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Fall is officially here. The days are growing shorter, the leaves are changing and, for many, snow may be right around the bend. Soon, you’ll be trading in your t-shirts for sweaters, getting out the pumpkin carving tools and enjoying a warm mulled apple cider.
It’s also the perfect time to fill your home with the best scents of this cozy season. From cinnamon to sweet orange and bergamot, combined essential oils or fragrances can bring the fall indoors. Then, prepare for the winter with cedarwood and cypress.
Let’s explore some of the top contenders for fall and winter aromas. We’ll also touch base on some scent diffusers that have transformed how you can bring these beautiful fragrances into your home.
Scent diffuser selections for the seasons
These handpicked scents bring the changing season indoors, reminding us it’s time to cozy up with some hot chocolate and bake gingerbread cookies or pumpkin pie. Before you know it, you’ll be getting out the holiday games and letting the festivities begin!
Filling your home with the scents of the changing seasons reminds you to make the most of these precious months. Additionally, you can use many of these products when making candles, soaps and lotions. Explore the top picks from Amazon that nearly everyone loves.
The essence of autumn and winter
Bring back memories of autumn days spent hiking through fallen leaves or cooking with family and friends with this set of six autumn fragrance oils. The set includes vanilla, maple syrup, apple harvest and pumpkin pie. Add some sweet cinnamon and the fragrance of a fall walk, and it’s safe to say they’ve covered the season.
If you prefer the warm and rich aroma of ginger, cinnamon and cloves or the welcoming and cleansing scent of frosted fir and winter berries, MitFlor’s winter essential oil set may be for you.
The scent of hotel-inspired luxury
Is it time for a luxurious vacation? What does luxury smell like? Maybe slightly mysterious with a hint of black fig, soft and refined with a touch of rose and enhanced energy with some citrusy lemon.
If that makes you want to cozy up in a plush robe or nestle into a luxurious spa tub, Black Velvet may offer the aroma you’re looking for. Some of the world’s luxury 5-star hotels use this aroma scent diffuser oil by Hotel Collection.
Bring a forest into your apartment
Do you remember walking down a mountain trail and catching a sudden whiff of pine or cedarwood? That refreshing scent may take you back to shared campfires or cozy gatherings by the fireplace. Woodsy Eternal Essence Oils are designed to take you to the warmth of a fire or a walk in the woods, a perfect retreat as the fall turns to winter.
The six-pack of oils also includes the comforting and sensual scent of sandalwood and the calming and earthy aroma of frankincense. Add Bamboo & Teak and Woodland Bay for a complete overhaul. You can also use these oils in massage oils and body and hair care routines.
Take a journey with essential oils
Essential oils are extracted from plants and often used in aromatherapy. You’ve probably heard of the relaxing benefits of lavender or how bergamot can reduce stress and improve moods. Aura Cacia created essential oil diffusion blends ideal for fall and winter.
This set of four includes Spice Market, a blend of cardamom and clove. From the ginger family, cardamom warms and energizes the senses while bringing a spicy, sweet scent to your home. Do you like chai tea lattes or aromatic spices in your dishes? This blend of essential oils may call to you.
Dreamy Forest combines the balsam of Peru and jasmine. Balsam of Peru offers a rich, woody aroma with underlying hints of vanilla. Jasmine is known for its aphrodisiac and anti-anxiety properties, as well as its intoxicating rich floral scent. This essential oil set also includes Quiet Orchard with wintergreen and balsam fir and Sunny Garden with chamomile and helichrysum.
The smell of freshly baked fall favorites
Do you have a favorite fall flavor and smell you look forward to every year? For some, it’s the smell of coffee cake wafting through the kitchen. Or, it could be the mingling of ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg and molasses, reminding you your gingerbread cookies are in the oven.
Enjoy all these fragrances and more with this spice fragrance oils set from P&J. You’ll also experience autumn faves like pumpkin pie, harvest spice, apple cider and cinnamon.
An aroma for every event
Do you get a little stressed out over the holidays? Join the human race. Sometimes, you just need to take a deep breath. This set of 14 essential oils with blends like Rest, Comfort, Restore and Breathe offers the perfect aromas for this time of year.
You also get a selection of individual essential oils, like frankincense, cedarwood, rosemary and lavender, letting you experiment with making your own blended oils. For instance, cedarwood, sweet orange and a touch of eucalyptus bring a woodsy, floral scent that aligns with the cyclical transition of autumn transforming into winter.
The smell of a November rain
If you’re wondering what a November rain, lake sunset or cozy sweater smells like, CAKKI’s unique fragrance oil set may have the answer. In addition to these unique scents, fill your home with the aroma of Macintosh apples, maple leaves and chamomile’s earthy, sweet fragrance.
The magic hour
The magic hour, or golden hour, is just before the sun rises or sets. It’s when photographers rush out to capture the magical light available only at these times. The sun’s yellow light takes on a reddish hue, casting everything in a golden, bronze glow that flatters subjects. In autumn and winter, this magic hour becomes more of a magic half-hour, moments you don’t want to miss.
Folkulture’s Magic Hour essential oil set includes white sage, a plant used for thousands of years to purify homes. Balsam, cedarwood and orange bring the season’s scents indoors. Rose plum offers a seductive floral and fruit scent that’s hard to define until experienced.
Diffusing your scents into the air
Now that you’ve chosen your fragrances and essential oils, it’s time to explore some unique scent diffusers that add warmth and intrigue to your apartment. While some are as simple as a candle under a ceramic bowl, others offer a realistic fire-like atmosphere.
