LO Jobs; Production Efficiency, HELOC, Database Mining Tools; FHA, VA, USDA Changes; Freddie’s $2.7 Billion in Profits
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LO Jobs; Production Efficiency, HELOC, Database Mining Tools; FHA, VA, USDA Changes; Freddie’s $2.7 Billion in Profits
By: Rob Chrisman
3 Hours, 10 Min ago
The talk here in Missoula is about general inflation, and continued reductions & cutbacks as our biz hunkers down. Yet a mortgage publication just raised its subscription prices, only telling readers, “Good news, you don’t need to take any action,” then something about “auto renew… we’ll simply charge the payment method on file…” We all try to save money wherever possible. And price changes are wide-ranging… think global. Yesterday I flew into Montana and enjoyed, in my seat at 22D, a can of Minute Maid Apple Juice, produced by the Coca Cola Company. What could be more American?! Think again. A glance at the ingredients showed the can contained apple juice from the U.S.A, Argentina, Chile, China, Turkey, Hungary, Austria, Poland, and Italy. I kid you not. No wonder world events impact the price of goods here. Looking for less amenities and a higher monthly payment in your next home search? Well, Lending Tree recently released a report on just how costly buying a house in a town can get, “micropolitan” style. Of towns with populations between 10,000 and 50,000, the most expensive median home values were in Vineyard Haven, MA, Jackson, WY, and Breckenridge, CO. (Today’s podcast can be found here, sponsored by Richey May, a recognized leader in providing specialized advisory, audit, tax, technology and other services to the mortgage industry for almost four decades.)
Lender and Broker Software, Products, and Services
HELOCs, HELOCs, HELOCs! In this market, if you’re a loan originator and not fully dialed in to them, what are you waiting for? Especially when you have a lender like The Loan Store paying you 200 bps per loan. The kids trick-or-treated earlier this week, but 200 bps for a HELOC is like candy for adults, on a regular basis. Conveniently enough, The Loan Store is hosting a webinar next week to teach LOs how to best sell HELOCs and explain how HELOCs tie into the new TLS Consumer Rewards Program. Sign up for the webinar here.
“At Usherpa we have a saying, ‘Born in a branch. Forged in a meltdown.’ Most of our team, including myself, Dan, and Chris Harrington, have been in the mortgage industry since the mid-nineties in a branch where I originated loans and Chris processed them. We started a department in 1995 for CTX Mortgage where our sole purpose was to provide opportunities for loan officers to do more loans. In the mortgage meltdown of 2008, we were laid off like so many others, and started Usherpa. Today, our purpose is the same: Provide opportunities for loan officers to do more loans. In this unprecedented market, we are humbled and grateful to be partnered with so many wonderful loan officers, helping them close more deals and strengthen their repeat and refer business relationships. We will get through this together. Thank you all for allowing us to serve.”
Freddie Mac Checks In
Freddie Mac (OTCQB: FMCC) reported its Third Quarter 2023 financial results and filed its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The company’s Form 10-Q and earnings press release, along with the Third Quarter 2023 financial results supplement are available now on the Investor Relations page of the company’s website.
Freddie reported $2.7 billion in profits, a 104 percent year-over-year increase in net income in the third quarter. That boost in earnings came at the same time as a 30 percent decline in new business activity, attributed to Freddie’s credit loss reserve activity. In the third quarter of 2022, Freddie booked a $1.78 billion provision for credit losses versus a $263 million benefit for the three months ending Sept. 30.
FHA, VA, and Government Program News
October 27th, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) began implementing security enhancements that will require the use of multi-factor authentication (MFA) to access certain of its websites and systems. View FHA INFO 2023-83 for details on the systems MFA will be implemented.
FHA published a Federal Register (FR) Notice, Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) for Purchase – Acceptable Monetary Investment Funding Sources and Interested Party Contributions [Docket No. FR-6382-N-01], for public comment. This FR Notice serves to inform the public of FHA’s changes to the HECM for Purchase program by expanding the list of acceptable funding sources, including premium pricing, and permitting additional interested party contributions to satisfy a HECM borrower’s monetary investment requirement.
USDA Rural Development issued a bulletin announcing The Single-Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program (SFHGLP) revisions to technical Handbook-1-3555, Chapter 8, Applicant Characteristics; Chapter 14, Funding; Appendix 3, Review and Appeals; and Appendix 5, Income Limits. These changes became effective upon the recent issuance of a Procedure Notice (PN).
Get “Back to Basics” with the Single-Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program. 100 percent financing with zero down payment? Why, yes you CAN! Learn about the USDA Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program and how it can expand your loan portfolio…It’s as easy as 1-2-3!
Rural Development announced that Housing Assistance Corporation has expanded its service area to include South Carolina. An updated intermediary coverage map has been posted on the Direct Loan Application Packagers page.
PRMG posted updates and clarifications in PRMG Product Update 23-49: Product Profile Updates including its alignment with the changes to FHA Standard and High Balance announced by HUD in Mortgage Letter 2023-17. Updated Onyx Jumbo requirements for rental income from current principal residence that is being converted to an investment property. Loan Level Price Adjustments (LLPAs) clarification on Expanded Access and Investor Solution. CO CHFA Conventional. Regardless of condo approval option used, a current condo budget must be provided and reviewed by the condo team for CO CHFA Conventional product.
In addition to agency loans, Plaza Home Mortgage® now offers the option to eClose for FHA, VA and USDA loan. Provide the best experience for borrowers with the convenience to review and sign all closing documents online; including the loans which require a notary with Remote Online Notarization (where available).
Plaza Home Mortgage recently launched new FHA 100 percent CLTV Combo Loan Program. This new program offers 100 percent financing by combining a FHA first lien at 96.5 percent and a concurrent second lien of up to 3.5 percent to assist with down payment and/or closing costs. Additional highlights include a minimum 600 FICO, a 30-year fixed-rate FHA first lien, no income limits, and eligibility in most states (except for NY and WA.).
Capital Markets
For the third time in the past four policy meetings, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) yesterday unsurprisingly kept steady on interest rates. Even with the Committee keeping the door open to hiking again, investors reading Fed Chair Powell’s tea leaves are leaning toward a potential end to further hikes, and it appears to us that the bar for further rate increases is getting increasingly higher. The Fed acknowledged tighter credit conditions from high interest rates and tighter financial conditions from a steepening yield curve with the expectation being that it will eventually weigh on economic growth. In the wake of the meeting, the market sees even lower odds of another hike and is now pricing in a potential cut a bit earlier than it had previously.
We also learned that, according to the ADP Employment Report, after the economy posted the weakest advance in jobs in two years during September, it added 113k jobs in October, fewer jobs than forecast. Though we will receive more clarity from tomorrow’s payrolls report where 183k jobs are expected to have been created in October, this report suggests that demand for workers in a robust labor market may be starting to wane. Separately, the U.S. Treasury announced its plans for upcoming auction sizes, revealing that the total size of next week’s note and bond sales will be a bit smaller than what the market had expected. Treasury noted that it expects to increase auction sizes again next quarter to meet higher funding needs.
Today’s calendar kicked off overseas with both Norges Bank and the Bank of England releasing its latest decisions, holding rates steady at 4.25 percent and 5.25 percent, respectively. Domestically, Challenger, Gray & Christmas released job cuts for October: U.S.-based employers announced 36,836 cuts in October, a 22 percent decrease from the 47,457 cuts announced one month prior but 9 percent higher than the 33,843 cuts announced in the same month last year. We’ve also received weekly jobless claims (217k, up from 212k last week), and preliminary Q3 productivity and unit labor costs (+4.7 percent and -.8 percent, respectively). Later today brings September factory orders, Freddie Mac’s latest Primary Mortgage Market Survey, and remarks from interim St. Louis Fed President Paese. We begin the day with Agency MBS prices better than Wednesday evening by .250-.375, the 10-year yielding 4.67 after closing yesterday at 4.79 percent, and the 2-year down to 4.93.
Jobs
Planet’s multi-channel business model gives our MLOs the stability to meet any market head on. Planet’s team has access to exclusive creative product solutions such as Purchase EDGE. These novel products are attracting more MLOs and Branches eager for a secure future in the mortgage industry. Advance your career, and your market position, by moving to a top lender that values professionalism and innovative thinking. Contact VP of Talent Peter Briggs or 949-202-8213. All inquiries are held in strict confidence.
“At Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation, customer service is a way of life. #FairwayNation mortgage loan officers are dedicated to finding great rates and loan options for our customers while offering some of the fastest turn times in the industry. Our goal is to act as a trusted mortgage advisor, providing highly personalized service and helping you through every step of the loan process, from application to closing and beyond.”
Don’t forget that private mortgage insurance companies are hiring: MGIC, National MI, Arch MI, Radian, Essent, and Enact (in no particular order). And while’s we’re at it, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. And my cat Myrtle’s friend the CFPB has career opportunities.
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Want to learn how to make money on maternity leave? Parental leave can be a time of joy and excitement with a new baby around, but it can also mean money stress for parents. While you spend time taking care of your newborn, you may also need to find ways to make extra money to…
Want to learn how to make money on maternity leave?
Parental leave can be a time of joy and excitement with a new baby around, but it can also mean money stress for parents. While you spend time taking care of your newborn, you may also need to find ways to make extra money to pay for your expenses.
I had a baby not too long ago (she is currently 1.5 years old – time flies!), and being able to work while taking care of her has been a lifesaver. So, I understand why you’re reading this article – because I also had to work with a newborn.
The good news is that there are plenty of ways to make extra money while still being present for those early months with your new baby.
Why You May Need Extra Money On Maternity Leave
Many families have to take unpaid maternity leave, and others may find their leave is simply not long enough and want to extend it longer (many families in the U.S. get 3 months or even much less time).
Not only that, but maternity leave is an expensive time with medical bills coming in, the cost of baby essentials (diapers aren’t free!), and everyday living costs.
Also, there might be unexpected costs that weren’t part of your maternity leave budget. Perhaps your baby needs special formula or medication, or maybe your car broke down. These unplanned costs can put a dent in your finances, especially when your income may already be reduced during your maternity leave.
Or, you might also be looking to create a financial cushion for the future such as by saving for vacations or even starting a college fund for your baby. So, finding ways to make extra money during your maternity leave can be very helpful.
Recommended reading:
How To Make Money On Maternity Leave
When trying to earn money during maternity leave, here are three things to think about:
Flexibility is key – Choose work that can adapt to unexpected baby-related needs. It should let you manage your time effectively.
Think about earnings and growth – Think about how much you can make, how quickly, and if there’s room to grow.
Pick something you like and fits your goals – Do you enjoy the work? You may want to find work that matches your interests, skills, and future plans.
Read further to learn how to make money on maternity leave.
Top ways to make money on maternity leave
There are 27 ways to earn extra money on maternity leave listed below. If you want to skip the list, here are some jobs that you may want to start learning more about first:
1. Start a blog
Blogging is my favorite way to make money from home, and this is what I do while also raising my daughter.
Being a blogger involves creating content for online readers. You have the freedom to write about a topic you’re interested in (such as finance, travel, lifestyle, or family,) and freedom to decide how you want to make money on your blog – there are many different ways available such as affiliate marketing or displaying ads.
Blogging is my main source of income, and it has completely changed my life. I have the freedom to travel whenever I want, set my schedule, be my own boss, and I can spend all day with my daughter.
Learn more at How To Start A Blog FREE Course.
2. Sell printables on Etsy
Creating and selling digital printables on Etsy is a great way to work on your own schedule and earn money.
Plus, it is fairly passive income as you only have to make one digital file for each printable, and you can sell it as many times as you like. Another positive is that you can start it very affordably because you only need a laptop and internet.
