Construction jobs are set to become the next victim of high interest rates as the housing backlogs that have helped keep demand for workers steady start to diminish.
Record wait times for home construction have until now kept overall building activity elevated even as soaring borrowing costs over the last year have severely limited new projects. That’s left many construction firms struggling to attract and retain labor while other sectors like technology and finance have cut jobs.
But the tide seems to be turning as the number of housing projects waiting for completion has begun to fall. That means the popular notion that any downturn this year will be mild by historical standards as firms seek to “hoard” labor is about to be put to the test.
“If you were to do the typical math of how weak construction jobs should be right now based on investment in structures spending, it’s pretty bad,” said Sarah Wolfe, an economist at Morgan Stanley in New York.
The U.S. construction sector shed a net 9,000 jobs in March, marking the first decline in 14 months after employment rose to a record 7.9 million in February, according to Labor Department figures. Construction layoffs jumped to 3.7% of total employment, up from 2.3% in February, marking one of the biggest leaps on record in data beginning in 2000.
Because the housing market is so sensitive to interest rates, it tends to serve as a harbinger for changes in economic activity when the Fed tightens or eases. Going into the Great Recession of 2008 and 2009, construction employment plunged by 1.5 million, leading job losses in the wider economy.
Now, even as the monthly count of new projects seems to have bottomed out in recent months following last year’s 24% decline, the total number of units under construction is only just starting to turn lower, raising the prospect of more job losses ahead.
“That’s likely to continue for the rest of this calendar year,” said Robert Dietz, the chief economist at the Washington-based National Association of Home Builders, referring to the downturn in building activity. “The trend here is real.”
Still, there are plenty of differences between this episode and the Great Recession. While many experts see layoffs mounting in the months ahead as construction activity sags, improving demand for homes amid ongoing constraints in supply — partly due to labor shortages — should ultimately limit the job-market fallout.
“Even during times of economic tumult, many contractors are clinging to their workers knowing that if activity begins to rebound, it will be difficult for them to rehire those types of workers,” said Anirban Basu, the chief economist at Associated Builders and Contractors.
A worker labor at the construction site of the Landmark residential and commercial project.
Brendon Thorne/Bloomberg
‘Lack of People’
That view is informed in part by what’s happening on the ground in the industry. Dave Chapin, the president of Willmar Electric, is one example of a contractor who has been struggling to attract and retain labor in recent years as construction has boomed.
Chapin, whose company specializes in nonresidential electrical work mainly in Nebraska, Oklahoma and Minnesota, said he’s raised compensation by as much as 20% since the start of the pandemic, adding that “there continues to be projects that come up and we’re turning down work because of a lack of people.”
Employment costs rose by the most on record in the first three months of 2023 as employers continued paying up for talent, according to Labor Department figures. A diminished pool of available workers, in part due to insufficient training and restrictions on immigration — one in four employees in construction are foreign-born — is raising hopes that the coming layoff wave won’t look anything like 2008.
“We’re definitely thinking that labor hoarding is going to minimize some of the downsides,” said Wolfe at Morgan Stanley.
Everyone always wants their house to be pulled together for the holidays. I’m no different. But since I can’t make couches or rugs magically ship faster, I’m making progress wherever I can. Case in point: Our laundry room! I’d neglected to actually design the space before we moved into our new house. But now that the room is all dressed up nice, I can actually smile while doing my chores!
You may have caught the before pic of the space in this post. But in case you missed here it is again.
It was essentially nothing more than a tiny box with a giant washer & dryer in it! When it came to actually designing this space, I focused on 3 main goals.
Make it Functional: In the rush of the move, I didn’t put thought into the laundry room. I knew I wanted a front loading washer dryer for their easy loadability and capacity. But I got mine and just plopped them in there. I didn’t spend anytime thinking about how to optimize space, storage or really make the room work.
Add Storage: Now that I’m mom, I’m dealing with every kind of laundry dilemma under the sun. So the amount of stain boosters, whiteners and laundry pre-treaters have exploded. I needed to create space in our laundry room so there would be room for it all.
Make it Really Really Good Looking: Utility spaces can look just as good as any other room in the house. A few design tricks can make even highly functional spaces chic.
And if I do say so myself, I think I was able to achieve all three of my goals – though I’ll let you be the final judge.
Let’s talk function first. I selected the LG SideKick for my laundry room. I adore them, but they are a pretty big washer and dryer. They both sit on pedestals making them nice and tall. They are also rather deep. We nestled them into the wall as much as possible, but the room is relatively narrow. To get the storage I was craving, I had a custom shelf built that just fits over the two units. That shelf allows me to have everything I use daily – detergent and boosters like Clorox Control Bleach Packs at arms reach. I like that I don’t have to open any cupboards or move things in and out. Everything is right at my finger tips.
I was also able to capitalize on storage built into the LG Twinwash washer/dryer system itself. For one thing, the washer pedestal actually conceals an additional washer! That lets me do a quick small load, wash delicates or soak stained items in my favorite pre-treaters without needing an additional tub or bucket. Winning! The dryer pedestal is actually a storage drawer. That’s where I house all my laundry secret weapons like Clorox 2 Stain Remover, Clorox 2 Darks and Denim, Oxi Max Radiant White and the like. I love that it keeps all the packaged goods tucked away where I don’t have to stare at any labels. Again, winning!
The design elements of the room are where the form and function really come together. I started by installing beautiful Erica Tanov wallpaper to create a dramatic feature wall at the back of the room. I’m in love with the gold foil. It’s the perfect backdrop for my storage system. I worked with local organizing guru Bliss Haus to design a beautiful laundry storage set up. Everything is decanted into glass jars for a clean, uniform look. There are even jars to collect dryer lint and lost socks! The custom print labels are so cool. It really took the room to the next level. A modern white and wood metal Japanese basket holds spray bottles and scented room spray. Because sometimes laundry rooms just get funky.
