A kitchen is more than just a room to prepare and eat meals. It’s the most-used area of a house, as it’s also often the social hub for the whole family.
Over the past few years, I’ve stepped foot into more than 200 kitchens in the Louisville area, and each one was unique in its own way. Here are three that stood out.
Double duty
A well-equipped kitchen setup was a priority for Pam Orlando Zanni and Mark Zanni, owners of this custom-built home in Sanctuary Bluffs.
“I’m a Thanksgiving person,” Orlando Zanni told the Courier Journal. “We have 25 to 30 people (over) for Thanksgiving and my (previous) house in Norton Commons, (also had an) open floor plan, … so when you’d get to dessert time, all the dishes are stacked up (in full view) — which I hated — so this time we built what I call a ‘back kitchen.’”
This back kitchen area boasts a sink, dishwasher, ovens, a column freezer, and all of the couple’s serving dishes. It can also be closed off to not only prevent dirty dishes from being seen but to keep the couple’s pooches — Lhasa poo Ainslie and Bolognese Fredo — in their own area.
Tracee Dore Builders, “is my signature design of using lots of windows. The more light, the better — and we love being able to look out of the home and see the beautiful yard at every angle.”
Though she sacrificed some cabinetry to make space for all the windows, Dore insists she wouldn’t like the room as much if she hadn’t done so. The largest window faces the side porch, otherwise known as the friend entrance, or “friendrance.” She likes that she’s always able to see guests coming and can greet them before they even get to the door.
Cool and contemporary
This newly remodeled Audubon Park kitchen, designed with the help of Bethany Adams of Bethany Adams Interiors, boasts custom cabinetry in a mix of natural walnut and Polo Blue. The room is anchored by an island with platinum quartzite countertops and a Bertazzoni five-in-one appliance underneath. There is seating for three via bar stools with wasabi lemon-hued seating.
The DVX black farmhouse sink — which blends in beautifully — was a happy accident.
“We had ordered a white farmhouse sink, and they accidentally sent us black,” Adams told The Courier Journal. “But, we loved it so much we kept it. And I think it looks amazing.”
Architectural recessed lighting is used throughout, with three pendant lights above the sink. Adams explains that they opted to place the pendant lights there rather than above the island because it looks gorgeous from the outside at night and keeps the view toward the custom range clear and open.
A fourth matching pendant light hangs above the adjacent dry bar. Though there is also a full wet bar in the basement, the homeowners wanted a space by the kitchen to store glassware and other bar accessories.
“Up at the top part (of the dry bar) behind the brass screens are speakers,” Adams said. “(The homeowners) are really into music and wanted to incorporate speakers without having them be so clunky (or) overbearing.”
Know a house that would make a great Home of the Week? Email writer Lennie Omalza at [email protected] or Lifestyle Editor Kathryn Gregory at [email protected].
nuts & bolts: Double duty
Owners: Pam Orlando Zanni and Mark Zanni. Orlando Zanni is the creative studio operations director at Cella, and Zanni is the director of operations at Fresenius Kidney Care. Also in the home is Ainslie, the couple’s 15-year-old Lhasa poo, and Fredo, their 8-year-old Bolognese.
Home: This is a 4-bed, 6-bath, 6,000-square-foot, South Carolina Lowcountry style home that was built in 2018 in the Sanctuary Bluffs development.
Distinctive elements: Extensive porch that leads to a double-door entry; soaring vaulted ceiling with architectural trusses and French doors that lead to covered back porch in main bedroom; freestanding tub and spacious walk-in shower in main bath; dressing room with makeup vanity, washer, and dryer; great room with 12-foot coffered ceiling; three sets of French doors that lead to the back porch and yard; custom designed and crafted built ins surrounding an oversized fireplace; open floor plan that incorporates kitchen, dining, and great room; primary kitchen with a 10-foot-long island, Sub-Zero wine Fridge, clear ice maker, Sub-Zero refrigerator column, eight-burner Wolf range, Bosch dishwasher, farmhouse sink, quartz countertops, and ceramic backsplash; back kitchen with additional farmhouse sink, Bosch dishwasher, Sub-Zero column freezer, Wolf microwave, electric wall oven, built-in open shelving and ladder to access high shelves, electronic doggie door with access to picket-fenced dog area; additional full bath and bedroom on main floor, which is currently used as a home office; front staircase that leads to two bedrooms with en suites, an open sitting area, and a second laundry area for guests; rear staircase that leads to design loft, which includes a fully tiled open art space for painting, a balcony that overlooks the woods, a full bath, and large closet; casual entertainment area in basement includes pool table, pinball machine, and large TV over a 100-inch electric fireplace; dark-stained wood ceiling treatment above TV area; exercise room, office, and full bath in basement; exterior access staircase that leads from garage to basement storage area; artwork by John Tuska, Mary Michael Shelley, Mark Bettis, S. Josephine Weaver, David Walker, Billy Hertz, Molly Passafiume, Kathleen Lolly, Shayne Hull, Wayne Ferguson, Marvin Finn, Bob Hoke, T Marie Nolan, Salvador Dali, and Peter Max; located on a half-acre lot.
nuts & bolts: Rustic yet refined
Owners: Tracee Dore Brown and Matt Brown. Tracee is the owner of Tracee Dore Builders, Custom Homes and Renovations; Matt is a Louisville Metro Police sergeant. Also in the home are the couple’s teenage children, Madeline and Alex.
Home: This is a 3-bed, 5-bath, 2,400-square-foot home built in 2017 and styled after Michigan lake cottages. It sits on a one-acre lot in Pewee Valley.
Distinctive elements: Sunroom with large sofa, linen draperies, gold leaf and crystal chandelier; kitchen with Danby marble countertops, unique cabinetry, rustic statement-piece island, lots of windows; European vintage collection oak flooring that replicates historical salvaged flooring; fireplace with Pickwick tongue-and-groove paneling; 8-foot doors and 9-foot ceilings throughout.
nuts & bolts: Cool and contemporary
Owners: Stefan and Heather Rumancik. Stefan is the owner of Designer Builders and Heather is the owner of Competitive Intelligence Executive. Also in the home is their 12-year-old daughter, Adrienne.
Home: This is a 4-bed, 3-and-a-half bath, 4,000-square-foot, Dutch Colonial Revival home in Audubon Park that was built in 1930.
Distinctive elements: Custom walnut and Polo Blue cabinetry, platinum quartzite countertops, Ann Sacks ribbed savoy tile, ribbed glass uppers, and DXV black farmhouse sink in the kitchen; faux thin-brick flooring, custom walnut and Polo Blue cabinetry in the mudroom; Cole and Sons “woods” wallpaper, custom cabinetry in the powder room; custom walnut cabinetry and paneling, Bardiglio and Carrara tile, plastered domed shower ceiling with rain shower, Ann Sacks savoy tile in shower, Brizo chrome and teak faucets in the primary bathroom and dressing room.
Decorating is one of the more exciting aspects of moving into a new apartment home. Before you begin unpacking, you’ve mentally already placed your various pieces of wall art or are thinking about what you’d like to buy.
Better Homes & Gardens suggests you tackle empty wall space by, “infusing it with warmth and personality,” using creative artwork, mixed media and vintage pieces that bring out who you are.
Of course, hanging pictures on drywall is tricky. You’ll need to know if you’re hanging pictures on drywall or studs, for starters, and you’ll need the right equipment — such as drywall nails and drywall anchors.
Check out these apartment decorating tips for creating a space you love while working with the materials you have.
Hanging pictures on drywall or studs
The most secure way to hang a coat hook, wine rack, picture or any piece of wall art is to attach a screw to a stud.
What is a stud?