So, what is a printable? They are digital items that you can download and print at home, such as grocery shopping checklists, budget planners, wedding invitations, wall art, and more.
I recommend signing up for Free Workshop: How To Earn Money Selling Printables. This free training will give you great ideas on what you can sell, how to get started, the costs, and how to make sales.
Recommended reading: How I Make Money Selling Printables On Etsy
Other than printables, there are many other things you can sell on Etsy as well, such as soap, candles, jewelry, and more.
3. Transcription work
Transcription jobs are flexible and can be done from home. By turning audio files into text, you can earn money when it’s most convenient for you.
An online transcriptionist listens to audio or video recordings and writes down exactly what is being said. This process is called transcribing. The goal is to do this without any errors in spelling, grammar, or punctuation.
If you want to learn how to make money on maternity leave, this can be a great option as you can do this at home.
I recommend watching Free Workshop: Is a Career in Transcription Right for You? to learn more.
Recommended reading: 18 Best Online Transcription Jobs For Beginners To Make $2,000 Monthly
4. Freelance writing
Freelance writers write articles, website content, social media posts, or even ebooks for clients.
I was a freelance writer for many years before switching to working full-time at writing here on Making Sense of Cents. It is a great career path where you can work from home and make your own schedule, such as writing while your baby is sleeping.
Recommended reading: 14 Places To Find Freelance Writing Jobs For Beginners
5. Virtual assistant
One of my first side hustles was working from home as a virtual assistant. This is a great way to work from home and have your own schedule.
Virtual assistants do many different kinds of tasks for clients, such as answering emails, scheduling appointments, managing websites, sending invoices, and so much more. It simply depends on what the person who is hiring you needs done.
If you want to become a virtual assistant, I recommend watching the free training 5 Steps To Become a Virtual Assistant.
Recommended reading: Best Ways To Find Virtual Assistant Jobs
6. Bookkeeper
If you’re good with numbers, you could sell bookkeeping services online or for small businesses, either on a freelance or part-time basis.
Bookkeepers are individuals responsible for managing financial things for businesses. This includes recording sales, tracking expenses, and generating financial reports.
If you want to become a bookkeeper, I recommend watching the free training How To Become A Bookkeeper.
Recommended reading: How To Find Online Bookkeeping Jobs
7. Freelance graphic design
With design skills, you can create logos, website designs, business cards, marketing materials, and more for clients and make money even during your maternity leave.
Recommended reading: How To Make Money As A Digital Designer
8. Data entry
Data entry clerks are like computer organizers. They enter, update, and double-check information in lists or tables. They type things like numbers and names to keep everything neat and organized.
Data entry jobs pay around $15 to $20 an hour, on average.
9. Create Canva templates
A Canva template is a pre-made design you can sell for things like social media graphics, ebooks, and presentations. It’s a handy starting point if a person is not great at designing from scratch.
Businesses, advertising professionals, social media influencers, and more all buy Canva templates all the time.
Canva templates have blank spaces where you can add your own words and pictures. You can also change colors and fonts to suit your preferences. They’re really useful for making things look good without spending a long time on it.
With Canva templates, you can sell a single design an unlimited amount of times. If you are looking for something passive, this is a great way to learn how to make money on maternity leave.
Recommended reading: How I Make $2,000+ Monthly Selling Canva Templates
10. Tutor
Tutoring students can be a great way to make money while on maternity leave, as there are many options to tutor from home. You may be able to create your own schedule and pick how much or how little you would like to work.
You can find online tutor jobs on websites such as Tutor.com. If you’d prefer to do in-person tutoring, you can call or email local tutoring companies in your area or share your tutoring services on social media or in local Facebook parent groups for your area.
Recommended reading: 11 Best Places To Find Online Tutoring Jobs (Make $100+ an hour)
11. Rent out your baby gear
Since you have a baby, you probably have a lot of baby gear.
Did you know that you can make extra money by renting it out?!
Renting out your baby gear on sites like BabyQuip can be a game changer when it comes to making extra income during maternity leave. This site allows you to share your baby items with families in need (such as a person on vacation), turning your baby gear into a source of income.
From strollers and cribs to high chairs and toys and more, you can list many different items on BabyQuip’s site.
Plus, you don’t need to have a lot of baby gear in order to get started – you can start with as little as a crib (which is the most commonly rented item).
According to BabyQuip, the average person can earn around $1,000 a month, and some are able to make over $10,000 per month.
12. Baby sleep consultant
As you already know, sleep is so important for a baby (and for the parents!).
You can earn a living while on maternity leave by becoming a sleep consultant. This is where you help other parents by helping them improve their baby’s sleep habits and routines.
Pediatric sleep consultants are experts in helping children sleep better and they make a big difference in families’ rest.
Read more at How To Become A Sleep Consultant And Make $10,000 Each Month.
13. Deliver groceries
If you want a flexible side gig while on maternity leave (and you also have someone to watch your child), then you may want to look into delivering groceries and food.
This can be a flexible side hustle because you can choose your hours and how much you’d like to work each week.
Services like Instacart need grocery shoppers, and the average shopper makes $15 to $20 an hour to deliver groceries. Drivers are paid per order, and you get to keep 100% of your tips. With Instacart, you would be physically going into grocery stores, picking out the food items yourself, checking out, and then delivering the groceries to your customer.
You can also learn more at Instacart Shopper Review: How much do Instacart Shoppers earn?
There are other food delivery gigs that you can do as well, such as GrubHub, Uber Eats, and DoorDash.
14. Airbnb host
If you have a separate space to rent in your home, such as an in-law’s quarters or an apartment above a garage, then you may be able to make money during your maternity leave by renting this space out.
You can learn more about this at What You Need To Know About Renting A Room In Your House.
15. Pet sit
If you are a pet lover, consider pet sitting for friends, family, or through an online service. It’s a great way to make some extra cash while you’re home and can be a fun addition to your day if you already have pets and babies at home.
If you’re interested in watching pets or dog walking, Rover is a platform where you can list your services and find clients.
16. Answer surveys
While answering online surveys and focus groups isn’t a way to make a ton of money, it can be a way to earn some extra money with whatever spare time you have from your newborn (such as when they are sleeping).
You simply share your opinions and answer simple questions, and in return, you can get cash or rewards like Amazon gift cards.
The survey companies I recommend include:
Survey Junkie
Swagbucks
Branded Surveys
InboxDollars
PrizeRebel
American Consumer Opinion
User Interviews – These are the highest paying surveys with the average being around $60.
Recommended reading: 18 Best Paid Survey Sites To Make $100+ Per Month
17. Affiliate marketing
If you want to learn how to make money while on maternity leave, one of my favorites is affiliate marketing.
I have been an affiliate marketer for years through this blog, and it is what allows me to stay at home with my daughter.
Affiliate marketing means making money by sharing a referral link on your website, YouTube channel, social media account, and more. When people use your referral link to purchase something, you then earn money.
For instance, consider sharing books from Amazon on your blog. You give your readers a link to a particular book and encourage people to buy it through your affiliate link. Companies like Amazon value affiliates who bring in high-quality traffic because they appreciate the extra support in helping them make more sales.
If you want to learn more about affiliate marketing, I recommend Affiliate Marketing Tips For Bloggers – Free eBook.
18. Proofread and edit
If you have an eye for detail, you may be able to sell your services as a proofreader or editor for different types of content.
Writers, business owners, and more hire proofreaders and editors to improve their work. There’s a big need for these types of positions, and you can find jobs through many different platforms.
If you want to become a proofreader, I recommend joining the free 76-minute workshop – Learn How to Become a Proofreader…and Start a Freelance Proofreading Business.
Recommended reading: 20 Best Online Proofreading Jobs For Beginners (Earn $40,000+ A Year)
19. In-home childcare
One great way to make money while on maternity leave is to provide childcare services for other families in your area, either part-time or full-time.
This is one of the best stay at home jobs for someone on maternity or paternity leave because it allows you to stay home with your kids while making money at the same time.
Depending on your location, you might need specific licenses. But you could potentially begin without the extra legal steps by working with just one or two children. Just be sure to verify with your local city or state regulations beforehand. It’s also very important to make sure that your home is safe for children and that you are CPR certified.
20. Sell baked goods
Do you like to cook? You may be able to make money at home by starting a home bakery for people and/or pets. You can sell homemade baked goods at local farmers’ markets or online too.
You can read more at How To Make Extra Money By Starting A Home Bakery. Here, you’ll learn about the equipment you need to start a home bakery, food laws, how much to price your baked goods at, and more.
If you are interested in baking goods for pets, then I recommend reading How I Earned Up to $4,000 Per Month Baking Dog Treats (With Zero Baking Experience!).
21. Stock photo photography
Selling stock photo photography can be a great way to learn how to make money on maternity leave. This is because you would be working for yourself and can take pictures in your free time.
Stock image sites are popular sites for photographers to sell their photos. These sites allow customers to purchase pictures for various uses like websites, TV shows, books, and social media.
One great thing about stock photo sites is that they can be a great form of passive income. You can take pictures, upload them, and earn money from an older photo for months or even years in the future.
Recommended reading: 18 Ways You Can Get Paid To Take Pictures
22. Social media manager
Social media managers handle businesses’ social media accounts with the goal of attracting new customers and helping a business grow.
They might share images or videos showcasing products or the company, take part in popular social media trends (like on TikTok) to increase visibility, and respond to common customer questions.
23. Book reviewer
Book reviewers read books and share what they think through paid reviews.
Yes, there are websites where you can receive payment (as well as a free book) for sharing your thoughts about books. Some companies that pay for book reviews are Online Book Club, Kirkus Reviews, and BookBrowse.
Recommended reading: 16 Best Ways To Get Paid To Read Books
24. Flea market flipper
A flipper buys items from places such as garage sales, Facebook Marketplace, or thrift stores and resells them online for a profit.
You may be able to earn extra money by flipping items for resale or possibly earn a full-time income! You can even be able to make this a more flexible gig, such as only working during nap times.
A helpful free training that I recommend is Turn Your Passion For Visiting Thrift Stores, Yard Sales & Flea Markets Into A Profitable Reselling Business In As Little As 14 Days.
25. Rent out storage space
If you have unused space in your home, you can sell it as storage for rent to people in your local area. This can be a garage, driveway, closet, basement, or even an attic.
You can use a site called Neighbor to list any extra space you have available for rent and have the potential to make up to $15,000 per year.
You can sign up at Neighbor for free here and list your space.
You can also learn more about Neighbor at Neighbor Review: Make Money Renting Your Storage Space.
26. Sell an online course
Selling an online course is a great option for stay-at-home moms and dads who want to have control over their schedule and earn a somewhat passive income.
Some topics that you can teach in a course are:
Fitness and exercise programs
Time management and productivity hacks
Parenting
Arts and crafts
Languages
Programming
Personal finance
Traveling
Photography and photo editing
Plants and gardening
Baking and pastry making
And so much more!
You can sell a course in many different ways, such as through Udemy or Teachable.
27. Rent out your unused RV
Instead of letting your RV sit in your driveway unused, you can list it on RVshare and make some semi-passive income. My sister has rented a few RVs from this site, and she has had a great experience each time!
Renting out an RV can earn you anywhere from a couple hundred dollars to a couple thousand dollars each month.
How To Manage Your Money On Maternity Leave
Managing your money while on maternity leave can be tough at times. If you are looking for more things that you can do other than only learning how to make money on maternity leave, you do have some options.
Below, I will be talking about how to cut your budget so that you can save money, as well as your rights and benefits on maternity leave.
Cut your budget
During parental leave, cutting your budget can be a great way to manage your finances while adapting to life with a newborn.