I used jars with wooden lids from the Jenni Kayne to mix in a modern touch. To add even more texture, I added a vintage Moroccan dhurrie from St Frank to the floor. The golden tones warm up the room and tie in with the Erica Tanov wallpaper’s golden hue. My favorite design idea in the space might have to be the Meghan Shimek weaving I found at local San Francisco boutique The Podolls. I needed something to conceal our electric panel. The wall hanging does the job perfectly. A fiddle leaf fig and white textured planter from Flora Grubb adds life and a pop of rich color.
All these elements come together to create my dream laundry room. I can do loads and loads while loving my surroundings. One more room down. Many more to go!
Check out our entire archive of house updates and all the rooms completed to date HERE.
For more of my favorite house tours, CLICK HERE.
original photography for Apartment 34 by aubrie pick
This content was created is in partnership with Clorox.
As a renter, having access to a gym within your apartment complex can greatly enhance your living experience. Regular gym workouts offer physical and mental health benefits, social interaction, convenience and professional guidance. With varied options for exercise, flexible hours and personalized workouts, apartment gyms contribute to the long-term health and well-being of renters and is one of the most sought-after amenities among apartment seekers.
1. Convenience
Having a gym on-site eliminates the need to commute to an outside gym, saving you time and effort. You can simply walk or take an elevator to the gym, making it incredibly convenient to maintain a healthy lifestyle. This also helps renters streamline their routine, cutting the time it takes to drive to and from a local gym.
2. Cost-effective
Gym memberships are expensive, but having a gym in your apartment complex is usually included in your rent, making it a cost-effective option for fitness junkies. You can save on monthly gym membership fees and still enjoy the same facilities. Recently, apartment gyms have been upgrading equipment and adding unique features to compete with specific fitness studios, like cycle and yoga studios.
3. Time-saving
You can work out whenever you have free time with an apartment gym. This saves renters time and eliminates the worry about the operating hours of other gyms. This flexibility allows you to fit exercise into your busy schedule more easily, enhancing your overall living experience even more.
4. Privacy
Some people feel more comfortable working out in a private gym setting rather than a crowded, public gym. On-site gyms provide the privacy you need to exercise without feeling like you’re surrounded by others and worrying about the comparison of fitness levels. This can even encourage renters to begin a fitness journey if they’ve been too timid to do so.
5. Enhanced safety
Safety is a concern when exercising in unfamiliar areas or when traveling to a gym late at night. You shouldn’t have to sacrifice your preferred workout time just for safety. By having a gym in your apartment complex, renters are offered a safe and secure environment for their workouts. This peace of mind is priceless.
6. Socializing opportunity
Apartment gyms are a great place to meet and connect with other residents who share similar interests in fitness. This fosters a sense of community and provides an opportunity to make new friends without leaving the community. You may also meet a new workout buddy!
7. Health benefits
Regular exercise is proven to be crucial for maintaining physical and mental health. Having a gym within your apartment complex makes it more convenient and accessible for you to prioritize your health and well-being, with the added convenience of it being right under your roof.
8. Options for every renter
Many apartment gyms offer a variety of exercise equipment, from cardio machines to private yoga rooms, which allows you to choose the type of workout that suits your preferences. This range of equipment and workout options can enhance your fitness routine, encouraging renters to try new things or build on what they know.
9. Accessibility
Apartment gyms are easily accessible to all residents, including those with mobility limitations. Apartment gyms, when designed properly, boast inclusivity and accommodating to a wide range of individuals. Having an apartment that invests in accessible amenities, like a fitness center, is important.
Apartments with gyms: where convenience meets investment
Having a gym within your apartment complex can significantly improve your experience as a renter, adding further value to your overall life. A gym within your apartment complex can save you time and money by eliminating the need for a separate gym membership and commute — all while promoting a healthy lifestyle and encouraging community engagement among fellow renters. Start your search today to find your dream apartment with this valuable amenity.
Inside: You are wanting to work from home. Here are the best non phone work from home jobs. Exactly what you wanted to find.
Are you looking for a work from home job but don’t want to deal with people? You’re in luck!
There are plenty of non-phone jobs that allow you to work from the comfort of your own home.
This is becoming more and more popular because it allows you autonomous work without the influence of talking to others.
Plus we will cover the best non phone work from home jobs! There are many options available.
To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of the 35 best non-phone jobs for you:
Can you work from home without talking on the phone?
Yes, you can work from home without talking on the phone.
More and more jobs are transitioning away from the use of a phone. So, there is no better time than to transition yourself.
Best non phone work from home jobs
Here is a comprehensive list of the best non phone work from home jobs.
You will find a variety of part-time, full-time, and contract opportunities in a wide range of fields. Also, the opportunity to become your own boss.
1. Stock Trader
Stock traders must have a good understanding of market trends, economic forces, and have the ability to make quick decisions based on their analysis.
The benefits of working as a stock trader include high pay, job security, and the potential to make a lot of money if the stock market is performing well.
Additionally, stock traders are able to work from home and have flexible hours, meaning that they can plan their working day around other commitments.
Personally, this is one way I make money is by trading stocks and options. Join the $1000 in a day club.
2. Video Editor
A video editor is someone who works with audio and visual content to create cohesive and engaging visuals for either commercial or creative purposes.
They use various software programs to manipulate video clips, sounds, and images in order to create a compelling story. The role of a video editor involves careful attention to detail and the ability to utilize a wide range of software and hardware.
The advantages of a job as a video editor include the potential to work from home and create a flexible schedule, as well as the potential to make great money, depending on the level of experience.
Additionally, it can be a great way to express creativity and further develop important skills.
On the other hand, one of the major disadvantages of working as a video editor is the high stress level that comes with the role.
Video editors are often under pressure to deliver projects under tight deadlines, which can lead to increased pressure and stress. Additionally, there is often a steep learning curve, as video editing requires a lot of technical knowledge and experience.
3. Proofreader
Proofreading is a non-phone work from home job that involves reading and carefully reviewing written documents for errors of spelling, grammar, syntax, and punctuation. It also involves making sure that the text makes sense and is consistent with the document’s purpose.