Add warmth, humidity and a fire-like flame
Scent diffusers have certainly come a long way. This Flame Aromatherapy Diffuser brings orange-red or blue flame-like lights while it fills your room with a relaxing mist and incredible aroma. Who needs a spa? You can choose from continuous to intermittent misting and make sure it aligns with your decor in faux wood, white or black.
Experience the changing seasons with changing light
This metal ultrasonic cool mist scent diffuser lights up images of the season in seven LED color-changing lights. From trees to forests, owls and deers, experience your unique scents rising from a softly illuminated image. With automatic shut-off and silent operation, it’s also a perfect addition to a room needing a night light.
Quick warning about scent diffusers and pets
While they’re pleasant for humans, scent diffusers and specific essential oils can pose some danger to pets. The devices we listed above use essential oils, which, when dispersed into the air, can become concentrated and overwhelming for animals with highly sensitive noses.
Some essential oils are toxic to pets and can lead to a range of health issues. For example, tea tree oil is off limits to both dogs and cats. Peppermint oil, clove oil, wintergreen oil and cinnamon should be avoided for dog parents; while citrus oils, eucalyptus and ylang-ylang oils shouldn’t be used in cat-friendly homes.
Additionally, pets might accidentally knock over diffusers, leading to spills or direct contact with the oils, which can be harmful if ingested or absorbed through their skin. To ensure the safety of our furry friends, it’s crucial to use scent diffusers cautiously and choose pet-friendly alternatives if necessary.
Enjoy the scents of the season with a scent diffuser
Our sense of smell has a profound link to our memories. It’s why the smell of pumpkin pie takes you back to cooking with your mom, or cedar brings you back to Thanksgiving in the mountains. Perhaps it’s time to create new memories by filling your home with one or more of these enchanting aromas.
Still looking for the perfect apartment for rent to create holiday memories? We have you covered.
Welcome to Someone Buy This!, a monthly shopping column featuring the fun, the frivolous, and the practical from a very discerning shopper.
I love my dog Archie, I love having nice stuff in my home, and yet these two things are often at odds with each other. Dog stuff can often be… well, ugly. There’s a lot of garish prints and colors, and not the kind you’re used to seeing in this column. I’ve searched high and low for functional dog products that seamlessly fit into my home decor and I’m happy to report that they exist. Here are my favorite, Archie-approved, dog accessories.
Eating and drinking
If your dog is like mine, they like splash water all over the floor when they drink. Then you get the very special honor of stepping on wet floor as you go about your business. I’m sure that you, like me, absolutely love a surprise puddle. If so, this product is not for you because it will drastically reduce and even eliminate drink bowl puddles. This base from Dorai Home is made out of diatomaceous earth, which, according to the company, holds up to 150% of its weight in water. What does this mean? It’s super absorbent and causes moisture to evaporate very, very quickly. It truly changed the puddle situation in my kitchen. When Archie dramatically laps from his bowl, this pad grabs the excess.
If you’re excited about air-tight food, you’ll love this treat container. It comes in several colors, holds about 4.5 cups of treats, and is way nicer to look at than the bags dog treats are sold in. Just make sure everyone in your household is aware of its contents. The container is so nice it may be confused as something that holds treats for people!
Dog beds are probably the most visible pet product in your home. Beds need to serve your dog’s needs, be easy to wash, and, of course, not be an eyesore. I personally tend to gravitate towards beds with removable covers. I find that they’re easier to wash, meaning I wash them more often. I love this one by Approved By Fritz, which comes in a few colors and patterns, two of which are checker-print. You can’t go wrong with that! This bed has one seam, giving it more of a pillow shape.
If your dog prefers something boxy, which makes the edges of the bed a bit more stable, Fable has a great option. This bed comes in multiple sizes and both the cover and insert are machine-washable.
Crates seem to be a divisive topic amongst dog people. Some people swear by them and others can’t get past the fact that they look like cages. Archie loves his crate and hangs out in it willingly. He has a habit of dramatically leaving the living room and heading to his crate when he’s decided his night is over. I love that he has his own space, but I hate the way the crate looks. That’s where the Fable crate comes in. It’s easily the most visually appealing crate on the market. In some settings, it can even operate as a side table or nightstand. And yes, the aforementioned bed fits perfectly in the crate!
Bath time
Readers of this column know I’m a big fan of Dedcool scents. Their pet shampoo is no exception. It’s fragrant, but not oppressive, and gentle enough for Archie’s somewhat sensitive skin. I apply the K-beauty double cleanse technique to bath time and use a rubber brush to lather up the shampoo. I can’t say Archie enjoys it, but he accepts his fate and will do basically anything for a treat.
Dog hair is everywhere
I try to de-shed Archie as much as I can during bath time, but turn to a lint roller for the hair that will inevitably end up on my clothes. Staff’s beautiful reusable lint roller, complete with a metallic case, is the one I keep by the door for a last pass on my way out.
I am guilty of cuddling up with my dog on the couch. While I don’t regret letting him up on the furniture, I do have to wage a constant battle on dog hair. Blankets are key here, since they’re way easier to wash than couch cushions. The problem is so many “dog friendly” blankets are ugly! I don’t want them to be monogrammed or decorated with paw prints! This wool blanket from Tartan Blanket Co is washable (yes, really!) and will blend into your existing decor. Wool is naturally stain-resistant, but not the easiest thing to wash. With this blanket, you get it all! These blankets are an extra tight weave, which is okay to throw in the washing machine if you need to.
