As a single mom, our family is incredibly blessed. I get to stay home with my kids, work online, and be an encouragement to millions of other women. I’m literally living my dream life. But I wasn’t born into royalty and it didn’t come easy for me. In fact…
Six years ago, I was living in a homeless shelter and had $30k worth of debt. My ex-husband was on his 3rd affair and my kids and I had nothing except what I could pack in a small car. The shelter was dirty, people were always sick, the food was so old I wouldn’t serve it to a starving dog, and there were no windows. It seemed hopeless. Every morning I was woken up at 6 am by a woman who said it was for my own good. I was without God, alone, and scared. Forget about making ends meet, meat wasn’t even a possibility. I had been a stay at home mom my entire kids lives. I thought to myself, “Now what?”
Have you ever seen the movie Labyrinth? Sarah says “Through dangers untold and hardships unnumbered, I have fought my way here to take back what you have stolen.”
I felt like everything in my life had been stolen. The life and marriage that I knew for more than a decade was gone. In an instant, my life was turned upside-down.
But God answered my prayers. He showed me what real love was, and I fought. I fought long and hard and strong. Every ounce of strength came from the Lord. I put one foot in front of the other and again and again and again. Each day I started anew giving that day my all. I had no idea where I was going, but anywhere was better than there!
Slowly, with God’s help, I dug myself out of the pit, and just kept going.
I will never forget those days because…
it made me the person I am today.
I learned how to live on nothing, so when a little bit came, I was more than excited. I learned how to save for the things I wanted, instead of rushing out and letting my emotions take over my purchases. I learned how to squirrel away money; little by little it added up.
Most importantly, I learned success. I learned what it was and how to achieve it. I learned how to support my kids FROM home (I would not let a little thing like income, tear me apart from them. They had already lost their dad. I wasn’t about to let them lose me too!) I learned how to live WELL on $18,000/year at that time. I learned that if you spend wisely, you CAN have everything you want and more, no matter what your income!
That’s the reason I started this blog.
I believe that most women can quit working and stay home with their kids if that’s what they want to do.
Does it take sacrifice, yes, hard work, yes, but you CAN get there and I’m committed to showing you how!!!
The first thing I did was start selling on eBay full time. I was making good money, enough for a great life! I lived in THE MOST sought after subdivision in my area, had a 3 bedroom home, fenced yard, 2 car garage. I was living the good life for sure. I had gotten completely out of debt, just me and my kids. No roommates, just making it on my own with no family help.
But it wasn’t satisfying to my soul. I didn’t feel like I was helping people.
Meanwhile, my friends kept asking me how in the world I was able to live better than they were, on an income that was far less, poverty-level, to be exact.
The questions were flooding in and so I decided I would start up a thing called a blog. I figured it would save me time. Rather than telling each one of my friends all the answers, over and over and over, I’d write it down as emails to my friends and share the links whenever I’d get the questions.
Seemed simple enough, right?
I didn’t have to worry about blogging because the “posts” were just emails to my friends in a semi-private place. I didn’t spell check, I didn’t even capitalize the beginning of sentences. There was no structure, no form or correct paragraphs, nothing.
In November or December of that year, I stood before the judge in my divorce hearing. He asked me why I didn’t have a job yet. I told him that I did!!! He asked what I did. I told him that I was selling on eBay and doing well and that I was starting a blog.
Wrong answer!
I’m not talking a little bit wrong. It was like the sun fell out of the sky, jaws drop, WRONG answer!!!
To put it mildly, he didn’t like that. Insisted that it was unstable work for my family. Told me point blank that if I didn’t get a job outside the home to provide for my little ones, I could forfeit tens of thousands of dollars in the divorce. He acted like I didn’t love my kids, because I wasn’t willing to put THEM first. Because I wasn’t willing to leave them with a stranger all day long while I went out and worked a job.
I get it. I have plenty of banking experience (10+ years). In my field, I’m pretty high to the top with a college education to boot. It’s not that I CAN’T work. It’s not that I can’t make good, stable money working. It’s that I WANT TO BE HOME WITH MY KIDS!
The world doesn’t understand that.
