Latest news with #Etsy
Wales Online
20 minutes ago
- Business
- Wales Online
HMRC warning to anyone who uses Vinted to sell clothes
HMRC warning to anyone who uses Vinted to sell clothes As more UK residents look to the likes of Etsy and Vinted to make some extra cash tax professionals are raising the alarm If you've been selling clothes or other bits on Vinted, eBay, or Etsy, HMRC is warning that they're now keeping a much closer eye on what you're earning. The tax office has put £40m into new resources to track down people avoiding tax and they're able to see more information from these selling platforms than ever before. Since January sites like Vinted have had to share data with HMRC if a seller makes more than 30 sales a year or if their total sales go over £1,700 in 12 months. That means if you're regularly selling, even just as a side hustle, your information could already be in HMRC's hands. Lee Murphy, who runs The Accountancy Partnership, said HMRC uses this data to check against people's tax records. For money-saving tips sign up to our Money newsletter here According to Lee if you're over the £1,000 trading allowance and haven't told them you might get a letter reminding you to file a tax return. If you ignore it you could be looking at a bigger investigation or even criminal action. Article continues below The good news is that if you're just selling your own old clothes or one-off items you're probably not at risk. HMRC is more interested in people making consistent sales and turning it into a proper business. But if you've gone over the £1,000 allowance or hit more than 30 sales in a year then you do need to declare it. Lee advised checking your sales history and keeping records of everything you've made plus any expenses like postage or packaging. Those costs can be deducted when you do your self-assessment, which could save you money. It's safe to say that it's better to stay on top of things now than get caught out later. HMRC isn't just bluffing with these warning letters and the fines can end up being bigger than the profit you made. If you're unsure how much tax you might owe there are free online calculators that can give you an idea of what you'd have to pay like this one at The Accountancy Partnership. Staying organised with your records is the safest way to avoid trouble and it'll give you peace of mind if HMRC ever does come calling. Article continues below
Buzz Feed
2 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Buzz Feed
30 Useful Products For Anyone Who Gets Stressed Out Super Easily
A heat-resistant hair tool holder so you can stop worrying about your straightener while it cools down. No more worrying about roommates accidentally burning themselves after you left it on the counter! No more worrying about putting a hot iron in your suitcase when you're traveling! No more worrying! About this, anyway. A vegan candle with a soothing lavender and citrus scent, complete with an amethyst inside so you won't stress about using the whole thing up. Arabella Crystals is a small business based in North Carolina that sells a ton of different crystal-themed candles. Promising review: "Candle is beautiful on the outside, and smells AMAZING. Definitely buying from here again. 💜" —KaylaGet it from Arabella Crystals on Etsy for $20. Burn After Writing — a guided journal with questions and thought experiments that encourage readers to reflect, explore their feelings, and get to know themselves a little deeper. Reviewers say it's a stress reliever! A moisturizing Dove body scrub so you can scrub away both dead skin and all your worries. It offers a thick, dessert-like experience that'll help your skin feel fresh, bouncy, and soft. Oh, and DELICIOUS SMELLING! Can't be stressed when you smell like dessert. Promising review: "I absolutely love this Dove body scrub! The texture is rich and creamy with just the right amount of exfoliating grit. It gently buffs away dead skin without feeling too harsh. The Himalayan salt combined with rose oil leaves my skin feeling incredibly soft, smooth, and lightly scented like a mini spa session in the shower! It doesn't dry out the skin like some scrubs do. I even noticed that my skin feels more hydrated and looks more radiant after just a few uses. A little goes a long way, and the scent is divine, subtle, and floral. If you're looking for a gentle but effective scrub for your self-care routine, this one's a gem." —AnaGet it from Amazon for $7.97+ (available in eight scents). A document holder for your registration, insurance papers, and AAA card in case you've been plagued with nighmarish visions of being pulled over and unable to find the proper paperwork. If you really want to eliminate glovebox clutter, you can slip your emergency napkins into the roomy sleeve. A cutie pie planner to help you be a busy bee, or more likely a take-it-slow sloth. There's room for appointments, errands, and