Here are a few ideas to help reduce your expenses during this time:
Evaluate your current spending habits to determine where you can make adjustments – This might involve tracking your spending for a month or looking back at bank statements. You’ll likely find areas where you can save, such as dining out, entertainment, or shopping.
Cut back on subscriptions and memberships – Assess each subscription and determine the must-haves and those you can temporarily suspend or cancel.
Batch cook freezer meals before the baby comes – This is where you make a bunch of meals before the baby is born and freeze them. This can give you an easy meal to pop in the oven before the baby comes.
Cook at home – Getting food delivered can be convenient, but it’s usually more expensive than making your meals at home. Plus, cooking allows you to control ingredients and portion sizes.
Buy in bulk – When possible, get the items you use most frequently in bulk. Items like diapers, baby wipes, and nonperishable foods have a longer shelf life, and buying them in larger quantities can offer considerable savings.
Get secondhand and borrowed items – Instead of buying new baby gear and clothing, try borrowing from friends or family, or shopping at thrift stores like Once Upon A Child. Babies grow quickly, and they often outgrow items before they wear out.
Negotiate medical costs – If you have medical bills, you can try to negotiate them. Medical providers may be open to setting up payment plans or giving discounts for paying up front.
Short-term disability insurance
You may want to look into short-term disability insurance options before your maternity leave starts to help cover lost wages during your time off.
In some cases, your employer may provide this benefit, or you can purchase a policy separately. These policies typically cover around 60% to 80% of your regular income and may have a waiting period before benefits start (so, you will need to have the policy before you get pregnant).
Government assistance programs
There are government assistance programs that could help you during your maternity leave. For example, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) has nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and healthy food benefits for eligible families.
You can also check to see if you qualify for financial assistance from your state or other programs related to maternity and family support.
Find charities for help
During maternity leave, managing money might be tricky, but there are places that can help, like charities and groups that want to support new parents. You can find them online or at local community centers. Libraries, online parent groups, and special organizations are also great places to get help.
Remember, asking for help is a strong and smart thing to do, and there are lots of resources out there to help parents during this special time.
I recommend reading:
Know your state and federal law rights
I recommend learning about relevant state and federal laws governing maternity and family leave. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) allows eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for the birth or adoption of a child. The law also says that you cannot be replaced or overlooked for pay raises and other promotions during your leave.
However, paid maternity leave policies differ by state and company. Some employers may offer a certain amount of paid leave, while others may offer none. Make sure to review your state’s laws and your employer’s policies to understand your rights during your maternity leave.
By knowing your rights, insurance options, and the benefits available to you, you can better plan your financial strategy during your maternity leave.
Frequently Asked Questions About How To Make Money on Maternity Leave
Below are commonly asked questions about how to make money while on maternity leave.
Can I make money while on maternity leave? Are you allowed to make money while on maternity leave?
If you are in the U.S., then yes, you should be able to make money on maternity leave. If you are unsure, check your employment contract or talk to your employer’s human resources department to be positive.
Before starting any side income streams, if you’re worried about whether or not you are allowed to make extra money while on maternity leave, then double-check your company’s policies and your leave agreement to make sure that earning money during your time off is permissible. Some employers may have restrictions on outside work or income during your leave.
How do I survive financially during maternity leave?
To survive financially during your maternity leave, you may need to find ways to cut your budget as well as learn how to make money on maternity leave.
Does unpaid maternity leave qualify for unemployment? Can you collect unemployment after having a baby?
This depends on why you are no longer working at your job. If you simply stopped working because of your pregnancy, then you may not be able to receive unemployment pay.
However, if you are pregnant or recently had a baby and were fired or laid off, then you may qualify for unemployment pay.
What are some ways to make money while on maternity leave? How can I make money while taking care of my baby?
There are many ways to make money while on parental leave, such as by working online, selling photography, renting out storage space or an RV, and more.
How can new mothers use their time efficiently while working from home?
Time management is important for new moms working from home. I recommend creating a routine, setting realistic goals (if you are working and watching your baby, it won’t always go perfectly), and designating work hours during the baby’s nap time to help manage work alongside childcare responsibilities. It’s also important to take regular breaks to avoid burnout and feeling stressed. Working while also taking care of a child can be very tiring.
How to Make Money on Maternity Leave – Summary
Federal law, specifically the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), does not require employers to give paid maternity leave. Eligible employees are allowed to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave, and because of this, you might be worried about money during your maternity leave or feel like you can’t afford to take the full 12 weeks.
There are many ways to make money while on maternity leave, which may help you to pay your bills without sacrificing quality time with your new baby.
For example, you can sell handmade items or even sell consulting services. Remote jobs and work-from-home jobs are also an option (and my favorite), allowing you to use skills like graphic design or writing to make money.
Remember, it is possible to make money while on maternity leave. Yes, it will most likely be very hard at times and even feel impossible. But, you do have many options to try and make it work.
Do you want to learn how to make money on maternity leave?
For nearly 30 years, Deion Sanders has been a recognizable name in the sports world. He’s made headlines again this summer after being named the new head football coach at the University of Colorado Boulder and subsequently undergoing a roster overhaul that resulted in the departure of 81% of last year’s roster.
A majority of the exits were made after Sanders and the coaching staff audited the roster and determined it wasn’t optimized for the desired productivity and results. This move has paid off as three weeks into the 2023 season (as of this writing), the Colorado Buffaloes were 3-0 and hosted ESPN’s College GameDay.
Similarly, many lenders are currently auditing their roster of vendors and technologies to optimize productivity and return on investment (ROI).
One of the more commonly used metrics to determine a lender’s ROI is the per-loan pre-tax net production income, and the biggest factors impacting this metric are production volume in both dollars and units. Closing fewer loans means the production costs are spread out over fewer units, thereby increasing the production cost per loan.
Since peaking at $5,535 in Q3 2020, thanks to historically high production volume, the per-loan, pre-tax net production income for independent mortgage bankers (IMBs) has been falling. The most recent report from the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) shows that IMBs lost an average of $534 per loan in Q2 2023. The good news is that the last two quarters have shown steady improvement from Q4 2022.
For many lenders, priorities for this year include migrating their systems to the cloud and increasing production volumes, lead generation efficiency and productivity, which includes engaging business intelligence (BI) tools that can provide insights necessary when making staffing decisions. And they’re making sure they have the technologies to do so.
A very common sentiment in the industry is that now is the time to double down on implementing new tech because lenders have the time to focus on it. Obviously, that is a great mindset for vendors, but it isn’t really a great course of action for lenders because most are trying to decrease costs, not increase them.
Conduct a tech stack audit as a first step
As well as tabling tech stack additions initiated during the pandemic, lenders are reevaluating their current tech stack compositions, looking for areas where they can cut costs without sacrificing productivity or efficiency.
When auditing a tech stack, there are several factors to consider beyond immediate cost savings. These factors include the need the tech satisfies, the usefulness of the tech, operational errors, utilization, system functionality and vendor deficiency.
The objective of a tech stack audit is to consolidate, optimize and replace unnecessary tech. The benefits of considering these factors during a tech stack audit include reducing software redundancies, streamlining back-end processes, maximizing the advantages of integration, minimizing billing issues, decreasing the need for additional employee training and improving data flow.
While every lender will have unique considerations during a tech stack audit, there are basic steps that should be taken to realize the potential benefits of the audit. The first step in any audit is to compile a list.
It’s basically impossible to conduct a successful tech stack audit without knowing every software currently in it. This list should also be compared to accounting records to ensure that all tech is accounted for while verifying the current spend on each tool.
Analyze the audit to take decisive action
Once the tech stack list has been compiled, or as the list is compiled, it’s time to expand the data set associated with each technology.
This includes information such as the department(s) that use the software, type of software, features and functionalities, total number of users, definition of an active user, number of active users, annual cost and relevant integrations.
Lenders can also use this time to survey employees on why they do or do not use particular tools and the qualitative and quantitative impact of each tool.
With this information in hand, it becomes easier to determine the value each software brings, if there are better solutions on the market and how it affects the customer experience.
This information provides lenders with a greater understanding of the effectiveness of each technology, where there are overlaps in functionalities and the adoption rate of the technology within the organization.
Having these factors analyzed with the same criteria allows lenders to determine where to make cuts and improve efficiency by eliminating redundant, outdated and unused software.
A leaner tech stack should improve ROI, streamline business
As lenders slim down their tech stacks, they should quickly see increases in their ROI. This will typically result from a combination of several factors. Reducing expenses should positively impact the profit and loss statement (P&L), including showing a net increase in revenue.
A leaner tech stack will help streamline training for new employees and clearly outlining the benefits and features of each tool should also lead to increased adoption by existing employees. A greater understanding of a tech stack’s offerings and how to maximize the benefits and efficiencies of each tool will improve employee satisfaction and provide a better customer experience.
By reducing a tech stack’s offerings, lenders also mitigate risk by minimizing software entry points, passwords and data access, keeping data and back-end processes clean and reducing the potential for quality control issues by eliminating software redundancies.
With much of the mortgage process reliant on the software in a lender’s tech stack, it’s improbable that a lender will see a reduction in their tech stack roster like the one orchestrated by Coach Sanders.
Unlike the Colorado football team, though, lenders shouldn’t be looking to build a new tech stack from scratch, but they can make winning moves with their tech stacks. Lenders should focus on increasing production volumes, operational efficiencies and profits. With these goals in mind, they should be able to easily reach their desired results of a tech stack audit.
The trough for the mortgage origination market is nearing an end point and 2024 is shaping up to be a better year for the industry, economists of the the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) said at the 2023 Annual Convention & Expo in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The MBA doesn’t expect the Federal Reserve to hike interest rates further this year as real rates – which are inflation-adjusted– are 2%.
“They’re already at a place where if they do nothing, and inflation holds or falls further from here, they’re going to be slowing the rate of growth and the cumulative impact of the rate increases they’ve already made are not fully felt yet,” said Mike Fratantoni, MBA’s chief economist and senior vice president for research and industry technology.
Based on the cautious messages from even the hawkish Fed members, Fratantoni projected that the central bank will “definitely not be going to hike in November, a small chance that they would come back in December if these numbers turn around.”
The MBA’s view is that the Fed will cut interest rates three times in 2024 and inflation may come down a bit faster as a result.
“I’m pretty confident that if this rate path precedes as we’re expecting, this is the bottom. 2023 is going to be the low-volume (mortgage origination volume) year for this cycle. So after falling 50% from 2021 to 2022, our current estimate has it falling almost 30% from 2022 to 2023. But then a rebound in 2024 — up 19%,” Fratantoni said.
Purchase originations are forecast to increase 11% to $1.47 trillion next year.
In terms of units, the MBA expects about 5.2 million units in the total number of loans originated in 2024, up from this year’s expected 4.4 million.
“It’s still a pretty challenging environment relative to if you look back historically, this is close to where we were in 2014. Maybe just below where we were in 2018 — still a challenging year for the industry,” Joel Kan, vice president and deputy chief economist of MBA, said.
Mortgage rates will drop, but challenges linger
MBA’s baseline forecast is for mortgage rates to end 2024 at 6.1% and reach 5.5% at the end of 2025 as Treasury rates decline and as the spread narrows.
The historically high spreads between mortgage rates and the 10-year Treasury yield – which was triggered by the uncertainty about monetary policy and the direction of quantitative tightening – will resolve in a “favorable direction over the course of the next six to 12 months,” Fratantoni added.
The MBA raised expectations of a mild recession in the first half of 2024 due to the combination of the cumulative impact of the rate hikes, the banking system tightening down on all forms of credit and the slow global environment all leading to a slowdown in the US.
