Freelance blogging is a great way to make money from home. The pay can be low in the beginning, but many of us do make a living with our writing. While there’s a financial tradeoff when you’re a struggling writer, frugal living is definitely worth the flexibility and creativity that being a freelance blogger provides.
The Right Place to Plant Yourself
Part of making a frugal lifestyle work is finding a place to live that doesn’t cost you too much. For example, living downtown in a large city, such as New York City or Los Angeles, is probably not a wise decision unless you can find a deal or get a roommate.
However, if you are making a living off blogging about city news specifically, then maybe city living really is the best option for you. In that case, you’ll need to figure out how to afford living in that environment.
If you are looking for fresh air and space to roam in and be inspired, you might want to look for an affordable place with some acreage. Such a spot might also present you with other money-making opportunities. You might use the great outdoors to your advantage by beekeeping or growing vegetables. Other options are renting out a portion of your land or starting a bed and breakfast.
Fewer Expenses
One of the obvious ways a writer who works from home saves money is that there are almost no expenses. There are no fuel expenses or special work clothing to buy. Most people have an internet connection and a laptop, so while those might be tax deductible, they aren’t really additional expenses.
Using the internet hot spot that came with your cell phone plan is all you’ll need to publish your blog posts, so Wi-Fi might not even be necessary. Instead of going out to lunch during the workday, you can stay home to prepare your food, which is another way you can save money.
Frugal Meals
A slow cooker can be a great way for inexpensive foods like beans and tougher cuts of meat to cook themselves while you are pounding away at the keyboard. Even if you prefer to break long enough to cook lunch, the options for frugal lunches are practically endless. Boxed macaroni and cheese, Top Ramen, and egg salad sandwiches are just a few ideas.
Cutting back on groceries and cutting back on expenses in other areas right now can allow you to quit your nine to five and live the dream life of blogging about something you’re passionate about, such as travel or your personal beliefs. Just think: you could eventually get paid to go on vacation and write about your experience!
More Time at Home
Although freelance blogging gives you the freedom to set your own hours, it can often keep you at your desk for long periods. You might never officially be off work since you will be driven by your financial goals and obligations, even if they are lesser than those of your previous life. And there is always that dangling carrot of another post that might “hit it big.”
Working from home is actually an advantage because it reduces the temptation to go out and spend money. Really, anything that keeps you busy can help to reduce spending out of boredom.
You also get the opportunity to be more focused on how you spend your money. Instead of all those $15 purchases here and there, you can diligently focus on that hot tub and put all your efforts toward a goal. This way of spending is more controlled, and you might find that you will meet your goal faster than you expected.
Your Potential as Freelance Blogger
Frugal living as a freelance blogger will ideally be a temporary adjustment. Writing, like anything, will improve with practice. A good writer may eventually produce a viral post or land a well-paying writing gig. The sheer volume of quality work you are posting online is bound to pay off at some point. Your blog can serve as an online portfolio that just might get noticed by the right person.
Perhaps you will break into writing for magazines or land a book deal. In the meantime, you might just have to tighten your belt. And who knows-you might discover that it really is your dream job and stay right where you are.