people to in due time. A pack of self-heating lavender eye masks to help you get in the zone and let off some steam! Just open, pop one on, and it'll heat up to 113 degrees — no microwave needed. Reviewers note that these are also great for headache relief. A value pack of assorted bath bombs so you can enjoy a good soak without feeling guilty about spending $100 at Lush. The scents are: rose, lemongrass, lavender, peppermint, mango papaya, ocean, sage eucalyptus, coconut, green apple, cotton candy, watermelon, and blackberry. Amor Bath Bombs is a small business that sells cruelty-free bath bombs. Promising review: "Fabulous bath bombs! A wonderful selection of scents (some fruity, some spicy, some floral, some seasonal)! They weren't the biggest bath bombs I've ever encountered (though they were good-sized!), but they were very fizzy (I've had some from other brands that barely fizzed, which isn't a very fun experience), the scents chosen in my box were all wonderful, and they were very moisturizing! My skin tends to dry out with heavily-scented bath products, and that is definitely not the case with these. In addition, their scents tend to linger on my skin, so I go to bed smelling wonderful, and I even wake up the next morning and can still smell their delicious scents on my body!" —LauraGet a pack of 12 from Amazon for $26.47. A Take-n-Slide medication tracker to avoid the heart-stopping moment when you realize you might have accidentally missed a day or taken a double dose. It'll be more effective than counting out the pills and trying to remember when you last picked up the bottle. A cubic zirconia fidget spinner ring offering a subtle way to de-stress. It'll come in handy when you get an unexpected bill in the mail or your in-laws start asking about babies. A bead-filled weighted eye mask that'll make you feel like your head is getting a really nice bear hug. Thanks to its light-blocking abilities, it'll help you catch a midday nap before jumping back into another hectic day. A dog paw-cleaning device if you've been more than a little worried about what sort of germs Fido is tracking into your home. Fill the tube up with soapy water and let the soft bristles scrub away the day's walk. A copy of The Big Activity Book for Anxious People filled with puzzles, mazes, color pages, and affirmations to help guide you through stress. Over 1,400 5-star reviewers love this lil' book and say it helps when they're feeling overwhelmed. A box of Color Catcher sheets to prevent the dreaded "all my clothes are now pink from this one stray red sock" debacle. These handy sheets are designed to grab any dye that leaks or bleeds so you can start a load of laundry without breaking into a sweat worrying about your white tees. A caffeine-free honey lavender tea — formulated with lemon balm, lemongrass, and mint — sure to become a staple in your downtime routine. The packets even come with comforting notes to cheer you up when your problems start stacking up. An undetectable mouse jiggler for anyone with a micromanager who's a little too invested in your online status. This will make it seem like you're active while you take a much-needed break to unwind after a tense Zoom call. Dr. Scholl's self-heating soothing foot masks made with Epsom salts, lavender, and peppermint to treat your tired, achey feet before you put them back to work. You've got some nervous pacing to do later! A SwitchBot Smart Switch Button Pusher that works with rocker switches and one-way buttons, meaning almost anything can be turned into a smart device. Once you set it up, you'll be able to use Google, Alexa, or an app on your phone to turn things on and off, meaning you can boot up the coffee machine remotely or double-check that the slow cooker is off. "Liquipens" — a cross between a pen and a lava lamp. These are fun to play with and likely mesmerizing enough to help you zone out after writing yet another to-do list. A fan-based white noise machine with a maximum decibel level of 57.4dB so you can properly tune out all the thoughts keeping you awake at night. Are the kids fitting in at their new school? Are the neighbors judging us for getting behind on mowing the lawn? Is the electric bill gonna be even higher this month? These thoughts and more can be drowned out with a delightful zzzzztttttttt. A concrete "moon" diffuser offering soothing aromatherapy without any water (what if it grows mold?), wires (what if your dog chews on it?), or any other bells and whistles that might send you into a tailspin of overthinking. Just drip some essential oil or spray a perfume, and the fragrance will slowly evaporate over time. A set of Globbles, TikTok-famous fidget toys that are squishy, colorful, and stick to any surface you throw them at without leaving a residue. It'll soothe the childhood stress of throwing a sticky hand toy at the ceiling and getting screamed at by your