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Apache is functioning normally

May 5, 2023 by Brett Tams

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?

Source: moneybliss.org

Apache is functioning normally

May 5, 2023 by Brett Tams

By Peter Anderson 2 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?

Source: biblemoneymatters.com

Apache is functioning normally

May 4, 2023 by Brett Tams

Having a roommate can be great; you have companionship and someone to split the bills with. But that sharing of expenses can sometimes get challenging and tense even. Roomies can wind up arguing over who is using up all the toilet paper or sending the electricity bill through the roof.

To help keep the peace and control costs, there are smart tactics you can use. Try some or all of these tips to keep your household as fun and argument-free as ever.

One of the easiest ways to ensure everyone feels satisfied with how the household bills are handled is to be direct and upfront with financial expectations. And this means being straightforward about what those expectations are before anyone moves in.

When negotiating moving into a new home, consider asking how bills are handled now and how it will change when you or someone else moves in. Additional questions to wrangle can include:

These can be helpful, because everyone can understand what’s expected. It also sets ground rules moving forward.

Deciding How Everyone Wants to Split Bills

As for the best way to split bills, that may depend on the household situation. For example, if the home has two evenly-sized rooms and a shared bathroom, kitchen, and living area, it may be easiest to simply split the bills down the middle as everyone has an equal space. But, if one room is exponentially larger than the other and has its own en suite bath, the bills could be split proportionally to reflect the extra space for one roommate versus the other.

It is a good idea to tackle the grocery issue head on. For instance, address such questions as:

• Is the house going to split groceries?

• Is everyone going to enjoy one shared meal together at night?

• Are the roommates going to split common goods like cleaner and toilet paper?

• Or is each person going to fend for themselves?

Any way you choose to go about it is fine, as long as it’s all out in the open — before someone accidentally finishes someone else’s ice cream without asking.

Picking Who Is Responsible for Which Bill

Once it’s decided how a bill will be divided, one other idea may be assigning each roommate ownership of bills for things like the electricity, heating, gas, water, trash, cable and internet, and more, depending on the rental agreement. Perhaps you’re able to get a better deal based on a roommate’s existing account with a certain biller. That may be one way to decide and to lower expenses.

Or, another common method is to have the roommates divide up the bills evenly in order to distribute the responsibility. Doing things this way may also ensure everyone pays bills on time. Being late with bills can lead to fellow roommates being surprised with a service being interrupted and their credit being dinged if they are listed on the account that’s unpaid.

You might also look into changing the due date on bills; this can sometimes be accomplished and can ease cash flow.

Creating a Roommate Bills Contract

Once the lease has been negotiated, the bills have all been cleared up, and everyone is in agreement, you may be considering some sort of “roommate contract” spelling out exactly what was decided upon, which everyone reads and signs.

That way, no one can ever claim they were confused about the household budget and how bills are split, when money is owed, and who is responsible for what. It is recommended to share the fully executed contract electronically and then a printed out copy for all to review and retain.

Recommended: How to Rent an Apartment With No Credit

Sharing a Spreadsheet of Expenses

Settling into a new home and arrangement might be a good time to finish up the admin work by creating and sharing a monthly spreadsheet of expenses.

This spreadsheet could be kept in a common gathering area for easy reference and shared online as well. In the spreadsheet, each roommate can keep track of the expenses they are responsible for, as well as who has paid and what is outstanding.

This spreadsheet may also come in handy for adding in shared groceries and necessities like milk, eggs, toilet paper, and paper towels. That way, everyone can keep track of who bought the last batch to avoid an argument later. You’ll also see how much your household is spending on groceries per month and other expenses.

Recommended: Different Types of Budgeting Techniques

Sitting Down Together at the End of Each Month

It is said that one of the quickest ways to ruin a roommate relationship is for one person to get passive-aggressive about the bills. That’s why it’s recommended to avoid leaving little notes around the house about who owes what (or who hasn’t done the dishes in far too long) and instead face those issues head on.

At a good time for everyone, perhaps toward the end of each month, schedule a 10-minute roommate check-in. In this meeting, everyone can share household happenings, announcements, and any updates on household bills.

By sitting down in person, no one can avoid possible uncomfortable questions about money. You all can figure out potential sticky situations together.

As a bonus, roommates can also use this time to go over any other to-dos around the house. You might also discuss ways to economize, such as saving money on water bills.

Keeping Some Personal Purchases Separate

Though some may be tempted to fully invest in a roommate relationship by sharing the financial burden on just about everything, there are some items that are better left in a budget’s personal spending category.

That includes the purchase of any big-ticket items you’d like to take with you if you ever move out. These might include such items as a TV, couch, tables, glasses, or an expensive Crockpot purchased on a whim.

It may also be helpful to distinguish an area in cabinets and the fridge for each individual roommate to place specialty or expensive food items they do not want to share.

If one roommate has a pet they adopted on their own, it is a good idea to keep those bills completely separate.

Recommended: How to Save Money on Pets

Another common recommendation is for everyone to invest in their own renters insurance. This will protect all their items in case of a fire, flood, burglary, or more. This type of insurance could save everyone a lot of money and heartache if disaster strikes.

Using Modern Technology to Split Bills with Roommates

Fortunately, splitting bills with roommates is easier than ever, thanks to the advent of P2P transfers. You might all pay bills via PayPal, Venmo, or Zelle, and then one person transfers the appropriate amount to the payee. Your bank may also have tools you can use to quickly send funds to others.

It can be fast and free to transfer money this way and can make the bill-paying routine quick and simple.

The Takeaway

If you need flexible banking (whether or not you have roommates), consider what SoFi offers. With an online checking and savings account, you can not only access your money at any time from anywhere but also transfer money to pay bills directly online. Plus, you can complete peer-to-peer transfers between SoFi Checking and Savings members and non-members.

More perks: No account fees and a competitive annual percentage yield (APY) to help your money grow faster.

SoFi Checking and Savings: The smart, simple way to manage your money.

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Apache is functioning normally

May 4, 2023 by Brett Tams

Condos were picked as an affordability favorite early on in the pandemic, with more availability at competitively lower prices (versus urban single family homes), and competition might be higher still for condos with affordability pressures mounting.
Manufactured homes, with far lower prices and more available inventory, offer an opportunity for affordability, until financing gets involved.
Vacant lots might give buyers more time to make a decision, and the opportunity now with falling lumber prices to build exactly what buyers are looking for.

