Tag Archives: blogging

8 Ways to Make $1.95 In Only 30 Days

Make Cash Online

Have you ever wanted to make money online?

Oh, yeah. We’ve all heard the stories:

Make $100 a day doing what you love!

Get paid to just wake up!

10 Ways to Make Money While Traveling the World!

Make $100,000 in the next 30 days!

Well, I’ve actually clicked on a lot of those scams. Not those exactly, but things like “Become a Virtual Assistant” “Make Money Blogging” “Become a Writer in 30 Days”

Caution: Rant Coming Up, Stay to the Right

Of course, I do have a blog (that’s where you are now), but I’m not making money from blogging. A lot of people are making money from blogging, but some of them are doing something that I have a problem with–they’re selling INFORMATION. Not products just regurgitated information.

Information! They are actually selling books and ebooks and courses and webinars and starting clubs and tribes and membership sites that are filled with other people wanting to sell books and ebooks and courses, and webinars… Like their mentors, they’re wanting to SELL the thing that anyone can find for free online!

I’ve had it. I’ve had it with my email boxes being filled up to the gigabytes with soliciting emails because I gave them my address so I could get a “free” report or a “free” recipe.

The other day I saw a cookbook that had keto desserts in them for “FREE!”, just pay shipping. Ok, I’m not stupid. Shipping doesn’t cost $8.99 (plus tax, really?) for media mail to anywhere, look it up.

Although I don’t have a problem paying for a physical item, like a cookbook that’s being mailed to me, I do have a problem with the fact that they believe that I believe that they are giving me something for nothing when it’s actually costing me something.

Limited Offer

At any rate, I entered my information and clicked. Another window opened up with a “limited time” offer for $29.99 w/free shipping. I clicked No Thanks. Another window popped up with another “time-limited” offer. It had the clock clicking down for emphasis. I clicked No Thanks. ANOTHER window popped up!! By this time, I was going to cancel the first “free” offer, so I clicked the No Thanks button, again. It didn’t take me back to my original order, unfortunately, but the last click placed my order and I was immediately “Congratulated” for acting on such a great, time-sensitive, free deal.

Ugh! Whatever… Yes, I know I’m very susceptible to suggestive advertising. I know that it’s just a bunch of “gotcha bait”. I know it’s a waste of time and money. I know every time, but there’s a little voice in my brain whispering, “But what if it’s different this time?” “Maybe this is the golden goose.” “I’m sure you can glean some knowledge from what they say.”

No. Nope. Nada. Everyone is just trying to sell the next bestest, greatest, newest thing—and they’ve got nothing.

If I Could Write a Book

I could write a book books on all the things I have followed down the rabbit trail. The webinars alone… Don’t get me started. Okay, just this one point.

>So, there’s always been webinars where someone puts together a little video or does a live chat with an audience–I don’t have a problem with that. However, the last few (several) webinars that I have attended are ALL an hour long or longer. What!? Who has time for that? Who thought that would be a good idea? I assume it’s the whole salesman attitude that as long as you have your foot in the door, you can make the sell. Or a version of that. But I have to say, the longer I’m online listening to someone explain, and re-explain and over-explain a plan, I’m not buying the product.

Act Now on this One-Time Offer!

>Oh! And speaking of buying (just one more thing)—remember the whole sales pitch about, “You’re not going to pay $99. Not even $79. You’re not even going to pay $59 for this bundle of information that you can get for free on the internet. No! The total cost of this exclusive course, if you act now, is only $29.99 plus shipping and handling.”

Does that sound familiar?

Not anymore. Every webinar that I have listened to in the last year or two is charging upwards to $1000.00!!!!! Yes, one thousand! And more! Well, some are $895; others are $795. One was over $2,000!

If I had that kind of money, I wouldn’t need to be trying out their money-making products.

Real Ways to Make Some Extra Cash

Ok, rant over. I’m sure not all of you have experienced this. You’re probably strong enough to resist the temptation of impulse buying. It’s just one of my many weaknesses.

However, in saying ALL that (and at the risk of sounding like a charlatan) I do make money online. But the things that I am listing are legit and free to join, and does not lead you down any rabbit trails to be upsold.

The first way I make extra cash is by using Swagbucks. This is a search engine that you use instead of Google or Yahoo or Bing. There’s no extra advertising. Just sign up for a free account, set your homepage to Swagbucks, and you will begin to receive “Swagbucks” for different search terms that you enter. It’s all random so you can’t game the system. However, after you get 1,000 Swagbucks, you can redeem them for gift cards or other merchandise. I cash mine in for Amazon credit most of the time or Paypal.

