.css-b6hwm3-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:inherit;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:#9a0500;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;word-break:break-word;.css-b6hwm3:hovercolor:#595959;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;Black Friday and Cyber Monday are less than two months away. I repeat, Black Friday and Cyber Monday—a.k.a. the biggest sale events of the year—are just six weeks away. The fourth Friday and last Monday of November might still seem far off, but serious holiday shoppers know all too well the festive season creeps up out of nowhere, and fast, meaning now’s the time to start thinking gifts.
Historically, several retailers such as Amazon and Nordstrom have offered major deals on fashion finds, coveted beauty, and top-of-the-line luggage, but if you’re in the market for the best home decor gifts, in particular, you’ve come to the right page. In addition to Amazon and Nordstrom, brands like Serena & Lily, Lowe’s, and Wayfair have also become the go-to places for all things chic accents, furniture, and luxury bedding. While most sites have yet to announce this year’s discounts, there are still several items currently on sale that you can snap up early.
Whether you’re looking to pick up high-end furniture for your place, know of new homeowners who could use a thoughtful housewarming gift, or wish to bestow a cozy present for the homebody in your life, here you’ll find all the best home deals to shop ahead of the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales. Word to the wise: Watch this space as we’ll be continuously making updates as more brands announce their discount offers.
Do you want to sell printables online and make extra money? If so, you may be interested in learning about one of the most popular printables courses out there – Gold City Ventures E-Printables course. In this Gold City Ventures Review, I will help you learn everything that you can about this course so that…
Do you want to sell printables online and make extra money? If so, you may be interested in learning about one of the most popular printables courses out there – Gold City Ventures E-Printables course.
In this Gold City Ventures Review, I will help you learn everything that you can about this course so that you can decide if you should take it or not.
Gold City Ventures E-Printables course is one of the best printables courses out there, and it has a lot of positive reviews. But, is it for you? Continue reading to learn more!
Please click here if you want to sign up for the E-Printables course.
Key Takeaways
Selling printables on Etsy can be a great side hustle because you just need to create them once, and you can sell them an unlimited amount of times.
Gold City Ventures E-Printables course will teach you how to create, market, and sell digital files on Etsy for passive income.
This course is for you if you’re looking for a fun and profitable side hustle selling printables online.
You don’t need previous graphic design skills or to be tech-savvy in order to start this side hustle – this course is great for beginners.
You can sell printables on other sites too with what you learn from this course, such as at Teachers Pay Teachers.
There is a free workshop: Earn Money Selling Printables.
The Gold City Ventures course cost is $247.
Do you want to make money selling printables online? This free training will give you great ideas on what you can sell, how to get started, the costs, and how to make sales.
Gold City Ventures E-Printables Course Review
What are e-printables?
E-printables are a type of digital product that you can create and sell online. They are design files that customers can purchase and then print at home or use digitally.
You’ve probably used a printable before and so have many others. The printable business is very popular right now, and many people use printables every single day.
You can make printables for all sorts of things, like holidays (such as Valentine’s Day, Halloween, and Christmas), baby showers, bachelorette parties, birthday celebrations, greeting cards, a habit tracker, calendars, educational resources, grocery shopping, a meal planner, digital planners, party invitations, jar labels, gifts, and more.
Once you decide what to sell (which this course will definitely help you do), and after you’ve finished designing them (which the course will also help you do), you can sell them on platforms like Etsy or your own website. When someone makes a purchase, you earn money without having to physically make or ship anything.
If you want to learn how to make and sell e-printables, courses like the Gold City Ventures E-Printables course can teach you step-by-step. They’ll show you important skills like designing, marketing, and selling online so you can have a successful e-printables business.
Recommended reading: How I Make Money Selling Printables On Etsy
Why sell printables on Etsy?
Selling printables on Etsy is a popular way for people like you to earn money with minimal effort. Once you create and list your designs, you can keep earning from repeat sales without doing more work.
This means that this can be a great way to make passive income. If you make a popular printable and set up your shop to be easily found in searches, it can keep making sales over time without needing a lot of extra work.
This means that you can choose when to work and can do it from anywhere with internet access. This can be especially great for people who want a part-time job or to work from their own homes.
Plus, making and selling printables doesn’t have actual materials for you to buy or the need to spend money on shipping. This leads to earning more money compared to selling physical items as you’ll have low expenses.
Etsy also has a big audience, which makes it a great place to sell your printables.
What is Gold City Ventures?
Gold City Ventures could be exactly what you need to learn how to generate passive income. If you’ve ever thought about selling printables on Etsy, then the Gold City Ventures E-Printables course can help you turn this into a fun way to make extra money from home.
Gold City Ventures is a website that sells a full training course that teaches you how to earn money by selling printables online.
Cody Berman and Julie Berninger, the founders, created this course to help others learn from their own successful experiences in running Etsy shops and making money online.
Julie makes over $1,000 per month in her Etsy shop, The Swag Elephant, and Cody was hooked on printables since earning over $700 in passive income in one week while on a ski vacation.
Some of the success stories from people who have taken this course:
Sasha H. is an accounting professional and mother of two who sells budgeting printables to help families reach their money goals. Ever since taking the course, she has made over 10,000 sales in her printables store.
Jen G. took the course in 2019 and since then has made over 7,200 sales with her online shop.
What’s in Gold City Ventures?
Below, I will be talking about what is in the E-Printables course.
What’s included in the Gold City Ventures E-Printables course?
The E-Printables course by Gold City Ventures is designed to teach you everything you need to create and sell digital products on Etsy.
This course comes with step-by-step instructions on how to make money selling printables, from brainstorming what to sell all the way to listing your printable on Etsy. This course will teach you what to do, even if you are brand new. The course also comes with free templates which will reduce the amount of time you spend creating printables, as they give you over 30 done-for-you templates for Canva that you can just make small edits to and then list in your shop quickly.
Even if you are brand new to graphic design, this course will teach you everything that you need to know.
The modules included in the Gold City Ventures E-Printables side hustle course are:
Module 1: Getting Started –This module is an introduction to the course and gives you an overview of what you will learn.
Module 2: What Should You Sell? – These lessons will give you background information on what exactly a printable is, over 50 printable ideas, and more.
Module 3: Getting Started Making Printables – These lessons will teach you how to start making printables and includes finding fonts and pictures and a seller handbook.
Module 4: Canva Overview – This module gives you an overview of Canva, which is a graphic design tool that you will use to make printables.
Module 5: How To Make Printables With Canva – You will learn how to create a design in Canva in this module, as the module name suggests. You will learn how to use their Canva templates, how to make thank you cards, gift tags, coupons, and more.
Module 6: How To Make Canva Templates –This module will teach you how to make templates that you can sell.
Module 7: Creating Editable Printables With Corjl – These lessons will teach you how to use a different graphic design tool to create editable printables that you can sell.
Module 8: Packaging Your Printable –This module will teach you how to package your printables for sale as well as best practices.
Module 9: Making Listing Images –These lessons will show you how to make listing images, such as what a person sees when they search on Etsy for a product. This will be the image that entices them to click on your printable listing.
