Let me begin with a confession: Three years ago, I found myself lying awake at 2 AM, gazing at the ceiling, pondering how I would ever achieve financial success. You know the feeling, right? Realizing your paycheck barely covers your expenses, let alone your dreams, can leave you with a knot in your stomach.
My student loans were consuming my life. My "savings account" resembled a checking account, often containing only $47. And travel? Ha! The furthest I was going was to the grocery store, armed with coupons and my phone calculator.
But here's what changed everything: I stopped contemplating making an extra $7,000 a month as this impossible mountain to climb and started seeing it for what it really is—just $233 a day. When you analyze it in that manner, it no longer appears as an insurmountable challenge, does it?
Fast forward to today, and I'm earning over $100,000 a month through various income streams. I'm not telling you this to brag—trust me, I'm still that same person who gets excited about finding a good parking spot. If I, who had to Google "what is affiliate marketing" back in the day, can figure this out, so can you.
🎯 Key Takeaways (Because I Know You're Busy and Maybe a Little Scared)
- It's absolutely doable: thousands of regular people are already doing this—you just need the right roadmap.
- You'll probably need 2-3 income streams: Putting all your eggs in one basket rarely works (learned that the hard way).
- Start with what you already know: your existing skills are your secret weapon.
- Think $233/day, not $7,000/month: This mental shift changes everything.
- Perfection is your enemy: My first blog post was terrible. My first sale was $1.37. But I started.
Why $7,000 a Month Changes Everything (And Why It Almost Made Me Cry)
Here's the thing nobody talks about—an extra $7,000 isn't just about the money. It's about finally being able to breathe. It concerns the ability to avoid having to choose between repaying your student loan and attending your best friend's wedding. It's about being able to say "yes" to opportunities instead of "I can't afford it."
When I first started this journey, my goals were embarrassingly simple:
- Clear my student loans prior to reaching the age of 80 (indeed, that is precisely how it felt).
- Have actual savings that mean something.
- Travel somewhere that requires a passport.
- Have the freedom to pursue work I loved, not just tolerated.
Spoiler alert: I achieved all of these, and the ripple effects went way beyond what I expected. The extra income gave me the confidence to take bigger risks, the security to invest in myself, and, most importantly, the peace of mind to actually sleep through the night.
However, it's important to acknowledge that the journey wasn't without its challenges. There were moments of doubt, failed attempts, and yes, even some tears. But each setback taught me something valuable that I'm about to share with you.
Here are the 14 effective methods that produce real results, not just theoretical concepts.
Look, I've tried everything. And I mean everything. I've experimented with everything from dubious "make $5,000 in your first week" schemes to legitimate businesses that have proven to be successful. Here are the 14 methods that can realistically get you to $7,000 a month, based on what I've personally done or seen work for others.
1. Start a Blog (My Game-Changer)
Okay, I know what you're thinking. "Really, Jordan? Another person telling me to start a blog?" However, it's important to understand that this is not a quick-money scheme. This scenario is real.
I started my blog completely by accident. I literally just wanted to document my own financial journey and maybe vent about student loans to the internet. I had zero—and I mean ZERO—idea that people could make money from blogging.
After six months, a miraculous event occurred. I made my first dollar. Actually, it was $1.37 from an Amazon affiliate link, and I screenshotted it and sent it to everyone I knew. Then I made my first hundred. Then... well, let's just say it escalated quickly. Over the past 10+ years, I've earned millions from my blog, and I work from anywhere I want.
The emotional truth about blogging: Those first few months, you'll feel like you're talking to an empty room. You'll question everything. "Am I wasting my time? "Is there interest in what I have to share?" Push through that feeling. Everyone who's successful now felt that same way.
What I love most about blogging is that you're literally getting paid to share your knowledge and help people. Whether you're passionate about personal finance, cooking, parenting, or even collecting vintage video games, there are people out there who want to learn from you.
Real talk: Blogging isn't instant money. But if you're willing to show up consistently and provide genuine value, it can completely transform your life. Plus, you can start for less than $100—that's less than a decent pair of shoes.
