Hey everyone! Happy Monday. I was able to get a decent amount of side hustle work done over the weekend, but it still went by way too quickly. I can’t believe that July is almost over also.
This will be a short week and I only work 3 days, WOOHOOO!
We were given free baseball tickets for yesterday’s Cardinals game and went to that with W’s boss. It was fun! But hot… However, it was not unbearable like St. Louis usually is in the summer! It was both W and I’s first game for the year.
Does anyone watch Trueblood? This season has been pretty crazy so far! I can’t wait until next week’s episode, even though I will be very upset when it is all over.
Oh yeah and life without student loans is still A-MAZ-ING! Haha, I promise that will be one of the last times I talk about that. Maybe not though, I don’t know…
Spending
We did some spending in the past week. We bought some new shirts for the Cardinals game and W also bought some athletic shoes. Spent around $150. We seem to hardly buy clothes anymore so I was fine with this.
We will be returning the Cardinals tank top that W bought for me though (I was not there when he went shopping) because it was a MATERNITY shirt that he bought for me and it fits very awkwardly. Thanks W…
I also am going to Chicago this weekend for my good friend’s bachelorette party, and that will of course mean some spending as well. But I don’t care because it will be fun! I don’t think it will cost too much either, as most things have already been paid for (transportation, male strip-show tickets, and hotel). All that’s left is food and drinks, and possibly some shopping! I am so excited.
Do you know of any awesome bachelorette party games that we should play? We are making a bride to-do dare list, and that should be fun. 🙂 Any good tips would be great! I want it to be awesome of course. We will be in Chicago so if you know of anything that we must do, that will be very nice to know.
Extra Income (does not include income from our main jobs)
Extra income was good in the last week. Monday through Wednesday were completely dead freelancing days, and those slow days always make me afraid for what it will be like when I switch to 100% self-employment.
I always have this feeling that a dead day means that it will be dead forever, and that I am getting ahead of myself! I can’t be the only freelancing person who feels like this, right?
I do think that this week will be much better for freelancing income. I am supposed to receive several large payments today and/or tomorrow, so that should bump me a lot as long as I actually receive them.
I still don’t know when my 100% self-employment switch date will be. I’m still a little afraid to give up such a stable income from my day job, and how slow it was the first couple of days of last week was definitely scary.
I would like to start some new side hustles, such as writing for a couple of new websites and some more social media and blog management for others. Hopefully I can ramp this up, and I’m sure when I have more time I will definitely be able to do this.
Posts from my blog:
- Bridal Shower and $3,645 in Extra Income – My usual weekly update where I talk about myself.
- Engagement Photos – I posted our engagement photos last week. Apparently my red dress was a hit with you all. Thanks!
- How to Set a Wedding Budget Part 1 – Jordann recently got married and had a beautiful, but frugal, wedding. She shares her awesome tips in this post.
- Loan’s and a Nurse’s Budget – Last week, I received an email from a reader asking for help with her budget and loans. All of you gave such awesome tips/help. Thank you so much!
Link love:
- Life as a Freelancer’s Wife Mo Money Mo Houses – Since I will be making the switch to freelancing soon, I loved this post of course!
- Why you need to enjoy your job 20s Finances – I think that everyone should at least somewhat enjoy their job. Do you enjoy yours? What do you do for a living?
- Is it possible to focus on both a career and a small business? Young Adult Money – I can honestly say that right now it is getting pretty difficult. Do you have both a career and freelancing or a side business? How do you manage?
- 7 Reasons Everyone Should Reach Financial Independence My FI Journey – I definitely agree!
- Monetizing your blog Girl Meets Debt – I love when bloggers talk about whether they monetize their blog or not, and their thoughts on it. What do you think about people monetizing from their blog?
Being healthy
We have both been doing pretty well with being more healthy. I made very healthy lunches 4 days last week for work, and we ate in everyday in the past week also, with mostly “clean” meals. And everything tastes great! I have also been working out more than usual. I could of course be doing much better, but something is better than nothing, right?
Have you been doing well with your extra income, spending and being healthy?
