I remember sitting at my kitchen table in October 2018, juggling snack runs and naps while trying to grow something that could earn money on the side — and that month I made $977.12 from my blog. If you’re a stay-at-home mom wondering whether blogging can actually pay the bills (or at least cover groceries and a little extra), I’ll walk you through exactly what I did, the practical steps to start, and the real startup costs so you can try it too as a realistic side hustle.
Blogging — How I Made $977.12 in October 2018
Ready to turn an idea into practical income?
Description
- Blogging is creating helpful content (posts, guides, lists) on a focused topic and monetizing that audience through ads, affiliate links, digital products, and occasional freelance work. For me in October 2018 the mix was affiliate income and a small digital product funnel. Blogging works well for stay-at-home moms because you can write in small chunks, repurpose content to social platforms, and build an asset that earns while you sleep.
Practical setup steps
- Pick a niche you actually enjoy and that solves a specific problem for other moms (example: simple family meals, toddler activities, or budget-friendly home organization).
- Get started by starting a blog — follow the step-by-step beginner tutorial so you don’t get stuck on tech.
- Choose reliable website hosting and install WordPress. This makes your site fast and stable, which helps with reader experience and SEO.
- Plan 10 pillar posts (how-tos, checklists, and resource lists). Focus on evergreen content that brings steady traffic.
- Drive traffic with Pinterest — it was my biggest traffic driver in 2018. Create vertical pins for each post and link them to your articles.
- Use social media scheduling tools to batch-promote pins and posts so you spend less time each week on promotion.
- Add a simple sales funnel (an email opt-in → welcome sequence → product/affiliate recommendation) to convert traffic into sales.
- Outsource small tasks (pin graphics, editing, or tech fixes) on Upwork or Fiverr when you’re ready to scale.
- Consider small supplemental income streams (for nights when writing slows), like taking surveys between kid naps.
Estimated startup costs
- Domain name: $10–$15/year (often included free for the first year with hosting)
- Website hosting: $20–$25/month for a good beginner plan (I used a managed host to avoid tech headaches)
- Theme or basic design: $0–$75 (free themes work fine; premium themes add polish)
- Pin graphics template subscription or design: $0–$15/month (or a one-off $5–$20 on Fiverr)
- Email service (basic plan): $0–$20/month depending on provider
- Optional outsourcing on Upwork for copy or design: $25–$150 per small project
Total realistic bootstrap cost for month one: about $30–$100 (if you start lean, use free themes, and DIY most tasks). If you buy premium tools or outsource early, plan $150–$300.
My October 2018 month wasn’t huge, but it proved the system: consistent content + strategic traffic (Pinterest) + a simple conversion funnel = steady income. If you’re a stay-at-home mom, start small, automate what you can, and reinvest the first earnings into tools or help so you can free up more time for family and growth.
