The Hong Kong tourist board has partnered with Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) and home airline Cathay Pacific to offer North American travelers a limited batch of cut-price airfares to the city.
The campaign to celebrate the easing of travel restrictions in the region is part of a plan to give away 700,000 subsidized tickets globally; it began slowly rolling out country by country in March.
The North American offering is currently underway with Cathay Pacific. Successful applicants will pay only the taxes and surcharges for their tickets. To put this in context, roundtrip fares from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to HKG typically start around $2,300 dollars with taxes and surcharges totaling around $350 of that amount. This means that the subsidized ticket offer could save you at least $1,800 on your ticket or even more during busier periods.
However, you’ll need to act fast if you want to benefit — the airline will contact applicants on May 17 at 5:00 p.m. PST/8:00 p.m. EST, via email where they will receive an access link. You’ll then be able to use the link until the sales close on May 23 or until all tickets have sold out. Tickets will be available on a first-come-first-served basis, so keep an eye on you emails for the access link if you don’t want to miss out.
To be in with a chance, you must sign up as a member of Cathay Pacific’s Asia Miles loyalty program by using the link on the airline’s World of Winners page here.
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Related: Ultimate guide to Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
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Cathay Pacific currently offers flights departing the U.S. to HKG from JFK, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Boston Logan International Airport (BOS).
After you receive your voucher code it must be redeemed within one month. The redemption will be limited to economy seats and will be valid for travel for nine months. The minimum stay period will be two days and the maximum is one month.
Related: The ultimate guide to Cathay Pacific first class
It’s unclear exactly how many tickets are available to North American travelers, though it is expected to be 4,000 to 6,000 based on the offerings in other countries.
The Hong Kong tourist board is also offering various “Goodies” vouchers for visitors on its website. Some of these include welcome drinks at participating bars and restaurants, cash vouchers worth 100 Hong Kong dollars (about $13) and free transport tickets, among other items. You can apply for your Hong Kong Goodies voucher here.
Bottom line
Cathay Pacific has partnered with the Hong Kong tourist board and HKG to offer subsidized tickets to North American passengers. The tickets are in limited supply, but successful applicants will only need to pay for the taxes and surcharges on their tickets. Winners will be informed May 17.
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Last week we explored the impact defaulting on loans has on your credit reports and credit scores, and how it can leave you on the wrong end of a collection lawsuit. You can read that article here.
Today I’m closing out this 2-part series by exploring the impact of letting your auto loan and your home go into default.
Transportation
Unless you live in a city where rapid transit is a viable transportation option or you can ride your bike to work, you’re probably going to need a car. And no, public transportation isn’t really a realistic alternative in most large and expansive metropolitan areas. You’re going to need your car to get to work, chauffeur the kids, do your shopping, etc.
If you stopped making your car payments today, your car would be gone in 60-90 days. That’s a much faster response from a jilted lender than you would see with any other type of loan. It normally takes 6 months for a credit card issuer to charge off your balance. And, you’ll see below that not paying your mortgage lender doesn’t lead to immediate homelessness.
Bottom Line: In my opinion, defaulting on your auto loan is going to leave you with more problems than any other loan default. You can live without a credit card, but you can’t live without transportation to earn a living and take care of your family.
Housing
I know what some of you are probably asking, “Why wouldn’t you pay your mortgage first? You need a place to live, right?” You are absolutely correct. You do need a place to live. The good news is that even if you stop paying your mortgage today, you’ll have a place to live for probably the next 12-24 months.
It’s taking forever for lenders to begin foreclosure proceedings and even if/when foreclosure proceedings do start, it doesn’t mean you’re getting kicked out of your house. That’s the next step.
I’m sure we’ve all heard the stories of homeowners refusing to pay their mortgages and living rent-free for years before the lender has them evicted. In fact, there are even examples where the mortgage lender or the investor who has purchased the home out of default actually pays the former owner to leave.
I’m not suggesting this is the right thing to do; I’m just pointing out the realities in the mortgage default world right now.
Bottom Line: Defaulting on your mortgage is going to eventually cost you your home. But, that’s going to take some time and you may be able to use the extra money from the mortgage payment you’re not making to pay down/off other more expensive credit card debt.
Financial Burden
Financially, any default is going to sting, but the pain is variable across loan types.
For example, if you default on a car loan, the lender is going to pay to repossess the car and then probably liquidate it at auction. You’ll be held liable for any deficiency that remains after the car is sold. That could be as little as a few thousand dollars, unless you borrowed a ton of money to buy a quickly depreciating model.
Defaulting on a mortgage loan is going to lead to the same type of financial burden, just a much larger dollar amount. Once the house has been liquidated, likely for much less than you owe on the loan, you may or may not be liable for the deficiency balance. It’s not that cut and dry though, and you’ll want to speak with a lawyer and even a tax advisor about it.