The unemployment rate is expected to rise to 5% by the end of 2024 from the current rate of 3.8%. Inflation, in return, will gradually decline towards the Fed’s 2% target by the middle of 2024, Fratantoni said.
As mortgage rates come down to the 6%-range in 2024 and the 5% range in 2025, borrowers will see less of a trade-off in moving, Kan projected.
Kan added: “I think that’s when you’re going to see more inventory free up, that’s when we’re going to see more of these housing transactions able to take place.”
The MBA anticipated first-time homebuyers will account for a large portion of housing demand over the next few years, given the largest age cohort entering its prime homeownership ages.
“There will still be challenges, as median purchase and interest payments remain high, for-sale inventory is scarce, particularly for entry-level homes, and credit availability is low,” Kan said.
A couple more painful quarters ahead
The mortgage origination market for banks and independent mortgage banks was painful given that they all saw five consecutive quarters of net production losses.
While production losses were less severe in Q2 2023 from the previous two quarters, lenders are projected to have a few more painful quarters until the end of the spring of 2024 – mainly due to the traditionally slow winter season, Marina Walsh, CMB and vice president of industry analysis, anticipated.
For lenders, excess capacity continues to be a challenge with low productivity levels and high expenses per loan.
“Lenders have reduced their head counts and gross expenses, but the record-low volume is a primary driver of these escalating per-loan costs,” Walsh said.
The MBA previously estimated that a 30% decrease in the mortgage industry employment from peak to trough will need to occur, given the decrease in production volume.
The MBA estimated that the industry is roughly two-thirds of the way there from the previously mentioned 30% overcapacity in the industry.
Mortgage industry employment dropped 20% in 2023 from the peak in 2021 and the number of active MLOs for state-licensed companies dropped 29% from the same period, according to the MBA.
Inside: Do you want to make money online fast? If so, we’ll discuss the best digital products to sell on Etsy. By following these steps, you’ll be on your way to making money selling digital items quite easily.
Do you want to learn how to sell digital products on Etsy and make money through it?
Selling digital products offers an exciting avenue for generating passive income. With their low production and distribution costs, high profit margin, and potential for scalability, they stand as a lucrative business model for many entrepreneurs.
Moreover, once a digital product is created, it can continuously bring in revenue without the need for additional production costs, making it an appealing source of passive income.
The key to being a successful Etsy seller is to understand your chosen niche and what your audience wants.
We will dive into digital products you could sell on Etsy which range from arts & crafts to business materials.
This post may contain affiliate links, which helps us to continue providing relevant content and we receive a small commission at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read the full disclosure here.
What are Digital Products?
Digital products are items that are accessed and delivered electronically, examples of which include software, ebooks, online courses, digital music, video, and audio files.
These intuitive products offer the versatile benefit of being easily reproduced and instantly accessible on various devices, without the requirement of physical storage or shipping. Plus the world is moving towards becoming digital anyway.
In creating digital products, businesses aim to capitalize on customer appeal and convenient delivery, which often complement their physical goods or services.
Why Sell Digital Products on Etsy?
Selling digital products on Etsy offers an incredible opportunity to showcase and monetize your unique creations. With Etsy’s vast online marketplace and its millions of potential customers, it has become a preferred platform for artists, designers, and content creators.
Furthermore, it provides the flexibility to set your prices in accordance with the value you offer and experiment with different pricing strategies.
This is a hassle-free way to monetize your creativity. Here’s why:
You craft it once, it sells eternally: Digital products offer the ultimate advantage of a “create once, sell forever” model. Imagine sipping a cup of tea while your creation secures sales one after another.
Resource-friendly: Bid adieu to the restrictions of shipping, storage, or material costs. Instead, welcome the comfort of financial freedom and resource efficiency.
Everlasting stock: Digital products on Etsy never run out! Say goodbye to inventory issues and overselling, which makes it a smart choice for long-term business.
So, start now by creating an account, picking your digital product, setting up shop, and starting selling on Etsy. With no heavy fees and no botheration of shipping.
Just pure creative power leads to sheer earning happiness.
What digital products sell the most on Etsy?
Well, our data shows that digital prints, planners, stickers, fonts, and children’s educational materials are some of the best-selling categories netting serious cash on this creative marketplace. This information came from Cody and Julie – the founders of the e-Printables course.
Typically, seasonal content always does well on any platform. Same with current trends like the “Barbie” craze.
These products are a creative enthusiast’s goldmine owing to their limitless customization capabilities, instant delivery, and cost-effectiveness.
Wherein, most busy professionals, students, parents, and small business owners find them irresistible due to their convenience and adaptability to suit specific needs and tastes.
To learn more about selling on Etsy, I highly recommend connecting with Cody and Julie in their free webinar.
What digital download sells best on Etsy?
Among the myriad of digital products available,digital prints notably rank as one of the best-selling downloads on Etsy, closely followed by other popular items such as:
digital planners
logo designs
travel guides
business card designs
Lightroom presets
printable invitations.
A beautiful synergy of convenience, utility, and aesthetics, that can be printed at home or in a local print shop, whenever you wish. Perfect for last-minute gifters, DIY décor enthusiasts, or anyone looking for hassle-free beautification!
So, staying in the game, consistently monitoring market trends, and adapting accordingly is the key to successfully selling your digital prints on Etsy.
Best Digital Products to Sell on Etsy
The best digital products to sell on Etsy depend upon various factors, such as your skills, customer interests, and specific market trends.
It is also important to keep an eye on high-sales products, check positive reviews, track favorites, and note recurring themes to understand what customers are looking for and to guide your digital product offerings. This is a quick way to make 300 dollars fast.
Here are the examples of some of the best digital products you might want to sell on Etsy:
1. Printable or Digital Planners
You’ve hit the jackpot if you’re contemplating selling printable or digital planners on Etsy. Some people might say digital or printable planners are seasonal but due to the high demand and flexibility, it could be the golden goose for your marketing on Etsy.
Buyers love and enjoy the tailored usability offered by printable planners, which they can customize to their requirements and physically pen in their plans.
You can supply this demand by offering a large variety and aesthetically pleasing designs.
Tip: Try bundling in different types of stickers for a snappier offer.
2. Craft Patterns
Craft patterns are a top-ranking digital product on Etsy, thanks to a revival of all things crafty!
From knitting and crocheting to sewing and embroidery, these digital masterpieces cater to the abundant trend-setters and hobbyists who frequent Etsy.
To truly get your digital craft patterns thriving on Etsy, remember to follow the trail blazed by successful pattern sellers like these Etsy sellers. These crafts start from an average selling price of $10, making them a lucrative venture for creatives.
Lastly, don’t forget to unleash SEO magic – get your product seen by the right people especially when creating a sewing pattern or crochet pattern. This can be your missing element for transforming hard work into hard sales!
3. Children learning materials
Looking for a profitable side gig? Selling children’s learning materials on Etsy is wildly popular and well-needed especially for those homeschooling.
Parents and teachers are snapping up digital educational resources. By marketing printable lesson plans, colorful flashcards, and engaging worksheets, parent is hyped to supplement their children’s education.
This is a great summer job for teachers because your educational resources might just be the next best-seller on Etsy.
Crack open those lesson plans, as your Etsy store awaits.
4. Wallpapers
On Etsy, phone wallpapers are the new moneymaker. Provide colorful ways for customers to personalize their devices, these digital beauties are a hot ticket item.
To catch the widest net, cater to both phone and desktop users. You must keep up with trends. Also, creating wallpapers for Apple watches and other high-tech gadgets or themed designs for holidays is always a hit.
It’s a simple concept: stylish wallpapers have an average selling price of around $3-4.
5. Calendars
Venture to sell digital business calendars guarantees a steady demand, as planning isn’t just a phase – it’s woven into the fabric of daily life. To get started, unlock your artistic prowess with any digital art program like Adobe Photoshop or Canva.
Begin creating your unique touch on calendars, ensuring they’re editable pre-print- a clear selling point. Remember, quality trumps all – prioritize visually appealing designs with user-friendly formats.
Time to turn dates into dollars. Listing calendars in your Etsy shop certainly won’t go out of style or demand. Also, aim for the $5 – $10 price range to hit the sweet spot of affordability and profitability.
6. Invitations
Invitations are among the top-selling digital items on Etsy.
Customizable templates for various occasions like weddings, parties, baby showers, and more are particularly popular. It’s perfect for creative individuals skilled in design who are looking to turn a profit on their talents.
These digital products can provide a meaningful revenue stream. Some creators can charge up to $20 per customized item.
The bottom line is that selling digital invitation templates on Etsy doesn’t just allow for creativity, but it’s also a lucrative business opportunity.
7. Business cards
Catering to the surge of remote entrepreneurs and the timeless need for personal cards, this trend is something to tap into.
You can offer editable, customized, or even smart cards – with features like one-click phone calls or emails – which can give your shop an edge.
Through Canva or Wepik, you can design exotic templates, offering customers the control to personalize before printing. Turn on your creative juices, let your brand shine, and step up your entrepreneurial ladder with a business card template.
8. Wedding Invitations and Printables
To be honest, I actually created my best friend’s wedding invitations. Maybe, I should have stuck with the side gig to make 500 dollars fast?!?
Wedding printables are now the ‘go-to’ digital products. This isn’t just about a cute ‘Save the Date’; offers a hassle-free, all-in-one wedding stationery solution, ready to match every wedding theme under the twinkling lights.
Help the DIY couples by providing a bundle: wedding program, customized hashtag sign, table place cards, save-the-date cards, and even personalized portrait options with a delightful sign thrown in.
You can provide a seamless experience and watch the sales ring along with the wedding bells.
9. Journal Inserts
Are you a fan of journaling or love designing layouts? Well, it’s time you converted your passion into profit. Making journal inserts is one of the smartest digital products you can sell on Etsy.
Audiences vary from educators needing organized lesson and homework schedules or those seeking self-help and discovery questions.
For optimal selling, focus on providing a variety of designs and including white spaces for personal touches.
With an average selling price of $5, they appeal to smart shoppers who prefer to print inserts on cardstock paper.
10. Digital artwork
Digital artwork stands out in popularity due to the unique customization and selection variety it offers.
Customers are drawn to the ability to choose from diverse art forms, including watercolor illustrations, inspirational quotes, and Baltic or Bohemian prints, that perfectly align with their personal aesthetic or represent an emotion they resonate with.
Moreover, the availability of immediate prints post-purchase greatly increases the convenience and appeal of this artwork form.
11. Recipe cards
Do you love cooking and want to create delightful digital recipe cards for your customers? But, don’t stop there, look at creating a meal planner to bundle with!
A printable, editable canvas for food aficionados brimming with delicious details of recipe cards is a great product. These digital delights are perfect for amateur chefs, bakers, and recipe bloggers.
The takeaway is clear. Selling recipe cards on Etsy is as facile as slicing butter, once you’ve got the right ingredients and the perfect recipe. It’s time to turn the heat up on your Etsy store and dish out some delightful recipe cards.
12. Social media templates
Creating social media templates can provide significant value for businesses and influencers seeking to establish a professional and cohesive online presence.
These templates, which can include pre-designed Facebook banners, Instagram stories, Twitter headers, and more, can be customized to fit a variety of themes such as minimalism, boho, or pastel colors.
When well-crafted, such templates can save businesses valuable time and effort while also helping maintain consistent brand imaging across different platforms. This is similar to a business hiring a virtual assistant with no experience.
e-Printables Free ebook
Curious about selling printables on Etsy but don’t know where to start?
Get the secret list of best-selling products by month and learn you how to capitalize on seasonal trends to make sales.
