Have you ever sat there at your desk, sitting in your computer chair and look at the total amount of what a blogger makes and suddenly your jaw drops.
Wait…what the HECK?! They make THAT much?!
HOW?
WHY?
What do they even SPEND it on?
Oh, if I had that much money, I’d put it to good use.
I’d really do great things with it.
I wonder why THEY make so much and I don’t.
If you’ve never thought that to yourself, you are surely better than me….because I certainly have.
What exactly DO rich bloggers spend their money on?
Well, while I can’t tell you what everyone ELSE spends their money on, b/c I feel like it’s a completely personal thing to each individual, I definitely CAN tell you how I spend MY money.
I currently make $2,470,000 on Shopify alone. This does not include any income from this blog. It does not include any income from sales on ebay. It doesn’t include any misc. income or even coaching income. That is just solely my Shopify store income.
It’s a pretty penny, I tell you what. I’m an incredibly blessed single mom that can prove that while humans can abandon us, GOD never does!!!
But HOW I spend my money, I think you’ll be surprised.
And today, I’m getting into the nitty gritty of where it goes and what I do with it.
So pull up your chair and get ready, b/c I have no doubt, this will be mind-blowing. 🙂
What Do Rich Bloggers Spend Their Money On?
The first thing I do when I look at my income each month is to know that this is NOT MY MONEY.
Listen, I am a steward of God. HE alone chooses to give me a little or a lot, based on what I can handle. Over the past 10 years, since being homeless, I’ve learned to manage money well and the more I manage it well, the more He gives. This is not to say I’m perfect at it. There have been months where I’ve forgotten to pay my tithes for example, and I have to go back and pay them.
I also spent WAY too much on groceries last month. $300 more than I usually spend and so, for the next few months, I need to make up that money! I don’t just write it off. No. I make it up. My goal is to make up $100 each month for the next three months to get back on track. Only by God’s grace will I be able to. Groceries definitely seem to be my weak spot. 🙁
I’m definitely not perfect at bills. I struggle and I fail even to this day sometimes. I just have to keep getting back up and trying my best to spend the money God gives me wisely.
My current monthly PERSONAL bills look like this:
- Gas (car) – $15
- Tithes – not saying…sorry.
- Electricity/Gas – $88
- Water – $33
- Garbage/Sewer – $44
- Internet/Phone – $82
- iPhone (Cricket) – $35
- Satellite TV (Dish Network) – $94
- Home Security System (I paid cash/no contract) – $20
- Zyto Scanner – $50
- Mortgage/Insurance/Taxes – $1,980
- Car Insurance (Allstate; I pay cash every 6 months to save money) – $69
- Lawn Mowers (summer months only) – $80
- Groceries – $600
- Essential oils – free for my network marketing efforts before I started blogging
- Household supplies (paper products, dish soap, hand soap, zipper bags, etc.) – free through Grove Collaborative affiliate program
If you want to compare my personal bills to when I was living well-off on $18k/year, here’s those expenses:
- Rent: $800
- Tithes – not saying…sorry.
- Gas: $25
- Power/Gas: $110
- Water: $60
- Garbage/Sewer: $60
- Car insurance/Renters insurance: $55
- iPhone: $30
- Satellite TV: $65
- Zyto (here’s my full review of the Zyto): $40
- Groceries: $250
The differences are very little really. You can see that I bought a house as I have mortgage, water bill, lawn mowing, stuff like that.
Groceries were cheaper back then as I tended to eat a lot less healthy (think: canned foods). Now, I like to eat organic and healthier foods, which is more spendy. Also, my kids were littler back then and didn’t eat as much (my 10 year old son…seriously! Shoot me! He eats more than ME, yet never gets fat!)
Satellite TV has gone up a bit since then. I’m thinking about signing with another company as I’m not on a contract and get that bill lower.
That’s basically it. I still don’t have a car payment. I paid cash for my car about 3 years ago. A beautiful Honda CR-V because it snows here.
My personal living expenses hasn’t really changed at all, except for the fact I bought my dream house and with that comes a few extra bills.
