What if your credit card statements could tell a different story?
These 10 personal finance bloggers transformed their financial anxiety into $5k− $150k/month income streams – all by sharing what they learned about money online.
The most shocking part?
- All followed the same 5-step blueprint we’ll reveal today
- 8/10 started with less than $100
- 6/10 had zero finance credentials
What we’ve covered in this post
- Key attributes of successful finance blogs
- 10 Finance Blog Income Reports To Inspire You
- How to start a similar blog that makes money
Key Attributes of Successful Finance/Business Blogs
| Attribute | Common Pattern | How to Implement It |
|---|---|---|
| Niche Focus | Specialized topics (e.g., side hustles, budgeting, blogging tips) | Pick a sub-niche (e.g., “investing for millennials” or “freelancer taxes”) to stand out. |
| Multiple Income Streams | Affiliate marketing (50–80% of revenue), courses, ads, sponsorships | Start with 1–2 streams (e.g., affiliate links + ads), then expand. |
| High-Value Products | Digital products (courses, eBooks, templates) generate 20–50% of income | Create a low-cost lead magnet (e.g., free budget template) to build an email list for future sales. |
| SEO & Organic Traffic | 70%+ of top blogs rely on Google/search traffic | Use keyword research tools (e.g., Ubersuggest) to target low-competition finance queries. |
| Authentic Storytelling | Personal debt payoff/success stories build trust | Share your financial journey (e.g., “How I Paid Off $30K Debt in 1 Year”). |
| Consistent Content | Publish 1–2x/week (mix of guides, case studies, tools) | Batch-create content monthly; repurpose into social media threads. |
5-Step Starter Plan
- Pick a Sub-Niche
- Example: “Credit card hacking for travelers” or “side hustles for parents.”
- Avoid broad terms like “personal finance.”
- Monetization Strategy
- Phase 1: Affiliate links (e.g., budgeting apps, hosting services) + display ads (Mediavine).
- Phase 2: Sell printables (e.g., budget spreadsheets) or a course.
- Traffic Generation
- SEO: Target long-tail keywords (e.g., “best side hustles for teachers”).
- Pinterest: Create pin-worthy infographics for viral potential.
- Build an Email List – Offer a freebie (e.g., “5-Day Debt Payoff Challenge”) via ConvertKit.
- Analyze & Scale – Track top-performing content (Google Analytics); double down on what works.
Quick-Start Resources
- Hosting: HostGator ($2.95/month starter plan).
- Theme: GeneratePress (fast-loading for SEO).
- Tools: Canva (graphics), Keysearch (SEO), Trello (content calendar).
Pro Tip: Reverse-engineer these blogs’ early content—most started with “how-to” guides and income reports to attract attention.
10 Finance Blog Income Reports To Inspire You
- Making sense of cents – $145,319
- Just a Girl and Her Blog: $41,700
- Dollar Sprout – $61,915
- Smart PassiveIncome – $125,819.91
- The Savvy Couple: $43,547
- Adam Enfroy – $101,814
- Club Thrifty – $23,620.49
- Believe in a budget – $18,128.60
- Ryrob – $35,218.31
- Chasing Foxes: $19,889
[1]. Making Sense of Cents – $145,319
Niche: Personal Finance & Blogging
Overview: Founded by Michelle Schroeder-Gardner, this blog helps readers improve their finances, save money, and make more income, with a strong focus on side hustles and blogging as a source of income. Michelle’s success story of paying off her student loans quickly has inspired her audience.
Content: Personal finance tips, debt payoff strategies, side hustle ideas, blogging advice, travel, and lifestyle content.
Income Breakdown In October 2018
- Affiliate revenue
- Course sales
- Sponsored content
- Ad revenue
[1]. Affiliate Revenue
- Bluehost – $32,200.00
- Survey companies – $9,877.00
- Six Figure Blogger – $2,301.00
- Ebates – $500.00 (estimated, as this is a tiered affiliate program)
- Internet Scoping School – $452.10
- ConvertKit – $391.99
- Bookkeeper Business Academy – $363.75
- Credible – $350.00
- How To Work From Home Selling On Amazon FBA – $247.10
- Personal Capital – $200.00
- $5 Meal Plan – $141.30
- Miscellaneous affiliates – $25,018.50
Total affiliate revenue = $72,042.74
[2]. Course sales = $53,650.00
[3]. Sponsored content = $17,500.00
[4]. Ad revenue = $2,127.00
Total Blogging Revenue October 2018 = $145,319.74
Making sense of cents detailed blog income report
[2]. Just a Girl and Her Blog – $41,700
Niche: Blogging, Organization & Home Decor
Overview: Abby Lawson’s blog focuses on home organization, productivity, and blogging. Her content caters to those who want to create beautiful, organized homes while also exploring the world of blogging and online entrepreneurship.