Module 10: Listing Your Product – These lessons teach you how to start your shop, how to list your product, how to decide what to sell a printable at, and more.
Module 11: Keyword Research Tools –This module will help you create better searchable listings for your products, such as how to do keyword research and all about Etsy SEO.
Module 12: Marketing And Advertising –These lessons go over coupons and sales, how to promote your printables on Pinterest, and more.
Module 13: Optimizing Your Shop – This module teaches you how to improve your sales, find a niche, and see success.
Module 14: Etsy Sellers App –This module goes over the Etsy Sellers App, how to monitor orders, and how to talk with customers.
As you can see, there are many helpful modules and lessons included in this course.
On top of all of that, you will also learn their seasonal product strategy. One of the reasons why students in this course make sales so quickly is because they follow their seasonal product strategy. They fully outline their seasonal trends strategy including all of the tools and resources you need. Some students have even made sales on their first day in the course with their Etsy printables business.
How much is the Gold City Ventures course?
The Gold City Ventures E-Printables course costs $247.
There are free resources that can help you get started, too, such as the free workshop: Earn Money Selling Printables. This free workshop will teach you how to get started selling printables. You will learn different ideas for printables to sell, how to get started on Etsy, and how to actually make sales.
Also, you can sign up for this free ebook that helps you figure out where to start when it comes to selling printables on Etsy. This can be a great way to get started and learn how to sell digital downloads on Etsy.
Who is the Gold City Ventures course for?
The Gold City Ventures course is for people who want to make money selling printables. It doesn’t matter if you’re new to digital design or already sell on Etsy. This course gives you helpful tips to do well in the e-printables market.
This course is for you if:
You want a fun and money-making side job by selling printable items on the internet.
You’re a creative person looking for a way to create passive income.
You want to make a few hundred (or thousand) extra dollars each month.
You want to work from home.
Pros and Cons of Gold City Ventures E-Printables Side Hustle Course:
Pros:
This course covers everything you need to know about making and selling printables.
The course was created by experienced Etsy sellers Julie Berninger (from the popular blog Millennial Boss) and Cody Berman (a well-known financial independence retire-early expert). There are also very helpful successful printables experts who are in their support group answering questions.
Helps jump-start your Etsy shop with actionable steps (there’s no fluff in this course – they teach you step-by-step).
You can possibly earn over $1,000 per month selling printables after taking a printables course.
There really weren’t any cons that I found in the course. But, some things to know include:
You must be willing to invest time and effort to learn and apply the course material as there are a lot of modules and lessons.
The course does have a cost. It is relatively low, though, at $247.
VIP Membership perks
One of the best parts about the E-Printables course is the bonus you get.
When you buy the course, you get a free trial of their VIP Membership for 30 days, and it starts right after you make the purchase.
The VIP Membership comes with two important things: 1) Their special Facebook group for VIPs, and 2) The VIP Membership Vault.
In the VIP Facebook group:
They organize live Q&A sessions, strategy talks, and virtual chats.
They hold monthly sessions where you can get help with graphic design to make your printables look even better.
You have daily access to three experienced experts in their paid group, each with a track record of thousands of printables sales on Etsy.
They will answer all your questions and respond to your requests for feedback on your shop.
And more.
The VIP Membership Vault comes with:
100+ bonus videos including guest interviews, technical training, and advanced strategies
5 brand new template packs you’ll receive every month that you can use for free in your business
Behind the scenes with 6- and 7-figure printables sellers
Even if you don’t have Facebook, you can still access this. Their live events are shared afterwards to the VIP Vault, and you can watch the video replay.
If you decide to continue with the VIP Membership after the initial 30 days, there will be a monthly charge of $29 until you reach 100 sales. They celebrate their “100 Sales Club” members at Gold City Ventures, and you’ll get a special prize sent to you by mail, along with a complimentary VIP Membership.
Note: You are not required to have the VIP Membership, and you can cancel it whenever you want. You’ll always have access to the E-Printables course itself, no matter what.
Refund policy
There is a 7-day refund policy as long as you don’t go past Module 1. If the course isn’t for you, they will give you a full refund, but you will want to make sure that you stay within this limit.
Gold City Ventures reviews and success stories
As you learn more about Gold City Ventures, you’ll see that lots of people have done well with their E-Printables course. This course shows you step-by-step how to make and start your own printable business. It can be a great way to make extra money on the side or even as a full-time job if you’re willing to work hard.
Many students have talked about how much they liked the course. They’ve gone from making their first printable on Etsy to earning a steady income from their online store. There are lots of success stories. People think the course materials are well-organized, easy to use, and packed with helpful advice and techniques.
Some of the things about the E-Printables course that students like include:
The course material covers everything, from creating printables to promoting your products.
There’s a kind and helpful community of fellow learners and teachers.
You get useful tools and resources to improve your Etsy listings and increase your sales.
You have a chance to make passive income with what they teach you.
A lot of people have discovered that investing in the Gold City Ventures E-Printables course is a great step in their printables business journey. Remember to think about your own goals and situation when looking at the success stories and reviews. This will help you decide if this course is the right choice for you.
You can read all of the success stories here to see what real people think of the course.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gold City Venture’s E-Printables Course
Below are answers to common questions about this course.
Do printables sell well on Etsy?
Yes, printables can sell well on Etsy. People search on Etsy all the time for printables, and I have done it as well. There is a lot of demand for creative and helpful printables on Etsy.
How much do people make selling printables on Etsy?
There is not an average that people make by selling printables on Etsy. This is because there are so many factors, such as what a person is selling, how many printable designs they have created, what they are doing to market their printables, and more.
Some sellers may make a few hundred dollars per month, while others could earn thousands. It’s important to remember that building a successful Etsy shop takes time and hard work.
How much does the Gold City Ventures course cost?
The E-Printables course costs $247.
How can I access the free workshop?
Free Training Workshop: Earn Money Selling Printables. This free workshop will teach you how to get started selling printables. You will learn different ideas for printables to sell, how to get started on Etsy, and how to actually make sales.
How long does it take to complete the course?
The Gold City Ventures E-Printables course is a self-paced program, so it might take a few days or weeks to complete the course, depending on your learning pace and available time. The average is around one month to complete the course.
What is the best printables course?
The best printables course depends on your individual needs and learning preferences. Gold City Ventures is one option that has received positive reviews and focuses on creating passive income through Etsy. This is the printables course that I highly recommend, as it is well-rounded and teaches you everything that you need to know right from the very beginning!
Is Gold City Ventures worth it?
The worth of Gold City Ventures relies on what you want to achieve. If you’re interested in learning how to make money passively on Etsy with printables, this program could be a good investment. It teaches both design and marketing strategies that have helped many people succeed.
Gold City Ventures Review: E-Printables Course Review
I hope you enjoyed this Gold City Ventures Review.
The Gold City Ventures E-Printables course will teach you how to make printables, even if you have no experience. This can help you to make extra money, even over $1,000 per month, as well as passive income.
E-printables are digital files that customers can buy, download, and print themselves, either at home or at a print shop. This market has seen a big increase in popularity in recent years as more people look for affordable and customizable options for things like home decorations, planners, and party supplies.