Defaulting on a credit card is a different animal. There is nothing to repossess, which means there’s nothing to liquidate and apply toward your balance. You owe it all, plus interest.
Even when you default, the credit card issuer can still charge you interest and apply late fees. When they finally sell the debt to a collection agency, they can also charge interest. And, if they are successful getting a judgment against you, then yes, more interest can accrue, too. Use Mint’s loan calculator to see how long it will take to pay down each liability.
John Ulzheimer is the President of Consumer Education at SmartCredit.com, the credit blogger for Mint.com, and a contributor for the National Foundation for Credit Counseling. He is an expert on credit reporting, credit scoring and identity theft. Formerly of FICO, Equifax and Credit.com, John is the only recognized credit expert who actually comes from the credit industry. The opinions expressed in his articles are his and not of Mint.com or Intuit. Follow John on Twitter.
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There’s been a lot of buzz about the ability to look up “free foreclosure listings” using Google Maps, so I figured I’d get on-board as well and post instructions.
Update: They have since removed the option to see real estate listings from within the map view, so you’ll have to use a more traditional (but still free) service like Redfin, Trulia, or Zillow.
It was certainly a nice feature, but it seems not enough individuals were actually using it.
Google Maps Used to Offer a Real Estate Search
You could see local real estate listings
In the map section of your choice
Including properties that were for sale
And even foreclosure listings pulled from third-party sites
When in Google Maps, simply type in an address where you want to conduct your search.
On the map in the top-left corner, you’ll see options such as traffic, more, map, satellite, earth, etc.
Click on “more,” then select “real estate.”
Doing so will highlight all the real estate for sale in the viewable area of the map – it will also bring up a real estate search box to the left of the map where you can fine tune your search.
How to Fine Tune Your Search
There are a variety of radio buttons
Including a foreclosure option
That will let you see only certain types of listings on the map
You can also select a specific price range to limit the results
You’ll notice a “foreclosure” radio button that can be checked – this will highlight all the foreclosures in a given area.
If you want to single out foreclosures, simply uncheck the “for sale” button and leave the “foreclosure” button checked and you will see all the foreclosure listings in the area.
Zoom in and out to narrow or expand your search, and simply drag the map while holding down the mouse to move to different areas.
If you only want to look at foreclosure listings within a specific price range, use the pricing box to limit the breadth of your foreclosure search.
Once you click on a specific foreclosure listing, a link to a foreclosure website, such as RealtyTrac, will direct you to a website that requires a membership to see all the details.
In summary, this is a handy tool to get you on your way to buying a foreclosure, or at least entertain you…it’s always surprising to see how many foreclosures there are in a certain area, especially when it appears untouched by the epidemic.
Buying and selling real estate used to be really hard
And very time consuming
I remember driving around with a real estate agent
It felt like a grueling process back then and hasn’t really changed a whole lot
Back in the 1980s, I vividly remember a day when my father took me along with him to a real estate agent’s office. He was looking to buy a new home and this was how the process began – by getting into a vehicle.
We showed up to an office replete with ornate furniture and classic paintings (probably of old timey ships) to meet with an English expat wearing a smart suit and tie. It made sense that he had an accent because back then a real estate agent was meant to exude style and sophistication.
After a brief chat, he grabbed some paperwork, we climbed in his car (probably a diesel Mercedes), and proceeded to drive around a neighborhood to look at potential properties to buy.
This was how you purchased a home back then. The agent compiled a list of homes in a target neighborhood yet to be seen and invited the client to do a ride-along.
Assuming you found one you liked, you’d make an offer and eventually the seller would counter or accept your offer. A few weeks after that you’d get your mortgage from a local thrift or savings and loan (while putting at least 20% down) and the home would be yours.
Oh, the bank would actually hold onto your mortgage, instead of turning around and selling it on the secondary market. And you could make your mortgage payments in person at the local bank while taking care of your other banking needs.
Has the Process Really Changed?
Real estate is different to some degree
The fact that you can find your own listings and view properties online
Certainly makes things a lot easier
But the transaction itself is still mostly the same
Today, it’s different, but not too much different. You’ll probably still drive around with a real estate agent looking at homes. The only difference is that you can choose which homes you’d like to view beforehand online (or on your phone) thanks to websites like Zillow and Redfin.
Other than that, the process appears to be the same. You go and tour properties with your agent and make a bid. Once accepted, you apply for a mortgage with a lender, either locally, online, via a broker, or through some national chain.
Once the loan closes, there’s a very good chance your loan will be sold off to a different company. And you probably didn’t put down 20%. Instead, maybe just 3% down (or even less). In any case, it’s pretty much business as usual.
The only real difference is all those pretty pictures on websites, and the ability to check out homes before viewing them in person. Still, we all know pictures often fall short, and without seeing a property in person it’s nearly impossible to make a decision.