My living expenses BEFORE came to (not including tithes): $1,495/month
My living expenses NOW come to (not including tithes): $3,190/month
One thing to note is that I DO NOT have health insurance. I use my Zyto scanner and essential oils for my overall health. When I need to go to the doctor, I go to a naturopath who charges $40 per visit and I purchase the supplements out of pocket, which is never much, b/c I’m pretty healthy. I go to the dentist every year and they give me a big discount for paying cash at the time of my visit so the visit usually costs me around $70 or $90, something like that.
I also make good misc. income (NOT blog related), so I only transfer $1,500/month from my business account to my personal account each month to live on. The rest stays in business (I’m an S-Corp LLC).
Being an S-Corp means that I’m literally an EMPLOYEE of my OWN business. I pay social security taxes and all that fun stuff AS an employee and my paychecks are the same every month, whatever I decide at the beginning of the year. This year is $1,500/month b/c that’s all I need.
So, what happens to all that extra money in my business account?
Several things…
Taxes is the biggest cut. They take between 30%-40%. Taxes are paid every quarter and my banking, everything is separate. I have an account for personal expenses, an account for business expenses. When I’m shopping in the store, I have to use a different card for different purchases, based on whether or not it’s a personal or business expense. That is probably the most annoying thing about being an S-Corp. 🙂
Speaking of blogging expenses…those vary greatly month to month, but some of the more consistent ones are:
- My two amazing assistants (one strictly does Pinterest, the other helps me with various things)
- Tailwind (for Pinterest)
- Shopify + apps (I make more than this cost back in affiliate earnings, but the affiliate earnings are not a part of the Shopify income amounts in my income reports)
- ConvertKit (my newsletter email service provider)
- Hosting (I used to go through Bluehost but now I have too much traffic and now go through Agathon)
- Teachable (for courses I’m starting up)
- Design software (for printables, etc.)
- Photography props (for blog posts, etc.)
- Fonts (for printables, etc.)
I try to keep my monthly expenses extremely low and again, it varies month to month. Some months are $4,500. Other months are $1,900, but for the MOST part, it hangs around $1,500-$2,000/month. Keep in mind that I don’t pay to promote my stuff. So like I don’t do Facebook ads, or Instagram ads, or promoted pins or anything like that.
So, as far as expenses, again, this is all just generic and it varies greatly month to month and even each year, but between living expenses and blogging expenses, it’s about $5k/month.
With the rest of the money, I give much of it away.
I am not a fan of hoarding into a bank account when there are people I can help but I don’t advertise that b/c then I just get people asking me for money, which is just rude really.
Then lastly, what is leftover is just in the business account. It’s not MY money per se, although, I can take it out anytime I want, it’s left in there for the business. If there’s an emergency (hello…single mom here!) 🙂 or if something else comes up or is a need, I know it’s there. I did take quite a large chunk out of it this year to put as a down payment on the house. 🙂
One of the things I’ve been asked is why I don’t just take the money out of my business account and pay off my house with it. That’s a totally legit question and I get it.
But I think that I look at things differently.
I remember when someone in my church had a need. Their kids needed clothes NOW and I gave them all my kids clothes that I saved up for the next year. I would never see those clothes again and it hurt my future, yes. But, it helped someone NOW. I feel like it’s MORE IMPORTANT to help someone who needs a hand NOW, rather than save for my tomorrow.
Listen, my tomorrow is promised financially. God will take care of my tomorrow. Matthew 6. But God may provide for their TODAY through ME! And that’s the purpose of my life. To help people NOW, as I am able.
So, I want to earn extra money on the side, in a way that I’m not already doing (my goal is with starting up courses and creating printables to sell to others so that they can put those printables in their stores), so I can take that money and put on my house so that I can pay off the house and only need to live on $1k/month. I figure, that’s the best “retirement” plan I can get. Living expenses only $1k/month. I can make that much money easy. And I can save for it easy too.
Another reason I don’t just pay off my house now is b/c I HAVE the time. Listen, my business is SOOOOOOO stinkin’ passive, I only NEED to work it 10 hours a week. I’ve worked hard to get to this place in my life, but it’s also a little boring (until I get married one day). I only have to work 10 hours a week, what should I do with my days? Sit around and do nothing. Nope. I can serve people. I can create courses and take that money and pay off the house with it. I’m not changing anything. I’m not taking away from others needs, I’m not living an extravagant life that I don’t need, which is my #1 goal.
