The Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey this week is showing mortgage rates moving lower for the first time in 2018. With rates on the decline (for now) we strongly recommend that anyone looking to purchase a home or refinance their current mortgage takes action soon. Read on for more details.
Where are mortgage rates going?
Rates fall in Freddie Mac PMMS
It’s Thursday after 10:00am, so that means that the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey got released. We’ve got a notable report out this week, with mortgage rates falling for the first time in 2018. Here are the numbers:
The average rate on a 30-year fixed rate mortgage fell two basis points to 4.44% (0.5 points)
The average rate on a 15-year fixed rate mortgage fell four basis points to 3.90% (0.5 points)
The average rate on a 5-year adjustable rate mortgage increased four basis points (0.4 points)
Here is what the Freddie Mac Economic and Housing Research Group had to say about mortgage rates this week:
“Tuesday’s Consumer Price Index report indicated inflation may be cooling down; headline consumer price inflation was 2.2 percent year-over-year in February. Following this news, the 10-year Treasury fell slightly. Mortgage rates followed Treasurys and ended a nine-week surge. The U.S. weekly average 30-year fixed mortgage rate fell 2 basis points to 4.44 percent in this week’s survey, its first decline this year.”
It’s always important to note that data for the survey was collected early on in the week and therefore doesn’t necessarily reflect current market conditions.
The downward trend has not reversed itself quite yet, though, and has actually continued throughout the week. Yesterday’s soft Producer Prices and Retail Sales readings certainly played a part in keeping rates lower.
If we take a look at the yield on the 10-year Treasury note, which is the best market indicator of where mortgage rates are going, we can see that it’s down to 2.81% right now.
That’s nine basis points below is highest position of the week on Monday. Mortgage rates typically move in the same direction as the 10-year yield, so rates are even lower right now than in the PMMS.
Rate/Float Recommendation
Lock now before rates push higher
Mortgage rates are on track to finish out the week lower for the first time in 2018. This is obviously great news for anyone looking to buy a home or refinance their current mortgage.
We strongly recommend that you take action now while rates are low because the long-term trend remains for rates to move considerably higher; many analysts are still calling for the 30-year fixed rate to move above 5% sometime this year.
It really only takes a few minutes online or a quick phone call to one of our experienced mortgage professionals to get started.
Learn what you can do to get the best interest rate possible.
Today’s economic data:
Jobless Claims
Applications for U.S. unemployment benefits came in at 226,000 for the week of 3/10/18. That puts the 4-week moving average at 221,500. This is a drop of 4,000 for new claims, which points toward strength in the labor market.
Philadelphia Fed
The Philly Fed’s general business conditions index hit a 22.3 in March. That’s below the prior reading but the details of the report are incredibly strong, with new orders and unfilled orders coming in hot.
Empire State Mfg Survey
The Empire State General Business Conditions Index also posted a strong reading this morning, coming in at 22.5. That’s well above the 15.0 that analysts had expected.
Import and Export Prices
Import prices ticked up 0.4% from the previous month in February, putting them at 3.5%, year over year. Export prices rose 0.2%, month over month, bringing the year over year change to 3.3%.
Housing Market Index
The Housing Market Index for March hit a 70. That’s still a positive reading but it is a little below the 72 that analysts had expected.
Notable events this week:
Monday:
10-Yr Note Auction
Tuesday:
NFIB Small Business Optimism Index
Consumer Price Index
Wednesday:
PPI-FD
Retail Sales
Business Inventories
EIA Petroleum Status Report
Thursday:
Jobless Claims
Philadelphia Fed
Empire State Mfg Survey
Import and Export Prices
Housing Market Index
Friday:
Housing Starts
Industrial Production
Consumer Sentiment
JOLTS
*Terms and conditions apply.
Carter Wessman
Carter Wessman is originally from the charming town of Norfolk, Massachusetts. When he isn’t busy writing about mortgage related topics, you can find him playing table tennis, or jamming on his bass guitar.
Here we go with another week. There’s not a lot happening in the market right now, so mortgage rates are remaining relatively flat. We do have several chances for rates to move around this week as a string of inflation data is set to get released.
Our recommendation continues to be for borrowers to take action sooner rather than later. Read on for more details.
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Market Outlook 3.12.18 from Total Mortgage on Vimeo.
Where are mortgage rates going?
Inflation data could impact rates this week
On Friday, we got an unusually strong monthly jobs report for February. Financial market participants welcomed the positive data, and moved more into stocks and out of government bonds.
This caused the yield on the 10-year Treasury note, which is the best market indicator of where mortgage rates are going, up to 2.90%. It’s inched down a little to 2.89%, but that’s a very minor decline.
Today should be a relatively calm day in the markets, as there’s not much happening on the economic front other than a few Treasury Auctions. There’s definitely the potential for some market turbulence later on in the week, though, as we have several important economic reports out.
First up is the February Consumer Price Index reading tomorrow morning. The one drawback in the monthly jobs report on Friday was the weaker than expected average hourly earnings reading.
This puts some pressure on the CPI reading as investors look for signs of rising inflation. Analysts are calling for a rise of 0.2% from the previous month, so that’s the baseline investors will be looking for.
A reading above or below that mark will cause the greatest market reaction. If it comes in higher, we could see stocks and, subsequently, mortgage rates, go up. Vice versa if it comes in low.
After that, we’ve got more inflation data on Wednesday with the Producer Prices reading and the Retail Sales report. There are a few reports out on Thursday as well but nothing too major.
That brings us to Friday, where we’ll wrap up the week with the Industrial Production report. If you’ve been following current mortgage rates at all, you know that they’ve been on the rise.
Last week rates rose in the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey for the ninth consecutive week. We’ve seen the average rate on a 30-year fixed rate mortgage in the PMMS creep up over fifty basis points (one basis point = 0.01) since the start of the year.
That’s no small increase. It’s also not the end of the climb. According to many analysts, we will see the average rate on a 30-year fixed move another fifty basis points by the time 2019 comes around.
The ascent hasn’t been as rapid in recent weeks, but rates have continued to move higher nonetheless.
Rate/Float Recommendation
Lock now to try and get the best rate
With mortgage rates expected to continue rising throughout the year, the smart decision for many borrowers is to lock in a rate on a purchase or refinance sooner rather than later. The longer you wait, the greater the risk you’ll be paying more with a higher mortgage rate.
Learn what you can do to get the best interest rate possible.
Today’s economic data:
10-Yr Note Auction
Notable events this week:
Monday:
10-Yr Note Auction
Tuesday:
NFIB Small Business Optimism Index
Consumer Price Index
Wednesday:
PPI-FD
Retail Sales
Business Inventories
EIA Petroleum Status Report
Thursday:
Jobless Claims
Philadelphia Fed
Empire State Mfg Survey
Import and Export Prices
Housing Market Index
Friday:
Housing Starts
Industrial Production
Consumer Sentiment
JOLTS
*Terms and conditions apply.
Carter Wessman
Carter Wessman is originally from the charming town of Norfolk, Massachusetts. When he isn’t busy writing about mortgage related topics, you can find him playing table tennis, or jamming on his bass guitar.
Ever since I can remember, I’ve had a wild imagination and, consequently, a lot of big ideas. While this prepared me to be a natural entrepreneur, it wasn’t always enough to make me confident in my ability to pave my own way. After all, it was incredibly rare for me to see folks like me, a member of the LGBTQ+ community, successfully running small businesses in my rural town.
It wasn’t until I met my first LGBTQ+ small business owner, at a Pride event, that I realized that I could turn my big ideas into a business. This is exactly why supporting LGBTQ+ small businesses is so important, not only so that the world can continue to enjoy their amazing goods and services, but so kids like me don’t have to grow up thinking business ownership is out of reach.
This Pride Month, and beyond, I encourage you to try your best to support LGBTQ+-owned small businesses. Here are some of my favorites.
What’s Ahead:
1. Little Woodfords – Portland, ME
When my husband and I first moved in together, we were right down the street from Little Woodfords. I quickly found myself finding every excuse to walk by them, that way I could pop in for one of the most delicious cups of coffee that I have ever had (seriously, their coffee is incredible).
However, what I love about Little Woodfords, even more than their coffee, is the community that they have built from within their tiny little shop. When you walk in, you are greeted with a genuine smile that sticks with you the entire day.
2. Queer Candle Company – New York City, NY
Founded by couple, Ab and Al, Queer Candle Company makes some of the best smelling candles on this planet. If you love candles as much as I do, it will be your new favorite place to shop. Trust me, as soon as you burn their Sweet Grapefruit & Mint soy candle, you won’t want to buy from any other shop.
Supporting Queer Candle Company isn’t just about filling your home with delicious scents. When you buy from them, you are not only supporting Ab and Al, but you are also supporting other members of the LGBTQ+ community. The business is proud to employ other LGBTQ+ people, to work hard at building a sense of community amongst themselves and other similar businesses, and to donate 10% of their profits to the Sylvia Rivera Law Project.
3. Wish Me Luck Tattoo – Chicago, IL
In Chicago, Illinois, it isn’t hard to find a tattoo shop. If you ask me, however, Wish Me Luck Tattoo is where I would book my next session. Wish Me Luck is Chicago’s first Black/Indigenous, queer, and trans-owned shop, and is welcoming to people from all walks of life.
What makes this shop truly special, besides the beautiful art that walks out of it, is its owner, Faith. Faith decided it was time to open her shop after experiencing racism, homophobia, and transphobia at other tattoo shops. So, she hit the ground running and didn’t look back. What she has built is a tattoo shop that is not only inviting to all people, but is a safe place for those who feel unwelcome in other shops to get tattooed.
4. Guardian Brewing Company – Saugatuck, MI
If you love craft beer, good food, and live music, you will want to head towards the shores of Lake Michigan, just 36.5 miles from Grand Rapids. There lies Guardian Brewing Company, which opened in 2018, and features an extensive draft list of 22 craft beers, 14 wines, and 2 hard ciders. Not only that, but they offer cocktails made of local (and imported) liquors, absolutely delicious food, and a 3,500 square foot patio that is dog-friendly. It even features a six-foot gas-fired fire pit!
