I guess “financial unicorn” is about right.
That’s honestly the perfect way to put it. I remember feeling like I had to jump through flaming hoops just to prove I wasn’t making up my income. The process is definitely stacked against anyone who doesn’t have a W-2. One thing that helped me (besides the mountain of paperwork) was keeping a running spreadsheet of all my invoices and payments, with notes about each client. It sounds tedious, but when a lender asked for “proof of ongoing work,” I could just hand that over along with contracts and letters.
It’s frustrating, but you’re not alone in this. Lenders are risk-averse by nature, but sometimes it feels like they’re just looking for any excuse to say no. Still, if you keep your records organized and anticipate what they’ll ask for, it does get a bit easier each time. Not saying it’s fair—just that you get better at playing their game. Hang in there... the finish line is worth it, even if you feel like a unicorn by the end.
Honestly, I get the frustration, but I wouldn’t say lenders are always looking for excuses to say no. The paperwork is a pain, sure, but it’s really about consistency and being able to show stable income over time. Sometimes folks overcomplicate it—tax returns and bank statements usually go further than people think. I’ve seen freelancers get approved just by keeping those basics tight, without extra spreadsheets or letters from every client.
Sometimes folks overcomplicate it—tax returns and bank statements usually go further than people think.
That’s fair, but man, I remember sweating bullets over every little line on my tax return. My lender acted like my Etsy side hustle was some kind of international money laundering scheme. In the end, you’re right—just had to keep the basics clean and not panic when they asked for “one more thing.” Still, I swear they just love making us jump through hoops...
Man, I hear you on the lender paranoia. The minute they spot anything that isn’t a straight W-2, it’s like you’re suddenly under a microscope. I had a similar experience—my freelance gigs and random PayPal deposits made them ask for backup on backup. It gets old fast.
But honestly, you did exactly what works: just keep your records tidy and answer their questions as they come. They’ll always want “one more thing,” but as long as you’re not hiding anything, it’s usually just them checking boxes. It’s stressful, but you’re not alone in feeling like it’s overkill.
If you’re still in the thick of it, just keep plugging away. Take it one document at a time and don’t let the requests get in your head. Most of us with side hustles have to jump through extra hoops...but hey, at least we know our paperwork inside out by the end of it.
Yeah, the “one more thing” requests are relentless. I’ve found it helps to keep a running folder of every 1099, invoice, and bank statement—makes it easier when they ask for something random from months ago. It’s a pain, but at least you get organized by force.
