How I More than Quadrupled My Blog Income Last Year

In 2013, I made a halfway decent amount of money from my blog, considering the small amount of time I spent on it.  I was happy with that, but I knew I could do better. I set a goal for 2014 that was more than 4 times as much as I had earned the previous year.

In the fall of that year, I was doing fairly well income-wise, but I wasn't sure I would reach my goal before the end of the year. I decided to take a financial plunge and sign up for the Elite Blog Academy.  I immediately started on the course and started working through the assignments.  Honestly, a lot of what I learned was not new information, but something about having it all laid out in step-by-step assignments helped me focus and gain some traction instead of just learning without doing anything about it.

Also, I really appreciated the fact that Ruth kept in regular communication with the class, providing Q&A sessions and sending out extra handouts when a particular issue came up (like her super-crazy Pinterest spreadsheet!  She really spared no details about her strategy!)

I wish I had something like this class a LOT sooner in my blogging career.  Learning new things often feels so overwhelming, and I don't know where to start.  So I end up not doing anything at all.  Having a step-by-step action plan was EXACTLY what I needed to get me going!

Once I started on the class assignments last fall, I not only reached my income goal, I surpassed it by 25 percent!

So, what were the key elements that made the difference in my income?

1. Improved content and graphics
Makes my blog posts much more likely to be shared, and gives a more professional (and in most readers' minds trustworthy) appearance.

2. Increased traffic
The improved content increased traffic on it's own, but I also stepped up my game big time on social media and have made huge strides in increasing my page views.  Increased traffic means more revenue from advertisers and more opportunities for sponsorships.

3. Implemented more income streams
I focused even more heavily on affiliate marketing, got my ad networks optimized, and worked on marketing my own products better.

Continuing to improve in all of these areas is showing lots of promise for quadrupling my income again this year!

If you're ready to stop collecting pennies from your blog and bring in some serious income, it's time to get serious about how you play the game. I can promise that the Elite Blog Academy will give you the push you need.  Whether you learn new things like a successful Pinterest strategy or just benefit from having a step-by-step action plan, you will earn your money back many times over when you go through the course.  (And if for some reason you don't?  No worries!  Ruth is so confident in her course that she offers a 100% money back guarantee!  There's absolutely nothing to lose and thousands of dollars to gain.) Just a few of the things in the course syllabus:

• Content is King
• Presentation is Everything
• Grow Your Platform
• Social Media and Viral Growth
• Show me the Money
• Work Smarter, Not Harder

There's more – lots more, and I guarantee you won't regret the decision to take this course!

But hurry!  Course registration ends soon and will not open again for a full year!

P.S.  Order today, April 21, and take an additional $50 off with the coupon LASTDAY!

Pssttt… one more exciting thing to note:

Exclusive Bonus! If you decide to purchase the course through my link, I will provide you with a free professional blog evaluation (reg. $99!)  Take the course to a more in-depth level by having another professional blogger critique your blog and offer personalized suggestions for specific areas of improvement.  To receive the free evaluation, simply forward a copy of your receipt to imperfecthomemaker@gmail.com once you've enrolled.  *NOTE: To be eligible for this exclusive bonus, you must clear your cookies first, then purchase directly through one of the links on this page.  If your name is not on my affiliate ledger I will be unable to provide the bonus for you.

Ready to quadruple your income?

Sign up for Elite Blog Academy here. (Don't forget to clear your cookies first if you want the free professional blog evaluation!)

15 of the Best Products You Can Buy from Vitacost

When I first started on this journey to healthy living, I was rather shocked to find out how much more certain foods were going to cost.  Pastured meat?  Roughly 4 times as much as grocery store meat.  Organic vegetables?  Again 2-4x as much as I had been spending.  Eggs?  $2 – $4/dozen compared to $.99.  If I was going to follow-through with this healthy living thing, I was going to have to do a lot of legwork to find the best prices on everything that came into my home.  (And add a lot of beans and rice to the menu too!)

I shared earlier some of the places to look for food like shopping Farmer's Markets and other options for shopping for local food .  For meat and produce, I don't think there's anything that can compare to buying local.  You don't really know much about grocery store food other than what you are told on the (often misleading) packages.  When you buy locally, you know exactly how your food was grown, you support the local economy, and your food is more nutrient dense since it was harvested at its peak rather than picked unripe and shipped.

But what about other non-fresh items?  I have found several favorite places to purchase things online at the best prices, and in the coming weeks I will feature those different places and what I typically buy there.

This week I'll give you a list of my favorite items to buy from Vitacost.  Their website is so huge, that if you don't go there already knowing what you want, you could easily be overwhelmed and give up.

But I highly recommend shopping for the following items there.  Their prices are usually the lowest on these items to begin with, and they often have sales and coupons besides.  If you are a new customer you can also get a $10 off $30 coupon when you sign up through my referral link. (Update: Vitacost has discontinued their referral program, so I can no longer offer the $10 coupon.)