Not exactly sure what a wall stud is? Let us clarify — its beams of wood beneath the drywall that act as the wall’s frame. In most homes or mixed-use buildings, studs find themselves typically spaced 16 inches apart. They can run vertically, horizontally or diagonally. Although most home builders follow these guidelines, it isn’t a guarantee — so your first step in finding a place to hang pictures on drywall is to find the studs.
How to find a stud
The easiest way to find a stud in your wall is to look for electrical outlets and light switches. Standard electrical outlets and light switches typically attach to studs.
All you have to do is remove the cover plate of the electrical outlet or light switch and confirm there’s a vertical wooden support beam — stud — behind it. Once you’ve found one stud, begin measuring outward, marking off every 16 or 24 inches based on the spacing between studs in your home.
You can also buy a stud finder. They let you find studs under the drywall without having to measure. Residential stud finders are fairly inexpensive, with prices ranging between $10 and $50. Don’t go buy yourself an industrial deep-scanning stud finder, though — you won’t need all the bells and whistles and a residential stud finder will do fine. The studs in your drywall are shallow enough for detection via a stud finder sensor.
When you don’t have any other options, you can sometimes tell where a stud is by knocking on the drywall. A dense, muffled knock means there’s a stud behind the section of drywall you’re knocking on, whereas a more hollow sound probably means that there’s no stud behind the drywall.
Hanging pictures on drywall with a stud
Once you find the stud, it’s time to break out the tools and start hanging. Make sure you’ve reviewed your lease first and you have the green light to put holes in your walls. Drilling into a stud will create an obvious hole you will need to fill before you move out.
Drilling into a stud
Use the drill bit to slowly drill into the drywall and then the stud — creating a hole in the location you marked. Always look out for plumbing and electrical cords when drilling into a stud.
Apply gentle pressure while you’re drilling to know when you’ve hit the stud. Trust us, you’ll feel it.
Keep your drill at low speed, and make sure to choose the right bit for the job. A large bit isn’t necessary when drilling into a stud.
Insert the drill and pull it out slowly once you’ve drilled your hole into the stud.
Hanging your picture
If your electric drill has a screwdriver bit, swap it in. Otherwise, a manual screwdriver will work. Place your screw into the small hole you created, and use the screwdriver to screw it in. Then, you can hang your picture.
When you don’t have a stud
Because drywall isn’t very sturdy, be careful about hanging pictures and art from a spot that doesn’t have a stud. If you’re able to make holes in your walls, here are some options to consider for hanging pictures on drywall without a stud.
1. Drywall anchors
Drywall anchors look like hollow plastic screws. They’re a great ally when working with drywall since they’re designed to lodge directly into it. It’s like a one-way valve. The anchor slides into the wall, then the hook deploys and you can’t pull it back out. The design of drywall anchors ensures that your art remains on your wall. This is especially important if you’re hanging a heavy framed print or painting.
2. Expanding plastic sleeves
These drywall anchors have a design complete with wings that spread out to help keep it — and what you hang from it — in place. It should fit snugly into the hole you drill, to the point that you might need to tap it with a hammer to get it all the way into the drywall. Intended for hanging lightweight and medium-weight items, expanding plastic sleeves work best for securing heavy picture frames, bulletin boards, lightweight framed mirrors, lightweight shelving and wall-mounted mirrors to the drywall.
When shopping for expanding plastic sleeves, check the packaging since only ones intended for drywall will let you put a screw into them. If you don’t know the composition of your walls, ask your leasing office or landlord. Definitely check because you may not even have drywall and other expanding plastic sleeves for different materials exist.
3. Drywall nails
Drywall hangers and nails work in two different ways. The nails drive into drywall and plaster walls at an angle, which allows them to use the wall surface as leverage and support. These are perfect for hanging items up to about 20 pounds. If you have a picture that is heavier than that, use a flat-mounted hook and anchor.
Drywall hangers and nails come in a variety of sizes, sold separately and in kits. Grabbing a simple picture hanging kit from your local hardware store is always a good idea too. You’ll then have all sizes of drywall nails and hooks you may need on hand.
4. Tap-in expanding anchors
For hanging loads less than 10 pounds, use a handy little tap-in expanding anchor. Tap the pointed end and flat shank into the drywall until it’s flush. Once your shank is flush with the wall, expand the anchor by driving a #6 screw into the hole.
5. Toggle bolts
Toggle bolts work for super heavy loads, like a coat rack. They’re a little more difficult to install, as they require a larger hole, proper insertion into the drywall and careful screwing to expand the toggle and bring it flush to the inside of your drywall.
To use toggle bolts, drill a hole large enough for both the screw and toggle to fit into your drywall. Fit the item you wish to anchor over the bolt, insert the toggle and tighten. This will anchor the toggle to the inside of your drywall, creating a very sturdy place to hang heavy loads.
6. Anchor wire/monkey hooks
Anchor wire, a.k.a. “monkey hooks,” are curved pieces of metal that look similar to the hook on a dry-cleaning hanger. The big difference is that they’re very sharp and pointed at one end. On the other, anchor wires have a divot and this is where your picture goes. These are great for mirrors or artwork hung with a wire that runs across the back of the framed item.
To use an anchor wire, press the sharp end into the wall at a downward angle, rotate the anchor wire 180 degrees and gently pull it back out until it doesn’t move. Once situated, you’re ready to hang your object.
7. Adhesive strip or hooks
Hanging pictures without nails is possible too — you don’t always need to make holes in your walls. If you’re not allowed to use drywall nails and don’t have the equipment you need to make a lot of holes in the wall, you can still hang your wall decor using adhesive strips or hooks.
These products stick to the wall without damaging the paint (as long as you follow the instructions properly). Adhesive strips also stick to the art for even more security. Products come in different sizes and use different glue strengths. Make sure to check the packaging before purchasing to ensure a sturdy hang.
Get the right décor up no matter what
The types of walls you have and the rules within your lease for hanging pictures on drywall need not limit what you can do. With the right tools and accessories, you can fill your walls with items that reflect your personality and passions — creating a space that’s truly yours.
Lesly Gregory has over 15 years of marketing experience, ranging from community management to blogging to creating marketing collateral for a variety of industries. A graduate of Boston University, Lesly holds a B.S. in Journalism. She currently lives in Atlanta with her husband, two young children, three cats and assorted fish.
Indymac Bancorp said today that it posted a $184.2 million first-quarter loss, or $2.27 per share, compared to profit of $52.4 million, or 70 cents per share, in the same period a year earlier.
The mortgage banking segment of the company’s business, which includes loan production, servicing, and commercial banking, posted a net loss of $8 million, compared to net earnings of $58 million a year ago.
The company said the loss reflected the severe dislocation in the secondary market for non-agency loans and Indymac’s shift to a more retail-centric, GSE-based business model.
Indymac produced $9.6 billion in mortgage loans during the quarter, down from over $12 billion in the fourth quarter, with 88 percent of loan origination volume saleable to the GSEs and all funded via deposits, with no capital markets funding sources.
With regard to the quality of new production, the S&P lifetime loss estimate fell to 0.23 percent from 1.86 percent a year ago, and first mortgage payment defaults declined to 0.6 percent in April from 2.2 percent in December.
Indymac was also able to reduce losses in the production segment by 66 percent compared to the fourth quarter as a result of “rightsizing” sales and staff and turning efforts toward agency production.
The second largest independent mortgage lender built up $2.7 billion in credit reserves, up from $2.4 billion in the prior quarter, and maintained its $4 billion in operating liquidity, stressing that less was actually needed with lower production volume.
CEO Mike Perry said the company was able to reduce credit losses to $249 million during the quarter, a 71 percent drop from the fourth quarter, and noted that roughly 50 percent of the first quarter loss could be attributed to recent staff reductions, office closures, and ceased business activities.
He said he expects the mortgage segment to be profitable in the second quarter and onward, and projects just a $20 million fourth quarter loss.