We love the products we feature and hope you do, too. If you buy something through a link on the site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
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Banish the “Big Light” Completely With Some Snazzy Lamps
Like human health insurance, pet insurance helps cover unexpected medical expenses for our furry friends. One crucial component of that coverage is your pet insurance deductible. Understanding how deductibles work can help you choose the right plan for you and your pet.
What is a pet insurance deductible?
A pet insurance deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket for your pet’s veterinary care before the insurance company starts covering costs. It’s a set amount you choose when you purchase your policy.
For example, if your deductible is $250 and your pet’s vet bill is $1,000, you’ll pay the first $250, and the insurance company will help cover the remaining $750, depending on your policy’s terms. If you have an annual deductible, you’d have to pay this amount only once per year.
How do pet insurance deductibles work?
A deductible is a way for insurance companies to share the cost of vet bills with pet owners. Once you’ve met your deductible, the pet insurance company will pay any remaining portion of your vet bills that qualify for coverage.
In most cases, you’ll need to pay the full vet bill yourself and then file a claim for reimbursement with your pet insurance company. If there are any expenses insurance doesn’t cover, like taxes or waste disposal, the company will subtract them along with your deductible before reimbursing its share of the bill.
Raising or lowering your deductible will affect how much you pay for pet insurance. Selecting a higher deductible usually lowers your insurance premium but means you’ll pay more out of pocket when your pet needs care.
🤓Nerdy Tip
The amount you pay for routine care like vaccines or wellness visits usually doesn’t count toward your deductible. Even if you have separate coverage for preventive care, the deductible typically applies only to covered illnesses and accidents.
Types of pet insurance deductibles
There are two main kinds of deductibles: annual and per condition.
Annual pet insurance deductible
An annual pet insurance deductible is a set amount you pay each year before insurance starts covering your vet bills. You pay this deductible only once per policy term. It doesn’t reset until your policy renews, regardless of how many claims you make. This is the most common type of pet insurance deductible.
Say you have a $300 annual deductible. If your pet has a minor accident and the vet bill is $150, you pay the entire amount since it’s less than the deductible. (Note that you’d still want to file a claim so your pet insurance company can apply the amount you’ve paid toward your deductible.)
Later in the same year, your pet gets sick and racks up a $500 bill. You’d pay the remaining $150 of your deductible, and the insurance would cover a portion of the remaining $350, depending on your policy’s terms.
If your pet has more health issues within the same year, the insurance would continue to help cover the costs since you’ve already met the deductible. But once your policy renews, your deductible will reset and you’ll need to pay it again before receiving more insurance coverage.
Per-condition deductible
With a per-condition deductible, you pay a set amount out of pocket for each illness or condition your pet has. This type of deductible may also be called a per-incident deductible.
For example, if your pet gets an ear infection and later breaks a leg, you would pay your deductible twice: once for the ear infection and once for the broken leg.
After you pay the deductible for a specific condition, insurance helps cover additional costs for that condition over the life of your pet. This is beneficial if your pet develops a chronic problem that needs ongoing treatment each year. Once you meet the deductible for that condition, you don’t pay it again, whereas you’d pay it each year with an annual deductible.
The downside is that if your pet needs care for an unrelated problem later in the same year, you’re stuck paying the deductible all over again.
Did you know…
Very few pet insurers offer per-incident deductibles. Most have annual deductibles, so pet owners have to meet the limit only once per year.
Deductibles vs. copays and reimbursement rates
Deductibles, copays and reimbursement rates are different parts of how you and your insurance company share costs. Once you’ve paid your deductible, the insurance company uses the copay and reimbursement rate to calculate how much of the remaining vet bill it will cover.
A copayment, or copay, is your share of the vet visit cost after you’ve met your deductible. The reimbursement rate is the percentage of the bill the insurer will pay. For example, if your policy has a 70% reimbursement rate, that means your copay is 30%.
To see how these policy limits work together, imagine you have a $200 deductible, a 20% copay and an 80% reimbursement rate. If your pet’s vet bill is $1,000, you’d pay the $200 deductible first. Then, of the remaining $800, the insurance would pay 80% ($640), and you’d pay the 20% copay ($160). So, for a $1,000 vet bill, you’d pay $360, and the insurance would cover $640.
In general, a policy with a higher reimbursement rate will be more expensive, but the insurance company will cover more of your vet bills.
🤓Nerdy Tip
In addition to deductibles, copays and reimbursement rates, most pet plans have an annual coverage limit, which is the most your insurer will reimburse for vet care in a 12-month period. This limit is often customizable, and you may have the option to choose unlimited coverage. Your annual coverage limit is another factor that can influence the cost of pet insurance.
How to choose a pet insurance deductible
The goal when choosing a deductible is to strike a balance between good coverage and manageable out-of-pocket expenses.
First, determine how much you can comfortably pay for vet care. Imagine if your pet needed to visit an emergency vet tomorrow. How much of a deductible could you afford to pay? You shouldn’t struggle to cover your deductible in an emergency, so choose an amount that fits your budget.
Remember, the deductible is just one part of your policy. Consider it alongside copays, reimbursement rates and annual coverage limits to get the full picture. The more costs you take on yourself, the less you’ll pay for insurance, and vice versa.
If you’ve had your pet for a while, looking at what you’ve spent in vet care over the past year may help you predict future costs.
Compare deductible options from popular pet insurance companies
Pet insurance company
Deductible options
$100 to $1,000 annually.
$100 to $500 annually.
$100 to $1,000 annually.
$250 to $2,500 annually.
$100 to $1,500 annually.
$100 to $500 annually.
$100 to $1,000 annually.
$100 to $500 annually.