In no particular order, these are the things I purchase regularly from Vitacost:

1. Garden of Life Raw Meal – allergy free, non-GMO meal replacement protein powder with no icky fillers.  This saved my life many days when I was in the throes of chronic fatigue syndrome.

2. Liquid castile soap – I use this for bathing and making my homemade cleaner

3. Garden of Life RAW Probiotics – therapeutic grade probiotics; one of the few brands that arrive refrigerated so that they stay alive!

4. Garden of Life Cod Liver Oil – Omega-3 fatty acids, Vitamin D, and DHA are crucial nutrients to my health, especially when breastfeeding.  Taking a spoonful of this everyday ensures I get what I need.

5. Blackstrap Molasses – I use as a sweetener, and also take a spoonful occasionally to boost my Vitamin B and iron.

6. Liquid Chlorophyll – provides magnesium and helps…ahem…keep you “regular”.  I used to buy the NOW brand, but I don't see it on their site right now.

7. Vitamins – I can tell a huge difference in my energy level if I don't take my vitamins.  These are an organic, whole-foods (non-synthetic) vitamin and herb blend.

8. Cacao Powder – You know me and my chocolate.  I use this to make my peanut butter cups or hot cocoa.  Or sometimes I just stir some up in a glass of milk with honey and mint oil – the most delicious mint chocolate shake ever, and it's full of antioxidants and protein!  What more could I wish for?

9. Essential oils – I'm just now learning about essential oils, so I only use them for a few things — peppermint for making mint chocolate recipes, tea tree for making disinfectant, eucalyptus for decongestant chest rub, lavender for adding to my homemade hair spray.

10. Coconut Oil – I prefer to buy my virgin coconut oil from Tropical Traditions, but for cooking, I choose expeller pressed coconut oil since it is odorless and flavorless.

11. Chocolate chips – gluten, dairy, and soy free.  Perfect for anyone with food sensitivities.

12. Gluten free flour – Pamela's gluten free baking mix is to die for!  You will be in gluten free heaven once you try it!  Thank you, Pamela, whoever you are!

13. Real Salt – It's important to use a salt that has not been bleached and had all the minerals processed out of it.

14. Bentonite Clay – I use this for cleansing toxins, brushing my teeth, washing my face, healing burns and bug bites…I'm sure there's more!

15. Apple Cider Vinegar – great for treating colds and flu as well as soaking grains.

Update: I did an impromptu video of my son unboxing some of our Vitacost favorites.  Take a peek inside!

Organizing Your Finances {with a free printable!}

If you knew there was a simple step you could take that would add money to your family's bank account, wouldn't you take it? Today I'm sharing a finance tracking method that has done just that for me!

Money is a part of daily life in today's society. Whether we like it or not, we are required to use and have money on a daily basis. And I bet there is not one of us that is not concerned about our money to some degree – where it is coming from, where it is going, and what we are doing with it while we have it (however brief that might be!)

A couple years ago I became frustrated with the way I was handling my finances. In my case, I have no one to blame but myself! I found myself spending little amounts here and there, and finding out when it was too late that those innocent little amounts add up fast! Another scenario was not being able to remember where I spent the money…all I knew was that it was gone. Have you ever had that happen?

It was time for something to change. So I designed a printable Spending Record!

The concept is pretty simple. It keeps track of all my money, coming or going. Because I have bank accounts on both sides of the border, plus a paypal account, I wanted to be able to see all the balances in one place.

I made a colourful sheet with 8 columns. Five of them show my different personal accounts, one keeps a running overall total, and the other two are for the date of the transaction and the Activity and Purpose. This is where I log the amount spent or received, and what is was for. I then add or deduct it from the appropriate account and write the new balance in the column.

I've been using this system for quite some time, and it works so well for me! Being able to keep track of all my money and accounts in one place is so simple.

The best part of this system is that now I can see exactly where every dollar is going. I don't have a lot of income, and every dollar counts! I am sure many of you are counting your pennies just as carefully. With this system of recording every transaction, I can see where I'm spending more money and what I can do to save in certain areas.

Since starting this system, I have my “total balance” column grow and continue to grow more steadily then it did before. I think that is happening for a couple of reasons:

1. Knowing I will have to record every dollar makes me second-guess impulsive purchases or just unneeded items. I'm not saying that I don't ever spend money on little pleasures (Hello Dunkin!!) but I do rethink the purchases that aren't as important.

2. I believe the Lord honours those that strive to be good stewards of what He has given us. I Corinthians 4:2 says, “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” In addition, I Corinthians 14:40 states, “Let all things be done decently and in order.” I believe both of these verses can be applied to our finances! The money God gives us here on earth is simply a tool to accomplish His will and working in our lives. I believe the least we can do is manage it decently and faithfully!

I'd love to help you take control of your finances and see your bank accounts grow and grow, so I'm offering this printable, which normally is sold at So Sew Organized, FREE for any Imperfect Homemaker readers! Throughout the month of April you can get your own copy of this Spending Record at no cost just by leaving your name and email address in the comments of this post. (You can also email me directly if you prefer: soseworganized(at)gmail(dot)com. Just mention you are from Imperfect Homemaker!)