I told the judge that I wasn’t going to leave my kids…
…my husband already did that, and that I believed in myself enough to know I could make money from home. Enough to squeak by at least. He asked how much I could make. I told him I thought I could make $1,000/month in profits. In my head, I thought, if I could make $500 from Ebay and $500 from the blog, I’d be okay. I could live on $1,000/month plus a little child support if granted.
He went on to ask me how long it would take to make that and I told him one year.
Give me one year and I will make $1,000/month from home, I said.
My lawyers, my Pastor, my friends, family, everyone in my life all told me to get a job. They BEGGED me. But, I knew in my heart, God was convicting me to start a blog and so, on Dec 23, 2013, I turned my blog ON. I clicked the button to go LIVE to the world, no spell check, no sentence structure and all. I figured all I had to do was make $500/month. Easy, right?
Wrong. It was HARD.
Although I started getting a ton of traffic right off the bat…more than 10,000 pageviews my first month and on to over 100,000 a few short months later, I wasn’t making as much money as I was putting in. I was losing money. I was spending money in all the wrong places, doing all the wrong things. I wish I could go back and hire me as a coach back then! I would have saved thousands of dollars!
My stats kept doubling and soon I was at nearly a million pageviews and December the next year, my 12th month blogging, I made a hair over TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS income…in ONE month!
When I figured out my income for the month, I cried hysterically. God did it. I did it. They were ALL WRONG!
My life has changed since that day, though I haven’t changed at all. The only thing I’ve done differently was move into my dream house. A 5 bedroom, 3 bath, 3 car garage, 2 story, granite kitchen countertops, garden in the backyard dream house. Still a single mom, I still live on little and am currently saving up to buy a house WITH CASH.
Today, I stand here as a successful single mom who’s overcome the worst of challenges. I stand here today…to inspire YOU.
There is nothing that can knock you down and defeat you, unless you let it.
So where are you at in your journey?
Do you feel like the bills and walls are closing in on you? Do you feel like you can’t seem to get your blog to make the income you know it CAN make? Do you feel stuck? Like you’ve lost hope and you’re spiraling? Maybe you feel like you should quit blogging.
Don’t quit. You can do this! I’ve been there, and I’m excited to show you how I overcame it all! I’m excited you’re here. Let’s walk this journey together! 🙂
Have a question or comment? Contact me here.
Woooow am inspired. Great testimony i pray for the Lord to do the same for me…..Stay blessed Sarah
I love your blog. Your rags to riches story is cool. Outside of your rent, your family lives on $7k/year? Is that a typo?
Thank you. That was not a typo. 🙂
As a scared widow and new retiree, I need all the help I can to live off the SS and retirement I will be getting. Glad I came across you blog. Thanks for sharing.
Glad you did too…here’s an article that you may like (below).
It can be done Doris. My mother raised 5 kids on $900 a month and she did great. She taught me to do the same. Good luck…
Appreciate the opportunity to connect with others in similar situations…I am very interested in learning more about being able to make a living without “formal” employment…I am a parent of 3 and caregiver to my dad…my life has taken such a shocking turn in the past 5 years, I often find myself almost incapacitated by the overwhelming emotions of my situation. I was a professional in the top of my local field for 20 years, and now, often don’t feel like I can get through some pretty basic domestic duties…I’ll stop whimpering, and just say I am trying to be MORE grateful for what I do have in my life and am adding this new connection to that list!!!
Glad you have found this community as well. 🙂 WELCOME!
That was a heartfelt story. I’m glad you found God. And that your life is on track. But after reading many of your stories and advice. I have to say, don’t completely gear your website as a “for women only” deal. There are many guys out there that can benefit for your advice on living a good life on a modest yearly income. I know i could. Best of luck. And i look forward in reading more articles from you.
Thank you for sharing Paul. My site IS geared toward women purposely, you are right. It is my calling and purpose from God to reach women. In the future, that will become more apparent as my path is laid out more for the public, but either way, I must obey what He has purposed specifically me to do. 🙂
Sarah, I just came across your site and can feel you have joy and a sincere heart to help others. Blessings to you. I am looking forward to being your newest subscriber.
Ah, thank you. I’m so glad my heart shines through written word. 🙂 Glad you are here! Welcome!