Real Estate Is on the Cusp of Disruption
All the tech players know real estate is ripe for disruption
And that’s why we’re beginning to see a ton of newcomers in the space
One major player that is emerging is Opendoor
Which buys, sells, and now even finances properties
So we know there’s a new way to search for real estate, but the process seems to be the quite the same otherwise.
However, it does appear as if we’re inching closer to a point where you you might be able to ditch your real estate agent, or forego the typical lengthy timeline to buy and sell a home.
Though the businesses attempting to effect change are facing some headwinds, it’s becoming increasingly common to find companies looking to challenge the status quo.
Late last year, a company called Faira launched with the promise of selling homes for free. Instead of paying a 6% commission, you pay nothing. But this company has yet to make waves.
Then there’s Skupit, which allows individuals to make an offer on a home online using a single agent to make their bid more competitive. Again, early goings here but the potential to disrupt is clear.
Opendoor Trade-in Program
While you could already buy/sell homes with Opendoor
They recently launched a home trade-in program
Where you can actually find a new home
Then simply sell them your old home to them, concurrently
That brings us to a new service from Opendoor, the folks who want to sell homes in three days, which now aims to transform the process of buying and selling a home concurrently.
Put simply, they want to make it easier to buy a new home without worrying about what you’ll do with your old one, an issue many Americans face, especially with inventory as light as it is.
Instead of fretting about your existing home, you can shop for a new home as you would a first-time home buyer, then make an offer without it being contingent on the old home being sold.
All you have to do is make an offer and tell Opendoor the closing date. From there they’ll buy your old home at “market price” and handle the funding of the new purchase so you can get both sales done in a single transaction.
You won’t have to worry about making two mortgage payments, or the complications involved with supporting two mortgages. Or the issue that arises when your offer isn’t competitive because it relies upon your old home selling.
Buy and Sell with Opendoor at the Same Time
While the trade-in program allows you to buy any home on the MLS
It’s also possible to sell your home to Opendoor
And buy an Opendoor home at the same time
Thereby making the entire transaction really fly
There’s also the opportunity to buy your new home from Opendoor to make the process super streamlined and fast.
For example, you can buy and sell in a matter of days (literally) if you find the new home in Opendoor’s for-sale inventory. I believe they provide a 2% discount if you do this.
This would really change the real estate process, though it should be noted that the standard 6% commission structure remains.
If you’re curious what Opendoor will offer for your old pad, you can get a trade-in price on their website so you can determine the amount you will have for a down payment and closing costs.
The clear downside here is that Opendoor may offer you significantly less than what you’d fetch on the open market, with the upside being one less roadblock to snagging a new home, and much less legwork.
There’s also a “market risk charge” of 0-6% that may come into play if values drop while they own your old home and attempt to resell it. And potential repair costs that Opendoor will split with you to make the home marketable.
This new service is available in the Phoenix and Dallas housing markets. At first glance, there were some 116 listings in Phoenix currently available for purchase. But I’m sure inventory will grow over time.
Whether this will finally change real estate as we know it remains to be seen, but pressure to evolve is clearly mounting. The question remains if it’s actually in the best interests of homeowners, or simply a play on convenience like many other new startups.
Many people think of a pet as a member of their family. So of course pet owners want to be sure they’re providing the best possible care for their animals without having to worry about what a trip to the veterinarian might cost.
Pet insurance offers a way to help pay for that care — whether it’s a routine checkup or an emergency. However, just like health insurance for humans, choosing the right pet insurance policy can be complicated.
There’s a wide range of coverage options and policy costs to consider. And pet insurance may not be the right fit for every pet owner. Here’s what to know.
What Is Pet Insurance?
Though it has a lot in common with human health insurance coverage, a pet policy falls under the property and casualty insurance classification.
Pet insurance has been around for almost 100 years, but has only been available in the United States since 1982, when a subsidiary of Nationwide sold its first policy to cover the dog that played Lassie on TV.
As with health insurance for humans, pet insurance has a range of options and costs to consider.
And it’s growing in popularity: The North American Pet Health Insurance Association reports that the industry has more than doubled since 2018, and the number of pet insurance premiums in the U.S. grew by 30.4% from 2020 to 2021.
Most of the 4.4 million pets insured are dogs (82% in 2021) and cats (18%). But some insurers may offer coverage for birds, fish, and other pets.
Pet policies are designed to protect pet owners from the high cost of taking their animal to the vet. (If a pet bites another animal or person, those costs typically are covered by homeowner’s insurance.)
There are a few types of pet insurance. Coverage can be limited to accident-only care for an animal, or it can be more comprehensive and include treatment for injuries and illness.
Some policies also include wellness costs, such as vaccinations, dental care, and medical tests. A few include extra benefits, such as coverage for pet care when an owner has an emergency, or coverage for vet care when the owner travels out of the country with the pet.
But preexisting conditions and cosmetic procedures usually aren’t covered. And policies tend to come with a waiting period of 14 to 30 days, which means if a pet is diagnosed with an illness or is injured before that time is up, treatment for that condition won’t be covered.