Proofreaders are expected to identify and correct errors as they appear in the text.
The pay for proofreaders is typically between $44k and $58k per year.
To make the job easier, I would take the Proofreading Anywhere course to understand what is expected of you.
4. Data Entry Jobs
Data entry clerks are often required to sort, organize, and verify the accuracy of data before entering it into the computer system.
Additionally, this type of job does not require any prior experience and can be learned quickly.
Data entry clerks can usually make an hourly wage, which makes it a great option for those looking for a side income. Furthermore, data entry clerks are often hired for short-term or part-time projects, allowing them to pick and choose their hours.
5. Writer
Typically, the role of a writer is to produce content, such as blog posts, articles, product reviews, press releases, and more, for various companies.
Writers must have a good command of the English language and demonstrate great grammar and spelling in order to be successful. Additionally, writers must have the ability to create content that is search engine optimized and persuasive.
Many people have found the Earn More Writing course helpful to bump start your freelance writing potential.
All in all, freelance writing is a great way to make a living and offers flexible hours, the potential for long-term growth, and higher pay rates.
6. Web Search Evaluator
Search engine evaluators have the important job of ensuring that search engine results are relevant and accurate to the user’s intent.
For example, a user might enter the search query ‘chocolate cupcake recipes’, and the search engine should return relevant results such as recipes. If the search results are irrelevant or inaccurate, the search engine evaluator is tasked with rating them accordingly.
Search engine evaluators typically earn around $20 per hour and can make up to $40k a year if they take the job as full-time professional.
7. Virtual Bookkeeper
A virtual bookkeeper is a professional who can provide bookkeeping services to businesses from remote location.
Most people choose to work for themselves as a bookkeeper with a bookkeeping side gig (or full-time business).
One of the main benefits of working as a virtual bookkeeper is that no college degree or qualification is needed to get started. Generally, bookkeepers charge around $80 an hour or more for their services.
Finally, you can learn more about getting started with Bookkeeper Launch to help you become a freelance bookkeeper.
8. Image Reviewer and Photo Editor
Similar to a video editor, a photo editor’s duties include, but are not limited to, ensuring that images display the desired quality, accuracy, and clarity; checking for visual consistency across all images; editing images to make them look more appealing; and providing feedback on the images.
Additionally, they may be responsible for curating collections of images, creating new content, and managing projects.
For those looking to sell on Shutterstock, this is a great side hustle.
9. Create and Sell Printables on Etsy
With a little creativity and the right software, you can create unique printables that customers can purchase and print out themselves.
This can be a great way for you to make passive income with minimal effort.
In fact, my friends Cody and Julie did so well selling printables; they now teach others how to make a living creating and selling printables.
10. Selling on Amazon (FBA program)
This is a way to make money by reselling products you find online or in brick and mortar stores on Amazon for a higher price.
Amazon will ship the products to your customers, handle customer service, and even provide storage for the products.
With the right amount of work and dedication, you can make quite a bit of money with FBA.
11. Blogger
With blogging, you have the ability to work from anywhere in the world with just a computer and an internet connection.
You can write about whatever topics you are passionate about and be your own boss.
You can also make money blogging through various income streams such as affiliate marketing, paid sponsorships, ads, and more.
12. ESL Instructor
The job of an ESL (English as a second language) instructor is to provide English language instruction, usually via webcam, to those who are not native English speakers.
The benefits of this job are numerous: it allows for flexible hours, can be done from anywhere in the world, and offers an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of learners from all over the world. Additionally, being an ESL instructor allows one to learn about other cultures, stay up to date with language trends, and gain valuable professional experience.
To get the job, you need to have a thorough understanding of the English language and pass any certification tests.
This is a great type of job that pays weekly.
13. Virtual Assistant
A virtual assistant (VA) is a professional who provides administrative and technical support to clients remotely. They help with a variety of tasks like answering emails, data entry, blog management, bookkeeping, editing, proofreading, marketing, research, filing documents, and customer service – to name just a few.
The type of services you offer will depend on your skills, experience, and education.
The biggest benefit of working as a VA is that you can work from home and set your own hours.
And the pay can be quite lucrative, with rates ranging from $25 to $100 an hour.
If you’re interested in becoming a VA, Kayla Sloan offers a free workshop that teaches people how to become Virtual Assistants and makes up to $10,000 a month. Download her Virtual Assistant checklist.
14. Accountant
An accountant is a professional who is responsible for tracking financial records and preparing financial statements for a business or individual. They ensure that their clients’ finances are accurate and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
One of the primary benefits of working from home as an accountant is flexibility. You are able to work your own hours and set your own schedule. This allows you to create a better work-life balance and also gives you more time to spend with your family.
15. Freelance Jobs
A freelancer is someone who does work for themselves and not for a company.
This is typically contract-type work.
You can find freelance jobs on sites such as Upwork, Fiverr, or People Per Hour.
The best way to freelance is to know your own skills and how to monetize them.
16. Editor
An editor is a professional who is responsible for reviewing and improving documents, whether that be in print, online, or even on video.
Editing involves ensuring accuracy, flow, grammar, and style. This is a great non phone work from home job because it allows for great flexibility and does not require a college degree.
Most positions are freelance which means that you can work on your own schedule and take on as much work as you can.
17. Social Media Manager
Social Media Managers are in charge of maintaining a client’s presence on a variety of social media sites, such as Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, Twitter, and Google Plus.
They are expected to respond to comments, manage brand partnerships, create posts, photos, and videos, and track analytics to come up with an effective marketing strategy to promote their client’s accounts.
In addition to creating content, Social Media Managers typically monitor and moderate what is posted on the client’s social media accounts. They are usually responsible for ensuring that the content is appropriate and that the rules and regulations of the platform are followed.
The potential salary range for Social Media Managers can vary, but they can typically make $78000 per year.
18. Transcriber
A transcriber’s role is to convert audio recordings into written documents. They listen to audio files and type out what they hear.