$250 to $1,000 annually.
$0 to $2,500 annually.
$250 annually. (Other options may be available.)
$50 to $1,000 annually.
$100 to $1,000 annually.
$100 to $1,000 annually.
$0 to $1,000 lifetime per-condition deductible in most states; some states have no deductible.
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.
The leading mortgage lender, in partnership with Matic Insurance and OneSource Solutions, will integrate the new services into its existing loan process for a deeply consumer-focused experience
TUSTIN, Calif., Oct. 5, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — New American Funding (NAF), a leading mortgage provider, has partnered with Matic Insurance and OneSource Solutions to offer NAF Insurance and NAF Concierge solutions. These new solutions will provide insurance and home setup services to NAF customers as part of the mortgage process. To create a streamlined user experience, NAF Insurance and NAF Concierge are seamlessly integrated into New American Funding’s customer-friendly loan process, removing friction and stress from the mortgage, homebuying, and moving experience.
“Our goal has always been to fully support the homeownership experience for our customers. Adding these new valuable services will allow NAF to serve as a true home for our customers’ entire journey,” said New American Funding Co-Founder and CEO Rick Arvielo. “We’re excited to be working with great partners who believe in supporting their customers as much as we do.”
NAF Insurance, which is powered by Matic, empowers New American Funding customers to secure homeowners insurance, while NAF is processing the loan. NAF customers can also bundle flood, wind, auto, pet, life, and other personal lines of insurance at the same time.
Additionally, mortgage customers can work with a NAF Concierge, powered by OneSource, to find local movers and set up key utilities like electricity, gas, and water. Services and support also include assistance with internet and TV services, help with smart home security systems, and much more.
For 20 years, New American Funding has been committed to serving as a true partner to its customers. Driven by quality, competitive pricing, and innovation, New American Funding continues to successfully identify new opportunities that help make homeownership easier for NAF customers.
For more information, visit NewAmericanFunding.com.
About New American Funding
New American Funding is an independent mortgage lender with a servicing portfolio of more than 250,000 loans representing approximately $66.1 billion in value and more than 190 locations nationwide. NAF was named #43 on the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For® in 2023. The company offers state-of-the-art career training and provides its branch Loan Officers with innovative technologies to streamline the mortgage process.
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-american-funding-expands-beyond-home-loans-by-offering-insurance-and-whole-home-service-solutions-to-new-and-existing-homeowners-301948733.html
How many of us ex-military folks are missing the benefits we used to have? Ten percent discounts were flung at us left and right, we could always bring the amount of luggage we needed and airport lounge access was often complimentary.
Although active-duty military still reserve most of the benefits for being in the armed forces, there’s one airline that shines above the rest when it comes to supporting veterans: Allegiant Air.
Although it’s a low-cost carrier, it provides a ton of benefits for those who have served. Let’s take a look.
What is Allegiant Air?
Founded in 1997, Allegiant Airlines serves over 100 destinations within the U.S., some near to Canada. As it’s a low-cost airline, you’ll find extremely cheap airfare.
However, you’ll also be on the hook for all kinds of additional fees, such as carry-on bag fees, checked luggage fees and even a fee for printing your boarding pass at the airport.
This is in the same vein as fellow low-cost carriers Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines. However, while Frontier and Spirit will offer some limited benefits to those who are on active duty, the same can’t be said for veterans. Allegiant, meanwhile, maintains nearly all the same perks for those who are active, reserve or veterans.
Where does Allegiant fly?
Allegiant is unique in that it offers only nonstop flights. It does not sell tickets on connecting routings, although it’s possible to create your own layover by booking separate tickets. Keep in mind, however, that Allegiant charges per leg, so if you’re paying for seats or otherwise incurring charges you’ll have to do so twice.
Otherwise, Allegiant’s interactive route map allows you to discover all the different airports to which it flys.
You’ll also want to be aware that some of Allegiant’s routes are seasonal, which means they aren’t always available.
Benefits for veterans
So, what benefits do veterans actually end up with when flying Allegiant? There are plenty:
Up to two pieces of checked baggage for free; up to 99 pounds each.
No charge for oversized bags; maximum linear size is 115 inches.
One free carry-on bag.
One free personal item.
Free boarding pass printing at the airport.
Free pet in cabin.
Early boarding. This applies to all passengers traveling on a single itinerary with the military member.
Note that spouses and dependents with a valid military dependent ID will also qualify for these benefits if traveling on the same itinerary.
Benefits for active-duty military
While Allegiant does a lot for veterans, it does even more for those who are active duty.
In addition to all of the above perks, active-duty and reserve members of the military are also able to change or cancel their flights without a fee if there’s been a change in their orders.
ID required for benefits
You don’t need to have a veteran ID card or a DoD Common Access Card (CAC) to take advantage of Allegiant’s military discounts, as there are a number of forms of ID that can be accepted. These include:
DOD Common Access Card (CAC).
DD Form 1173-1 (dependents only if traveling with military honoree).
DD Form 2.
DD Form 214.
DD Form 2765.
Uniformed Services ID Card or driver’s license with a veteran designation on it at the airport during check-in.
Veteran ID card.
Save money on Allegiant flights as a veteran
So how do these savings stack up in a real-life scenario?
Let’s use a nonstop flight from Phoenix/Mesa to Houston-Hobby on Allegiant Air for mid-October:
For a round-trip itinerary, you’ll pay $85. This is a third of the price you’d pay for a comparable flight on Southwest Airlines, which is the only other airline to offer nonstop flights on this route.