It comes as no surprise to many that the housing market has been largely driven by affordability constraints in recent months, as volatile mortgage rates clash with high home values, and household incomes lag far behind prices. While single family homes dominate much of the available inventory on the market and are how most people imagine the typical ‘home’, there are many other alternative property types. Most offer some reprieve when it comes to affordability.

High density urban living has its (affordability) perks

In the early days of the pandemic, when job centers and urban cores hit the pause button, condos became a widely available and affordable alternative. But with more and more COVID-19 restrictions behind us, accommodation and food service employment on the rise, and homeowners and renters alike drawing back to the urban core, condo inventory dropped off a cliff similar to all other property types during the low mortgage rates of the pandemic, just roughly a year delayed.

As mortgage rates started their climb, condos saw a steep rise in the share of listings with a price cut. But compared to pre-pandemic norms, price cuts on condos haven’t jumped quite as much as for single family homes. Competition for condos, while certainly slowing, is not receding at quite the same cadence as for single family homes. Despite the typical value of a condo matching that of the typical single family home and the pricey addition of a monthly HOA payment, condos may still be an attractive affordable alternative to single family homes for urban dwellers. Condos are concentrated in urban areas where price per square foot is much higher, so the affordability comparison to urban single family homes still puts condos on top (the typical value of urban condos in March was $405,857 compared to $610,583 for urban single family homes).

Manufactured homes might be the answer we have all been looking for

A corner of the market even more known for affordability is manufactured homes. Using the efficiencies of a factory production line, manufactured homes come with a much smaller price tag than site-built (condos and single family) units, giving more opportunities for ownership for lower and middle income households. But the ability to make a structure or structure components affordable at scale is only part of the story.

Still impacted by the price of land and the imbalance of housing supply and demand, the price of manufactured housing has risen significantly over the past three years. Median list prices for manufactured homes reached almost 30% annual growth right before the rate hikes entered the market in early 2022. Despite this the median list price for manufactured homes is still far below that of site-built homes. The tricky side of affordability for manufactured homes comes with financing the purchase.

Many lenders don’t necessarily classify manufactured homes as “real property” in the same way they classify a site-built home. This can lead to higher rates and more challenges with being approved for a mortgage. According to preliminary data from the 2022 Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, [1] the median interest rate on an approved mortgage for a manufactured home purchase was 6.25% – over one full point above the 2022 median rate of 5% for site-built home mortgages. And not all manufactured home mortgages are made equal. From the preliminary 2022 HMDA data, the difference between rates on approved mortgages for manufactured homes where the borrower directly owned the land the home was on and approved mortgages where the borrower was in a paid lease for the land was 5.75% to 8%. With more potential buyers on the edge of qualifying, manufactured home mortgage denial rates topped 41.7% (that is, over 4 out of 10 applicants for manufactured homes are denied) compared to just 7.8% (or about 1 in 14) for site-built mortgage applicants. And for those who are approved for a mortgage on these prefabricated homes – loan limits and loan terms can be another hurdle. The HUD guidelines for manufactured home loans sets a limit of just under $70,000 for the max value for a loan, and the term limit is 20 years, compared to the typical 30 year loan for a site-built home. So while prices of manufactured homes went up so far in the last few years, that $70,000 loan limit doesn’t cover quite as much, requiring higher down payments to keep the loan limit in check.

With these pre-existing premiums on mortgage rates (and stricter mortgages overall) for manufactured homes and lower median incomes among buyers ($64,000 vs $105,000 for site built buyers), the manufactured homes market responded similarly to the single-family market, despite its more affordable price point, as mortgage rates started to rise in early 2022. As the market shifted, sellers for manufactured homes had to adjust their expectations from the rapid acceleration in prices that proceeded early 2022, with manufactured home prices now decelerating fast. As such, the share of listings with a price cut climbed way up from pre-pandemic norms as demand was shut out.

With many prospective buyers likely blocked from the market due to incredibly high rates, manufactured home inventory rose sharply and manufactured homes sat on the market for longer waiting for buyers to be able to break through the affordability barrier.

Vacant lots can provide a world of possibility

Finally, vacant lots are a possible alternative to buying an already built home. These offer the option to build something custom that’s exactly to your liking, which may entice more buyers in today’s market given the low flow of new inventory leaving few existing options to pick over. One benefit in shopping for vacant lots is the slower pace at which these listings move. The typical lot listing went pending after more than two months on the market, giving buyers who are pursuing a build-it-from-the-ground-up plenty of time to critically evaluate all of their options. But much like manufactured homes, lots come with tricky financing. Often requiring a hard money loan which carries a really hefty price tag in a normal market, and even more so now with rates hovering around 6.5%. While the vacant lot market is also slowing down dramatically now that rates have departed their pandemic lows, lumber prices have thankfully come down from an acute pandemic-era price surge, easing the price burden for breaking ground on a new home on these lots.

Even once mortgage rates ease and housing has returned to a more stable market, affordability will remain a challenge. Traditionally constructed units too often do not pencil for builders without luxury features and large sticker prices. Reaching inventory levels able to sustain the current and future flow of demand from strong demographic dynamics (think: a lot of millennials buying their first home at the same time as baby boomers are looking to retire and downsize) will require more creative means of construction and a mortgage market friendlier to manufactured, or other exciting new alternatives like 3D printing and modular construction. With a historically high number of manufactured homes shipping out across the country, perhaps momentum behind affordable inventory is on its way.

[1] From data pulled April 3rd, 2023. The 2022 HMDA data is not officially finalized and is still accepting revisions from lenders.

Source: zillow.com

Apache is functioning normally

May 4, 2023 by Brett Tams

A new analysis from Zillow reveals that many homes would actually be worth a lot more today had there been no housing bubble back in the early 2000s.

The basic premise is that historic home price growth year after year would have amounted to better overall gains than a few boom years followed by a bust and then a partial recovery.

Of course, home prices don’t just climb steadily over time. They ebb and flow, dip and peak, just like the stock market. So it matters when you buy, though as I’ve mentioned before, time tends to heal all wounds if you stick with real estate long term.

However, you might just be better off investing in stocks, which have gained 40% since the bust.

Imagine No Housing Bubble

While just about everyone complains about bubbles
Home prices would actually be higher without them
If you’re an opportunist
You can use bubbles to your advantage to find attractive entry points

Let’s pretend the housing bubble never happened. Instead, let’s assume home prices increased at historic rates year after year. The median home in the United States would actually be worth 26% more today than where it currently stands.