Download Now
13. Printable Cake and Party Decorations
Selling printable party decorations as digital products on Etsy is like icing on the proverbial cake for smart entrepreneurs.
You can focus printable party decorations from charming cartoon-themed toppers for kids’ birthday cakes to exquisite, romantic pieces for weddings and anniversaries.
Whether you’re creatively inclined or have an entrepreneurial spirit spotting potential, these printables offer a loophole to financial growth. Bundle your decorations based on themes for enticing offers.
14. Zoom background
Thanks to the surge in remote working and virtual meetings selling incredible Zoom backgrounds on Etsy has emerged as a lucrative product in the digital landscape.
These tailored digital backdrops not only enhance the visual appeal of online interfaces but also cater to users’ needs to maintain privacy or conceal unorganized spaces.
However, you need to understand that creating Zoom backgrounds may not be beginner-friendly due to the required customization. However, do not let this intimidate you.
15. Productivity Trackers
People are constantly in search of practical, user-friendly tools to streamline their lives and make every hour count.
So, these productivity trackers are supremely versatile, covering daily routines, budgeting, goal setting, project management, and even grocery lists. Make your Etsy shop the one-stop shop for everyone’s needs.
As it becomes an increasingly popular choice to shift focus towards maximizing effectiveness in people’s daily lives. Whether it’s maintaining a workout routine, tracking investments, or staying on top of a student’s study schedule, these trackers cater to a wide assortment of needs.
16. Lightroom Presets
Lightroom Presets are essentially preset configurations that enhance a photo’s aesthetics, and folks from influencers to amateur photographers are keen to have them.
For starters, it caters well to the Instagram-obsessed demographic continually seeking to elevate their photo game. This venture is best suited for those who have a knack for photo editing and an understanding of aesthetics.
With an average selling price of $10, the numbers tip favorably in your Lightroom presets.
17. Etsy shop banners
Help out your new Etsy sellers by designing an impressive storefront with their shop banner.
Indulge your Etsy shop banners in various design themes suitable for a wide range of stores. Also, include a shop kit that makes store icons, a large and small banner, custom and reserved listing templates, and a profile picture graphic.
Promote your banner designing prowess to other sellers, so that you increase your brand awareness along Etsy.
When you have an awesome shop yourself, you are more likely to get sales!
18. Logos & branding kits
Move over, clip art! Logos and branding kits are in high demand as they fulfill the crucial need of every business that is striving for a unique identity.
Bundle your logos and branding kits or offer them individually to maximize your reach. Also, combining them with other digital products like media kit templates elevates your shop’s appeal.
This caters to diverse clients from Etsy sellers to businesses, influencers, and bloggers. Selling in this segment, you’ll never run short of market demand. Get ready to impress with your graphic skills, and ride the wave of this profitable venture on Etsy.
19. Thank you cards
This is a timeless product that is regularly used by businesses and individuals to express their gratitude.
Offering these thank you cards in digital, customizable formats can attract more buyers due to ease of customization and competitive pricing relative to store-bought alternatives.
You can also sell the same design on physical cards if you want for another revenue stream.
20. Fonts
In the world of businesses, creators, and crafters galore are on a relentless hunt for the perfect font that suits their needs. Where versatility is a font’s middle name – they can jazz up a brand’s website or add pizzazz to a party invitation.
Cricut fonts, in particular, are best-sellers. It is specially crafted for Cricut machines – a hit in the Etsy community of designers and makers.
Remember, the devil is in the (font) detail. Jump into the journey of digital font selling on Etsy and watch your typography turn into a treasure in no time.
21. Resume templates
Resume templates are handy, well-designed digital products are reportedly perfect for professionals keen on making their job applications stand out. It is mostly designed to suit particular sectors such as real estate or marketing.
After all, a well-structured resume could be the golden ticket to someone’s dream job – like one of these low stress jobs that pay well without a degree.
However, in my personal experience, the most successful templates are clean, professional, and neutral in color.
22. Invoice templates
You might think that cashing in invoice templates may seem odd, but these digital products offer ample sales potential on Etsy!
Their charm lies in their simplicity and frequently used nature by a wide range of businesses. Small business owners, short on time and design skills, frequently scout Etsy for professionally designed, eye-catching invoices – duly making it your prime market.
Transform invoice templates into a goldmine, with less likelihood of running into steep competition. With an average selling price of $10, you can surely earn money online quickly.
23. Website templates & themes
Are your web design skills a cut above the rest?
Leveraging your skills to create and sell website templates and themes on Etsy, and turn your talent into a tidy profit. This digital product must be customization-friendly with a range of applications, and cater to a broad audience—from small businesses to in-demand bloggers, giving them a sleek, professional online presence minus the design headache.
Begin by focusing on creating templates on popular website-building platforms like WordPress with a Kadence WP Theme. Make sure they serve a specific market, like photography websites or eCommerce stores, and ensure your products have unique, eye-catching designs that set them apart from the sea of competitors.
Remember, if your themes and templates are more unique and tailored. You can command, sometimes get a range of your product to $50.
24. Stickers
Stickers, both physical and digital stickers, are hot commodities on Etsy, cozily nestled among the platform’s top-selling items.
It also appeals to a large market spectrum, from social media users who love accentuating their chats with digital stickers, to fans of physical stickers decorating their belongings.
Remember, one major selling point is the editability of digital stickers, enabling customers to customize after purchase. Dial your creativity, pick a distinct theme, and roll out your sticker sets on Etsy – there’s a world waiting to stick onto your designs!
25. Bookmarks
Feeling bookish? Get your create-on and cash in on the thriving trend of selling digital bookmarks on Etsy.
Digital bookmarks, at a modest cost of $2 – $3 a pop, are gaining popularity as one of the easiest and fastest-selling digital products, thanks to their charm, practicality, and customized appeal.
Create an aesthetic touch on your reading escapades by hitting the serious tribe of bookworms. To amp up your sales and earn money quickly, don’t forget to add “personalization” options to your bookmarks.
26. Editable flyers
As demands surge, these feature-rich editable flyers become ideal for crafty entrepreneurs aiming to make a profit.
Most of your clients will be large markets comprising event organizers, business owners, and individuals who find convenience in ready-made editable materials.
Success in selling editable flyers on Etsy lies in understanding your target clientele’s needs, creating versatile and appealing designs, and offering top-notch quality. Kickstart your venture by preparing a wide range of attractive editable flyers.
27. Menu templates
Fresh out of the oven, menu templates are popular with restaurant owners to party planners who crave these editable, print-ready goodies.
These menu templates are flexible and can be tailored for cafes, restaurants, weddings, and even small business events. Therefore, begin by creating captivating designs–uniqueness sells and is editable for everyone who wants to customize it.
So preheat your digital oven – it’s time to serve up some mouth-watering menu templates on Etsy.
28. Gift tags
Digital gift tags on Etsy could light up your entrepreneurial path. With an average selling price of $5, these little printables have a big demand, particularly for special occasions like weddings and birthdays.
Ideal for individuals and businesses, this product can fit a myriad of needs from Christmas presents to children’s party favors. If you want to maximize your profits, focus on offering a wide range of designs that target different occasions and tastes.
Don’t forget to consider making a customization service that gives your customers a chance to tweak and add their personal touches.
29. Ebook Templates
Ebook templates have emerged as one of the most popular digital products on Etsy.
Beyond individual ebooks, sellers also offer a variety of creatively designed ebook templates, ebook covers, and materials for children’s books. With a target audience interested in arts and crafts, informative ebooks offer exceptional sales potential, especially those that provide professional knowledge in specific niches like graphic design or online money-making tips.
e-Printables Free ebook
Curious about selling printables on Etsy but don’t know where to start?
Get the secret list of best-selling products by month and learn you how to capitalize on seasonal trends to make sales.
Download Now
30. Fitness Trackers
Fitness trackers‘ popularity is booming as they cater to a wide array of tracking necessities beyond just gym visits or step counting.
This product helps monitor weight loss programs, home workout plans, and 30-day challenges, effectively, becoming a one-stop-shop for holistic wellness.
They are ideal for those aiming to enhance their fitness, sleep quality, and overall productivity. With an average selling price of $5, they offer an affordable solution to digital tracking needs.
31. Debt Payoff Trackers
Debt payoff trackers are fundamental tools for efficient financial management and debt reduction. They provide a concrete visual of one’s financial obligations and illustrate the progress made toward extinguishing each debt.
This encourages a consistent habit of payment and propels individuals towards financial freedom. However, cost should not be a barrier to good financial habits, which is why our website offers a wide range of high-quality debt payoff trackers completely free of charge.
While these are still popular on Etsy, you have to realize many people want free or extremely cheap.
32. SVG Files for Cutting Machines
Scalable Vector Graphic (SVG) files for cutting machines like Circut or Silhouette, are a crafter’s dream, making them a top-tier product to sell.
You can elevate your service by including a PDF tutorial or short video guide demonstrating the use of your product.
Ensure the functionality of your products by carrying out tests prior to listing.
33. Personalized Recipe Books
Being a foodie’s ultimate treasure, these recipe collections are perfect to tickle the taste buds of amateur cooks or pro food bloggers. Plus you can create recipe book templates to be used in Goodnotes or Notability.
Cultivate your online presence to spice up the sales of your digital recipe books.
From personal experience, I bought a digital recipe book because I didn’t want to create one myself.
34. Budget Planners
Budget planners are soaring in popularity, with these nifty tools averaging quite a tidy sum of $5-20 each. Its powerful design is both lucrative for sellers and beneficial for buyers.
In an increasingly digital world, these planners provide a seamless way to stay and stick on top of your finances. From the ordinary individual aspiring to save a penny or two to the business owner meticulously monitoring their profits and expenses. Some budget planner pros, like FRGLMAMA, have made over 60,000 sales!
Here’s a pro tip: Increase your profits by bundling your budget binder with envelopes and to-do lists. Users love the convenience and it saves them a search.
35. Wall Art
Calling all artists and designers with flair! Wall Art reigns supreme on Etsy – proving it’s not just a ‘dabbling’ industry, but a potential goldmine.
Remember, the ‘Home Sweet Home’ and ‘Be Kind’ style arts still hold their charm! Maximizing profits can entail providing add-on services such as printing and shipping.
Wall art downloads make great posters, especially for those who prefer to change up their decor often.
36. Gratitude Journal
Gratitude journals, with their guided prompts and questions, make hot picks for those striving for self-improvement or simply savoring the good in life. This little gem, flourishing in popularity, provides a thoughtful juncture for folks to reflect on the positive aspects of their lives.
This digital product is tailored for therapists, life coaches, stressed corporate followers, or anyone looking to light up their lives with gratitude.
Make sure to use keywords related to gratitude and journaling in your product description to maximize visibility.
37. Self Improvement Printables
People love these printables for their blend of practicality and inspiration by giving actionable tips, uplifting affirmations, useful trackers, and more.
These self-improvement printables are timely digital products that strike a chord with a growing audience keen on personal growth, self-care, and organization.
This product is perfect for those seeking self-help workbooks, motivational quotes, fitness planners, and even kid-friendly educational materials.
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Etsy passive income isn’t just a haven for handcrafted goods – it’s also a hub for downloadable products from design templates to educational materials.