Gold City Ventures shows you how to make, promote, and sell your own printables on Etsy, taking advantage of this growing market and potentially earning you passive income.
Gold City Ventures might not be a perfect fit for everyone, but if you’re motivated, creative, and willing to put in effort, it could help you to make money from home. The course has detailed video tutorials and useful lessons designed to help you get into e-printables and selling on Etsy, even if you’re just beginning. Plus, hearing success stories and feedback from those who have completed the course can give you a lot of inspiration and ideas for your own entrepreneurial journey.
Please click here to learn more about the E-Printables course.
Owning a home is a lifetime goal for many of us, and a home loan helps a great deal to achieve this target. Accordingly, it’s not a surprise to see several companies offering home loans for people from different walks of life.
A report by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), released in March, indicated that there was a significant decadal growth in home loan advances of almost 6 per cent to 14.2 per cent in March 2023 from 8.6% in March 2012. The report was a testimony to Indians’ increasing reliance on home loans.
Home loans are most likely to be high in amount and for the longer term. A borrower spends her/his hard-earned money to repay these loans, which come with a heavy interest. The prevailing home loan interest rates range from 8.50 percent to 14.75 percent. The longer the duration of the loan, the more interest you end up paying.
So, how do you save up enough to finish the loan? How do you ensure you have sufficient money left in your wallet for the rest of the month once the home loan EMI has been deducted? One of the best ways is to repay the loan earlier than its actual duration. It requires commitment, discipline, and strategic financial planning to pay it earlier.
But, if paying off a little extra comes at a great financial strain for you, here are a few other ways that you could explore to repay your loan quicker.
Refinancing
In the refinancing method, you should choose a bank that offers you a home loan at a lower interest rate and close your running loan with the money sanctioned by the new bank.
Since home loan interest rates of different banks vary, a little research should help you find a bank with a lower interest rate to get your home loan refinanced.
For those who can afford to pay a higher EMI, you should try and opt to refinance your loan with a shorter repaying term. This readjustment to your finances — although may sting you for a bit in the short term — will be a blessing for you in the future.
Switching to fixed rate
If you have a home loan with a floating interest rate, consult a financial advisor and switch it to a fixed rate through another bank.
In a floating interest rate home loan, you pay extra money when the lender increases loan interest rates, as and when the RBI hikes repo rates. Switching to a fixed rate will keep you immune from rising interest rates.
Avoid accumulating new debts
Any new loan or a defaulted payment, such as a credit card, can derail your financial planning, forcing you to miss your home loan payment. It’s better not to take a new loan if you are already paying a high monthly instalment on your existing loan.
Set up automatic payments
This is an effective way to inculcate good money habits. You can set up automatic home loan payments for the date you receive your salary. It will ensure your payment is on time, and you won’t incur any penalty from the lender.
Make additional payments
If you have the resources to make extra payments on the home loan, do not hesitate. You can opt for weekly or fortnightly payments instead of monthly for early repayment. Additional payments will reduce your overall loan repayment amount and help you save money.
Allocate windfalls and bonuses to loan payments
To make early payments on your home loan, you can allocate windfalls, tax refunds, work bonuses, or any unexpected financial gains to repayment. Not just that, you can also channel your inheritance or gifts towards paying off the home loan.
Closing a home loan and living debt-free, comfortably in that cosy home should not take you a lifetime. The better you manage your finances, the higher your savings will be. Now, hurry up and get to your excel sheets before the next EMI.
Atul Monga, CEO and Co-Founder, Basic Home loan
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A flexible expense is a non-essential item in your budget. Because it’s not a must-have, you can change the expense in question to help save money. For example, while the newest smartphone (with all kinds of amazing camera functions) might be enticing, purchasing it could add strain to your budget. Instead, you could continue using the phone you bought last year and not increase that expense. In this way, managing flexible expenses can be key to making a budget that helps you reach your financial goals.
Flexible expenses span many categories, from dining out to travel to self-care. These expenses are negotiable, meaning you can save money by reducing or changing how often you spend on these items and services.
Here’s how to distinguish flexible expenses from inflexible expenses and how to reduce your monthly costs on them.
What Is a Flexible Expense?
The definition of a flexible expense is an item in your budget that you can modify or adjust as needed. These are different from necessities with fixed costs, such as rent and health insurance.
In addition, it’s worth noting that a fluctuating bill is not necessarily a flexible expense. For instance, while you might turn the thermostat down a degree or two to be thrifty or the price of fuel might shift, heating your home during cold months isn’t a negotiable expense.
Flexible expenses are those you change to make room in your budget. These may at times be commonly forgotten monthly expenses, such as buying birthday gifts or loading up on toys for your pet, but they aren’t essential for life.
Therefore, you can change them if you want. Perhaps you realize something (boredom? FOMO?) has been a cause of overspending in a specific area, or maybe you want to start saving money for a financial goal, like the down payment on a house.
Flexible Expense Examples
Flexible expenses are daily or monthly expenses you can change or eliminate. Here are examples of items in your budget that have wiggle room:
• Vacations. You might decide against saving for a vacation in Mexico and instead have a staycation to free up some funds.
• Beauty treatments. Having your hair or nails done is an expense you could eliminate or pay for less frequently.
• Electronics. A new phone or tablet can be a nice upgrade, but, if the one you bought three years ago is in working order, replacing it is a flexible expense.
• Food. This is a good example of an expense that can be either a flexible or inflexible expense. Everyone has to eat, that’s a fact. But planning meals and saving money on groceries when you shop are examples of how you might manage the inflexible cost of feeding yourself. There is a range of how much you might pay, but you will have to pay something.
However, when it comes to how often you eat out, get fancy lattes on the go, and meet friends for drinks, those are flexible expenses you can cut (even entirely) to save money. Those expenses are likely to vary too; for instance, you might dine out more around holidays.
• Entertainment. How much you spend on streaming services and cable television isn’t a necessary expense. It’s a flexible one. Yes, this kind of entertainment can be fun and relaxing, but you could cut cable or limit yourself to one or two streaming services.
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Flexible Expenses vs Inflexible Expenses
When you make a budget, inflexible expenses are the ones that are permanent and vital to daily life. For example, your mortgage, credit card minimum payments, and car loan costs are inflexible expenses. But, of course, they are flexible at a certain point. For instance, you could refinance your home to lower your mortgage payment or pay off a debt to get rid of it.
However, these require significant financial shifts and are more challenging to adjust to than your flexible expenses. As mentioned above, flexible expenses can reflect the wants vs. needs in life, or your discretionary spending. Flexible expenses can include dining out, deciding to upgrade your car or electronics, taking a vacation, purchasing gifts for others, paying to redecorate your home, joining a gym or yoga studio, and the like.
These are things many of us spend money on, but how much you spend and how often is under your control.
Flexible Expense Budgeting
Taking control of your flexible expenses can mean making a budget to manage your money and prevent overspending. One approach to take is the 50/30/20 budget rule. This popular system involves designating 50% of your income for essentials, such as housing and transportation, 30% for nonessential expenses, and saving the remaining 20%. Your flexible expenses will go into the 30% portion of the budget.
