I admire folks who have many income streams going in ways that add to the quality of their life. A second side job that fits nicely with a 9 to 5, Etsy or eBay stores on the side, crafters who do custom or attend craft fairs are some I read about from other bloggers. I posted a while back in how I'd like to make some money in 2022 leveraging hobbies or using new savings apps. As I head into month three (THREE!!!) of 2022, it's slow going. If things are going to blow up in the world of commerce, it feels like I should be more intentional. I making lists again and with a Monday off, a good day to think.
One of my efforts was to utilize the Adsense option in the blog. It's been fun seeing a little coinage accumulate when I take a peak. That's down to all of you telling me you didn't mind the ads. You've become friends through comments and chats, and I value the input. I'm hoping to perhaps grow readership so I've officially created a Sam and Coffee Instagram @samandcoffee65.
Now, pretty photos are not my thing- yet. I'm hoping to learn and get better. Do I think swarms of people will flock to a 56 year old, want to be writer's, IG account? No, but in the spirit of leveraging learning, fun, and potential new ways to earn money while having some fun, why not try something new? It also might help me take useable photos to try and list items for resale, another side money idea for 2022.
I'm not even going to do a long term savings update. I'll update the count down- 22 months for DH and 69 for me. (Or is it 70?) Either way, we're under the two and six year marker. It's been dicey though, seeing the slowness and backsliding of our account values. I keep reminding myself that it's a marathon, not a sprint. I can also decide to work longer myself, and concentrate on DH's timeline. I earn 26 vacation days, plus my supposedly flex Fridays, another 26, so we still can do a bit of travel and I can work from the lake several weeks a year too. Options I have time to figure out.
DD2 had a couple doctors visits near school, out of network. The extra out of pocket wasn't unmanageable, but we'll need to figure out longer term, until she's 26, health care for her. She turns 26 a year before I plan retire anyway, so we won't have her to consider. Still, it always comes back to health care coverage.
I'll keep poking around those income streams ideas in my head. In the meantime, visit me at my Sam and Coffee Instagram and if inclined, give me a follow. Comment with yours and I'll find you too.
I'm on Instagram as @samandcoffee65. Install the app to follow my photos and videos. https://www.instagram.com/invites/contact/?i=ziixruxpn7no&utm_content=1hvxnfr
Insurance is really the main reason I continue to work. I carry it for myself and my husband. It's sad that it comes down to that isn't it?
ReplyDeleteI just followed you on Instagram. Looking forward to your photos.
Enjoy your day off!!
I saw you, Laurie. Thank you. Insurance does my head in.
DeleteIt's probably the #1 reason so many of my friends continue to work. The premiums are just outrageous, along with the high deductibles. Healthcare in this country sucks. Hang in there, Sam.
DeleteI feel like your average side hustle grows over time.
ReplyDeleteI have a daily to do list with Swagbucks, MyPoints and Bing on it. I only do iBotta and Shopkick. I admit I don't understand Shopkick but keep trying. I try to list 5 eBay auctions a week and that is on on weekly list. I also sell some canning and baking a couple times a year. This year I hope to sell some produce. We will see.
But I started years ago just doing Bing, Swagbucks and Pinecone Research, and a mystery shop site. It grew from there. I also have spent an insane amount of time working the CVS and Rite Aid deals.
Some things worked and some didn't. It was a process.
No Rite Aids here so that takes that off my plate. I wouldn't have enough head space anyway. I like the MS rewards, though I often miss days and need to restart.
DeleteJust followed you with my main, not my finsta lol. You’ll know it’s me ;) I don’t post much but I do like to throw some things on my story. My son just started an ira through his work. I’m baffled when it comes to all things insurance, taxes, retirement. It’s like another language to me. I’ve been doing quite well with all the apps. We got some free razors yesterday at Target combining Ibotta, coupons.com, my red card and target circle. I remember when stuff like that used to be “free” all the time. It’s harder to find those great deals now, especially while I’m trying to stock up for college. I’m amazed at the other high school senior girls I know that haven’t started shopping for dorm stuff or even taken into account how much they will need. JoAnn
ReplyDeleteI like the stories to share snippets from others. I don't use much personally either, so thought this might be fun for blogging.
DeleteI know when my friend" hubby turned 65 and went on Medicare, her insurance required their disabled son that was covered on hers to go under his dad instead. If your insurance won't become secondary (Ours' didn't) then about 1/3 of your SS will go to medical NOT including what is out of pocket. I know that Medicare with Medicare advantage OUT of Pocket is over $7,000 per person. As someone who isn't on medicare yet and paying for our own ins. I can tell you that it is something you need to figure out (talk to your finance guy) about as this is just going to go up. Medigap doesn't cover everything ... so we just ignored it
ReplyDeleteIt's the biggest and most volatile part of our plan for retirement. We'll get professional guidance for sure.