Additionally, the Pasadena, CA-based mortgage lender projects declining quarterly losses throughout the year, but does not expect to turn a profit in 2008 as long as home prices continue to sink.
Shares of Indymac fell 28 cents, or 8.16%, to $3.15 in afternoon trading on Wall Street.
Your student loan statement gives you all the important information about your student loan. If you took out one or more student loans to help pay for college, knowing how to read your student loan statements can help you manage your student debt and repayment.
What Are Student Loan Statements?
Student loan statements are detailed summaries of your student loan. They provide information such as the last payment received, the current amount due, and where to send payments.
You’ll typically receive your student loan statement from your loan servicer three weeks before payment is due each month. If you have multiple student loans with more than one servicer, you’ll receive a student loan statement from each servicer every month.
Why Is It Important to Know How Much You Owe?
Keeping track of any debt is essential. You’re responsible for your student loan debt and making monthly payments on time until it’s paid off. Even missing one payment could cause you to fall behind.
A missed or late payment on your student loan debt could also hurt your credit. Your payment history makes up 35% of your FICO® credit score, so having late payments in your recent credit history could make it more difficult to be approved for credit cards or other loans.
Missed student loan payments may also incur late fees. Private lenders have their own rules when it comes to late fees and consequences, but they may start adding late fees after a grace period. Private student loans usually go into default as soon as you miss three monthly payments, but some go into default after one missed payment.
If you default on a federal student loan, usually after payment is 270 days past due, the government can collect your debt by withholding money from your wages and your income tax refund and other federal payments. But a temporary “on-ramp” protection will generally prevent most federal student loans from entering defaulted loan status from the 12-month period of October 2023 through September 2024.
Where Do I Find My Student Loan Statement?
Your student loan statement will typically come by mail from your student loan servicer unless you’ve opted to receive statements online.
Borrowers are generally expected to make required loan payments when due. The 2023 debt ceiling bill officially ended the three-year Covid-19 forbearance, requiring federal student loan interest accrual to resume on Sept. 1, 2023, and payments to resume in October 2023.
If you haven’t received any student loan statements or if you’re not sure, there are ways to find your student loan balance, such as requesting and reading your credit report.
Private Student Loans
If you have private student loans, you can contact your lender directly and ask them how to get your student loan statements. You can also try contacting your school’s financial aid office for information about your private student loan and the company that originated your loan.
Another option is to get a free credit report from each of the three credit bureaus, Equifax®, Experian®, and TransUnion®. This may give you basic information on any active student loan accounts you have opened in your name.
Recommended: Guide to Private Student Loans
Federal Student Loans
If you have federal student loans, there are a few ways to find your student loan statement. One way is to go to studentaid.gov and log in with your Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID. You can find your student loan balances, loan servicers, and interest rates on the site.
As with private student loans, you can also contact your school’s financial aid office for more information on your federal student loans.
Recommended: FAFSA Guide
Student Loan Statements
Not all student loan statements look the same, but they generally provide the same key details about your student loan. Knowing how to read your student loan statement is an important step in helping you manage your student loan debt.
Payment Summary
The payment summary shows the current amount due if payment is made by the due date. If you have other amounts due in addition to the current payment, like fees or a past due amount, those will also be shown in the payment summary.
Monthly Payment
The monthly payment will tell you what you are expected to pay, which includes the principal and interest, by the due date. The principal is the amount you borrowed, and the interest is what you’re paying to borrow the money.
Your required payment will be the same each month for the life of your loan unless you’ve chosen a variable rate for a private student loan or you’re enrolled in a federal income-driven repayment (IDR) plan.
Recommended: 7 Tips to Lower Your Student Loan Payments
Amortization Schedule
Your student loan repayment follows a student loan amortization schedule. Amortization is the process of paying back an installment loan through regular payments. When a student loan is amortized, it means that your monthly payment is divided into principal and interest payments.
Current Balance
Your current balance is what you owe on the date of the student loan statement. This is the total amount, including principal, interest, and any fees.
Original Balance
Your original balance is the amount that you borrowed before you made any payments toward your student loan.
Interest Rate
The interest rate on your student loan is how much you pay to borrow the funds. Federal loans issued since July 2006 have fixed interest rates, meaning they don’t change over the life of the loan.
The fixed rate for federal student loans depends on the type of loan. Federal student loans for graduate or professional school typically charge higher rates than federal loans for undergraduate study.
Private lenders determine rates for borrowers based on their creditworthiness. They offer undergraduate loans and graduate student loan options.
Negative amortization — having your loan balance grow over time if your monthly payment amount is less than the interest accruing — generally won’t occur if you make payments on the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) Plan. That’s because the SAVE Plan offers a permanent interest subsidy that helps prevent your federal loan balance from growing if you qualify for a $0 (or very low) monthly payment.
Managing Your Student Loans
After you know your lender or loan servicer, you can easily manage your student loans. Student loan management may be different depending on whether you have a federal student loan or a student loan from a private lender.
Federal student loans allow you to select a repayment plan. Repayment plans are typically divided into traditional plans and IDR plans, such as the SAVE Plan. This allows you a choice: quickly paying off student loan debt to minimize interest charges or lower monthly payments for greater affordability.
You can also consolidate your federal student loans or refinance federal and private student loans, resulting in one monthly payment. You may pay more interest over the life of the loan if you refinance with an extended term.
Private lenders may have their own flexible repayment plans. They may offer you the choice of deferring payments, paying interest only, paying your full monthly payment, or making a low fixed payment while you’re still in school. 💡 Quick Tip: Ready to refinance your student loan? You could save thousands.
Should You Refinance or Consolidate to Simplify Repayment?
Combining multiple student loans into a single loan with one monthly bill can simplify your student loan repayment. However, the choice to consolidate student loans vs. refinance depends on your personal situation and your end game.
Federal student loan consolidation combines multiple federal loans into a single loan through the U.S. Department of Education. Federal consolidation generally won’t lower your total interest costs but can lower your monthly payments by extending the repayment period. (A longer repayment period means more total interest paid over the life of the loan.)
Private lenders offer student loan refinancing — some refinance both federal and private student loans — which means paying off your current loans with one new private student loan, ideally with a lower interest rate. 💡 Quick Tip: When rates are low, refinancing student loans could make a lot of sense. How much could you save? Find out using our student loan refi calculator.
The Takeaway
Your student loan statements give all the details of your debt. Federal student loan borrowers can expect to receive billing statements now that the pandemic-related payment pause has ended.
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.
FAQ
What is a student loan statement?
A student loan statement gives you a detailed breakdown of your loan, including the last payment received, the current amount due, and where to send your payments.
How do I get to my student loan statement?
Federal student loan borrowers can get their student loan statements from their loan servicer. If you don’t know who your loan servicer is, visit your Federal Student Aid account dashboard.
Private student loan borrowers can contact their lender directly to ask for student loan statements. If you’re unsure who your lender is, you can get a free credit report from each of the three credit reporting agencies or contact your school’s financial aid office.
How do I read student loan statements?
Not all student loan statements look the same, but they generally provide the same information. Your student loan statement should give you a payment summary and tell you your monthly payment amount, due date, current and original balance, and interest rate.
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.
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.
SoFi Private Student Loans Please borrow responsibly. SoFi Private Student Loans are not a substitute for federal loans, grants, and work-study programs. You should exhaust all your federal student aid options before you consider any private loans, including ours. Read our FAQs.
SoFi Private Student Loans are subject to program terms and restrictions, and applicants must meet SoFi’s eligibility and underwriting requirements. See SoFi.com/eligibility-criteria for more information. To view payment examples, click here. SoFi reserves the right to modify eligibility criteria at any time. This information is subject to change.
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.