2. Sell Digital Products (The "Create Once, Sell Forever" Dream)
This one makes me genuinely excited because it's so accessible. You know those adorable planners you see on Pinterest? The budget worksheets? Do you mean the party invitations? People are making thousands selling these.
What astounds me is that once you create something, such as a meal planning template that requires 3 hours of work, you can continue to sell it indefinitely. You can do this while you sleep. You can do this while working at your day job. You're engrossed in a Netflix binge.
I've been thinking about starting a printables business myself for years (yes, even successful bloggers procrastinate!), and I keep meeting people who casually mention they make $3,000–$5,000 a month from their Etsy shops.
The beginner's advantage: You don't need to be a graphic designer. Tools like Canva have templates for everything. Start with something simple—even a grocery list template—and build from there.
3. Become a Bookkeeper (No Accounting Degree Required)
This one surprised me, too. You don't need to be a CPA or even have an accounting degree to become a bookkeeper. If you're the friend who actually balances their checkbook (do people still do that?) and gets weirdly excited about spreadsheets, this role could be your thing.
Here's the beautiful part: Small business owners desperately need this help, and they're happy to pay $300-$500+ per client each month. By managing just 15 clients, you can earn $7,000. And once you get a client, they usually stick with you for years.
I know several online bookkeepers, and they all say the same thing: "I wish I'd started sooner." There's something satisfying about bringing order to chaos, and getting paid well for it doesn't hurt either.
4. Start a Remote Cleaning Business (Yes, Remote!)
Wait, what? A remote cleaning business? Stay with me here—this is genius.
You're not cleaning anything. Instead, you're managing a team of cleaners and handling all the scheduling and customer service. Think of yourself as the conductor of an orchestra, except the orchestra is cleaning houses.
With the explosion of Airbnb rentals, hosts are desperate for reliable cleaning management. They'll gladly pay someone to handle this headache for them. I've seen people build their incomes to $5,000-$10,000+ per month, all managed from their laptop.
The mindset shift: Stop thinking you need to do everything yourself. Occasionally the real money is in managing and organizing, not in doing the actual work.
5. Invest in Real Estate (It's Not Just for Rich People)
I used to think real estate investing was only for people who already had money. Turns out, I was wrong.
You can start small:
- House hacking: Rent out a spare bedroom. I did this, and it covered half my mortgage.
- Buy a duplex: live in one side, rent the other.
- REITs or Fundrise: Start investing with as little as $10.
The emotional side of real estate? It feels incredibly empowering to own something that makes you money while you sleep. Even if you start by renting out your garage for storage, you're building toward something bigger.
6. Print-on-Demand (Your Creativity, Without the Inventory Nightmare)
Remember when everyone thought you were weird for your obsession with cat puns? Well, consider this—thousands of individuals would be eager to purchase a mug featuring your witty feline wordplay.
Print-on-demand means you create the design, upload it to platforms like Redbubble or Printful, and they handle everything else. No inventory in your garage. No trips to the post office. The focus is solely on fostering creativity and maximizing profits.
I've witnessed individuals making significant profits from seemingly insignificant niches. Sarcastic quotes for nurses? Money maker. Is there a market for left-handed guitarists? There's a market. Your weirdness is someone else's perfection.
7. Teach What You Know (Yes, People Will Pay You)
Here's something that took me far too long to realize: You know things that other people desperately want to learn. And they'll pay good money for your knowledge.
Maybe you're excellent at Excel and can teach professionals. Maybe you play guitar and can give lessons over Zoom. Maybe you know how to prep meals for a family of five for $50 a week. That's valuable!
I started my own online course nearly 10 years ago, and I was terrified. "Who am I to teach anyone anything?" But here's what I learned: You don't need to be the world's greatest expert. You just need to be a few steps ahead of the people you're helping.
8. Become a Proofreader (Get Paid to Spot Typos)
If you're the person who mentally corrects restaurant menus and gets physically uncomfortable when you see "your" used instead of "you're," congratulations—you have a marketable skill.