Transcribers have the advantage of being able to work from home and can earn up to $21 per hour or more if they start their own business. They also have the potential to increase their wage upon gaining more experience.
Additionally, transcribers do not need to interact with other people, making it an ideal job for those who are more introverted or prefer working alone.
Finally, there are various resources available to help transcribers get started, including free mini-courses and companies that hire experienced and beginner transcribers.
19. Marketing Associate
As a Marketing Associate, you’ll be responsible for a wide variety of tasks, including developing and executing marketing campaigns, conducting market research, creating content, and managing and optimizing paid search, video creation, and other digital marketing efforts.
Additionally, you may be asked to support customer service via live chat, social media, text, and email.
The ideal candidate for this role will have excellent communication skills, be proficient in typing and have excellent spelling and grammar, and be passionate about social media platforms.
20. House sitter
A house sitter is someone who stays in a home while the homeowners are away and provides care for the premises and any pets that the homeowners may have.
The job of a house sitter includes tasks such as watering plants, taking out trash, and performing general maintenance of the property.
House sitters can benefit from the opportunity to experience different places, save money on rent, and have some extra time to explore their surroundings.
Platforms such as TrustedHousesitter.com make finding house-sitting jobs easier than ever before.
21. Online Tutor
The role of an online tutor is to guide students in their studies and help them understand a particular subject or skill virtually, through video chat or online software. Plus you have the opportunity to work with students from different countries.
Online tutoring jobs vary in requirements, but typically a bachelor’s degree or current college enrollment is needed.
They provide instruction and guidance, assist students with assignments, answer questions, and give feedback on their progress. The tutor also has a responsibility to motivate and encourage their students to stay on task and reach their academic goals.
22. Pet-Sitting Jobs
Pet sitting jobs can be a great way to make some extra money from home while spending time with animals (and not people)!
With Rover, you can earn anywhere between $10 and $20 an hour for dog walking, $20-30 for overnight stays, and some people are even making $1000+ a month in metro city areas. As a pet sitter, you have to stay at home with someone else’s pets and they pay you for taking care of their pets.
Rover.com is a great platform to find pet sitting jobs as they offer a wide range of services such as dog walking, pet sitting, and pet care.
23. Personal Stylist
Personal styling is an exciting and relatively new job that offers the opportunity to work from home. The role of a personal stylist is to help clients express their individual style through the selection of clothes, accessories, and other items.
It involves curating a set number of clothing items and accessories based on the client’s fashion profile. This job requires an eye for detail, an innate sense of style, and creativity.
It’s perfect for creative individuals who are passionate about fashion and have an eye for details.
24. Website Tester
Website testers are typically paid to assess the overall user experience on a website and provide feedback on how to improve it. W
You do not need a phone to complete your tasks; they only require a laptop with a webcam and microphone to record your observations.
Website testing is a non-phone work from home job that pays good money to ensure that websites are user-friendly. It is a flexible and straightforward way to make some extra cash.
25. Closed Captioner
A closed captioner is a person who transcribes audio into text for specific use on video.
This is a great job for those who learn and work better visually, as well as those who can type quickly and accurately. This type of work allows for a very flexible work schedule, meaning you can work when you are most productive and there is no need for any phone interactions.
You get the freedom to work on your own schedule and make a decent amount of money doing something that doesn’t require phone conversations.
26. Online Test Scorer
An online test scorer is responsible for scoring assessments such as tests, exams, and essays from students of high school or college. This job requires a certain level of expertise, as the test scorer must be able to interpret and evaluate the quality of the assessments accurately and fairly.
The test scorer must also be able to maintain the confidentiality of the students’ answers and grades and be able to provide feedback that is relevant and constructive.
This job typically requires a bachelor’s degree, and it is often seasonal with part-time hours.
27. Translator
The role of a translator is to take a language and convert it into another language, be it oral, written, or audio.
Translators not only have to be multi-lingual and have a good command of grammar and spelling, but they also need to be able to convey the meaning of the words they are translating accurately. They can work on a variety of projects, from subtitling to full-length books.
There is a wide range of online platforms on offer, so translators can pick the one that best suits their skill set and desired pay rate.
28. Graphic Designer
A Graphic Designer is someone who is skilled in using platforms like Photoshop, Canva, and other software to create visual and graphical designs.
Typically, these designs are used for things like logos and branding materials, websites, social media content, or clothing.
You must have a creative flair, as well as knowledge of graphic design and the required software. In order to be successful, they must have a computer with a good internet connection and the programs necessary to do the job.
29. Medical Coder and Biller
A medical coder and biller are responsible for translating a patient’s symptoms, diagnosis, and medication prescribed by a doctor into codes.
These codes are then entered into a database for the biller to use, who will turn them into a bill to be submitted to the patient’s insurance company.
The average pay scale for medical coders and billers can range from $45k – $65k per year, and they can find many remote positions on job sites like Indeed.com.
30. Instructional Designer
The role of an Instructional Designer is to research, write, design, and create training courses and manuals for a variety of people, such as educators, students, and employees.
Instructional designers need a degree in the subject being written about, or a degree in education, and should enjoy writing and editing. Working from home as an Instructional Designer has many benefits.
Working from home in an Instructional Designer role gives you the freedom to explore new methods and techniques to create the best possible course or manual.
31. Non-Phone Remote Nursing Jobs
With more and more companies offering remote work opportunities, there are many non-phone remote nursing jobs available.
The type of work ranges from utilization review nurses, clinical research associates, and data abstractors all work with data and compliance, ensuring procedures are being followed correctly and that they are medically necessary.
Companies such as Cigna, CVS, Flatiron, PPD, and UnitedHealth Group are just some of the many hiring companies offering these types of remote nursing positions.
32. Fraud Investigator
Fraud investigators are in demand in many industries, including financial institutions, e-commerce stores, healthcare companies, and insurance companies. As a fraud investigator, you’ll be tasked with looking for fraud, abuse, and irregularities in financial transactions.