Of course, Southwest Airlines allows you to bring two free checked bags (up to 50 pounds each) and a carry-on without being charged.
As a veteran, active-duty or reserve member of the military, however, you’re entitled to all those additional benefits on Allegiant. This means you can bring two free checked bags (up to 99 pounds), and a free carry on as well.
And say that you’re wanting to bring your pet with you. Southwest charges $125 each way to do so, while Allegiant will allow you to bring one for free as part of its military discount.
Here’s how all the pricing shakes out. Note that the cost for bags on Allegiant is variable; the amount you’ll pay will run as high as $75 per bag depending on when you check and the route you’re flying. For this comparison, we will use the price charged if paid during booking.
Southwest Airlines
Allegiant Air (non-military)
Allegiant Air (military)
Checked bags
Carry-on luggage
Pet in cabin
Total cost
As you can see, Allegiant beats out Southwest Airlines even when you’re not getting any military benefits.
However, when you factor in the fees that are waived as a veteran, active-duty or reserve member of the military, your savings skyrocket. In this case, you’ll be saving more than 80% compared to flying Southwest.
Allegiant is the best airline for veterans
Look, no one books a ticket on a low-cost carrier expecting high-class service. Allegiant will get you to your destination at rock-bottom pricing, which is the best you’d usually hope for when booking these types of flights.
However, the perks afforded to those who’ve served are truly in a class of their own. You might still be aboard an Allegiant Air flight, but you, your luggage and your pet can all come aboard for nearly nothing thanks to Allegiant’s unusually generous military discount policy.
How to maximize your rewards
You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2023, including those best for:
New American Funding (NAF) has expanded its homebuying services by partnering with Matic Insurance and OneSource Solutions to offer insurance and home setup services. The mortgage company said the new offerings will be part of its mortgage process. “To create a streamlined user experience, NAF Insurance and NAF Concierge are seamlessly integrated into New American … [Read more…]
If you are looking for the best online jobs for teens, then you have come to the right place. Here are the best online jobs for teenagers, even if you have no experience. There are many ways to make money online, and as a teenager, you may be interested in learning how you can as…
If you are looking for the best online jobs for teens, then you have come to the right place. Here are the best online jobs for teenagers, even if you have no experience.
There are many ways to make money online, and as a teenager, you may be interested in learning how you can as well.
Whether you are 13 years old or 19 years old, there are many different legitimate online jobs for teens that you may be interested in learning more about.
Related content:
Online Jobs For Teens
There are many online jobs for teens listed below. If you want to skip the list, here are some virtual jobs for teens that you may want to start learning more about first:
Start a website
While I was around 21 years old when I started my blog, I know of a few people who started theirs as teenagers.
A blog can be a great online job to start when you’re young, as you can decide how to build your blog, how you earn an income, and the schedule you put toward it.
Blogging has allowed me to travel full-time, work from home, have a flexible schedule, earn a high income, and love what I do.
You can easily learn how to start a blog with my free How To Create a Blog Course.
Here’s a quick outline of what you will learn:
Day 1: Why you should start a blog today
Day 2: What topic to blog about
Day 3: Tutorial on how to start a blog on WordPress
Day 4: How to make money with your blog
Day 5: How to make passive income on your blog
Day 6: How to get pageviews to your blog
Day 7: Tips to see success with your blog
Out of all of these online jobs for teens, blogging is by far my favorite. It does take a little more time to start making money, but it’s very flexible and fits with any kind of schedule.
Create a TikTok account
You have most likely heard of TikTok.
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.
If you want to learn how to make money online for teens, this is a fun one.
You can learn more at How I Make Money On TikTok – How I Grew To 350,000 Followers and Made $60,000 In 6 Weeks.
Begin a YouTube channel
Everyone has heard of YouTube, and pretty much everyone has watched at least one YouTube video in their life.
In fact, according to YouTube, there are over 2 billion people who watch at least one video on YouTube each month.
Many people have goals of starting a YouTube channel and making money, but not many people ever actually start.
You can learn more at How I Grew From 0 Subscribers To Over $100,000 On YouTube In Less Than One Year.
Resell items online
If you are looking for a flexible job as a teenager, 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.
And, there are always things that you can buy for a low price and possibly resell for a profit. Or, you may even be able to find free things that people are throwing away and sell that as well.
This is such a profitable idea that my friend was able to make $133,000 in one year through buy-and-sell flipping and with working only 10-20 hours per week.
Since then, they have turned this into an even bigger and more profitable business!
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
You can learn more at How I Made $40,000 In One Year Flipping Items.
They also 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 it out.
Sell printables on Etsy
If you are looking for a way to make money at home and be your own boss, then creating printables may be for you.
A printable is a digital product that can be downloaded and printed at home. You make them once and then sell them on a website such as Etsy for people to buy. You wouldn’t have to print anything, instead, you are simply selling the download.
Items such as grocery shopping checklists, weekly meal plans that someone puts on their fridge, gift tags, and quotes to be framed are all printables.
This can be a great way to make money at home as a teenager because you create one digital file download per product, and you can then sell them an unlimited amount of times.
You can sign up for this free ebook that helps you figure out where to start when it comes to selling printables on Etsy.
I recommend reading about this further at How I Make Money Selling Printables On Etsy to learn more about one of the best jobs for stay-at-home moms.
Note: Etsy account owners must be at least 18 years of age to sell on Etsy. If you are between the ages of 13 and 17, you can sell on Etsy if you have the appropriate permission and direct supervision of your parent or legal guardian. Your Etsy account must be registered with the parent or legal guardian’s information.