Best of all: when you visit Guardian Brewing Company, you are also helping support their efforts to make a difference in their community. Every year, they accept applications for philanthropic partnerships where they’ll donate to local organizations. Past recipients have included companies like Saugatuck Center For The Arts, Black Visions Collective, Out On The Lakeshore, and more.
5. Spellbound Sky – Los Angeles, CA
Along Santa Monica Boulevard is Spellbound Sky, a metaphysical shop owned by Mark Phillips and Martin Anguiano. For anyone looking to indulge in a little magic, Spellbound Sky is the perfect place to stop. You’ll find crystals, minerals, ritual candles, and much more.
Mark and Martin chose to open Spellbound Sky back in 2011 after over 20 years in the fashion industry in LA. They both had a mutual love for all things metaphysical and wanted to take the plunge and finally open their doors so they could share their vision with their community.
6. SuLei – Walla Walla, WA
I’m a huge lover of wine, so I felt like I had to include a winery. When I came across SuLei, I knew they were the perfect choice! For Elaine and Tanya, opening a wine cellar seemed like a natural transition, especially since they spent all their time researching (and tasting) wine anyway. The name SuLei was created by Elaine and Tanya to celebrate their partnership. It’s a synonym for “Sulis Minerva”, a Celtic goddess.
With red and white options, paired with names such as “Beet Red” and “Roller Girl Jammer”, you’ll find that SuLei has a lot to offer. Elaine and Tanya use both old and new world techniques when making their wine, and are deeply proud to be one of the growing women-owned and operated wine cellars in Washington.
7. Big Gay Ice Cream – New York City
Big Gay Ice Cream is quickly growing beyond small business status and it is more than easy to see (and taste) why. Their ice cream, which comes in soft serve at their locations, is some of the best that I have ever tried. My favorite? The Monday Sundae, a crispy waffle cone, lined with Nutella, filled with chocolate and vanilla twist, drizzled with dulce de leche, and adorned with whipped cream. What takes this cone sundae over the top, though, is the finishing touch – a sprinkle of sea salt. It is an out-of-body experience.
Big Gay Ice Cream goes beyond just supporting your taste buds and strives to make a real difference in the world. When you support Big Gay Ice Cream, you are also supporting their efforts to aid LGBTQIA+ organizations, education, homelessness and hunger initiatives, children, animal shelters, and more.
You don’t have to live by a Big Gay Ice Cream location in order to enjoy them, though. Big Gay Ice Cream now sells pints in stores.
Summary
Above are just a small handful of LGBTQ+-owned businesses throughout the United States, but it is by no means a comprehensive list. This Pride Month, I encourage you to venture out into your community to find the LGBTQ+-owned business local to you, and to show them your support.
After all, you aren’t just supporting LGBTQ+ business owners, but you are showing the kids with big ideas that their businesses can be successful.
Open a BMO Harris Premier™ Account online and get a $500 cash bonus when you have a total of at least $7,500 in qualifying direct deposits within the first 90 days of account opening. Expires 9/15. Conditions Apply.
When you’re a small business owner, a cash-back credit card can be one of your most valuable tools for trimming business expenses. Good thing there’s a nearly infinite number of cards that offer 1% or 1.5% cash back on all purchases. Some even offer 2%.
The Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card goes even farther. It offers 3% back in a category of purchases that you choose — a very strong return indeed.
It gets better. New users start out with an excellent spend-based sign-up bonus and an unusually long 0% intro APR purchase financing offer. If you’re a member of Bank of America’s Preferred Rewards program, you can earn even more — up to 75% over and above your cash-back haul.
All told, it’s a fantastic package for a card with no annual fee. Let’s dive into the details.
What Is the Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card?
The Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards credit card is a cash-back business card with no annual fee. It offers a solid cash-back earning structure, a strong 0% intro APR offer, and an above-average sign-up bonus.
Let’s start with the sign-up bonus: Earn a $300 online statement credit after making $3,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening. Not bad.
The card earns 3% cash back in the business spending category of your choice. It also earns 2% cash back on dining purchases. Earnings in the 3% and 2% categories apply only to the first $50,000 in annual combined purchases, but you’ll always earn unlimited 1% back on all other purchases. Yes, that includes purchases in the 3% and 2% categories above the annual spending cap.
This card offers even better rates if you qualify for the Bank of America Preferred Rewards program. The Preferred Rewards program has three tiers for customers with less than $1 million in combined Bank of America and Merrill Lynch accounts: Gold, Platinum and Platinum Honors.
Which you qualify for depends how much money you have on deposit in eligible accounts. The details are a bit complex, but basically, you can earn a bonus worth 25%, 50%, or 75% on your base cash-back rewards.
Best-case scenario, you can earn 5.25% cash back in your selected choice category and 3.5% cash back on dining purchases on the first $50,000 in those combined purchases each calendar year, plus unlimited 1.75% cash back on all other purchases.
Other notable cardmember benefits include:
Overdraft protection for your linked Bank of America deposit account (if applicable)
Free access to your company’s Dun & Bradstreet business credit score
Travel and emergency services, including emergency ticket replacement, legal and medical referrals while traveling, and lost luggage assistance
Up to $100,000 in travel accident insurance
Insurance coverage for eligible rental cars
What Sets the Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card Apart?
This card has several features that help set it apart from other business cash rewards credit cards.
Overdraft protection for linked Bank of America deposit accounts. If you have a Bank of America deposit account, you can link it to your card to prevent declined purchases, returned checks, or other overdrafts. This service involves per-transaction fees, but that could be better than a bounced check.
Basic travel and emergency services. This card is not a travel rewards card, but it does offer some basic travel and emergency services, plus travel insurance coverage. Highlights include up to $100,000 in travel accident insurance, auto rental insurance on rentals paid in full with the card, emergency ticket replacement, lost luggage assistance, and legal and medical referrals while traveling.
0% intro APR promotion. This card comes with 0% intro APR on purchases for the first 9 billing cycles. After that, variable regular APR applies. While not long by consumer card standards, this promotion is longer than most business cards’.
No annual fee. This card has particularly strong features for a no-annual-fee business credit card.
Key Features of the Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards credit card
The Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards credit card has a solid earning structure, a sign-up bonus, and a somewhat unusual 0% intro APR promotion offer.
Sign-Up Bonus
Earn a $300 online statement credit after making $3,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
Earning Rewards
With this card, you can earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice. You can choose from gas stations (which is the default category) or:
Office supply stores
Travel
TV/telecom and wireless communications
Computer services
Business consulting services
You can change your chosen category up to once a month through Bank of America’s app or online banking site.
You also earn 2% cash back on dining purchases. You’ll earn 3% and 2% cash back on the first $50,000 in combined choice category and dining purchases each calendar year, and 1% after that.
And you earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases, with no caps or restrictions.
Preferred Rewards Bonus
If you belong to Bank of America’s Preferred Rewards loyalty program, you can earn up to 75% more cash back on every purchase.
That means you could earn:
Up to 5.25% cash back in your selected choice category
Up to 3.5% cash back on dining purchases on the first $50,000 in those combined purchases each calendar year
Up to 1.75% cash back on all other purchases with no limits
See Bank of America’s Preferred Rewards guide for more on balance requirements and potential bonus earnings, plus other program perks.
Redeeming Rewards
You can redeem your cash-back rewards as:
A deposit into your Bank of America checking or savings account
A statement credit to your credit card account
A check mailed to your address on file
Regardless, your rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing.
0% Intro APR Promotion
New cardholders may qualify for the intro APR promotion, where you can get 0% intro APR on purchases for the first 9 billing cycles. After the intro APR offer ends, variable APR applies.
Important Fees
There’s no annual fee. The foreign transaction fee is 3%. Other fees may apply, including balance transfer and cash advance fees.
Overdraft Protection
This card offers an optional service to help prevent declined purchases, returned checks or other overdrafts. When you link your credit card to a Bank of America business checking account, you get overdraft protection through Balance Connect. Terms and fees apply.
Credit Required
This card requires excellent credit to qualify.
The good news is that you can qualify on personal credit if you have limited or no business credit history. The bad news is that if your FICO score is much below 720, or your personal credit history is limited, then you may have trouble being approved.
Pros & Cons
As with any small-business credit card, the Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards card has some high points and some low points.
Up to 3% cash back in your choice of purchase category
Excellent sign-up bonus
Up to 75% more cash back for Preferred Rewards members
0% intro APR offer on purchases
3% and 2% spending categories have an annual spending cap
Intro APR doesn’t apply to balance transfers
3% foreign transaction fee
Pros
Overall, this is an above-average cash-back credit card for small business owners who aren’t looking for tons of frills.
Up to 3% cash back in a category of purchases that you choose. This feature adds crucial flexibility to what’s otherwise a pretty straightforward rewards program.
Excellent sign-up bonus. For a no-annual-fee small-business card, this sign-up bonus is among the very best.
9 months of 0% APR financing on new purchases. Few business credit cards offer any sort of introductory financing, let alone an offer stretching as long as this.
Up to 75% more cash back for Preferred Rewards members. If you have enough on deposit with Bank of America or Merrill Lynch, you could qualify for a tidy boost to your cash-back earnings.
Cons
This card isn’t ideal for high spenders nor anyone with existing high-interest credit card balances to pay down.
Caps on 3% and 2% cash-back categories. Your potential 3% and 2% cash-back earnings are limited to the first $50,000 in combined purchases each calendar year. In other words, the most you can possibly earn in those categories is $1,500 per year.
Introductory APR isn’t valid for balance transfers. This is a notable downside if you’re already struggling with high-interest business credit card debt.
3% foreign transaction fee. Leave this card stateside when you travel abroad and bring one of the many small-business cards with no foreign transaction fees.
