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New bloggers, learn from our mistakes!

My story of how I started blogging is very different to most. Many people set up a blog with the aim of being a blogger, or nowadays bloggers even start out with a business plan. 

In recent years it has become totally possible to monetize a blog or website and it’s now my main source of income! 

I never started this way though. I originally had an online store with a blog.  I didn’t use the blog at first.  But, eventually, to create more content for my website and with the aim of generating more sales and traffic in my online store, I started blogging. It was a business blog at first, but then I fell in love with blogging and it quickly took over. 

Now I have a blog that makes money with a small store on the side!  The tables have turned.  I never set out to be a blogger.  It happened because of my ecommerce business.  So I made many mistakes along the way.

What I wish I knew when I started my blog!

Here are some of the things I wish I’d known or done differently when starting my blog:

If you're a blogger, a freelancer or run a business from home then a home office is crucial to your success. This is a space that's dedicated to working, it prevents your work and home life from merging too much allowing you to keep a good work-life balance. It also helps you to stay organised and on top of things, as your business equipment and files are in one place. Here are the things you’ll need for a fantastic functioning home office design.

You can get super inventive with these lightweight summer scarves.  They can be used for so much more.  Here are a few alternative uses from my own brain and other bloggers brilliant suggestions too:

The watch is a symbol of style and personality. From Rolex to JORD to Casio, what does your watch say about you?

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Welcome to my Utama Spice Essential Oil Nebulizer review which will tell you everything you need to know about this product and my honest thoughts!

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Giveaway Ended!

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This year we’ve decided to go on a few holidays.  By ‘we’ I actually mean ‘I’.  Me and Ben have only ever been on an abroad holiday once together for a babymoon.  To be fair, I was pretty hormonal and miserable most of the time!  We have been abroad with the kids several times to visit family, but never for an actual holiday. 

If you’re looking for a fun holiday destination for adults and children alike, you don’t have to look too far. Just a couple of hours from the UK by plane, Italy is the perfect destination to have an adventure with your kids there are plenty of activities that can be enjoyed by all the family!

Here are some of the best spots in Italy that both adults and kids can get excited about for your next summer holiday.

Hello, welcome to my Money Making Mums Interview.  Please tell me a little about who you are, where you’re from and where you blog.

Hello! I'm Kaya, 34 from Margate. I blog over at earningbythesea.co.uk  and I mostly blog about ways to 'make & save money at home'. The main focus on my blog is helping other families achieve their financial goals and find as many ways as possible to make a good wage from home.

This series is all about mums being able to make money from home.  Can you tell me what you do from home to make money?

Including my blog I have multiple income streams which I believe is key to me being a successful work from home parent. I have been selling second hand clothing on eBay for a decade now. I also really enjoy matched betting to top up our monthly income, mystery shopping and task apps. 

What makes it suitable for mums?

I go to bootfairs to buy eBay 'stock' on a Sunday morning and mostly I am home before my daughter, Willow, has even finished her breakfast. The rest of the week I set my alarm for an hour before she wakes to get my work planned for the day (this is new as previously there wasn't much sleep!) and I also work when she is in bed at night. I've never really needed to rely on anyone else for childcare and I have flexibility which as a busy mum makes life a lot easier! 

What do you love about working from home?

Again the flexibility has meant I could stay at home with Willow who has just started school this year. I also love that with a stay at home business you get back what you put in and there are no limits to your success. 

What are your top three negatives to working from home?

I have to really push myself to take time off from thinking about work, or I'll be reading eBay messages at 3am. 

It can be lonely at times but mostly I quite like my own company, plus with Willow, five cats and a dog at home 'helping' me work I quite like my little team! 

No works Christmas night out. 

If you could only pick one, either working from home or working in an office for the rest of your life, which would you pick?

Working from home. I do the odd temping job but I would hate to go back to work for someone else full-time. 

Lots of people say they’d find it hard to stay motivated if working alone at home.  What keeps you motivated?

Making a list of monthly goals really helps as I find it motivating crossing things off it as I have completed them. I stay motivated with my blog by the messages I get from readers, it blows my mind every time I get a message thanking me for the information on my blog and of course wanting to provide the best life for my own family helps! 

Do you have a favourite quote to keep you inspired?

"Thoughts become things" I truly believe in the law of attraction so I try to keep my thoughts positive and open to attracting good things into our lives. 

Do you have any advice or words of wisdom to share with mums wanting to make their own income from home?

Create multiple income streams! I learnt this watching so many other eBay sellers lose their accounts over the years and their business is gone overnight. Concentrate on the work that makes you happiest. 

Thank you so much to Kaya for taking part in my guest series!  

Want to get paid to blog?

• Click for lots of ways to make money blogging!

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Want to make some extra cash?

Find loads of ways to make extra money at home on my blog, as well as my favourite side hustle in my matched betting blog.

To get started, you can make money online with 60 methods I’ve tried and tested.  

Just need £1000?  Here’s how to make £1000 in one month at home.  

Short on time? These methods can make money in one hour.

Want free cash?  Here are loads of free money offers.

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Having ran both my own online store and also worked as an ecommerce order fulfilment manager for several years, I am only too aware of the impact shipping costs can have on profits.  Nowadays there are several choices for dispatching goods which give companies the option to negotiate the best deals and maximise revenue. Both small and large companies can benefit by regularly reviewing the costs they incur for having items shipped to clients and customers. The parcel delivery sector is fiercely competitive and this should be taken advantage of in order to keep costs down.

Here I consider how businesses can monitor and control the costs of their shipments:

Moving house.  Eugh.  With all the paperwork, anticipation, legalities and possible rejections or chain collapse, it’s no wonder it’s rated one of the most stressful experiences in life.  However, with a bit of preparation and knowing what you should do to get your house ready to sell, you can certainly eliminate some of this stress by reducing the time taken to sell your existing property.  Everyone wants to get the best sale price for their home, reduce costs and sell quickly.

Here are some great suggestions of things to do when putting your house on the market.  Making your house more inviting to potential buyers is a key part of the home selling process. Use these tips to get your house ready to sell.