Create and sell stickers
Another fun way to make money online as a teenager is to sell stickers.
My friend started with no graphic design skills and didn’t even know how to create stickers when she first started. It’s something she learned as she went, and she now earns over $100,000 each year with her sticker business.
I interviewed her here on Making Sense of Cents and she answered questions such as:
Do I need to be a graphic designer to make and sell stickers?
Why do people buy stickers online?
Do stickers sell well online?
How much money can I make selling stickers as a small business idea?
You can head over to How To Make $1,000+ A Month Selling Stickers Online to read more.
Make Canva templates
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.
Creating Canva templates can be a great way to make extra money because you just need to create them once, and you can sell them an unlimited amount of times.
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.
Working just a few hours a week, I know someone who is able to earn $2,000 each month from selling Canva templates from home.
Do you have questions such as:
What is a Canva template and what is Canva?
Why would someone buy Canva templates? What is the benefit?
I have no tech skills, can I still create and sell Canva templates?
You can head to this article to learn more at How I Make $2,000+ Monthly Selling Canva Templates.
Voice over acting
Voice-over actors are of all ages, and you probably hear them all the time!
A voice-over actor is the person you hear but usually do not see on radio ads, YouTube videos, documentaries, e-learning courses, audiobooks, TV commercials, video games, movies, and cartoons.
This job doesn’t require previous experience or special skills – you just need to have the voice the company is looking for.
You can learn more about how to become a voice-over actor at How To Become A Voice Over Actor.
Answer online surveys
Not too long ago, one of the ways I made extra money to pay off my student loan debt was by answering paid online surveys.
You will not get rich from taking surveys, but it can help you to earn a little bit of extra money in some of the spare minutes that you may have throughout the day. Plus, you may get free items occasionally to review as well.
Companies will pay you to take surveys because they want to see what people think of their product and their company. They seek out real opinions from real people.
Here are some of the survey companies that are open to teenagers (along with their minimum age requirements):
American Consumer Opinion – Age minimum – 14 years old
Survey Junkie – Age minimum – 12 years old
MyPoints – Age minimum – 13 years old
Branded Surveys – Age minimum – 16 years old
Swagbucks – Age minimum – 13 years old
InboxDollars – Age minimum – 12 years old
Pinecone Research – Age minimum – 18 years old
User Interviews – Age minimum – 16 years old
Some of the above will even pay you to review music, play video games, or test mobile apps as a part of their research.
Sell items on Amazon
We have all heard of Amazon.
It is a website full of items sold by people like you and me.
In the first year that my friend Jessica’s family ran their Amazon FBA business together, working less than 20 hours a week total, they made over $100,000 profit!
You can learn more by reading How To Make Money From Home Selling On Amazon, such as answers to questions like:
How Jessica started selling on Amazon FBA
What exactly Amazon FBA is
How to choose what to buy and sell
How much a person can expect to earn
The positives of selling on Amazon, and more
Customer service support
If you are looking for a more traditional style of online job, such as working for someone else, then finding a customer service representative job may be something to look into. This way, you can start earning money right away, right after you get hired, instead of attempting to build a business.
There are many companies that hire for customer service support at home, even if you are young. Most will want you to be at least 16 years old or 18 years old to start.
As a customer service representative, you may be responsible for tasks such as:
Answering questions from customers about a product
Troubleshooting and helping with issues that a customer may have with a product
Processing orders
Assisting with returns
Handling feedback and customer complaints
And so much more.
Virtual assistant
As a virtual assistant, you would be helping a person or small business owner with administrative and business tasks. You would be their assistant but working in your own home instead.
I have been a virtual assistant in the past, and I now have virtual assistants of my own. They are lifesavers!
You do not need to have previous experience in order to start as a virtual assistant, instead, you need to be willing to learn so that you can help a business run more smoothly.
Many, many people and companies are looking for virtual assistants, as they play such an important role.
As a virtual assistant, you may be able to start at around $15-$20 an hour, or even much more. This will depend on the type of work you are providing, the experience that you have, the field you will be working in, and more. As a full-time virtual assistant, you may be able to earn over $10,000 a month once you gain experience.
As a virtual assistant, you may be doing tasks such as:
Managing a company’s social media accounts, such as by being their social media manager
Managing a person or company’s calendar
Scheduling appointments or travel
Creating or assisting with slideshows or presentations
Email management
Communicating with clients or customers
And so much more.
Different companies and employers will need different work to be done – it simply depends on who you will be working for and what they need to be completed.
You can learn more at How I Earn $10,000 Per Month From Home as a Virtual Assistant.
Start an online store
I feel like so many young adults are starting online stores, and it completely makes sense.
It’s something you can do from home, and there are ways to do it that don’t involve storing inventory or taking up a large amount of your valuable time.
Plus, you can make extra cash or even a full-time income.
And, there are so many different things that you can sell online.
From pet items, skincare, fitness products, subscription boxes, and accessories, to clothing, crafts, and more, the list is endless.
You can learn more about this topic at How I Make Over $10,000 Monthly With My Online Store In Less Than 10 Hours Per Week.
Write an ebook
Yes, you may be able to make extra money as a teenager by writing an ebook, and you can do it all from your home.
Anyone can write an ebook, no matter how young you may be.
There are many different genres that you can choose from, such as fantasy, fiction, nonfiction, mystery, and more.
If this is one of the online jobs for teens you’d like to learn more about, read How I Make $200 Each Day In Book Sales.
Find online tutoring jobs
Are you looking for a flexible side hustle as an online tutor?
