There just might be some changes to my blog in the future. It's been a personal blog for me and the few select friends who read what I have to say. I've gotten enough positive feedback over the last few years that I've decided to be more intentional about it and to be honest, use it to increase my income.
I've been leary of advertising on my blog as it feels sketchy to me. Not sure why, but it does. That being said, if it is a simple way to bring in some additional income, why not?
With one child out of college (with loans), one in college (with loans), one in High School looking at college (most likely with loans), finances have been on my mind. I know I'm in good company when I say that while my husband and I have a very comfortable income (mostly his), a comfortable life, and a strong support network, we still live paycheck to paycheck. Over almost 25 years of marriage, this has been our primary source of discord. The only thing we ever seem to fight about is $.
We've tried a number of budget programs and are currently using one called YNAB (http://www.youneedabudget.com). It is super easy, links my phone to hubby's phone to the desktop to my iPad etc... No excuses not to keep it updated and pay attention. 4 basic rules to follow and we are hopeful that if we can stick to it, we will slowly find our way out of debt and begin to save better for our future.
Managing the funds we have is one way to find our way to a less stressful financial life. Increasing my income (even for the short term) is another. As a small business owner, there is nothing consistent about my income. As I work to grow my business and expand the reach of Music Together (https://www.musictogether.com) through Arts from the Heart, llc (http://www.artsfromtheheart.net), I need to be investing in teachers and materials and locations and marketing etc... Maintaining my small draw, let alone increasing it, is a challenge!
I've contemplated lots of ways to supplement my draw - teaching Community College classes (they all have my resume and application), working part time for another agency (great interview, didn't get the job, would have been tricky to manage logistically), adding programming to my center (working on it, but takes time and energy and I'm a little short on both!).
This brings me back to the blog. I love to write. I love to contemplate. I love to engage with people on topics I'm passionate about. I have blogged sporadically mostly because it's been for my own self, but perhaps if I had more of an external "purpose" for it I would engage in blogging more. If blogging more and hosting some advertising on my blog could supplement my draw, how could that be a bad thing?
Here is where I need your thoughts - what would you like to see my blog about? What would you like to know, think about, discuss, hear my thoughts on? While this started as a blog about launching my children, it has really become more a blog about me launching my thoughts, ideas and passions out into the world. Share your ideas with me and maybe they will show up in the future!
I'm committing to blogging a minimum of 1x per week to begin and then we will see where that goes. If you want to keep up with me, subscribe. Let me know what you think. If you really want to support my effort, click on an ad (but only if you really want to!)
I've been leary of advertising on my blog as it feels sketchy to me. Not sure why, but it does. That being said, if it is a simple way to bring in some additional income, why not?
With one child out of college (with loans), one in college (with loans), one in High School looking at college (most likely with loans), finances have been on my mind. I know I'm in good company when I say that while my husband and I have a very comfortable income (mostly his), a comfortable life, and a strong support network, we still live paycheck to paycheck. Over almost 25 years of marriage, this has been our primary source of discord. The only thing we ever seem to fight about is $.
We've tried a number of budget programs and are currently using one called YNAB (http://www.youneedabudget.com). It is super easy, links my phone to hubby's phone to the desktop to my iPad etc... No excuses not to keep it updated and pay attention. 4 basic rules to follow and we are hopeful that if we can stick to it, we will slowly find our way out of debt and begin to save better for our future.
Managing the funds we have is one way to find our way to a less stressful financial life. Increasing my income (even for the short term) is another. As a small business owner, there is nothing consistent about my income. As I work to grow my business and expand the reach of Music Together (https://www.musictogether.com) through Arts from the Heart, llc (http://www.artsfromtheheart.net), I need to be investing in teachers and materials and locations and marketing etc... Maintaining my small draw, let alone increasing it, is a challenge!
I've contemplated lots of ways to supplement my draw - teaching Community College classes (they all have my resume and application), working part time for another agency (great interview, didn't get the job, would have been tricky to manage logistically), adding programming to my center (working on it, but takes time and energy and I'm a little short on both!).
This brings me back to the blog. I love to write. I love to contemplate. I love to engage with people on topics I'm passionate about. I have blogged sporadically mostly because it's been for my own self, but perhaps if I had more of an external "purpose" for it I would engage in blogging more. If blogging more and hosting some advertising on my blog could supplement my draw, how could that be a bad thing?
Here is where I need your thoughts - what would you like to see my blog about? What would you like to know, think about, discuss, hear my thoughts on? While this started as a blog about launching my children, it has really become more a blog about me launching my thoughts, ideas and passions out into the world. Share your ideas with me and maybe they will show up in the future!
I'm committing to blogging a minimum of 1x per week to begin and then we will see where that goes. If you want to keep up with me, subscribe. Let me know what you think. If you really want to support my effort, click on an ad (but only if you really want to!)