So if I do things that are not so passive, it’s b/c I have the time to do so at this point. It won’t always be like that. Again, one day I’ll be married, I’ll have someone to invest in, but right now, I create printables to sell and just put it toward my house and I work on courses to do the same. It’s a goal and I need a goal to stay driven and motivated.
What fun would it be to just take money out of business and pay off the house with? Where’s the challenge in that? I’m a person WHO NEEDS to be challenged. Life is not fun for me unless I’m challenged. This is my goal to challenge myself, and honestly, I can make it whatever I want, regardless of how silly it may seem. 🙂
Another reason I don’t want to pay off my house loan just yet is b/c I’m building my credit up automatically. My mortgage payment (and literally most all my personal living expenses are all paid automatically). They take it directly out of my bank account and so, I can’t be late. I won’t forget a payment, and that house loan just builds my credit.
What if my kids need to buy a car and need a co-signer later on? You have to have debt to do so and since the house payment is MY ONLY DEBT I HAVE (!!!!) it’s a good thing and I want to be available for my kids should they need me later on. My credit score is an A, and I want to keep it that way.
So, I figure I’ll pay that thing way down as I’m able with my courses money and with the money I make doing more non-passive things like making printables for others to sell, and it’ll be good. It helps other people, helps ME meet a goal, keeps me challenged, and pays off my mortgage.
The problem with most people is that the second they make more, they spend more.
I’ve learned to control myself greatly in this area. It’s what I want to do and how I want to live my life. I don’t want to go off and spend a bunch of money. I know the best place to be with God is to give it all away. And so, I try to do that as much as humanly possible. I know what it means to give, b/c I’ve been on the other end of that…homeless. And others gave to me and helped me. Ever since then, I’ve always been very giving. Whether I made $700/month or $2.4M/year. It makes no difference to me.
So maybe I couldn’t answer for you what other rich bloggers spend their money on, but I could shed light on what *I* spend MY money on, and if nothing else, the thing that I hope you get out of this article the most is that, we are not just here to live, get rich, and die.
We’re not here for our house.
We’re not here for our money or anything else like that.
We’re here for the people God puts in our lives.
Our lives are to be a service to everyone we meet, whether online or in person.
I also want you to know that the more you give, the more you DO receive. God’s word is truth. It’s real. He’s real. And He loves us. Does He want every Christian to be rich? No. Some of that depends on us and what we do with it when He gives it to us (even little bits of it), but if I stop giving, I stop being rich…BECAUSE THERE IIIIISSSSS a direct correlation between the two. Not to be manipulated or anything, God knows our hearts, but in genuinely caring for others more than ourselves and trusting and having faith that God knows our needs and provides them.
So you can ask me to do a lot of things, but stop giving is not one of them. I want to be used as a colander. Pour that water through me and onto others. Use the money God gives me to pour out onto others. I’m happy. And I was happy then, making $18k/year and I’m happy now, making more. It’s not the money that makes me happy…it’s YOU! <3 <3 <3
Sarah,
You are such an inspiration! Thank you for letting me be a part of your blog family.
Janet
Aw, you are so sweet. I’m so glad you’re here Janet. **hugs**
I wish this post had a LOVE button that I could press a million times. THIS is why I love and respect you, Sarah. From the day I started following your blog, you have never been anything less than GIVING. No matter what your life circumstances were (and you, no doubt, experienced the wilderness and valleys along the way) you always continued to give away freebies, ALWAYS. I have watched your business grow and I’ve seen your transparency every step of the way. I originally subscribed to your emails because of the commonalities in our stories. Now, I share your story with others to the extent they think I know you personally (I really would love to spend a day with you, Sis!). While I may not know you personally, I believe I’ve come to know you virtually through your giving heart and willingness to be vulnerable so I could learn from you. You have a testimony, Sarah, and you are a light! Thank you for all that you do and how you have blessed me over and over in your giving!!