If you have an eye for detail and like doing research, this could be a great non-phone job opportunity for you.
Companies usually require customer service experience or a criminal justice degree and/or a CAMS certification (Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist). It’s a great way to make a good income without having to pick up the phone.
33. Community Moderator
A community moderator is a person who oversees online forums, groups, and social media accounts to ensure that rules and regulations are being followed, questions are being answered, and spam and junk content are being removed.
It is an online opportunity where moderators can be employed to manage and moderate comments on various social media sites and chat rooms.
The benefits of working as a community moderator include the opportunity to work from home and a flexible schedule. Additionally, moderators will gain experience in digital engagement, such as moderating forums, chatting with customers, managing communities, and buzzing on social media.
34. Netflix Tagger
The Netflix Tagger is a real job opportunity that allows individuals to work from home watching movies and tagging them with the appropriate keywords, genres, and descriptions.
This job is ideal for those who have a passion for movies and experience or education in radio, television, and film.
Working as a Netflix Tagger (also known as Metadata Analyst) is not only rewarding but it is also beneficial for those who want to work remotely without having to make phone calls or talk to customers.
35. Provider Enrollment Specialist
A provider enrollment specialist is a non-phone work-from-home job that involves researching, reviewing, analyzing, and managing provider enrollment applications to ensure they are in compliance with guidelines.
Provider enrollment specialists usually require prior experience in medical terminology, appeals, claims, or customer service, and may also require an associate’s or bachelor’s degree.
36. Survey Taker
By completing surveys, survey takers are able to share their opinion and help inform companies and brands on how to provide better products and services that meet customer needs and expectations.
Benefits of working as a survey taker from home include the flexibility of being able to work at your own pace and the ability to earn extra income while working whenever and wherever you choose.
Additionally, survey takers can take advantage of cash, rewards, and sweepstakes entries as compensation for their time.
It is not a way to get rich, but it is a great way to make extra money on the side.
Here are the top legit survey platforms:
37. Chat and Email Support
Chat and email support workers provide customer support and assistance via email and online chat. They are responsible for responding to customer inquiries and resolving customer issues.
This customer service-oriented position does not require the use of a phone.
Chat and email support workers must be able to answer customer questions and respond to their inquiries quickly and accurately. They must also be able to use active listening skills and type quickly.
Companies often provide chat and email support workers with guidelines for providing customer support, and they may also require workers to understand their products in order to provide effective customer service.
Are non phone work from home jobs legitimate?
The answer is yes! In fact, there is a growing number of non-phone work from home jobs for those who don’t want to be on the phone all day.
Whether you’re a mom with kids and pets running around, or if you find customer service work draining, there are good options out there for you to make money from home without being on the phone.
In conclusion, non-phone work from home jobs are legitimate and provide a great opportunity to make money from home without being on the phone.
FAQs
Ultimately, the skills needed to succeed in non phone work from home jobs will depend on the type of job you are pursuing.
More than likely, you’ll need excellent typing skills, excellent spelling and grammar, and the ability to troubleshoot and solve issues, among other skills.
However, many of the jobs mentioned above pay between $15 an hour to $50 an hour.
Some companies may also offer a base salary plus bonuses or incentives.
Fortunately, there are plenty of non-phone jobs available for remote workers that don’t require a diploma.
However, you may have to take some online courses to excel faster in your field.
Many on this list are great low stress jobs that pay well without a degree.
Yes, there are software or tools needed for non-phone work from home jobs, depending on the type of job.
More than likely, you will need a computer and a reliable internet service.
Are you Excited to Work from Home Job No Phone?
Working from home has become increasingly popular over the years, as it offers flexibility, comfort, and the ability to work from anywhere.
All of these jobs that offer the best comfort and increased focus is working from home on the laptop. The advantages of this job include flexibility in schedules, the ability to remain in control of your own workspace, and enhanced focus as there is less noise and distraction.
With the number of remote job leads that are available, you are sure to find the perfect work from home job that suits your needs.
In addition, working from home gives you the freedom to work in a location of your choice. You no longer have to commute to an office or be bound by office hours.
Also, you can take breaks when you need them and work in a comfortable environment.
Which career choice are you going to look into?
Know someone else that needs this, too? Then, please share!!
It’s important to pay attention to any upcoming changes in the rules, because modifications in the maximum contribution limits, annual income limits, or other factors can throw a wrench right in the middle of your retirement plans. So let’s take a look at the latest information from the IRS.
2012 Maximum Roth IRA Contribution
Between 2011 and 2012, the IRS made no changes to the maximum Roth IRA contribution.
Just as in 2011, the maximum amount you can contribute to your Roth IRA in 2012 is:
$5,000 if you’re under age 50
$6,000 if you’re age 50 or older
Keep in mind that you qualify for the $6,000 maximum contribution as long as you turn 50 years old on any calendar day in the calendar year. So, for instance, let’s say you turn 50 years old on December 31, 2012. You can contribute $6,000 to your Roth IRA for the 2012 tax year on May 1st, even though you’ll technically only be 49 years old when you make the actual contribution.
However, even though the maximum contribution limit didn’t change between 2011 and 2012, not everyone is eligible to make the maximum contribution. Due to their income, some people have smaller contribution limits or earn too much to make any contribution at all. That’s because the IRS sets income limits that determine who is and isn’t eligible to make a Roth IRA contribution.
2012 Roth IRA Income Limits
While the maximum contribution limits did not change this year, the 2012 Roth IRA contribution limits did change.
Below are the new limits determined by your tax filing status:
Married Filing Jointly
If you plan to file your taxes as “married filing jointly,” then you can contribute a maximum of:
$5,000 if your income is $173,000 or less and you’re younger than age 50
$6,000 if your income is $173,000 or less and you’re age 50 or older
$0 if your income is $183,000 or more, regardless of your age
If you earn somewhere between $173,001 and $183,000, then your maximum contribution limit phases out to zero based on the IRS phase out rules.
