How to Take Maternity Leave When Self-Employed: Guide for Freelancers

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Are you self-employed and expecting a baby? Wondering how to manage maternity leave when you run your own business? Big news — I’m pregnant! I’ve had so many questions from readers asking how I plan to handle maternity leave while self-employed. I feel fortunate to run a business that gives me flexibility, but there are … Read more

Is Full-Time Travel Really as Rewarding as It Seems?

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Full-time travel can seem irresistible: you discover new places, take your home with you, taste unfamiliar foods, meet different people, and experience constant change.

But it’s not always sunrises over beaches or dramatic mountain vistas.

I’m not complaining — I’m grateful for the life I lead. Still, after years of being location-independent, I’ve started to feel very tired. What once felt like a dream now sometimes feels exhausting.

Related: Welcome To Paradise – We’re Living On A Sailboat!

Lately I’ve watched many friends and fellow travelers decide to stop traveling full-time for a variety of reasons. Each time someone chooses to slow down or change course, I reflect on my own journey.

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How We Live and Travel Full-Time on $1,400 a Month

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Next in my Extraordinary Series are Melissa Nance and Wade Smith from The Penny Pinching Globetrotter. They’ve been traveling full-time for four years on a tight budget—about $1,400 per month—which covers all living expenses as well as travel costs. In August 2015, Melissa was diagnosed with leukemia. During long stretches of recovery she reflected deeply … Read more

Cost to Visit All 50 U.S. States in One Year: Our Total Trip Spend

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Today’s guest post is by Alyssa Padgett, author of RVing Across America. Four days after their 2014 wedding, Alyssa and her husband Heath set out on an unconventional honeymoon to visit all fifty states. They’ve been traveling ever since and now explore the world with their two young children. Find them at HeathandAlyssa.com. When my … Read more

How I Built a Life I Love by Starting a Blog — How You Can Too

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If you had told me more than a decade ago that starting a blog would transform my life, I wouldn’t have believed you. In 2011 I worked as a financial analyst in a high-stress environment. My days were spent commuting to a small, windowless office while I dreamed of more freedom. I had student loans, … Read more

21 Legit Ways to Earn Money With Minimal Effort

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Want to learn how to get paid to do nothing? Imagine earning money with very little effort—even while you relax, sleep, or wait in line. The idea of getting paid without working hard is appealing, and while it might sound unrealistic, there are legitimate ways to use your free time or existing assets to generate … Read more

Earn Extra Income Renting Out Your RV: A Complete Guide

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Are you looking for a way to make extra income, perhaps by offering an RV for rent? According to the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association, more than 8.9 million households own an RV, and that number continues to grow. Many RVs sit unused in driveways, storage lots, or backyards. If you’re not using yours regularly, renting … Read more

Make Budgeting Fun: Creative Ways to Manage Your Money

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For many, the idea of sticking to a budget feels tedious or restrictive. Some people worry that budgeting means missing out on life’s pleasures. That’s a misconception. Yes, budgeting requires discipline and sometimes saying “no.” But if you’re living beyond your means, a budget is the most effective way to regain control of your finances. … Read more

How Adult Children Can Support Parents With Estate Planning in 2026

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This article is a paid partnership with Ettinger Law Firm. The content was provided by the advertiser and is published for informational purposes only. It should not be considered legal or financial advice. As people grow older, managing, protecting and distributing assets becomes more important. Adult children who help their parents with estate planning often … Read more

How I Earned Income While Traveling Full-Time in January

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Welcome to the January business report, where I share how I earned money online and traveled full-time last month. Let’s review this month’s update and see how things went.

If you’re new to Making Sense of Cents, you might wonder why I publish a business report every month.

This started as my extra income report, because in the early days it focused on side-job earnings. In those initial updates I included all income outside of my day job.

However, I left my role as a financial analyst in October 2013, and my monthly reports have since evolved into business reports that cover the many ways I earn a living through the blog.

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