This summer I plan to work as little as possible—and I’m genuinely excited about it.
Years ago I built a business that gives me freedom. One of the main reasons I started Making Sense of Cents was to choose how I spend my time. I love blogging and helping readers, but I also want to be present for the moments that matter—especially during summer, when my family and I explore, travel, and enjoy long mountain days. Summer is my favorite season in the mountains, and I intend to make the most of it.
You don’t have to be a full-time blogger to want more time for vacations, beach days, family moments, or slow coffee mornings. With planning, systems, and the right income streams, you can work less and still maintain—or even grow—your income.
While I write from the perspective of a full-time blogger, these strategies apply to freelancers, small business owners, content creators, course creators, and anyone running an online business or a work-from-home job. Use these ideas to create space in your calendar for a vacation, parental leave, a sabbatical, or simply more free time.
Below are the steps I’m taking to create a low-workload summer—and how you can implement them.
How I Plan to Work as Little as Possible This Summer (While Still Making Money)
Here’s my approach to working minimally this summer without sacrificing income. I don’t expect my earnings to drop; if anything, I expect them to rise.
1. Work ahead now to create breathing room later
I’m investing extra effort before summer so I can step away later without stress. That means writing blog posts, drafting emails, and preparing social media content in advance. Much of my content is already scheduled, and I’m staying ahead so I can disconnect when the time comes.
I use tools like WordPress post scheduling, my email platform for newsletters and funnels, and social schedulers like Pinterest to keep things running while I’m offline. I’m also tackling long-awaited projects—platform migrations, course consolidations, and testing additional display advertising—so they won’t occupy my mind during summer. I prefer to handle time-consuming, high-focus work now so summer can be filled with smaller, low-stress tasks.
It’s reassuring to know my site will stay helpful to readers even while I’m on the trail or by the lake.
Action steps:
- Create a 3–4 month content calendar. Plan blog topics, emails, and social posts so you don’t scramble.
- Schedule posts and emails ahead of time. Use WordPress, your email tool, and social schedulers to automate publishing.
- Finish lingering backend tasks. Switch platforms, clean up plugins, or update your About page now.
- Complete 2–3 big projects before summer. Choose initiatives that demand concentrated attention.
- Build templates for recurring content. Newsletter formats, post structures, and caption templates speed up future work.
- Audit affiliate links and ads. Update and test them so they perform while you’re away.
2. Batch work
Batching similar tasks is one of the most effective time-saving strategies I use. Rather than switching tasks constantly, I focus on one type of work for a set period—an entire day for writing, a few hours for emails, or a block for content design. Grouping tasks reduces context switching, increases focus, and produces better results faster.
I also batch personal chores—like grocery shopping or travel planning—so personal errands don’t interrupt work blocks and work blocks don’t intrude on personal time.
Action steps:
- Reserve 1–2 days per week for deep batch work. Use these days for focused writing or creative tasks.
- Group tasks by type. For example, writing on Mondays, photo editing on Tuesdays, pin creation on Wednesdays.
- Use timed work blocks. Try 25– or 45-minute sessions with short breaks (Pomodoro-style).
- Create checklists for repeat workflows. A consistent checklist speeds up blog posts, pins, and edits.
- Write multiple posts in one sitting. Outline several posts, draft another day, then edit in a batch.
- Record or outline multiple videos at once. Batch-recording saves setup time and keeps momentum.
- Batch email marketing. Plan and schedule weekly or monthly emails in one session.
- Batch personal tasks too. Group shopping, appointment scheduling, and other life admin tasks.
3. Outsource what I don’t need to do
I don’t try to do everything myself. Over time I built a small team that handles Pinterest scheduling, social media management, customer service, proofreading, and more. Letting go of some control freed up hours and reduced burnout.
If hiring a team feels premature, start by outsourcing a single repetitive task: editing, repurposing content, or graphics. Delegating even a small portion of your workload can give you more time for high-impact work and for life.
Action steps:
- List tasks you dislike or that waste time. Tech issues, formatting, graphics, and scheduling are common candidates.
- Outsource one task to start. Choose something time-consuming like Pinterest scheduling or proofreading.
- Hire a freelancer for 5–10 hours a month. Test platforms and community referrals to find help.
- Create a simple SOP. A Loom video or short doc explaining the task helps new hires get started.
- Start with a small project. Give a freelancer one task to assess fit before committing long-term.
- Set a clear budget. Even $100–$200 a month can buy valuable time.
- Outsource personal tasks if needed. Consider cleaners, grocery deliveries, or part-time childcare to support your business indirectly.
4. Earn with semi-passive income streams
Semi-passive income is the primary reason I can step back while still earning. My main passive revenue stream is affiliate marketing: evergreen posts I’ve written over the years generate consistent affiliate income. I also have courses that continue selling through funnels, email sequences, and affiliates.
After creating content and building trust, you don’t need to be online constantly for your business to earn. Semi-passive income grows slowly but can eventually support a flexible lifestyle.
Action steps:
- Refresh older posts with updated affiliate links. Prioritize posts with steady traffic and make links relevant and visible.
- Add comparison or review posts. These often convert well and boost SEO.
- Include affiliate links in your email funnel. Recommend helpful tools or resources to new subscribers.
- Focus on evergreen topics. Content that answers year-round questions (budgeting, travel planning, health tips) endures.
- Track top-earning posts and links. Use dashboards or link tools to see what performs and replicate it.