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DSCR, CRM, Predictive Analytics Tools; Wholesale News; Application Volume Continues to Drop
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DSCR, CRM, Predictive Analytics Tools; Wholesale News; Application Volume Continues to Drop
By: Rob Chrisman
7 Hours, 43 Min ago
“What do you call a bovine with a stutter that makes chocolate milk? Cacao.” Speaking of sweets, hats off to Byte’s booth at the conference for dishing out some amazing s’mores brownies here in Philadelphia. (They will be my breakfast on my flight out this morning.) The brownies are sweeter than the upcoming credit report cost increases (there is definitely a shift to lenders having borrowers pay for credit reports up front, not eating the cost of reports run on loans that don’t fund), the search by IMBs for HELOCs and 2nds and jumbo outlets, the talk of distant future EPO (early pay off) penalties when rates decide to drift down, and continued over-capacity and cost cutting until then. That said, there is good news for existing homeowners trying to build net worth: house prices hit another peak in September per one measure. (Today’s podcast can be found, after 8 AM ET, 5 AM PT, here: Sponsored by nCino, maker of the nCino Mortgage Suite, built for the modern mortgage lender. The nCino Mortgage Suite unites the people, systems, and stages of the mortgage process. Hear an interview with Think Mortgage’s Anthony Focca on how originators are winning business in a tough rate environment.)
Lender and Broker Software, Products, and Services
Here’s a bit of an unusual ad, but what the heck? Here is a list of domain names available for purchase: DirectJumboMortgage.com, DirectFHAMortgage.com, BestRateMaryland.com, BestRateVirginia.com, BestRateVA.com, BestRateVALoans.com, and JumboPortfolioLoans.com. If you are interested in a discussion with the owner, contact David Horvath.
It can be a challenge for loan officers to keep past customers close while pursuing new business. Luckily, Percy does both with a personalized Home Equity Insights Report that keeps the lenders’ brand front and center. These valuable insights engage homeowners on how their equity can build wealth, lower debt, and finance important decisions. According to a NAR study, 85 percent of home buyers used their equity for their next purchase. By simply engaging past customers before they are ready to make their next move, lenders gain access to a sustainable source of purchase leads that keeps on giving. Percy lets lenders know when buyers are likely to transact again based on their activity and monitors how homeowners interact with the report to help them educate clients and retain relationships for life. Ready for the next level? Agent co-branding strengthens valuable referral partnerships. Learn how Percy’s delivers its clients an average 400 percent ROI.
“Looking for ways to save time as you originate loans? Navigating through intricate GSE regulations can consume hours of time. Access up-to-date regulations within seconds with Capacity’s GSE Search, powered by generative AI. In a simple chat conversation, just ask Capacity for specific guidelines from Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and more. Ready to optimize one of your most time-intensive tasks? Join us at MBA Annual today and streamline your operations with Capacity. Not at Annual but want to learn more? Schedule time with us here.”
The stars are aligning for Dark Matter Technologies with the appointment of Stephanie Durflinger as chief product officer. Already a powerful force in the mortgage industry, Dark Matter is amassing a team of top industry talent to propel mortgage origination to new frontiers with market-leading innovation in its popular Empower Loan Origination Platform and AIVA artificial intelligence solution, among others. Durflinger wields impressive industry cred, having previously served as SVP of product development at ICE Mortgage Technology and chief product officer at Sagent. She also sits on Board of MISMO and has earned the Accredited Mortgage Professional designation from the MBA. Follow Dark Matter on LinkedIn to keep up with its latest advancements.
“The game has changed when lending to business owners, thanks to Non-QM. Join us on Thursday, October 26 at 11:00 am PT / 2:00 pm ET for the next National Mortgage Professional Non-QM Townhall where we’ll dive deep into how to serve your self-employed borrowers best. This is presented by ACC Mortgage, Deephaven, and NewFi Wholesale. This invaluable series is moderated by Andrew Berman and features insights from Non-QM early adopters like Tom Davis, Robert Senko, and John Wise. In this edition, we’ll cover how the investment community views non-QM as well as share insights on how you can take advantage of strategies that are working today for business owners. Sign up for the Non-QM Townhall here.”
Understanding your costs in today’s market is crucial. Capital Markets Cooperative’s (CMC) partner, Teraverde, gives lenders more opportunities to improve their productivity and profitability. Teraverde provides diagnostic, prescriptive, and predictive analytics on a lender’s loan and financial data, helping them automate processes and hedge operating risk. In a recent webinar with CMC, Teraverde’s CEO, Jim Deitch, CMB, stated that lenders must evaluate their operational effectiveness, automate processes, and understand the cost of doing business. Contact CMC to learn how Teraverde and CMC can help you stay one step ahead.
As the year winds down, let’s acknowledge that wholesale lending has been a rare bright spot in the mortgage industry. Wholesale lenders bring unique products to the market that meet the unique needs of today’s borrowers. However, engaging with the mortgage broker community requires more than just emailing a rate sheet. Wholesale lenders need CRM technology to create a consistent sales process that maximizes broker engagement and generates a steady flow of loan submissions. OptifiNow recently released a guide that helps you identify the key CRM features that enables an effective sales process. Click here to download the free guide now and learn the proven strategies that wholesale lenders use to grow their volume.
“Long-term Rental or Vacation Rental? Visio Lending is the nation’s leader in Non-QM Investor DSCR loans for buy and hold SFR rentals with nearly a decade of experience and over $2.5 billion in originations. No-DTI, 30-year terms, rate buy downs, free 45-day rate locks; I/O and Sub-1 DSCR options available. Through our top-notch Broker Program, brokers are able to earn up to 2 points YSP, and 5 points total. Visio Brokers can count on a designated Account Executive and in-house processing.”
The Lender Toolkit and Lodestar Independence Block party kicking off the MBA Annual Conference in Philly on Sunday was a rousing success with huge attendance. There’s still time to book a meeting with us at the Lowes Philadelphia hotel today to learn about our mortgage automation solutions. With MBA Annual soon to be over, Lender Toolkit is gearing up for another great LTK Supercar Event to kick off ICE Experience 2024 in March. For those revving up their marketing engines for EXP24, Lender Toolkit is offering an early bird special on sponsorships, but only until October 31. Imagine your company’s logo emblazoned on a sleek supercar, and your key clients and prospects in the driver’s seat. In fact, don’t imagine it: check out snapshots from the 2023 event. Plus, Robbie Chrisman will be setting up a live podcast at the event. To join sponsors Lodestar and Lenders One, reach out to Brent Emler or grab the sponsorship form and shift into gear.
Wholesale News
“AFR Wholesale® (AFR) is excited to announce the next session of our Why Wait Live Webinar Series with Fannie Mae: Wednesday, October 25th at 2 PM EST. Please join AFR and Fannie Mae to discuss Renovation, where we will primarily be highlighting HomeStyle® Renovation. Over this series, AFR has been emphasizing affordable financing solutions that provide homeownership opportunities to more families. The goal is to take the prospects in your portfolio and turn them into borrowers. Have you looked into Renovation? With low housing inventory and higher purchase prices, this may be a great solution. Register Today! This will be a live webinar and a recording and will not be provided, so sign up today and don’t miss it! If you are currently a partner of AFR you can start utilizing this program right away! Build your book with AFR! Contact AFR by going to afrwholesale.com, email us or call 1-800-375-6071.”
Orion Lending is about to celebrate its 9th birthday, and as we reflect on our incredible journey, it’s the collective achievements with our outstanding broker partners during challenging market conditions that make this milestone truly exceptional. The partnership and unwavering support have been instrumental in our success. As we look ahead, we’re filled with excitement for the next 9 years and beyond. Stay tuned for more great things to come!
HECMs? Reverse mortgages from Plaza Home Mortgage® can present a great opportunity to open up new markets with REALTORS®. Here are some perks of a reverse mortgage as a potential option for senior clients: Long term security with a safety net (option of no monthly mortgage payment required). Retain key assets and secure their retirement plans. Utilize this program to buy-up and get more house than paying cash. If you have a reverse loan scenario, email [email protected] and get a full reverse pre-qual analysis or contact your Account Executive for more details.
PRMG Product Update 23-45 includes information on FHA Products – Clarified all loans with properties in condo projects must have HUD Form 9991 completed except projects not requiring project approval (HUD REOs) and Site Condos (as defined by HUD). HUD approved projects require sections 1-3 to be completed. Single Unit Approvals require sections 1-4 to be completed. USDA Standard and High Balance – Minimum credit score now 600 (was 620), Manufactured Home purchase transactions now allowed, including the pilot option for purchase of existing manufactured homes which is allowed in limited states and new manufactured homes. Manufactured Home pilot purchase option of an existing manufactured homes requires manual underwrite and is allowed in all channels.
Capital Markets
Amongst diplomatic efforts to prevent the Israel-Hamas war from becoming a regional conflict, U.S. Treasuries produced fresh 2023 closing highs in yields on all tenors yesterday, and a 23-year high in the case of the 2-year note. Spreads widened again as the UMBS30 basis strongly underperformed benchmarks following hotter than expected data, including retail sales and industrial production.
Retail Sales came in stronger-than-expected in September, rising 0.7 percent month-over-month and 3.8 percent year-over-year. However, these numbers are not inflation-adjusted and are closer to flat on an adjusted basis. If you strip out vehicles and gas, retail sales rose 0.6 percent month-over-month and 4.0 percent year-over-year. Total industrial production increased 0.3 percent month-over-month in September when it was expected to remain flat. The capacity utilization rate jumped to 79.7 percent, in-line with its long-run average. Manufacturing output remains soft and is likely to remain under added pressure as the UAW strike at the Big Three automakers drags on.
Today’s calendar kicked off with news that mortgage applications decreased 6.9 percent from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending October 13, 2023. We’ll also receive housing starts and building permits for September. Later this morning brings a Treasury auction of $13 billion reopened 20-year notes, remarks from Fed Governor Waller, New York Fed President Williams, Fed Governor Bowman, Philadelphia Fed President Harker, and Fed Governor Cook, before the Fed’s latest Beige Book is released in the afternoon ahead of the November 1 FOMC decision. In the very early going, Agency MBS prices are roughly unchanged from Tuesday afternoon and the 10-year is yielding 4.85 after closing last night at 4.85 percent.
Employment
“Join us in celebrating the incredible achievement of our CEO, Susan Stewart, who has been honored with the prestigious Lowrie-Woodward Distinguished Service Award from the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA). This award recognizes the dedication and commitment to the MBA and the mortgage lending industry in a variety of capacities, both legislative and regulatory. ‘Susan is a remarkable person and real estate finance champion who has for years made a positive difference through effective leadership, strategic thinking, and a ‘can do’ attitude,’ said Mark Jones, 2024 MBA Chairman. Leadership is more important now than ever before. Because SWBC Mortgage has the right leadership at the helm, we are able to navigate challenges with resilience, while continuing to grow in a down market. To learn more about career opportunities at SWBC Mortgage contact Scott Brown, EVP of Retail Sales, or visit here.”
“Ready to work smarter, not harder? Join us at PrimeLending Demo Day, your anonymous peek behind the scenes at how we’re revolutionizing the loan origination process. Discover the future of mortgage technology in action on Thursday, November 2, at 1 p.m. EDT/10 a.m. PDT. Get an exclusive look at how our innovative technology tools help loan originators build more relationships and close more loans, while saving time along the way. You’ll hear actual stories about LOs transforming the way they do business and realizing new levels of success. Don’t settle for the ordinary; become extraordinary with PrimeLending! Reach out to Nic Hartke now to reserve your spot and embrace a quicker, easier, and more rewarding path.”
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Whether you’re a minimalist to the core or simply like things neat, a minimalist desk setup offers incredible advantages on the mental and material plane. Minimalist principles are, in essence, about conscious decision-making and living a purpose-driven life.
It’s understanding what resonates with you on a very personal level, what brings more beauty and joy to your life and what is just taking up space. As The Minimalists eloquently state, “Minimalists search for happiness not through things, but through life itself.”
