When Barry and I started Humorous Homemaking, we did not do so with the intent to make money. Actually, we didn’t start making money on the blog until after it was one year old. This blog was first created to be a helpful source for people who attended my workshops…..and it grew into a thing of its own. And I quickly learned that I LOVED BLOGGING. We thought that since I loved it so much and I was spending so much time on it that I might as well try to bring in a bit of income with it…so that we wouldn’t go in the hole. So, I thought I would take the time to let you guys know how I make money on this blog – so that maybe you can help me out if you so desire…or at least so you won’t think I’m trying to slip one by you. 😀
NOTE – blogging is NOT a get rich quick scheme. You will not be a millionaire overnight. Barry and I are more like tortoises than hares….we go slow with things like this. We’re only making about $250-300 per month on the blog (thankfully, that total is growing as we learn). Like I said, you won’t get rich quick.
First, our biggest source of income is from Google Adsense. You might have noticed that you see Google ads in my posts and sometimes in the emails I send out. I get paid from Google when someone clicks on those ads. Am I trying to rob you? Nope…you pay nothing. When you click an ad that looks interesting to you, I get commission whether or not you do anything further. For those of you who click those ads, THANK YOU VERY MUCH!
Second, I make money if you buy things through Amazon with my affiliate link. See that Amazon box on the right side of the screen? If you search via that box and buy your Amazon items, then I get a percentage of the sale. Sometimes I also might include a link to Amazon if I’m talking about something particular that I use – if you buy via that link, I get a percentage. You can trust me on this…I won’t include a link for something I don’t use or love. I’m 100% honest because that’s how I roll. And by the way, I heart Amazon…I do a lot of my grocery shopping there.
I also make a bit of money for shopping on Amazon via Swagbucks. If you’ve signed up to use Swagbucks through me, then I get extra points from you. Thank you if you do that! It allows me to buy maple syrup and coffee. 
I love using Swagbucks for myself, so it’s just a perk that you sign up under my link. If you’re not using Swagbucks, YOU SHOULD BE. Here is my Swagbucks tutorial.
Sometimes we make money with ads on the right side of the screen. I say sometimes because I’ve only sold two at this point. HA! 😀 As you can see, I have Tech Bargains up right now and I once had a Tupperware ad. If you want to advertise for your business, I’d love to have you. Here are the terms for that.
And finally, I make money through some affiliate sales. If I review something, like the Sourdough A-Z book or Simply Clean and then you buy the book, I get commission. I’ll always tell you when I’m making commission…but again, you can trust me. If I hate something, I’m surely NOT going to tell you to buy it, because that’s not how I roll. If I review something and I like it, you’ll know about it. If I review something and I hate it, I’ll likely keep my trap shut.
There are also services we use to avoid losing sales and money. As this is an online business, we sometimes forget to backup our documents. Therefore, we hire cloud disaster recovery services when that happens. This comes out of our pocket as well. For individuals who want to get into blogging, don’t forget to invest in cybersecurity as well.
So, that’s how we’re making money. I just thought you might like to know. I like to be up front with you guys…you’re my online family.
Thanks. Your post has given me some ideas to follow up regarding my blog. Thanks for sharing.
You are most welcome! I hope it’s profitable for you. 🙂
Swagbucks makes me happy!
Stacy! Thank you to your sweet husband for helping me with the swagbucks! I finally took adsense off because it hadn’t made me any $ an I had it on for quite a while. Trying to streamline what is on there. Going to update some advertise/affiliate widgets right now!
I’m praying it goes well!
I am so glad to know all of this! I usually don’t read the stuff to the right on the page, but i will start to do so and go through you when I can. I also haven’t clicked on the google thingy, but I will now. I had no idea! I really love your blog and appreciate all you do!!! Thanks!!
Thanks for all the great support Mary Beth!
Dear Stacy – This was a very interesting blog. I always wondered how you could justify all the time it takes you to give us such great information, recipes, etc., AND laughs along the way! Thank you 🙂 <3
Yeah…..it’s starting to pay off. But I still do it because I love it. 🙂
I’m going to check out your Swagbucks tutorial. I use it personally, but didn’t know it could be applies to my blog. Thanks for the heads-up.
Swagbucks ROCK!
So if I buy “anything” off of Amazon and buy it via your link, you get a “commission” basically? If so, I will defintely remember that and do to your link every time I buy off of Amazon. I don’t do a lot of buying period but I am getting ready to make a couple “big” (big for me anyway) purchases from them. Thanks for the blog! I tell everyone to read it! I have had several people ask me where I get all of my info (which I then put on fb). I tell them to read your blog! Love it!!!!
Sherri, thanks so much for your support!!! 🙂 And yes, I get a commission for anything you buy. That’s Amazon’s “thank you” for me posting their search box on my site.
Happy to hear that you’re seeing some fruit for your efforts. Congratulations to Barry on his e-book. Many blessings to you, Barry and Annie in the new year 🙂
Thanks Dianne! We appreciate your support. Good luck and blessings to you as well!
Thank you for posting this! It answered many questions I’ve had about blogging. About how much time to spend on it each week? (I love your blog and couponing workshop, btw…it has been a lifesaver for our family! I’m a stay home mom to 3-yr-old twin boys..need I say more? 🙂
sorry, I meant to say how much time do you spend on it (not “to spend”, ha ha)
I’d say that I spend 2-4 hours per day on it – that’s writing and all the other things included to help it grow (social media, etc.). When you count in the time that Barry spends on keeping the site up, it’s a bit more than that. I’d say I probably put in about 30 hours per week on it….sometimes more, sometimes less. It has to be something you really love. 🙂
I really enjoy your honesty. Thanks for thinking of telling us this.
🙂 Thanks for reading it!
I have to tell you that you are one of my top two most favorite blogs in the whole wide world! I love that no matter what you are writing about I will always get a chuckle out of something you’ve said. I swear you read my mind sometimes!! 🙂
🙂 I’m glad I make someone else other than myself laugh!
Thanks for this! We are thinking about starting to make a bit of money on the blog.
Please let Barry and I know if we can do anything to help you. 🙂
Thanks for sharing! It’s always interesting to see how bloggers are making money!
It’s not a get-rich-quick scheme….but it’s nice to make a little extra on the things you love to do. 🙂
Very nice! I don’t use Adsense because mostly I hate the lack of control. Not a fan of some of the ads I get on my site. Not to mention, intentional living and random ads don’t go together in my mind. Maybe Barry can help me see my need for and how to customize it! 😛
Thanks for sharing, Stacy! This was really helpful. I love your transparency.
So far, we’ve not had any questionable ads…..but I think Barry says you have some sort of control over that.
WONDERFUL review of Barry’s book – prayer is so powerful, so simple and yet it can be so difficult to honestly pour our hearts out to God, even if He is the only one that can hear us. I suppose that’s because it is hard for us to admit we are weak, selfish, imperfect – human. Perhaps, it’s FAITH that is the difficult part to up-hold when our daily lives seem to chip away at it. It’s true, a grateful heart does indeed help keep us in perspective. — and it sure does feel absolutely wonderful to see God’s plan fulfilled.
Amen, Dianne!
So awesome. Thanks for sharing!
No problem sista! 🙂 Thanks for reading.
I can’t seen any ads, but I guess that means my adblocker is working well. 😉 If I could, I’d click for you.
🙂 You should see them at the very bottom of every post….and in the top right corner of all posts.
No, still can’t see them. But that’s okay. I can support you morally, if not monetarily.
🙂 You’re my biggest supporter, besides Barry.