Single, Head of Household, or Married Filing Separately
If you plan to file your taxes as “single, head of household, or married filing separately (assuming you didn’t live with your spouse at any time during the year),” then you can contribute a maximum of:
$5,000 if your income is $110,000 or less and you’re younger than age 50
$6,000 if your income is $110,000 or less and you’re age 50 or older
$0 if your income is $125,000 or more, regardless of your age
If you earn somewhere between $110,001 and $125,000, then your maximum contribution limit phases out to zero based on the IRS phase out rules.
Married Filing Separately
If you plan to file your taxes as “married filing separately,” but you did live with your spouse at some point during the year, then you can contribute a maximum of:
$5,000 if your income is $0 and you’re younger than age 50
$6,000 if your income is $0 and you’re age 50 or older
$0 if your income is $10,000 or more, regardless of your age
If you earn somewhere between $1 and $10,000, then your maximum contribution limit phases out to zero based on the IRS phase out rules.
Roth IRA Conversions
What about Roth IRA conversions?
The 2012 Roth IRA conversion rules are identical to the 2011 rules, meaning anyone can convert a 401k or a Traditional IRA to a Roth IRA regardless of income.
In years past, the IRS barred high income earners from making Roth IRA conversions. But in 2010, Congress allowed the $100,000 income limit on Roth IRA conversions to disappear. It may reappear sometime in the future, but as of now, it looks like 2012 will be another year without the conversion income limit. So if you’re a high income earner who’s never had the opportunity to make a Roth IRA contribution, take advantage!
Anyone, regardless of income, can make non-deductible Traditional IRA contributions, then convert those non-deductible Traditional IRA contributions to a Roth IRA tax free (since your original contributions have already been taxed). Effectively, it’s a back door method for high income earners to make Roth IRA contributions.
However, if you choose to go this route, beware of the pitfalls. Seek the advice of a financial professional who can guide you through the process – especially if you’ve made Traditional IRA contributions in the past. The IRS doesn’t allow you to segregate your non-deductible and deductible Traditional IRA contributions when making a conversion, so if you currently have a Traditional IRA, odds are that you’ll owe taxes on a conversion.
Summary
The 2012 Roth IRA rule changes from 2011 Roth IRA rules were relatively minor.
The maximum annual contribution limits remained unchanged at $5,000 and $6,000 respectively.
However, the annual income limits did change with the range for married couples moving from $169,000-$179,000 to $173,000-$183,000 while the range for singles changed from $107,000-$122,000 to $110,000-$125,000.
As of this writing, all other parameters remain the same year over year.
By Peter Anderson2 Comments – The content of this website often contains affiliate links and I may be compensated if you buy through those links (at no cost to you!). Learn more about how we make money. Last edited May 8, 2014.
In reading a post today over at Prime Time Money, I began to think about this question; “Do you talk to your extended family about money? Is it a good thing to share your financial situation with others, and if you do, what complications does it bring up?
My wife and I have been very candid with my in-laws about our money situation. My mother and father in-law are wonderful people, and I completely trust their discretion on the matter of our finances. I also value their advice and input as they’ve been very successful in business and have given us a lot of insight that has been very useful to us.
Photo by teagrrl
Being Open About Money
My wife is their only daughter and they have always wanted to know that she is “well taken care of”. There have been a few occasions that they’ve helped us out financially, the biggest one of them being when we bought our first house. At the time we weren’t yet married (and were living separately), and my wife was buying a townhouse that we would move into once we were married. They helped her out with a down payment on the home, and told her that she would not have to pay them back. This gave us a huge step-up as a young married couple, and we could not have been more thankful.
Downsides To Sharing About Money
We have been very blessed to have such generous parents helping us with our finances, but there have also been the downsides of sharing our financial situation with them.
A Change In The Relationship
Because they have helped us financially, and because we’ve accepted their help, we feel indebted to them. We feel that we can never say no to them when it comes to small requests like coming over to give them computer help, coming over for dinner, or going on vacation with them. If we do say no, we feel always feel a little guilty.
Expectations Of Openness At All Times
They also expect us to always be very open about our finances, even when I don’t really feel comfortable sharing. Because they’ve helped us a couple of times, now they’re always asking us if we need help, even when we don’t. It can be tempting to take them up on their offers of help, even when we don’t really need it and could do it on our own.
Competition Between Family Members
When dealing with family, I also think finances can become a bit of a competition. My wife’s family are all very successful, and because of that I think that sometimes it can get into a bit of the “who’s more successful than who” game. I tend to shy away from sharing with those competitive family members because I don’t want to get into the comparison game and start hearing the “if you did this you could be as successful as me” monologues.
My wife and I are doing pretty well for ourselves, we have no debt beyond our mortgage, and we’ve been able to save a nice emergency fund and some retirement savings. Still, unless you’re making at least six figures, some people will always think you’re struggling to get by.
With that said, here are some pros and cons of sharing about money that I’ve found in my own family:
Pros To Sharing About Money
1. Sharing with family about money can bring some good advice. 2. Sometimes family can help you out of a bad money situation. 3. Good to be open with your loved ones. 4. Others in family might be able to learn from your money decisions.
Cons To Sharing About Money
1. Once you start sharing about finances, it can become expected, even when you don’t want to. 2. People will start the comparison games and people can be judged by how much they make. 3. People you’ve shared with will sometimes tell others about your finances, even when you don’t want them to.
For me, there are positives and negatives on both sides of the issue. I think in our family my wife and I have come to a consensus that we can share some general information with our loved ones, but that we don’t need or want to get into too many details. We want to keep it general, tell them if we’re doing ok or not, and not get into a lot of the specifics. We’ve also been a lot better about refusing help when we didn’t need it.
So how do you feel about sharing your financial situation with your family?
During the first quarter, only 25 percent of those who refinanced took cash out, according to the latest quarterly survey from mortgage financier Freddie Mac.
The company noted that the average cash-out refinance share over the past 25 years was a staggering 62 percent.