Your workstation is the perfect backdrop for embracing this philosophy. After all, do you really need 25 different writing utensils, three notebooks, every-color-in-the-rainbow sticky notes and pictures of friends you last saw in high school? Yes? If they bring you joy, then keep them, by all means!
Once you’ve decluttered, cleaned and streamlined, you can create a space for the things that matter the most. And, in the process, you’ll not only clean your desk but your mind as well.
Let’s explore the neuroscience behind having a clean desk and the 15 minimalist desk setup ideas to help you get there.
Clearing your workstation — clearing your mind
Numerous studies in Harvard Business Review confirm what you innately know: clutter affects your productivity while increasing stress and anxiety. How many times have you wasted precious minutes searching for a document in a pile of papers, growing increasingly agitated? As a human, probably many. Life gets busy, and cleaning the desk gets buried in the pile of the many “to-do’s.”
These studies also prove clutter’s negative effect on the ability to focus, distracting you from your best intentions. It can even increase the tendency to snack on junk food. With that in mind, let’s tackle your desk and create a minimalist desk setup one step at a time.
1. Get a fresh start
To create a desk that leaves you inspired, you need to start with a fresh, clean slate. Remove everything and put it in a box or two. If you need more than two boxes, well, we’ll discuss that later.
2. Choose the right desk
For some, creating a minimalist desk setup may require a new desk. Fortunately, today’s designs offer simple solutions that can replace big, bulky and uninspiring models. Consider wall-mounted desks that free up space while creating a clean, uncluttered look. Some even double as bookshelves or fold down from the wall for optimum aesthetics.
A simple desk with room for a set of drawers or filing cabinets underneath gives you the space you need to keep your desktop clean and clear.
3. Approaching the minimalist mindset for desk setups
Before indulging in the dividers and shelves that can help you maintain order, it’s time to inspect your belongings. If you’re a “things” person, this activity can be a little challenging. Put on some soft jazz or music with nature sounds and get into your Zen zone. Then, put each item you pick up into a keep, toss or give-away pile.
Remember, the minimalist mindset is based on the theory that “less is more.” Everything you own either serves a purpose or contributes to your peace of mind. Imagine every item you let go of reducing stress, increasing productivity and enhancing your life. Ask questions like, “Do I need this? Does it add beauty? Does it bring joy? “
Do you know that some minimalists have paired down their belongings to less than 100 items? That’s everything — clothes, shoes, furniture and pens. Hard to imagine, right?
4. Stick on an under-desk drawer
Drawers are extremely helpful in maintaining a clutter-free desk zone. If you don’t have drawers, a simple solution is self-adhesive under-desk drawers. Add drawer organizers to ensure every item has a place to call home.
The idea is to keep as much as possible off your desk. A minimalist desk setup typically consists of your computer, a lamp and maybe a picture or plant. Pairing down to that level makes you look at each item you own through the lens of value and love.
5. Do away with wires
Wires have no place in a minimalist desk setup. Fortunately, we live in a wireless world! Consider getting a wireless mouse and keyboard. If some wires must remain, a cable management tray or backside wire organizer can help keep your desk and floor uncluttered.
6. Create space with a desk organizer
For some people, opening a drawer whenever they need a pen, scissors or notepad can suck the joy right out of their clutter-free desk. If you can relate, a desk organizer adds a little more “stuff” to your desktop but puts everything you use every day in easy reach.
These hold your essentials, with some including a special place for your smartphone. You can also select organizers that align with your design, whether made out of mesh, wood or bamboo.
7. Use understated design elements
Some minimalists consider an all-white color scheme the best approach. However, neutral colors can bring the natural world indoors and add a nice design element. Ideally, keep the color palette monochromatic with varying shades of the same hue. Colors to consider include natural wood tones, blue, gray, taupe and soft green.
From desks to storage cabinets, a minimalist desk setup considers natural materials, a simple design and straight lines.
8. Go paper free
Going paperless is one of the best ways to achieve a minimalist desk setup. And thanks to today’s digital world, it’s possible! Receipt and paper scanners let you store important documents on your computer, backing them up to an external drive or cloud storage service. Note-taking apps rid your space of Post-it notes, and digital to-do lists keep your life organized.
9. Optimize light
The right lighting improves productivity and enhances your workspace. Adjustable task lighting is ideal for your desk, illuminating the activity at hand. Consider LED desk lamps with a swing arm and adjustable temperature and brightness settings. The most important consideration? Make sure you love it.
10. Add life to your minimalist setup
One or two plants add life and beauty to your space. We care for them, and, in turn, they care for us. Numerous studies show their many health benefits include improving air quality, increasing feelings of well-being, reducing stress and improving concentration. Plants shown to improve the air include spider plants, Boston ferns and bamboo palms.
11. Enjoy an artistic touch
One breathtaking painting or beautiful nature scene can refresh your senses and improve your mental outlook. From a tropical waterfall to endless waves or mountain peaks, choose an image that inspires you.
12. Add a cabinet
We know minimalism is more about subtracting than adding. However, to keep things off your desk requires a place to put them. Not all of us can pair down to 100 items! A small, streamlined upper cabinet with two or three shelves creates a space for books, journals, inspiring quotes and photos.
You can ensure it blends in with your design by choosing bamboo, wood or metal units and sticking to the same color scheme. You can even use wire shelves for an industrial look. Consider ones with doors if you want to retain the ultimate minimalist decor.
13. Hang a shelf above your desk
One simple shelf above your desk gives you the space you need to keep everything off your desk. This solution is ideal for smaller desks and if you have a creative muse who enjoys vision boards, writing and drawing. In one quick maneuver, the few items on your desk can transfer to the shelf, giving you the space to create.
14. Install a vertical shelving unit
A thin vertical shelving unit tucked next to the desk in a corner wall offers a space for color-coordinated baskets, a few books and a plant. Choose square wicker baskets that slide right into the shelf and look like they belong.
These can hold your current projects in organized files for easy access. Consider placing a philodendron plant on the top shelf, letting it cascade down, bringing a touch of greenery.
15. Sit comfortably
While standup desks are growing in popularity, thanks to the phrase, “Sitting is as bad as smoking,” many people still prefer to sit at their desks. Minimalist desk chairs follow the monochromatic rule and blend in with your chosen design. They are also simple (instead of big and bulky), comfortable and ergonomically designed. Popular options include those with wooden legs.
The minimalist approach to desk design
Minimalism is all about functionality. It’s ridding yourself of chaos and embracing a simpler lifestyle where everything has a purpose and a place. Start with decluttering, then use these tips and tools to create a minimalist desk setup. Who knows? Your entire apartment may become a minimalist zone.
Still looking for a rental space to optimize your work and life? Take a look at our available apartments for rent.
TikTok trends don’t lie: Whether they’re “quiet quitting” or adopting “Bare Minimum Monday” to combat the “Sunday scaries,” people are pulling back at work.
In one sense, making work a smaller part of life is a permanent shift that people working from home experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic, says Cristina Banks, an industrial and organizational psychologist and director of the Interdisciplinary Center for Healthy Workplaces at the University of California, Berkeley Haas School of Business.
While working from home, people had more autonomy. They also had a clearer idea of the value of their time, which they could spend exercising or playing with their kids rather than sitting in traffic on their way to the office.
After many workers had that experience and are now being pushed to return to pre-pandemic norms, Banks says it’s hard for them to give up control over when or how much they work.
So, some workers embrace trends like Bare Minimum Monday, which suggests doing only the most important tasks at the start of the week, in order to retain that control.
But people’s choice to devote less time and energy to work may also have a more worrying root. Surveys repeatedly show that a large share of workers are teetering on the edge of burnout.
So, in the spirit of World Mental Health Day on Oct. 10, we look at the challenges and a tactic that can help workers cope.
Burnout and poor mental health at work
Roughly 3 out of 4 workers said they experienced work-related stress in the last month, according to the 2023 Work in America Survey by the American Psychological Association. More than half said that stress resulted in an array of negative effects, including emotional exhaustion, lack of motivation, a desire to quit, lower productivity and irritability, among others.
The statistics around mental health at work are so bleak that workplace well-being has become one of the highest priorities of public health and business organizations alike over the past two years.
For example, the surgeon general’s office has made addressing workers’ well-being one of its top priorities, saying the pandemic highlighted the link between people’s health and their work.
The federal agency created a list of stressors chipping away at Americans’ mental health that reads like a day in the life of a typical U.S. worker: heavy workloads, long commutes, unpredictable schedules, long hours, limited autonomy, multiple jobs and low wages.
The solution ought to come from employers, the surgeon general and others conclude. But executives first have to overcome their own wrong assumptions.
In the 2023 Well-Being At Work Survey, released in June by Deloitte, a business management consulting company, C-suite executives tended to have an overly optimistic view of workers’ well-being that doesn’t match workers’ own assessment of how they’re doing. While two-thirds of surveyed employees said their mental health stayed the same or got worse in the past year, the overwhelming majority of executives believed their employees’ mental health got better.
With that kind of disconnect, workers might need to make the first move. One of the more recent trends to rise out of social media, called Bare Minimum Monday, invites people to prioritize their own well-being instead of forcing productivity. It could be exactly what workers need right now.
What is Bare Minimum Monday?
Bare Minimum Monday is a trend started on TikTok by Marisa Jo Mayes, a content creator and co-founder of Spacetime Monotasking, a startup providing virtual coworking space and productivity tools.
Mayes coined the term Bare Minimum Monday to describe her slowed-down start to the workweek. Instead of feeling paralyzed over an impossibly long to-do list, she focuses on doing only the most necessary work tasks.
When she’s done with those, she allows herself to set work aside in favor of self-care, creative pursuits, cleaning or anything else that feels good to do (which can also be more work).
“Before I started doing Bare Minimum Monday, I was physically making myself sick with stress,” Mayes says in one video. “I couldn’t produce anything because of the level of burnout I had reached.”
Why try Bare Minimum Monday
Mayes says practicing Bare Minimum Monday frees you from the pressure of an unrealistic workload, encouraging you to be easier on yourself and helping you dodge burnout.
It turns out that lowering expectations for what you should accomplish in a day can have the unintended effect of making productive work easier to do.
While she started Bare Minimum Monday so she’d feel better, Mayes discovered that cutting herself some slack made her, “more productive than [she] ever thought possible.”
It would be hard for an employer to argue with that result, Banks says. “As long as they’re productive, why care where they are or how long a workday they put in?”
The honey badger labor market woke up on Friday and chose violence, biting the legs of any job recession bear it could find. The first reaction from the bond market was to shoot up bond yields and mortgage rates went higher. However, as the day progressed, bond yields decreased from the peak.
What is going on with the U.S. labor market? The answer is that we are just working back to normal.
Jobs data
From BLS:Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 336,000 in September, and the unemployment rate was unchanged at 3.8 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Job gains occurred in leisure and hospitality; government; health care; professional, scientific, and technical services; and social assistance.
Nothing has changed from my long-term view on the labor market recovery premise I have written about for years. If COVID-19 had never happened, based on our population growth and job growth data pre-COVID-19, we should have between 157 million and 159million jobs today. Until we get into this ballpark range, it’s all make-up demand. Today, we stand at 156,874,000, so we are close to breaking into the makeup labor data pool.
Here is a breakdown of the jobs gained and jobs lost in today’s report
In this job report, the unemployment rate for education levels looks like this:
Less than a high school diploma: 5.5%
High school graduate and no college: 4.1%
Some college or associate degree: 3.0%
Bachelor’s degree or higher: 2.1%
From BLS: In September, average hourly earnings for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls rose by 7 cents, or 0.2 percent, to $33.88. Over the past 12 months, average hourly earnings have increased by 4.2 percent. In September, average hourly earnings of private-sector production and nonsupervisory employees rose by 6 cents, or 0.2 percent, to $29.06.
