Tomorrow, I’m going to New York City for an entire week. A trip this long would typically mean lots of packing stress for me, but this time, things went a lot more smoothly.
Before I attempted to pack anything, I planned my outfits on paper, which worked out quite nicely. It really helped get my thoughts (aka outfits) in order. Otherwise, I’d pack a whole bunch of clothing and have “nothing to wear” when I got to my destination.
It may not look it, but the mess on my bed is actually somewhat organized!
So, all of this…
Turned into a nice, neat suitcase in less than 30 minutes, thanks to a little pre-planning.
Woohoo! I’m a packing queen! 
I refuse to check luggage when I fly, but since I’m traveling by train to NYC, I decided to take my BIG suitcase for the week. Now, I have room for BlogHer swag! 
While I packed, the pug snoozed on Mal’s lap.
I swear, this dog can sleep just about anywhere.
And check out what came in the mail for me today: Larabars!!! But, not just any Larabars… the NEW flavors, including the carrot cake bar, which I’ve been dying to try! Thank you, Brittany and Andi! 
Of course, I immediately broke into the carrot cake Larabar. I loved it! 
Lunch
I considered making a big, healthy salad for lunch, but leftover buffalo chicken pizza won me over. In my world: buffalo chicken pizza > salad.
After lunch, I broke into my Larabar stash once again and tried the Chocolate Chip Cookie flavor. Everyone has been raving about it lately, so I was curious to try it for myself.
All I have to say is oh my. This bar really, truly tastes like cookie dough. I will be buying a lot more of these in the future.
Answers to Your Questions
I loved reading everyone’s stories about quitting their jobs. Quite a few of you had inspiring stories that led to bigger and better things. So cool!
Here are my responses to your questions from this morning:
When you were researching, did you come across any jobs in the field that don’t require an RD or Nutrition degree? If so, could you please give me some examples?
I’m not an RD and I don’t have a Nutrition degree, so I didn’t consider jobs that required either of these qualifications. Instead, I looked for marketing and social media jobs in the health and fitness fields.
When did you notice people starting to take your blog seriously (as in career-wise)?
I’m not really sure, but I started to take my blog more seriously about a year into writing it. I really enjoyed blogging and my readership continued to grow every month, so I started to see a future career in blogging.
How did you go about writing articles for various websites?
Most websites contact me to write pieces for them and I rarely turn down an opportunity to get my name out there. I do a lot of writing for free!
My gig with Health was 100% luck and good timing! I emailed Health to inquire about some freelance work and, at the same time, they were looking for someone, who lost weight and maintained it, to contribute to their Feel Great Weight program. A few of the Health editors were readers of my blog, so I think that helped too!
Do you earn money primarily off website ads? Writing articles for NuVal? Or are there other tricks of the trade?
I have multiple sources of income. My full-time job is blogging for Carrots ‘N’ Cake, which is part of the Foodbuzz community. I earn money as a Featured Publisher by displaying Foodbuzz ads on the main page of my blog. I also write another blog called Trading Up Downtown for NuVal. In addition, I write a weekly feature for Health.com as part of their Feel Great Weight program and I promote events online and via social media for a local fine wines company.
As far as tricks of the trade, my best advice is to work your connections and don’t turn down opportunities to get your name out there. You never know where you might find your next gig!
I know bloggers never want to say how much money they make, but I really want to know if you can get to a point that it really is a good source of money? And how much can I expect to make? Are we talking $100 or $1000 or what?
Blogging can definitely be a good source of money. I’m not comfortable revealing any specific numbers, but I make enough money to live comfortably. I’m also really good with money and know how to stretch a dollar, so it works for me.
If you weren’t married, would you be able to make it all work – pay rent, all your bills, etc.? Could you do what you’re doing know without another income coming in?
Yes, absolutely. Mal doesn’t financially support me in any way. We split all of our financial responsibilities 50/50. Of course, if one of us lost our job or couldn’t work, things would change. When I quit my full-time job, I made sure that my blog and various part-time gigs were enough to support myself.
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You’re SO good at packing! Wil you come pack my bags for the HLS!!?