parent for a week straight. A microwaveable, lavender-scented weighted manatee providing gentle relief for anxiety, cramps, or really-needing-a-warm-hug syndrome. Pop your new friend in the microwave or freezer to enjoy the soothing effects. An electric waterproof bubble massage mat complete with a built-in heater and an aroma clip for essential oil aromatherapy so you can relax and forget your troubles (including the fact that you don't have a real Jacuzzi). A little black blob worry stone you can rub with your thumb when you're feeling anxious or restless. And wow, you'll finally have a use for that tiny pocket in your jeans! A shampoo scalp brush ready to blast away dead skin, dirt, and buildup, all while giving you a nice, relaxing head massage. Anti-pickpocketing clips to keep your zippers in place and immune to sticky fingers. You'll still be alert, but maybe you can now stop hugging your backpack like a baby while you waddle through town. A Dusen Dusen night-light shaped like a happy sun — good luck having a stressful night when you got this lil' friend beaming at you. A lavender spray you can spritz on your pillow before bed. It'll make your bedding smell heavenly, and the soothing scent can help carry you right off to dreamland. And a macabre patch that'll come in handy when people are wondering why you look so stressed out all the time.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Here's What Life Is Really Like As An Etsy Witch
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." One of the strangest orders that Tee, a full-time Etsy witch and psychic, can recall was a request from a girl trying to decide whether she should cryogenically freeze her beloved deceased dog. She sought out Tee's counsel to determine if it was worth the money. That was an odd one even for Tee, who's been practicing witchcraft since she was 8 years old. But people often do reach out to her during these moments of extreme desperation, but usually, it's hoping for a six-figure job or the return of a lost lover. Thanks to her popular Etsy store, SpellboundByTee, which offers spells in addition to psychic readings, she's able to help customers nationwide—on a website that was once primarily known for quirky knick-knacks. Witches like Tee have been in very high demand this summer. I'd trace the spike in Etsy witch interest back to this May, when influencer Jaz Smith posted about the witch she hired to prevent rain on her wedding day (there were clear skies all weekend). But throughout history, increased interest in alternative practices like astrology, and yes, magic, has surged during periods of extreme political and economic uncertainty. Tee saw this firsthand during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a rise in health-related requests and a higher overall demand for spiritual support. 'When outside circumstances are overwhelming, more people tend to reach for spirituality," Tee says. "They're looking for resources, and they may feel like [standard] organizations are failing them.' Artist Psychic, another Etsy witch, says the platform's convenience also plays a factor: "I think a lot of the increased interest comes down to accessibility and the sense of community the internet creates," explains Artist Psychic. "People can connect with spiritual practitioners they resonate with from anywhere in the world, without feeling judged or having to leave home. Social media and platforms like Etsy have made it easier for people to discover spiritual services, and I think the last few years—with everyone spending more time online—have accelerated that trend." All of this attention on the Etsy witches could easily lead to speculation about their legitimacy. So to clear all of that up, we chatted with Tee and Artist Psychic to address some of the Internet's skepticism, learn a bit more about their daily lives, and to reflect on this summer's Etsy witch boom. Could you walk us through what a typical day in your life looks like? AP: Every day is a bit different, but I like to start my mornings by grounding myself, usually with a cup of tea and quiet time for meditation or journaling. Once I feel centered, I review orders and messages from clients around the world. I do readings, cast spells, and respond to follow-up questions. I also prepare rituals, gather materials for spellwork, and sometimes sketch soulmates for my custom readings. The rest of the day often involves business admin, updating my Etsy listings, or brainstorming new offerings. I always try to end the day with time in nature to reset my own energy. Tee: I wake up and start my morning meditation. Then I move on to tending the altars I have for my ancestors—I'll ask them for protection. Next, I review my Etsy orders and prepare to fulfill and schedule them, whether they're written readings, phone readings, rituals, or custom handmade products, like candles. If I'm in my physical