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Thomas | Your Daily Finance says
I think what you earned is still a great week Michelle. I think its only fair to have fears when you are use to a steady paycheck. Even if it was a business (brick & mortar) you would still fear dead days. Its just how things are when you are earning the money on your own. I took the leap and some days I question it but its human nature. When you are ready you will know. Have fun in Chicago!
Michelle says
Thank you Thomas!
Alexa says
Leave it to a boyfriend to pick out a maternity shirt lol!! That’s pretty funny! Dead times would be a little scary if you were self employed but I am pretty sure that it’s something that everyone goes through. Don’t let it get to you too much.
Michelle says
Haha I know! I told him to take a picture and send it to me before he bought it and he forgot.
GamingYourFinances says
Wow! I’m always blown away by your side income, I think I’ll go read your old posts to see if there are any opportunities for me too. Thanks Michelle!
Michelle says
Thank you!
DC @ Young Adult Money says
Thanks for the mention, Michelle! We haven’t made it to any Twins games yet this year, but they really aren’t doing that well and I have pretty much lost interest haha. We are going with my family in a couple weeks which should be fun.
I also feel like if I’m not getting any new work/deals that I will NEVER get more deals! The reason it bugs me so much, I think, is because I have a staff writer now and I am about to invest some $ into the site redesign.
I hope you have a great (short) work week!
Michelle says
Glad I’m not alone DC!
Glen @ Monster Piggy Bank says
I guess there is always a risk of having no work on, but provided you can make use of that time on something else that is productive then I am sure it will all work out in the end.
There are plenty of people that have moved to self employment and are making a lot less than you even with your dead days.
Budget and the Beach says
Yep, I’m one of those people! I’ve mentioned this over and over but she makes in one week what I often make in a month living in one of the most expensive cities in the US. You’re doing great Michelle!
Michelle says
Thanks 🙂
Michelle says
You are right Glen. I’m just being a worrier. I’m now used to having such a high income from having both my day job and side hustles, so it will be somewhat hard.
Budget and the Beach says
OMG girl you worry WAY too much! Pace yourself!!! You have a long life to live. Please trust me when I say you will kick yourself for worrying too much when you’re older. It’s a waste of time and energy. You’re smart and savvy enough to make it through anything, and you have a future husband there to support you as well. I’m watching the True Blood from last season since I don’t have HBO. It’s not as good as the season before, but then again I liked the whole Sookie/Eric storyline. BTW I m also thinking of starting one or two more blogs in my future and ramping that up. I had a brainstorming session about it this weekend. We’ll see!
Michelle says
I know. I’m a huge worrier!
And TrueBlood is AWESOME right now.
Grayson @ Debt Roundup says
Nice work Michelle. I finally started my exercise routine again, so hopefully I can keep it up. My freelancing income has been low, but that is due to me not being able to dedicate time to it. Having a family is time consuming, but rewarding!
Michelle says
Thanks Grayson! And yes, I bet having a family makes everything take just a little longer 🙂
Debt and the Girl says
I have to say I know how you feel about the dead days but its just part of freelancing. I have had a slow month as well but I know its only temporary because we are in the dog days of summer. You can’t worry. You have to take it as it comes or you will pull your hair our.
Michelle says
Thanks! You are definitely right.
CeCe @Pink Sunshine says
I kick butt on being healthy lately! That’s about the only department I’ve got in the bag. I recently discovered tofu and am about 4 work outs away from finishing the 30DS Whoo!! Weekends are always too short.
Michelle says
ooh yay! I have been doing just okay with it. I need to amp up my workouts!
Connie @ Little Miss Savvy says
Congrats on the extra income this week! Don’t worry so much about taking the plunge and becoming a freelancer full time. You’ve done so well already and you’ve only been doing this part time. Imagine the possibilities when it’s your full time gig!
And I love going to baseball games! Great atmosphere and a great time.
Michelle says
Thank you Connie!
Michelle says
Welcome 🙂
Elle @ ForHerByHer says
Looks like you’ve had a successful Extra Income week. Congrats!
I’ve been self-employed for a few years and still get nervous when I have a slow period of time when it feels like you’re doomed. That slow period is often followed by an insanely busy time (almost every time), so it balances things out. As an entrepreneur, I don’t think you ever get over that little bit of fear that it may always be slow.