How the Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards credit card Stacks Up
The card’s closest competitor is probably the U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards Visa Business Credit Card. Here’s how the two cards compare:
Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards credit card
U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards Visa® Business Credit Card
Annual Fee
$0
$0
Sign-Up Bonus
Good
Better
Rewards Rate
Up to 3%
Up to 3%
0% Intro APR
0% intro APR on purchases for the first 9 billing cycles
0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles
Foreign Transaction Fee
3% of each transaction
3% of each transaction
Credit Needed
Excellent
Good or better
Final Word
The Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card has a list of features that’s almost as long as its name. But the key feature is 3% cash back on a category of your choice, which can become as much as 5.25% when you’re a top tier member of their Preferred Rewards program. That’s where the real value lies.
And so for most small-business owners who want to earn cash back, this card is a strong competitor. For existing Bank of America customers who qualify for their Preferred Rewards program, it’s a no-brainer.
Editorial Note:
The editorial content on this page is not provided by any bank, credit card issuer, airline, or hotel chain, and has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of the bank, credit card issuer, airline, or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
The Verdict
Our rating
Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card
This small-business card makes the most sense for those who are looking for cash back from their most frequent business purchases. It’s also ideal for existing members of the Bank of America Preferred Rewards program, which offers substantial cash-back bonuses on top of this card’s base rewards program. Throw in a $300 new account bonus plus 9 months of 0% APR financing on purchases and you have yourself a very competitive product.
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Jason Steele is one of the nation’s leading experts in credit cards and travel rewards since 2008. Jason is also the founder and producer of CardCon, which is The Conference for Credit Card Media. Jason lives in Denver, Colorado where he enjoys bicycling, snowboarding and piloting small airplanes.
Orlando is known for ideal weather year-round, great nightlife and, of course, theme parks, including Disney World and Universal. While these highlights rightfully make Orlando one of the United States’ top tourist destinations, there are a number of other attractions that make Orlando an entirely unique city with something to offer everyone.
Enjoy this selection of Orlando hidden gems and hit the town with a plan in mind to find those top-tier spots that have flown under the radar, until now, that is.
Source: facebook.com/susuruorl
Under-the-radar restaurants in Orlando
While not primarily known as a food town, Orlando is bursting at the seams with culinary innovation and low-key spots for delicious bites.
SUSURU
Topping that list of underrated restaurants in Orlando is SUSURU. This Lake Buena Vista area Japanese restaurant is brimming with nostalgic decor and famous for its unique cocktails and unparalleled ramen.
TORI TORI
TORI TORI is a Japanese pub in the North Quarter area that fuses modern and traditional elements of Japanese culture and cuisine. Known all around Orlando for its crab fried rice and Yakitori chicken skewers, TORI TORI should be at the top of your list on your next visit to Orlando.
Hunger Street Tacos
Hunger Street Tacos is a hip Winter Park hangout with mural-adorned walls featuring culturally relevant messages and entirely unique artistry. Pair that with some of the most authentic tacos in the Winter Park area, and you’ve got yourself a winning combination.
Maxine’s on Shine
If you’re in the mood for something with a truly local Orlando vibe, check out Maxine’s on Shine. Whether you’re looking for weekend brunch, live local music or just a solid spot to kick back and enjoy some casual eats, make your way to Maxine’s on Shine and you won’t be disappointed.
Kai Asian Street Fare
Kai Asian Street Fare offers up some of the best Vietnamese, Thai and Korean flavors in Orlando. An unassuming but modern stop ideal for quick bites, Kai Asian Street Fare is best known for its wings, ramen and garlic noodles. Stop in and sample as much of the menu as you can. You won’t regret it.
The Ravenous Pig
The Ravenous Pig serves up modern American food in an elevated industrial setting with a beer garden out back. If you’re looking for charcuterie, steak frites and ice-cold beer brewed in-house in the Winter Park area, look no further than The Ravenous Pig.
Reyes Mezcaleria
Reyes Mezcaleria features soaring ceilings, modern decor and an outdoor patio that’s second to none. But you’re not just going for the ambiance, right? It’s all about the food and their happy hour deals and boozy brunch offerings will have you coming back for more.
The Hall on the Yard
The phrase “a little something for everyone” was made for Orlando’s Hall on the Yard. This large yet chic space features nine unique restaurants, five event spaces and three cocktail bars with some of the most skilled mixologists and bartenders in Central Florida. This dog-friendly locale is big on aesthetics and the perfect spot to watch a hot Orlando afternoon turn into a beautiful Florida evening.
Source: facebook.com/hansonsshoerepair
Four great bars in Orlando
When it’s time to unwind, these are a few of the best spots for craft cocktails, cold beer and cool vibes in Orlando.
Hanson’s Shoe Repair
Hanson’s Shoe Repair is a stylish speakeasy near Thornton Park. This hidden gem features a stunning patio area, perfect for enjoying an artisan cocktail, or two. Hanson’s Shoe Repair does require a password for entry. We’ll leave it up to you to figure out where to find it. Your efforts will be worth it though as Hanson’s boasts one of the best atmospheres in the city to enjoy a drink.
The Woods
The Woods is a craft cocktail and whiskey bar located in the heart of Downtown Orlando. Known around town for its artisanal drinks, large craft beer selection and inviting ambiance. The Woods also hosts cocktail classes on occasion to help locals up their mixology skills and impress their friends.
Wally’s Bar and Liquors
Wally’s Bar and Liquors has been in the Colonialtown North area since the mid-1950s and Orlando locals have been flocking in for stiff drinks and great tunes in steady streams since then. If you’re looking for a casual dive with great prices and better people, Wally’s is your place.
Mathers Social Gathering
Mathers Social Gathering offers up vintage cocktails made with top-shelf boutique spirits in an upscale but not stuffy setting. The expansive interior features a picturesque bar, rustic brick walls and classic leather couches.
Be sure to check out their social media before you go though, this bar does have a dress code.
Source: facebook.com/craftandcommon
The best independent coffee shops in Orlando
Few things in life are more important than staying properly caffeinated. Looking for a place to find your next pick-me-up? Look no further than these four locally-owned Orlando coffee shops.
Craft & Common
Natural light, lush greenery and some seriously talented baristas, what more could you want in a coffee shop? Craft & Common is located in Orlando’s Central Business District and it delivers on all three of those desirables listed above. Stop in for a specialty coffee creation, a quick bite or settle in for the afternoon and stay a while.
Cups and Pups Coffee
Dog owners need coffee, too. No one believes that more than the owners of Cups and Pups Coffee, a dog-friendly coffee shop in College Park. While they do have a brick-and-mortar, the Cups and Pups team specializes in mobile-catered events and cold brew delivery. Whether you need a pick-me-up on your morning walk with the hound or are looking to caffeinate a crowd at your next event, Cups and Pups should sit at the top of your list.
Qreate Coffee + Studio
Creative types and coffee just go together like peanut butter and jelly. Qreate Coffee + Studio aims to be the first place creatives think of when they need that extra cup of go-juice to make it through the day. Qreate is the perfect place to spend a day working remotely, meet up for a group project or just kick back with a good book and watch the people go by. Regardless, if you find yourself at Qreate Coffee + Studio, you’re in for a good day.
Stardust Video and Coffee
Coffee, tea and DVDs! What more do you need? Stardust Video and Coffee is the Orlando area’s premier hipster hangout and it offers visitors much more than the three things listed above. Stardust serves up delicious food on a daily basis, boasts an enticing outdoor sitting area and features live shows weekly. If you’re looking for a cool place with an eclectic and exciting vibe, Stardust is your spot.
Source: facebook.com/LiveAtTheSocial
Live entertainment in Orlando
Orlando may be known for its theme parks, but when it comes to seeking out live entertainment, there are plenty of options that go beyond the Universal brand.
The Social
The Social is the perfect indie club to catch some live music in Orlando. Wood floors, brick walls and a great stage, what more could you ask for? Stop by for a show and enjoy the welcoming atmosphere anchored by an incredible staff.
SAK Comedy Lab
SAK Comedy Lab is a small improv comedy theater that features everything funny from child-friendly to adult shows. The talented group of performers on stage at this 250-seat theater make for the perfect pitstop for any comedy lovers visiting or living in Orlando. If you’re looking to try out improv in the Orlando area, they also offer classes, just saying!
Will’s Pub
A longtime local favorite, Will’s Pub has pool tables, a great beer selection and live performances seven days a week. This place may not have all the frills you’d find out around Lake Nona but it’s unmatched when it comes to charm, character and an ever-rotating selection of stage talent. Stop by and enjoy the classic beer decor while some of Orlando’s top artists showcase their skills.
Grumpy’s Underground
Grumpy’s Underground may be small but it’s also mighty. Featuring live performances of all types from acoustic nights to dueling DJs to open mic comedy to karaoke and more, Grumpy’s Underground is the place to go when you’re looking to live it up in Orlando with your friends.
Source: facebook.com/pages/OrlandoUrbanTrail
Outdoor activities around Orlando
You didn’t come to Orlando to stay inside, right?
Orlando Urban Trail
The Orlando Urban Trail is a recreational path that spans a good portion of the city. Known as the spine of Orlando’s trail network, the Orlando Urban Trail runs from Lake Highland to Mead Garden and connects to multiple parks, lakes and even other trails along the way.
Leu Gardens
If you’re looking for a peaceful place to enjoy a beautiful day out near Rose Isle, look no further than Leu Gardens. Locals will tell you it’s easy to get lost in the Gardens for an entire afternoon, and they’re not wrong. With stunning displays of flowers and lush, diverse greenery, Leu Gardens is a must-see.
Get Up and Go Kayaking
There’s no better way to experience the Winter Park chain of lakes than from atop a clear kayak. Get Up and Go Kayaking provides tours through the clear lake waters around Winter Park and uses clear kayaks to allow paddlers the ability to see directly below themselves. Schedule your tour and experience all the natural beauty these stunning waters offer.
Fox Valley Farm and Hopyard
If you’re the type that thinks nothing pairs better with the great outdoors than a cold beer, Fox Valley Farm and Hopyard is the place for you. Located about thirty minutes outside of Orlando in neighboring Apopka, this family farm hosts events and sells the fruits of their land alongside homemade goods. Check out their 14,000+-square-foot hopyard today.
Orlando is calling
It doesn’t matter if you’re a longtime Orlando local or visiting for the first time, with an emerging small business scene and places like the ones listed above lifting the city up, the future is looking bright for Orlando. Now is a great time to make yourself a part of that future.