Roughly 30 minutes south of Dallas, in the heart of Waxahachie, Texas — the county seat for Ellis County, affectionately known as “The Crossroads of Texas” — lies a 5-acre estate that just hit the market with a record-setting price.
Listed for $10 million, the luxury home boasts the highest listing price in Waxahachie and all of Ellis County and has the potential to become the most expensive home ever sold in the area.
James Strength and Karen Cuskey-Hartman with Coldwell Banker Realty Dallas hold the listing.
Waxahachie is one of the best places to live in Texas
The record-setting listing doesn’t come as a huge surprise given Waxahachie’s rise in popularity.
The vibrant, authentic small-town Texas community — which has a population of about 48,000 residents — has a picture-perfect historic downtown district, a dense suburban feel, highly rated public schools, and plenty of parks, Waxahachie is celebrated as one of the most beautiful cities in the Lone Star State, with a very high quality of life.
But Waxahachie’s allure extends beyond its cultural and historical significance. The city is on the cusp of significant development, with Jerry Jones’ investment and development firm, Blue Star Land, leading the way.
The company plans on building a sprawling industrial center on a 120-acre site they acquired a while back. The 638,000-square-foot warehouse is meant to serve as an e-commerce fulfillment center for the renowned sports merchandise company Fanatics, a development sure to make an economic impact in the city — creating nearly 250 jobs and showcasing Waxahachie’s potential as a hub for economic growth.
Related: Joe Rogan’s house in Austin is a $14.4M lakeside retreat
This venture is merely the initial step in what promises to be Blue Star Land’s first significant mixed-use development south of Dallas. Partnering with the Lincoln Property Company, Jerry Jones’ firm has outlined plans for the 120-acre site, which include a 70-acre business park that will incorporate residential, industrial, retail, and commercial buildings.
Waxahachie is also a worthy contender for the title of “Movie Capital of Texas”, with more than thirty motion pictures — including three Academy Award-winning films — having been shot in the city.
Most notably, the star-studded Places in the Heart (released in 1984 and starring John Malkovich, Sally Field, Danny Glover, and Ed Harris) was filmed here, as were Tender Mercies (1983), and The Trip to Bountiful (1985).
Most recently, the hit series 1883, The Bass Reeves Story, part of the Yellowstone saga, was filmed against the backdrop of Waxahachie’s picturesque streets and buildings.
A $10M mansion is the crown jewel of Waxahachie real estate
The sprawling luxury home sits on a tree-lined, 5-acre estate complete with a stocked pond and a 2,800-square-foot guest house.
Newly built in 2022, the mansion was meticulously designed with work and family life balance in mind. All in all, the property offers an impressive total of 22,000 square feet of lavish living space, with some of the finest amenities money can buy.
The majestic main residence has 6 very large bedrooms with elegant ensuite baths and spacious walk-in closets.
It also has a grand office with its own separate entrance, and formal living and dining spaces that could easily entertain members of the royal family.
But the most striking feature of the Waxahachie house is its 65,000-gallon indoor pool and pool house, where we also find a gym with a sauna and a gourmet kitchen with stainless steel appliances that opens seamlessly to the pool area.
An 800-bottle wine room, craft and music rooms, and game and theater spaces round up the amenity list.
The grounds of the property are equally impressive, featuring a picture-perfect pond stocked with trophy fish, wide-mouth bass, channel catfish, and perch.
With so many celebrities moving to Texas, we wouldn’t be surprised to see this property land an A-list owner to take it off the market.
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A home loan backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) can be a great way for eligible service members and their beneficiaries to take out an affordable mortgage — but even though they don’t require a down payment, they’re not free. The VA loan funding fee is a one-time charge associated with taking out a VA home loan. The amount you’ll pay depends on what type of loan you’re taking out, how much you are borrowing, whether or not it’s your first time taking out such a loan, and the size of your down payment.
However, there are some circumstances in which you may not have to pay the VA funding fee — or in which you might be eligible for a funding fee refund. Read on to learn everything you need to know about how the VA home loan funding fee works, and how much you might expect to pay if you’re planning to get one.
What Is a VA Funding Fee?
As discussed above, the VA funding fee is a one-time fee an eligible service member, veteran, or survivor must usually pay in order to take out a VA home loan. This is separate from any down payment the borrower might make, homeowners insurance, or any other cost associated with home-buying: the funding fee’s purpose, per the VA itself, is to help “lower the cost of the loan for U.S. taxpayers.”
Whether you’re buying, building, renovating, or repairing a home, or even refinancing an existing mortgage, if you take out a VA loan, you’ll need to pay the funding fee unless you meet an exemption requirement, which we’ll talk about in more detail below. Of course you’ll also need to meet any other VA loan requirements, much the way you would if you were qualifying for a conventional home loan. 💡 Quick Tip: Apply for a VA loan and borrow up to $1.5 million with a fixed- or adjustable-rate mortgage. The flexibility extends to the down payment, too — qualified VA homebuyers don’t even need one!†
First-time homebuyers can prequalify for a SoFi mortgage loan, with as little as 3% down.
How Does the VA Funding Fee Differ From Mortgage Insurance?
Mortgage insurance, also known as private mortgage insurance or PMI, is usually required on conventional mortgages when the borrower makes a down payment less than 20%. In most cases, when you take out a VA loan, you’re not required to make a down payment at all, nor to pay mortgage insurance. The VA funding fee is a totally separate cost.
Even though it might sound like a downer at first, paying the VA funding fee rather than PMI is really good news for borrowers: Although the VA funding fee is calculated as a percentage of your overall home loan, just like mortgage insurance, it’s far less expensive than having to pay mortgage insurance over time. That’s because the funding fee is assessed just once, while mortgage insurance is paid every month as part of your mortgage payment until you’ve paid off more than 20% of the home loan. That means PMI has the ability to stack up to very high amounts over time.
Recommended: The Different Types of Home Mortgage Loans
Why Is the VA Loan Funding Fee Assessed?
As discussed above, the VA loan funding fee is meant to help lower the cost of VA loans to American taxpayers, since these loans don’t require the borrower to make a down payment or pay mortgage insurance. It’s a relatively small, one-time cost that makes the whole program more affordable for everybody in the long run — what some might call a win-win situation.
How Much Is the VA Funding Fee?
The amount of the VA funding fee varies depending on whether or not this is your first time using a VA loan and how large of a down payment you’re planning to make. (Which type of loan to get is one of many things you’ll have to consider if you’re a first-time homebuyer.) The higher a down payment you make, the lower your VA funding fee will be — and the fees are always lowest the first time you take out a VA loan.These fees can be adjusted over time, and they actually went down in 2023. Today, they range from 1.25% to 3.3%. 💡 Quick Tip: Active duty service members who have served for at least 90 consecutive days are eligible for a VA loan. But so are many veterans, surviving spouses, and National Guard and Reserves members. It’s worth exploring with an online VA loan application because the low interest rates and other advantages of this loan can’t be beat.†
2023 VA Funding Fees for Purchase and New Construction Loans
Here are the rates active-duty military members, veterans, and their survivors can expect when taking out a VA loan. If you used a VA loan in the past to pay for a manufactured home, you’re considered a first-timer for the purposes of this fee. And if your loan from the VA is a Native American Direct Loan, you pay a flat 1.25% regardless of whether this is your first VA loan or how much your down payment is.
Down Payment Amount
VA Funding Fee
First VA Loan
Less than 5%
2.15%
5% to 9.99%
1.5%
10% or higher
1.25%
Subsequent VA Loans
Less than 5%
3.3%
5% to 9.99%
1.5%
5% to 9.99%
1.5%
How Is the Fee Paid?
The VA funding fee is due when your loan closes. You can either pay it all at once as a lump sum then, or incorporate it into your financing and pay it off over time. Of course, if you choose to finance your funding fee, you will likely accrue interest on it, making it more expensive in the long run.