For example, say your monthly take-home pay is $5,000. Half your income ($2,500) goes towards your needs, and 30% ($1,500) is for flexible expenses. The remaining $1,000 gets put towards savings. So, your job is to make your non-essential expenses fit into the $1,500 portion of your budget.
That said, the 50/30/20 rule might not work for you, especially if more than half your income goes toward essentials. Not to worry: You can approach flexible expenses from another angle. Instead, you can take your bank and credit card statements from the past three months, identify the flexible expenses, and decide which ones you can cut from your budget or reduce. For instance, you might realize you’re spending $75 at coffee shops every month and decide to make your own coffee every morning.
Where Flexible Expenses Should Be Funded From
You can pay for flexible expenses by opening a checking account and using funds in it for those charges. For instance, you might have your cable bill linked to your bank account to make an automatic payment every month. You might tap a linked debit card when you shop for, say, some new shoes.
A credit card with rewards could also be a good way to pay for flexible expenses. Getting cash back on every purchase can be a good perk when paying for flexible expenses. For example, using specific credit cards for such major expenses as flights and hotels during a vacation can provide considerable rewards. However, you’ll want to be wary of carrying too much of a balance on your credit card since that’s typically high-interest debt that can be hard to pay off.
Also worth noting: If you have enough money in an emergency fund, that could be useful for specific flexible expenses, such as unexpected bills. Not things like taking a long weekend away, but perhaps paying for a car repair bill that you didn’t see coming.
Recommended: Reasons Why It’s So Hard to Save Money
The Takeaway
A flexible expense is one you can usually change at will to fit your budget or an expense that can pop up without warning. These irregular expenses usually reflect your spending habits, such as how often you’ve dined out or treated yourself to some new clothes or electronics. Recognizing and wrangling these flexible expenses can help you take control of your finances. Also, keeping some cash in an interest-bearing bank account can be one way to afford fluctuations in these expenses.
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FAQ
Is rent a flexible expense?
Because rent is a consistent monthly cost, it isn’t a flexible expense. This bill doesn’t fluctuate, and you’re usually only able to change it by moving somewhere else.
How do you budget for flexible expenses?
You can budget for flexible expenses with the 50/30/20 rule, where 50% of your income is for inflexible expenses and 30% of your income is for flexible expenses. The remaining 20% is for saving. This 30% provides a boundary in which you must fit paying for the nonessentials, like entertainment and travel.
What is an example of a flexible expense?
Flexible expense examples include a vacation and a meal out. Both are flexible expenses because they are nonessential expenses. You dictate the cost because you choose where you’ll go and what luxuries, treats, and events you’ll pay to partake in.
Do flexible expenses stay the same?
Flexible expenses regularly change based on your spending habits. For example, your choices regarding food and entertainment drive how much you’ll spend in these areas. You can change these habits weekly or monthly to adjust how much you’re spending, unlike rent or a car note.
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SoFi members with direct deposit activity can earn 4.50% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Direct Deposit means a deposit to an account holder’s SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government payments (e.g., Social Security), made by the account holder’s employer, payroll or benefits provider or government agency (“Direct Deposit”) via the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Network during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Deposits that are not from an employer or government agency, including but not limited to check deposits, peer-to-peer transfers (e.g., transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc.), merchant transactions (e.g., transactions from PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.), and bank ACH funds transfers and wire transfers from external accounts, do not constitute Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate.
SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits can earn 4.50% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Qualifying Deposits means one or more deposits that, in the aggregate, are equal to or greater than $5,000 to an account holder’s SoFi Checking and Savings account (“Qualifying Deposits”) during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Qualifying Deposits only include those deposits from the following eligible sources: (i) ACH transfers, (ii) inbound wire transfers, (iii) peer-to-peer transfers (i.e., external transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc. and internal peer-to-peer transfers from a SoFi account belonging to another account holder), (iv) check deposits, (v) instant funding to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, (vi) push payments to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, and (vii) cash deposits. Qualifying Deposits do not include: (i) transfers between an account holder’s Checking account, Savings account, and/or Vaults; (ii) interest payments; (iii) bonuses issued by SoFi Bank or its affiliates; or (iv) credits, reversals, and refunds from SoFi Bank, N.A. (“SoFi Bank”) or from a merchant.
SoFi Bank shall, in its sole discretion, assess each account holder’s Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits throughout each 30-Day Evaluation Period to determine the applicability of rates and may request additional documentation for verification of eligibility. The 30-Day Evaluation Period refers to the “Start Date” and “End Date” set forth on the APY Details page of your account, which comprises a period of 30 calendar days (the “30-Day Evaluation Period”). You can access the APY Details page at any time by logging into your SoFi account on the SoFi mobile app or SoFi website and selecting either (i) Banking > Savings > Current APY or (ii) Banking > Checking > Current APY. Upon receiving a Direct Deposit or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits to your account, you will begin earning 4.50% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% on checking balances on or before the following calendar day. You will continue to earn these APYs for (i) the remainder of the current 30-Day Evaluation Period and through the end of the subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period and (ii) any following 30-day Evaluation Periods during which SoFi Bank determines you to have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits without interruption.
SoFi Bank reserves the right to grant a grace period to account holders following a change in Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits activity before adjusting rates. If SoFi Bank grants you a grace period, the dates for such grace period will be reflected on the APY Details page of your account. If SoFi Bank determines that you did not have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits during the current 30-day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, then you will begin earning the rates earned by account holders without either Direct Deposit or Qualifying Deposits until you have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits in a subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period. For the avoidance of doubt, an account holder with both Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits will earn the rates earned by account holders with Direct Deposit.
Members without either Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits, as determined by SoFi Bank, during a 30-Day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, will earn 1.20% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances.
Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 8/9/2023. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet..
Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.
It’s all about those LO partner points Gifts are accessible through what are called “LO partner points,” DeCiantis said. “Through our partner point program, we have for years allowed partners to redeem partner points to send a closing gift to the borrower,” she told MPA during a telephone interview. “It was in a separate platform … [Read more…]
If the price of higher education is giving you sticker shock, you’re not alone.
The average cost of tuition for 2023-24 was $26,027 for in-state residents at public colleges, and $27,091 for out-of-state students. At private colleges, the average tuition and fees totaled a whopping $38,768!
Most students end up taking out student loans to cover the cost of college. Over 43 million Americans have federal student loan debt, with an average balance of $37,718 each. Combined, Americans now hold $1.766 trillion in student loan debt!
Paying off your loan may become a burden, especially if you opt for a career in public service, art, or another low-paying field. Your debt may also become unmanageable if you run into unexpected economic difficulties due to medical bills, losing your job, caring for a parent or child, or other challenges.
If more traditional student loan repayment plans aren’t working, you may want to think outside the box. One approach could be crowdfunding student loans. Here are some things to know about this creative way to tackle your debt.
What Is Crowdfunding
Crowdfunding is the process of soliciting small contributions from multiple donors to meet a financial goal. Through online platforms like Kickstarter and GoFundMe, people have turned to crowdfunding to raise money for entrepreneurial ventures, medical crises, disaster victims, classroom supplies, and much more.
You can solicit donations from friends, family, and even complete strangers. By splitting the contributions among a large quantity of people, crowdfunding is a way to meet a big financial goal while not having to rely on finding one major source of funding.