If you’re a small business owner, one of your top priorities is surely to save money on unavoidable expenses. Purchasing business supplies online at Amazon.com is one of the ways many small business owners also save time.
With the Amazon Business Prime Card from American Express, you can do both while earning up to 5% back on your Amazon purchases. Or you can forgo the hefty cash-back rate and receive 90 days of interest-free financing on your Amazon charges instead. And for purchases made anywhere else American Express is accepted, you can earn unlimited 2% back, regardless of your Prime membership status.
But this isn’t a premium rewards credit card, and it doesn’t offer you any travel rewards or benefits. It’s a simple card designed to save you the most money on your Amazon charges and other business expenses, and not much else.
What Is the Amazon Business Prime Card?
The Amazon Business Prime Card is a co-branded small-business credit card that’s accepted anywhere American Express cards are. When you use it to shop at Amazon.com, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Amazon Business, or at Whole Foods Market, you can earn 5% back on your purchases with a valid Amazon Prime Business membership or 3% without one.
Alternatively, you can choose to receive 90 days of interest free financing on those purchases. Either way, there’s no annual fee or foreign transaction fee.
This card also offers 2% back at restaurants, gas stations and wireless phone services purchased directly from service providers. You earn 1% back on all other purchases.
Additional benefits are limited but include extended warranty coverage and a purchase protection plan that covers losses from theft or accidental damage. The card’s online dashboard features enhanced data views that show purchases listed by item and are easy to download.
What Sets the Amazon Business Prime Card Apart?
This card has several positive features that distinguish it from its competitors.
5%/3% back or 90 days of financing. It’s great to have this choice. With it, you can maximize your rewards or minimize your interest charges, whichever is more important to you at the time.
Additional cash back outside of Amazon. It’s competitive to earn 2% back at restaurants, gas stations and for wireless phone services expenses.
Amazon Business Enhanced Data Views offer more insights into your expenses. The tight integration between Amazon and American Express allows you to get a better look at your expenses and where you might be able to tighten up.
Key Features of the Amazon Business Prime Card
This small-business credit card offers a simple rewards program and a few key benefits beyond that.
Sign-Up Bonus
You earn a $125 Amazon.com gift card upon approval. There’s no minimum spending requirement, so this is basically a lock to earn.
Earning Rewards
If you have a valid Amazon Prime Business membership, you earn your choice of 5% back or 90 days of interest-free financing on purchases from the following vendors:
Amazon.com
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Amazon Business
Whole Foods Market
You only earn 5% rewards on your first $120,000 of spending each calendar year, which adds up to $6,000 in potential annual rewards at this tier. If you exceed the $120,000 spending cap in a given year, you can still take advantage of 90-day interest-free financing on eligible purchases.
If you don’t have a valid Amazon Prime Business membership, you earn 3% back on the first $120,000 in eligible spending. The 90 days’ interest-free financing option still applies.
Beyond the 5%/3% tier, this card earns 2% back at restaurants, gas stations, and on eligible wireless phone service purchases. It earns 1% back on all other purchases.
Redeeming Rewards
You can redeem your rewards points to save on items at checkout on Amazon.com and Amazon Business (U.S.). You can also apply them as statement credits toward prior purchases. Either way, they’re worth one cent each at redemption.
Important Fees
There’s no annual fee or foreign transaction fee. Other fees may apply.
Credit Required
This card requires good or better credit to qualify. If your FICO score is much below 700, or your personal credit history is limited, then you’ll likely have trouble being approved.
Pros & Cons
This card has several key advantages and disadvantages to understand before you take the time to apply.
Generous, easy-to-earn sign-up bonus
Choose between up to 5% cash back or 90 days’ interest-free financing on eligible purchases
Earn unlimited 2% back in several spending categories
No recurring card fees
Annual spending cap on 3%/5% rewards tier
Few perks beyond the rewards program
Pros
The Amazon Business Prime Card has a generous, flexible rewards program without an annual fee.
$125 gift card upon approval. This is a relatively generous sign-up bonus for a no-annual-fee credit card, and it’s extremely easy to earn. There’s no early spend requirement.
Up to 5% cash back on eligible purchases. With an eligible Amazon Prime Business membership, you can earn 5% back on eligible spending with Amazon companies, including Amazon Business, AWS, Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market. Otherwise, you earn 3% — still a nice return.
Option for 90 days’ interest-free financing. If you prefer, you can receive 90-day terms on your purchases instead of 5% cash back.
Broad 2% cash-back categories. Outside the Amazon ecosystem, you can earn 2% rewards on purchases at restaurants, gas stations and wireless phone services purchased directly from service providers.
No recurring card fees. This card has no annual fee or foreign transaction fees, so it has no carrying costs and no penalties for international business travelers.
Cons
Unlike some popular business credit cards, the Amazon Business Prime Card is light on nonrewards perks and has a spending cap on its top rewards tier.
Spending cap on 5%/3% rewards tier. Your 5%/3% rewards earning potential is limited to $120,000 worth of purchases in a year, or $6,000 in rewards earned in this tier. Fortunately, you can take advantage of 90-day interest-free financing at any time.
Few value-added perks. This card has no real travel perks or travel insurance coverage, so it’s not ideal for users seeking truly generous benefits.
How the Amazon Business Prime Card Stacks Up
This card’s closest competitor may be the The Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card by Citi. While Costco offers online sales, it doesn’t have nearly the selection that Amazon.com does. On the other hand, Costco has hundreds of warehouse stores around the country, a physical footprint that Amazon can’t match.
Amazon Business Prime
Costco Anywhere Business
Annual Fee
$0
$0 (with your paid Costco membership)
Sign-Up Bonus
$125 Amazon Gift Card
None
Rewards Rate
Up to 5%
Up to 4% on gas and EV charging
0% Intro APR
90 day terms on Amazon purchases, in lieu of 3%/5% rewards
None
Foreign Transaction Fee
None
None
Credit Needed
Good or better
Good or better
Final Word
The Amazon Business Prime Card is a great way for small business owners to earn rewards worth 5% on their purchases. By far, that’s the biggest strength this card has. It offers few other perks and benefits.
Still, if your business spends a lot with Amazon companies like Amazon.com, AWS, and Whole Foods, this card makes perfect sense. Especially with no annual fee.
Editorial Note:
The editorial content on this page is not provided by any bank, credit card issuer, airline, or hotel chain, and has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of the bank, credit card issuer, airline, or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
The Verdict
Our rating
Amazon Business Prime Card
This small business card is ideal for companies that spend heavily at Amazon.com, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Amazon Business and at Whole Foods Market. It offers your choice of up to 5% back or 90 days of interest free financing on those purchases, both of which are very hard to beat. It even offers a competitive 2% back on other common business services.
Just don’t expect all the perks and benefits of a premium small-business credit card. This is not a luxury product.
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Jason Steele is one of the nation’s leading experts in credit cards and travel rewards since 2008. Jason is also the founder and producer of CardCon, which is The Conference for Credit Card Media. Jason lives in Denver, Colorado where he enjoys bicycling, snowboarding and piloting small airplanes.
The purchase of life insurance is an important piece of nearly anyone’s overall financial portfolio. Even though it’s important, doesn’t mean everyone has a plan.
Why is life insurance so important?
One reason is because this essential financial tool can help to protect the ones you love from having to spend other assets on things such as final expenses, paying off debt, and / or living expenses in the case of the unexpected. The proceeds from a life insurance policy can also help to keep those you care about from falling into drastic financial hardship and changing their lives at a time that is already emotionally difficult for them.
At the time you are buying a policy, there are several key factors to keep in mind. One, certainly, is to ensure that you obtain proper protection so that your survivors will have plenty of cash to go on. Another is to be mindful of purchasing coverage through one of the most financially stable life insurance companies.
This is because you will want to know that the underlying insurer is strong and stable financially and that it will be there in the future, if and when a claim needs to be made. With that in mind, it is important to do some research on the insurer that you are considering before moving forward.
One insurance carrier that is somewhat newer in the industry is Accordia Life and Annuity Company. This company, a subsidiary of Global Atlantic, provides security and income products to its customers.
Unlike some other companies, like Allstate or Progressive, Accordia isn’t a household name, but that doesn’t mean they are any less valuable.
Table of Contents
History of Accordia Life Insurance Company
Accordia Life and Annuity Company is located in Des Moines, Iowa.
It began with more than 200 agents who were already well-versed in the life insurance business.
In just the past decade, Global Atlantic has become known in the insurance and financial industry as a provider of insurance commodities, as it has grown to more than thirty billion dollars in assets. One reason for this company’s success is due to its long-term focus on its policyholders, as well as its emphasis on teamwork that is driven by its experienced leadership from the top.
Accordia Life Insurance Company Ratings and Better Business Bureau Grade
Thought to be a solid and steady company from an economic standpoint, Accordia is rated as an A- from A.M. Best. This is rated as “Excellent” and is 4th out of a possible total 16 overall ratings.
Accordia Life Insurance Company is not an accredited company by the Better Business Bureau, nor has it been given a grade by the BBB. There have, however, been forty objections filed given to the BBB about Accordia over the past three years, and all forty have been closed.
Of these 40 complaints that were filed, 18 centered on the company’s billing/collection issues, 17 centered on problems with the company’s product and/or services, four had to do with advertising and/or sales issues, and one focused on other issues. There are also three negative reviews posted by customers about Accordia Life Insurance Company on the Better Business Bureau’s website.
Life Insurance Products Offered By Accordia
The products that are offered by Accordia Life and Annuity Company are well designed, and they are focused on meeting the protection, wealth transfer, and small business needs of customers across the country.
The primary products that are provided by Accordia include term insurance, as well as universal life and indexed universal life insurance coverage. These offerings can help its policyholders to prepare for both short and longer needs.
Accordia Life offers various kinds of life insurance protection to its customers. Doing so allows for its policyholders to create the protection that works the best for them, as well as to revise support as their requirements evolve over time.
