Hey everyone! Happy Monday. I’m still dreaming of my trip to St. Thomas and wish we were both still there!
Last week I was super sick. Not sure what happened but I was pretty much just crying in pain for 5 days straight. Of course it was a perfect weekend with awesome weather and I had to miss most of that because I didn’t start to feel better until Sunday afternoon! Oh well, just glad that I’m feeling better.
Yesterday was W’s mom’s birthday and we had a BBQ and it was a lot of fun. And tomorrow is my birthday 🙂
We would love to buy a house in his parents’ historic neighborhood, but they never go for sale. The house to the left went up for sale the other day and we have been seriously thinking about it. We drove by and took this picture and can’t stop looking at it. It’s over 100 years old but completely renovated on the inside and looks very nice. Oh if only we were ready to buy right now… Our current house is still awesome and we don’t feel like going through the process of selling it right now.
I announced the winner to my Novica giveaway but never heard from her. I announced a new winner and already sent her the certificate code. Congrats to Cat at Budget Blonde!
Student Loan Update
I know, I know, around a month ago, I said that my student loans would be done in either April or May. Then recently I said May for sure. Well, it looks like the official date will be June. We have the money saved, but it would drain our emergency fund, so we have decided not to. We don’t want to touch any retirement accounts or drain our EF.
Why will we not reach the May goal? Well, we came across some good investment opportunities and dived into that. W has been wanting to start a side hustle for quite some time, but I’ve always said no and that we need to SAVE SAVE SAVE. Well, that’s not very fair of me, so the other day he took some cash and started a side hustle with his dad in an area where they have expertise. I think it’ll work out great! The return is higher than what my interest rates on my student loans are, so I figured it was still a good value.
Have you slowed any debt repayment to take advantage of something like this? A good investment, a new house purchase, etc.? Tell me all about it!
Spending
We did some spending last week. I spent around $100 on clothes (hey, I need some summer clothes!) and W spent around $150 because he needed new work slacks. He must be growing because his pants have all become high-waters. So yes, we spent around $250 on clothes. Other than that, I don’t believe we spent any money.
Extra Income (does not include income from our main jobs)
Extra income was a little low last week (but I’m not complaining!) mainly because I was playing catch up after my vacation and I was sick for 5 days last week. UGH that’s what sickness does to you! Still though, $805 (not including my office job) is still a good week. I have a lot of playing catch up this week since I didn’t get much done last week. I’m expecting a couple of payments this week also which will make up for it.
Affiliate income is still doing great but I’m thinking about getting into more areas so that I can ramp this up. I have been thinking about my extra income a lot lately and where I want to take it. I would like to keep diversifying so that I can rely on my side hustle income more and maybe even dive into self-employment entirely. Any tips?
Posts from my blog:
- St. Thomas and $3,038 in Extra Income – Extra income was still up even though I was on vacation. That’s always nice to know!
- St. Thomas Pictures – SUP, Parasailing, Relaxation! – In this post there are some pictures from our vacation. It was a great time!
- My Minimalist Confessions – I’m not always a minimalist – I always love Jordann’s minimalism posts, and here’s another great one. She collects other items, and isn’t always a minimalist!
- 12 Facts about Student Loan Debt that will make Your Hair Stand on End – How much do YOU owe in student loans? There are some crazy stats in this post.
Link Love
- How much money do you need to make online to be happy? Yakezie – For me, I think the number is lower, just as it says in the article. I love everything that I do online, so it doesn’t exactly seem like a “job” to me.
- I Quit My Job Club Thrifty – WOOHOO! This post makes me oh so happy.
- Fort Building Kit for Adults Unique Gifter – Love this idea!
- Dos and Don’ts of applying for a staff writing job My Multiple Incomes – Here is a great post for those of you who are looking for staff writing jobs.
- Dear Parents, Charge Your Kids Rent Broke Millennial – I would definitely charge my kids rent, depending on the situation of course too though.
- Why I shut down my profitable online business Debt Roundup – I would have done the same!
- Taking the Plunge: Freedom Without Boundaries is Enslavement Frugal Rules – This is another great post relating to self-employment. You probably get the idea of where I am heading.
- Best 0% Balance Transfer Credit Cards of Summer 2013 Money Life and More – Good post for those who are looking.
Being healthy
I have not been doing the best with this in the past week. I was very sick last week, and could hardly eat anything. I definitely plan on changing that this week! Also, I didn’t work out at all since I was sick. Even just sitting down felt like I was killing myself!
Have you been doing well with your extra income, spending and being healthy?