- Repurpose content with affiliate potential. Turn social posts into blog posts, or blog posts into newsletter sequences.
5. Reuse and reshare existing content
Reinventing the wheel isn’t necessary. Over the years I’ve created thousands of posts, emails, and social updates—many remain useful. This summer I’ll refresh and reshare high-value evergreen content: update links, tweak headlines, turn posts into carousels, and schedule successful past emails.
Most readers haven’t seen everything you’ve published, and even those who have appreciate a good reminder. Repurposing saves time and keeps your message consistent.
Action steps:
- Choose five older posts to update and reshare. Prioritize posts with steady traffic or frequent reader questions.
- Refresh affiliate links, images, and outdated info. Improve user experience and conversions.
- Convert posts into short-form video. Break content into 3–5 tips for Reels or TikTok.
- Create carousels and Pinterest graphics from old posts. Use templates to speed design.
- Turn posts into email newsletters. Pull highlights and share them with a personal note.
- Make “best of” roundup posts. Curate top-performing content into themed lists with internal links.
6. Set clear work boundaries
Protecting my time is essential. This summer I’ll choose specific days and hours to work—likely just a few hours a week for quick check-ins—and I’ll say no to opportunities that don’t align with my priorities.
That means declining certain projects, postponing ideas, and minimizing email time. You don’t have to say yes to everything—especially when it costs valuable time with family or rest.
Action steps:
- Pick weekly work hours and commit to them. Example: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon.
- Block work time on your calendar. Treat it like an appointment.
- Use an autoresponder if helpful. Let contacts know you’re on limited hours and when you’ll reply.
- Turn off notifications outside work hours. Silence email, Slack, and social apps when you’re off the clock.
- Communicate your schedule to clients and collaborators. Share your summer hours to avoid surprises.
- Keep a “later” list. Capture ideas that can wait so you don’t feel pressured to act immediately.
- Delete or pause distracting apps. Remove anything that tempts you to check in constantly.
- Share your plan with family or a partner. Let them know when you’re working and when you’re fully off so they can help hold you to it.
7. Focus on high-impact tasks only
When I work, I want that time to matter. I prioritize tasks that directly drive traffic or revenue—creating content that converts, emailing my list, and nurturing relationships with readers and affiliates. I avoid busywork like obsessively checking analytics or spending excessive time on social platforms.
Action steps:
- Identify your top income-generating tasks. Focus on writing, email, and affiliate optimization first.
- Apply the 80/20 rule. Determine which 20% of efforts deliver 80% of results and prioritize those.
- Track where your time goes for one week. Record tasks and durations to reveal what truly moves the needle.
- Say no to low-priority projects. Save ideas for later—your break doesn’t need to include everything.
8. Use ChatGPT to brainstorm and save time
I use ChatGPT as a brainstorming partner to speed up idea generation: topic ideas, outlines, subject lines, and social captions. It helps me overcome blank-page paralysis and move forward faster. I always add my voice and edit heavily, but the tool speeds early-stage work and ideation.
Action steps:
- Ask ChatGPT for blog topic ideas in your niche. Feed it examples of your past successful posts to get tailored suggestions.
- Use it to create outlines before writing. Provide samples of your style so it matches your voice.
- Have it draft social captions or email summaries. Then refine them with your personal touch.
- Turn old blog content into short emails or pin descriptions. Use ChatGPT to condense and reformat existing material.
- Use it to analyze past posts and generate hundreds of new post ideas. Treat results as a starting point to edit and personalize.
I never publish ChatGPT output verbatim—everything is edited and fact-checked. I use it as a time-saving assistant for brainstorming and first drafts.
9. Plan for flexibility
Life is unpredictable, so I build flexibility into my plan. Some weeks I’ll work more and others not at all. I don’t expect zero work for three straight months; instead I allow variability so I can fully enjoy downtime without guilt.
Because my business isn’t completely dependent on me, I can step away without everything collapsing. That’s the benefit of designing online income to support your lifestyle.
Action steps:
- Leave buffer time in your calendar. Don’t fill every hour—allow room for spontaneity and rest.
- Have backup content ready. Prepare one or two extra posts or emails for unexpected breaks.
- Use tools that let you pause or reschedule easily. Scheduling platforms should make it simple to stop or reshuffle content.
- Give yourself permission to take full days off. Your business will survive if you prepare in advance.
- Revisit priorities weekly. Adjust goals based on what matters each week.
Summary: Working Less This Summer While Still Earning
Working less this summer doesn’t mean I care less about my business. It means I’ve intentionally set it up to support the life I want. By planning ahead, batching work, outsourcing, and cultivating semi-passive income, I’m creating space to enjoy life outside of work while maintaining income.
Whether you’re a blogger, entrepreneur, or someone who wants to step back a bit, these strategies can help you work less and live more. This summer I plan to hike, travel, and savor unstructured days with family.
If you’re planning to take time off or scale back for the season, I’d love to hear how you’re making it happen—share your plans in the comments below.
Do you take breaks during the year for vacations or time off? Tell me your plans in the comments!
Recommended reading:
- My Secret To Making $5 Million Online & Working Just 10 Hours A Week
- How To Start a Finance Blog and Make Money
- How I Make $100,000+ Each Year With A Travel Blog
- If I Had To Start Over, Here’s How I’d Build a $1,000,000 Blog
- How I Made My Side Hustle My Full-Time Dream Job
- The 25 Most-Asked Blogging Questions To Get You Started Today
- 22 Best Summer Side Hustles To Make Extra Money