I recently started thinking more about simplifying my life, and what things need to be cut.
I am a full-time mom of three very busy little boys.
I’m a wife, homemaker, and chief financial officer of our family.
I’m a blogger, a bookkeeper, a volunteer, and a scrapbooker.
On top of that, I also do online surveys, read paid e-mails, participate in product testing, and sell things on eBay.
When I started to look at things to cut in order to simplify, I looked first to the online survey stuff. I also looked hard at my blogging. Both of these ventures do provide our family with a small amount of what my husband affectionately calls, “foldin’ money.” We’re able to treat ourselves to an occassional movie or dinner out because of my time spent on the computer.
And I have decided that I don’t want to cut back on either of these things.
I have discovered that I make $4 to $5 an hour doing surveys, reading paid e-mails, etc. Due to the nature of blogging, I make pennies an hour, but I love to write, so I consider it more hobby than business at this point.
I love that I’m able to do this things from the comforts of my home. I’m in charge of my own hours. I can work in pajamas if I want to. I can watch TV while I work. I love having input on new products and services. I love connecting with readers. I love being here for my kids and knowing that I am still using my college education.
I’ve decided that all of the little bits help – the little bits of money – the little bits of self worth I gather from these activities.
Sometimes it’s good to simplify. And sometimes it’s good to be busy! 
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