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How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost?
The average cost of an accident and illness pet policy was $48.66 per month for a dog in 2021, or $583.91 per year, according to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association. For a cat, the average cost was $28.57 per month, or $342.84 per year. Adding wellness care and other benefits can increase the cost of a policy. So can the deductible, co-pay, and maximum coverage amounts the pet owner chooses. These costs are something to consider as you’re budgeting for a new dog or cat.
Reimbursement is typically 80%-90%, which means the insured pet owner can be reimbursed for up to 80%-90% of a qualifying claim. The deductible can be up to $1,000. Research shows many pet owners choose a deductible of $250.
The cost of coverage also may be affected by where the pet owner lives. In cities or regions where veterinary practices generally charge more for office visits or treatments, the cost of pet insurance may be higher.
And coverage may cost more based on a pet’s breed and age as well. Because some purebred cats and dogs may be more susceptible to certain medical conditions, they can be more expensive to insure.
Age is a factor. The older a pet is, the more it may cost to get coverage — both at the time of enrollment and as the pet ages.
The good news is, there are no “out-of-network” provider charges to worry about with pet insurance. As long as the pet owner takes Fido or Fluffy to a licensed vet, and the expenses for the visit qualify, it’s just a matter of filing a claim. Some insurance companies may pay the vet directly, but most reimburse the pet owner after the claim is submitted and verified.
Recommended: 19 Tips to Save Money on Pets
How Can Pet Owners Find Prices and Plans?
Because every pet and every plan is a little bit different, it can pay to do some research.
An increasing number of employers now offer pet insurance in their benefits packages, which could mean a lower premium. So pet owners may want to check with their human resources department to see what their company has to offer.
It’s also easy to get an online price quote from many of the companies that offer pet insurance. A quick search will turn up several well-known insurers (Nationwide, Progressive, Geico, Allstate) that offer coverage, along with insurance companies that are strictly for pets. The insurer will ask a few questions (the pet’s name, age, gender, breed, any preexisting conditions), and then provide quotes for three or more plans, along with some details about the benefits those plans include.
It also may help to have an idea of what it costs to treat common (and not-so-common) problems a certain type of pet might encounter.
For example, a physical for a dog can be as much as $300, and up to $200 for a cat, depending on your location and the pet’s age. Those bills might be daunting but not necessarily devastating for a family’s budget. But an emergency vet visit with multiple overnight stays in an emergency clinic could be as much as $3,500. And surgeries your pet might require can run into the hundreds and even thousands of dollars.
Planning for those costs could help pet owners decide if insurance is something they should consider. (Your vet also may be able to provide some helpful information that pertains to your specific pet.)
💡Quick Tip: If you’re faced with debt and wondering which kind to pay off first, it can be smart to prioritize high-interest debt first. For many people, this means their credit card debt; rates have recently been climbing into the double-digit range, so try to eliminate that ASAP.
So, Is Pet Insurance Worth It?
As with so many financial decisions, there are pros and cons to purchasing a pet health policy.
Insurance may take some of the stress out of making treatment decisions for a beloved pet based on the ability to pay. Although there still could be out-of-pocket expenses to consider, it might help avoid what the pet insurance association calls “economic euthanasia,” when a pet owner makes the heartbreaking choice to put down a sick or injured animal because the required care is just too expensive.
Insurance also might help a pet owner avoid taking on credit card debt or depleting their savings account to pay for their pet’s care.
Another plus: Because policies can be customized, it may be possible to find one that provides basic coverage and still works within the family budget. And pet owners who love their vet won’t have to switch to a new provider.
But pet insurance doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions, and premiums also may be higher for breeds that are vulnerable to costly health conditions. The cost also goes up as an animal gets older, which is when many pets start having problems that require expensive treatments.
And, as is the case for most types of insurance, if policyholders don’t use their benefits, they don’t get their money back. So, for example, if the pet owner opts for an accident and illness policy and the pet stays healthy for several years, the insurance bills could end up costing more than the vet bills. You may want to set up an emergency fund to help cover any healthcare costs for your pet instead.
Recommended: How to Pay for Medical Bills You Can’t Afford
The Takeaway
If you aren’t sure if pet insurance is right for you, it might help to look at how the cost would fit with your current finances. If money is tight, is there something you could or would give up in order to pay for a pet policy? Also, would pet insurance tackle financial stress by keeping you from worrying about what you’d do if your pet needed expensive care?
Think about these questions carefully. If you feel you won’t get your money’s worth out of a health insurance policy, you may want to skip it for now. But if it’s easier for you to pay a premium monthly, rather than having to come up with a hefty sum all at once if something happens, you may decide pet insurance is a good option.