Pauline @ Reach Financial Independence says
Happy early bday! Hope you feel better now to celebrate. I have been on wine and cheese for two weeks so not very healthy, although I am pretty sure this is my soul food so my body is happy 🙂
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makingsenseofcents says
Thanks Pauline. And haha sounds like good food 🙂
catherine says
Another great week! Glad you're feeling better 🙂 I need some new clothes bad but want to lose 10 more lbs first. This is tough bc im eyeing a few pairs of shorts but dont know what size to get!
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makingsenseofcents says
Thanks! And that's tough. I would probably wait to buy so that I would know what fits perfectly 🙂
My recent post Student Loan Update and $805 in Extra Income
Glen @ MPB says
I hate getting sick. I recently had a mouth ulcer and have also struggled to eat due to the insane pain every time I tried. Fortunately it is on the mend 🙂
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makingsenseofcents says
Ah that sounds horrible!
My recent post Student Loan Update and $805 in Extra Income
[email protected] Adult Money says
Happy (early) Bday! I think delaying some student loan repayment can be a good choice. If we waited until we had ours completely paid off to buy a house, we wouldn't have had a house for five+ years while now we are able to have one that we can put sweat equity into, build some equity through mortgage repayment, and have a go at being a landlord with our basement rental. I'm happy with the choice : )
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makingsenseofcents says
I'm glad you agree DC! 🙂
My recent post Student Loan Update and $805 in Extra Income
John S @ Frugal Rules says
Thanks so much for the mention Michelle, I really appreciate it! I say that with the way you're rocking the side income you should totally consider taking the leap. Of course…I am not the most objective person when it comes to that. 😉 Happy early Birthday!
makingsenseofcents says
Welcome John! And yes hopefully someday soon 🙂
My recent post Student Loan Update and $805 in Extra Income
[email protected] says
Thanks for the mention and I'm glad you're feeling better!
MakingSenseofCents says
Thanks Holly!
@moneyperk says
The student loans (apart from the mortgage and the credit card) was the last thing that got paid off in our pursuit of financial independence. It was SO EASY to just let it sit on the side, gradually accruing interest – as they don't go away, and I found that you can't bargain to get them paid down. I'm sorry about your being sick – I'm hoping that everything gets better, but I think that you're doing pretty spiff if you have some passive income side hustles going. 🙂
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MakingSenseofCents says
Thanks! 🙂
debtroundup says
I am glad you are feeling better Michelle. If I don't catch you tomorrow, then I will say Happy Birthday now! I appreciate the mention and glad to hear that you would do the same thing.
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Laurie says
Glad you are feeling better, Michelle! And, that house? It's gorgeous!!!!! I think $805 in side hustle income is great! Ours is still small, but steady at least. Have a great day!
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MakingSenseofCents says
I know! We are in love with the house! Could it be any cuter?
Leigh says
And how much would that gorgeous house cost in the Midwest? $200,000? That'd probably be a million dollar house here, lol.
MakingSenseofCents says
Haha you are close – it is $280K. A really good price! And the inside of it is NICER than the outside. I am in love.
SavvyFinancialLatina says
Gorgeous house! Love the exterior!
Sucks you were sick last week.I know being sick really slows one down. I'm glad you are feeling better.
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MakingSenseofCents says
Thanks!
My recent post Student Loan Update and $805 in Extra Income
plantingourpennies says
So glad you are feeling better- take care of yourself!
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MakingSenseofCents says
Thanks! And yes, I need to start taking better care of myself.
My recent post Student Loan Update and $805 in Extra Income
Budget & the Beach says
I love those old historic home that have been renovated. Sorry to hear you were sick-and for a week! Yikes! I really need new summer tops but it's just in the budget right now. 🙁
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MakingSenseofCents says
Yes these are my favorite types of homes! 🙂
And oh no 🙁 I hope you can find room in your budget soon.
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BrokeMillennial says
I plan to charge my potential, future kids rent too! 🙂 Thanks so much for including me!!
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MakingSenseofCents says
Welcome 🙂
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[email protected] says
Glad you're feeling a bit better, and happy early birthday! Leslie and I have put off paying debts a couple times in order to invest in something else we felt was more important. Mainly having to do with our side business. So far what we've gotten out of our investments have been totally worth it.
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MakingSenseofCents says
That's good to know Kyle. Investing is always important too!
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therandompath says
I love historic homes! That one looks lovely 🙂
Happy early Birthday and glad to hear you are feeling better!
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MakingSenseofCents says
Thanks!
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Earning My Two Cents says
What is your side hustle income from? I really need to get my side income up to pay off these debts! I mystery shop but it makes nowhere near what you are getting. Is that all blog income from ads and freelance writing?
