because Monday was of course Christmas Eve. I have work today (does anyone else!?). I didn’t make a post last week so this is a combined post.

I wanted to thank everyone for all the wonderful guest posts that you all supplied for me for when I was on vacation. And of course we had a great time since W finally PROPOSED.

I am a crazy planner and pretty much already have a lot of things decided haha. My wedding Pinterest board is filled up with stuff. I already know that I want an semi-formal outdoorsy wedding and have pretty much narrowed down where I want it.

And be honest, will any of you hate my wedding posts? I don’t plan on making a TON, but I know that there will be at least some. This blog is about my life so my manly readers might need to watch out 🙂

Our vacation went great and I still plan on making a post on that soon! Above is another picture. St. Thomas and St. John are wonderful, so if you haven’t gone, then GO!

My work Christmas party was on Friday and I got a HUGE bonus, an iPad and a gift card. WOOHOO! With this bonus and the extra income this month, I will most likely be putting around $15,000 towards my student loans and saving/spending the rest.

My updates:

Spending:

We did OKAY with spending. We still have some Christmas shopping to do (W’s family’s Christmas is this Sunday). We will probably still spend around $200 on Christmas presents for his immediate family but that should be it.

And we bought my sister an iPad. This was an unexpected purchase as we were only going to get her an Kindle (not the touch screen, just the paper white version). It was around $450 with taxes included and while it was expensive, I do think it was worth it.

She has been super happy since. I’ve made a decent amount of extra income this month (and I’m still waiting on payment from some past work) so this month definitely surpassed my goal and helped with the cost of her present.

W did buy a North Face coat as well, and it was $200. I was iffy at first but then we remembered that he made some extra bonus money this month (they put it on a direct deposit checking card) and it covered the coat completely. It’s nice to spend money that you forgot you even had!

I also spent $130 on two New Years Eve tickets for us. All of our friends are going to an open bar and it’ll be fun! We were going to go to a place that would have been $200 altogether, but then there would have been a $100 taxi ride as well, which just did not seem worth it. And, I have searched what seems like everywhere for a NYE dress and I can’t find anything. Have you found one? FROM WHERE? Send me the link!

Extra Income (this is on top of my salary from my job):

I made $4,273 in the past two weeks. This is definitely more than what I thought I would make in this whole month, mainly because I thought that December would be super slow because of the holidays.

I am definitely happy with this amount and I just hope that each month keeps getting better and better! Also, thanks to everyone who recently has signed up for my Ebates referral link, appreciated!

Food: 

I made a meal plan this week, check out my Sunday Meal Plan. We are really working on eating in more and since we are now back from vacation, we will succeed! The fact that it’s the holidays make it easier because we will be going to lots of holiday parties.

Being healthy:

HORRIBLE here. No comment! haha

Well I didn’t gain any weight, but I have been eating everything and anything, and I don’t even remember the last time I worked out. It’s hard to even care about being toned when it’s freezing outside and I won’t be wearing a swimsuit for around 5 month.

How’s your spending, working out and extra income going?

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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

  2. plantingourpennies says

    Not sure what type of dress you're looking for, but have you ever tried rent the runway? I've heard good things from people who really need something special to only wear once.

    That said, my go-to party dresses always come from White House Black Market – and I seem to get amazing deals the day after Christmas, so go there now! Three years ago a fab 70's style silk dress for $8, and last year two classic black dresses (one that I used for a bridesmaid outfit!) for $25. =)

    Reply

  4. Sam says

    Glad you had a nice Christmas! I’m supposed to work today, but we have snow and ice here so I may have to reschedule things! I find cute dresses on Victoria’s Secret website sometimes… And they are pretty budget friendly!

    Reply

  5. Mandy@MoneyMasterMom says

    Congrats on the incredible income. If that kind of income keeps up you can ditch the day job.
    My recent post Should toddlers be using high tech gadgets?

    Reply

  6. munchkin says

    Congrats on getting engaged!!! Omg, i also feel that I have been eating anything and everything since getting back from mexico! I feel like I'm gaining weight back but the scale says I am not. LOL i think its lying!
    My recent post Random Acts of Kindness

    Reply

  10. Joanna @ OFB says

    Congrats on the engagement!! I am excited to hear all about your wedding details! And awesome job on your extra income. I don't think there's a much more expensive month than December, so what perfect timing for that extra moolah (and a bonus!).

    Reply

  11. The Baby Is Fine says

    Congrats on the awesome extra income and of course the engagement 🙂 I definitely would not mind reading wedding-related posts – I read your blog because I like you and love hearing about your life, and this is definitely a big part of your life! please share it with us! 🙂

    You're awesome to give your sis such a nice gift. I remember reading a while back about your decision to let her move in with you and I am so happy it has worked out well. I have 5 sisters myself and I think sibling relationships can be such a great part of life. I'm happy you guys are getting the chance to enjoy that and get closer!
    My recent post Quote of the Day: While You’re Up

    Reply

  12. LivingDFRocks! says

    Very happy for your engagement and you really did well in December with the extra income; congratulations on both fronts 🙂
    My recent post Sunday High Fives!

    Reply

  15. Kim@Eyesonthedollar says

    I think that was very sweet to buy your sis an iPad and you can afford it. I'd love to hear more about wedding planning.

    Reply

  22. Brittany says

    I know I said it on twitter, but I am so happy for you!!! Yay 🙂 and what an amazing month to be able to pay off so much of your loan! That’s incredible!

    Reply

  25. Financial says

    This is very inspirational and amazing month. I haven't though it is possible but it has been a wild ride all year long.

    I am not sure why but December has been exceptionally good month as well. Have a happy new year and looking forward for more post from you next year!

    Reply

  26. Tammi Bivans says

    Congrats on the engagement! Could you tell me what you did to earn the $4,273 dollars in extra income? For me, it wouldn't be extra income, it would be my only income. I'm looking for work at home until I can secure a job in my field. It's tough out there and I would like to make the most of my time at home while I can. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you!

    Please email me.

    Reply

    • makingsenseofcents says

      Hey Tammi!,

      I don't have your e-mail, so hopefully you'll come back and read this 🙂 You can always email me as well if you had additional questions.

      My extra income is mainly from my blog, staff writing and some virtual assistant work that I do.
      My recent post Wedding Ideas

      Reply

  27. DNN says

    A great thing to know about you Michelle is that you took your side hustle ambition to the public 9th step and dove into the abyss of side hustle business uncertainty and achieved “side hustle millionaire” status. And to do it on a global scale online showing people you’re an everyday person like them proves anyone can accomplish this. Thanks so much for keeping me inspired. 🙂

    Reply

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