I made $17,672.84 in January 2011 - here's where I am now.

Great thread Justin!

Your story is so motivation and I really admire your honesty! You truly are an inspiration!

Joe Crosbie

Great story, Justin!

Just goes to show you that there will always be ups and downs in life, no matter how successful you become. The key to staying successful, however, is to deal with those down moments head on and learn from them. Sounds like you came out a better and stronger person in the end.

Thank you for your honesty. People out there will only talk about them making $$ every time. Part of a marketing tactic to get you plugged in to their system to make an extra bang of the buck.

Hey Justin! Thanks for sharing your story with such honesty and detail...It really captures the uos and downs of the online world...Sounds like you're having way more ups though Keep on working hard and congrats on your success thus far!

nice motivational story

Great story Justin. Like my old man used to say, 'it's not about how much you make, but how much you can save'

With the kind of $$ your making, Whats the big deal about $3500/month for living expenses? Sounds like a nice place you gave up..

You made the right move Justin. You'll come out of this much more clear headed and I'm sure your business will even exceed where it used to be now that your focus is back to growing the business.

I know where you're coming from. Years ago when I first started making a lot of money online with affiliate marketing. I got my first house at 19... At 19 you don't understand all the responsibilities that come with owning a home. Looking back I wish I didn't get a house and instead traveled around the country/world more.

On the plus side, it's paid off and I gave it to my parents so they don't have to worry about anything.

Great story Justin, I hope you achieve what your aiming for.
I hope I can follow in your footsteps. (Except the expensive house and what goes with it )
Thanks for sharing.

It was a good move to consolidate and cut down on your expenses.
But your figures don't make sense.
You are, were making multiple $8K months and some even double that, so
consider 75% being profit how could you not afford $4K monthly expenses?

Wow. This was pretty much my story but with smaller numbers. Never, EVER jump into an expensive apartment or house you can "afford" but not comfortably. Why? Because then you have LESS MONEY for promotions. You end up draining your mailing lists. Etc. I can safely say my story is a little less sad than yours, but still.

I went from $1000/mo and we were thinking of finding somewhere a bit cheaper... Instead we went up to $1450/mo in another place and also added plenty of money on top for new monthly bills we never used to pay for... Luxuries we didn't need.

Anyway, my business took a hit with this but luckily we were on a really good upswing and I am only in this apartment for 3 more months on our 12 month lease. So luckily my business will survive and we've almost made it out.

But note that I am just backing up your point, Justin... Everybody: be humble as HELL when it comes to rent/mortgage. Having an extra $500/mo to spend on whatever you want can change mean the life or death of your business.

You guys are seriously under estimating the expenses of life, especially with a girlfriend ... I make $4000-$9000 per month currently, but nowadays it's more about $4000/mo since my expenses for home are higher, I have less to invest and play with. You guys are talking about $4k/mo as affordable, not even considering that doesn't count his BUSINESS expenses.

My first assumption when reading this was "living behind your means" then I noticed your monthly expenses were $3,500 and your income was $18,000.

Whats the problem?

$18,000 - $3,500 = $14,500/month.

You could put what, another $5K in a "rainy day" account and still have $9,500 to play around with.

Now you've moved out, sure your saving some extra dough, but you also gave up the luxury of your "privacy" (Sharing with a room mate).

If I were you, I'd look at maybe getting another place (perhaps with a lower mortgage?). I'd rather be paying my own mortgage over paying someone else's bills.

I mean, you can't "rent" forever (unless you want too of course)..

On another note, perhaps you feel "guilty" ? I mean, you came from a humble start working at UPS.

Go ahead and watch the following video from the 2:00 mark to the 6 minute mark, seriously - it has the EXACT "answer" to what your talking about..

Thank you for sharing your story with such honesty and humility. I feel you have learned from your mistakes and I'm sure you will have other successful days soon. Good luck!

If you're responding with the "how is that a lot of money when you make so much" type of response... realize that time had passed since I made $18,000 in a month, 2 years in fact.

I also was making far less money because of things that I expressed in my OP and there are a lot of other factors that came into play, ie maintenance, time put into driving, and so on.

Lastly I'd like to note that I came from a family where $20,000 in a year (before taxes) was A LOT of money and still is. I still have that view and will never change on it. Only a few years ago I felt like $100 made in one day, of work, was more than I'd ever make.. I felt that $3000/mo was how much "rich" people made. And all these things still hold true today in my head. $3,500 in expenses each month is a lot, especially when you realize that when I made $18,000 in a month (1 month as a reminder), I was only spending $800/mo on expenses and around the time I had $3,500/mo expenses I wasn't doing as well as I was back then

Anyways, thanks everyone for all of the great comments! I really do appreciate each and every one of you guys, even if you're trying to comment on how I wasn't grateful because I definitely was and still am.

Oh and one final comment to @Josh (yea I know I was trying to end a bit ago.. but oh well haha) - I had never had privacy growing up and didn't need it. For some privacy is great, but I'd rather be around people constantly than be alone. The situation with the roommate is that they are not home all day either, and even so I'm at a Starbucks sitting at a computer enjoying the music, atmosphere, and people surrounding me

I know you think I was making $18,000/mo but again I never stated that. I wrote out how I had "made" $18,000 in a month and had many $5k - $10k months thereafter.. and much of that went towards helping other people, family, friends, and causes I believe in. But either way, thanks a lot for the comment and I'll definitely check out that video.

