This is fascinating to me. So many ways to make money.
I gave up my nursing career over 20 years ago to concentrate on our family. We had six children between us. I retrained as a coach but only ever worked part time because I only really had the time and energy for the children and I supported my husband in his biz. So the coaching was more like a hobby really. I earned enough to keep doing more training which I loved and learned so much about myself.
This year has been a big wake up call with my husband having a severe back issue that needed surgery. I realised that I have nothing to show financially for the 25 years I have supported him in his business. He is okay now and recovering and working again allbeit less than before and has actually admitted he'd like to work less. He's nearly 74. But it's left me feeling vulnerable and spurred me on to launch my Substack in March.
I aim to replace his income so he can reduce his hours when he needs to but I also want to build up enough money to invest. Like you Claire I tend to glaze over when I try to learn about it though.
So generous of you to share this, Claire! I didn’t realise until recently that it’s perfectly ok to have multiple streams of income. I always thought I had to have just one.
Right now I have three - my Substack, my VA work and my Etsy shop. I’m toying with the idea of getting rid of my print business/ Etsy shop, but it’s been part of my life for so many years (what I left nursing to do) I feel a little bit too attached to it.
Oh that’s hard isn’t it... you know with my journals I sell them for a season and then stop... is it worth looking at doing it that way?! ✨🙏 a half way between cutting ties and staying plugged in?
It all feels so very new. I left my long term career two years ago and my focus was very much on other things since that time. Freelance writing feels very exciting to me, and I'm looking into those opportunities that feel aligned. Also, investing.
This is such an important conversation, and thank you to all who have been so open about how the money comes in.
I've streamlined my income in the past year and a half. Until 2014, I'd spent almost a decade in the classroom and then went freelance with various forms of work for the next seven years. Airbnb, private tuition, bits of writing for the BBC and Scottish broadsheets, a stint as a talking-head on BBC Radio Scotland, a Gaelic tutor, a course developer for the Council's community education dept... you name it! And of course, I burnt out!
Right now, I work two full set days a week and am committed to writing on the other week days. I am growing my membership offering here and seeing that income stream ticking up steadily after a slow start, and can now say that my annual predicted income here at the moment if I keep my membership at the same level (hoping it grows, of course!) equates to what I'd make if I worked another full day in my actual job, which for me feels pretty good.
I get paid for my other facilitating work and some of my other writing but not all of it... in time, friends. In time!
Lindsay! Thanks for sharing that!! WOW! It’s SO hard to say no to contracts and I have found some take WAY more energy than they should... sounds like you have a lovely balance now? That’s the thing... I’m reflecting on nearly four years of very conscious diversification here and for the most part a big focus on setting up systems that work for me when I’m “not at work...” ✨✉️💡 let’s keep talking!! Keep celebrating, keep sharing... 💕
I left the corporate rat race in 1990. Since then, I've been self-employed as:
- Electroplating consultant
- Computer trainer
- Software/database developer
- Skating dress design and manufacture (with my wife!)
- Grant funded work on forever chemicals in drinking water
- Writer (a crumb on the pie chart!)
- and now retirement income
while my wife has worked as:
- Skating coach
- Skating dress design and manufacture
- Swim coach
- Personal trainer
- Nutrition coach
Yes, diverse income streams are good!
The ability to earn, spend, and invest in alignment with our values for us has been priceless. It gave us the flexibility to take care of our kids and my ageing parents at critical times.
I've taught classes in financial integrity. Happy to chat about this any time.
This is great for folks to see. I dipped my toe into entrepreneurship very early, back in the 90s, but didn't make the plunge completely until about 2005. Similar boat, too: multiple income streams. I think folks don't quite understand the trade-off between independence and hard work/hustle.
"The price of freedom is eternal vigilance" might be entrepreneurized into: "the price of freedom is incessant hustle!"
