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You can enjoy the beauty of Seattle from the comfort of your apartment.

There’s no denying the natural beauty that surrounds Seattle. With so much to soak up outside, it’s important to prioritize the outdoor space in your apartment search. Set aside the need to live close to one of the delicious seafood restaurants in the city, and think about your in-unit amenities.

This list of luxury apartments will give you access to some of the best gardens in Seattle. From professional landscaping to community gardening and more, this list has what you’re looking for if you want to maximize your time outside at home in Seattle.

Source: Rent. / Promenade At The Park

Japanese Maples and a variety of other delicate trees and plants fill the rounded beds in the courtyard at Promenade At The Park. Set on the concrete, stone-encased spots of greenery keep this space feeling open and accessible; you can enjoy a meal or simply take a stroll walk for a peaceful moment of reflection just steps away from your front door.

Located about eight miles from the city center, this Lake City community fits nicely into the park-filled neighborhood. You can keep the chill vibes going from home with stops at a variety of parks and waterfront destinations throughout the area. Matthews Beach is just a stone’s throw away, which is the largest freshwater swimming beach in Seattle.

Source: Rent. / Harbor Steps

While urban views abound around Harbor Steps, you can enjoy a moment of zen surrounded by the greenery that is the interior courtyard. Marked by a few oversized rocks, this space allows you to take a calming moment within an otherwise busy spot of the city, it also doubles as a dog run so you and your four-legged roommate can enjoy this amenity together.

With the Seattle Art Museum across the street, living in the West Edge neighborhood has a variety of advantages. You’re only two blocks from Pike Place Market and are also close to Seattle University. Between these significant spots, you’ll find plenty of places to grab a bite or do some shopping.

Source: Rent. / Maris

Giving off a strong sense of tranquility, the courtyard at Maris combines two essential pieces necessary to make this space work — seating and greenery. While a variety of plants sit in the mulch, two large planters frame the space with their pines and other plant life. On the wood-paneled floor at the center, you’ll find a circle of comfy patio chairs waiting.

Not too far from the heart of Seattle, calling Fairmount Park home means access to some iconic city views. Known for its green spaces, playgrounds and recreation center, this is an ideal spot for those who like to keep active and enjoy spending time outside. One of the highlight locations is Lincoln Park, which also gets you right to the waterfront.

Source: Rent. / Rianna

Check out this great spot at Rianna. It’s elevated off the ground yet still has an undeniable European courtyard vibe. This space is full of small groups of seating, making it easy to gather with friends. Plenty of grass gives you that simple, outdoorsy feeling you may want after a day in the urban jungle. The views aren’t bad either.

With Downtown Seattle just minutes away, this Central District community really puts you in the middle of everything. You can walk to a variety of restaurants, boutiques and exciting nightlife options. The Metro is close by as well, so it’s easy to get around from this comfortable and convenient home base.

Source: Rent. / Urbana Apartments

Transforming the courtyard space into an ideal outdoor grilling/eating spot, Urbana Apartments makes it easy to dine alfresco. Two long tables sit parallel to dueling gas grills alongside ample prep space. This space is intelligently laid out and large enough to comfortably accommodate two groups at a time making it a truly unique amenity in the city.

Along the historic waterfront, you’ll find Adams, a hip neighborhood full of eclectic shops and excellent eateries. Highly walkable, this is an ideal place to live if you like to keep moving once you leave home for the day. From markets to cafes, shops to Salmon Bay, you may even find it hard to narrow down what to do with your free time.

Source: Rent. / Parla Apartments

Aluminum tubs set in perfect rows make up the rooftop garden at Parla Apartments. This community garden is open to all residents, ensuring everyone has easy access to fresh herbs and veggies. With planters full of tall trees on either side, this truly is the ideal place to try your hand at gardening.

With a combination of tree-lined streets and busy thoroughfares, Ballard offers a little bit of everything. There are plenty of shops and restaurants, but you’ve also got Puget Sound, Salmon Bay and North Beach around the perimeter. They give you plenty of excuses to get out on the water for some recreation. You can even see the tip of Mount Rainer from the roof of this stunning apartment community.

Source: Rent. / Alcyone

The greenery that greets you at Alcyone is so robust that it almost forms a complete arch over the entrance. Other potted plants occupy any open space making it truly feel like you’re leaving the city completely behind as you head into your cool Cascade community.

Source: Rent. / Metro on First

With limited space in an apartment, to make your outdoor space sparkle, you need to get up on the roof. At Metro on First, the rooftop space feels like a courtyard with plenty of potted plants and flowers, but it’s the view of Puget Sound that will really get you.

Perfectly situated among shops, restaurants, theaters, museums, parks and art galleries, Queen Anne is one of those neighborhoods that just has everything. This is also where you’ll find Seattle’s most recognizable feature, the Space Needle.

Source: Rent. / Uwajimaya Village

Perfecting the art of Zen, the courtyard at Uwajimaya Village will transport you to a garden in Japan. From the well-lit open-air lounge in the corner to the carefully manicured shrubbery and stone water feature, all the accents come together to create a unified space that’s ideal for relaxation.

Living in the International District of Seattle really does put you close to so much. You can check out the art galleries, cafes and bars in Pioneer Square to start. Then, walk over to Pike Place Market for the freshest of seafood. If you’re a sports fan, you’re also close to Lumen Field for football and T-Mobile Park for baseball.