store on a certain day, it's the same. I just have to assist customers with product choices, readings, and any questions they may have. Once I'm home from the store, I check my Etsy and clean my altars. I always end my days in gratitude and with a good cleanse. What's a common misconception about Etsy witches that deserves correction? AP: That all Etsy witches are just 'selling hope' or are somehow insincere. In reality, most of us put real intention, energy, and time into each reading and ritual. There's a genuine desire to help, and a lot of emotional labor goes into the work. Tee: That they are all capitalizing on a trend, selling gimmicks, and aren't legit or credible. How often are you met with clients who are skeptical? Tee: You get skeptics who want to be believers. Many people are skeptical because they want to control the outcome, but you can't. I can do love [spells], but if you're not putting yourself out there, or if you're still comparing everyone to your ex, you need to be working on cutting cords and doing some healing. Because guess what? You might not even need attraction [spells] once you do that. People will be drawn to you because of the healing they see. What's the most 'unconventional' request you've ever received from a client? AP: I've seen quite a range of requests over the years! One that stands out was someone asking for a spell to help their houseplants thrive because they felt like their plants were 'avoiding' them. I've also had requests for everything from helping a beloved pet communicate their feelings to spells for success in reality TV auditions. People's wishes are so varied and creative. What inspired you to pursue witchcraft professionally? AP: I've always felt drawn to spirituality and intuitive work, even as a child. Over time, my personal practice deepened, and friends and family started coming to me for advice, readings, and spells. Eventually, I realized this was my true calling—I wanted to help others find hope, healing, and empowerment through spiritual work. Turning it into a professional path was a leap, but it's been incredibly rewarding. Tee: I started helping my grandmother and grandfather when I was around 8 years old. They taught me how to do rootwork and witch doctor work as I matured. My grandma always had people coming to her home for homeopathic remedies, medicines, readings, spiritual work, dolls, amulets, and charms. As an adult, I started to do the same. After their passing, I took on their clients here in my home. You could say it came naturally—and it's who I am because it's what I was taught and raised with as a child. Some abilities were taught, but do you also think you were born with any? Tee: I do think I was born with it. This is the most macabre thing, but from when I was young, I always knew when people were going to die. I don't know how, but something about them would look different to me. When life leaves the body, someone's complexion is gone. When I would meet a person who was going to pass away, they'd have that look initially, and I'd look again, and they'd look like themselves. I was never really afraid of the dead or the dreams I would have—I was just kind of curious, and that's when I started asking questions. I think [my abilities are] natural to me, but I do feel like we all have a connection. Some of us find it earlier than others. Dogma teaches us 'This is how it is.' Once you get rid of the dogma, I think we all have the ability to connect [with our power]. How do you protect your own energy while working with so many clients? AP: Boundaries are key! I make time to ground myself before and after every reading, and I'm intentional about taking breaks and practicing self-care. I also limit the number of readings I do in a day and keep certain aspects of my personal life private to maintain balance. Tee: I never skip cleansing or protection. Do you ever feel taken advantage of by people you're close to because of your skills? AP: It happens occasionally—friends or acquaintances sometimes expect free readings or ongoing advice. I've had to learn to gently set boundaries and remind people that, while I love helping, my energy and time are limited. Tee: When I was younger, I did because I didn't have strong boundaries, so I would just let my cousins and friends drain me. There has to be reciprocity, and once I realized that, I stopped and set boundaries. Do you have a favorite reading or service to provide? If so, what is it? AP: I love soulmate readings, especially when I can include a sketch or detailed description of the person's energy. There's something so special about helping someone feel hopeful about love or their future. Manifestation rituals are another favorite—I enjoy channeling positive energy toward someone's deepest wish. You Might Also Like Here's What NOT to Wear to a Wedding Meet the Laziest, Easiest Acne Routine You'll Ever Try