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If you’ve paid off debt, congratulations! Paying down debt is the top goal for many Minters when they start monitoring their finances. Getting out of the red takes focus and discipline, and luckily, there are many free resources to help you. But what happens after you’ve paid off debt and freed yourself from that burden?
Check out these steps to ensure you stay on the right financial path even after your circumstances have changed for the better.
Understand Your Debt Triggers
Staying debt free can be as difficult as getting into debt. So before you make any changes to your financial behavior, it’s important to assess and understand how you fell into debt in the first place. The answer might be as easy as student loans; however, for most people the answer is not so obvious. First, take a moment to think about how you approach your finances and how people and experiences influence your attitude towards money. Then, identify the behaviors and choices that led to your prior financial situation. You’ll likely identify some patterns. A deeper understanding of how you think about money will help keep you out of debt.
Re-establish Your Budget
A monthly budget is now more important than ever. Having a plan for where to spend and save your new discretionary cash flow will help you from falling back into old habits – especially when newly available funds may tempt you into spending on unnecessary extravagances. You used to pay creditors first; now you can pay yourself first. Consider saving 20 percet of your disposable income. Even though you are no longer in debt, make saving non-negotiable.
Set New Goals
Once you establish your new commitment to saving, you must determine what you are you saving for! Here are the first two goals you should considering setting:
Emergency Fund: Most people don’t have an emergency fund, which can protect you in case of sudden unemployment, a medical emergency or other unexpected expenses. This fund should be the equivalent of 3 to 6 months of your net income, which gives you enough to live on without taking out loans. However, don’t discount the cost of risk. Make sure you can pay off your credit card bills so that you don’t pay unnecessary interest that could otherwise be going to your emergency fund.
Retirement Fund: When it comes to retirement, the sooner you start saving, the better. A good place to start is with your company’s 401(k) plan which is free money! In most cases, you can have deductions from your paycheck automated and put into your 401(k) account. This simplifies the process and many companies will even match your contributions to your 401(k) account.
If you are self-employed or a full-time parent, consider opening an IRA account. This can be done at a discount brokerage firm such as Charles Schwab. Discuss whether a Roth or Traditional IRA is best for you, then set up a monthly automatic draft payment system. Similar to the 401(k), automate your savings by specifying an amount to be automatically withdrawn from your checking account each month. Be aware that the government limits how much money you can put tax-free into retirement savings annually.
Once you hit the maximum, it is time to move on to your next savings goal: perhaps buying a home or a well deserved vacation.
What’s your life after debt story? Share with us at @mint on Twitter!
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JPMorgan Chase is the largest bank in the United States and is the third-largest bank in the world. With a bank of that size, you would expect some exclusive benefits for its top clients, and Chase doesn’t disappoint.
Chase Private Client offers more robust clients with a combination of concierge banking, expert investment options from J.P. Morgan, significantly reduced fees, and other benefits.
Many banks offer concierge services, but the Chase Private Client program offers those same services and more, plus can give you the power of J.P. Morgan’s investment expertise. To be sure, not everyone will qualify for these upgraded services, but the rewards for those that do are great.
How to Qualify for Chase Private Client
Chase is pretty specific about the qualifications needed to take advantage of Chase Private Client benefits. In fact, they only have one stipulation. To qualify, Chase requires that you have an average daily balance of $150,000.
That’s not saying that you have to have $150,000 in cash in your Chase checking account. Chase just requires that you have invested $150,000 in assets with them.
While cash in your checking account is considered one of those assets, others include savings accounts, retirement accounts, and investment accounts. Any liquid asset that you have with Chase counts. Mortgages, lines of credit, and other loans do not apply.
If you don’t yet have $150,000 invested with Chase, you may have luck getting a Chase account specialist to waive that amount. They do this for certain clients, but only for a certain period of time. If you would like to be a Chase Private Client, you can sit down with a specialist to discuss your options.
So, how much does Chase Private Client cost? It’s free if you meet the above requirements.
Chase Private Client Banking Benefits
Fees seem to be a fact of life with banking. Overdraft fees, out-of-network ATM fees, and minimum balance requirements all add up over time.
With a Chase Private Client account, these fees don’t have to be a fact of life. In fact, this is what they offer:
No monthly service fee when you link a Chase Private Client checking account to a CPC savings account.
No fees for domestic and international wire transfers
No ATM fees worldwide when using a non-Chase ATM (including international debit card purchases or ATM withdrawals). They also refund the fees charged by other banks to use their ATMs, up to five per month.
No stop payment fees or bounced check fees.
No fees for counter checks, money orders, or cashier’s checks.
No exchange rate adjustment fees for debit card usage
No insufficient funds fees
No card replacement fees
No foreign transaction fees
No fee for 3 × 5 safe deposit box. Plus, you get a 20% discount for larger boxes.
You also get a daily ATM withdrawal limit of up to $2,000 when using your debit card. And your daily purchase limit is increased to $7,500.