Are There Any VA Funding Fee Exemptions?
Yes! If you fall into one of the following circumstances, you won’t have to pay a VA funding fee:
• You’re receiving VA compensation for a disability connected to your service.
• You’re eligible to receive VA compensation for a disability connected to your service, but you’re being paid for active duty or receiving retirement compensation instead.
• You’re the surviving spouse of a veteran and you receive Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC).
• You’ve received, before the date your loan closes, a proposed or memorandum rating that says you’re eligible for compensation because of a pre-discharge claim.
• You’re an active duty service member who provides evidence before or on your closing date of having received the Purple Heart.
Is Anyone Eligible for a VA Funding Fee Refund?
In addition to the above circumstances, if you’re later deemed eligible for VA compensation due to a disability connected to your service, you may be entitled for a refund of your VA funding fee. To confirm, you’d need to call your VA regional loan center at (877) 827-3702 (TTY: 711). They’re available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET.
Recommended: The Cost of Living by State
What Do You Need to Provide to Get a VA Funding Fee Refund?
While the VA regional loan center will walk you through your funding fee refund claim, be aware that you’ll need to provide some documentation to prove your eligibility for a refund. That includes:
• A copy of your disability award letter — the office may also be able to verify your compensation in your system if you’ve lost the letter
• A copy of the signed closing documents
• A copy of your current mortgage statement
Some or all of your VA funding fee may be refunded depending on the eligibility of your claim.
The Takeaway
The VA funding fee is a one-time fee that borrowers must pay to take out a VA loan. It’s due at closing, and the amount varies depending on how much you borrow, the size of your down payment and other factors. First-time VA borrowers always enjoy lower fees than those who take out subsequent VA loans.
SoFi offers VA loans with competitive interest rates, no private mortgage insurance, and down payments as low as 0%. Eligible service members, veterans, and survivors may use the benefit multiple times.
Our Mortgage Loan Officers are ready to guide you through the process step by step.
FAQ
What is the typical funding fee for a VA loan?
For a first-time borrower who doesn’t make a down payment as part of their home purchase, the VA loan funding fee in 2023 is 2.15% of the loan amount. So if you borrowed $200,000 in this scenario, the fee would be $4,300.
What is the new VA funding fee for 2023?
Fees now range from 1.25% to 3.3% of the loan amount, depending on your circumstances. The VA home loan funding fee percentage was reduced as of April 7, 2023 by 0.15% in most categories — and 0.3% for those taking out a VA loan that is not their first and who put down less than 5%.
How to avoid VA funding fee
Unless you are eligible for an exemption due to a service-connected disability (or in a few other instances), it’s impossible to avoid the VA funding fee entirely if you’re taking out a VA loan. That said, your funding fee will be lower if you put down a higher down payment. It’s also lower for first-time borrowers than those taking out subsequent VA loans.
Photo credit: iStock/kupicoo
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.
SoFi Mortgages Terms and conditions apply. Not all products are offered in all states. See SoFi.com/eligibility for more information.
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.
†Veterans, Servicemembers, and members of the National Guard or Reserve may be eligible for a loan guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. VA loans are subject to unique terms and conditions established by VA and SoFi. Ask your SoFi loan officer for details about eligibility, documentation, and other requirements. VA loans typically require a one-time funding fee except as may be exempted by VA guidelines. The fee may be financed or paid at closing. The amount of the fee depends on the type of loan, the total amount of the loan, and, depending on loan type, prior use of VA eligibility and down payment amount. The VA funding fee is typically non-refundable. SoFi is not affiliated with any government agency.
When you think of chic statement pieces and finishing touches, Amazon is probably last on your list. Considering all the other homeware stores, a behemoth multinational best known for cheap plastic gadgets and air fryers simply isn’t as appealing.
I won’t lie to you – there’s a lot of cheap, tacky furniture and decor on Amazon. However, you can find some hidden gems with a little effort. In fact, Amazon is one of my go-to retailers for home decor because you can find amazing deals. What’s more, thanks to Amazon Prime, items also ship super fast, which always comes in handy when I’m refreshing my space for the fall and holiday seasons.
Amazon Prime Big Deals Days are almost here, bringing big discounts on a wide range of products. Our product testers have found some Amazon Prime Day deals that can save you hundreds of dollars. However, these offers are only for Amazon Prime members, and we’ve also seen some counter-sales from other big retailers. If you want to head straight to the deals, here’s what’s on offer:
Amazon Prime Vacuum Deals: we’ve seen up to 60% off vacuum brands like Bissell, Dyson, Shark and more
Amazon Prime Bedding Deals: more than 70% off sheets, mattresses, and headboards
Amazon Prime Blender Deals: we’ve found more than $250 off blender brands like Vitamix, Nutribullet, Ninja and more
Amazon Prime Air Fryer Deals: there’s more than $200 off air fryer brands like Instant, Ninja, Cosori and more
Amazon Prime Coffee Maker Deals: up to 50% off brands like Keurig, Nespresso, De’Longhi and Casabrews
Amazon Prime Stand Mixer Deals: more than 30% off brands like KitchenAid, Cuisinart, and more
Best Buy Outlet Event : 50% off refurbished appliances and tech
Walmart Shark Days: hundreds of dollars off a range of Shark products
Kitchen and Tablescapes
If you’re looking for accent pieces for your tablescape or need a new fruit bowl, you’ll find lots of decor options on Amazon. The marketplace is my go-to for stocking up on candlestick holders as well as centerpiece vases, fruit bowls, table linens, and more.
BlossoME Antique Ceramic White Vase
LOKUME Set of 12 Gold Candlestick Holders
Denique Yellow Ceramic Fruit Bowl
Was $39.99, now $36.99 at Amazon Every kitchen needs a fruit bowl, and I love the idea of incorporating something fun, sculptural, and a little unexpected. This ceramic fruit bowl boasts a gorgeous yellow glaze that adds a touch of sunshine to your abode. I love how it sits on a pedestal, too, which makes it feel more like a fruit display rather than a fruit bowl.
Furniture
Similar to the likes of IKEA, Wayfair, and Target, Amazon is home to a variety of furniture finds. I love Amazon because you can find budget-friendly options that don’t sacrifice comfort or quality, making it a good place to find trendy accent pieces.
Karl Home Accent Chair Mid-Century Modern Chair
$135.99 at Amazon Accent chairs are one of my favorite types of furniture to find on Amazon. There are seriously so many good options, including dupes. For a classic mid-century modern accent chair, I love this style from Karl Home. It comes in several colors, including a gorgeous cream beige that goes with just about anything.
WILLIAMSPACE 129″ Sectional Sofa Couch
$1,449.99 at Amazon Amazon is also a great place to find cloud couch alternative, and this soft from WILLIAMSPACE is one of my favorites. For $2500 less than the original, this sectional features a U-shaped design with six modules that you can swap around to create a custom style.
LKTART Modern Imitation Rattan Coffee Table
Dough Bowl For Decor
BlossoME Ceramic Vase Home Decor
Marycele Candle Warmer Lamp
Was $45.99, now $29.99 at Amazon If you love candles but don’t want to light them, you can still reap the aromatic benefits with a candle warmer. This option features a built-in fairy lamp with a glass shade and chic brass and wood base that would look stunning with interiors featuring the eclectic vintage aesthetic.
Throw Pillows and Blankets
Accent pillows and throw blankets are some of my favorite ways to switch up my decor from season to season. I always find stylish options on Amazon and particularly love how you can purchase packs of pillow covers vs. stuffed pillows, which makes storing them from season to season much easier.
Was $49.99, now $42.49 at Amazon Chunky knit blankets are one of the most popular home decor trends this year. If you don’t have the time to knit one yourself, you can get a gorgeous handmade throw blanket for under $50 at Amazon. The Adyrescia Chunky Knit Blanket Throw is made from chenille and comes in several different sizes, so you can add one to your couch or bed and even keep one folded up in your office for chilly mornings.