Awww…**hugs* Sharon. I LOVED reading this comment. Thank you so much for telling me. You’re amazing! Yes, it was really hard to post this post. Many people just don’t get it. It’s all selfish, me-me-me world, truly. I’m so thankful to have a blog where I can show the world that there’s more to life than just money and fame, but hearts and souls and Christ. Thank you again for sharing. It made my day! I’m going to cry! <3
Wow, you’ve stretched my way of thinking a bit today. Thank you for sharing this post to answer the questions that many people asked. I absolutely understand the need to do something rather than just sit on the couch while the business pays all your bills. I think there was a quote from Jim Carrey along the lines of “I wish everyone could be rich and famous so they could see that it’s not the answer,” I think for most people, it’s hard to wrap your head around (me included) when there is still so much struggle. But you’ve been there and done it – which is an inspiration.
That’s a very true quote. I always think of the verse in the Bible that says (paraphrased) to not give me too little, that I should steal and blaspheme God’s name, but not to give me too much either, lest I forget the God I serve. I hold that verse very dear to me. When I started making TOO much years ago, I prayed God would take it all away. People didn’t understand that pray, but I wasn’t ready and I was getting really prideful. He did take it away. Now, He gives me more, but I’m ready this time. My heart is in the right place and I pray to ward off against pride. If I get prideful, I don’t wanna make so much. I don’t want to forget the true hand that feeds me (God) and think it’s all me or something, when it’s clearly not. Yes, I play a part in it. I work hard, but only by God’s grace do I have whatever He gives.
Money is NEVER, not even 1%, the answer. Do some studies. Famous people commit more suicides. Wealth never brings happiness. Read Solomon. The rich have the same amount of things to worry about, just different struggles. Who is REALLY your friend and who just likes you for your fame/wealth? How can you protect that wealth you’ve accumulated when so many are out there to steal it? For example, lawn mowing prices go up JUST BECAUSE of the neighborhood you live in, mind you, even when the lawn footage is SMALLER in a bigger house than a smaller. People take advantage at every corner. When I was poor, living in poverty, it was SOOOOO much easier! I think that’s one good reason Paul said he could be happy in any situation. He’d seen both sides. So have I. So did Solomon. Our conclusions are all the same. 🙂 <3
Wow, Sarah! Your voice is very different, and it resonates! I’m so happy your Pins led me here. I can’t imagine having comment sections that are longer than my posts…on the day I post, but it’s very impressive. You are touching people every day! Some days blogging feels like a maze full of corners. Thank God there are guides like you to gently point us back to the path.
I’m not sure that I have comment threads that are longer than posts my first day. Some are pretty long though. 🙂 So glad to be used by God to help lead the way. **hugs**
Sarah, you are inspiring me! I’m so glad I found your blog. I messaged you one time on Instagram and you are very genuine. Thank you for being an inspiration for all moms out there. I totally get it, when you give something, God will give just like a flowing water. Thank you Sarah for reminding us for God’s gift.
Absolutely. So glad my genuineness leaps off the page. 🙂 That makes me happy! Thank you for telling me. **hugs**
Sarah,
WOW if I could like this post a million times also!!. You are simply amazing. Truly God sent.
There is so much blogging information to delve through, its exhausting and daunting BUT I have realised recently I can simply stop digging deeper and just read Sarahs blog from start to finish!!! I have read a lot and there is no one like you.
Thank you thank you thank you
xx
Awwww, I chuckled to myself a little bit at the part you said there is no one like me. It’s a little funny. 🙂 You’re definitely right. I’ve been mocked and persecuted my whole life b/c I’m so “different” that now, it’s kinda COOL that my uniqueness is actually a GOOD thing. I wish I could go back and tell myself that starting when I was in junior high. Don’t worry Sara, one day all the times your different will be what makes you awesome when you’re older. So, thank you for saying that. B/c it truly means a lot to me! Okay, now before I start tearing up… 🙂 There’s a post I’ll recommend you read, Stop Dating Other Blogs. That will definitely help you a lot. **hugs**
This was SO timely for me! I’m not really making ANY money on my blog, but I’ve really been convicted about scaling back our lifestyle so we can be better stewards and more generous. Yesterday God literally brought someone to our door who needed help.