Chase Private Client Credit Card Benefits
Chase Private Client customers get a slightly higher sign-up bonus on the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card. You can earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on your card within three months of account opening versus 50,000 points offered to the public.
As a Chase Private Client, you used to be able to bypass Chase’s infamous 5/24 rule. However, that is no longer the case.
You do still get rushed replacement of your debit or credit card almost anywhere worldwide at no charge. You may also get a higher sign-up bonus in-branch for certain credit cards (on a case-by-case basis.)
Chase Private Client Personal Banker
Banking can be a hassle. You park, walk into your local branch, wait in line, and have to explain from scratch all your needs to a teller or account manager you’ll likely never see again. One of the most powerful benefits of being a Chase Private Client is that you’ll have your own private client banker.
You’ll be assigned one to two personal bankers who will take care of all your banking needs. They’ll also provide you with priority service and help connect you with other experts within the bank to help with all of your needs.
Chase Private Client Is Not Available in All Locations
Your bankers can help with mortgages and business banking needs and even get you significant rebates in the process. But not every Chase branch can cater to Chase Private Clients, and in fact, most of them don’t. Currently, they only have offices available in 23 states.
All states are not equally represented. Chicago alone, for example, has five locations, while Idaho only has one. Still, chances are that if you live in a metropolitan area or one with a relatively large population, Chase will have you covered.
Even without a physical branch available, you can still use their private banking service line. These are special phone lines dedicated to Chase Private Clients.
That means you get to talk to real people more quickly without having to wait. In addition, you’ll get priority service whether you need to order more checks, resolve issues with your debit card, or you need help with wire transfers or other transactions.
J.P. Morgan Client Advisor
Chances are, if you have $150,000 invested with Chase Bank already, you’re looking for that money to grow. In addition to personal banking services and Chase Private Client benefits, you also get the power of J.P. Morgan.
You’ll have a J.P. Morgan Private Client Advisor who can help you assess risk, talk about time frames, and help determine what type of investments are right for you.
Your J.P. Morgan Private Client Advisor will be available if you want to discuss investment strategies, retirement, or saving for your children’s college tuition. They’ll give you access to J.P. Morgan’s financial experience and help craft a strategy to reach your investment goals.
While you don’t have to use J.P. Morgan’s services, it’s available to you should you choose. They can help you with a personalized investment strategy, mutual funds, college planning, security-based lending, and annuities. You also get free online stock and ETF trades with You Invest℠ by J.P. Morgan.
With more than 160 years of experience, they’re definitely a good resource to have. Plus, there’s the bonus of getting advice based on the whole of your finances, rather than one single segment.
Business Banking Advisor
For clients who have a small business, they offer a dedicated advisor and a team of small business specialists who can help provide financing options and advice. They can also help businesses improve their cash flow and offer solutions for accepting payments.
Some other business benefits of Chase Private Client include no fees for electronic deposits for both Chase Platinum Business Checking and Total Business Checking accounts. In addition, Platinum Business Checking account holders have reduced minimum balance requirements.
Family Member Eligibility for Chase Private Client
One of the great things about Chase Private Client is that you don’t have to keep it all to yourself. You can share it with your family as well. If you share an account or accounts with a member of your family, they are eligible to enroll as well.
So, if your children are 18 or over and share an account with you, they can take advantage of all the benefits without needing a $150,000 balance.
That includes eliminating most fees associated with most checking and savings accounts, banking concierge service all their own, and J.P. Morgan investment services should they need it. This isn’t just a benefit for you; it’s a gift you can give to others.
You’ll be able to share all these privileges with those most important to you. It can save you money as well if you’re helping to support a child during college. They can save on ATM fees and other banking services, which puts more money in your pocket in the long run.
Other Chase Private Client Benefits
In addition to saving on fees and financial advice, there are some lesser-known benefits that come with Chase Private Client.
You get $750 off closing costs on loans. That’s $750 off every loan, including mortgages. As an added bonus, you’ll receive priority processing for all loans and senior underwriting support. They also offer discounts on home equity lines of credit.
It’s not all about saving money while banking; you’ll also be enrolled in the Chase Private Client Arts & Culture Program. This gives you free admission to museums in cities all over the country. From the Guggenheim in New York to the San Diego Zoo, you can enjoy culturally enriching attractions from coast to coast.
Ready to Join Chase Private Client?
For people with a large amount of savings on hand, that answer could very well be yes. It’s a high entrance qualifier, but the advantages are pretty clear.
Chase Private Client virtually eliminates banking fees. If you need investment advice, J.P. Morgan is there with a plethora of financial guidance.
Personalized banking associates, priority banking services, priority phone services, and other white glove services will appeal to almost everyone. Chase Private Client offers many benefits, and most people would love some personalized attention from their banks.
If you qualify, you should, at the very least, sit down and talk to Chase Private Client banker. You can head into your local branch or go to their website and request that they contact you.