You are such an inspirational person. Since I found your blog a few months ago, I read what I can in my spare time. I am hoping when I get the confidence, to start my own blog…so many little details I am still fuzzy on so I’m scared to take that leap. But thank you for your blog
I would say go for it! You never know where it can lead. I started this blog because friends kept asking me the same questions over and over and I thought it would be easier just to point them to a place where they could find all the information. Little by little, I saw what was possible and it’s truly changed my life. I love blogging. I love teaching and helping others in every way possible. I love that my kids are involved with the blog. You should do it Nikki. 🙂 There’s really no “right” way to start, but just getting in there and learning as you go.
What an amazing story! I feel so, so humbled. Inspired and am so excited to explore your blog. Thank you so much!
Glad you like it. Thank you for sharing Shantel. 🙂
So I missed it . . . what is your middle name? I can’t find the original post, but “Guess My Middle Name”. I think I remember that the contest ended at the end of August? I gotta know 🙂 Thanks in advance, Barbara
Elizabeth. 🙂
Hi Sarah, I just wanted to say that I stumbled on your blog tonight and I am hooked. I am so impressed with how you weren’t going to let anything stop you from being able to stay home with your kids. Some day, I hope to be able to do that too. You inspire me and give me the courage to want to launch my blog! (I have a photo business – the URL I included in my post info – but haven’t started a blog yet.) I have an idea for one but I am scared of failing and am worried about having to put myself out there. Having my life broadcasted to the whole world doesn’t always seem appealing either. I read that you were also once more introverted – how were you able to overcome this for yourself? Any advice would be much appreciated.
Thank you! You are seriously my hero. I wish you the best with your business! I hope you continue to find more and more success because you deserve it! You are amazing and you give me hope.
Abby, you are too funny. I totally get it about having your life broadcasted. It’s my least favorite part as well, however, I feel like if I don’t put myself out there, I CAN’T help people in the capacity that God is using me to help people. So, I try my best to think of others and just try not to worry about it. I’m also learning that life is too short to NOT go after my dreams. 🙂
Once was introverted…nope, still am horribly introverted. How I’m overcoming it…I think just seeing how much I’m truly CHANGING lives, makes me want to share my message all the more. If even one woman quits her day job and stays home with her kids, then she’s not only affecting her whole family, but the future generation! And to think I’ve had a part in that….makes me want to cry! I’ve written a post on it and it’s scheduled to go LIVE on the blog on Oct 21, so be sure to check back to read the whole story. 🙂 Seriously, if I can do it, anyone can!
I’m not quite sure where I found you, perhaps on Pinterest, but all I know is that I was INSTANTLY drawn to you and the journey you have taken, and the journey you continue to take. You inspire me and nothing has inspired me in a very long time. I’m lost at the moment but I feel that I have things that I could share with other women that would hopefully help. I truly believe when we live through difficult times, God does not walk us through that in vain… We become a beacon for others who might benefit from what you’ve learned when you were at your lowest… I’m searching for my passion and niche…
Thank you for sharing your life with all of us… You’re a blessing.
Aw, thanks Jennifer. 🙂 Yeah, I definitely didn’t see all that at the time. I was pretty self-focused, depressed, etc. but totally agree with you, especially now in looking back. Praying you will find your passion and niche!
Your story is amazing Sarah! 🙂 I am in awe 😉 Well done you! 🙂 I’m lucky enough to not be living in a shelter and to have lived fairly comfortably, but I am feeling the pressure of paying bills and debts now that I’ve just graduated! Really hoping the blogging will take off 🙂 PS Trying out your pinterest tips today 🙂
That’s great. 🙂 I would say go for it. Put yourself out there and learn all you can about blogging. Focus on helping other people first and foremost.
Hi Sarah!I just wanted to drop in and tell you how much I LOVE your blog! You are so incredibly inspiring and your posts have encouraged me to step out and make some changes. Thank you for putting so much effort into your posts!
Absolutely Emily. Glad they are helping. 🙂
Thank you, yes, you do INSPIRE!!!!
You are totally AWESOME!! I love your page and your inspiration you send out. I am also an eBay seller (Top Rated!!), a stay at home mother of 3. A 9yr old, 7yr old, & 6 months(ALL BOYS)!! And I also homeschool! I am also married to a wonderful husband. There is NOHING better than being home with my family ALL day. My goal is to stay at home selling on eBay, so that maybe one day my husband can stay home also. The kids love “yard sailing” with me and doing eBay. They get so happy when there stuff sells. We do everything as a family, even eBay. GOD IS GREAT and I thank Him everyday for the opportunities He has given me. Again you are AWESOME and so inspiring.