DeleteGood luck figuring out a side income. I gave some thought to that after I got divorced and when I was thinking about retiring but the only thing I could come up with was editing or translating and that all sounded too much like what I'd spent my working life doing and was a definite no no! I'm sure you'll have more ideas than I did though!
ReplyDeleteThere's things I did in my old job I don't do now so possible for me to do some contract work of things I enjoyed. It's a conflict of interest doing now though.
DeleteI came away from Instagram as I couldn't keep up with it. I struggle with social media but wish you lots of luck with your new account! xxx
ReplyDeleteMy activity will be kind minimal. Truth be told, Im not the target user anyway, so I'm just going to see it as a blog extension.
DeleteI just know that earlier in my life (working for the state, cheap great insurance) I had always thought after retirement and when I reached Medicare yeah! But it’s not cheap, the add in’s supplement plans and deductions all at up. I’m not saving anything. (I paid out right to continue my state health plan till Medicare and then thought I’d see a big monthly savings. Not so much.)
ReplyDeleteWe're not counting medicare to save anything either and assume we'll keep bug costs until death.
DeleteI have thought about insta gram with all the wedding dresses coming in, but I know nothing about it, and then I am afraid of the distraction. I am easily distracted. I will have to see if the kids can help me and then decide. But good on you!
ReplyDeleteIt's not one I get sucked into like I used to with Facebook. If you're looking to promote your shop, it's, IG, the thing though.
DeleteWe must have been reading each other's minds, I just created a new Instagram account last night. I lost the one that was connected to my blog when I had to factory reset my phone last year, was never able to get back in no matter what I tried. I'll go follow you from my new account in a few. Looking forward to your posts.
ReplyDeleteHaving a side hustle is definitely a good thing. When I'm active on my Instagram book shop I pull in a nice check of change every month, of course I haven't done any new listings while I was working so many hours. Now that I'm back to part time I need to get back to it!
Your book store is fascinating. I hope it picks back up. I'll need to find you to follow back.
DeleteI use Insta but mainly for sharing pretty things, my music, gardening milarkey and Doctor Who outfits but I have sold a few things on there to some friends and randoms! I'm too knackered after work to consider a side hustle though I get the odd paid musical gig which is occasionally useful!
ReplyDeleteI'm more likely to do some contract work post retirement. My daughter's and I have a few ideas and between us all, maybe we'd manage something.
DeleteI have been making items to sell online, maybe on pinterest, not sure. I just cannot follow one more thing. I wish your pictures were on your blog. Will you make money on Instagram?
ReplyDeleteInstagram will be more just an extension of the blog hobby. Pictures- some same, but might be better able to do short videos easier on IG. I'm not expecting financial gains.
DeleteMy husband and I retired at 49 and 55. Researched the ACA really well and have had excellent, cheap coverage since 2014. The key is to keep your income under 250% of the federal poverty level. The cost sharing reductions are as important as the subsidies.
ReplyDeleteGood to know, but that's pretty low to also cover living expenses, travel, fun. I'm not sure we'd be able to do that, and have the retirement life we hope for.
DeleteI would like to say I was going to follow you on instagram, but I don't use it. I just don't need another social media distraction, but I wish you a lot of luck with it!
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the well wishes. No one should add anymore social media if not what they want- least of all to follow me.
DeleteFrom Ms. Sandie "I'm terrible with IG, though I have an account for both businesses. I will follow yours soon. I want to try to find more passive income streams, every little bit helps. I recently said to DH I feel like I'm either working or sleeping. I haven't worked so much (or should I say hard) since I was just starting out in my 20's. I like watching the pennies on blogger too."
ReplyDeleteApologies to Ms. Sandie-Not sure what I did, but one minute your comment was published and then it disappeared. I appreciate you commenting and hope you can find those passive Streams of income.
I’m late for the discussion regarding side incomes but what has been very helpful for me is my profession. I’m a RN and when I retired I was able to hire back as an intermittent position at my current (high) wage. I can pick up shifts or say no but sometimes it’s great but adds stress too. Both the actual work which is very hard but also getting called sporadically day/night (sick call fill ins) feel guilty saying no. Some but few shifts scheduled ahead. Call for all three shifts. I’m aging out 68 but the extra income has helped! It was more supposed to be for my fun travel fund but per Covid fun was lost but I did need the funds for several things so grateful it was there.
ReplyDeleteI’m late for the discussion regarding side incomes but what has been very helpful for me is my profession. I’m a RN and when I retired I was able to hire back as an intermittent position at my current (high) wage. I can pick up shifts or say no but sometimes it’s great but adds stress too. Both the actual work which is very hard but also getting called sporadically day/night (sick call fill ins) feel guilty saying no. Some but few shifts scheduled ahead. Call for all three shifts. I’m aging out 68 but the extra income has helped! It was more supposed to be for my fun travel fund but per Covid fun was lost but I did need the funds for several things so grateful it was there.
ReplyDelete