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For the last several weeks, we’ve organized our budget and shared money saving ideas to help lower it. However, there’s another part to the budget equation that shouldn’t be overlooked. There are two ways to adjust your budget—reduce expense or increase income. And, that last part isn’t as impossible as it sounds.

You can ask your boss for a raise, take advantage of employee benefits that lower your expenses or take on a 2nd job. It’s good to have a specific goal for any extra money you make. Since we live on the hubby’s income, my money goes into the holiday budget. We don’t have to worry about saving money for Christmas gifts because I pay for it. This year, our extra money is going towards our debt.

There are just so many ways to increase your income, if you think outside the box. Maybe you have a garage sale every year and use the money to fund your summer fun. Dave Ramsey tells us to sell so much the kids think they’re next, but even a little bit can go a long way. We’ll have tips on earning money through sales later this week, along with a few other real & actual income earning opportunities.

For now, think about your own talents and how it can be turned into a business. That’s your assignment for today—if you’re looking to increase income, think of something you are good at that other people aren’t. From niche blogging to etsy crafts to writing an eBook, you can create something other people need or want and start making money. If you build it, they will come. True story.

I’m not a financial planner or a budget expert. I’ll just be walking you through the steps I take each time my budget needs an adjustment. In fact, I’ll be participating myself!