Content: Home organization, DIY projects, blogging advice, printables, and productivity tips.
Blogging Income Breakdown for December 2016
[1]. Product Sales
- BookBoss – $5,032
- Paperless Home eBook – $774
- Simplify + The Intentional Life Planner – $2,542
- Building a Framework eBook and course – $5,845
Total product sales = $14,193
[2]. Affiliate Income
The report didn’t specify the income made from each product;
- Amazon Associates
- Bluehost
- ConvertKit
- Feast Design Co.
- Flywheel Hosting
- Genesis Framework
- Media Temple
- List Surge
- Affiliate Marketing for Bloggers
- 5 Days to Your Best Year Ever
- Instapage
- SiteGround Hosting
- Restored 316
- Pretty Darn Cute Designs
- PicMonkey
- Fizzle.co
- Make Over Your Evenings / Make Over Your Mornings
- Ultimate Bundles
- Sponsored Posts
Total affiliate income = $27,507
Total Blogging Income: $41,700
Just a Girl and Her Blog detailed blog income report
[3]. Dollar Sprout – $61,915
Niche: Personal Finance & Side Hustles
Overview: Dollar Sprout, founded by Jeff Proctor and Ben Huber, is a personal finance blog that helps readers improve their financial health by offering side hustle ideas, budgeting tips, and smart money management strategies.
Content: Side hustles, ways to make money online, saving and budgeting advice, investment tips, and passive income ideas.
Blogging Income Breakdown for October 2018
- Affiliate Marketing: $59,141
- Sponsored Posts: $1,500
- Course Sales: $482 (net earnings, after affiliate payouts)
- Shopify: $7
- Ads: $785
Total blogging revenue = $61,915
Dollar Sprout detailed blog income report
[4]. Smart Passive Income – $125,819.91
Niche: Passive Income & Entrepreneurship
Overview: Founded by Pat Flynn, Smart Passive Income is a popular blog and podcast that teaches readers how to create passive income streams through online businesses, affiliate marketing, and other entrepreneurial ventures.
Content: Passive income strategies, affiliate marketing, entrepreneurship tips, online business ideas, podcast episodes, and case studies.
Blogging Income Breakdown for December 2017
The blog “Smart Passive Income” makes over $148,721.61 per month. This was the income report for 2017 and currently makes over 200k per month, but doesn’t publish income reports anymore.
- Affiliate Earnings – $105,619.13
- Course Sales – $40,855.98
- Book Sales – $2,246.50
Total blogging revenue = $148,721.61
Smart PassiveIncome detailed blog income report
[5]. The Savvy Couple – $43,574
Niche: Family Finance & Lifestyle
Overview: Run by Kelan and Brittany Kline, The Savvy Couple focuses on family finance, budgeting, and lifestyle improvement. The blog’s mission is to help families achieve financial freedom through budgeting, saving, and making extra income.
Content: Budgeting, family finance, side hustles, saving tips, debt reduction, and frugal living advice.
May Income Breakdown for May 2021
- Ads – $5,041
- Affiliate Sales – $3,739
- Sponsorships – $33,773
- Product Sales – $994
- Total Blogging Revenue = $43,547
The Savvy Couple detailed blog income report
[6]. Adam Enfroy – $101,814
Niche: Blogging, Digital Marketing & Entrepreneurship
Overview: Adam Enfroy’s blog focuses on helping people grow successful blogs and online businesses, leveraging digital marketing strategies. His content is designed to scale blogs quickly through affiliate marketing, SEO, and monetization strategies.
Content: Blogging advice, SEO tips, affiliate marketing, online business strategies, digital marketing, and reviews of business tools.
Income Breakdown In March 2021
- Affiliate
- Ad revenue
- Freelance
- Digital products
[1]. Affiliate Marketing Revenue: $78,965
The report doesn’t specify the affiliate product but does say it came from 58 different affiliate programs.
[2]. Ad Revenue from Mediavine: $12,952
[3]. SEO freelance consulting for two clients: $8,700
[4]. Digital product sales: $1,197
Total blogging revenue for March 2021 = $101,814
Today the blog Adam Enfroy comfortably makes more than $150,000 per month mainly from its affiliate and course revenue.