Proofreading is perfect for detail-oriented people, and you can do it from anywhere. Bloggers like me, students, and businesses—we all need help catching our mistakes. I've been paying a proofreader for years, and she's worth every penny.
What's the best part? You can start with zero experience. There are courses that teach you the technical stuff, but honestly, if you're naturally adept at spotting errors, you're already halfway there.
9. Rent Out Your Stuff (Make Your Possessions Work for You).
This one feels almost like cheating. You literally make money from things you already own:
- Does your car sit idle 95% of the time? Rent it on Turo.
- Have an RV gathering dust? List it on RVshare.
- Do you have extra space in your garage? Rent it on Neighbor for storage.
I know someone who bought a used RV for $15,000, rents it out, and makes $2,000 a month. The RV paid for itself in less than a year, and now it's pure profit.
10. Freelance Writing (Turn Your Words into Cash)
If you can write a coherent email, you can be a freelance writer. I'm serious.
Businesses need blog posts, websites need content, and someone has to write all those emails you get. Why not you? I know writers making anywhere from $500 to $10,000+ per month, and many of them started with no experience.
The confidence issue arises when you think, "But I'm not a writer!" Neither was I. Neither were the most successful writers when they started. You become a writer by writing. Start with topics you know, and expand from there.
11. Virtual Assistant (The Swiss Army Knife of Online Work)
Being a VA saved me when I was starting out. It's flexible, you can start immediately, and business owners desperately need help.
VAs do everything from managing emails to scheduling social media posts to customer service. The variety keeps it intriguing, and you're constantly learning new skills. Plus, at $20–$50+ per hour, you can reach $7,000 a month with just a handful of regular clients.
My VA is absolutely essential to my business now. She handles things I don't have time for (or honestly, don't want to do), and I happily pay her well for it. Be that person for someone else.
12. Flip Items for Profit (Modern-Day Treasure Hunting)
This is how I made extra money when I first started my blog. I'd hit up thrift stores, find designer jeans for $5, and flip them on eBay for $40-50.
It's like treasure hunting, except the treasure pays your bills. People are making serious money by flipping all kinds of items, including furniture, electronics, vintage clothing, and sports equipment. One person's "getting rid of this" is another person's "I've been looking everywhere for it!"
13. Affiliate Marketing (My Bread and Butter)
For me, this is the magical moment. Affiliate marketing is simply recommending products you already use and love and earning a commission when people buy through your link.
The keyword there is "love." Don't promote garbage just for the commission. When you genuinely recommend things that have helped you, people trust you, and everybody wins.
I make the majority of my income through affiliate marketing now, and it still feels surreal. I'm getting paid to say, "Hey, this thing is awesome; you should try it."
14. Combine Multiple Streams (The Real Secret)
Here's the truth bomb: Most people making $7,000+ a month aren't doing just one thing. They're combining two or three methods that work together.
When I was building to $7,000 a month, I was:
- Working my day job (steady income)
- Building my blog (future income)
- Flipping clothes (immediate extra cash)
- I am doing paid surveys while watching Netflix, as every dollar counts.
Was it exhausting occasionally? Yes. Was it worth it? Absolutely. Having multiple streams also means if one dips, you're not panicking.
The Emotional Rollercoaster Nobody Warns You About
Can we talk about the feelings for a minute? No one prepared me for the emotional journey of creating income streams.
Months 1-3: Excitement mixed with terror. "This could work!" followed immediately by "What am I doing? This idea is stupid."
Months 4-6: The doubt phase. This is where most people quit. You're working hard but not seeing huge results yet. Push through. Please, push through.
Months 7-9: Things start clicking. You make your first real money. It might just be $500, but it's proof that your strategy works.
Months 10-12: Momentum builds. You're figuring out what works, ditching what doesn't. You can see $7,000 a month on the horizon.
Beyond this point, you come to understand that the ceiling you once imagined is not real. If you can make $7,000, why not $10,000? Why not $20,000?