That is soooo great Melissa. Yay!!!! So happy for you. This is such a great direction to go. <3
Simply put, you are an inspiration! Last Sunday in church, our pastor was talking about what everyone hates… giving. He doesn’t harp on it, but proposes the desires of the church (mostly to put our multi-site campuses in permanent facilities) and asks people to consider what they could [would be willing to] give above and beyond their regular tithes and offerings to make it happen. As I was sitting there, listening and thinking, I began to wish my husband and I could figure out how to do what you do — meaning figure out how to monetize our skills and abilities. I would love to have some passive income as well because we’d both like to take part in helping to build the campuses our church is building in other countries or go on a mission. One of my good friends and her kids went on missions each summer while the kids were in high school and it was life-changing. We just can’t figure out what we could do. So many thoughts and ideas run through my head about what we could do… what we could accomplish for the Kingdom of God… if we were in a better financial position. We struggle to make ends meet after tithing and bills. Hubs lost his [really good] job about 5 or 6 years ago and because he’s older, he had a REALLY hard time finding a new job. He is finally in the position he worked his whole career for (fire chief), but it’s for a very small corporate-owned fire department and it comes with a very small salary and a very sad benefit package. The job he lost (fire captain) paid more than double what he gets now. That’s the reason I began working as a virtual assistant, but my career was as a dental hygienist and I am having to learn a lot of new stuff to even get a few low-paying clients. I follow you and a handful of other rockstars in the virtual world and I keep telling myself that there must be something we can do to get ahead. (Starting over financially at almost 50 years old is no cake walk! Especially since we have a 9-year-old daughter who wants to go to college someday. LOL!) And it’s not so much for us that I want to get ahead… our needs and some of our wants are met, albeit with a struggle, but I want so badly to just do something big… like send an anonymous $20,000 to the church or buy some land to build on and donate it to the church!
Thank you, Sarah, for being transparent and sharing. It gives me a little hope that MAYBE we can figure out something that others would want and would improve our situation so that we can do big things! In the meantime, I’ll keep praying about it and being grateful that we have a roof over our heads, food in our tummies, and clothes to wear. Thank you, one more time, for being an inspiration.
I think that what you said really matters: “…what we could accomplish for the Kingdom of God… IF we were in a better financial position.” See that word there…IF. I want to challenge how you think right now. The second I got out of the homeless shelter I was giving. I made $700/month, my bills were $700/month, so I started going around town, collecting free yard sale leftovers (clothes) to take to the homeless shelter. THAT is giving. I think so many of us think of giving as paper with green ink on it, cash. But it’s not. I bet you anything you DO give now. You just *may not* realize it! Remember the story of the 3 men in the Bible that the owner gives a portion to, to take care of while he leaves for a while. Each according to what they can handle. It doesn’t matter if you have $5 extra after bills each month, GIVE $2. It’s not about HOW MUCH you give Deanna, it’s about your HEART!!!!! Remember the old lady gave a penny and it meant more than all the hypocrites giving more when Jesus was watching in the synagogue. It’s your heart that matters. So give what you can, where you can, and pray this: pray that God give you MORE opportunity to give. Not more money, more opportunity. You keep your heart right, and focus on what you CAN give, and He will multiply it like crazy, so long as you are consistent and have God’s best at heart. Don’t worry if it’s 2 bucks. It’s the heart that matters! That’s what God cares about and it sounds like yours is in the right place! <3 <3 <3
Gosh you are such an inspiration!! I love your honesty and genuine care for others! You keep rocking it girl!
Glad I can inspire Stephanie. <3
Hi Sarah,
I must admit that I’m one of those people who wondered why you carry a mortgage when you earn so much money. Your answer makes so much sense!
I love when you said, “God will take care of my tomorrow. Matthew 6. But God may provide for their TODAY through ME!”
May God continue to bless you and your business as you continue to bless others.
Glad I could shed some light onto it. 🙂 It’s just honestly a personal decision. There’s so many more reasons than what I shared in that post, but couldn’t get to the other like 6 reasons b/c the post was already getting too long! HAHA!!!
This post was such an encouragement. Thanks so much for sharing why you do what you do. It is an honor to follow a blogger who is serving the Lord in all things.