Raising money online makes it easy to share your campaign widely and for people to easily contribute. Increasingly, people have been crowdfunding to pay off their debt, including fundraising for college. That can include textbooks, tuition, studying abroad, or living expenses — or, of course, student loans. 💡 Quick Tip: Enjoy no hidden fees and special member benefits when you refinance student loans with SoFi.
Sites for Crowdfunding Your Student Loan Repayment
There are a number of sites that allow you to set up a crowdfunding campaign so you can pay off your student loans. Before you sign up, you’ll want to make sure that you understand all the rules and fees that you might encounter during the process.
Here are some crowdfunding sites to look into:
GoFundMe: GoFundMe is perhaps the best-known crowdfunding platform out there. Setting up a fundraiser is easy. Once you have a GoFundMe account and set a goal, you’re encouraged to tell your personal story of why you’re raising money and add a photo or video. Then you can share the campaign with your network of family, friends, coworkers, followers on social media, etc. Once your GoFundMe page starts raising money, you can start withdrawing it. While GoFundMe doesn’t charge fees for setting up a page, there are transaction fees (2.9% + $0.30, which includes debit and credit charges).
Rally.org: Rally.org works a lot like GoFundMe. Once you have an account, you can set a goal, tell your story, and then start sharing with friends and family. Like GoFundMe, you can start withdrawing money as soon as people start donating to your fundraiser. There’s one big difference between Rally.org and GoFundMe: the fees. While there’s only transaction fees on GoFundMe fundraisers, Rally.org charges 5% + credit card fees (2.9% + 30 cents) for each donation processed. That 5% can make it harder for you to reach your fundraising goal.
Gift of College: If you’re not looking to launch a full-blown crowdfunding campaign, but you do want to make it easier for friends or family to help you pay off your student loans in the form of gifts at birthdays, holidays, or graduation, you might consider an account with Gift of College. To get started, you set up an account and link your student loan account. Then you can share your profile with friends and family to encourage them to buy you Gift of College gift cards for special occasions. It’s free to set up a Gift of College account, but there is a 5% processing/service fee charged to the gift giver for every gift card they buy (though the fee is capped at $15 per transaction). Gift of College can also be attached to 529 accounts.
Is Crowdfunding for Repaying Student Loans a Good Idea?
There are pros and cons to turning to the crowdfunding model as a way of making a dent in your student loan debt. Let’s start with the positives. If your campaign is successful, it’s an easy way to earn money to pay off your debt, and you don’t have to do much in return. Earning and saving the same amount through a job would likely take much longer, depending on your living expenses.
Similar to a wedding registry, a crowdfunding site also makes it less awkward to ask people in your life for help, compared to just asking for money outright. You probably have lots of loved ones who would like to help you but don’t have an easy way to do it.
Another perk is that obtaining a lump sum and putting it toward your loan principal can greatly reduce the interest that accumulates and the amount you owe over the life of the loan. Finally, crowdfunding often works. There are many examples of successful campaigns out there to inspire you.
There are some downsides to consider. One is that a crowdfunding effort is likely to get you a chunk of money once, rather than a regular stream of funding.
Considering the size of most student loans, and how interest compounds over time, you may not raise enough money to pay off the entire loan. So you’ll still have to figure out a way to consistently make your monthly payments.
Also, how much you may earn is unpredictable — it depends on the strength of your campaign and the size of your network, plus the generosity of donors, so it’s a bit risky to rely on this to stay solvent.
Another con is that depending on the size of the donation, you may need to pay taxes on the money, so you wouldn’t get to keep the entire amount you raise. Finally, even though a specialized crowdfunding site makes it easier, it may still feel uncomfortable to ask people you know for money, especially if they are facing their own debts and financial challenges.
How To Set Up a Crowdfunding Campaign
Pick a crowdfunding platform: First, you need to pick a crowdfunding site to use. Review the terms carefully so you understand how the process works. You’ll want to see if the platform keeps a percentage of funds donated, what processing fees are charged, whether it allows employers or the general public to contribute, and whether the money goes to your lender directly or comes to you in the form of cash.
Set a goal: If your fundraising goal sounds impossibly high, it could prevent some people from donating. Starting with a number that’s ambitious but reasonable may help, even if it means asking for less than your total student loan amount.
Build trust with your funders: You need to spell out what you are going to do with the money. Potential donors likely want to know what, exactly, their gift is supporting. And they probably want to be sure it will actually go toward student loans and not other expenses. Make clear how exactly you will pay off the loan and how you will hold yourself accountable to donors can go a long way toward building trust.
Telling your personal story: People may be more likely to support you if they understand the impact they can have on your life. Telling your unique story can help make their gift about more than just debt. You could describe your past accomplishments and future goals, as well as how the support will help you achieve them. Try putting up photos and a video to help people connect with your goals emotionally.
Leveraging your network: In order to have a successful campaign you’ll need to share with people you know through email and social media. You might want to tie the campaign to a special occasion, such as your birthday or graduation. You can ask your network to share on their channels as well.
Keeping the momentum going: A successful campaign doesn’t end when you launch. Posting updates on your crowdfunding page regularly will keep people interested and remind them to donate could help you reach your goal.
Express gratitude: People are doing you a favor when you donate, so thank them early and often! It will make them feel good about their gifts and perhaps even encourage them to share your campaign or donate more down the line.
Thinking About Student Loan Refinancing
If you can fund your student loan debt in full through crowdfunding, congratulations! But most people can’t depend on this as a long-term strategy and will need to find additional ways to pay off the rest of their balance.
If you’re still struggling with student debt, refinancing your student loans may be another way to make your loans more affordable. You can refinance federal loans, private loans, or a mix of both by taking out a new loan with a private lender like SoFi and using it to pay off your old ones. Note that if you do refinance federal loans with a private lender, you will lose eligibility for federal student loan benefits like deferment and income-driven repayment programs.
You may be able to qualify for a lower interest rate or lower monthly payments, depending on your credit history and income. It could be worth checking what rates you’d qualify for by applying for pre-qualification online. If you refinance with SoFi, membership includes complimentary support from career coaches and protection during periods of unemployment for those who qualify. Plus there are no hidden fees.
The Takeaway
With student debt growing exponentially, it’s worth considering creative solutions. Crowdfunding can be a relatively easy way to make a dent in your student loans without investing a lot of time. But for most people, it won’t be enough to eliminate their debt completely.
Looking to lower your monthly student loan payment? Refinancing may be one way to do it — by extending your loan term, getting a lower interest rate than what you currently have, or both. (Please note that refinancing federal loans makes them ineligible for federal forgiveness and protections. Also, lengthening your loan term may mean paying more in interest over the life of the loan.) SoFi student loan refinancing offers flexible terms that fit your budget.
With SoFi, refinancing is fast, easy, and all online. We offer competitive fixed and variable rates.
Student Loan Refinancing If you are a federal student loan borrower you should take time now to prepare for your payments to restart, including the opportunity to refinance your student loan debt at a lower APR or to extend your term to achieve a lower monthly payment. (You may pay more interest over the life of the loan if you refinance with an extended term.) Please note that once you refinance federal student loans, you will no longer be eligible for current or future flexible payment options available to federal loan borrowers, including but not limited to income-based repayment plans, such as the SAVE Plan, or extended repayment plans.