If there is a subject that you are knowledgeable in, such as math, English, science, etc., then you may want to see if you can find students that you can tutor.
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
Becoming a freelance writer can be a great online job for teens because there is a growing number of jobs out there for freelance writers, and many people start with no previous experience.
A freelance writer is someone who writes for a number of different clients, such as a website, blog, magazine, and more.
You can learn more in the article How To Become A Freelance Writer.
Proofread
If you have a passion for reading and often find mistakes in written content, then you may want to learn how to become a proofreader.
Freelance proofreading is a flexible and detail-oriented job that only requires a laptop or tablet, an internet connection, grammar skills, and a good eye for finding mistakes.
Proofreaders look for punctuation mistakes, grammar, misspelled words, lack of consistency, and formatting errors.
If you want to find online proofreading jobs, I recommend watching this free 76-minute workshop all about how to get started proofreading.
Recommended reading: 20 Best Online Proofreading Jobs For Beginners (Earn $40,000+ A Year).
Tips for online jobs for teens
Below, I want to share some tips for you on how to manage an online job for high schoolers. Having an online job as a teenager means that you may have some questions, such as how to avoid scams, how to balance school and work, how to open a PayPal account when you are underage, and more.
How to avoid online job scams
While there are many, many legitimate online jobs for teens, there are scams as well. Due to that, I want to share my best tips so that you can avoid scams but still find an online gig.
Some of my tips to avoid scams:
Research the company and the position to make sure they are real and a company that you would like to work for.
Search on the Better Business Bureau to learn more about the company and read their reviews.
Research the company online to see if there are any mentions of it being a scam. I like to type in “Company name + Scam” into a search engine and see what pops up.
Always be careful if the company asks you to pay money.
Before you give out any personal information, such as your social security number, you should make sure it is a real job that they are offering you.
Search the Federal Trade Commission and see if they have any press releases or articles about work-from-home job scams that they may have found.
Never click on any links or download anything in a suspicious email.
And, always trust your instincts! If something seems fishy, then trust yourself. There are always other jobs out there – do not feel like you have to take one that you are unsure about.
Simply move on and look for another opportunity that fits you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Jobs for teenagers
Below are common questions about online jobs for high schoolers.
How can a student work from home?
If you are a teenager, then you may still be in school. If you are trying to manage school and find a way to make money, then I do want to share some of my best tips.
After all, I have been in your shoes!
Working and going to school can be tough to manage.
Below is my advice for balancing both:
Realize what your motivation is for balancing both school and having a job. This is important because at times it will be hard to manage both, and thinking about why you are making yourself so busy can help to keep you motivated. You may even want to create a vision board so that you can look at it whenever things are tough so that you can easily remember what you are working towards.
Carefully plan out your school and work schedule. To balance school and work, then I recommend creating a carefully planned out schedule. This mainly only applies if you are in college or if you have control over the hours in your school day. This may include researching when the classes you need are offered and start trying to eliminate any gaps that may fall between your classes. Having an hour or two break between each class can quickly add up.
Bulk up your class days. If you think you can do it without overtiring yourself, then you may want to have as many classes together as possible in one day so that you are not constantly having to drive back and forth between school, work, and home.
Have a to-do list. I live and breathe by my to-do list. It helps me to not forget anything and to quickly realize that I have something to do (so I should stop procrastinating!).
Please head to 9 Ways To Successfully Balance School And Work to learn more.
How to open a PayPal account when you are a teenager?
If you are under the age of 18, then you will need a parent or a legal guardian to open a PayPal account. They would be the primary account holder, and you would simply be doing transactions through their account.
So, this means that you want to choose someone that you trust as they will have full access to the money that you are earning and is being transferred to your PayPal account.
How old do you have to be to work an online job? Can I work from home at 15? How can I make money at 17 without a job?
The age will vary depending on the job that you are looking to get.
How do you get paid with an online job for teens?
The way that you will get paid will depend on what you are doing.
If you are taking paid online surveys, for example, then you may get paid in rewards, a gift card, or even PayPal or check.
For more traditional jobs and gigs, you may be getting a paycheck every two weeks. If you are working for yourself, then you may be getting paid directly to your bank account.
How can I make money online as a teenager?
There are many ways to make money as a teenager, as you learned above. These include:
Blogging
TikTok creator
YouTuber
Reseller
Printables creator
Sticker maker
Canva templates designer
Voice-over actor
Survey taker
Amazon seller
Customer service representative
Virtual assistant
Online store owner
Author
Tutor
Freelance writer
Proofreader
And the list goes on and on!
Whether you are looking to make extra cash or if you are looking for a full-time job, there are many ways for you to earn money as a teenager.
Lastly, my final piece of advice is to make sure that your parents are informed of what you are doing. For your safety, I highly recommend telling your parents about your online job and keeping them updated about what is going on and if there are any changes.
Are you looking for the best online jobs for teens?
With theme parks, beautiful year-round weather and sparkly beaches, Orlando is a destination in Florida. It’s touristy, though, nearly 60 million people visited in 2021. That’s a lot of floral shirts, iPads taking photos and fanny packs.
Finding an Orlando local is like finding a needle in a haystack, but they exist. And, they know the real Orlando inside and out, from the alligators to how to avoid the tourist traps. Here are the best of the Orlando facts.
Facts only an Orlando local knows are true
There are many facts about Orland that tourists and visitors just don’t know. Only locals know these things in their souls.
1. Most residents weren’t born here. Orlando is a city of transplants like so many others in America.
2. It’s a fact that no one knows how Orlando got its name. There are a lot of stories, but no one knows the truth.
3. Every tourist assumes you go to theme parks all the time. I mean you don’t, but you also have season passes for all of them.