Clearly times have changed.
Nowadays, most homeowners are happy just to get the chance to do a rate and term refinance to a lower mortgage rate, and thus a lower mortgage payment, thanks to tighter underwriting guidelines and issues like negative equity.
In fact, 75 percent of homeowners who refinanced their first mortgages either kept roughly the same loan amount or lowered their principal balance by paying-in additional money at the closing table (cash-in refinance).
Broken down, 54 percent maintained the same loan amount, the highest share since 1985, when Freddie began keeping records on such trends, while 21 percent of refinancing homeowners reduced their principal balance.
Average Refinance Lowered Mortgage Rate by 1.2%
The median interest rate reduction on the popular 30-year fixed-rate mortgage was about 1.2 percentage points, or a savings of roughly 20 percent in interest costs. That’s pretty huge.
It certainly exceeds what most people would refer to as the refinance rule of thumb, whereby you need to lower your existing interest rate by at least one percent.
Over the first year of the refinance loan, such borrowers will save more than $1,800 in interest payments on a $200,000 loan. That’s roughly $150 per month.
Wondering why fewer borrowers cashed-out?
Well, the median home price appreciation of the collateral property was a negative six percent over the median prior loan life of five years.
And that’s actually pretty good compared to the Freddie Mac House Price Index, which showed a 21 percent decline in its U.S. series between the end of 2005 and end of 2010.
In other words, most folks don’t have much equity to tap, and with lenders skittish, a lower rate alone is a win.
By Peter AndersonLeave a Comment – The content of this website often contains affiliate links and I may be compensated if you buy through those links (at no cost to you!). Learn more about how we make money. Last edited December 11, 2020.
I was tagged by Walk With Me in another blogger Meme today, The “one word meme”.
All you have to do is answer the list of questions with a one word answer.
When you’re done you tag four more bloggers to continue the meme.
I don’t always like doing these memes, but I needed a post today, and I thought this one might allow the readers to get to know me a bit better, so here we go!
1. Where is your cell phone? pocket 2. Your significant other? sleeping 3. Your hair? blonde 4. Your mother? Oneida 5. Your father? Minneapolis 6. Your favorite thing? faith 7. Your dream last night? blank 8 Your favorite drink? stout 9. Your dream/goal? retire 10. The room you’re in? basement 11. Your hobby? tennis 12. Your fear? speaking 13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? kids 14. What you’re not? rich 15. Muffins? chocolate 16. One of your wish list items? DSLR 17. Where you grew up? Minneapolis 18. The last thing you did? chew 19. What are you wearing? polo 20. Favorite Gadget? xbox 21. Your pets? Dog 22. Your computer? slow 23. Your mood? sleepy 24. Missing someone? No 25. Your car? Lumina 26. Something you’re not wearing? hat 27. Favorite store? Amazon.com 28. Like someone? Yes 29. Your favorite color? Blue 30. When is the last time you laughed? Today 31. Last time you cried? month
Ok, so there you have it. Now you know more about me than most of my family!
Tag you’re it! (of course no obligation if you’re not into the whole meme scene.)
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Right around now, most consumers are laying plans to intensify their spending frenzy for the final month of the year. After all, what better way to celebrate the holidays and the accompanying temporary freedom from work, with additional financial bondage to that very job?
Since you and I generally don’t participate in the games of the retail industry, I thought we could celebrate US Thanksgiving and its spendy neighbor Black Friday in a different way: by renewing our vows to lead a more meaningful, vigorous, innovative, and generally awesome life. Badass Friday is what we could call it, and it should be an annual tradition.
Gifts and Traditions
Around this time of year, I start getting emails from thoughtful readers with questions about the holidays: “What does the MMM family do about the Christmas gift exchange tradition? What about birthdays and other holidays?”
The answer to this one is just what you’d expect from Mr. Money Mustache: We skip the whole retail aspect of it entirely. In the wise words of Grandpa Money Mustache: “A Simpler Christmas is a Grander Christmas“, and you can read more about it in the holiday MMM Classic entitled Happy Buy Nothing Day.
Little MM tends to make his own gifts for giving: these handy notebooks for his parents were big hits.
In our old age, we’ve become much more interested in using surplus cash to help others. We have committed not to inflate our own lifestyle beyond its already-cozy level, and also believe in letting our son earn his own way to financial independence when he grows up, rather than leaving a large estate. This should leave several million dollars free throughout our lifetimes to do other things, and I basically follow the ideals of the Gates Foundation* when it comes to efficient charity. Other favorites include Charity Navigator, DonorsChoose.org, and GiveWell.org.
But we’re still big on tradition in our family. Not the traditions prescribed in ancient texts and scrolls, but generally sillier ones we invent ourselves and carry on just because they are fun.
Every Friday, the arrival of the weekend is celebrated with Family Movie Night. Every meal, even breakfast, is served by candlelight. And self-imposed blackouts are frequent: besides our our ongoing freedom from TV (a tradition which started in 1999), we also have a weekly No Computer Day, and even occasional No Electricity Nights. That last one came about two years ago, when I received a power failure for my birthday and we all enjoyed it:
Mr. Money Mustache Receives the Gift of Hardship for his Birthday
Preparation for a New Season
For the roughly 60% of MMM readers who live in Northern climates, winter means cooler weather and a time when those of weak constitution turn to automobile travel and indoor recreation. Not the Mustachians: we simply brush up on our winter survival skills and apply them with renewed gusto:
How to Ride your Bike All Winter – and Love it
MMM Challenge: Try Getting your Groceries with a Bike Trailer
First Understand, Then Destroy, Your Home Heating Bill
The Oil Well You Can Keep in Your Pants
So Happy Thanksgiving to all, when we will give thanks for all the good things that we have, and equal thanks to all the unnecessary ones we don’t crave.