Was $138.99, now $117.99 at Amazon This trendy arch mirror boasts major vintage vibes but at a fraction of the cost. The chic arched mirror comes in several colors, including brass, cream, and black and four different sizes, so you can easily find an option that fits in virtually any space, including a bedroom, entryway, bathroom, or living room.
FAQs
When are the Amazon Prime Big Deal Days?
Prime Big Deal Days will run from October10th-11th, offering big discounts on a wide range of products.
Do you need to be a Prime member to shop Prime Big Deal Days?
Yes. Only Amazon Prime members can receive these discounts. Membership costs $14.99 a month.
Decor isn’t the only thing that will be on sale at Amazon. There’s plenty of vacuum deals, bedding deals, and air fryer deals throughout the event, as well as savings on tech.
Are you a nurse who is looking to make extra income? Looking for the best side hustles for nurses? Whether you are looking for a part-time side gig or a full-time extra income stream, there are many ways to make extra cash as a nurse. Whether you are looking to pay off your student loans,…
Are you a nurse who is looking to make extra income? Looking for the best side hustles for nurses?
Whether you are looking for a part-time side gig or a full-time extra income stream, there are many ways to make extra cash as a nurse.
Whether you are looking to pay off your student loans, save for a vacation, retire earlier, or whatever else, there are many reasons why you may want a side hustle.
As a nurse, though, you may be wanting something that will fit into your already busy and tiring schedule.
When it comes to finding side work, there is no shortage of options for nurses. But, not all side jobs for nurses are created equal.
Related content on side jobs for nurses:
Best Side Hustles For Nurses
Medical transcription
Transcription is when you turn audio files or video content into a text document. As a medical transcriptionist, you would be converting voice recordings from doctors and others in the medical field into formal reports.
Medical transcriptionists are required to be knowledgeable about medical terminology, HIPAA, and more, which makes this a side hustle that a nurse would be somewhat familiar with.
Medical transcriptionists earn around $20 to $25 an hour.
There are also other types of transcription work that are not medical related. There are many businesses looking for transcriptionists – since general transcriptionists convert audio and video to text for virtually any industry, there really isn’t a typical client. Examples include marketers, authors, filmmakers, academics, speakers, and conferences of all types.
You can learn more at How To Become A Transcriptionist From Home.
Lactation consultant
A lactation consultant is someone who specializes in breastfeeding.
A hospital may have you on call, you may go in person to people’s homes to assist them with breastfeeding issues, you may start a website where you help families online, and more.
My lactation consultant at the hospital when I gave birth to my daughter Marlowe also happened to be a healthcare worker at the pediatrician’s office that we brought her to. So, she definitely had more than one form of income!
Night nanny
A night nanny (or sometimes called night nurse if they are a nurse) is someone who helps new parents take care of their children overnight.
You would be employed by a family, usually for a few weeks or a few months after a baby is born. You would be helping parents at nighttime so that they can get more sleep as well as learn how to take care of their new infant.
You will be changing diapers, feeding the baby, helping the baby go to sleep, and more.
A night nanny typically works 8-12 hours overnight.
Night nannies are sometimes licensed practical nurses or registered nurses, as new parents many times want the skills and expertise that a nurse has.
You may be able to find night nanny jobs through word of mouth, or on websites such as SitterCity.com or Care.com.
Telehealth nurse
Telehealth nurse jobs are in high demand and will continue to grow. A telehealth nurse is a nurse who sees patients online, such as by video or phone. You may be working part-time or full-time as a telehealth nurse.
As a telehealth nurse, you would be assisting patients with minor health problems as well as advising them if they should go to the emergency room or urgent care, for example.
A telehealth nurse may work from home (and simply require an internet connection), at a physician’s office, hospital, and more.
As a telehealth nurse, you are still required to be a registered nurse and to have passed the NCLEX examination.
Start a blog or website
I know a few nurses who have started blogs, and this is because a blog can help you make income in your spare time with a flexible schedule.
So, what is a blog? A blog is a website. A blog is content that is written on a website. It usually consists of articles, like the one you are reading right now.
Blogs can vary from person to person. You may create a blog to journal, to teach on a topic, to sell something, to tell a story, and so on. There are no exact rules about what your blog has to be used for.
You can blog about many different topics such as personal finance, travel, lifestyle, food, family, home, DIY, and more.
You can learn how to start a blog with my free How To Start a Blog Course (sign up by clicking here).
Become a caregiver
As a registered nurse, you have highly valuable skills that make you in demand for caregiving jobs, such as taking care of children and adults.
As a caregiver, you may be helping the elderly, helping people get ready for the day, taking care of them for a day, grocery shopping for them, and more.
You may be able to find caregiving jobs through word of mouth (as nurses are very desirable for these positions) or on websites like Care.com and Craigslist.
Sell printables on Etsy
A printable is a digital product that someone can download and print at home. Examples of printables include grocery shopping checklists, gift tags, candy bar wrappers, printable quotes for wall art, budget templates, and patterns.
What makes this great for a nurse looking to make extra income is that you just need to create one digital file per product, and then you can sell it an unlimited amount of times.
So, this can be a great way to make money without having to use up all of your free time outside of work.
You can sign up for this free ebook that helps you figure out where to start when it comes to selling printables on Etsy.
You can also learn more at How I Make Money Selling Printables On Etsy.
Make Canva templates
Making Canva templates is similar to selling printables – you just need to create them once, and you can sell them an unlimited amount of times.
Canva is an online graphic design website. On Canva, you can sell premade designs to other Canva users so that they can edit and customize them.
Some examples of Canva templates include ebooks, workbooks, Pinterest pins, and more.
People all around the world use Canva to help with the graphic design side of their business, and templates make their lives so much easier.
You can head to this article to learn more at How I Make $2,000+ Monthly Selling Canva Templates.
Sell stickers
Selling stickers could be stickers that you have printed out and are shipping to customers, or you may be selling stickers for them to print on their own. You would be creating your own designs on stickers and can sell them for years to come.
Stickers are extremely popular right now and will most likely be for years. Stickers are used for so many different reasons, and you don’t need a lot of equipment to start a sticker business.
You don’t need graphic design skills either – this is something that you can learn quickly and even teach yourself.
You will need a cutting machine (perhaps you already have a Cricut cutting machine?), a printer, sticker paper, and ink to get started.
You can learn more at How To Make $1,000+ A Month Selling Stickers Online.
CPR instructor or First Aid instructor
As a CPR instructor or First Aid instructor, these may be classes that you are hired to teach part-time. It may just be a few hours a week and you would be teaching others CPR and First Aid.
There are classes for those who are expecting a child, prepping for the wilderness, for employees in all industries, and even classes for those who are getting into sailing (I personally have taken these sailing classes!).
Rent out spare rooms or a home
You may be able to earn extra income by renting out a spare bedroom or by investing in rental property to rent out in whole (such as an apartment or a house).
You can learn more at How This Woman In Her 30s Owns 7 Rental Homes.
Rent out your stuff
There are other things you can rent as well.
Renting out your stuff can feel somewhat passive, and if you’re not using it then it may make perfect sense for you.
Here is a list of things to rent out and which platforms are best:
Home bakery
You may be able to make extra cash by making baked goods at home.
In fact, I know someone who is a nurse, and on the side, she decorates and sells amazing-looking cookies for events. She started out decorating cookies simply as a hobby, and people started asking if they could hire her to make specialty cookies for baby showers, weddings, and more. This is now a side hustle for her that she loves.
You can learn more about this topic at How To Make Extra Money By Starting A Home Bakery. Here, you’ll learn about the equipment needed to start a bakery, food laws, tips on pricing your baked goods, and more.