I love reading about how you became a full time blogger – it must be amazing to do something so fun full time
i’m getting better and better at packing the more i do it. have a great time tina and thanks for sharing your blogger career tips with us too!
You really plan out your outfits on paper? That seems really involved just to pack a suitcase, no?
I think it is important to split eberything 50/50 even though one of the spouses earns more
This way, you know that whatever might happen, you both will be okay 
i love the idea of planning outfits…i’ll be keeping that in mind as i pack for stuff that’s coming up! and then you never have to wonder if you brought stuff that matches
thanks for answering the questions! i’m really hoping someday in the next year i can make that same career move as you did
I try to work on my packing skills every time I need to do it, but I think it is my horrible stacking problem that keeps things unorganized when I need to get ready to go anywhere! I blame myself! Great job packing!
Loved reading all those answers. So interesting! I really hope to continue putting more and more effort into my blog and seeing where it goes. I have no expectations, but still want to give it my all since I love writing and sharing insight with others. I wonder if there will be room for two Tinas out there in the writing and blogging world. LOL
Haha, that’s what my bed looks like while I’m packing too
Nice candid answers on blogging for a living!
I’m going to be in NYC this weekend, are you going to have any time to meet any readers/fellow bloggers?
Wow, that is some serious packing. Planning outfits is a great way to stay organized. I do that for all my trips and it really quickens the whole process.
thanks for this, tina. you’ve inspired a lot of us (obviously) to consider how to best go about getting a happier life, even in this economy. i’ve been feeling a bit like a financial drain on my boyfriend, but i think you’ve got me thinking more about freelancing, and dedicating more time to my “real” work. ironically, i was a writing and publishing major in college and it is my passion, but i still am waaaay to timid to work for “legitimate” publications. that’s mainly why i started blogging– if i’m my own editor, who’s going to challenge me? but i think i need to start putting myself out there, growing, and feeling more confident in my work. you’re awesome! i love reading your blog every day.
Hearing all of the answers to your questions was definitely helpful and inspiring. Thank you so much!
I love reading your answers about how you got into blogging full-time!
Can’t wait to read up about your adventures at BlogHer.
I love all the answers! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much for taking the time to share all of this information with us. Its helpful to see what hard work can do and it’s awesome to see you SO happy!
thanks for sharing!
Thanks for sharing a lot of this personal info with us. I have often considered blogging for a living, and wanted to know if I could comfortably support myself from it. This may be the turning point for me & I may start a blog because of you. Thanks!!
i’m also going to BlogHer, I cannot WAIT!!
Loved reading your answers to all those questions – so interesting, thanks for sharing
Great answers! Thanks for sharing
You are a packing queen!
I just tried the chocolate chip brownie one this morning. It was SO GOOD! I can’t wait to try the carrot cake! All those new ones, with the exception of the carrot cake flavor, were at my “local” (if 60 miles away can be considered local) Market Street.
I’m so glad you’re posting this information about making the blog a job! That’s the direction I’m headed, and sometimes it’s discouraging with the feeling that I never have time to blog because I spend most the day behind a desk doing work I don’t enjoy. In fact, I’m not supposed to be reading blogs right now. O.O
I agree that taking the time to write out a packing list is so helpful! I was taught to pack this way growing up and I think that it actually saves a lot of time in terms of that fashion brain freeze that happens both standing in front of your closet trying to pack and staring at your suitcase while on the trip! Props to you for figuring out what works best for you.
Really interesting points about blogging/writing for a living. Thanks for answering these questions for us Tina!
Oh, and @bikinibirthday, I plan my outfits on paper almost every time I pack, especially when it’s for a conference! Maybe it’s easier for some people, but otherwise I’ll way overpack.
Uh jealous! I haven’t seen the carrot cake Larabars anywhere here in Colorado! I take it they don’t have them in Boston yet?
I really enjoy reading your blog, and my last week end which I spent in Vermont really made me think of you!
I really think it is amazing to see people like you, changing their lives to do what they really want. I have a more european way of thinking and I hope I’ll be like you one day.
American people have this amazing strenght to accomplish their dreams and to make everything looks possible.
