How to Make an Extra $2,000 Per Month from Home with Words

I'm often asked how I can effortlessly earn an average of $2,000 per month working from home with words while also homeschooling and leading an active life. 

The answer is not sexy or intriguing, and I don't have any life hacks. 

The "secrets" to my productive lifestyle are waking up early, setting goals, getting a bit less sleep, and working when I want to be doing other things.

Things to do Instead of Making Money

Here are just a few fun tasks I'd prefer to be doing instead of painstakingly writing that article or perfecting that proofreading job or publishing that book. I bet you can relate:

Languishing in bed every morning, sleeping as late as I can.

Binge-watching fantastic shows, movies, and podcasts.

Devouring All. The. Books.

Socializing leisurely at a coffee shop.

Better Time Management

Instead, I attempt to get to sleep at a reasonable time, which is difficult in a bustling household with teens and adult children who come in at all hours of the night from work. Some mornings I'm up at 4:45 to drive my son 40 minutes to basketball practice (and I create a little office at a picnic table—you can work anywhere!). I definitely nap when I'm no longer productive!

I watch shows and movies while I'm doing chores. 

I listen to audiobooks and podcasts while I'm walking for exercise (multi-tasking for the win! I also rack up Pokemon Go! kms 😉). 

I get plenty of socializing between my husband, five kids who are all now teens and grown adults, neighbors, church, and at the homeschool co-op. I meet up with friends when I'm able, but soon enough my kids will be all moved out, and socializing will be easier to find time for.

I cook easy meals for my family, the kids help with chores, and I cut corners in other ways to make time for the important things I want to do other than working. See my post on Time Management for Writers!

How Many Hours do I Work?

I only work an average of between two and four hours per day, depending on where I'm at with homeschooling. Doesn't sound like much, does it? But that's 60-120 hours in a month, and it moves the financial needle.

And yes, after a few months of this pace, I burn out a little bit and 

claim a day to put on a movie or two, take a fat nap, 

turn off the phone, grab a book, and 

say no to everything and everyone for my own sanity. 

If You Put in ZERO, You Get ZERO

This might not work for you. You might need to or want to make much more money than this amount. You might only be able to carve out one hour a day. But I'm telling you that if you carve out as small as 15 minutes a day to do something like write a book, you will have a finished product at some point. If you carve out ZERO, you will have ZERO.

So if you're ready to get started, poke around here at The Published Parent and learn how to make money with words by proofreading, blogging, writing articles, and writing books.

I'd love to hear from you at thekerrieshow@gmail.com!

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