Los Angeles Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Los Angeles Times
The secret to Sparks star Cameron Brink's success after her ACL injury? Vision boards
Each morning before Cameron Brink pulls on her Sparks jersey, she scans a taped-up collage in her closet. Olympic rings, a WNBA All-Star crest, snapshots with her fiancé and a scatter of Etsy trinkets crowd the board. The canvas is a handmade constellation of who Brink is and who she longs to be. Between magazine clippings and scribbled affirmations, Brink sees both the grand arc and the small vows that tether her: to show up as a teammate, a daughter and a partner. 'You have a choice every day to have a good outlook or a bad outlook,' said Brink, the Sparks' starting forward. 'I try to choose every day to be positive.' That choice seemed to matter most when the future felt furthest away. The practice emerged in the thick of a 13-month recovery from a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Brink — the Stanford star and Sparks No. 2 draft pick — was forced to measure life in the tiniest ticks of progress after injuring her left knee a month into the 2024 season. Sparks veteran Dearica Hamby recognized how rehab was grinding down the rookie. One afternoon, she invited Brink to her home, where the dining table was set with scissors, glue sticks, stacks of magazines and knickknacks. 'I've always been taught growing up that your mind is your biggest power,' Brink said. 'So I've always been open to stuff like that. I heavily believe in manifesting what you want and powering a positive mindset.' Hamby had been building vision boards for years and believed Brink could use the same practice — both as a pastime and as a mechanism to combat the doubts that surfaced during her lengthy and often lonely rehab. 'If she can visualize it, she can train her mind the opposite of her negative thoughts and feelings,' Hamby said. 'When you see it, you can believe it. Your brain is constantly feeding itself. And if you have something in the back — those doubts — you need something to counter that.' The board dearest to Brink wasn't crowded with stats or accolades. She crafted what she calls her 'wonderful life,' layering in snapshots of her fiancé, Ben Felter, and framed by symbols of family and team. 'You're a product of your mind,' Brink said. 'Everything in my life, I feel like I've fought and been intentional about.' Fighting was what the year demanded. However inspiring the boards looked taped inside her closet, the reality was gradual and often merciless. From the night she was carried off the court last June to the ovation that greeted her return in July, Brink's progress unfolded in inches — from the day she could stand, to the day she could walk to the day she touched the hardwood again. 'It's been such a journey,' Sparks coach Lynne Roberts said. 'Cam's mentality was just trying not to freak out. She was really focused on not being anxious about it.' Brink came to practice with her game on a leash, her activity hemmed in by doctors' timelines. While teammates scrimmaged, she studied sets from the sidelines. Roberts praised her patient attitude as 'great,' a skill Brink sharpened by the ritual of opening her closet and trusting the journey. Kim Hollingdale, the Sparks' psychotherapist, worked closely with Brink during her recovery. While bound by confidentiality, she spoke to how manifestation tools can anchor an athlete through the mental strain of long recovery. 'Being able to stay in touch with where we're ultimately trying to get to can help on those days when it's feeling crappy,' Hollingdale said. 'Visualization helps us be like, 'OK, look, we're still heading to that vision. This is part of the journey.' It gives purpose, direction and a little hope when you're in the mud of recovery.' That sense of purpose, she added, is about giving the brain something familiar to return to when progress stalls — a way for the mind to rehearse what the legs can't. For Brink, that meant keeping her game alive in pictures she ran through her head. Putbacks in the paint became reruns in her mind, and Hollingdale said the brain scarcely knows the difference: If it sees it vividly enough, the muscles prime themselves as if the movement truly happened. What mattered wasn't just mechanics. Tuning out noise became essential as Brink was cleared to return as a WNBA sophomore by calendar yet a rookie by experience. What could have been crushing pressure was dimmed by the vision boards — the 'mental rehearsal,' as Hollingdale labeled it. 'I didn't want to focus on stat lines or accolades coming back from injury,' Brink said. 