Thank you Pam. So glad you’re here and I can serve you. **hugs**
You’re so right! Whatever God has blessed us with, whether it’s our time, talents, knowledge/experience, or financial things, He means for us to pass it on! He is so amazingly faithful and when we give, He just keeps on blessing us more! Thanks for sharing! You inspire me!
Awww, I’m so glad I can inspire you **hugs**. Yes, He is absolutely faithful whatever we give if it’s done with the right heart attitude. <3
Yes, having self-control with how you spend your money is so important, no matter how much you make! You have to manage your finances wisely.
Hi Sarah,
I read your blog often and am in your Facebook group but don’t comment often because I’m pretty shy like that but I respect you so, so much as a blogger and a human being.
I will admit, where I live, expenses are pretty high, but in the grand scheme of things, my family is doing quite well for ourselves. I always stress about the mortgage or other things we spend money on not because we don’t have enough, but just because I’m just not used to spending money (I’m first-generation born here in the US with parents who literally came here with nothing but did well for themselves through hard work and saving money).
The part where you say that you give to others because you have your tomorrow to make up the money but you can help someone else in the moment really struck a chord with me. My parents were immigrants from the Vietnam War who came to America through the kindness of people here. If it weren’t for those good-hearted people, I don’t know if I would have known a life in the US.
My parents always say to be grateful (hence they retired early to run a non-profit), which I sometimes do forget. Thank you for the reminder and being living proof of how to be strong and kind at the same time.
I’m glad to hear from you and honored you spoke up. 🙂 I recognize your name. <3 You mention being strong and kind at the same time. Being kind IS strong. Think about it, when we are kind, others want to tear us down. When we are generous, and known for our generosity, we get attacked. People say, “You’re just out for the money, you don’t care about people,” which is farthest from the truth. It’s not always easy to be kind back. Being kind takes an immense amount of strength. To KEEP being kind, to KEEP being generous when you’re attacked all the time for it. You can definitely be strong and kind at the same time. **hugs** Speak up more…your words are jewels, Sylvia. <3
tons of love to you and for all the wisdom through your blog.
Sarah, love that you give of yourself and help others in so many ways! Through all the success it’s wonderful that you stay true to yourself and God. Thank you for being an inspiration!
Thank you Ashley. **hugs**
This was amazing and thought provoking! I’ve been reading your material about Shopify and it’s very helpful. This though, got right to my heart! Love it!
That’s great Corina. I’m so glad it helped. <3
Sarah, I love this page on how you spend your money, you are an inspiration, not just from a work at home perspective but as a Christian. Thank you for being so humble !!!
Absolutely Karen. So glad you can see my heart and it’s helping others. {{hugs}}
I’m blinking back happy tears as I read this, Sarah. I was thinking about starting a blog as a way to provide some passive income for our family and have been doing a fair amount of research. I always have so many ideas, but I’m not always sure they’re what God is calling me to. This post was exactly what I needed to hear. It’s exactly what God has been speaking to my heart, especially the past several months.
It’s so normal to want to “give big”. It’s easy for me to imagine all the good I could do with large sums of money. But the truth is, I already have everything I need to give big. He never asks us to give what we don’t have. Maybe it’s not loads of money, but every cent I have is from Him. When I give what I have, when I have it, He is glorified. And just like He fed a crowd of 5,000 with a boy’s lunch, he can take my “little” and use it in a big way. Whether it’s prayer, an encouraging text, a listening ear, a smile, dinner, coffee, my computer skills, or even using my voice to sing my child to sleep–He gave it to me, and I can share it!
If you have time, would you pray for me? Pray that I would clearly see the next step in my life, that I would not get caught up in my building my own kingdom, but His.
I love taking this passage from 2 King 18:3 and personalizing it: [Sarah] trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel…[She] remained faithful to the LORD and did not turn from following Him; [She] kept the commandments of the Lord. So the LORD was with [Sarah], and [she] prospered wherever [she] went.
Thank you for sharing.
Absolutely love everything you said Mel. <3 <3 <3 Yes, God uses us where we're at. Definitely praying for you. 🙂