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MakingSenseofCents says
My side hustle income is from my blog (ads and affiliate income), staff writing, consulting and a couple of other things 🙂
Check out this page on my blog if you haven't yet https://www.makingsenseofcents.com/extra-income
Ree Klein says
Hi Michelle ~ Being a little off on meeting your financial goals isn't as important as HAVING financial goals. Cheers to you in advance for being so close to torching your student debt! As for the house, my motherly advice would be to wait until you had enough for a sufficient down payment to avoid having to pay MI; however, that's not what I did when I purchased my home. I bought my small single-family home 20 years ago when the market was down. I've lived in it all this time and paid it off in 15 years. I had debt, stretched my finances to the limit and worried that I might lose my job and then lose the house. While that didn't happen, it could have. We live in a very different time now so being careful and not putting yourself in a high-risk position is important.
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MakingSenseofCents says
Hi Ree! Thanks for stopping by my blog today 🙂
Thanks for the advice. We definitely plan on waiting. We aren't really in a rush since we already have a house (and a mortgage!) and don't feel like going through the process of selling it right now.
debtperception says
Looks like a gorgeous home! Early congrats on kicking your student loans to the curb 🙂 Also, happy early birthday!
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MakingSenseofCents says
Thanks!
Jake Erickson says
Happy Early Birthday! Sounds like you had another great week. As for the student loans, at least you're still really close and they'll be gone before you know it. It sounds like the investment is a good idea. I wouldn't ever invest in the stock market before paying off loans, but I would think about investing in a side hustle which is what you guys are doing. Have a great birthday!
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MakingSenseofCents says
Thanks Jake!
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[email protected] says
The house in the picture is exactly what my dream house looks like but they tend to be out of my price range. I think it makes sense to put student loan payoff on a hold if there's an opportunity that brings in a higher return than the interest. I'm putting off making extra payments towards my mortgage and putting the money in the stock market instead.
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MakingSenseofCents says
I LOVE this house also 🙂
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Pretired Nick says
Wow, $805 is killer income. You should be feeling great about that!
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MakingSenseofCents says
Thanks! 🙂
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Keren says
Gorgeous House! Although, I would have made the same decision. We live in a perma-fixer-upper that was built in the mid 1800's. It's not a house you would dream of, but if the Mr. or I would lose our job, we could still afford the payments. That's important to us. With every choice, there is a trade-off.
Oh, and happy almost birthday! I used to just celebrate my birthday on that day, but it's turned into more of a birthday week! 🙂
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MakingSenseofCents says
Thanks!
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Girl Meets Debt says
Happy One Day Early Birthday! Glad you are feeling better in time for your birthday! If $805 was a slow week then I wish I was having one of your slow weeks 😉
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Lena says
I'm glad you are feeling better!! This house sounds great, maybe you need to weigh your options 🙂
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MakingSenseofCents says
Haha yes we will have to think about it.
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femmefrugality says
If $805 is a low week…..lol
I'm glad you're feeling better! We're just getting over something ourselves here at our house.
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MakingSenseofCents says
Haha thanks! Glad you are feeling better also.
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Canadianbudgetbinder says
Sure, we've put off buying a house so I could go back to school that way we weren't forced to worry about a mortgage and me finding a job. I can probably think of many things but at the end of it all, there was a plan. Even if we don't pay something off by a goal date as long as there is a plan in place and an understanding as to why we came to that decision we are happy with that. We are the only judges of our finances, no one else. Glad you are better mate.
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MakingSenseofCents says
Thanks 🙂
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cashrebel says
For a while my parents kept padding their savings account instead of paying off their mortgage early. They had more than plenty in their saving account, but they just didn't feel like paying down the mortgage early. In that case, I advised then to just pay off the mortgage.
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MakingSenseofCents says
In that case I would definitely just pay it off, I agree.
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Alexa says
$805 seems pretty great considering you have been sick all week. Hope you feel better 🙂 I think the amount you spent on clothing isn't very much, it's justifiable. You have to treat yourself every once in awhile!
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MakingSenseofCents says
Thanks Alexa!
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Anne - Unique Gifter says
Boo sickness!! I hope that you are feeling a lot better this week. That's one of the scary parts about being self-employed, often the dollars are 100% tied to your own health.
Thanks so much for the link 🙂
We've put off things before, like we reduced our mortgage overpayments so that we could pay cash for our share of the wedding costs. We recently delayed paying the mortgage off by two or three months so that we could take advantage of a really low stock price on something we wanted to buy.
MakingSenseofCents says
Glad I'm not alone when it comes to taking up investment offers! 🙂
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