That’s so great Renee. 🙂 For a long time after my husband left, eBay was my biggest financial support and I was able to be a single stay-at-home-mom because of eBay. It can definitely be a great business to be in. 🙂 If I could do it, you can too!
Where is the post for: oil for eye socket?
Due to new FDA regulations, it had to be removed. I’m sorry. 🙁
Your blog touches so closely to home with me. I am a full time working (outside of the home) Mom who desperately wants to be home with my children. My husband and I have managed to accumulate an overwhelming amount of debt and have been working hard to get it paid down enough to where I can quit my job and stay home. I know my children will only be small for a little while and I am so incredibly sad that I am not home with them. I have been thinking about starting a blog for a while now and just this week finally signed up with BlueHost. Your blog has given me hope that this could be the answer to my prayers. I am ready to commit to doing whatever it takes to create a successful blog. Thank you for sharing your story and for all of the information you provide on your blog.
That’s great! I’m excited to see where you go in your new adventure. Praying that you can be home soon! Have you gotten my free ebook, How to Quit Your Day Job and Stay Home? It lays out all the costs/expenses and budgeting tools needed to be able to stay home with your little ones on any income. You can get it when you sign up for my newsletter here.
Dear Sarah, I have a story of heartbreak and the wonderful saving grace of the Lord. i just typed it and sent it to you, but it got swallowed up. So I’m trying again. If this message is accepted, I will retype my story. Much love in Him. Charmaine
Sorry to hear that happened Charmaine. Just got your email saying you’re in China and that sometimes happens. I did get that email and this message. 🙂
I love your free editable printable calendars. However, as I filled in the December 2015 calendar, I found that the font for the 31st is not the same size as the other dates–it’s huge. Is there anything you can do to change the html code so that I can jot notes on that date as well? If not, it’s ok, I’ll just manually write in my plans for that day. But if that can be changed, I’d be ever so grateful.
That one is a little off on that date due to my watermark, and unfortunately I can’t change it. I’m sorry. 🙁
Hi, Sarah. I just discovered your blog and already plan to become a regular visitor! I am getting ready to open a store and start my first blog. I can’t decide if I need a website at this point. I notice a lot of teachers are on Bloglovin, so I’m thinking that’s the way to go. Do you have any experience with them?
I don’t Lori. I’ve never been with Bloglovin. If you want to make money from your actual blog, you want to get a self-hosted WordPress site. If you’re just going to make money on the store and don’t need the blog itself to make you money, Bloglovin or similar freebie sites, might work out just fine. It really just depends on your goals. Here’s a post that may help you decide.
I am sooo glad I found you through Pinterest! I love your blog…I love your story and I am so happy you found God! He is also my Rock! You are inspiring so many people! Specially me! I have started following your advice so I can start my own blog. I am starting to finally figure out WordPress! Yippeee! For now it will be a fun hobby, and hopefully one day I can make a little extra income…with four kids every extra little penny helps! 🙂
That’s great Maite! Looks like you have a great start to your blog. Your photographs are gorgeous and one day, I want to travel all over and spread His message, so it’s inspiring personally. 🙂
wow lady- I so admire you for all you have done! Amen!!
Just want to say thank you. I had a really bad situation as you (not exactly but similar)some years ago. You are really amazing and I was encouraged by your passion and your getting through now.
Actually I’m very new here (wasn’t born in USA) and fortunately got married with my love one (a US citizen) very recently and living in IN. now. I was a textile colouration technician in my previous country and am specially good at colour matching. However it seems very difficult to find the textile industry in IN. here. Also I can’t go anywhere without a car. The only way to work is working in my home now.
Sarah, I’ve been researching how to start my own blog and by far you are the most inspiring of all the blogs I’ve come across. I’ve always had a passion for writing and hope I can inspire people like you one day. Thank you for sharing. Many blessings to you and your family.
Aww, thank you Lindsay. That means a lot to me. 🙂 All the best in your endeavor! <3
Hello Sarah Titus I am a newbie blogger and new to word press I was wondering if you would write a blog posts about how to add the numeric navigation bar into your word press site you know pagination . I would be very grateful I believe this is a topic a lot of people who own a website would want to know I’ve read tons of articles watched tons of you-tube video’s.
