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October Blogging Month & Income Report

by LaurettaCWright
October Blogging Month and Income Report

With things settling back into a routine after half term, my October blogging month has gone relatively well in terms of keeping on top of posting.

It has still been a challenging month as I’ve neared the end of my chemo treatment, with the side effects sometimes getting the better of me.

As a result I haven’t spent nearly as much time on social media this month – probably a good thing for my sanity if I’m honest! I sometimes see friends and people I know step away from social for a few days and I always think it’s a great idea.

Just keeping on top of things can be challenging enough in our daily lives without the pressure of liking posts and commenting on them all (any tips gratefully received), but I think the way forward for me would be every weekend away from social and I do what I can during the week…

Blog learning

I’ve downloaded a few great apps this month – mostly business related – that have really enabled me to look at my productivity and keeping things in check.

My current favourite has to be to ‘Todoist’ – it’s a ‘to do’ list that has kept me in check this month – no more writing things in my notes app – it all goes in Todoist and you simply swipe right when you’ve completed the task. The great thing about it is that it also sends you email reminders to tell you what is pending – oh and it’s free too!

The other app I’ve heard about (which sounds brilliant) is Braintoss. Apparently you can record voice messages, take pics, write notes and it sends everything to your inbox. If you’re better at reading emails than dealing with apps, notes or pictures on your phone, this could be a good one to try.  It’s £1.99 to buy though but worth it I think!

Income report

Other income streams in October:
– JustPark and I earned £113.68 in October – a great month for my JustPark driveway rentals this month. (I rent my driveway for parking and also use JustPark for when I’m visiting hospitals, town centres, stadiums, airports etc).

In the run up to Christmas (and if you’re fed up of the high car parking rates in the High Street) just rent someone’s driveway for a few hours – it will probably cost you less than £5. If you fancy giving it a go but don’t want to part with any money – I’ve got a £10 voucher to get you started! You’re welcome.

– Top Cashback: I earned £63.40 this month – £50 of that cashback was through  insurance from Hastings Direct this month – an exclusive deal with Top Cashback. It’ how I earn FREE cash for shopping online! Check it out for yourself.

My magazine: I run a monthly community magazine for my local area and between us, my business partner and I split the profits. Sales were up for October and we nearly reached a turnover of £3,000 – not quite enough to go up in pagination but enough to withdraw more money than September! We’re aiming for an income of £3,500 for November – onwards and upwards!

Total income for October: £877.08

Out and about

I’ve been out and about loads – just not for the blog! Although I am planning on attending WTM (World Travel Market) for a day next month.

In terms of socialising – I’ve done a lot of that, discovered a new cancer support group for women in my local area, helped out at a couple of PTA events at the kids’ school and been business networking so much I don’t know whether or not I’ve been coming or going!

This month I also attended a Belstaff sale in London. I try to go every year to pick up some bargains and resell on eBay and, apart from some white ladies boots which I haven’t been able to sell, I’ve had some great purchases, making over £100 on some items which has been superb.

I have noticed though that as the chemo comes to an end it has left me really tired. In the evenings I’ve been going to bed at around 9.30pm. The only problem being that I’ve woken up at the crack of dawn! Still, not long to go now… 

Other news

I said to myself at the end of September that if I can write just one blog post a week – and keep it up for a whole month, I’m doing really well. And I only went and did it!

The first was 5 Must-Do Family activities On A Day Trip To Brighton. If you’ve never been to this wonderful city, you’re missing out – so much to see and do! The highlight for me was a trip up the i360 – got to be done to get in those spectacular views and see Brighton from a whole new perspective.

Having not put together an interiors post for a while I decided to write about Winter Home Trends On A Budget. Sticking to a budget is really important to me – I don’t like to be frivolous but I do like to follow trends. I love it when the supermarkets change up their seasonal goods as they always put the discontinued lines on the end of their shelves – you can guess the first place I head every time I go in – it’s not the fruit and veg!