Your Greatest Obstacles (And How to Demolish Them)
Let's address the elephants in the room—those thoughts keeping you from starting:
"I don't have any special skills."
Neither did I. I literally learned everything through Google and YouTube. Your willingness to learn IS a special skill.
"I don't have time."
I built my business while working full-time. Start with 30 minutes a day. That's one less episode on Netflix. You have time for what you prioritize.
"What if I fail?"
You will fail. Multiple times. I failed at drop shipping, at my first blog, and at so many things. But each failure taught me something that led to success. Failure is data, not defeat.
"It's too late to start."
I get emails every week from people in their 50s, 60s, and even 70s who are building successful online businesses. It's only too late if you never start.
The Truth About Making $7,000 a Month
Here's what I wish someone had told me when I was starting: Making $7,000 a month isn't about finding some secret hack or magic formula. It's about deciding you deserve better and then showing up every day to make it happen.
It's about those small, unglamorous actions that nobody sees. Writing blog posts when you'd rather watch TV. Learning new skills when your brain hurts. It's about persevering when you feel like giving up.
But it's also about something bigger. It's about proving to yourself that you can do hard things. It's about creating options for your future. It's about never having to lie awake at 2 AM worrying about money again.
Your 90-Day Quick Start Plan
Enough inspiration—let's get practical. Here's precisely what to do:
Days 1-7: Choose Your Path
- Pick 2-3 methods from this list that genuinely interest you.
- Research each for 30 minutes.
- Choose one to focus on first.
Days 8-30: Set Your Foundation
- Set up your basic systems (blog, profiles, and accounts).
- Commit to 30 minutes a day, minimum.
- Join relevant Facebook groups or communities.
- Start learning (free YouTube videos are fine!).
Days 31-60: Take Imperfect Action
- Please go ahead and publish your first blog post, even if it isn't perfect.
- Apply to your first freelance job.
- Create your first product.
- Make your first flip.
- Do SOMETHING that moves you forward.
Days 61-90: Optimize and Scale
- Focus on enhancing what is already proving successful.
- Cut what isn't.
- Add a second income stream if the first is gaining traction.
- Celebrate every small win (seriously, this matters).
The Million Dollar Question
As I write this, sitting in my home office (okay, it's my couch, but it counts), making more money than I ever dreamed possible, I keep thinking about that scared person I was just a few years ago.
If I had the opportunity to advise my former self, it would be this: "Begin regardless." Start scared. Start imperfectly. Just start."
In a year, you'll either be earning $7,000 monthly, or you'll regret not starting earlier.
So let me ask you this: What would your life look like if you were making an extra $7,000 every single month? Really picture it. Feel it. Can you sense that sensation? That's not a fantasy. That's your future, if you're brave enough to reach for it.
Your Next Step (Yes, Right Now)
I know you're fired up right now. Good. Use that energy. But motivation is temporary—systems are forever.
Please proceed with the following actions immediately (prior to closing this tab):
- Choose ONE method from this list that made you think, "I could do that."
- Set a timer for 15 minutes.
- Research that one method.
- Take one tiny action toward starting (buy a domain, create a profile, watch one tutorial).
That's it. One tiny action. This is how every $7,000 a month begins: with one person deciding they deserve better and taking a small step forward.
I believe in you. Not in a cheesy, motivational poster way. But in a real, "I've been where you are, and I know you can do this" way.
Now stop reading and start doing. Your $7,000 a month is waiting.
P.S. -Want to know the exact blueprint I used to build my blog to over $100,000 per month? I've put everything I know into my free course that's already helped over 80,000 people start their blogs. No fluff, no BS, just the exact steps that work. Your future self will thank you for starting today.
📌 Remember This When Things Get Hard
Print this out. Save it on your phone. Read it when you want to quit:
"Every expert was once a disaster. Every pro was once an amateur. Every success story started with someone who had no idea what they were doing but started anyway. That someone is you. Keep going."