SoFi Loan Products SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.
Non affiliation: SoFi isn’t affiliated with any of the companies highlighted in this article.
Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.
Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.
External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.
Tax Information: This article provides general background information only and is not intended to serve as legal or tax advice or as a substitute for legal counsel. You should consult your own attorney and/or tax advisor if you have a question requiring legal or tax advice.
Are you looking for things to sell on Etsy? If you are looking to start your own business and work from home, then starting your own Etsy store can be a great way to earn extra income from home. Last year, around 7,500,000 sellers from around the world sold items on Etsy, and there were…
Are you looking for things to sell on Etsy?
If you are looking to start your own business and work from home, then starting your own Etsy store can be a great way to earn extra income from home.
Last year, around 7,500,000 sellers from around the world sold items on Etsy, and there were over 96,000,000 active Etsy buyers around the world.*
Many, many people shop on Etsy every single day for both themselves and to find gifts to give to others. I shop on Etsy frequently for gifts, in fact! I like how I can find something a little more personal and fun by shopping on Etsy.
And, many others feel the same way too!
This is where you come in.
If you are interested in starting an Etsy store and selling items online, then this is a great place to start. Today, I want to talk about what to sell on Etsy as well as answer some common questions that you may have.
Whether you want to make a part-time income or a full-time income, Etsy can be a great platform to allow you to start your own business and work from home.
The average income on Etsy is around $40,000 to $50,000 each year, but there are also many, many Etsy sellers who are making well above that.
Of course, this depends on many factors, such as the type of item you are selling, the amount of work you are putting toward your Etsy store, how you’re getting traffic to your Etsy shop, if you have a team of people working for your Etsy store, and more.
Here are 16 things to sell on Etsy.
Below, I am going to list 16 different things you can sell on Etsy. There are links to actual tutorials that will show you how to make items such as a rug, earrings, a hat, soap, and more.
There are many different categories of items that you can sell on Etsy, so the list of things to sell on Etsy definitely does not end here. There are many different kinds of Etsy shop owners all around the world selling millions of items.
Printables
You can make and sell printables to sell on Etsy, and you don’t even have to ship anything. Your customers would be downloading printables, and you can sell them an unlimited amount of times.
You can create and sell printables for all sorts of things and events, such as holidays (Valentine’s Day, Halloween, Christmas, and more), graduation parties, baby showers, educational (teacher) printables, bachelorette parties, birthday celebrations, grocery shopping, digital planners, journals, invitations, banners, wall art, jar labels, gifts, and more.
You can learn more at How I Make Money Selling Printables On Etsy.
Stickers
You can sell both printed and printable stickers online.
Stickers are extremely popular right now and will most likely be for years to come. Stickers are used for so many different reasons, and you don’t need a ton of equipment to start a sticker business.
You can learn more at How To Make $1,000+ A Month Selling Stickers Online.
Canva Templates
You can create Canva templates to sell and make money all from your home – and never have to ship a thing.
Creating Canva templates can be a great way to make extra income because you just need to create the templates once, and you can sell them an unlimited amount of times.
A Canva template is a graphic design template that you sell to people who are looking to make an ebook, presentation, planner, and more.
You can learn more at How I Make $2,000+ Monthly Selling Canva Templates.
Pom Pom Rug
Household items and home decor, such as rugs, are fun items to sell on Etsy. There are many different designs and household items that you can make and sell, as buyers are wanting something unique.
Learn how to make a Pom Pom Rug here.
Fabric Divided Basket
Fabric-divided baskets are a great organization tool, and I have a few that are in constant use! I know many other people who have bought these as well.
For example, I use one as a diaper caddy, and I find it to be much more useful than having a big diaper cart or drawer. There are many other uses as well for a fabric basket!
Learn how to make a Fabric Divided Basket here.
Bath Bombs
Bath bombs are a fun Etsy item to make and sell and are a popular item to buy as well. This is because they make a quick and easy gift, which makes it a great item to sell on Etsy.
Learn how to make bath bombs here.
Quick And Easy Wreath
Learn how to make this modern quick and easy wreath. You can make custom wreaths year-round and take advantage of all of the different seasons like Christmas, Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and more.
Learn how to make a DIY wreath here.
Crochet Hand Towel
Handmade hand towels are popular items on Etsy. These towels are relatively easy to make for beginners and easy to whip up.
Learn how to make a crochet hand towel here.
Oatmeal Honey Soap
Self-care items, such as soap, are great items to sell on Etsy. Other items related to self care may include lip balm, lotion, and massage oils.
Soap looks like such a fun item to make and sell on Etsy, and people love buying bars of soap! Again, this can make a great gift for others, so they sell easily on Etsy.
Learn how to make oatmeal honey soap here.
Sweaters
Clothing items are popular on Etsy, whether they are handmade or vintage.
A sweater is probably one of the more difficult items to make and sell on Etsy, so you will want to make sure that you price it correctly according to your time and the amount you are spending on materials.
Learn how to make a sweater here.
Boho Earrings
There are many different kinds of earrings that you can sell on Etsy, and homemade jewelry is a very popular item to buy on the website.
Jewelry is something I look for all the time on Etsy, and this is because I love how there are so many different and unique items for sale on the Etsy platform.
Plus, they make for great and meaningful gifts. Many people like to shop around on Etsy for jewelry gifts for their loved ones!
Learn how to make boho earrings here.
Fluffy Slime
Slime is a favorite of many, and it is a fun and popular item to sell on Etsy. You can see a bunch of examples of slime for sale on Etsy here.
Slime is a very popular item to buy, especially for kids. It is also fairly easy to create slime and you can easily make it at home.
Learn how to make fluffy slime here.
Clay Earrings
Clay earrings are quite popular on Etsy. You can get really creative with clay earrings and make all different kinds of shapes and colors.
Learn how to make clay earrings here.
Earrings
Here’s another fun pair of earrings that you can make at home to sell on Etsy. There are so many different styles that you can get started making!
Learn how to make earrings here.
Crochet Hat
Crochet items are popular to buy on Etsy, which means that it may be a great item for you to sell on Etsy. This is a hat pattern in sizes from toddler to adult, and there are many other types of hats that you can make and sell on Etsy as well.
Learn how to make a crochet hat here.
Macrame Coasters
Macrame projects are incredibly popular on Etsy and a hot seller. You can even branch out into selling macrame wall hangings, plant holders, dresses, bookmarks, and so many other items.
Learn how to make macrame coasters here.
Common questions about selling on Etsy
I’m sure you have questions about selling on Etsy. Below are the answers to questions such as:
What is Etsy?
What sells easiest on Etsy?
What are the best selling items on Etsy?
Is selling stuff on Etsy profitable?
How do beginners sell on Etsy?
How much does it cost to sell on Etsy? What percentage does Etsy take?
How can I find customers for my Etsy shop?
What is Etsy?
So, what is Etsy? That is a great question! Etsy is an online marketplace that was started in 2005 where you can buy and sell items from handmade items to craft supplies to vintage items.