Click Here >>Swagbucks referral if you want to use my affiliate link.

The next way I earn a little cash is by using a portal called Rakuten, formally known as Ebates. This by far is where I make most of my money. So this is how it works: sign up for a free account (using my affiliate link), download their Chrome app on your PC. When you are shopping online, a little reminder will pop up and ask if you want to get a percentage back on your shopping trip. Click “Yes” and it will open another window so you can shop in the same store but with a tracking number they provide.

After you purchase $25 worth of merchandise, we both will receive $10. But you will continue to earn every time you shop. I get a check from them about every 3 months. Especially useful during the Christmas shopping season!

Sign up using my affiliate link here>>Rakuten

And of course there are phone apps that you can download to help with saving money:

Fetch Rewards–scan grocery receipts to earn 1% or more. They have lots of different rewards, but if you want cash they have Visa/Mastercard gift cards. You can click on the link, but you also have to use my referral code: EVRQ3

Getupside– I downloaded this the day after I filled up my tank, but a quick look on the app shows that I could’ve earned $.11/gal. for that day. You can get paid via gift cards, PayPal, or they will send you a check. You’ll get $.15/gal. back the first time you use, and so will I (so thanks!) You may have to enter my referral code: GY3RU

Ibotta – earn actual cash and redeem it for gift cards, or have it sent it to your PayPal or Venmo account. referral code JWCDTBL

Rakuten–I listed this above, but be sure to download the phone version (app) use this EVERYTIME you shop online on your phone. I purchased an appliance online and received over $200 cash back. You can download an extension on your PC or an app on your phone. You’ll receive money back in a check.

Shopkick–earn rewards by scanning and shopping for items in various stores. You even earn for walking into the store! If you remember to turn on the app, before walking through the doors. Rewards are paid through gift cards like Target, Amazon, Sephora and lots of others. My referral code is JOY996593

All these begin to add up, however, it’s not a quit-your-job kind of money. More like a let’s-go-out-to-eat kind of money.

Affiliate Marketing

Another way I make money online is by being an affiliate of different products. All the various products I have on my website are affiliate links to Amazon. Which mean, if you click on them or purchase them, I will receive some cash at no extra cost to you.

Another is the 28-Day Keto Challenge. This is a very well laid out plan. But again, you can find it online EVERYWHERE! You can even find some free online plans. Of course, some of them are trying to upsell to something else, and you know how I feel about that.

I’m also a Bluehost affiliate. Bluehost is a hosting company like GoDaddy and HostGator and lots of other ones. If you have ever wanted to start a website or a blog, you need a host. I’m an affiliate for Bluehost because that’s who hosts this site, lifewithafarmer.com. I highly recommend them for a few reasons.

Firstly, it’s very economical at $3.95/month, if you pay yearly; I think it’s $7.95 if you pay monthly.

Secondly, I have dealt with them for years and they have an awesome customer support team. Quick to respond, knowledgeable, and professionally friendly.

Thirdly, and I consider this to be impressively important, Bluehost does NOT host adult sites.

If you love to write and want to start a blog, I highly recommend Bluehost. If you have a business and want to take it online, start a website–and I would be most appreciative if you would use my affiliate link here>> Bluehost *if you need help setting up a website or a blog, contact me by leaving a comment below and I will be more than excited to help you set that up!

Wait There’s More!

Make sure you sign up for Rakuten first, because they will give you $10 cash for signing up for Bluehost. And as I was getting my referral link, I noticed that right now Bluehost is advertising for $2.95/month!

Okay. End of Special Announcements.

If you find any of this information useful, great! I hope it helps you out. Share it with others and help them out. Which in turn helps me out. Whatever makes the world turn, right?

handwritten my goals

Life-Changing Goals

Six weeks ago I started a life-changing list of goals that included:

  • Diet
  • Blog
  • Spiritual
  • Wealth

For the first few weeks, I had been succeeding in meeting my goals in weight loss, so I decided to venture off into the next step which was being more active on my website.

joshmcdonald.net

So for the last three weeks I have been more active on my website, but unfortunately, I haven’t been blogging; I’ve been fixing. Well, breaking and then fixing.

Before writing more post, I thought I needed to update a few posts and pictures; you know, like you would clean your house before special guests come to visit.

And I also wanted to get my recipe plugin setup “Juuuust right” so I could post new Keto friendly recipes!