Using 1985-1999 home price growth rates, Zillow discovered that the U.S. median home price would be nearly $235,000 today, instead of the actual $187,000.

But that’s not how history played out. Instead, home prices surged between 2000 and 2006, and by the first quarter of 2007 the median price was 22.4% higher than its historic growth norms would indicate.

That was great news for those who sold at the top, but terrible news for those who purchased a home around that time (or decided to cash out all their equity with an option arm).

We all know what happened next – home prices tanked, pushing them well below levels they would have reached had they just appreciated in line with historic norms.

Thanks to the subsequent bust, 2000-2016 appreciation averaged just 2.8% nationwide, compared to annual home price growth of 4.2% from 1985-1999. So slow and steady does indeed win the race, it’s just a lot less exciting.

Some Metros Are Still Outpacing Historic Norms

In some particularly hot regions of the country
Home prices are exceeding expectations
Which could point to overheated markets
And a possible correction sometime in the near future

While 20 of the 30 largest metros in the nation would have higher home prices sans housing bubble, there are 10 that have shaken off the bubble carnage and surged higher.

For example, the median home price in Los Angeles was $572,400 as of the second quarter according to Zillow. Had we avoided a bubble and just stayed on trend, home prices would be closer to $476,000.

The same is true for Washington DC, where home prices are currently around $368,700, but should be around $331,700.

Other housing markets that may have overextended themselves include Baltimore, Dallas, Miami, Orlando, Phoenix, Riverside, San Diego, and Tampa.

Conversely, some metros that are red hot and seemingly overvalued are actually still well below where they would be had we avoided a major boom.

Examples include San Francisco and San Jose, where the median price was $812,300 and $957,900 in the second quarter, respectively.

Using historic annual home price appreciation rates of 5.6% and 5.5%, prices should be closer to $935,000 and $1,281,300.

The same goes for Denver, where home prices are a staggering 45% above peak levels seen in 2007. The median was $338,500 in the second quarter but should be as high as $374,300.

In Chicago, home prices are nearly half what they should be, at just $198,200 versus the $368,100 had they just stayed the course.

In Detroit, they’re nearly a quarter of what they should be, just $127,300 versus the $388,000 projection based on historic appreciation.

But things don’t operate in a vacuum, nor do home price appreciation rates remain static. Things can change dramatically, as we’ve seen in some hard-hit areas of the country. The economics of certain metros can go through vast and painful transformations.

So that doesn’t mean you can just look at where home prices should be and then buy accordingly to turn a profit.

Still, home prices nationwide remain 4.9% below peak levels seen in 2007, and are expected to hit pre-Great Recession levels around the end of 2017. Factor in ten years of inflation and record low mortgage rates and it might seem like a decent time to buy a home.

(photo: jmorgan90)

Source: thetruthaboutmortgage.com

Apache is functioning normally

May 1, 2023 by Brett Tams

Knowing where you stand before applying for a mortgage is key to negotiating a better interest rate. Yes, you can negotiate your rate!

But if you don’t know what type of risk you present to a bank or lender, how can you be sure you’re getting a good deal?

While it may seem obvious to those in the industry, many prospective and existing homeowners don’t seem to know when they have the easiest approval on their hands, or the trickiest deal in the history of man.

Let’s take a look at some common loan scenarios to help you better understand your position.

Vanilla

This is your full doc
800 FICO score
W2 borrower
With a conforming loan amount
And no obvious red flags

This is the most common mortgage “flavor” you’ll hear about. When someone says the loan is “vanilla,” they’re basically saying it’s a flawless loan scenario.

In other words, the borrower has great credit, good income and assets, and plenty of home equity (or a sizable down payment).

The property is also an owner-occupied, single-family residence, meaning there should be no pricing adjustments whatsoever.

As a result, this type of mortgage presents very little risk to the originating lender, and pricing should be very favorable.

Expect mortgage rates at or below those advertised and fight for the lowest rate out there. Shop your rate with confidence, knowing everyone and their mother should be fighting tooth and nail over your loan.

For the record, the mortgage rates you see advertised assume your loan is premium, imported french vanilla…

Mint Chip

This borrower might have excellent credit
But display one or two nagging issues
Such as limited assets or occupancy concerns
Or perhaps they’re just self-employed

Most people like mint chip, and it’s a pretty common flavor, but it also means something isn’t exactly right, even if seemingly minor.

It could be that the borrower has good credit, but not a lot of money to put down, or very little equity.

Or it could be that the borrower has marginal credit, despite having a great job and tons of assets in the bank.

[What credit score do I need to get a mortgage?]

Perhaps they’ve changed jobs recently or have some other funky income structure (paid seasonally, on commission, self-employed), or their assets aren’t too impressive.

Maybe there are occupancy issues – think the homeowner buying a house down the street, but claiming they’re going to rent out the old property, even though the new house is smaller.

Whatever it is, the issue presents some difficulty, and as a result, some lenders may not want to touch it.

Put simply, the fewer banks willing to do the deal, the less you can shop around. And you may be stuck submitting the loan with a lender that offers less favorable interest rates.

You can still go nuts looking around for the best deal, but you may not have access to every bank out there. There may also be more snags along the way…so working with a reputable lender is more important.

Rocky Road

This is the flavor of subprime
And perhaps layered risk
But I’m not referring to nuts and marshmallows
We’re talking low credit score, low down payment, and other questionable stuff

Mint chip ain’t so bad when there’s Rocky Road around. While some people like the heavenly mix of chocolate ice cream, nuts, and marshmallows, not everyone will be so enthused.

In other words, you may have a hard time getting your deal to close with ANY bank or lender, even so-called subprime lenders (if they still exist).

This is your “bad news” loan scenario, one where multiple things are going wrong all at once.

Think poor credit score, minimal assets, low down payment/equity, funky job situation, and maybe even more serious issues like previous late mortgage payments or a short sale/foreclosure.

Long story short here is that approval is more of a concern than the mortgage rate you ultimately receive.

Your first priority is finding a lender that is willing to work with you. You should certainly shop around, but expect rates much higher than those advertised for the significant risk you present.

Bubble Gum

This is a special edition flavor
Dedicated to those who took out mortgages right before the bubble burst
Many are now in underwater positions (owe more than the mortgage is worth)
Thanks to those zero down home loans they used to buy homes at the height of the market

Here’s a bonus flavor in light of the ongoing mortgage crisis. Post-housing bubble, there are a ton of good homeowners out there with negative equity.