Etsy has over 120,000,000 items listed on their marketplace and is an online website for buying handmade and vintage goods.
Etsy items are sold directly from the seller – this means that it’s different from Amazon because there is no Etsy warehouse. Instead, you would be delivering the product to the buyer.
What sells easiest on Etsy?
There are many items that you can sell on Etsy such as:
Printables
Stickers
Planners
Clothing
Homemade jewelry
Soap
And so much more. Etsy shoppers buy many different types of items, so you can see what fits you the best.
What are the best selling items on Etsy?
Best selling items are constantly changing, but they are typically items such as knitting patterns, printables, stickers, wedding items, handmade jewelry, and more.
Thanks to websites such as eRank and Marmalead, you can conduct research to see what product keywords that shoppers are searching for on Etsy.
With sites like these, you can even see who your competitors are and their daily sales, view the latest trending items, conduct research on search engine optimization, and more.
Is selling stuff on Etsy profitable?
Yes, selling stuff on Etsy can be profitable. Some items will have a higher profit margin than others, such as digital products that you don’t have to ship.
To be profitable on Etsy, you will want to see what is actually selling on Etsy (after all, you don’t want to make a bunch of things to sell only to find out that no one is buying them), make sure that you are pricing your items correctly (take a look at your competition!), take good photos of the items you are selling, get traffic to your Etsy store (such as with Etsy SEO and social media), and sell a quality product so that you can get good reviews from your customers.
Is it hard to make a living on Etsy?
Just like with any business, selling on Etsy will take hard work. Not everyone will see success, and you will need to make a plan in order to become a successful Etsy small business.
How do beginners sell on Etsy?
Etsy can be a great place to get started as it is very easy to open a shop on Etsy. Plus, Etsy has built-in traffic from customers simply searching their platform for things to buy.
Here’s a quick look at how to get started on Etsy:
Create an Etsy account
Choose a shop name
Create your first listing and build your inventory
Decide how you want to be paid (credit card, debit card, Paypal, etc.)
You can learn more about how to sell on Etsy by clicking here.
How much does it cost to sell on Etsy? What percentage does Etsy take?
Opening a small business on Etsy has a lot of positives, so they do charge a listing fee.
You can list your first item for only $0.20, and you only pay the transaction and payment processing fees (6.5% transaction fee, 3% + $0.25 payment processing fee) when you make a sale. You will want to think about these Etsy fees when determining the price of the product that you will be selling.
There is also a 15% Offsite Ads fee, and this is when Etsy pays to advertise your items across the internet (such as Facebook, Google, Pinterest, and Instagram). You only pay this fee when you make a direct sale from one of these ads, though.
Don’t forget the shipping cost as well. If you have a product that you will be physically shipping, you will want to think about what your shipping fee is.
How can I find customers for my Etsy shop?
There are many ways to get traffic and views to your Etsy shop so that customers will purchase your items.
The ways include getting found by Etsy search (when someone types what they are looking for directly into Etsy), making a visually appealing Etsy shop, sharing on social media (such as Pinterest), and more.
There are Etsy Ads as well, which is a way to advertise your products directly on Etsy. You can set your budget and choose what you want to advertise.
One fun way that I’ve noticed Etsy sellers attracting customers to their shop is by showing the process of creating your product in a short video on Instagram or TikTok. For example, there are people who record themselves making earrings or slime and posting it on their account for their business – people love watching these types of videos.
Here are some examples:
Also, remember that the photos you take of the items you sell on Etsy are so very important. This is what will help you stand apart from your competition, and it is also the only thing that your potential customers get to really look at! If your photos are not good, then they will simply go to the next shop.
What to sell on Etsy
I hope you enjoyed today’s article on what to sell on Etsy.
The list does not end here either.
There are so many other things to sell on Etsy as well, such as paintings, artwork, handmade jewelry (such as necklaces, rings, and bracelets), decorations, invitations, beads, yarn, knitting patterns, clothing, pet supplies, notebooks, furniture, pillows, party decorations, accessories, wedding products, mugs, socks, personalized gifts (such as engraved items), candles, craft kits, toys, and more.
The list is endless.
Etsy shoppers are looking for all different kinds of items to buy.
We know what you’re thinking: Is it too soon to start thinking about winter holiday decor? The short answer: Absolutely not, especially since it’s the last day of Amazon’s massive Prime Big Deal Days sale event. That means this is your last chance to save big on home decor.
Luckily, we took the time to look through every single deal and bring you a careful edit of the top holiday home decor essentials markdowns you can’t miss. Get ready to save on mantel statement pieces, outdoor decor, and beyond. Check out our top 13 picks below.
Our Top Amazon Prime Day Deal Picks on Holiday Decor
Sanjicha Lighted Birch Tree Two-Pack
These battery-powered, little birch trees will give your living space a warm glow and help foster a festive atmosphere instantly. Keep them together on either side of your mantel, or use one as a centerpiece and the other for your entryway.
Ivenf Christmas Outdoor Porch Sign Set
If you’re looking for traditional outdoor decorations beyond string lights, consider this two-piece porch sign set. The larger lettering on the traditional tartan print will add a playful touch to your patio or front porch.
National Tree Company Pre-Lit Artificial Christmas Garland
This pre-styled artificial garland will do the heavy lifting for you regarding greenery and lighting. The 9-foot garland is clustered with pine cones and berries and pre-strung with lights, so all you have to do is find a place for it and plug it in.
Kwaiffeo Meteor Shower Lights
Give your outdoor space a charmingly whimsical flair with the Kwaifeo Meteor Shower Lights. The cascade of white LEDs gives a breathtaking visual of bright icicles or falling lights for a low-maintenance outdoor decoration that brings the holiday spirit to life.
Aetegit Christmas Pillow Covers
An easy way to awaken the Christmas spirit inside your home is by refreshing interiors. Swiftly update your space with this four-piece set of throw pillow covers that showcase different cheery messages and phrases.
Neilden Three-Piece Gnome Decor
Bring the adorable gnomes out to play when you need to give your space an extra joyful vibe. Each of these gnomes is about 20 inches tall and are easy to move around, so you can have them by the presents under the tree one day and by the window sill the next.
Oriental Cherry Floating Candles
You may recall the floating candles from the magical world of Harry Potter, but now they’re fit to bring into your living or dining room for a truly magical experience. A wand controller powers them too, making it more convenient to turn them on and off.
Puhong Outdoor Star String Lights
Hang this tree-shaped light display right outside your home to add some Christmas cheer outdoors. The string lights can work as a perfect backdrop for the rest of your outdoor holiday decor or stand alone as an eye-catching focal piece.
Runleo Snowflake String Lights
Is it really Christmas time without snowflakes—even artificial ones? Invite the winter delight of the outdoors inside with this enchanting set of string lights. Use them to line a doorway or to wrap around your Christmas tree.
Funpeny Lighted Gift Boxes
Stick these gorgeous lighted gift boxes under your tree for an elevated ambiance. They’ll make a beautiful statement, especially after you fill your tree with gift-wrapped presents. This set comes with three different sizes to ensure you can create a diverse display of gifts.