Wage growth data has been cooling down since January of 2022; we don’t see any data that would implicate a wage spiral. If the trend continues, we will be close to the Federal Reserve‘s target for wage growth next year with their goal of 2% inflation. To me, 3%-3.5% will make the Fed so happy, and If we get any productivity growth, that will be icing on the cake.
It’s been straightforward with the Fed, bond yields and mortgage rates in 2022 and 2023. I don’t believe the Fed will pivot until jobless claims break over 323,000 on the four-week moving average. The one data line improving since July has been jobless claims, and bond yields have been trending higher. The four-week moving average is running at 208,750.
Bonds and mortgage rates
What does this mean for mortgage rates and the bond market after a crazy week? The bond market is oversold so that a rally could happen anytime, but can it get much lower with the jobless claims data being this strong? As we can see in today’s action, bond yields shot up, moved lower, but still ended higher than today’s lows.
I am currently looking at the 4.87% level on the 10-year yield as a line in the sand. The 10-year yield has just had a massive sell-off, and we need to find a stable level to bounce from, or this can keep going higher and higher. We had a weak attempt by a few Fed presidents and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen this week to try to talk the bond market down, but bond traders didn’t care much. Actions speak louder than words, and when the Fed went with a hawkish future outlook, it gave traders the green light to sell bonds. And the jobless claims data is too low for the Fed to pivot off that hawkish tone.
All in all, the jobs report was a good one with good revisions. Wage growth is cooling and most likely, we will see some negative revisions to this report. However, this doesn’t change my mindset about the labor data; we are still in make-up mode for labor and working our way back to a normal job market.
Over the next 12 months, there will be new variables to test the economy, not only with higher rates, but now student loan debt payments will need to be made. We will take the economic data one day at a time, but I believe the story so far in 2023 is how well the jobless claims data is doing and we can’t have a job loss recession in America until that data line breaks over 323,000.
Working from home has emerged as a common option for some employees as many companies have adopted the hybrid model and new work from home trends have evolved.
A dedicated workplace is becoming more of a priority for employees, especially those who live with roommates or other family members in an apartment. An extra bedroom or a nook is now an essential feature when people consider moving to or renting a new apartment.
While some employees have returned to the office, other people work for companies that allow a hybrid schedule and only require going to the office two to three days a week. Creating an office atmosphere is critical, especially for people who work with teams or spend many hours of the day on phone calls or video meetings. Sitting at the dining table or in a corner of the living room is no longer a conducive work situation for some people who want a dedicated space.
Here are six work-from-home trends that renters are seeking for 2022.
1. Extra bedroom-nook
“Renters will continue to prioritize functional remote workspaces,” said Ericka Rios, co-founder and director of leasing for Downtown Apartment Company, a Chicago-based brokerage that matches renters with approximately 16,000 apartments in more than 200 properties across the Windy City.
Rios also expects renters to seek work from home-friendly floor plans offering bonus rooms or pocket office nooks.
“Working from home has become a permanent part of the landscape with Chicago renters and they are changing their living situations to accommodate it,” she said. “While some workers have gone back to the office, many are still working from home some or all of the time and need a more functional space for their home office. Many have upgraded to a larger living space with an additional room dedicated to a home office, while others are moving to buildings that offer a more traditional co-working space. The common thread is that nearly everyone has prioritized finding a functional WFH situation within their apartment community.”
Maria Abbe, a public relations executive who lives in Florida, said she recently moved into a two-bedroom apartment to have additional space.
“I wanted extra space, ample lighting and an open kitchen/living room so I don’t feel like I’m holed up in one room all day,” she said. “The palm trees help, too.”
2. Storage areas
Having enough storage in an apartment or in another part of the building is important to many people who prefer to spend their time outside and want to safely stash their sports or exercise equipment, such as a bicycle.
“Storage space in the common areas is critical these days,” said Teresa DeVos, executive vice president of operations at RKW Residential, a Charlotte, NC-based, third-party, multifamily management firm that oversees more than 30,000 apartments throughout the southeast region.
“How that space is designed and delivered depends on the demographics and geographic area the community is located in,” she said.
Secure storage located in a nearby location is a consideration
A community in a walkable, urban neighborhood requires significant space for bike storage. Renters working from home want to get their bikes out of the apartment and in a secure space.
“One of our communities located on the water has many kayaking enthusiasts as residents, so we had to allocate space for kayak storage,” DeVos said. Working from inside an apartment all day makes getting fresh air and exercise that much more important.”
3. Adequate natural light/more windows
When you spend all day working from home, having enough natural light emerges as a priority. Some people thrive in work environments with a lot of sunlight and are more productive.
“Natural light or a big window to place your workstation is vital for the workday when you live in New York City,” said Raj Nijjer, CMO of Refersion, a company that helps online shops track sales driven by promoters, influencers and affiliates. He prefers anything green or trees outside and likes having the ability to take a short walk on quiet streets for breaks or phone calls.
“Natural light is very beneficial to wellness, especially for those who work from home,” said Linda Kozloski, creative design director at Lendlease, an Australian-based integrated real estate and investment group.
The broad windows at Cascade, a 503-unit luxury apartment tower that recently opened in Chicago’s Lakeshore East neighborhood, and Porte, a 586-unit development in Chicago’s West Loop that opened during the pandemic, not only let in the “ample daylight that residents desire, they offer views of the skyline and nearby parks, allowing residents to take mini breaks as they work, moving their eyes from their screen to the view,” she said.
“The most common request we are getting from renters about working from home is having the ability to carve out a little area of the apartment as a space to work comfortably and with plenty of natural light or LED lighting,” DeVos said.
“We have taken the step of staging our model apartments to incorporate such spaces so prospective renters can visualize what working from home would look like,” she said.
Large windows help with productivity
Freda Moon, a travel editor at SFGate, said having a view like a big window overlooking a park and a location with restaurants and bars nearby with a lot of activity becomes more important. “I don’t want to feel cooped up,” she said.
Large windows with natural light and “a view of the city to feel like I was in a real office which helps with productivity,” said Justine D’Addio, a publicist for startups, who works from home in downtown San Francisco. “Having a larger than average balcony is great for work breaks and overlooking whatever ‘hustle & bustle’ is left here,” she said.
4. Noise control
Being able to manage the amount of noise from inside the apartment and from within the building is critical for people who need less noise to complete projects. WFH employees find this to be a necessity, especially if they’re living with a partner, children or roommates.
“There has always been high demand for sturdy, well-built communities, but now that more of our residents are working from home, they appreciate that our projects are designed to high acoustical standards,” Kozloski said. “The double-glazed glass in the façades of Porte and Cascade act as a noise-mitigation measure, ensuring that most external sounds are not detectable.”
Other people want a quiet respite from street noise or have no desire to hear their neighbors walking around their apartments. Michael Dehls, an IT professional living in Rutherford, NJ, said, “I think the ability to manage noise is extremely important, especially for couples. ”
His previous apartment had no doors between rooms, which made it tough when both he and his wife had to take conference calls simultaneously. Their new apartment has doors in most of the rooms.
“Being able to limit the amount of noise she heard from her neighbors was essential,” said Liz Froment, a Boston resident, who moved during the pandemic.
“A huge one for me was limiting neighbor noise,” she said. “I went from being surrounded on all sides to a top floor corner unit sharing only one small wall.”
5. Meeting or co-working room
Being able to work in a meeting room in the apartment’s lobby or having a silent booth for taking phone calls is a necessity. Others need a break from their roommates or family members.
“Building amenities like co-working areas with meeting rooms, private booths or dedicated Zoom rooms will be in high demand during the year ahead,” Rios said.
“Renters also want the ability to create such environments throughout the community, whether it is individual ‘phone booth’ private spaces to make calls and have virtual meetings or co-working areas for small groups to get projects done,” DeVos said. “If we can incorporate small workspaces into rooftops, especially in cities with great views, we make sure to do so.”
Change of scenery needed for WFH employees
“The amenity arms race has always included meeting spaces that allow residents a change of scenery so they can get work done outside of their unit,” Kozloski said. “Since the start of the pandemic, some buildings also offer work pods that are designed for one person to do head-down work.”
“At Cascade (which is 50 percent occupied) there have been nearly 600 reservations for the two reservable conference rooms since launching reservations on Oct. 1,” she said. “These spaces are open 24 hours a day and the most popular reservation time is between 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Cascade also added Stockwell vending machines, coffee service and a Print with Me printer in this same space as the reservable study areas as a convenience for those that work from home.”
“A top consideration for renters is how an apartment building provides working from home options,” said Jon Schneider, senior vice president for Fifield Cos., a Chicago-based boutique real estate developer that owns multifamily buildings in multiple markets, including two properties that opened during the pandemic in Chicago.
Their buildings are primarily located in or near city centers, which offers easy access for those who have returned to the office, but “estimates show about 50 to 60 percent of its residents are still working from home,” he said.
“We anticipate the flexibility to work from both an office and from home will continue to be a factor for the long term,” Schneider said. “Data suggests eight out of 10 renters expect to be working from home at least part of the time now and in the future,” he said.
Demand for co-working suites is rising
“Residents at their building in the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago like having access to a full co-working suite with individual booths providing separation with a sense of openness, small offices offering a less distracting, more private space for phone calls and focused work and a more traditional conference room with a large table and wall-mounted monitor for group meetings or space to spread out,” Schneider said.
“Having this common space allows residents the flexibility to lease whatever floor plan best fits their budget and lifestyle because they know work-from-home space is covered,” he said. “The co-working spaces in our buildings like Logan Apartments and Westerly are consistently utilized and some residents even bring an entire computer set-up with monitors and PCs down to the co-working space on a daily basis. In terms of COVID protocols, we follow whatever the local government guidelines are for masks and social distancing.”
6. Outdoor space
Having access to outdoor space at the apartment complex, such as a balcony with adequate room for a table and chairs, a small garden and/or a dog park, is what some renters prefer.
Some renters find that having a dog park is just as important as having enough light or an extra room.
A dog park is what made the difference in choosing the last apartment for Angela Tague, a marketing writer and journalist who lives in Sioux City, IA.
“It was great for my dog to exercise and meet other dogs and got me outside more,” she said. “Win. Win.”
Access to outdoor areas is a priority
The Downtown Apartment Company in Chicago said 75 percent of its rental clients now want access to private outdoor space and they’re willing to pay a premium for it. Units with balconies tend to rent at 30 cents to 40 cents more per square foot. Rios also said that the No. 1 location for a balcony is off the bedroom, which can be hard to find as most units feature a balcony off of the living area.
“Another interesting insight is that balconies are leveling the playing field a bit between older Class A buildings and newer Class A+ buildings with tons of high-end amenity space, but no private balconies, ” Rios said.
“Balconies allow renters to work outside in temperate weather,” she said. “I’ve heard from the Porte leasing team that balcony units were the first to go because people wanted that second location to work from home.”
“Both Cascade and Porte have generous outdoor amenity decks that include, among other things, plenty of lounge furniture where renters can sit with a laptop to get work done. In addition, Cascade has a 32nd-floor lounge space overlooking Navy Pier that includes an adjacent study room for those who want great views and a quiet space.”
Work from home trends will continue
Many work-from-home trends will continue in 2022 as renters seek new living quarters. Some will continue their hybrid work models, while others will spend more time in the office.
Employees prefer to have a defined workspace, whether it’s another room or areas dedicated to relaxation or exercise, such as a balcony, small green space or a dog park. They want to spend time outdoors and away from their screens.