In other words, their loan-to-value ratios exceed 100%, making their loans very high-risk, even if they’ve got a great job, stellar credit, and plenty of money in the piggy bank.

Fortunately, there are numerous options for severely underwater homeowners, including the popular HARP Phase II.

So all hope is not lost, even if it’ll take you a decade or two to get back in the black…

You can even snag a super low mortgage rate when refinancing, so again, be sure to shop around with a variety of banks, credit unions, and mortgage brokers.

The moral of the story, regardless of your flavor, is to know it before you apply for a home loan.

This can help you prepare for the road ahead, and better align your expectations with reality.

Read more: What mortgage is right for me?

Source: thetruthaboutmortgage.com

Apache is functioning normally

April 30, 2023 by Brett Tams

Last Friday, I attended a workshop put on by Pamela Slim, who writes about entrepreneurship at Escape from Cubicle Nation. Before this meeting, I didn’t know much about Slim or her message, but her work came highly recommended from my friend, Chris Guillebeau. “Pam is the real deal,” he told me. “Her book is what a lot other books have tried to be.”

Based on this recommendation, I drove to hear Slim speak. I was impressed. Chris is right: She’s the real deal. I was so impressed, in fact, that I spent the weekend reading her book, which is also called Escape from Cubicle Nation.

Opening Up to Opportunities

Escape from Cubicle Nation starts at the beginning of the entrepreneurial journey: deciding what to do with your life. Slim spends several chapters discussing how to get in touch with what’s important to you. At times, this almost seems touchy-feely. Almost.

Even if you currently have no intentions to quit your job, Slim’s advice can help you protect yourself from future layoffs. She recommends:

Developing a wide social network
Investing in personal development
Pursuing a small business on the side

Slim advocates a philosophy of “life first, business second”. By becoming clear about what you want from life, what your ideal life contains, you can craft an entrepreneurial vision that helps you to pursue this goal.

Slim says that it’s important to choose work you’re passionate about. She cites the “sweet spot” described by Jim Collins, which is the place these three sets of skills overlap:

What people will pay you to do
That for which you have great passion
That which you are “genetically encoded” to do

In my case, that seems to be blogging. For you, it’s going to be something else. It may take time to find that “something else”, but when you do, you’ll be ready to create a business plan.

The Reality of Entrepreneurship

“Hating your job intensely is not a business plan,” Slim writes in the book’s introduction.

Although I think it is a tremendous idea to work for yourself and live a life of happiness and financial success, I don’t believe that is possible to become an overnight sensation with a few magic techniques or systems.

Slim doesn’t candy coat things. While she encourages readers to pursue their dreams, she admits that the path is often difficult. She also offers “a few horror stories for good measure”, real-life examples of how things can go wrong. She wants her readers to escape from corporate environments, but she wants them to have realistic expectations.

Escape from Cubicle Nation also covers topics like:

Drafting a business plan
Building and using a social network
Lifestyle design
Developing a personal brand

There are a lot of buzzwords in that list, but Slim handles each topic thoughtfully, with examples that readers can relate to. (Rachael Ray, for example, is a perfect example of personal branding.)

Make the Money Work

“Nothing will cause you more pain than ignoring the financial side of your business,” Slim writes. “Not horrible sales calls, crashed laptops, surly employees, or even bad press. When the financial side of your business is not working, life is miserable.”

To begin, however, your personal finances must be in order. Slim offers solid advice (the sort you’re used to seeing on Get Rich Slowly), and encourages readers to have realistic expectations about their financial situations. (This section even excerpts an underrated GRS post about facing and fighting financial trolls.)

There’s also a chapter on benefits for the self-employed, including health insurance.

Making the Leap

It’s one thing to draw up a business plan and to embrace the idea of entrepreneurship, but it’s another thing to actually make the leap. It can be scary to quit a safe job to pursue the unknown. In the final section of her book, Slim offers advice for smoothing the transition.

First, she tells readers to expect resistance from the people they know. “You are crazy if you think you can convince all your friends and family that starting a business is a good idea,” Slim writes. She provides techniques for handling common questions, and she stresses the importance of open communication with your spouse or partner.

Finally, Slim provides some pointers for getting organized — and deciding when it’s time to leave your job, to escape from cubicle nation.

Conclusion

I thought Slim’s workshop last Friday was great, and not just because of her content. I was impressed with the dynamic people in attendance. The flood of tips, ideas, and experiences was inspirational.

But Escape from Cubicle Nation — the book — is even better. Some people might be put off by how often she quotes from other sources. Not me. I love it. I like that she synthesizes advice from a variety of books and blogs to give the readers the best information possible. I wish more authors did this.

If you think Escape from Cubicle Nation might be useful for you but aren’t quite sure, you can give Pam Slim’s ideas a test drive at her blog. (Slim has also made the first chapter of the book available via PDF.) Based on the number of Get Rich Slowly readers at the workshop last Friday, it seems that many of you are looking to escape your corporate jobs to pursue your passions. That’s awesome.

Source: getrichslowly.org

Apache is functioning normally

April 30, 2023 by Brett Tams

Historically, “making six figures” has been to income earners what “becoming a millionaire” has been for those tracking their net worths — a lofty goal achieved by only a select few. And while neither a six-figure earner nor a millionaire can bask in the luxury they could a couple decades ago, there’s no doubt that earning over $100,000 a year still puts you in a select group.

In fact, the U.S. Census Bureau says that only 5.63% of individual income earners and only 17.8% of households had incomes of $100,000 or more in 2006. So despite the drop in purchasing power from the days of old, if you earn $100k or more each year, you’re still in an elite group.

How can you get into the six-figure club? There are many roads to this golden path (lottery, inheritance, take over a family business, etc.), but many, if not all, of these are out of your control. As such, I’m going to focus on what I consider to be the method that will give the most people the greatest chance of earning $100k or more — by developing a career and growing it over time. Specifically, I’m going to tell you how I got to six figures in seven years and how you can use these principles to do the same.

Words of Warning

You’re probably skeptical. I’m okay with that at this point. Read on with an open mind and I think you’ll be pleased. And while I can assure you that the tips below are proven and repeatable, I must admit that they’re also challenging. Therefore I’d like to make the following perfectly clear before I get started:

These suggestions are difficult to follow. They require tough choices, time commitments, sacrifice, discipline and a bunch of other traits that most people don’t want to bother with. If they did, many more workers would make six figures. That’s their choice, of course, but these same people should then not complain that the steps won’t work (or are too hard or whatever.) This piece is not titled “Five EASY Steps to Six Figures in Seven Years” for a reason — they are not easy.