There is a plugin called page navi but every time I tried to install it messed my editor up the few videos I found didn’t help me.
Anyway pagination is very important to us bloggers because if you have a lot of posts the reader may get frustrated with the newer and older links.
I like your navigation bar please either write a posts about it or tell me but I do believe a lot of people would also want to know.
Woowwwww…you are just the person I needed to read about! I’m pretty down and out, financially and in my marriage!
I’m very sorry to hear that Lu…praying for you and sending you hugs. <3
I am a mom of three. I am remarried but been left four times by my husband. I have submitted to him in everything (even when I asked him not to do things because they were not wise.) He has had no credit and now I have very bad credit. I am about $60,000.00 in debt. 🙁 However, he is being caught in a lot of deception still and refuses to admit it claiming I am not following God. I don’t want to end my marriage, I know God is bigger. At the same time, my bills are not paid and I have no idea what is going on. I have a wonderful testimony of beauty from ashes that God has given me that I know would encourage and help so many ladies, but I just don’t know how and where to make it happen. I had a friend lead me to you yesterday. I have been sitting here reading your material for the last hour. I need to stay with my children desperately. I home school so this is ripping my heart out, yet I know my God is my Jehovah Jirah and just maybe me finding you is a provision start for me. I am not techy, so even I as read your material I feel so lost. Hope to purchase your ebooks as soon as I can, but until then is there a way to learn very specifically for people that need it spelled out? 🙂 Thank you for your sweet spirit and for this hope. God bless you.
Awww April, thank you for sharing your story with me. I would definitely suggest start making money from home if he’s left 4 times already. You can sell on eBay and Craigslist (get free yard sale leftovers, etc.) That’s where I’d start in your situation. Right now, all my ebooks are only 99¢ on Amazon for one more day, so definitely take advantage of that huge sale on the ones you want! For getting out of debt, I’d suggest How to Become Financially Free: From Homeless to Well Off: I’ll Show You How on Amazon. For making money at home, I’d suggest this free post here. Saying a prayer for you right now! <3
I, too, am a stay at home mom. It’s the hardest, yet most rewarding job. Your story brought tears to my eyes. It’s such a heart warming story. Thanks for sharing it and being so inspirational. I originally came here to check out your tuna melt recipe that I had pinned on pinterest and noticed your last name. Which made me look at the “About Me” page. And yes, I plan to make that tuna melt ASAP!
Haha! It’s not a common last name…that is funny. 🙂 Glad to meet you. I’m so glad that you were inspired. That is my goal of this site. Welcome! <3
Sarah, I have been so inspired by your story. Like, found my-life-calling inspired. There are so many people who feel hopelessly stuck and I intend to dedicate myself to getting them moving forward in life.
Every time I share your story, I find discrepancies though. Can you help me with the chronology?
If you were making $10,000/month by the end of the first year, was the $18,000/year before you were divorced?
You say you put in 80 hour work weeks and that you didn’t work much while thee kids were there. Were you able to do that through school, nap time, and night? It still doesn’t seem like enough hours…
I would LOVE to hear more about that time period in your life. What brought you to God? How did you pay for your family the first couple months before you had a system? So many people are starting off from hopeless states, but I’m more of an expert once they have just the slightest traction.
Thank you so much and may God continue to bless you to bless others.
It’s so great you have been so inspired. Yay! <3 Unfortunately, that will definitely happen over time Milly because I'm just sharing bits and pieces here and there in a post and it's all random and not in chronological order. Some of these things are in my How to Become Financially Free: From Homeless to Well-Off, Ill Show You How book, as that is chronological and will talk about my journey much more in depth than I could on a post or comment. The question about balancing was answered more in-depth in my free blogging course: How to Start a Blog with No Fear (on Day #5). As for what brought me to God, I’m working on an entire post just dedicated to that question as we speak. 🙂 How I paid for my family to survive right after I got out of the homeless shelter: I started reselling. Collected free things to sell (here’s a post on that.
You rock Sarah! Thanks.
You are an inspiration and one of the very first reasons why I started blogging myself. I just want to say thank you for all of the wonderful information you share on your site and giving us all a goal to work at home when we have children.
Absolutely Nicole! Welcome to blog land. <3