Thanks a lot for your example Tina
I am still a little curious about how you get into blogging, I know very little about it! Do you have to pay a monthly fee? How do you become a featured publisher and what does that entail? I obviously do not have a blog right now, but am interested in possibly starting one!
That is such a good tip to plan your outfits before you pack! I just throw stuff in and inevitably don’t wear half of it!
Tina, thank you for sharing all of these questions. I really enjoyed reading them and learning from them. By the way slowly, slowly by reading your blog packing is becoming less stressful for me
@Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday:
I plan my outfits out on paper too, I’m super unorganized by nature, so doing this ensures that I actually have outfits to wear. My tendency would be to just grab random things, and hope it turns out ok. Also, it keeps me from overpacking.
Dying to try the carrot cake Larabar!
So glad you received the Carrot Cake Larabar – I knew you would love it! I have yet to try the other new flavors. My fingers are crossed that I’ll find them soon.
Also, thanks for answering the questions about blogging for a living. It’s inspiring to know that if you work hard at something you love, it can potentially land you your dream job.
Dude you’re freaking me out. I haven’t even THOUGHT about my outfits until just a few minutes ago. I have no idea what I am packing! BUT since I see you are bringing a big suitcase… I might too. I was going to bring two small ones, but it might just be a lot easier to bring my big guy!
Wow! That is so awesome that you make enough money to be a professional blogger! Lucky you : )
@Mac: Check out my FAQs for my post called “So, You Want to Start a Blog.” It’ll point you in the right direction.
That buffalo chicken pizza looks awesome! One of my new favorites! Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on the day) there is a pizza place in my apartment building. Thank goodness for self discipline or i’d be in trouble!
Have a safe trip into the city! Still searching for the Carrot Cake Larabar myself, looks soooo good!
Are you by any chance going to the Martha Stewart Blogger Event on Thursday night in NYC? The guest list is so huge I didn’t get a chance to read all of the names!
That Q/A was so interesting!
I’m also going on a trip for a week in a few days and I will def. be planning all my outfits so I don’t overpack–I have a problem with that.
Also, I still haven’t seen new Larabars ANYWHERE. ): It’s a tragedy.
I’ve been reading Carrots N Cake for over a year, but I feel like in the last few posts I’ve gotten to “know” you better.. is that weird? I just hope it’s not creepy! ;D
And I LOVE your duvet cover – where is it from?
I love those bars too! They have great flavor! Welcome to NYC!
My my, you ARE a good packer!!! I’m not fashionable enough to even put together an outfit, so my packing would never go that well.
I am, however, good at cramming a whole lot of stuff in small suitcase. 
@Ella @ The Princess and the P: Ikea 4 or 5 years ago.
Thank you so much for resposting your transition into full time blogging/quitting your job. I will be changing careers in the next month or so and quitting my current job to take on something more in life with my passion and life goals. It is scary and a bit stressful but exciting. I know its silly to say because I KNOW I am not the only person ever to do this, but it is very comforting reading other bloggers’ stories as they too have changed careers and written so honestly about these changes! So, thank you, thank you!
The question and answer section was really interesting! I’m so glad you’ve found something you LOVE!
Thanks for answering all of those questions! Your story is truly inspiring — I love hearing about people actually following their dreams! And buffalo chicken pizza is wayyyyy better than salad!
Thanks for the candid answers about blogging for a living, it’s really interesting. I’ve always been impressed with how hard you work and the care you put into your blog, so I’m glad you have found success with it!
If you’re still answering questions, do readers who primarily read through feed aggregators or use ad-blocking software significantly affect your bottom line?
I never check bags either. I am too afraid something will happen to them. I loved your tips. I would kill for your job! Thanks for being such an inspiration.
I kind of LOVE packing. It’s such a challenge to get it all in there, haha.
Thanks for all of your honesty and advice in your responses! It’s refreshing and helpful =)
when I was young, getting ready to go to camp or on vacation, I’d write a long list of everything I wanted to pack. It was so organized. Now, I wait till the last minute and hope I get everything! I don’t know what happened to me! haha!
These are great tips, Tina, and perfect for where I am in my life right now. . .
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