My third post was 5 Things To Do In Dorset On A Whim. I went with VIP in the summer (for 48 hours!) and I’ve been meaning to highlight all the things you can do there in just a day. We got to see loads but there was still more to discover so I think a return visit is on the cards. I wish I had posted this up in the summer though – but it has sat in my drafts for months! Does anyone else do this? Start a blog post with best intentions, save it to drafts and then get distracted by other ideas, start writing other posts and then forget about the ones you started? I’ve just checked and right now I’ve got 87 draft posts waiting to be finished. Ahem…moving on quickly…

Finally, I penned my monthly ‘Favourite Finds’ piece (and things I’ve tried – highlights for me this month included a water filter that removes 99.6% of dissolved solids in tap water – and there’s a stick to test this, offering complete peace of mind. I’ve never seen anything like this but I think it’s great. My cups of tea and glasses of water certainly taste different!

I also LOVED the essential oils inhaler sticks from GO2. As I have a  condition called Hyperosmia, I’m extremely sensitive to smells, which can trigger migraines, so I knew that this would be great for me. They promote things like focus, calm, sleep and energy – and are now a permanent fixture in my handbag.

October Blogging Month At A Glance

What was great? In a strange kind of way, stepping away from Instagram and social media in general. Also, uploading one new blog post every week seems to have gone to plan.
What wasn’t? Not having the same amount of energy that I usually do. Winter doesn’t help!
Goals for November: Bring in even more money from magazine advertising sales.

30 comments

Hayley Warren 22nd December 2019 - 1:23 pm

You’re doing amazingly well, such an inspiration! Have a great Christmas x

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Melanie williams 8th November 2019 - 12:43 pm

I think that you are doing an amazing job. Keeping upbeat, busy and blogging to the maximum…good on you xx

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LaurettaCWright 12th November 2019 - 3:23 pm

Thanks very much Melanie! 🙂

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Elizabeth Williams 5th November 2019 - 9:20 pm

Fantastic that you achieved your goal of writing one blog post every week. Sounds like you had a good month especially considering you’re bearing the end of your chemo treatment, you’re an inspiration.

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LaurettaCWright 6th November 2019 - 11:35 am

That’s very kind – thanks Elizabeth …I’m just hoping that I can keep up the momentum! I really don’t know how some bloggers commit to a blog post a day – I really can’t keep up! Wonderful to get your positive encouragement too x

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Jenni 5th November 2019 - 8:40 am

Renting your driveway is a genius idea. Love the sound of the todoist app, will try that

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LaurettaCWright 6th November 2019 - 11:36 am

Good luck Jenni – let me know how you get on! JustPark is brilliant – I’v saved a fortune and also made some money too.

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Charli 4th November 2019 - 9:37 am

I’ve not heard of Just Park before but it sounds a great app – I’d definitely try it.

I’m also so glad that you’ve found a local support group – I hope you’re finding it really beneficial.

C x

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LaurettaCWright 6th November 2019 - 1:03 pm

Thank you Charli – it’s great reading recommendations from other bloggers isn’t it? I get some great ideas just through recommended reading!

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Jennifer Gladwin 3rd November 2019 - 9:50 pm

I definitely feel a break away from social media can really have it’s benefits. I love the sound of Todoist!

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LaurettaCWright 4th November 2019 - 8:07 am

I think a break away from social can benefit us all Jennifer – it just calms the mind I feel. I’m definitely keeping up the ‘stepping away’ from it all at least once a week. Good luck with the app if you download it – hope it works for you!

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Rebecca Smith 3rd November 2019 - 8:27 pm

Braintoss definitely sounds like an app I could do with – I work much better from emails than voice notes and things like that. Hope you manage to achieve your magazine sales goal next month.

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LaurettaCWright 4th November 2019 - 8:06 am

Aha! In which case Rebecca you definitely need braintoss if you work better from emails – I hope it offers you more productivity! Todoist has worked really well for me – good riddance to the notes! And thanks for the well wishes on sales 🙂

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Mellissa Williams 3rd November 2019 - 8:25 pm

Fingers crossed you get the magazine sales that you are hoping for in November. Sorry to hear chemo is zapping your energy so much xx

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LaurettaCWright 4th November 2019 - 8:04 am

Thanks Mellissa – I’ll keep plugging away. Chemo is nearly done and dusted now….just got to keep the focus for December …and try and get sorted for Christmas ahead of time!