Do you like to sing or practice music in an apartment setting with neighbors right on the other side of shared walls?
Depending on how much sound you make when you practice, you may find yourself on the receiving end of some neighborly, shall we say, feedback – and it’s probably not as much about your performance abilities as the noise level!
So, what can an apartment musician do to satisfy his talent and keep calm in the neighborhood?
This singer shares some tips that may work for you.
The noise you make…
Begin with a bit of awareness, both of yourself and your neighbors.
Use technology to your advantage. Remember that headphones are your friends. You can plug electric instruments directly into an amp and monitor the sound through headphones, disturbing no one! Depending on your instrument, use appropriate sound-dampening methods (mutes for horns, the “quiet” pedal on a piano) that make your playing environmentally-friendly.
At what time of day do you prefer to practice? If you keep your music-making to business hours (9 to 5 or 6 on weekdays, a little later on both ends come the weekend), then your playing likely falls within a reasonably acceptable time window. If you tend to play late in the night, you’ll need to take steps to shield others who perhaps don’t share your passion. Adapting to a less-preferable practice time may be a challenge for a musician, but it’s a necessity when you choose to play at home.
Be aware of where your neighbors might be in their adjacent apartments. With the apartment layout in mind, consider where you play, and try to practice in the right room for noise-making. Does your music room, for instance, share a wall with a neighbor’s bedroom? If so, you might relocate your drum set to a different playing space, especially if you jam in the evening. (Oh, and about drums: these are notoriously difficult to noise-dampen. Think rubber mallets and padding.)
For singers, choose a highly-upholstered room or even a large, yet comfortable, closet. Environments like these can muffle vocal projection, allowing you to sing out with less worry about being an un-neighborly nuisance.
If you play with a band, remember that one plus one plus another equals that much more sound to control!
Musician, know thyself! Consider the kind of music you play. If you play in the style of early, folky Joni Mitchell on acoustic guitar, there may be no issue at all with neighbor noise. But if you plug in a Gibson to play your brand of countrified Nirvana, you might need to make some neighborly concessions. Different musics produce varying sound pressure levels, when performed. Keep in mind that low, deep frequencies carry lots of vibration. Use your instincts and good, common sense to guide your behavior.
Keep conversation channels open and friendly with your neighbors about the noise level. If you remain respectful of neighborly concerns and attempt, within reason, to accommodate them, everyone should be able to get along.
Have a gig coming up? You might offer free tickets to neighbors so they can see what your noisy efforts are working toward!
THINKspot studio space includes soundproofing by Eileen Kane used under CC BY / Text added
What about Soundproofing?
Here’s another angle: why not try to block to the sound of your music-making from getting out to nearby apartment units?
Soundproofing involves placing an object of heavy, dense mass between the sound source and other listeners in order to separate and isolate the two.
While the most effective sound blockers appear to require permanent installation – not ideal for renters, whose leases likely prohibit these changes — products are available to help achieve the effect which are conveniently removable.
An acoustical door or window seal can reduce sound transfer between connected spaces, though changing out an entire door might prove challenging. Consider an acoustical door jamb seal which closes the gap at the bottom of a door.
A company called Audimute offers temporary soundproofing solutions with a clever name, Peacemaker. These are acoustical dampening rugs made of rubber, available in different thicknesses. The company also offers sound absorption sheets, which they describe as “soundproofing blankets,” which reduce volume levels when placed correctly, for example, in windows.
The interestingly-named SoundproofCow sells acoustic panels and other soundproofing materials which could work in an apartment unit. A variety of products can be used to create a space that’s sound-friendly on the inside, but sound-resistant to the outside world.
For a more DIY approach, the use of both egg carton-like foam and heavy camping mats were discussed in online forums on the topic of soundproofing.
If You Can’t Beat ‘Em . . .
There are certainly enjoyable ways to share your music socially.
Consider organizing a concert event. Consult with your landlord or apartment community manager about whether your music might be a good fit for an evening of entertainment at the community pool or in a shared space.
For an alternative away from your apartment, why not join a shared rehearsal space, perhaps at a music store? While this likely wouldn’t be free – and a little less convenient — you’d have the leeway to play without concern for being noisy.
Rock on, friends… just, perhaps, a little more quietly when you’re at home in your apartment!
A beautiful unit just came to market at 500 Waverly, on the corner of Waverly Avenue and Fulton Street — where the neighborhoods of Clinton Hill, Fort Greene, and Prospect Heights all meet.
But if you think location is all this apartment has going for it, you’d be sorely mistaken.
The sun-filled corner unit has both space and views to boast, thanks to its clever layout that maximizes every inch of the apartment, despite its rather modest 690 sq. ft.
The living room has a highly coveted North and West corner exposure with great views of the colorful facades of the original 1930s buildings across Fulton Street and the courtyards of the neighboring buildings of Clinton Street. The living room is large, and spacious enough to have a separate dining table and chairs.