I also recommend reading How I Earned Up to $4,000 Per Month Baking Dog Treats (With Zero Baking Experience!) if you are wanting to make dog treats.
Pet sit
With this, you may be watching pets in your own home or the pet’s home, or you may be walking them during the day, playing with them when the owners are gone, giving them their medicine, feeding them, and more.
While it would most likely be hard to be a pet sitter or pet walker on a day when you have a nursing shift, this may be something that you can schedule for on your days off, as you can pick your days and hours by selecting clients that best fit your schedule.
If you’re interested in watching pets in your home, Rover is a platform where you can list your services and find clients.
Become a virtual assistant
A virtual assistant is an assistant who works from their own home (instead of in person).
As a virtual assistant, you may find part-time or full-time work, and you may be able to be flexible with your hours. I have virtual assistants and they all have flexible hours, which can be great for someone who is a nurse and may not be able to work on days when they have a long shift.
As a virtual assistant, you may be helping a company manage their social media, scheduling appointments, managing their email inbox, data entry, and more.
You can learn more at How To Earn $10,000 Each Month From Home as a Virtual Assistant.
Start a TikTok account
I follow a few TikTok accounts that are all about being a nurse, and they are very informative and entertaining. Or, you can start a TikTok that’s not related to being a nurse at all!
There are over 1.5 billion users on TikTok and many people are able to earn an income on this social media platform doing many different things.
From personal finance tips to comedy, day in the life to travel, and more, there are many different topics you can cover on your own TikTok account through making social media content.
Learn more at How To Make Money On TikTok.
Begin a YouTube channel
As a YouTuber, you may decide to start a channel about being a nurse, or about anything else!
There are many different types of YouTube channels out there.
A great positive of starting a YouTube channel is that, like blogging, you can create your own schedule, and work only on the days that you want. So, it does not have to interfere with your schedule as a nurse.
You can learn more at How I Grew From 0 Subscribers To Over $100,000 On YouTube In Less Than One Year.
Cosmetic nurse
As a cosmetic nurse, such as an aesthetic nurse injector, you may be working in a doctor’s office or medical spa.
You may be doing injections, photofacials, microneedling, and more.
Resell items online
If you are looking for a flexible job as a nurse, one to look into may be reselling items online, such as on Craigslist, eBay, or Facebook Marketplace. There are many other online marketplaces as well.
Plus, it’s something that anyone can start because many of us own things that we could probably sell.
My friend Stacy Gallego was a nurse who resold items in her spare time. She made over $100,000 in sales by flipping used items too and actually retired as a nurse so that she could pursue her flipping side hustle full-time! You can read more about her story at How I Made $100,000 Selling Used Items.
Stacy learned how to build a flipping business from my other friends Melissa and Rob. They are the flipping experts! Some of the best items that they’ve resold include:
Something they bought for $10 and flipped for $200 just 6 minutes later
A security tower they bought for $6,200 and flipped for $25,000 just one month later
A prosthetic leg that they bought for $30 at a flea market and sold for $1,000 on eBay the very next day
A lift that they found in the trash (and asked the owner for permission to take) that they sold online for $7,500
They have a helpful free webinar, Turn Your Passion For Visiting Thrift Stores, Yard Sales & Flea Markets Into A Profitable Reselling Business In As Little As 14 Days, I recommend checking out.
Tutor
As a tutor, you can help a nursing student with their nursing degree, pass an examination, and study for a certificate, for example.
To become an online tutor, you can simply create a tutor profile on a tutoring platform, create a listing on Fiverr, reach out to people that you know, and more.
Learn more at The Best Online Tutoring Jobs – A Flexible Way To Make More Money.
Freelance write
Freelance writing is when you write for different clients, such as a website, magazine, and more.
Many people start with no previous experience, so this can be a great one to begin for you.
Plus, as a freelance writer, you can create your own schedule and take on as many or as few clients as you would like, so you can determine how much money and time you want to spend on this side hustle.
You may be able to become a health writer or write about any of the other thousands of topics out there.
You can learn more in the article How To Become A Freelance Writer.
Mystery shop
Mystery shopping won’t be a huge source of extra income, but it can be something that you can do whenever you have some spare time. There’s not a huge commitment to this either, which can be great if you are looking for something flexible.
Another positive of mystery shopping is that there are mystery shops that can be conducted both in person, online, and on the phone.
As a mystery shopper, you would get paid to evaluate companies from when you walk through the door to after you get your receipt. Or, you may be evaluating how they answer the phone when you pretend that you are a customer inquiring about a service that they offer.
The company has no idea that you are a mystery shopper – this is so that the company can truly evaluate how they are doing and see what they need to improve.
As a mystery shopper, you may be completing mystery shops for clothing stores, department stores, restaurants, car dealerships, salons, amusement parks, and more.
You can learn more at How To Become A Mystery Shopper.
Join a focus group
There are many market research companies that pay people like you and me to share their opinions. Companies then use these opinions and feedback to improve their products and services.
Sometimes focus groups are looking for a specific person too, such as a healthcare professional or someone who uses medical devices. Or, they may be looking for anyone who works in any field.
User Interviews pays very well for market research studies. Over 2,000 studies are launched each month and they have paid over 72,000 participants in the last year.
Pinterest, Spotify, Macy’s, Home Depot, Trip Advisor, and more all use User Interviews to gather feedback from users about their latest products, apps, and websites.
Participants can earn $50 to $100 per hour or more for sharing their opinions and feedback. The average pays over $60.
You can learn more in my User Interviews Review.
Similar to this, there are many paid online surveys you can take as well. These will pay much lower than a focus group, though.
Immunization nurse
An immunization nurse is a nurse who gives vaccines, such as flu shots. You may be working part-time or full-time, such as at a travel vaccine clinic or curbside clinic.
Immunizations will always be around, which means that there will always be a demand for immunization nurses.
Camp nurse
As a camp nurse, you would typically be working in the summer (because that is when camps usually take place). A camp may last a few days or even weeks or months.
You may be taking care of campers, such as doing first aid.
Many camps go without medical professionals because they are unable to find a nurse to fill the role – so there is a demand for camp nurses.
Sign up for extra nursing shifts
This one is the most common as a nurse, so I saved it for almost last. As a nurse, you may have the option to work overtime and make extra money.
Since you are already in the profession, this may be the easiest to get started with.
Travel nurse
Okay, so this is not a side hustle, but I do think it’s somewhat related enough to include in this article!
A travel nurse may be able to earn more than $3,000 per week. They tend to make much more than a nurse who has a permanent job at a hospital or other facility.
Travel nurses are RNs working short-term positions at healthcare facilities. Whenever there are nursing shortages, which happen often in the medical profession, travel nurses help healthcare facilities fill these roles.
I have had several friends become travel nurses, and I’ve also met a few travel nurses while traveling.
Travel nurse jobs usually last around 3 months and can come with many benefits, and they also tend to pay quite well.
Recommended reading: 25 Best Travel Jobs To Make Money Traveling
Common questions about nurse side hustles
Below, I answer some common questions that you may have about side hustles for nurses.
How can nurses earn extra from home?
There are many ways that a nurse can earn extra money from home. This may include:
Medical transcription
Telehealth nurse
Answering medical surveys
Blogger
Freelance health writer
Selling printables
Rental real estate
Creating a nurse TikTok
Medical coding
And so much more.
Can nurses be entrepreneurs?
Yes, nurses can definitely become entrepreneurs. There are many options above, such as starting your own lactation consultant business, a night nurse business, becoming a health coach, and more.
Can a nurse have more than one job?
As a nurse, you may be working 3 days a week, which leaves you with 4 days off each week.
This may lead you to wonder – can you work two jobs as a nurse?
Yes, you may be able to work two jobs as long as you can realistically fit them both into your schedule.
