Happy Monday and Memorial Day! I spent the weekend celebrating: a birthday BBQ on Saturday, grilling again at W’s parents’ on Sunday, and a leisurely drive through wine country with a stop at a local winery. It’s been a relaxing few days, and I’m enjoying a day off at home to recharge.
Thank you to everyone who wished me a happy birthday last week — your messages meant a lot.
In case you missed it, I shared a post recently titled “Pursuing What I Love or What Brings in the (Stable) Money.” I appreciated all the thoughtful comments and practical tips from readers. Many of those suggestions will be helpful as I prepare for an upcoming career change. I’ve picked a target date (not within the next month) so I can plan carefully and build a stronger, more diversified income base before making the jump to self-employment. If you have additional advice on transitioning to self-employment or diversifying income, please share your experience below.
Student Loan Update
My remaining student loans are still on track to be fully paid off in June, which I’m really looking forward to. While there were a few delays earlier, progress has been steady. Not having to send thousands of dollars toward loans every month will free up cash for savings, investing, and new income projects — and it will be a fantastic relief.
Spending
We spent a bit more than usual last week while updating our patio. We looked for new patio furniture at more than five stores but didn’t find anything we loved. Instead, we repainted the pieces we already owned with Rust-Oleum — the table became a bright coral and the chairs were painted white — and added large potted plants and string lights to brighten the space. The result looks great and feels much more inviting.
Out of pocket costs were modest — about $100 — since we used a gift card to cover most of the purchases.
Extra Income (does not include income from our main jobs)
Extra income was solid last week, and I’m expecting a few more payments this week. I need to improve my collection and tracking system, because I currently have several outstanding amounts to follow up on.
Affiliate income continues to perform well, but I want to focus on growing it further by exploring additional products and opportunities. I’m also developing a couple of new side hustles that came directly from networking — which is my main tip for anyone trying to increase earnings from side projects: network as much as possible. Many of my recent opportunities have come from conversations and connections I’ve made.
Posts from my blog:
- Student Loan Update and $805 in Extra Income — my weekly update post.
- How I Live in a 400 Sq. Ft. House — My Minimalist Home — a great piece by Jordann about small-space living that many readers found inspiring.
- Pursuing What I Love or What Brings in the (Stable) Money — my recent post about balancing passion and financial stability.
Being healthy
I’ve been slipping when it comes to health lately. Ironically, several people asked me this weekend how my fitness and nutrition were going — perfect timing for some accountability. I haven’t been running or exercising regularly, and my eating habits have strayed from where I want them to be. It’s time to get back on track with a consistent routine and healthier choices.
Questions for you
How are your extra income efforts going? Have you made changes to your spending lately, or taken any steps to improve your health? I’d love to hear what’s working for you and any tips you’ve found helpful.