The printable you will receive will have blank columns for you to customize to fit your own needs, and of course I'll put your name on it instead of mine. =) I can do other customization you may prefer as well…just give me all the details in your comment! Be sure to request your copy before the month is up!

This method has saved me money, and I'm so glad I can pass it on to you! What other ways does your family keep track of your finances? Any other tips to share? What methods do you use to stretch those hard-earned dollars?

Freezer Cooking Guide: Tools for Successful Freezer Cooking

To be successful with freezer cooking it's important to have the right tools. Some of these things you likely already have; others you may need to purchase in order to make your freezer cooking go as smoothly as possible.

1. The Right Freezer — Although you can use the freezer over your refrigerator, it may be difficult to fit a lot of food in there.  We like to purchase meat in bulk, and we also freeze fruits and vegetables during the growing season, so our freezer tends to not have much room left over for freezing meals.  We purchased a frost-free freezer from Sears so that we would have room for all of our bulk purchases and bulk cooking sessions.  You could try searching on Craigslist for a used one, but I recommend getting a frost-free freezer.  We had one that was not frost free, and got really tired of defrosting it all the time!

2. Large Bowls — When you are preparing food in bulk, your job will be much, much easier if you have large bowls in which to mix your food. Shoot for at least a 32 cup mixing bowl.

3. Large Pots — If you're going to cook large amounts of food, you'll need large pots in which to cook it! 16 qts. is a good size; although you may like having more than one.

4. Freezer Bags — Freezing food in bags and laying them down flat is a good way to optimize freezer space.  Just make sure you are using freezer bags, and not just plain plastic ziptop bags.  The freezer bags are much thicker and will prevent freezer burn.

5. Glass Baking Pans —  If you're going to double, triple, or quadruple a casserole recipe, you'll need enough pans in which to cook it!  You can buy disposable aluminum pans, or just invest in several glass baking pans that you can use over and over.  (If you want to have meals in the freezer that you can take to sick or bereaved friends at the last minute, use aluminum so that they won't have to wash dishes or remember to give your pan back.)

6. Permanent marker — You need to label all your food, and a sharpie works best for writing directly on the bags. If you don't want to write directly on something then buy some masking tape, write on that, and stick it to the dish.

7. Quality knives — Don't skimp on the quality of your knives. You want to be able to cut veggies easily and quickly.

8. Two Large Slow Cookers — Use one for a freezer meal and a second one for dinner the night you're cooking all that food for the freezer.  You'll thank yourself at dinner time!  (I prefer an oval shaped slow cooker, because I can fit larger items in it, such as a long roast.)

9. Ice Cube Trays — Great for freezing left over broth and stock to use in recipes later.

10. Mesh Colander — I prefer mesh for draining since very little other than water can go through.

11. Large Food Processor — If you are going to be chopping large quantities of vegetables, a food processor will make the process go much faster!

12.  Cutting Board Set — Having cutting boards dedicated for meat and vegetabes will keep you from contaminating your food.

13. Apron — This is not a necessity, but it's  nice to have something clean to wipe your hands on instead of your clothes. Plus, it's fun to put on an apron and get into the mood to cook.

14. Comfortable Shoes — You're going to be standing for a while, so you need to wear something that will keep your feet from aching.  I have these and wear them all day, every day without any foot pain.  My favorite shoes ever!

Take the time to ensure that you have what you truly need before giving freezer cooking a try. It will be so much easier with the right tools!

Be sure to check out the other posts in the Freezer Cooking Guide:

4 Reasons You Should Be Freezer Cooking

Which Foods Can You Freeze?

Tips for Success

Apparoo App of the Week

I've partnered with Apparoo, the app discovery service for busy moms, to bring you a new App for kids each week!

Each week I'll be sharing the ‘Apparoo App of the Week' with you. Very often they've negotiated to bring you great paid apps at heavily discounted rates and sometimes even free.

This week's app:  Rio Read and Play

Shake your tailfeathers and join blue macaws Blu and Jewel for a colorful read-along adventure set in Rio de Janeiro. This delightful app, featuring characters from the popular animated film Rio, will appeal to fans of the film and newcomers alike. The narrated storybook will encourage your child’s reading skills, the coloring tools will foster their artistic talent – and the bonus activities will grant you peace and quiet over at least two extra states on your next cross-country flight. A feast for the senses, this bright, fun-filled app is like a tiny little Brazilian vacation on your iPad!

Download the app here. (Free for a limited time!)

Disclaimer: I know nothing about this app personally, so I am not necessarily endorsing it by posting here.  You'll have to check it out for yourself and determine whether it's right for your family.

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Apparoo.

Save Money on Toilet Paper

Want to help with a project that will save us all money?

I'm on a quest to find the cheapest and the best toilet paper. But there are so many kinds to compare! If you're willing to share some information about the kind you use, I will compile all of the results to help us determine which is truly cheapest and best.

(Some kinds cost less, but they don't last as long.  Some kinds cost less, but are horrible quality.  We're going to figure out what kind to buy to get the most bang for our buck!)