There are exceptions to these principles. Probably many exceptions. Just as with any personal finance advice, people’s situations, skills, opportunities, personalities, likes, dislikes, and so on are different. What works for one person may or may not work for another. (As J.D. often says, “Do what works for you.”)

I’m cheating a bit. Just to be completely honest, the seven years noted in the title are post-college (in my case post grad school.) One could argue that those years of schooling should count towards earning six figures. If you’d like to count them, go ahead. But “Five Steps to Six Figures in Thirteen Years” just doesn’t have the same ring to it as the current title.

These tips will work. They worked for me. This is exactly what I did to earn six figures in seven years. In addition, I’ve had many friends and colleagues do the same, so I know it’s repeatable — if you follow the steps.

I’ll end this preamble by saying I’m not trying to brag (though I realize some of this may sound like it), just offer you a first-hand experience of what worked for me. In fact, if you want to see how much humble pie I’ve had to eat during my career, read my series detailing all the jobs I’ve ever held. In it, you’ll see that my road was not smooth or without its own challenges. But even with those obstacles I’ve been able to live out the principles that follow and lead to a six-figure income. I hope you can do the same.

That said, here are my five steps to six figures in seven years.

Step One: Get a High-Earning Degree From a Good School

It’s a fact of life that certain college degrees result in a higher earning potential. So graduating in one of these fields gives you a built-in jump on the pack as you try to reach six figures quickly. If you want to be a teacher, that’s fine; it’s a great and noble profession. But it’s likely you won’t be able to make six figures quickly (if ever). If you focus on the top few degrees (and the professions associated with them), you’ll get a big headstart towards reaching your goal.

Note that I suggest you go to a “good” school. In my opinion, you do not need to go to a top-notch college to make this work. I recommend going to the least expensive school that gets you the degree you need and the initial job you want. Once you do this, the school you attended makes very little difference in your career or earning potential.

I went to a top 25 business school (not top 10 or even top 20), but I left with only $5,000 in debt and the job I desired from my targeted employer. Before I decided to go to my school, I knew the employer I wanted to work for recruited there. You should know the same. Just like a résumé’s main purpose is to get you an interview, graduating from college’s primary purpose is to get you that first job and often a “good” school can do the job just as well as a “top” college.

Step Two: Work for a Name-Brand Employer at Your First Job.

No matter the field, there are certain companies that have an aura of respect around them — companies that are known to be good trainers and that are admired by people in your field, around the country, and, if good enough, the world. Some of these include: Google, Apple, Disney, Nike, Procter and Gamble, the Mayo Clinic, Pixar, McKinsey, and so on.

There are two main reasons you want to work for a top-notch company:

They generally pay well (though maybe not the best), and you certainly want to have as high of a starting salary as possible, and

Working for these companies gives your résumé an added boost since they are “known” to develop excellent workers. As such, they are companies that other companies recruit from, offering you more (and better) job opportunities in the future. Almost twenty years after I worked at one of these great companies I have colleagues, recruiters, and employers (when I’m interviewing) regularly say something like, “Wow, you worked there” or “You have some great experience” simply because I worked for a name-brand company two decades ago.

How can you get employed by one of these companies? Simple: go to a school where the company recruits (review Step One again). Beyond that, network with alumni, school administrators, and anyone else associated with your target company (or companies) to give yourself the best advantage of getting hired. I happened to know an undergraduate student that went to my target company during my second year of grad school. I kept in touch with him and he was instrumental in getting me hired (and we eventually became roommates).

Step Three: Perform

There’s no way getting around it — if you want to be on the earnings fast-track, you need to be on the high-end of the performance scale. What does this mean exactly? It means you need to find out what your employer expects of someone in your position and give them much more than that. If your expectation is to save the company $50,000, work to save it $100,000. If you need to grow sales 7%, work to grow them 12%. If your goal is to get five new customers ordering your product, work to get eight. If you over-deliver versus your expectations and so consistently and with a variety of different projects, you will be a high-level performer and receive a commensurate level of financial rewards.

In addition, you can really super-charge your performance (and thus your pay) if you work on any of the following:

Problem projects (turning them from problems to advantages for the company)
Important, high-profile assignments that get you noticed by those higher up in the organization, and
Big businesses that are vital to the company’s success.

Of course, these opportunities are a double-edged sword — they can propel your career if you succeed, but they can also devastate it if you crash-and-burn.

Finally, having a good, pleasant attitude is at least a tie-breaker (some say it’s more) that will help you advance in your career. Everyone likes performers with good attitudes more than performers with poor attitudes, so be positive — it might just pay off for you (literally).

Step Four: Manage Your Career Aggressively

Big pay bumps, even for high fliers, don’t usually come with the frequency or size that they should. After all, many employers are quite happy giving you the least they can even if you’re slam-dunking projects left and right. That’s why you need to:

Regularly ask for raises (FYI, if you’re doing Step Three, asking for and getting a raise becomes a whole lot easier).

Ask for promotions when available (these usually include a decent salary bump).

Network regularly with people both inside and outside the company. Some of these interactions will help you discover opportunities for advancement.

Consider moving companies. This can be a good strategy since many of the biggest increases in both pay and responsibility can be found with a company shift — especially if you’re moving from one of the companies listed in Step Two.

The main point I want to emphasize here is you can’t allow your career to be on auto-pilot. If you do, you’ll get auto-pilot raises and auto-pilot opportunities, and you’ll severely limit your chances for making the big bucks. But if you work at it, you can get regular, meaningful salary increases — something that’s even more important than starting with a high starting salary.

J.D.’s note: This seems like a good place to add a brief interjection. As you move from job-to-job, remember the importance of knowing how to negotiate your salary. One of the best ways to earn more is to ask for it.

Step Five: Have Some Luck

I hate that this is on the list, but I have to be honest: Luck is a factor in the success of your career. The reason I hate it is that it’s the one tip you can influence the least (if at all). Sure, you can try to make your own luck by putting yourself in the right situations, accepting the right jobs, selecting the best employers and so on, but ultimately, much of life and the results of work are out of your hands.

All I can suggest here is to look at all the pros and cons of a job change, promotion, business situation, etc. and consider them carefully — trying to maximize the number of events where luck is in your favor and minimizing the ones where you get bad luck. Also learn to ride good luck as long as you can and cut your losses as quickly as possible when bad luck shows up.

