Single Parent Life

How I Stayed on Track With My Side Hustle Goals—Even During a Winter Storm

Snow-covered streets and trees after a winter storm, symbolizing resilience in the face of challenges.

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P.A.C.

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When Life Throws a Curveball at Your Plan

I had a plan. Then nature had a different one.

I was excited and motivated to start executing my plan to diversify my income. But then, a massive winter storm swept through the Midwest, closing local schools for four days straight. That meant my kids were home—bored, restless, and ready for action—while I still had to work my 9-5 job. Needless to say, that threw a wrench into my week!

My Freelancing Plan for Week 8: Setting Up for Success

In my last post, Planning Success: 5 Easy Steps for Single Parents, I created a plan of attack for getting started.

My focus was on three key areas:

  1. Getting basic supplies
  2. Setting up a system to track time and expenses
  3. Starting this blog

Let’s see how I did.

1. Getting Basic Supplies

Believe it or not, I didn’t have a personal computer. Since I could do almost everything with my iPhone, I didn’t need one. But freelancing requires more flexibility, so I went for an affordable option: a Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 6 AMD (14”). I even scored a great deal, thanks to a corporate discount and holiday sale!

Mac vs. PC?

  • I chose a PC since I work in Windows at my full-time job, making it easier to transition.
  • A Mac was out of my price range for now.

Obstacle: Would the computer arrive with the storm? It was delayed.

2. Setting up a System to Track Time and Expenses

Time Tracking

I assumed tracking my time would be simple—after all, I do it at work. But balancing working full-time, freelancing, and parenting during a winter storm? A whole different challenge. With three kids (ages 4-11) home for snow days, I struggled to carve out focused time. My goal for Week 9 is to find a more consistent schedule to work on freelancing.

Expense Tracking

Originally, I planned to use Google Sheets, but I opted for YNAB (You Need a Budget) instead. I’ve been using YNAB for my budget since 2014, when it was still a desktop app called YNAB 4. It’s simple; I know how to use it, and I can export my data to Excel when needed. I set up five basic categories:

  • Gig Income
  • Taxes
  • Professional Development
  • Software and Subscriptions
  • Office Supplies and Equipment

When things get more complex, I’ll switch to QuickBooks.

✅ Decision: No LLC yet. I plan to make my first $1 and grow from there. I’ll consider an LLC once I reach $10,000 in income.

3. Starting the Blog

Since my computer was delayed, I had to pivot. I decided to draft blog posts on my iPhone using Google Docs instead of waiting around.

What I Learned:

  • It’s hard to write primarily on an iPhone.
  • Perfectionism is a trap—I kept revising instead of finishing posts.
  • Watching how-to videos without a computer wasn’t productive.

Distractions I Fell Into:

  • Scrolling through Etsy for WordPress templates and Canva Pinterest templates.
  • Constantly reworking my content calendar for Q1 instead of finalizing it.
  • Rethinking my posting schedule: Originally 1 blog post per week, now aiming for 2 per week.

✅ Despite the setbacks, I made progress!

Week 8 Execution

Overall, I made solid progress with my side hustle goals, even though the winter storm forced me to adjust my expectations. When unexpected challenges arise, flexibility and prioritization are essential – sometimes you have to let go of perfection and just focus on making progress.

Key Actions That Helped Me Stay on Track:

✅ Finally getting a computer (even with shipping delays!)
✅ Maximizing small chunks of time to stay productive
✅ Diving into helpful guides and resources to prepare for the next steps

While this week wasn’t perfect, I proved to myself that I can adapt and keep moving forward, no matter what life throws my way.

Moving Forward: Week 9 Targets

The Blog:

  • Write 2-3 blog entries to create a content cadence

Fiverr:

  • Research what sells & how to position my skills
  • Set up my profile
  • Create 4 gigs
  • Get necessary software subscriptions for gigs

Time & Expense Tracking:

Conducting a time survey to realistically figure out how to fit side-hustle work into my schedule. If necessary, I may shift my focus more toward weekends for this work.

Next Steps & Call to Action

  • How did your first week go following your plan?
  • Did you encounter any distractions or obstacles along the way?
  • What unexpected challenges have disrupted your goals, and how did you adapt your strategies?

👉 Next Post: How did things progress in my second week (Week 9)? Let’s discover it together! 

✨ Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear your story!

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