It’s been the only way I could do the school runs and support my husband’s ill health - ever grateful for a creative brain! Do you know how many income streams you have? I’ve streamlined a bit over the years but also diversified... 🤷🏽♀️ 😆
At least 10, but some of them are pretty.... eh.... micro at this point. I'd say 3 big ones and 3 or 4 smaller ones I think are well worth pursuing, and a few others that I might just eventually want to cut loose. Diversification is key for me today!
Super interesting! So mine are all client work, commissioned work, products and Substack... I’d love to learn about investments but I switch off when I try and learn about it...
Feel free to shoot me a message if you're interested in talking through any of that stuff. It's super cool that you are peeling the curtain back, but if you want things to remain behind that curtain, I'm happy to chat a bit offline.
This is something I really need to get on top of. Pattern writing is a very up/down source of income. I can have good months when I release a new pattern or two and quieter months. I'm loving the fact that Substack gives a more reliable source of monthly income and that's definitely something I want to develop and diversify
Love the breakdown on the pie chart! You're inspiring me to get there and diversify as much as possible... relying on a few clients is dangerous when you're freelancing. (It's a constant source of stress.)
I'd not thought about it that way Claire but yes you're so right - it's like low level there all the time isn't it... a lot of the big contracts have landed at times when I've really needed them but I've learnt over the years plugging into more than 2 or 3 big projects leaves me burnt out... I've really enjoyed feeling 'more in control' of the ebb and flow of launches and nudges to work with people in smaller/ more ever green ways...
Aww wow I love love love your perspective here Chapin. Thank-you!
I’ll google the publication since I’ve not heard of it.
I’ve always worked in “the arts” and since I turned 40 I’m sick of the narrative of being under paid for such wonderous work so I’m changing it. I grew chard for the chickens this year - they ADORED it!! ✨✨✨ 🐓
This is fascinating to me. So many ways to make money.
I gave up my nursing career over 20 years ago to concentrate on our family. We had six children between us. I retrained as a coach but only ever worked part time because I only really had the time and energy for the children and I supported my husband in his biz. So the coaching was more like a hobby really. I earned enough to keep doing more training which I loved and learned so much about myself.
This year has been a big wake up call with my husband having a severe back issue that needed surgery. I realised that I have nothing to show financially for the 25 years I have supported him in his business. He is okay now and recovering and working again allbeit less than before and has actually admitted he'd like to work less. He's nearly 74. But it's left me feeling vulnerable and spurred me on to launch my Substack in March.
I aim to replace his income so he can reduce his hours when he needs to but I also want to build up enough money to invest. Like you Claire I tend to glaze over when I try to learn about it though.
So generous of you to share this, Claire! I didn’t realise until recently that it’s perfectly ok to have multiple streams of income. I always thought I had to have just one.
Right now I have three - my Substack, my VA work and my Etsy shop. I’m toying with the idea of getting rid of my print business/ Etsy shop, but it’s been part of my life for so many years (what I left nursing to do) I feel a little bit too attached to it.
Oh that’s hard isn’t it... you know with my journals I sell them for a season and then stop... is it worth looking at doing it that way?! ✨🙏 a half way between cutting ties and staying plugged in?
This was really thought provoking, thank you, as I’m currently in the space of feeling into diversifying my income stream. 🙏🏻
It’s definitely a feeling into sort of vibe for sure... what you feeling Kaitlyn? Have you got ideas for products and offers? ✨🌱
It all feels so very new. I left my long term career two years ago and my focus was very much on other things since that time. Freelance writing feels very exciting to me, and I'm looking into those opportunities that feel aligned. Also, investing.
Oh beautiful!!! ✨🌱✨🌱✨🌱✨ the freedom is like no other..:
This is such an important conversation, and thank you to all who have been so open about how the money comes in.
I've streamlined my income in the past year and a half. Until 2014, I'd spent almost a decade in the classroom and then went freelance with various forms of work for the next seven years. Airbnb, private tuition, bits of writing for the BBC and Scottish broadsheets, a stint as a talking-head on BBC Radio Scotland, a Gaelic tutor, a course developer for the Council's community education dept... you name it! And of course, I burnt out!