Coverage that is provided via Accordia includes:
Term Life Insurance
One of the primary products that is offered through Accordia is term life insurance coverage. This product gives pure death benefit protection only, without any cash value or savings component. Due to this, term can be pretty decently priced – and a good way for those who need a large quantity of protection such as a $1 million dollar life insurance policy to obtain it at a lower rate. This is especially the case for people who might be young and in great health at the time of application.
Term life insurance is often thought of as being temporary coverage because it is purchased for a certain length of time such as for ten, twenty, or thirty years. There is also a 1-year annual renewable term life option. Typically, the premium rate for this will remain level within the policy’s “term” and then the policyholder will either need to re-qualify for coverage or the policy will naturally expire.
In some cases, a term life insurance policy will provide the option to convert over into a permanent form of coverage such as a universal life insurance policy. This way, the insured will not need to worry about the policy expiring at any certain time in the future (unless they stop paying the policy’s premium).
Universal Life Insurance
Accordia Life also offers universal life insurance coverage. This is a form of permanent life insurance protection, so in addition to death benefit coverage, there is also a cash value component in these policies.
The cash in the policy is allowed to grow on a tax-deferred basis. This means that the policyholder will not need to pay taxes on the gain or growth of the funds in this account unless or until the time of withdrawal. This can allow these funds to build and increase exponentially over time.
Universal life insurance coverage is thought to be a more flexible form of permanent life insurance than whole life insurance. This is because the policyholder may choose (within certain parameters) how much of their premium dollars will go into the cash value, and how much will go towards the death benefit of the policy. They may also be able to change their premium due date, based on their needs.
Accordia Life Insurance Company offers some different additional riders to their universal life insurance policies. These include the following:
Accelerated Access Rider
Wellness for Life Rider
Return of Premium Rider
Terminal Illness Accelerated Death Benefit Rider
Accidental Death Benefit Rider
Children’s Insurance Rider
Primary Insured Rider
Overloan Protection Rider
Waiver of Premium Rider
Waiver of Monthly Deductions Rider
Indexed Universal Life (IUL) Insurance
Another form of permanent life insurance coverage that is offered by Accordia is indexed universal life. With this type of universal life, the growth in the cash value component is based on the production of an underlying market index such as the S&P 500.
While the policyholder has the chance to increase his or her funds significantly based upon market performance if the market should decline, the principal in the account is preserved.
There are numerous choices for indexed universal life insurance that can be chosen through Accordia Life Insurance Company. These incorporate the:
Lifetime Builder IUL
Survivorship Builder IUL
Accordia Life Provider IUL
Get Best Life Insurance rates from Accordia
When looking for top quotes, work with multiple insurers. This is true not only for life insurance but for auto insurance and health insurance as well. That way, you will be able to compare benefits and from there you can determine which will work the best for you.
When seeking life insurance protection – along with policy quotes – we can help. We work with many of the best life insurance companies in the market today, and we can assist you with obtaining all of the important details that you require.
We understand that finding the best life insurance plan for your needs can sometimes feel overwhelming. There are many things to contend with – and you want to ensure that you are getting the right coverage for your specific requirements. But now you have an ally on your side. So, contact us today – we are here to help.
You’ve pulled yourself out of debt, are saving a reasonable amount of income for your retirement, have built an emergency fund, and your daily needs are easily met with your income. Congratulations! Now what?
That’s exactly where I was in 2007. I sold my business and generated a huge windfall — over a million dollars. I paid off all my debt. And then I looked around and said, “Oh, crap.”
I had absolutely no idea what to do with my money. Previously, any extra money I’d earned was immediately stuffed back into my business, and I had been running deficits nearly everywhere. This was the first time in my adult life I’d ever had my head above water, financially speaking.
Over the next three months, I proceeded to blow over $50,000. Oh, don’t get me wrong — it was fun! I bought a new car (that I still drive), some really beautiful artwork from artists I loved (that looks great on my walls), and thousands of dollars in clothes, new furniture, and other indulgences, such as $4,000 custom hand-made stereo speakers (that I’m listening to right now.)
It was fun…for a couple months. Then it got boring.
My Spiral Into Depression
Like many lottery winners, I spiraled into depression. The business I had spent six years of my life building was gone. I felt adrift — like I had no purpose. Despite having been “successful”, no one knew who I was. I had marginalized most of my personal relationships in favor of growing my business and working myself to death. And money wasn’t going to buy me out of the situation.
Slowly, I pulled myself out of my depression. I realized I had the opportunity to make myself into anyone I wanted to be. I could do anything I wanted. I had complete freedom. The thought was both exhilarating and terrifying.
I bought a shelf full of self-help books and read them all, relentlessly seeking to answer the many questions I had. Some of them were philosophical, like “What made me successful when so many others have failed?” Some were practical, like “How do I invest my money?” But all of them led back to one deeper question: “What should I do to be happy?” I soon realized the latter question was incorrect. The better question was, “Who should I be to be happy?”
In December 2007, I started blogging. I exposed a significant amount of my business life and thoughts. I wrote about my successes and my mistakes and failures. I enjoyed writing, doing videos, and interacting with my readers. Helping others figure out their purpose, their businesses, and their websites and blogs was a fantastic experience.
Spending With a Purpose
I made a point of trying to achieve greater states of happiness on a daily basis. Instead of being merely content — or even apathetic — with my current state of being, I realized I could be happier daily. And suddenly it hit me: I understood what I wanted to do with my money. I wanted to outsource pretty much everything I hated doing.
In order to live a simpler, calmer, but more effective life, I had to drop the shackles of wanting to do everything myself. To allow time to meditate, think, write, and create, I had to get rid of the drudgery of daily tasks. I realized my money could serve a fantastic dual purpose: To allow others, whose passion is cooking, cleaning, or assisting in various ways to help me — while I supported them by giving them income to do what they loved.
My life fundamentally changed that day. I started hiring people to do everything I didn’t want to do. The first step was to hire a cleaning service. Then I hired a personal assistant to work out of my house, filing papers, doing laundry, and organizing. I hired virtual assistants to do all the menial tasks I hated doing: bookkeeping; video editing; audio editing; even setting up my Facebook fan page. (Lisa, my VA who set up the Facebook page for me, said happily: “I can’t believe I get paid to do this!” And I realized…we’re both lucky.)
My Daily Routine
I wake up in the morning and my VAs have sent me their updates. I am building a business where I create how-to videos for small business owners and bloggers who want to drive more traffic to their sites and get more customers.
I learned meditation, and currently spend about 40 minutes a day relaxing. I also spend a few hours a day doing the parts of my business I love, from creating videos to writing to programming. When I walk down to the kitchen, it’s clean; Elia, my housekeeper, comes in every week to make sure it’s spotless. She spends 2 hours cleaning our kitchen; total cost to me: $30.
My VA in the Philippines edits my videos and does a fantastic job for $3.33/hour.
Whenever I do an interview with another entrepreneur, I send it to another VA in the Philippines, who, for $9/hour, edits it perfectly, getting rid of all the strange pauses and “um”s. I send the edited interview off to a transcriptionist. For less than $30, I get back an excellent transcription, often 12-16 pages long.
Lisa, my VA here in the U.S., has set up an entire website and integrated it with a shopping cart for my customers to order products and access them once they have ordered. She charges $30/hour (my most expensive staff member) and she’s worth every penny.
I treat my staff members well, and they love the fact that they can work from home and get paid great wages ($3/hour in in the Philippines is equal to about a $65,000/year wage here in the U.S.) They are happy — I can see it in their emails and text chat messages.
My partner Richard and I fight less. There’s no scrapping over who will do a certain task. If no one wants to do it, we work together to figure out how to hire someone.
A Disease Opens My Eyes
I was recently diagnosed with Celiac disease. The management of the disease may sound simple, but it’s not: eliminate wheat, oats, barley and rye from your diet. Most restaurants have very few gluten-free items; I’m lucky if I can order one non-salad item from a typical menu. Some restaurants are impossible to eat at; soy sauce, for instance, has wheat in it. I’ve gotten sick from things as odd as bacon, cake frosting, and ranch dressing.
After a few weeks of eating mostly hot dogs and tuna fish, I grew tired of my limited options. I thought about learning to cook, but it wasn’t something that excited me. So we hired a personal chef to cook our meals — one who understands the challenge of cooking gluten-free. We pay her $10/hour, including travel time to deliver the food to us, and she gets a fun side job.
In a randomly-chosen week before I hired a personal chef, I ate out four times and went to the grocery store twice. I spent a total of $179.91 on restaurants and groceries. Last week, I spent $215.49, including groceries, for eating out and paying my personal chef. My “eating out” expenses dropped from $86.14 to just $32.28 — over 60% less! My total spent was $35.58 more, but to me, that’s a small price to pay for gourmet food of my choice delivered to my door. Another remarkable and unexpected side effect was that I no longer have an urge to go out and spend money at fancy restaurants — I simply ask my chef to make what I want and deliver it to me.
It has been more than two years since I sold my business, and I am happier than I have ever been. I made different choices than most: We rent a house instead of owning (a savings of nearly $4,000/month in our neighborhood — more than our monthly rent payment!); we only have basic cable; we don’t have a landline, credit card debt, car payments, or student loans.
I chose, instead of buying more Stuff, to live a more fulfilled life. For me, even more important than holding onto my money tightly was to learn to let it go — to give it to others in exchange for work well done, and to trust that they could do tasks well. It’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
Inside: Working mothers face many challenges when balancing work and family life. This guide offers the best jobs for moms. Find out how to maximize your career opportunities while raising children.
Moms often feel like they can’t have a successful career and be a good moms at the same time.
I completely feel that way too. I struggled to be a stay-at-home mom when my kids were little because I wanted to help out financially to help pay down debt. It took me a few years, but I soon realized there are great ways to make a mom and be a great mom!
I have uncovered plenty of jobs for moms with no degree that offers flexible hours, good pay, and satisfying work.
The best jobs for moms with no degree are ones that offer flexibility, good pay, and room for growth.
It can be tough to balance family and career, but it is possible to find a job that fits your lifestyle.
Here are the best jobs for moms with no degree or with a degree.
What jobs are good as a mom?
As a mom, finding a job that allows for flexibility and growth can be challenging, especially if you don’t have a college degree.