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Dani 3rd November 2019 - 1:40 pm

I’m forever using my notes app so I will definitely be checking out Todoist – it sounds such a game changer! Between your blog & your income it sounds like a super productive October for you 🙂

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LaurettaCWright 4th November 2019 - 7:59 am

Thanks Dani – yes, I’m sure you’d really like Todoist – it’s worked really well for me.

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kerry 3rd November 2019 - 9:50 am

Your doing amazing, and so glad to hear the magazine is going in the right direction. I know how hard you work on it. I really dont understand anyone feeling guilty if they step away from social media. Its just a free app on our phone! I don’t tend to go on social media weekends, and in truth, have eased off in the week too. I only post every other day, sometimes every two days now. I have made a conscious effort to direct my energy else where. It paid off to as my blog traffic was up 25% Do what you need to do xx
Have a great month. Hope that target gets smashed! xxx

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LaurettaCWright 3rd November 2019 - 12:08 pm

Thanks so much Kerry – and it’s great to hear your traffic has increased despite not being on social every day …I’m taking a leaf out of your book! I’ve definitely eased off social in general and it has helped take the pressure off, so I just need to keep that momentum.

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Sarah | Boo Roo and Tigger Too 3rd November 2019 - 8:06 am

This is a great way to look back and reflect on the month. I’ve found that I save my comments, replies etc for when I’m watching TV on an evening. With weekends generally blogging free as I want to be around for the children

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LaurettaCWright 3rd November 2019 - 12:09 pm

That’s a great idea, thanks Sarah. It’s good to get an insight into what others are doing to manage their time much better. I feel I need to draw up a timetable for myself to stick to throughout the month! ha ha

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Elizabeth 3rd November 2019 - 7:13 am

Sounds like you’ve had a super productive October! Your magazine sounds interesting; is there a lot of work involved in creating/promoting it?

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LaurettaCWright 3rd November 2019 - 12:11 pm

Thanks Elizabeth – the magazine takes up most of my day (and evenings too probably!), but it’s still in its infancy so a lot of work needs to go into it naturally. The main thing is that I enjoy it – if it starts becoming a chore or something that affects me negatively, then that’s not the work/life balance I was looking for. I’ve only recently learned to be kinder to myself…

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Natasha Mairs 2nd November 2019 - 7:30 pm

I think it’s so important to get away from social media now and again. Sometimes I just have a few days ‘off’ reading or playing board games with the kids

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Devy 3rd November 2019 - 11:20 am

You’re doing brilliant considering you have quite a bit that need sorting. You managed to keep your weekly writing as well. I’m sure your next monthly income will have bigger number as you alwaye put good work in it. All the best love.

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LaurettaCWright 6th November 2019 - 11:37 am

Totally agree it’s a great idea to step away and not being consumed by social media. I’m glad I made a conscious decision to not be ruled by IG!

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Alex Grace 1st November 2019 - 3:26 pm

Thanks for sharing Lauretta! I’m 100% with you on the SM breaks – I usually take one every weekend, maybe it doesn’t help my reach or engagement, but it definitely helps my mental health! I must say you’re doing really well to keep on top of everything like you are with everything you’ve got going on at the moment. Well done lovely. PS I’m off to download to-do list now sounds brill xx

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LaurettaCWright 3rd November 2019 - 12:13 pm

Yes, I remember you saying about your social media breaks Alex – you inspired me to take the weekends off initially, so thank you! The ToDoist app has been great for me – better than notes that keep getting pushed further down…! Hope you get on with it ok – let me know!

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Michelle Davey 1st November 2019 - 8:26 am

Love this!! Definitely going to give brain toss a go and was always wondering whether the cash back websites work so going to look into that! When I was living in London we rented our driveway and made a small fortune at Christmas time! So definitely worth it each way.. Cheap to rent.. Productive to rent out!!!

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LaurettaCWright 4th November 2019 - 8:01 am

A girl after my own heart – thanks Michelle. It’s great to be able to earn a bit on the side – especially for not doing anything at all! Brain Toss is a great idea and I’m still loving Todoist…there are always great apps being launched.

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