'I learned the importance of enjoying being out there, controlling what I can control, always having a good attitude — that's what I reframed my mindset to be about.' During Brink's return against the Las Vegas Aces on July 29, she snared an offensive rebound and splashed a three-pointer within the first minute. And since, she has posted 5.9 points and four rebounds an outing, headlined by a 14-point performance through 11 minutes against Seattle. Hollingdale tabbed Brink's return a rarity. She often prepares athletes to weather the gauntlet of 'firsts' — the first shot that clangs, the first whistle, the first crowd cheer — without expecting much beyond survival. But upon Brink's return, those firsts weren't looming unknowns. They were rehearsed memories. 'That is a testament to her being able to manage herself, her emotions and her anxiety and all the stress and pressure,' Hollingdale said. 'To come out and make a meaningful difference to your team straight away speaks to the ability to stay locked in and cut out the noise.' By refusing to sprint through recovery, Hamby said Brink insulated herself from the pressure that shadows young stars. The vision boards, Hamby added, became a tangible expression of Brink's decision to trust herself. 'She's done it differently,' Hamby said. 'For her, it's more of a mental thing than a physical thing. She took her time, not listening to people tell her she should have been back sooner.' When Brink shuts the closet door and heads to Arena for game day, she's already spent the morning tracing the steps of the night. On the next blank corner of her canvas? 'Being an All-Star and going to the Olympics,' she said.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
US drops the hammer: No more $800 tax-free eBay buys — shoppers furious
What Is the De Minimis Exemption? Live Events What's Changing on August 29? Buyers Hit with Surprise Fees and Charges Small Business Owners Impacted What eBay and Etsy Are Saying FAQs (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Americans could soon see their eBay purchases come with a bigger price tag, and many are not happy about it, as per a report.A new policy officially ends the long-standing 'de minimis' exemption, which allowed goods valued under $800 to enter the US without tariffs, as per The Sun report. Beginning August 29, that exemption will no longer apply to any country, as confirmed last month in an executive order by US president Donald Trump, according to the rule change, originally scheduled for July 2027, has now been fast-tracked, and buyers and sellers are already feeling the impact, as per The Sun de minimis exemption dates back to 1938, when it waived duties on imports under $1, according to the rpeort. Over the years, the threshold increased with inflation, to $8 in 1978, $200 in 1993, and finally to $800 in 2016, as reported by The 2024 alone, 1.36 billion shipments qualified for the exemption, with a total value of about $64.6 billion, according to Customs and Border Protection (CBP), reported The READ: Economist predicts horrendous crypto crash, but says traders can still cash in big first But now, after Trump's order, there will be no exemption for imported parcels under $800, and goods shipped to the US will instead face two tariff possibilities, as reported by The Sun. The first possibility is an 'ad valorem duty' based on the country of origin, or a fixed tariff of $80 to $200 for the next six months, based on the tariff rate for the country of origin, as reported by The have already begun sharing their frustration. One user on Reddit posted a screenshot of their UPS order, which showed a charge of $85.29 in taxes and fees, according to the report. The notice read, "Additional charges may have been applied based on recent tariff policy changes," which led the shopper to question, "Is this real?" as quoted by The READ: Spy twist? US allegedly bugged AI chips of Nvidia and AMD bound for China with hidden trackers Even small business owners are also sounding the alarm. One Etsy seller said their shop was 'dying' because of the tariffs, according to the at both Etsy and eBay have spoken out against the policy, arguing that it hurts independent creators, artisans and even American sellers who rely on affordable imports, as per The Sun Zubricki, global head of public policy and advocacy at Etsy, said in a statement in March, "These exemptions are a powerful tool that helps small creators, artisans, and makers participate in and navigate cross-border trade," adding, "Many American Etsy sellers rely on de minimis to import and export products with key trading partners, sustaining their businesses and generating income to support their families," as quoted by The eBay's CEO, Jamie Iannone, highlighted during a recent earnings call that the de minimis elimination for all countries could significantly impact the company's revenue, as per the READ: As the July jobs report paints a grim picture, 114 companies plan layoffs in August - is yours on the list? If it's imported and under $800, you may now face tariffs or from $80 to $200, depending on the origin country or a percentage-based tariff, as per The Sun report.