However, there are still plenty of opportunities out there that can help you balance your family and career.
Most importantly, you need to find a job that you LOVE! An environment that you thrive in!
With flexible schedules, remote work options, and potential for growth, these jobs can provide the stability and income moms need while still being able to prioritize their families.
Whether you’re looking for a part-time job or a full-time career, there are plenty of opportunities out there for moms.
This post may contain affiliate links, which helps us to continue providing relevant content and we receive a small commission at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read the full disclosure here.
Are you passionate about words and reading?
If so, proofreading could be a perfect fit for you, just like it’s been for countless of readers! Learn how you can create a freelance business as a proofreader.
Check out this free workshop!
Bookkeeping is the most stable, reliable & simple business to own. This is how to make a realistic income -either part-time or full-time.
Find out TODAY if this is THE business you’ve been looking for.
What are the best careers for current stay-at-home moms?
Stay-at-home moms face the challenge of balancing their family responsibilities with the desire to pursue a career.
With the high cost of child care, you need to find a job that allows you to take your kids or one that offers flexibility to work around your kid’s schedules.
Hello- that is me! I am a blogger and day trader when I’m not taxing my kids around.
Your best bet is to check out how to make money online for beginners. That is where you will find the most job options that can be done from home or offer flexible schedules, making it possible to have the best of both worlds.
What are the best careers for former stay-at-home moms?
Returning to the workforce after being a stay-at-home mom can be a daunting task, but there are many careers that are best suited for moms.
You still want careers that offer flexibility, high earning potential, and a good work-life balance.
You need to consider your previous employment, any education or certificates you hold, or skills and/or interests.
As such, the answer will vary for each person reading this post. So, consider any one of these past ideas.
Best Jobs for Moms
There are plenty of great jobs for working moms.
The key is to find a position that offers the right mix of income, hours, and flexibility.
Preferably, you want a low-stress job that pays well without a degree.
Here are jobs to consider if you’re a working mom with no degree.
1. Web developer
Web development is a highly flexible and lucrative career option that is ideal for working moms who may not have a college degree. With the ability to work remotely or part-time, web development is a perfect fit for moms who need a flexible schedule.
This field is rapidly growing and in high demand, making it an excellent choice for those looking for a career change.
To become a successful web developer, proficiency in programming languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript is essential. Additionally, knowledge of website design and development tools is crucial to create visually appealing and functional websites.
The skills required for web development can be learned through online courses or boot camps, making it accessible to anyone with an interest in technology and design.
Benefits:
Many web developers work from home or have flexible schedules, making it easier for moms to balance work and family life.
The demand for web developers is expected to grow, making it a stable and secure career option.
Web development is a field that allows for creativity and self-expression.
Pay: The salary for a web developer varies greatly on experience, but it is possible to make six figures.
2. Customer Service Representative
Customer service representative is an excellent career option for working moms who do not hold a college degree.
As a customer service representative, you will be the primary point of contact between customers and the organization, providing information about products and services, taking orders, responding to customer complaints, and processing returns.
You can work from home part-time or full-time, and many times the work takes place remotely. To succeed in this role, you will need to have strong communication and negotiation skills, patience, and the ability to multitask.
Benefits:
The work environment is flexible, and you can work from the comfort of your home.
Job offers great work-life balance and schedule options, making it an ideal choice for working moms.
Pay: As a customer service representative, you can expect to make from minimum wage to $20 an hour.
3. Proofreader
Being a proofreader can be a rewarding and fulfilling career for individuals who have a way with words and a keen eye for grammar. As a proofreader, your primary responsibility would be to review and correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors in various types of written content, such as books, websites, and social media posts.
Moreover, the earning potential as a proofreader can be quite lucrative. For instance, Caitlin Pyle, a successful proofreader, made $43,000 in one year working part-time.
To get started as a proofreader, it is important to develop the necessary skills. You can start by attending a free introductory workshop or enrolling in a course that teaches the skills needed to become a freelance proofreader.
Benefits:
Great flexibility as you work on a project basis.
The significant earning potential in the field of proofreading, especially for those who are dedicated and skilled in their craft.
Rewarding career path for individuals with a passion for language and a meticulous eye for detail.
Pay: In terms of salary, the median pay for a proofreader ranges from $15.22 to $26 an hour, depending on experience and the project you are working on. Many other proofreaders earn between $1,000 to $4,000 per month.
4. Flight Attendant
A flight attendant is a career that does not require a college degree but extensive training and certification. It is an ideal job for working moms due to its non-traditional scheduling that allows them to work part-time, take extended periods off, and get out of the house.
Flight attendants can take on trips when they know they have child care covered, and stay at home for days at a time.
Benefits:
Enjoy the perks of travel.
Flexible schedules.
Great health benefits.
Pay: The pay ranges by airline, but the median salary is $65000 per year.
5. Blogger
For moms who are looking for a flexible work-from-home job that doesn’t require a degree, becoming a blogger could be the perfect fit.
With the rise of the internet, there is an increasing demand for content writers and bloggers. These jobs allow you to work from home, set your own schedule, and choose the topics you want to write about. Additionally, these jobs don’t require a degree, making them accessible to anyone who has a passion for writing and a way with words.
Blogging is another option for those who want to write about specific topics they are passionate about and share their insights with others.
Benefits:
Be your own boss.
Flexibility blogging offers – work as much or as little as you want.
Work from home.
Choose the topics you want to write about.
Pay: As a blogger, you are creating passive income through ads, affiliating marketing, and paid sponsorships.
6. Engineer
Returning to work as a mom can be a challenging transition, but leveraging your engineering degree can open up a range of opportunities for you. With your technical skills and problem-solving abilities, there are several career paths that can offer a healthy work-life balance and flexibility to accommodate your family responsibilities.
Here are ways to utilize your degree and still have the flexibility you crave:
Pursue freelance work in your field. As a freelance engineer, you have the freedom to determine your own schedule and take on projects that align with your interests and availability. Platforms like Upwork provide a space for engineers to connect with clients and offer their services on a project basis. This allows you to work on engineering projects from the comfort of your own home, giving you the flexibility to balance work and family life.
Explore part-time or remote positions with engineering firms or companies that value work-life balance. Many engineering firms recognize the importance of accommodating working parents and offer flexible work arrangements. With your engineering background, you can contribute to projects and collaborate with teams remotely, allowing you to work from home and adjust your schedule to meet the needs of your family.
Pursue a career in technical writing or content creation. Many companies and organizations require technical documentation, manuals, and instructional materials to accompany their products or services. With your engineering background, you can leverage your expertise to create clear and concise technical content.
Work as an engineering consultant. As a consultant, you can offer your specialized knowledge and expertise to clients on a project basis. Consulting also provides the opportunity to work remotely or have a flexible work arrangement, making it an ideal option for moms returning to work.
By expanding your knowledge and skill set, you can position yourself for more opportunities and increase your marketability in the engineering field.
Benefits:
This can be done on a freelance basis or as a remote employee, allowing you to work from home and have more control over your schedule.
Take on projects that align with your skills and interests.
Have a fulfilling career that allows you to balance work and motherhood successfully.
Pay: Additionally, engineering offers high earning potential, which can help support a family and provide financial stability. Most engineers earn over $100000 a year.
7. Virtual Assistant
For working moms with no degree, finding a job that balances well with their family life can be a challenge. However, virtual assistant jobs can be the perfect solution.
As a virtual assistant with no experience, you can work from home, set your own schedule, and earn a good income.
A virtual assistant provides administrative support remotely, handling tasks such as email and social media management, scheduling appointments, data collection, customer service, and event planning. The skills required for this job include strong multi-tasking, organizational, and time-management skills, as well as basic computer skills.
Here is a virtual assistant checklist to see if you would enjoy this job possibility.
Benefits:
Be the boss of your own schedule.
Build your own small business if you desire.
Earn significant income
Pay: Most virtual assistants can earn $21 an hour or more pending experience.
8. Teacher
Teaching can be an excellent option for moms who want to work in a field that values education and have the same schedule as their kids.
Plus you can take on one of these summer jobs for teachers to extra cash.
Another option is to become a teacher’s aide that assists teachers in the classroom, helping with tasks such as grading papers, supervising students, and preparing materials. To become a teacher’s aide, you need to have a high school diploma or GED.
Benefits:
Same work hours as your children.
Work in a field that values empathy and care for children, while also providing financial stability and work-life balance.
Most teacher retirement plans are well worth working your full 30 years for that ongoing income post-retirement.
Pay: Unfortunately, teachers are one of the lowest paid salaries for the fantastic work they do. Find out if teachers get paid in the summer.
9. Substitute teacher
Substitute teaching can be an excellent job option for working moms who don’t have a degree. It offers flexibility, a chance to get teaching experience, and a decent daily rate of pay.
A substitute teacher fills in for full-time teachers when they are absent.
This experience can be helpful if you decide to pursue a permanent teaching position in the future.
Benefits:
Allows you to work when your schedule permits. You can note your availability and work as much or as little as you like.
Gain teaching experience without committing to a full school year.
Rewarding job option for some.
Pay: As of right now, there is a shortage of teachers, so the pay for substitute teachers has increased immensely. Substitute teachers can earn a daily rate ranging from $60 to $200, depending on the school district and the region with most substitutes making $22 an hour or more.
10. Consultant
As a consultant, you can use your prior work or life experience to offer solutions and advice to clients in a wide range of areas, including sales, marketing, operations, and management.
Furthermore, consulting can be an ideal way to transition your prior work or life experience into a new career and shorten the time spent in school, making it a great option.
To become a successful consultant, you need to have strong communication skills, the ability to work independently, and experience in your field to run a successful business.
Benefits:
As a consultant, you can enjoy flexible work hours.
The potential to work from home.
Ability to control your schedule.
Pay: The hourly rate for consultants varies depending on the type of consultant and the industry, with some earning high salaries.
11. Day Trader
Swing or day trading is a popular option for individuals who want to work from home and make a living from the stock market. Day traders buy and sell securities within the same day, aiming to make a profit from small price movements.