Conclusion

That’s it. Those are the five steps I used to grow my income to six figures in seven years, and they’re the same tips that have helped me maintain my income growth past that point. I can’t guarantee that they’ll get you to six figures in seven years, but I can say that if you apply them to your career, I’m pretty confident that your income will grow much faster than it would have if you had not applied them.

Some of you may be thinking “That’s great advice — I wish I had it 20 years ago.” In other words, you’re past the point where a few of these steps work, so what can you do now to increase your income? My suggestion is to get into the process above at the earliest possible step.

For example, if you think it’s worth it and you have the time and money, consider going back to school (step one) to get a new/better degree. If this isn’t a possibility or not very practical, start networking your way into a name-brand company (step two). And if this isn’t feasible, everyone can at least start with step three no matter where they are in their career.

The later you jump into the process, the less impact it’s likely to have on the goal of reaching six figures. However, applying even just the latter steps (especially three and four) will allow you to grow your income far more than it would if simply left to drift on its own.

Step photo by Lazurite. Graduation photo by Eralon. Clover photo by Cygnus921.

Source: getrichslowly.org

Apache is functioning normally

April 29, 2023 by Brett Tams

We invest a great deal of money into our homes—not only in regards to the physical structure, but on interior design, added features, and, of course, the items inside.

To help protect us financially, items often come with a warranty, offering a repair or replacement if the piece breaks down.

Many of us would not think twice about taking out a warranty for our refrigerator or washing machine.

When it comes to our properties, however, many homeowners are not prepared or covered in the event of an incident.

A home warranty can help to protect you and offer both peace of mind and financial compensation, but first you need to pick the right home warranty provider.

About American Home Shield

American Home Shield tops our list of the best home warranties. It is a firm providing home protection plans, which are specially designed to cover some of the most common issues and system breakdowns which may occur within your home.

Operating since 1971, they claim to cover over 1.4 million homeowners across 49 states.

They also boast a team of more than 10,000 contractors who can provide the services you need to get your home up and running.

How It Works

American Home Shield has a simplified process for coverage. The system works on the basis of a twelve-month contract.

You pick your plan, pay a month’s premium, and have your contract activated fifteen days later.

From this date, you are fully covered. Plans come in a range of options and can be paid via monthly payments to help make them more affordable.

How to Make a Claim

If you need to make a claim, you can contact American Home Shields via the website or phone, 24/7. This will put you in touch with a service representative, who will arrange for a contractor to be sent to your property.

It’s important to note that you will only be contacted by your contractor during regular business hours, despite the customer claim line having 24/7 accessibility.

The company claim that all of their contractors are of the highest quality to ensure that their customers remain completely satisfied, though some feedback has expressed concerns with the contractor they received.

How American Home Shield Assesses Claims

Upon arrival, the contractor will request a trade call service fee paid directly to them to start the process for them to diagnose the issue.

They will contact American Home Shield before taking any further action to check that your plan covers the problem before repairing or replacing the system.

While the consensus is that this phase is carried out effectively in most cases, there have been reports of some contractors failing to diagnose the issue after receiving the fee.

Benefits of American Home Shield’s Process

There are some bonuses to the system.

First, your plan is fully transferable, ensuring that you are covered even if you move from your house to another one during your policy period.

The policies are also ‘all risk,’ meaning that everything will be included unless explicitly stated; any exclusions will be made clear to you when you take out the plan.

Types of Plans

As we have mentioned, there are a variety of plan types available, depending on your needs. Pricing may vary according to location but can be paid via affordable monthly payments.

The policies on offer include:

Systems Plan

Usually retailing at around $32 per month, this covers the repair or replacement—where possible— of any components in the air conditioning and heating units of your home, as well as plumbing and electrical systems.

Appliance Plan

Like the systems plan, this coverage is offered at around $32 per month. The appliance plan covers components in refrigerators, dishwashers, washers and dryers, and other key household appliances.

If the appliance is covered, either a repair or replacement will be carried out, depending on what is needed.

Combo Plan

Offered at around $42 per month, this option combines the Systems and Appliance plans, providing all of the benefits of both with financial savings.

If you like the comprehensive coverage offered by both types of policies, the combo plan is an excellent way to save money.

Build Your Own

As the name suggests, this policy allows you to cover at least ten items, while picking and choosing the coverage you need. The price is dependent on what you prefer.

Each monthly payment can also be adjusted by altering the trade service fee which is paid to the contractor when they visit your home.

The set amounts are for $75, $100 and $200; the higher priced options will reduce the price you pay per month.

What is Covered

Each plan is different, but there is a general list of appliances and components which are covered by the policies:

Covered Under Systems Plan

Air conditioning (including ducting)
Electrical
Heating
Plumbing
Garbage disposal
Water heaters
Instant hot and cold water dispensers
Ceiling fans
Central vacuums
Doorbells
Smoke detectors

Covered Under Appliances Plan

Dishwashers
Refrigerators
Clothes washers and dryers
Ranges, ovens, and cook tops
Freestanding ice makers
Built-in microwaves
Garage door openers
Trash compactors
Built-in food processors

Add-ons

As a bonus, there are a few optional add-ons which can be purchased as part of the build your own plan.

Elements covered here include:

Pools and spas
Well pumps
Septic pumps
Water softeners

What is Not Covered

As with any policy, it is essential to be aware of what is not included. The fine print of the paperwork includes a few stipulations.

Be sure to consider the following factors:

Exact items listed: If you have updated your dryer but not informed American Home Shield, you will not be covered for that item.
Malfunctions covered by a warranty: If an item is covered by a manufacturer’s warranty, American Home Shield reserves the right to decide whether the item will be replaced or repaired or not.
Selection: Homeowners also do not get to choose the item if it is replaced; this is at the discretion of the contractor and doesn’t have to be a match in terms of the color, model, size, or brand.
Cash alternatives: If the contractor decides that they cannot repair the component, they may also offer a cash alternative.

It is always worth reading the small print before signing for a plan or policy as it will make your life easier and eliminate any expectations or confusion in the event of a claim.