OuMuaMua Hanging Snowflakes
Finish off your winter wonderland with these hanging paper snowflakes. At $9 per 12-piece set, we wouldn’t blame you for wanting to buy a bundle to bring the magic of a snowy Christmas day inside your home, no matter the weather outside.
ProductWorks 24-Inch Charlie Brown Christmas Tree
For a very nostalgic evening of celebration, center your decor on the iconic Charlie Brown Christmas Tree. The nostalgic display includes the classic red ornament with Linus’ blue blanket wrapped around the base.
Snowkingdom Gold Table Runner Set
Amp up your tablescape this year with the set of gold-flecked table runners. Made of a soft fiber mesh decked out in gold foil, the 9-foot runners can be used alone or layered over another decorative tablecloth for a more dramatic effect.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Make it even more memorable with these holiday party ideas.
The minute the leaves begin to change color, we all feel a slight shift towards the holidays. The crisp, cool air combined with the anticipation for the upcoming holidays brings an unmistakable cheer.
With so much to look forward to between the holiday festivities, gifts and delicious fall and winter food and drinks, it’s easy to fall into your typical holiday party patterns. If you’re hosting a party or yearning to step into the role of host this year, ensure your soiree doesn’t lack originality. Here are a few themes to try and how to pull each one off seamlessly.
8 creative party themes for the perfect holiday celebration
The best way to spread holiday cheer is by partying loudly for all to hear. These party ideas are sure to elevate your holiday gatherings and make your celebrations unforgettable. You may even start some new traditions along the way!
DIY craft night
Some of the most memorable nights are small, casual get-togethers where crafting takes place. Hosting a holiday-themed DIY craft night sets the stage for great memories to be had and fun creations to be made. Provide supplies for guests to make their own holiday decorations, ornaments or wreaths.
For the more experienced crafters, you can even dare to try making scented candles. This theme is perfect for those who enjoy getting creative and taking home a handmade keepsake.
Gatsby-inspired glam holiday party
The holiday season is a fabulous excuse for people to dress up, especially for a themed party. A Gatsby-inspired glam party challenges guests to channel the aesthetic and fashion of the roaring ’20s.
The combination of jazz music, art Deco-inspired decorations, prohibition-themed cocktails and a strict 1920s dress code is sure to transport your guests back in time. Due to the glitz and glam that naturally surrounds the fashion and influence of this era, this theme would make for a perfect New Year’s Eve soiree.
Ugly sweater party
This party theme is a holiday favorite, and for good reason. Guests are instructed to dig up their cheesiest holiday sweaters and prepare for a fun night of catching up with friends, drinking holiday-themed cocktails and snacking on their favorite appetizers. Adding board games into the mix will only enhance the merriment. Encourage guests to bring a dish to share and their best-judging hat, as the guests will determine the tackiest sweater of the night.
Cocktail holiday party extravaganza
A craft cocktail party is a timeless gathering, but for the purpose of this list, add a seasonal twist. Guests invited must bring a winter-themed cocktail like spiced rum punch, sugar cookie martini, white Christmas margaritas or jingle juice, just to list a few.
Offer guests two choices for participation: they can either craft their cocktails on-site during the party or bring a larger batch of their signature cocktail to share with everyone, ensuring that all can savor and appreciate each cocktail.
Disney holiday movie madness
The Disney universe has a plethora of holiday movies that are sure to get even the grinches of the world in the holiday spirit. Think movies like “Full-Court Miracle,” “Frozen,” “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” “CoCo” and “Home Alone.”
The list builds itself, setting a host up for an epic holiday movie night lineup. Invite guests over to watch a movie marathon and prepare Eggnog or mulled wine. For an even cozier atmosphere, encourage guests to wear their favorite holiday pajamas and bring their coziest blanket.
Gingerbread house contest
This classic holiday cookie is a fun way to express creativity while bringing people together. Whether you opt to buy a store-bought gingerbread house or bake your own, the decorations and design options are endless. Host a small gathering where people can pair up and design their best gingerbread house.
The host then judges based on categories like creativity, holiday cheer and overall design to decide the winner. The best part is, that party attendees can either snack on their creations later or take them home for some joyous, memory-filled decor.
Polar Express-inspired pajama party
Not all parties are just for adults, especially when the holiday time is extra magical for the little ones in our families. A Polar Express pajama party is an exciting way to ignite the imaginations of kids and create treasured memories.
Invite guests with tickets that mimic train tickets, noting the dress code is holiday pajamas. Set up a custom hot cocoa station and holiday cookie tray, to mimic the magic of the movie even more. Give guests small gold bells, reminding them that if you hear the bell, you believe in the magic of the holidays.
Cookie swap
Cooking is a quintessential element of the holiday season. Recipes are passed down through generations, intended to bring people together and create cherished memories through time in the kitchen. A cookie swap is a unique way to show off your family’s culinary creations while tasting other’s cookie creations.
Make sure all invited guests bring one to two dozen of their favorite holiday treats as well as a serving dish and a Tupperware or Ziploc bag for their own cookie collections. Each guest will place their cookies out and then collect other’s cookies. At the end, each guest will leave the party with a mixed bag of holiday treats that expand their palette and fill their hearts with the spirit of the season.
Step out of your comfort zone this holiday season
Gather your loved ones and let the merriment begin. Whether you’re celebrating with family, friends or both, these party ideas are sure to create cherished memories that will carry cheer throughout the holiday season.
Still looking for a place to host your most memorable holiday parties? Search our apartments for rent here.
Wesley is a Charlotte-based writer with a degree in Mass Communication from the University of South Carolina. Her background includes 6 years in non-profit communication and 4 years in editorial writing. She’s passionate about traveling, volunteering, cooking and drinking her morning iced coffee. When she’s not writing, you can find her relaxing with family or exploring Charlotte with her friends.
United Wholesale Mortgage, the country’s top mortgage lender, announced an enhancement to its PA+ service on Saturday, allowing brokers and their processors to choose which part of the loan process they would like a lender’s loan coordinator to handle.
Launched in May 2023, PA+ is a service that provides a dedicated UWM loan coordinator for brokers and their borrowers to make the loan clear to close. That’s the most time-consuming part of the loan process.
According to the company, brokers can select a combination of support for setup, underwriting or closing for a reduced fee. However, brokers can still decide to have the UWM loan coordinator handle the entire process.
“The purpose of PA+ is to give independent mortgage brokers and their processors more flexibility, control and support,” Mat Ishbia, president and CEO of UWM, said in a statement. “This gives brokers the access they need to scale their business immediately, which will become more critical when rates come down and volume increases.”
Ishbia announced the enhancement during AIME Fuse 2023, the Association of Independent Mortgage Experts‘ conference held Oct. 4-7 in Las Vegas.
Ishbia also announced “Memory Maker,” a tool available through UWM’s EASE platform that sends thank-you emails and handwritten notes to borrowers and real estate agents. The tool also offers gifts for borrowers, such as cutting boards or welcome mats.
Handwritten notes and gifts can be purchased with a credit card or by redeeming LO partners’ points, the company explained.
Ishbia said in a statement that building a relationship “can lead to referrals and repeat business down the road.”