*The Gates Foundation: The ruthlessly efficient businessman applies infinite wealth and intellect towards the problem of saving the world. In a nutshell: our biggest problem is too many humans, because of the famines, wars, and environmental problems that happen when you greatly exceed the productive capacity of the planet. Solve this, and all the other problems start to solve themselves. The solution is to give us the strength to reproduce less. Most of the population growth currently comes from the poorest countries. But quite counter-intuitively, the way to reduce the birth rate in these countries is to improve health, prosperity, and education. See the amazing (and short) video called “The River of Myths” for why this works.
I suppose I can’t blame him, because this IS pretty nice. It’s Monday morning, and I just dropped him off at school, rode the mountain bike and trailer back home through the deep and fluffy remnants of the latest snowstorm, and settled in with this laptop and my sunny, empty house to compose my thoughts for you. Greg Reitan is playing some wicked Jazz piano in the background via Pandora, and my belly is nicely satisfied with fine coffee and a bowl of almonds. The rest of the world is out commuting on an icy highway or dialing into the conference call while seated in the cubicle. This is the life for me.
But is it the life for an eight-year-old?
Although he has made it to the second half of second grade with great success, my boy has softly been singing an underlying chorus of “I don’t want to go to schooool!” since long before Kindergarten. The song fades away on the good days, because there are occasional bits of learning and he has several great friends among his classmates. But then he gets a taste of freedom again, like the two-week Christmas holiday that just ended an hour ago, and it reminds him of how much more he enjoys not being in school. Our holiday together was a beautiful blur of late nights, family board games, friends, movie nights, adventures at the creek, sunshine, drawing pictures, and making songs with Ableton Live and elaborate automated buildings in Minecraft. When he realized it was truly over last night, he cried so much that he had trouble getting to sleep.
I can’t blame him, because this feeling about school and organized activites in general tends to run in my side of the family. I remember finishing the nine-year sentence in my own small town K-8 elementary school wondering if I had learned anything during the entire session. High school became more interesting because of some inspiring teachers in Science, Math, and English (and because of the girls). And Engineering school, while painful, was motivating because I knew there was freedom and an excellent paycheck waiting right at the end of the tunnel. But since finishing that whole affair, I have never looked back other than to marvel at how different than me the folks who pursue graduate degrees and PhDs must be. A brilliant nephew of mine finds himself in a similar boat: my sister described his school years as “A quiet rebellion of boredom”, although he has awakened now that he is among other whiz kids in the Computer Science program of his country’s top university.
Some of us just really enjoy our freedom, and we use that freedom for constant learning of the things we really want to learn, and creating the things we really want to create. This is surely why I quit even the relatively free environment of the corporate office: to get all my time back for truly self-guided pursuits. And I suspect this personality type is common among the Mustachians as well: you don’t have any trouble keeping yourself busy, the only issue is freeing yourself from the busywork that others keep assigning to you.
But how do we handle it when a kid discovers this obvious source of joy less than 3000 days into his life? Under the current regime, the poor lad is scheduled for about fourteen additional years of school, at which point he’ll to need work and save for another decade to earn his financial independence. I could allow him to cheat the system by setting aside a trust fund that made work (and school) optional at any point, but I do not want to deny him the soul-building satisfaction of good old-fashioned hard work, and the incomparable advantage of having to work for what you get.
But at the same time, there is surely some benefit I can pass on from this clearly advantaged position. Compared to my own parents at a similar stage in 1982, Mrs. MM and I have much more secure finances, one child instead of four, unlimited free time to spend with him, and the resources of the Internet from which to pull knowledge. There are thousands of other parents of bright but slightly bored kids reading this who might have some ideas. With so many advantages, it would be a cop-out for me to just leave my son to follow exactly the same path I walked 32 years before him, without at least questioning The Rules.
We would not be the first people to do so. I was recently inspired by this TED talk by Ken Robinson, which eloquently explains that despite its best efforts, the school system does tend to crush creativity. Adding to that idea, there’s this ambitious 13-year-old lad that did his own TEDx Talk about a self-guided “Unschooling” or “Hackschooling” education.
By now you’ve probably learned that a formal university education is only one of many paths to a good life. Bill Gates and Steve Jobs were dropouts. Free and inexpensive learning spots like the Khan Academy and Treehouse abound. My own posts on jobs without a degree are some of the most widely read on this site. Heck, there is a 23-year-old college dropout staying in my guest suite right now, who founded his own successful company several years ago which now allows him to lead a life with greater freedom than I had at that age. He’s here to have an adventure and to learn new skills, in a completely non-academic environment. But all this still leaves the question of how to motivate your very young kid without denying him the benefits of school.
So we don’t have the answers yet. My boy is excited that he has gained admission to a special program within the school that allows kids in this situation to leave class twice per week and gather with a special teacher to cover more interesting material. We could try an Unschooling experiment next year, spending a portion of it living in another country (I’m partial to New Zealand myself, and then perhaps Ecuador the next year). The regular school is well-run and has the best intentions, but learning formalized material in a big group is very slow and is bound to leave a certain portion of the kids spending 90% of each day waiting for what is next. Or missing recess because some other kids were talking when the teacher had declared that talking was not allowed. And the charter and private schools I’ve encountered around here all seem to emphasize even more academic rigor and discipline, rather than more freedom to roam and learn.
Unfortunately, I think that purely hanging around at home would be unsuccessful. We could learn much more quickly, but there are only three of us here – not enough people to provide a truly rounded social education. Plus there is the selfish issue: both my wife and I benefit greatly from having a few hours on weekdays to do our own things. After all, this blog is not going to write itself.
What do you think? Have you encountered this problem with your own children?
Ideally, we could gather and form communal unschooling environments with five or six cool kids, and the problem would be solved. I could teach them writing and carpentry, you could teach them filmmaking and math, and some of our other friends would handle the sports, physics, chemistry, and whatever else they want to learn. We’d take plenty of field trips as well.
The more conservative standardized-test-loving government officials and administrators of the world might frown upon us, but we’d probably end up with a batch of very creative, happy, and motivated young adults, which is really the primary job that we sign up for when we produce these fine little creatures.