Alternatives to American Home Shield

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position: absolute;
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#ap39310-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item.highlight .top-partner-banner::before
position: absolute;
content: “”;
width: 0;
height: 0;
border-style: solid;
border-width: 20px 30px 20px 0;
border-color: transparent #fff transparent transparent;
right: 0

#ap39310-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item.highlight .top-partner-banner span
font-size: 1.3em;
font-weight: 600;
line-height: 1.2em;
margin: 0;
padding: 0;
text-align: center;
position: relative;
width: 100%;
hyphens: auto

#ap39310-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item.highlight .top-partner-banner::before
display: block

#ap39310-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item.highlight .logo-container
margin: 52px 0

#ap39310-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item:last-of-type
border-bottom: none

#ap39310-w-placement-top10-v2.shadow-none header
padding: 15px 0px;

#ap39310-w-placement-top10-v2.shadow-none .company-table-header
border: 2px solid #F0F5F9;
border-bottom: none;

#ap39310-w-placement-top10-v2.shadow-none .company-table .company-item
border: 2px solid #F0F5F9;

#ap39310-w-placement-top10-v2.shadow-none .company-table .company-item:not(:first-child)
border-top: 0px;

#ap39310-w-placement-top10-v2.shadow-none .company-table .company-item:last-of-type
border-bottom: 2px solid #F0F5F9;

#ap39310-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item .our-partner
margin-top: 12px;
display: block;
font-size: 1em;
font-weight: 500;
color: #9B9B9B;

@media screen and (max-width: 768px)
body
padding: 0;
margin: 8px

#ap39310-w-placement-top10-v2 .mg-widget-filter-sorting-wrapper form
flex-direction: column;

#ap39310-w-placement-top10-v2 .mg-widget-filter-sorting-wrapper .zip-filter
margin-bottom: 10px;

#ap39310-w-placement-top10-v2 .mg-widget-filter-sorting-wrapper .zip-filter .title,
#ap39310-w-placement-top10-v2 .mg-widget-filter-sorting-wrapper .sorting-menu .title
min-width: 80px;
font-size: 14px;
text-align: right;

#ap39310-w-placement-top10-v2 .mg-widget-filter-sorting-wrapper .zip-filter,
#ap39310-w-placement-top10-v2 .mg-widget-filter-sorting-wrapper .sorting-menu
width: 100%;

#ap39310-w-placement-top10-v2 .mg-widget-filter-sorting-wrapper .zip-filter input,
#ap39310-w-placement-top10-v2 .mg-widget-filter-sorting-wrapper .sorting-menu,
#ap39310-w-placement-top10-v2 .mg-widget-filter-sorting-wrapper .sorting-menu .action-group
width: 100%;

#ap39310-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table-wrapper
box-shadow: none

#ap39310-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table-header
display: none

#ap39310-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item
border-radius: 8px;
box-shadow: 0 0 4px 0 #9AAAB9;
margin-bottom: 18px;
flex-wrap: wrap;
align-items: stretch;
padding: 0

#ap39310-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item .logo-container
flex: 1;
width: 50%;
min-height: 140px

#ap39310-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item .cta
margin: 10px 0;
order: 2;
flex: 1;
min-width: auto;
width: 50%;
display: flex;
align-items: center;
justify-content: center

#ap39310-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item .cta a.btn-primary
min-width: 120px;
font-size: 1.1em;
padding: 16px 10px

#ap39310-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item .mobile-p1-highlight
padding: 0 8px;
order: 3;
width: 100%;
display: flex;
justify-content: center;
font-size: 1.2em;
font-weight: 600;
color: #333;
text-align: center

#ap39310-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item .overview
order: 4;
display: block;
line-height: 1.4em;
font-size: 1.1em;
overflow: hidden;
transition: max-height .3s ease;
max-height: 0

#ap39310-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item .overview .overview-inner
padding: 8px 15px 20px

#ap39310-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item .overview p
line-height: 1.4em;
text-align: left;
margin: 0

#ap39310-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item .overview .p1-highlight
display: none

#ap39310-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item .overview ul
padding: 0;
margin: 0

#ap39310-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item .overview ul li
text-align: left;
line-height: 1.4em

#ap39310-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item .overview-toggle
padding: 6px;
width: 100%;
max-height: 24px;
order: 4;
cursor: pointer;
font-weight: 700;
line-height: 1em;
font-size: 1em;
color: #7C92A7;
background-color: #F0F5F9;
display: flex;
align-items: center;
justify-content: center;
align-self: end;
border-bottom-left-radius: 8px;
border-bottom-right-radius: 8px

#ap39310-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item .overview-toggle::before
margin-right: 8px;
content: “See More”

#ap39310-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item .overview-toggle::after
content: “”;
width: 12px;
height: 12px;
background-image: url(data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxMiAxMiI+PHBhdGggZmlsbD0iIzdDOTJBNyIgZD0iTTExLjcgOEw2IDIuMy4zIDhjLS40LjQtLjQgMSAwIDEuNC40LjQgMSAuNCAxLjQgMEw2IDUuMWw0LjMgNC4zYy4yLjIuNC4zLjcuM3MuNS0uMS43LS4zYy40LS40LjQtMSAwLTEuNHoiLz48L3N2Zz4=);
transform: rotate(180deg);
background-repeat: no-repeat;
background-position: center center;
background-size: contain

#ap39310-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item.highlight .logo-container
margin: 45px 0 0 0

#ap39310-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item:first-of-type .logo-n-cta .logo
margin-top: 20px

#ap39310-w-placement-top10-v2.expand-bullets-on-mobile .company-table .company-item .overview-toggle
display: none

#ap39310-w-placement-top10-v2.expand-bullets-on-mobile .company-table .company-item .overview
max-height: 150vw

#ap39310-w-placement-top10-v2 .company-table .company-item .ranking
border-top-left-radius: 8px;
left: -2px;
top: 0px;

#ap39310-w-placement-top10-v2 header h3
margin-bottom: 0.5rem;
margin-top: 0.5rem;

@media (min-width: 576px)
#ap39310-w-placement-top10-v2 .d-sm-inline
display: inline;

Ads by Money. We may be compensated if you click this ad.Ad

Advantages and Disadvantages of American Home Shield

Pros

Pros of taking out a policy include:

Adaptability: A range of protection plans which can be adapted according to your needs
Comparison: The monthly repayments will almost certainly cost less than repairing or replacing your appliance or system as an individual
Access: You can file a claim 24/7
Coverage: Offers protection and reassurance even after the expiration of a manufacturer’s warranty

Cons

Time: Contractors will only contact you and carry out work during regular business hours
Quality of Contractors: There have been reports of some low-quality contractors being sent to the home of customers, and those who are only interested in the fee
Cost: Building up some savings and a network of reliable tradespeople may be a cheaper alternative

In Conclusion

Taking out a home protection policy can be a great way to protect your home and belongings, providing peace of mind and a financial safety net if anything goes wrong, and eliminating the need to worry or search for a contractor to fix the problem fast.