This job requires a certain set of skills and investing knowledge, as well as specific equipment and software.
It is possible to make money with stocks fast.
Day trading can be a good option for working moms with no degree because it offers flexibility and the potential for high earnings. Personally, I love trading stocks and options. I learned from Teri Ijeoma.
Benefits:
Unlike traditional jobs, day trading allows individuals to work from home and set their own schedules.
Successful traders can make a significant amount of money, with some earning six-figure or seven-figure incomes.
While a degree is not required for day trading, I highly recommend taking this investing course to jumpstart your learning.
Pay: Widely variable as it depends on your risk. You can lose money or make $1000 a day.
12. Claims adjuster
As a claims adjuster, you will be responsible for investigating insurance claims, negotiating settlements, and collaborating with other professionals such as lawyers and medical experts. To become a claims adjuster, you will need to possess relevant experience, strong communication abilities, and proficiency in data analysis.
The work environment can be fast-paced and stressful, but the potential for career growth and the flexibility to work remotely make this an attractive option for many working moms.
Claims adjusters must also maintain accurate records and documentation of all claims activities.
Benefits:
While the work environment can be fast-paced and stressful, the potential for career growth is likely.
Flexibility to work remotely make this an attractive option for many working moms.
Pay: Claims adjusters can advance to higher positions within the insurance industry, such as senior claims adjuster or claims manager. Additionally, many claims adjusters work as independent contractors or consultants, providing even more flexibility and potential for career growth.
13. Bookkeeper
As a bookkeeper, one is responsible for monitoring a company’s cash flow by keeping track of transactions and preserving copies of receipts. The job requires great attention to detail, excellent organizational skills, and an ability to analyze and interpret financial data.
This job can be done virtually, making it an excellent position for moms who want to improve their work-life balance.
Bookkeeping does not require a degree and one can earn a decent hourly pay or salary. To become a bookkeeper, one must have bookkeeping skills, which can be learned from online courses.
Benefits:
Flexible working hours, allowing them to work whenever suits them.
Great for someone who loves analytics.
Pay: Most bookkeepers enjoy relatively high hourly salaries. They can work as independent contractors or be paid as a salaried employee.
14. Nanny
Being a nanny is an excellent option for moms who want to balance work and family life.
As a nanny, you would be responsible for taking care of children, cooking, cleaning, and running errands. The best part about being a nanny is the flexible hours, which allow you to work part-time or full-time while still being present for your family.
Finding a job that allows moms to work while still being present for their families is crucial, and being a nanny provides the perfect solution.
Benefits:
Be able to care for your own children at the same time.
Find a nanny job that works for your circumstances.
Stay young and playful while working with kids!
Pay: The pay varies widely for a nanny, but once you have experience and great references, you can earn good money.
15. Marketing Specialist
Marketing can be an excellent job choice for moms looking for flexibility, potential job growth, and the opportunity to work remotely. With the advancement of digital marketing, moms can now pursue a career in marketing without having to leave their homes or work in a traditional office setting.
As a digital marketer, there are various specializations and skills that can be honed to advance in the field. These include SEO (search engine optimization), web development, content creation, and marketing strategies.
By continuously learning and improving these skills, moms can enhance their professional reputation and open doors to new opportunities within the marketing industry.
Benefits:
Ability to work from home.
Work flexible work hours that can be adjusted to fit their family’s needs.
Digital marketing also offers potential job growth and career development.
Pay: As a marketing specialist, the pay can vary greatly if you work as a freelancer or a bigger corporation.
16. Financial Advisor
Financial advising can be an excellent career path for working moms without a degree, offering flexibility and opportunities for growth.
Honestly, I know many people who have successfully entered the workforce as financial advisors.
The first step towards becoming a financial advisor is to obtain relevant certifications and licenses, such as the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation. Once certified, financial advisors can work for a firm or start their own business, providing financial advice to clients.
Pursuing a career as a financial advisor can offer a good salary and work-life balance, making it a great option for working moms.
Benefits:
Help others pursue a life of financial independence.
Perfect for someone who loves numbers!
Pay: The pay for a financial advisor varies greatly, but the median salary is $75000 a year.
17. Writer
Becoming a writer can be a great career choice for moms who want to work from home and have a passion for writing. With flexibility, the potential for a decent income, and no degree required, it’s an accessible and rewarding career path.
Highly recommended to take this writing course to jumpstart your networking opportunities.
As a writer, you can work as a content writer, staff writer, or freelance writer.
Content writers produce content for websites, such as blogs, news aggregators, and e-commerce sites.
Staff writers write articles for publications, such as magazines or newspapers.
Freelance writers write for clients without being permanent employees.
What’s more important is having a way with words, strong research skills, and a passion for writing.
Benefits:
Flexibility to work on a story when you are able to.
For those with a love of English, this is a great way to express yourself.
Pay: While the average hourly rate for writers and bloggers varies, it’s possible to earn a decent income in these fields.
17. Social Media Specialist
As a social media specialist, you will manage social media accounts, create and post content, increase engagement, analyze data, and monitor social media. This role requires skills such as graphic design, writing appealing content, an eye for design, and flexibility.
Moms possess many of these skills naturally, such as multitasking, creativity, and communication. These skills can be applied to social media management, including content creation, scheduling, and community management.
Social media management is also a growing field. As a result, this job can provide moms with a stable income and career growth opportunities while allowing them to prioritize their family life.
Benefits:
Great for those who personally love social media.
Easy to work anywhere.
Pay: With an average salary of $52000 a year, this job can be done from home, making it a perfect fit for moms.
18. Human resources manager
Work-life balance is crucial for working moms, and a career as a human resources manager can provide just that.
Human resources managers are responsible for managing employee benefits, overseeing hiring processes, and handling employee relations. This job offers flexibility, including the ability to work remotely or part-time.
A career in human resources management can positively impact a working mom’s family life by providing a consistent schedule that doesn’t involve weekends or holidays.
Benefits:
HR managers are in high demand in many industries, as every organization requires HR expertise to manage its workforce effectively.
Opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Make a positive impact on employees’ lives.
Ample networking opportunities with employees, upper management, and external stakeholders.
Pay: Human resource managers often receive competitive salaries, with average annual earnings exceeding $120,000.
19. Sell on Printables on Etsy
In recent years, the demand for printable products has grown tremendously, making Etsy a great platform for working moms without a degree to earn a steady income from home.
Printables are digital files that customers can download and print at home, such as wall art, planners, calendars, and invitations.
The best part is that once you create a printable, you can sell it repeatedly without having to invest more time or money.
Check out the list of the most popular printables you can create.
Benefits:
A flexible job that allows you to work from home and set your own hours.
Earn a steady income from a single printable, which means you can focus on creating new products and growing your business.
Able to start s small business.
Pay: This is a passive income. Learn how much these sellers have made.
20. Retail associate
Many moms become retail associates to get a discount from the retailer!
Working in retail can be a rewarding and dynamic career choice. Retail jobs are generally physically demanding, as employees are often on their feet for long periods and may need to lift and move heavy items.
The nature of retail work can also be stressful, especially during busy periods such as holidays or sales events. However, it can also be an opportunity to develop and utilize various skills, particularly when interacting with customers.
Benefits:
Working part-time hours while your children are at school.
Discounts to the retailer you work.
Flexible scheduling hours.
Pay: This is a minimum wage job earning $13 an hour to $18 an hour.
21. Nursing
Nursing is a fulfilling career for moms who enjoy taking care of others.
While most nursing positions require a degree, there are also entry-level jobs available for those without a degree. Certified nursing assistant (CNA) and licensed practical nurse (LPN) are two such positions.
Both positions require certification and training, which can be completed in a matter of months. Pursuing a career in nursing as a working mom without a degree offers the flexibility to balance work and family while also providing the opportunity for career advancement.
Benefits:
Flexible scheduling around what works best for your family.
Ability to work part-time or full-time.
Great career option to take fewer hours while your children are little and more hours when they are in school.
Pay: The average hourly rate for nursing varies depending on where you work. Most certified nurses make between $32 an hour to $50 an hour.
22. Transcriber
As a transcriber, you will listen to audio files and create a document that contains an accurate record of what was said. This is one of the best jobs for moms with no degree, as most transcription companies just require you to pass their test before they give you work.
To become a successful transcriber, you will need fast typing skills, attention to detail, and the ability to sit for long periods of time. You may also need to purchase special transcribing equipment, depending on the company you work for. Most transcription jobs will require the ability to type 75 WPM or more.
This is a great non phone work from home job.
With the right skills and tools, you can become a successful transcriber and earn a decent income. So if you are a fast typer with an eye for detail, consider taking a free mini-course to find out if this is the right job for you.
Benefits:
Transcription jobs from home are available remotely and work as many hours as you want.
Set your own schedule.
Make money by meeting deadlines.
Pay: Generally, transcriptionists earn around $19 per hour in the US, but this can be more depending on your employer.
23. Graphic Designer
Graphic design is an excellent job for working moms with no degree, as it allows for significant flexibility in working hours and can be done from home.
As a graphic designer, you will be responsible for creating logos, designing websites, and developing marketing materials such as brochures and flyers. To succeed in this field, you’ll need to be creative, detail-oriented, and able to work with clients to meet their specific needs.
Benefits:
Balance their family responsibilities with a fulfilling and rewarding career.
Perfect to showcase your creative side.
Pay: With a median annual wage of $48000 per year, graphic design is a lucrative career that offers plenty of room for growth and advancement.
24. Online Coach
Being an online coach is a great job for individuals who are looking to earn money online without a degree. While some online coaches do gain certifications, it is not always necessary.
There are several types of coaching fields to enter, including career coaching, life coaching, health coaching, family coaching, and fitness coaching. It is advisable to choose a field that you have experience in or feel comfortable handling.
As a life coach, for example, you can assist clients in achieving their goals, dealing with self-esteem issues, or working on relationships.
Benefits:
Freedom to set your own schedule and work from home, which allows you to balance work and family responsibilities.
Potential to earn a good income, especially if you specialize in a high-demand niche and build a strong client base.
Viable career option for working moms without a degree.