Unfortunately, when I started fixing my website, I accidentally deleted some information and pictures, lost a few precious comments left by my special guests (you guys), and at one time my whole website went down completely.

Fortunately, my website is hosted with Bluehost and the customer service there is outstanding! I could call or chat 24/7, and after several friendly conversations through chat, I think we have things up and running again. And good news, since my viewership is so small, I don’t think anyone noticed; bad news, my viewership is so small. 🙂

So, on with my goal of being more active on my website!

To be successful with this goal, I am again trying to follow the SMART outline for succeeding. Wow! Listen to me being a goal setter. (LOL!)

  • Specific
  • Measurable
  • Attainable
  • Relevant
  • Time-bound

Gosh, it’s hard to actually put myself out there, but I need the accountability, so here it goes:

  • Specific: I’m going to be more active with my website, posting, and networking
  • Measurable: I’m going to post once a week; an article, an opinion, or a recipe
  • Attainable: I mean, it’s only one 300—800-word article per week-that should be attainable. Anyone can do that, right?
  • Relevant: Yes, posting, networking, updating the backend of my website will definitely help me to achieve the goal of being more active on my website.
  • Time-bound: Well, I would like this to be a life-changing goal, but for now I’m going to put a time frame of 21 days. I can do anything for 21 days, right?

Hey! Thanks for stopping by. If you would like to keep me accountable, or if you would like to see the awesome recipes that I plan to post, click the Subscribe button. I’m the only one that gets your email address, and I definitely won’t be sharing with anyone.


Thinking about starting your own blog or website? The first thing you’ll need is a hosting company. I highly recommend Bluehost. I’m a Bluehost affiliate because I have personally experienced their awesome customer service and reliable hosting. However, the deciding factor for me to choose Bluehost for my website was the fact that they never host adult only sites. Click on the image below to find out more.

500 Words a Day Challenge

One of my resolutions for 2014 is to write more. To help keep me accountable, I’ve joined a writer’s group that has proposed a challenge of writing 500 words per day until the end of January. So for the rest of the month I will be writing about random things in order to fulfill that challenge. I hope you find them interesting and not too random. (wow! 66 words already…hee, hee)
Okay for the first topic, I have decided to try and express why I write a blog. One reason is because I love my life here on the farm. The Farmer is sometimes uncomfortable with all the attention he gets through my blogging. And he does get highlighted a lot, but it’s because my world revolves around him, and Life With A Farmer is all about, well…living life with a farmer—and he is THAT farmer.
I also wanted to start recording my memories of things that happened in my childhood or in the past (mostly to keep them safe for future generations, because I’ve found my head is not the safest place on the planet for such things). These are a little harder, because I usually have to wait for someone to remind me of something that happened earlier in life.
Poetry is another love of mine. I find myself sing-saying things as I look out the window at the snow or take walks through the woods. Even when I’m outside watching The Farmer work, I sometimes begin to hum a poem. My Mother writes poetry also, so I’m sure I got the love of it from her. But I also contribute my love for rhyming to Dr. Suess and (oh it’s right on the tip of my tongue)…It’s a children’s show about a mannequin that would come to life when the store closed, and there was a talking mouse that talked in rhyme all the thyme J
Politics and religion are something that all bloggers are warned to stay away from because it could kill your blog faster than anything could. Therefore, I don’t usually discuss my political views—it’s not going to make a difference what I think anyway. The government has many problems on all sides—Republicans, Democrats, Independents, and whatever other party there is out there. Okay, I will say this—I think we need a complete overhaul and get back to the Constitution being our guiding factor. I’ll stop there because I feel a whole rant coming on.
However, I do write about my faith. If you have read any of my posts, you will notice that there is a defining factor of my faith in the God of the Bible. I believe in the Trinity, the miraculous birth of Christ, His sinless life, and torturous death on the cross. I believe my sins (and the sins of everyone else) were placed upon Him. I believe Jesus took my place of punishment (because I am a sinner and undeserving of Heaven), and had the power to overcome death and defeat Satan by His miraculous resurrection. And I believe that one day I will stand before God and He will say to me, “Enter into the place which My Son has prepared for you.”  
All this is found in 2 Corinthians 13:14; Luke 1:26-35; Mark 15:1-39; John 3:1-21; John 14
Okay…well there it is—556 words! I would love to hear from all who stop by and visit my blog. Please leave a comment. Also, if you have any ideas on a subject I can write on in January, write it in the comment section below and I’ll try to accommodate. Have a blessed day!