500 Waverly condo. Image credit: DDReps courtesy of COMPASS 500 Waverly condo. Image credit: DDReps courtesy of COMPASS
And if you’re a sneakers buff, then here’s a special treat for you: the 500 Waverly apartment has the most insane sneakers collection!!
Based on the listing photos, we can assume that the current owner sure has a knack for his Nikes and Jordans, and doesn’t want to have them sleeping in a separate room all by themselves, fitting the bedroom with a wall-to-wall display to showcase them.
It doesn’t hurt either that the Drake-worthy shoe collection stands right next to the oversized windows (and 9′ ceilings) that shower it with light, letting us properly appreciate the impressive sneakers collection in all its glory.
500 Waverly condo with an insane sneakers collection. Image credit: DDReps courtesy of COMPASS
While the badass shoe display totally caught my eye, another nifty feature this apartment come with — and a little more practical than the shiny shoe collection — is a 25-year 421A tax abatement that will be keeping monthlies low for future owners.
The unit is part of 500 Waverly, a boutique condo building designed by GKV Architects.
Recently completed in 2017, the stylish 500 Waverly only comes with 48 residences, but has quite the list of amenities, including an entertaining lounge, a second-floor terrace with grills, a landscaped rooftop terrace with jaw-dropping views of the neighboring tree-lined blocks and the Manhattan skyline, a fitness center, bike storage, and fully-automated on-site parking (though that’s not included with the purchase, according to the listing).
To inquire about the property, reach out to agent Frank Suriano with Compass, who holds the listing.
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Moving is a stressful life event in more ways than one, and making new friends is one of the scariest parts of a big relocation. When I moved across the country from Iowa to Oregon, my first big scare was when I realized I didn’t have my best friends to lean on anymore– I was all alone (cue sad music).
What I came to realize, though, is that there really are a lot of easy ways to meet new people in your neighborhood, whether you’ve just moved or you’re simply looking for some new friends to hang out with– it just takes courage, determination, and a few motivational pep talks in the mirror. Here’s how to meet new people in your neighborhood:
1. Suggest After-Work Happy Hour
Some of the first people you’ll meet after relocating are your co-workers, so try getting to know the people you’ll be interacting with every day. Not only will this make work more fun, but you’ll hopefully get to know some similarly minded people who could end up being great friends.
Send out an email or suggest to a few close teammates that you should all go to a nearby happy hour after work. And if you enjoy each other’s company, make it a weekly ritual.
2. Be a Friendly Neighbor
If you’re moving into an apartment, there are dozens of people in your building that could potentially become friends. Say “hello” to anyone you pass in the hall, and introduce yourself personally to those in the apartments adjacent to yours.
Also, if your building hosts any get-togethers or events, make sure you try to take part– you’ll be able to meet even more residents that way!
3. Use Your Dog
I know you love your dog like a child, but that doesn’t mean you can’t use him to meet new people. Take Fido to the dog park and other dog-friendly neighborhood spots where you’re likely to meet some other animal lovers.
If you make a connection, set up a play date. You can even try to connect with other dog owners who live in your building when you take Fido out for a bathroom break.
4. Take Advantage of That Friend of a Friend
Everybody knows somebody who knows somebody who “lives just a few blocks from you.” Take advantage of that!
People are almost always happy to make introductions, and the connection, however roundabout, will be a great icebreaker when you and that friend of a friend hang out for the first time.
5. Volunteer
If you have a cause you love, getting involved is one of the best ways to meet new people with similar values and interests– plus it feels great to spend time helping an organization you care about.
Look for volunteer opportunities in your neighborhood or city, and try to join in whenever you have some free time.
6. Get Online
While you shouldn’t rely on only the Internet to make friends, there are a few good websites that can come in handy when you move to a new neighborhood. Try perusing Meetup.com, which allows users to create groups that meet regularly around the city.
You’ll find groups of singles, volunteers, yogis, photographers, and almost any other type of person you can think of. Look for a group of people doing something you’re interested in, and sign up to get alerts whenever they’re hosting a new meetup.
7. Take a Class or Join a Team
Classes and teams make meeting people easy, especially when they involve group discussions and activities. If you play a sport, look for a league in your neighborhood. If you’ve always wanted to be a comedian, take an improv class.
8. Become a Regular
Is there a coffee shop down the block you can work in or a dive bar that offers amazing drink specials? If there’s a great neighborhood spot nearby, you can bet there will be plenty of neighborhood regulars who frequent the establishment.
Spend a little time there and start conversing with some of the familiar faces you see often– you’ll have at least a few acquaintances in no time.
9. Never Turn Someone Down
Of all the ways to meet new people, the most important is this: Never turn down an invitation if you’re free.
While cozying up in your apartment with Netflix and a pint of Ben & Jerry’s may sound great, if you don’t accept invitations, people may be a little less likely to continue extending them in the future.