Adam Enfroy detailed blog income report
[7]. Club Thrifty – $23,620.49
Niche: Personal Finance & Travel
Overview: Holly and Greg Johnson, the creators of Club Thrifty, focus on helping readers achieve financial independence through budgeting, saving, and smart financial planning, while also integrating travel into their financial goals.
Content: Budgeting tips, debt freedom, frugal living, travel hacking, and lifestyle advice.
Blogging Income Breakdown for December 2015
- Affiliate marketing [mainly credit card sales] – $2,500
- Social Media Management and Other Consulting – $1,300
- Content Creation, Consulting, and Freelance Writing – $19,820.49
Total blogging revenue = $23,620.49
Club Thrifty detailed blog income report
[8]. Believe in a Budget – $18,128.60
Niche: Budgeting, Side Hustles & Passive Income
Overview: Created by Kristin Larsen, Believe in a Budget provides advice on budgeting and side hustles, with a particular focus on starting online businesses and earning passive income.
Content: Side hustle ideas, blogging tips, budgeting strategies, and passive income generation.
Blogging Income Breakdown for April 2018
- Ad revenue – $957.84
- Affiliate Income – $8,638.86
- Courses + Products – $100,282
Total blogging revenue = $109,878.70
Believe in a budget-detailed blog income report.
[9]. Ryrob (Ryan Robinson) – $35,218.31
Niche: Blogging & Entrepreneurship
Overview: Ryan Robinson’s blog focuses on helping aspiring entrepreneurs start and grow successful blogs and businesses. He provides step-by-step guides and resources on blogging, content marketing, and freelancing.
Content: Blogging tips, freelancing advice, entrepreneurship, side hustles, and digital marketing strategies.
Blogging Income Breakdown for March 2021
- Course Sales – $17,989.63
- Affiliate Earnings – $17,228.68
Total blogging revenue = $35,218.31
Ryrob detailed blog income report
[10]. Chasing Foxes – $19,889
Niche: Personal Finance, Lifestyle & Travel
Overview: Chasing Foxes, run by Grace and Silas, offers advice on personal finance, travel, and lifestyle, with a focus on making extra money through side hustles and blogging. The blog shares practical tips to help readers achieve financial freedom.
Content: Money-saving tips, frugal living, travel guides, blogging tips, and lifestyle advice.
Blogging Income Breakdown for
[1]. Affiliate Income
- Bluehost – $4,680
- Amazon Associate – $202
Total = $4,882
Ad Revenue
- Mediavine – $14,990
Total Blogging Revenue = $19,889.04
Chasing Foxes detailed blog income report
Finance Blog Money Machine: Launch & Monetize Fast
1. Carve Your Money Niche (5 Minutes)
Pick one of these high-converting angles:
💰 “[Demographic] Side Hustle Blueprints”
💳 “Debt-Free [Lifestyle] on [Income]”
📈 “[Industry]-Specific Investing”
Example: “Six-Figure Freelancing for Creatives”
2. Lightning-Fast Setup (20 Minutes)
⚡ Start with HostGator (Business Plan – ideal for finance sites)
⚡ Domain Power Move: Use authority keywords (e.g., “SmartMillennialMoney.com”)
⚡ Must-Install Plugins:
- WPForms (for lead magnets)
- AffiliateWP (manage partnerships)
- ThirstyAffiliates (cloak links)
3. Publish These 3 Profit-Producing Posts
📌 1. “Best [Niche] Tools That Pay Me”
- Example: “Credit Cards That Earn Me $500/Month”
- Profit: Card affiliate programs (up to $150/signup)
📌 2. “[X]-Step [Problem] Solution”
- Example: “3-Step System to Negotiate Debt”
- Profit: Sell PDF guide ($9.99) or coaching
📌 3. “How I Made $[X] Doing [Strategy]”
- Example: “How I Earn $2K/Month Reviewing Apps”
- Profit: Attracts sponsored content deals
4. Immediate Revenue Streams
💸 Day 1: Join LendingTree/Affiliate Program
💸 Week 1: Offer “Budget Audit” services ($97/hour)
💸 Month 1: Launch “Money Challenge” email course
Wall Street-Worthy Hacks
- Use Canva to turn stats into shareable carousels
- Repurpose posts into LinkedIn threads
- Hashtag #FinanceCreator to attract brand collabs
💳 Start Building Your Empire: Secure HostGator Business Hosting
“Your money journey could bankroll your freedom—start documenting it today!”
If these steps seem complicated, you can follow our detailed guide on “How To Start A Finance Blog“ for further instructions.