*cough*

I suck at ending...

@Beats4Legends, agreed. I didn't mention any business expenses in my original statement. I only shared my living expenses and also only mentioned MY living expenses and not those that I put forward to help my girlfriend and everyone else. You rock for noticing

I think a few people have some of the stuff a little mixed up...

Take another look at Justin's OP. He mentioned that he is on his way to another $18,000 month...in 2014. He also mentioned he has had multiple months where he's earned $8,000, but never stated that was his average monthly income.

Just because the guy had $3,500 in expenses (and was hitting some high figure months) doesn't mean that he couldn't afford the lifestyle he was living. As I understood it, it was the consistent upkeep that was draining him. The more stuff you buy, the more your have to take care of and maintain.

If it was a smart move for him and it made him happier, then so be it. Everyone is different. What works for you might not work for someone else, you know?

Either way, it's always good to hear from someone doing good with their online ventures and making the most of it.

Thanks for this story. It just helps confirm my suspicions that I will never want to own a home.

After growing up with a dad who was a "fix everything" type of person, I have seen just how much work goes into taking care of a big house where everything breaks eventually.

Great sharing by Justin. Too often, people will start to spend on more luxury things when they start to make more money. I like the idea of living frugally when first starting so that more money can be saved to grow the business further.

I personally feel that there is nothing wrong in living in small apartment even if the person is making lots of money. It might be a smart decision as the expenses is low and he can focus on growing the business further.

But as some other Warriors have mention, everyone is different and there is no one path that is suitable for everyone.

The great lesson... don't become a slave to "things." In the end, "things"
aren't important. In this economy... and for the foreseeable future... the
smart people will get very small in regards to monthly payables.

That doesn't mean you pull back on your goals or become complacent
with earning less money. It means you don't toss it around as if it will never
stop coming in.

Good on you, Justin.

Very inspiring story. It goes to show you even you make a good income online -- there are still obstacles and struggles we can face every day.

I think they key here is to live within your means. Some of the richest people in the world are this way because they keep track of every penny they make and invest their money instead of spending.

Good luck in the upcoming year -- and hope your next move will be a great one

Great story.

And a motivation to everyone, surely.

When I started IM a couple of years ago now, my main aim was to reduce bad debts without touching my main income (which is actually eBay).

IM got me out of debt, and now I either reinvest in my business, or save that money.

I still have a nice house and a nice car, and have a great income every year from all my income streams. I could easily move to a bigger house, get a bigger car, but I don't want to.

They are just things to me. I would rather have the money to go out and have a nice meal, take a nice vacation or treat one of my family or friends.

I want to make memories. Memories are made by what you do, where you go, and who you share your life with. Not by the flashy car you drive or how big your house is.

IMO.

Exactly Aero, nothing wrong with living big and enjoying life, but only after you've built up a big enough safety net. You need staying power, plenty of working capital to fund you through rough patches. As you get into bigger clients, a nice home/car are actually great sales tools and build credibility. I'd rather see a vendor pull up in a Bentley than a beat up crap car. People pay thousands for country club memberships for a reason. Relationships are forged, a lot of business gets done. Just don't over leverage yourself.

That's a great story! Cutting expenses can put so much back in your bank account, or at least keep it from leaving!

This type of thread is like Chicken Soup For The Soul books. Someone ought to create a Facebook thread of IM stories like this. Seems like a marketable idea. There doesn't have to be just one Jack Canfield.

I agree here with Chris. I have always heard how the people around you change when they see you making money. People who are close to you change the most which you least expect considering they have seen you start from nothing and have risen despite all the odds.

I have moved into a home I call a midway between my dream home and 'I've made it' It is not the perfect home just yet but I would much rather save on mortgage even if it is a few hundred and save for a rainy day.

I also live with my partner who helps out a lot and am blessed to have someone very supportive. I think if you're on your own trying to make it in IM full time, share an apartment or mortgage till you are 100% sure you have enough otherwise you'll just have to forego everything you had to work so hard for.

Live within your means!

Who knows, maybe UPS will ask you to design an app for them next?

Good stuff Justin.

You've learned what we all learn: business comes in cycles. Some are up cycles and some are down cycles. Saving for those rainy days is what really matters.

At your age, there will be many bright days ahead

LMAO - (with compassion). Guys and their toys. Serious. Guess everyone has a different view of heaven.

Glad you figured it out fast as you did. Smart kid. Keep it going.

Very nice and motivational story. I hope whoever read this will take action.

Thank for your story it learns a lot to us especially on how to spend the money and also what I really lean is that in online marketing you should have more patience because it will take your turn to become successful.

love these stories, you are mightier than the sword...keep going, and keep us updated.

OP, your post kind of reminds me of the classic tale of a rock band hitting it big, and in some ways it ends up being the worst thing to happen to them. They start blowing money on stuff they don't need, they have way too many distractions, and they loose friendships.

I'm glad to hear that you got yourself out of that situation. I remember reading in the book "The Millionaire Fastlane" that the author said one of the most exciting times of his life was in the early days when he was living in a studio apartment and his business was just starting to take off.

I think that what it boils down to is that you have to be careful to sort of "stay hungry" for more success. Living well below your means is part of how to do that. Another thing is that by having less stuff, you literally have less distractions and less things to pull you down and keep you from your business goals.

Hoping you have more success in the coming years!

well done! very motivational, I have launched an online store...it shows if you stick to it, it can eventually pay handsomely