As a nurse, though, you are working long hours. So, while you do have more free days than average, you would want to make sure that you are able to manage a good work-life balance.
How to make 6 figures as a nurse?
There are many ways to make over $100,000 each year as a nurse.
To start off – where you live can greatly impact your salary as a nurse, as some areas will pay more.
Other ways to increase your income as a nurse are to get into travel nursing, enter a specialty (such as becoming a certified registered nurse anesthetist or nurse practitioner), work overtime, and of course start a side hustle.
What can a nurse do as a side hustle?
Whether you are looking for a part-time or full-time gig, there are many different side hustles for nurses to fit your schedule so that you can make extra money.
As a nurse, you have skills, training, and expertise that are highly desirable in many different jobs and fields, which can allow you to earn a high income.
There are many different jobs that a nurse can do. Some of the best side jobs may include:
Medical transcription
Lactation consultant
Night nanny / Night nurse
Telehealth nurse
Blogger
Caregiver
Printables designer
Templates maker
Sticker designer
CPR instructor
First Aid instructor
Real estate investor
Baker
Pet sitter
Virtual assistant
TikToker
YouTuber
Cosmetic nurse
Reseller
Tutor
Freelance writer
Mystery shopper
Focus group participant
Immunization nurse
Camp nurse
And more.
What do you think are the best side hustles for nurses?
The full name of this program is USDA Rural Housing Guaranteed Loan Program. We’ll simplify its name here to the USDA Loan. If you prefer, our office calls it the Meat Loan.
This is the first of two articles. Article number one introduces the program’s benefits. Article two covers the qualifying aspect, which is easier than most consumers anticipate. We’ll need a program to compare to USDA, so we’ll use its closest relative, the FHA loan program.
Let’s get to the first USDA loan benefit:
1. No down payment required
That’s right, USDA loans require no down payment and have a standard 30-year fixed term.
2. Nominal mortgage insurance
In 18+ years of lending I’ve encountered zero home buyers who want or like mortgage insurance. Compared to similar down payment options across other programs, USDA loans require lowest-in-class mortgage insurance. Government loans split their mortgage insurance (MI) between an upfront fee, financed into the loan amount, and the MI that contributes to the payment amount. The MI that contributes to one’s payment is known by different names, but we’ll call it the mortgage insurance factor or MI factor.
USDA’s MI factor, also called its Guarantee Fee, is 0.35%. This program requires 0% down.
USDA’s upfront fee is 1.00% or 0.01 times the loan amount, financed into the loan.
FHA’s MI factor, also called its Mortgage Insurance Premium is 0.55%. This program requires at least 3.5% down.
The upfront government fee for FHA is 1.75%, also financed into the loan amount.
When compared with FHA, the math above illustrates that the USDA loan saves 0.75% off the top of your closing costs. That’s a decent chunk of change for enhancing your appliances or interior decorating budget.
As of the writing of this article, rates are still volatile, and we’ll just use 7.50% for illustrating this comparison. When in doubt, ask your lender about your current rate scenario.
We’ll omit the unknown taxes and insurance from the payment, as their addition to payment is the same. Let’s compare the principal, interest & mortgage insurance (PIMI) payment between FHA (3.5% down) and USDA (0% down).
You read that correctly. The combined savings from 0.75% in closing costs and cheaper mortgage insurance brings this 0% ($0) USDA down payment within ≈$12 per month of its competing 3.5% ($9,500) FHA down payment.
3. Max loan amount calculation
Besides requiring zero down and its lower mortgage insurance, there is one more facet that makes the USDA program shine: its max loan amount calculation. Other Agency (Conventional or Government) loan programs base the max loan amount on the lesser of the purchase price versus appraised value.
USDA loans are unique as they base the max loan amount solely on the property’s appraised value. Supported by an appraised value that accommodates the purchase price + settlement costs (closing costs + prepaid expenses), there is truly no money required at closing. The program’s ability to finance settlement costs is unique to the USDA loan program. Ensure that your lender does not overlay guidelines that supersede any of the program’s benefits.
4. Qualifying
USDA’s program generally follows FHA’s guidelines, but the agency’s goal is to support rural housing. In doing so, they have two distinct qualifiers:
a. Property Eligibility
Let’s look at an example: My hometown of Madison, Wisconsin, is considered ineligible for USDA financing. That ineligibility spans through the Madison-metro area. Beyond metro areas is generally fair game, until you get to other metro areas, such as Milwaukee
These ineligible areas are based on recent census data and then polished with criteria that USDA keeps to themselves. Keep in mind that USDA definition of “rural” is relative. In the Cheese State “rural” is different than “rural” in New Jersey, as population densities are far different.
Try zooming to various areas on USDA’s Property Eligibility map to familiarize yourself with its interface. Madison is located at mid-bottom of WI, if you want to check out my example. Prospective FHA home buyers are often surprised by the areas that report as eligible for the USDA program.
Note: Beware of external sites that claim USDA eligibility mapping. These sites simply scrape USDA’s data, so they lag behind. Stick to the .gov source.
b. Household Income Caps
This program’s guidelines distinguishes between two separate tiers of household income caps: 1-4 and 5+ person households. Married with 3 dependents? You’re in the 5+ (higher income cap) tier.
Even when income calculations exceed the USDA caps, know that there are deductions to help your scenario fit.
Subtracting documented childcare expenses is the most common deduction for lowering your household income calculation. There is a handy USDA calculator that accounts for common deductions.
Your USDA lender can help define and calculate deductions so help them earn their paycheck.
Note: USDA does not maintain a centralized database with approved lenders. If you think this program could be a good fit for your scenario, just ask your current preferred lender about it.
This information isn’t all-encompassing, so spend some time speaking with a lender who’s fluent in USDA guidelines. When home buyers’ scenarios fit into this program, financing homeownership gets a little easier.
“Bidenomics” is taking its toll on the U.S. housing market, as mortgage rates hit their highest level in more than two decades.
On Wednesday, the average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage hit 8 percent, marking the highest level recorded since 2000. According to the Committee to Unleash Prosperity, this estimate means “that on a $500,000 home purchase, Americans will pay an approximate $1,500 a month Biden mortgage tax” for 30 years. For context, the average rate on a 30-year mortgage was 2.65 percent when former President Donald Trump left office in January 2021.
With higher mortgage rates, homebuyers are becoming increasingly wary of purchasing a new home in the current market. For example, a recent Fannie Mae survey found 83 percent of consumers “believe mortgage rates will stay at their current elevated level or rise further in the next 12 months.” Separately, 84 percent agreed that “now is a bad time to buy a home.” The latter percentage is the “highest share on record,” according to Yahoo Finance.
Higher rates have conversely led to a limited number of homes on the market, as sellers are fearful of having to purchase a new home under the current rates.
“Mortgage rates are expected to remain elevated for the time being,” Hannah Jones, an economic research analyst, told Yahoo. “It seems that [mortgage lock effect] is going to be the mode of operation until something shifts substantially, [such as] inflation has made big improvements.”
Despite President Joe Biden and his administration’s insistence that the U.S. economy is all hunky-dory, everyday Americans are struggling to afford basic necessities due to high inflation rates. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in September, the Consumer Price Index increased 3.7 percent year-over-year and rose 0.4 percent for the month after rising 0.6 percent in August.
As noted in a Las Vegas Review-Journal op-ed, that 3.7 percent year-over-year increase is “a long way from the Federal Reserve’s inflation target of 2 percent” and “is building on 7 percent annual inflation in 2021 and 6.5 percent in 2022.”
Shawn Fleetwood is a staff writer for The Federalist and a graduate of the University of Mary Washington. He previously served as a state content writer for Convention of States Action and his work has been featured in numerous outlets, including RealClearPolitics, RealClearHealth, and Conservative Review. Follow him on Twitter @ShawnFleetwood