American Home Shield offers a variety of flexible and affordable plans to suit every lifestyle and budget and help to protect homeowners from high bills later on.

As with any policy, however, exclusions and exceptions apply, and it is a good idea to make sure you are fully aware of these before committing.

Source: goodfinancialcents.com

Apache is functioning normally

April 28, 2023 by Brett Tams

Save more, spend smarter, and make your money go further

You’re finally ready to get out of the rental market and buy a home of your own. But how do you know how much house you can afford?

Before you head out on your house-hunting adventure, you can easily do those affordability calculations yourself before you officially begin shopping for a mortgage.

Here are the top factors lenders typically consider when determining how much house you can afford.

Debt-to-income ratio

One of the first factors a lender will analyze is your debt-to-income ratio, or DTI.

Lenders use this measurement to ensure that you’ll have enough income to cover both your new mortgage payment and any existing monthly debts such as credit card, auto loan and student loan payments.

What is a good debt-to-income ratio? Generally most lenders want your debt-to-income ratio, including your anticipated new monthly mortgage payment, not to exceed 36 percent.

The ratio is calculated by taking your total monthly debt load and dividing it by your monthly gross income.

What does that mean in dollars and cents? Someone who earns $5,000 per month and carries $500 in monthly debt would have a DTI of 10 percent.

This borrower generally could be approved for a maximum monthly mortgage payment of $1,300, including property taxes, homeowners insurance and private mortgage insurance.

Someone making the same salary but carrying zero debt generally could be approved for a maximum monthly mortgage payment of $1,800.

Credit considerations

There are several key factors in securing a mortgage loan, and your credit is one of the most important elements.

Your credit scores is based on your payment history, overall level of debt, length of credit history, types of credit and applications for new credit.

If a traditional lender finds that your credit score falls within an undesirable range or includes unfavorable marks when they check your credit report, they might be leery of approving you for a loan.

You may be able to obtain a loan, but you’ll likely pay a higher mortgage rate, which will ultimately result in a higher mortgage payment.

Well before you apply for a home mortgage loan, pull your credit report to review where you stand, and research the requirements you need to meet with your desired lender.

Understanding your personal credit profile and the lender’s expectations will help you understand the interest rates you likely qualify for and the terms your loan will likely be.

Down payment requirements

With the exception of Veterans Affairs (VA) loans and some special programs for first-time buyers, a home purchase requires that you have some cash on hand.

How much? Anywhere from 3.5 percent of the sales price for a Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan to as much as 20 percent for a conventional loan.

Expect to get a better interest rate if you’re able to make a down payment of at least 20 percent.

Keep in mind that the down payment amount doesn’t include closing costs, which are fees related to the purchase of the home.

Typically, buyers pay between 2 percent and 5 percent of the purchase price of the home in closing costs.

The big picture

If you have less-than-amazing credit, then you may want to consider waiting to purchase a home and making changes in your spending habits to improve your credit score.

Many experts suggest before you even consider buying a home, you should be debt-free and have three to six months of expenses saved — in addition to your down payment and closing costs.

“Being debt-free or close to it with some money in the bank is optimal,” said Tiffany Kjellander, owner and operations manager of Augusta, NJ-based EXIT Towne & Country Realty.

She adds, “It can be tough to hear that it’s not the right time for you to look for a house, but the truth is that getting your financials in order and putting some money in the bank could keep you from losing your home if you get sick or lose your job down the road.”

Further, Kjellander advises that potential homeowners think long term.

The cost of homeownership extends beyond the monthly payment and includes routine maintenance and repairs, homeowners association dues and additional utilities that you might not have paid while renting.

“Just because you’re approved to spend $3,000 per month on a house doesn’t mean you have to go that high,” she said. “Buying a home is a huge financial decision. No one should enter into it blindly.”

“How Lenders Determine How Much House You Can Afford” was provided by Zillow.

Save more, spend smarter, and make your money go further

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Source: mint.intuit.com

Can you work from home without talking on the phone?

Best non phone work from home jobs

1. Stock Trader

2. Video Editor

3. Proofreader

4. Data Entry Jobs

5. Writer

6. Web Search Evaluator

7. Virtual Bookkeeper

8. Image Reviewer and Photo Editor

9. Create and Sell Printables on Etsy

10. Selling on Amazon (FBA program)

11. Blogger

12. ESL Instructor

13. Virtual Assistant

14. Accountant

15. Freelance Jobs

16. Editor

17. Social Media Manager

18. Transcriber

19. Marketing Associate

20. House sitter

21. Online Tutor

22. Pet-Sitting Jobs

23. Personal Stylist

24. Website Tester

25. Closed Captioner

26. Online Test Scorer

27. Translator

28. Graphic Designer

29. Medical Coder and Biller

30. Instructional Designer

31. Non-Phone Remote Nursing Jobs

32. Fraud Investigator

33. Community Moderator

34. Netflix Tagger

35. Provider Enrollment Specialist

36. Survey Taker

37. Chat and Email Support

Are non phone work from home jobs legitimate?

FAQs

Are you Excited to Work from Home Job No Phone?

Being Open About Money

Downsides To Sharing About Money

Pros To Sharing About Money

Cons To Sharing About Money

Related Posts

Picking Who Is Responsible for Which Bill

Creating a Roommate Bills Contract

Sharing a Spreadsheet of Expenses

Sitting Down Together at the End of Each Month

Keeping Some Personal Purchases Separate

Using Modern Technology to Split Bills with Roommates

The Takeaway

High density urban living has its (affordability) perks

Manufactured homes might be the answer we have all been looking for

Vacant lots can provide a world of possibility

Imagine No Housing Bubble

Some Metros Are Still Outpacing Historic Norms

Vanilla

Mint Chip

Rocky Road

Bubble Gum

Opening Up to Opportunities

The Reality of Entrepreneurship

Make the Money Work

Making the Leap

Conclusion

Words of Warning

Step One: Get a High-Earning Degree From a Good School

Step Two: Work for a Name-Brand Employer at Your First Job.

Step Three: Perform

Step Four: Manage Your Career Aggressively

Step Five: Have Some Luck

Conclusion

About American Home Shield

How It Works

How to Make a Claim

How American Home Shield Assesses Claims

Benefits of American Home Shield’s Process