Work remotely from their computers and communicate with clients online.
Pay: Most coaches make between $30 an hour – 100 an hour pending experience.
25. Counselor
Counseling is indeed a vital service that plays a crucial role in helping individuals and families overcome difficult challenges.
As a counselor, you work closely with clients to address various issues and support them in achieving their personal and professional goals.
Counselors can work in diverse settings, including private practices, mental health centers, schools, substance abuse centers, or government institutions. This allows for a wide range of opportunities and flexibility in terms of work environment and schedule. Additionally, advancements in technology have made it possible for counselors to provide their services online, further expanding the accessibility and convenience of counseling.
Benefits:
Flexibility to work part-time or full-time.
Making a positive impact on the lives of others and contributing to their well-being is a significant aspect of counseling that attracts many individuals, including moms, to pursue this profession.
Offers a fulfilling and financially rewarding career path.
Pay: The average hourly rate for counselors is $39 an hour.
Other Jobs Options to Consider:
Home Health Aide: Care for patients in their own homes. Many opportunities for part-time work.
Personal Care Aide: Assist clients with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, and grooming. Flexible schedules are available.
Event Planner: Plan and organize events such as weddings, conferences, and parties. Can often work on a freelance or contract basis.
Photographer: Take photographs for a variety of purposes such as weddings, events, or marketing materials. Can often work on a freelance basis.
Personal Trainer: Help clients achieve fitness goals through exercise and nutrition coaching. Can often work on a freelance or contract basis.
House Cleaner: Clean homes or businesses on a regular basis. Offers flexibility in terms of schedule and workload.
Online Tutor: This job involves teaching students online in various subjects. Skills required include teaching ability, subject expertise, and communication. To balance work and family life, set a schedule and prioritize family time.
Translator: This job involves translating written or spoken content from one language to another. Skills required include fluency in multiple languages, attention to detail, and communication. To balance work and family life, set a schedule and prioritize family time.
Pet Sitter/Dog Walker: This job involves caring for pets while their owners are away. Skills required include love for animals, responsibility, and time management. To balance work and family life, set a schedule and communicate with clients to ensure availability.
Personal Shopper: This job involves shopping for clients and delivering their purchases. Skills required include organization, communication, and time management. To balance work and family life, set a schedule and communicate with clients to ensure availability.
What to consider when choosing a job for working moms without a degree?
Working mothers without a degree face many challenges when it comes to finding a job.
They need to find a balance between their family and career commitments, and they also need to find a job that is flexible enough to accommodate their schedule. Here are the things to consider when looking for a new job.
1. Hours and Shiftwork
For working moms being able to control their own schedules allows them to be present for their children’s needs while also earning an income is extremely important. It is important to consider the hours you have available to dedicate to a job along with the shiftwork necessary when choosing a job.
Think about whether you want to go part-time or full-time.
Also, weekend shifts are also an option for those who need to work around their family’s schedule. Even better, remote work has become increasingly popular and offers even more flexibility.
2. Salary
Salary considerations play a significant role in achieving this stability a mom desires.
It is essential to explore different salary options and negotiate to ensure that you are being fairly compensated for your skills and experience.
Consider starting salary, the potential for growth, benefits packages, and negotiation when exploring job options.
3. Responsibility and Stress
As any working mom can tell you, being a working mom can be an incredibly stressful experience. Mothers often have to balance their work responsibilities with household chores and childcare, which can be overwhelming.
Finding a job that balances responsibility and stress is crucial for working moms to maintain their mental and physical health, and to be able to provide for their families.
4. Level of Education Required
As a working mom, it is important to consider the level of education required when choosing a job.
Plus, it is crucial to research job requirements and considers personal interests and skills when selecting a job. By doing so, working moms can find a job that offers flexibility, decent pay, and job satisfaction.
5. Professional Licenses and Certifications
Obtaining, professional licenses and certifications is an excellent way for working moms without a degree to increase their job opportunities, earn higher salaries, and improve job security.
These certifications and licenses are often required for specific industries, such as healthcare, education, and law enforcement.
With so many options available, it’s important for working moms to explore the various certifications and licenses that are relevant to their industry and career goals.
6. Work-Life Balance
Balancing work and family life is a challenge for anyone, but it can be particularly daunting for working moms.
However, there are several factors to consider when choosing a job that can help achieve a work-life balance:
Flexible Work Hours: A job with flexible work hours can help working moms without a degree balance their work and family responsibilities. This can include part-time work, remote work, or jobs that allow for flexible scheduling.
Remote Work Options: Remote work can be an excellent option for working moms without a degree who need to work from home.
Company Culture: A supportive company culture can make all the difference for working moms. Look for companies that offer family-friendly policies such as paid time off, flexible work schedules, and on-site childcare.
By prioritizing work-life balance, working moms can achieve success in both their personal and professional lives.
7. Vacation and Time Off
For working moms without a degree, vacation and time off are crucial benefits to consider when evaluating a potential job offer.
Here are three factors to consider when reviewing a company’s vacation and time off policy:
The number of vacation days offered, including paid time off for sick days and personal days.
The flexibility of the policy, such as the ability to take time off for family emergencies or unexpected events.
The potential for extended leave, such as maternity or paternity leave.
8. Career Advancement
When considering a job as a mom, career advancement is an important consideration. It is essential to choose an employer and a job that offers opportunities for growth and progression in your chosen field.
Advancing in your career not only allows you to achieve personal and professional goals but also provides financial stability and job satisfaction.
Don’t underestimate the power of setting clear career goals and actively working towards them.
By investing in your skills, building a strong network, and setting clear career goals, you can pave the way for a successful and fulfilling career as a mom.
9. Job Security
Job security is especially significant for working moms, who may face more challenges in finding and keeping a job.
Typically, working moms are limited in their job options.
So, look for careers that provide financial security as well as companies with a solid track history.
This is the perfect side hustle if you don’t have much time, experience, or money.
Many earn over $10,000 in a year selling printables on Etsy. Learn how to get started by watching this free workshop.
If you’ve ever wanted to make a full-time income while working from home, you’re in the right place!
This intensive training combines thousands of hours of research, years of experience in growing a virtual assistant business, and the power of a coach who has helped thousands of students launch and grow their own business from scratch.
FAQ
You can search for remote jobs, part-time jobs, or freelance gigs.
You can also look for companies that have flexible policies in place. Also, reach out to your network and ask if anyone knows of any openings that are flexible.
Stay-at-home moms can find a variety of jobs that can be done from home and offer flexibility to work around their schedule. Here are some of the options available:
Working from home offers the benefit of having a better work-life balance and the ability to be present for their families while still earning an income.
Which Job for Moms will You Choose?
For moms who want to balance family and career, finding a job that offers work-life balance and career growth is crucial.
Not only can working increase income, but it can also lead to career advancement and personal fulfillment.
Above, we listed many great jobs for moms. You can choose a job that allows you to work from home, or one that provides flexible hours. Also, many moms like me prefer one of these early morning jobs.
Whatever you choose, make sure you find a job that you enjoy and that allows you to spend time with your family.
Know someone else that needs this, too? Then, please share!!
Some softer than expected inflation data is keeping mortgage rates from moving out of the tight range that they’ve been in all week. Tomorrow we will get more inflation data, bringing with it the possibility of a rate adjustment before we head into the weekend. Read on for more details.
Where are mortgage rates going?
Rates flatten out again
Believe it or not there are some exciting weeks for mortgage rates. This has not been one of those weeks.
It’s not unexpected for the week following the monthly jobs report to be a dull one, so I can’t say I didn’t see it coming.
There just hasn’t been many significant economic reports out this week and the few reports that did get released weren’t much to talk about.
Today, we got the latest Consumer Prices Index reading, which came in slightly below expectations.
That means the inflation hawks will have to wait another day before they can rile up the troops with their talk of a quicker than expected tightening schedule from the Federal Reserve.
Here are the latest numbers in the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey:
The average rate on a 30-year fixed rate mortgage remained unchanged at 4.55% (0.5 points)
The average rate on a 15-year fixed rate mortgage fell two basis points to 4.01% (0.4 points)
The average rate on a 5/1-year adjustable rate mortgage rose eight basis points to 3.77% (0.3 points)
Here’s what their Economic & Housing Research group had to say about rates this week:
“The 30-year fixed mortgage rate remained at 4.55 percent over the past week.
The minimal movement of mortgage rates in these last three weeks reflects the current economic nirvana of a tight labor market, solid economic growth and restrained inflation. As we head into late spring, the demand for purchase credit remains rock solid, which should set us up for another robust summer home sales season.
While this year’s higher rates – up 50 basis points from a year ago – have put pressure on the budgets of some home shoppers, weak inventory levels are what’s keeping the housing market from a stronger sales pace.”
Rate/Float Recommendation
Locking now is likely the smart move
Mortgage rates are staying in a tight range for now but could very well be on track to increase substantially by the time 2019 rolls around.
At the very least, it’s far more likely that mortgage rates will rise than fall in the coming weeks and months.
So if you’re looking to buy a new home or refinance your current mortgage, the better option is likely to lock in a rate sooner rather than later.
Learn what you can do to get the best interest rate possible.
Today’s economic data:
Consumer Price Index
The consumer price index rose 0.2% month over month in April, putting it at 2.5% year over year. CPI less food and energy ticked up 0.1%, month over month putting it at 2.1% year over year.
Jobless Claims
Applications filed for U.S. unemployment benefits came in at 211,000 for the week of 5/5/18. That brings the four-week moving average to 216,000.
Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index
The Bloomberg consumer comfort index hit a 55.8 for the week of 5/6/18.
Notable events this week:
Monday:
Tuesday:
NFIB Small Business Optimism Index
JOLTS
Wednesday:
PPI-FD
10-Yr Note Auction
Fedspeak
Thursday:
Consumer Price Index
Jobless Claims
Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index
Friday:
Fedspeak
Consumer Sentiment
*Terms and conditions apply.
Carter Wessman
Carter Wessman is originally from the charming town of Norfolk, Massachusetts. When he isn’t busy writing about mortgage related topics, you can find him playing table tennis, or jamming on his bass guitar.