Michelle says
Thanks Elle! And haha I know, a busy week almost always follows a slow week. However, I still get worried!
Brandy says
I loooove True Blood. Did you see the hot new vampire James last night? He was paired in a room with Jessica. Hes a cutie.
Michelle says
Yes I did! My favorite show ever!
Michelle says
Thank you!
Michelle says
Thank you Rita!
Nick @ ayoungpro.com says
As always Michelle, you are rocking it! I am negotiating my first deal for my job coaching side hustle right now. It is super exciting, and also very nerve-wracking as I have never done it for pay before. I admire all of your side-hustling success and just as you are nervous to quit your job, I am nervous to start my side hustle. 🙂
Michelle says
Sounds like fun! I hope you do great 🙂
Michelle says
Thank you Jake!
LifeorDebt says
Well…one thing’s for sure. Leave those Cardinal T-shirts at home when you come to Chicago! As for fun things? A totally different experience was heading to a drag show at Baton Lounge for my sister-in-laws bachelorette party. For a friend, I arranged for a dance class at Flirty Girl Fitness, which was super fun, then we headed out drinking and “howling” at Howl at the Moon. There is so much to do and keep busy with! If you haven’t been to Second City, catch the early show, and do tequila shots at the tequila bar next door (after) before continuing on…. Have a great weekend!
Michelle says
Haha CARDS!
We bought tickets for the Naughty Little Cabaret and I’m excited for it! All of this sounds like so much fun!
Michelle says
I am one season behind on True Blood. Am freaking out that someone will tell me what happens. Am avoiding the internet for the next week!
Michelle says
It’s so crazy!
E.M. says
Baseball games can be a lot of fun to attend! I’ve only ever been to one, but that’s because I was offered a free ticket, otherwise they can be $100+.
That is too funny that W got you a maternity size tank top. Leave it to men!
I also cannot believe July is almost over! Where is the summer going? I haven’t even had a chance to go to the beach yet. Hope you have a lot of fun in Chicago!
Michelle says
Haha yeah he will never buy me something again!
Lena says
He got you a maternity shirt, huh? 🙂 …
Michelle says
Yup… AH!
KK @ Student Debt Survivor says
Maybe the maternity top was a subtle signal W’s ready for kids 😉 I don’t remember many of the games we played at my sister’s bachelorette party, probably too much drinking was involved.
Michelle says
Hah I doubt he was signaling!
Michael | The Student Loan Sherpa says
Nice work! I find one unproductive day can quickly lead to many. How do you get back on track after three wasted days?
Michelle says
Thanks Michael!
Girl Meets Debt says
I’ve been to a pro hockey, soccer, and football game but never to a baseball or basketball game yet. That’s too funny and cute that W picked out a maternity shirt for you! Same reason why J NEVER picks out clothes for me LOL. Thank you for including my post. My side hustle is literally 10% of what you make a month but I’m happy to make any amount of money from my blog so I can pay off debt faster 🙂
Michelle says
10% is still awesome! 🙂
Kim@Eyesonthedollar says
I love major league baseball games, maybe it’s mainly for the food, but still! My husband once bought me a robe that was a XXL from the plus size section. Thanks honey.
Michelle says
Hahaha XXL? Men…
Financial Samurai says
This summer definitely seems a little slow. Thoughts on trying to save X amount via your day job before taking the leap? I had a 3 year plan, but decided after 2 years to go after reaching some goals.
Michelle says
It’s going by so quickly for me! I have hardly had time to even enjoy the summer.
And yes, my goal is to save a certain amount before I make the switch.
Michelle says
Haha no cubs game for me. I want to see people win! 🙂
I grew up in Chicago, so I know a little bit about the city. I have just never gone to a bachelorette party there.
Ella says
I don’t remember many of the games we played at my sister’s bachelorette party, probably too much drinking was involved. I grew up in Chicago, so I know a little bit about the city. I have just never gone to a bachelorette party there. I’ve only ever been to one, but that’s because I was offered a free ticket.