Right now, I work two full set days a week and am committed to writing on the other week days. I am growing my membership offering here and seeing that income stream ticking up steadily after a slow start, and can now say that my annual predicted income here at the moment if I keep my membership at the same level (hoping it grows, of course!) equates to what I'd make if I worked another full day in my actual job, which for me feels pretty good.
I get paid for my other facilitating work and some of my other writing but not all of it... in time, friends. In time!
Lindsay! Thanks for sharing that!! WOW! It’s SO hard to say no to contracts and I have found some take WAY more energy than they should... sounds like you have a lovely balance now? That’s the thing... I’m reflecting on nearly four years of very conscious diversification here and for the most part a big focus on setting up systems that work for me when I’m “not at work...” ✨✉️💡 let’s keep talking!! Keep celebrating, keep sharing... 💕
I left the corporate rat race in 1990. Since then, I've been self-employed as:
- Electroplating consultant
- Computer trainer
- Software/database developer
- Skating dress design and manufacture (with my wife!)
- Grant funded work on forever chemicals in drinking water
- Writer (a crumb on the pie chart!)
- and now retirement income
while my wife has worked as:
- Skating coach
- Skating dress design and manufacture
- Swim coach
- Personal trainer
- Nutrition coach
Yes, diverse income streams are good!
The ability to earn, spend, and invest in alignment with our values for us has been priceless. It gave us the flexibility to take care of our kids and my ageing parents at critical times.
I've taught classes in financial integrity. Happy to chat about this any time.
John 😂 the crumb!! We’ll defo chat about all this - love the diverse streams and you guys being a team!! 🙏
This is great for folks to see. I dipped my toe into entrepreneurship very early, back in the 90s, but didn't make the plunge completely until about 2005. Similar boat, too: multiple income streams. I think folks don't quite understand the trade-off between independence and hard work/hustle.
"The price of freedom is eternal vigilance" might be entrepreneurized into: "the price of freedom is incessant hustle!"
It’s been the only way I could do the school runs and support my husband’s ill health - ever grateful for a creative brain! Do you know how many income streams you have? I’ve streamlined a bit over the years but also diversified... 🤷🏽♀️ 😆
At least 10, but some of them are pretty.... eh.... micro at this point. I'd say 3 big ones and 3 or 4 smaller ones I think are well worth pursuing, and a few others that I might just eventually want to cut loose. Diversification is key for me today!
Super interesting! So mine are all client work, commissioned work, products and Substack... I’d love to learn about investments but I switch off when I try and learn about it...
Feel free to shoot me a message if you're interested in talking through any of that stuff. It's super cool that you are peeling the curtain back, but if you want things to remain behind that curtain, I'm happy to chat a bit offline.
Oh great thanks so much! 🐶
This is something I really need to get on top of. Pattern writing is a very up/down source of income. I can have good months when I release a new pattern or two and quieter months. I'm loving the fact that Substack gives a more reliable source of monthly income and that's definitely something I want to develop and diversify
Right!!? It's so nice getting those emails from Stripe isn't it? 🤓🎉
It always feels like a little gift from the universe and a good way to practice daily gratitude
For sure I love that Louise and thinking about how many options we have compared to our grandparents? ❤️❤️
Love the breakdown on the pie chart! You're inspiring me to get there and diversify as much as possible... relying on a few clients is dangerous when you're freelancing. (It's a constant source of stress.)
I'd not thought about it that way Claire but yes you're so right - it's like low level there all the time isn't it... a lot of the big contracts have landed at times when I've really needed them but I've learnt over the years plugging into more than 2 or 3 big projects leaves me burnt out... I've really enjoyed feeling 'more in control' of the ebb and flow of launches and nudges to work with people in smaller/ more ever green ways...
Oh thanks!! Glad it spoke to you Kimia!
Aww wow I love love love your perspective here Chapin. Thank-you!
I’ll google the publication since I’ve not heard of it.
I’ve always worked in “the arts” and since I turned 40 I’m sick of the narrative of being under paid for such wonderous work so I’m changing it. I grew chard for the chickens this year - they ADORED it!! ✨✨✨ 🐓