4. The real old-timers remember when Disney World was a swamp. Yes, it was an actual swamp before Walt got a hold of it!
5. The city is under construction forever, no matter where you go or what year it is. No projects are actually finished.
6. You wish for four seasons, but when it gets cold, you count the seconds until that Florida humid heat is back.
7. There’s no superior sub sandwich than a Pub sub sandwich. You will die on this hill.
8. You’ve lost count of how many times you and your friends have googled “Florida Man + your birthdate” to find funny news.
9. There’s water everywhere. And, that means alligators everywhere. You know to check before you get in the pool just in case one slipped in like any other day.
10. You’re unfazed by random rain while the sun is out.
11. You’re nostalgic for Medieval Times class trips and a full leg of turkey while you watch knights fight.
12. When you heard that Downtown Disney was changing its name to Disney Springs and you’re still upset about it.
13. Walt Disney World isn’t even in Orlando, even though the tourists say it is. It’s in Lake Buena Vista, 20 miles out.
14. While we’re at it, Winter Park is not in Orlando. But, you find it funny when the Winter Park residents complain when people say they’re from Orlando. They think they’re fancy.
15. Did you know that Orlando is home to the first highway in Florida? Colonial Drive was originally paved with bricks.
16. The best food isn’t on International Drive, that’s the tourist district. And, while the food there is good, it’s pricey. There are spots around the city with better food at more affordable prices.
17. You pull out your puffer coat immediately when it drops below 70 degrees.
18. Mosquitos are practically another pet in your household. You’re no longer shocked by their size.
19. The old Starbucks arcade was where the Spanish market is now and you caught plenty of flying dollar bills in the money pit when you were growing up.
20. Wekiwa Springs State Park, within a day trip of Orlando, is a better spot for swimming than any of the city’s water parks. It’s a perfect, lush, tropical oasis with crystal-clear waters.
21. When people open your car trunk, you have a beach go-bag ready with at least three swimsuits and SPF 50.
22. You’re the master of the stingray shuffle, even if you know it’s an old wives’ tale to avoid getting stung.
23. The second the weatherman says there’s a hurricane coming, your phone starts blowing up with hurricane party invites.
24. You skip the big box movie theatre on your next date and instead, head to the mismatched sofas at the Enzian Theatre.
25. Nostalgia hits you when someone mentions Peaches Records and Tapes and you remember how many great records you picked up there.
26. Traffic is no joke. Rush hour on I-4 is basically all day. You’re probably reading this list while stuck in traffic (don’t read and drive!)
27. Hanson’s Shoe Repair is the only speakeasy left in Orlando. It even looks like an old speakeasy. You have to know the password to get in. (Hint: Just follow them on social media.)
28. House divided between the Seminoles or the Gators? Good luck.
29. If you’re not a Nole or a Gator, you’re irrelevant. (Sorry UCF!) And, if you live in a house divided, good luck.
30. When you enter your car, you tune in to WPRK 91.5 FM immediately. What other awesome commercial-free, only plays local bands, is there?
31. You know the perfect place to kayak is Shingle Creek, which cuts right through the city. Just make sure to keep your hands out of the water. Those gators aren’t playing around.
Did we miss any Orlando secrets?
The best thing about living in Orlando is being in sunny Florida with sandy beaches, but it’s far from the only thing. Are you packing for a move to O-Town after learning these Orlando facts? Here’s where you can find apartments for rent in Orlando.
Muriel Vega is an Atlanta-based journalist who writes about technology and its intersection with arts and culture. She’s worked on content for startups like Mailchimp, Patreon, Punchlist, Skillshare, Rent. and others. Muriel has also contributed to The Washington Post, Eater, DWELL, Outside Magazine, Atlanta Magazine, AIGA Eye on Design, Bitter Southerner and more.
New American Funding’s partnership with Matic Insurance and OneSource Solution will provide insurance and home setup services for existing and new customers while NAF is processing the loan.
NAF Insurance and NAF Concierge will be integrated into NAF’s loan process to remove friction from the mortgage, home buying and moving experience, the California-headquartered lender said.
Mortgage customers can bundle food, wind, auto, pet, life and other personal lines of insurance through NAF Insurance, which is powered by Matic.
Borrowers can work with a NAF Concierge, powered by OneSource, to find local movers and set up key utilities like electricity, gas, and water. Services and support also include assistance with internet and TV services and help with smart home security systems, the lender said.
“Our goal has always been to fully support the homeownership experience for our customers. Adding these new valuable services will allow NAF to serve as a true home for our customers’ entire journey,” said Rick Arvielo, co-founder and CEO of NAF.
Founded in 2003 by Rick Arvielo and his wife, Patty Arvielo, New American Funding offers a variety of conventional, government, adjustable-rate and non-qualified mortgages.
NAF has a servicing portfolio of more than 250,000 loans representing about $66.1 billion in value, according to the lender. Licensed in 50 states and Washington, D.C., the lender has 189 active branches nationwide with 1,696 sponsored MLOs, NMLS data showed.
In April, NAF announced it would enter the joint ventures arena to go after the purchase business market.
NAF was looking for a 50/50 joint venture between the California-headquartered lender for virtually any size real estate brokerage, a larger agent team, a new home builder and a wholly-owned mortgage business.
The firm ranked as the 32nd largest lender originating $4.7 billion in production volume in the first half of 2023, according to Inside Mortgage Finance (IMF). As with most lenders, NAF saw production drop 48.4% from the first six months of 2022.