Source: Rent. / Springline

Accent your cooking perfectly with easy access to a rooftop herb garden at Springline. Large containers hold all different types of herbs, growing in full sun up on the roof. When your next recipe calls for fresh basil or oregano, you won’t have to go to the store to get them.

This West Seattle community is all about the outdoors. You can hang out on Alki Beach, check out Puget Sound or walk and bike at Lincoln Park. This is an ideal area for everyone from hikers to sunbathers, kayakers to cyclists and all those in between. It’s also chock full of casual places to eat, cool coffeehouses and funky shops.

Grab an apartment with one of the best gardens in Seattle

If your next Seattle apartment won’t feel like home without a solid green space, you need this list. Whether you’re relaxing on the roof or cooling off in the courtyard, this is where you’ll find the best gardens in Seattle. Zero in on your perfect place and fill out an application today.

Featured Image Source: Rent. / Uwajimaya Village

Source: rent.com

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We’ve all been there. We’ve walked through those fake mini-apartments inside that giant blue box and suddenly feel like we need to pick up and move to Scandinavia. The appeal of the aesthetic is easy to understand. Design driven furniture that perfectly balances form and function feels fresh, light and livable. The color palettes are typically neutral. Every piece in a room commands its own attention.

These spaces aren’t overwrought. Or crammed with crap you don’t need. The colors, shapes and materials feel timeless. House plants and textiles are used for additional texture and both warmth and life. I’d glad come home to any of the rooms above.

What if you could get design-focused furniture like what we see here, that is high quality, affordable, ships straight to you and easy to assemble? Enter Greycork. The new furniture startup, founded by three graduates of the Rhode Island School of Design caught my eye the second an email about them hit my inbox. Greycork has spent years and hundreds of design iterations working to create classic, well-built pieces you can order online and quickly assemble upon arrival – without any tools. Oh and it all looks dang good too. Everything is made of solid hardwood – baltic birch ashwood and solid ash hardwood. Everything is manufactured in the United States. And sold at prices you can actually afford.

When you’re pulling together your first apartment or looking to create that first essential layer of foundational pieces in a room, it’s always smart to lay a good foundation. Greycork is proving you don’t have to shell out your life savings to do that. That approach looks really good to me.

Here’s how to recreate that refined Scandi-inspired look at home:

SHOP THE LOOK: bowl/ pendant light  / table light / pillows / coffee table / sidetable / hanging plants/ sofa / bookcase

images pic 1 / pic 2 / pic 3

this post is in partnership with greycork. all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. thanks for supporting collaborations we’re excited about and that have kept apartment34’s doors open.

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Source: apartment34.com

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With the New Year approaching, many of us are racking our brains for our next resolutions. Will this be the year I finally do the thing and am happy? Let’s challenge ourselves to set some goals that we can actually meet. Ones that aren’t too ambitious, but are achievable and will bring greater peace to our lives.

Let’s look at 5 New Year’s apartment resolutions we all should be making.

1.) If your belongings aren’t a “heck, yeah,” they’re a “heck, no.”

Minimalistic is all the rage. I bet you have heard variations of this tip. In dating, there’s the rule that if you aren’t SUPER excited about someone and/or they aren’t SUPER excited about you, then what’s the point? Then there’s the KonMari method of asking if your clothes bring you joy (and getting rid of them if they don’t). In both of these, the sentiment remains the same: if things (tangible or otherwise) in your life aren’t wonderful, let them go. In terms of apartment belongings, what are you holding onto? How can you declutter? Is it time to make a move to a new place? What about a new roommate? Ask yourself what feels unnecessary and make changes accordingly.

2.) To reduce clutter, do the tasks that take you under 5 minutes.

I can’t be the only one who doesn’t always make my bed and tends to leave some dishes in the sink. Maybe you are super organized all of the time and don’t need this tip, but if you could minimize the clutter at all in your life, this tip is a simple one. I got it from Gretchen Rubin, a happiness writer. She suggests not putting off tasks that will be quick. For example, if it will take 3 minutes to make your bed in the morning, just do it. If it will take less than 5 minutes to do your dishes before bed, go ahead and get them done. The happiness that comes from these brief tasks outweighs the effort and these small achievements add up!

3.) Create a “zen den” in your space.

I’m crunchy (and admittedly a Buddhist), but my startup recently built a “zen den” during one of our hackathons and it has been cool to see the effect it has on people! A zen den doesn’t need to be an entire room, but it can be a space that is dedicated to slowing down and unplugging for it. We all could use that after the holidays, but even all year round. In my apartment, I’m building a meditation corner with books and trinkets that bring me peace. What will you put in your zen space?

4.) Weigh your food options and experiment to find what works.

There’s a huge upward trend in food delivery. Especially with millennials; more and more value is seen in the ability to buy back time. Weigh different options to bring food into your apartment (and your belly). Is it most practical to go to the grocery store every week and cook your own meals? Should you invest in grocery delivery services like Instacart? Or, have you looked into meal prep services like Blue Apron? Perhaps eating traditional takeout is the lifestyle for you right now. Make an intention to try different methods to see what works for you. I personally like a mix of methods and my crockpot is my best friend.

5.) Improve the aesthetic of one space in your home.

You don’t have to be a Pinterest expert or have a ton of money to spruce up the look of your apartment or house. Feng Shui is a type of interior design that is practiced to bring balance, restoration, and joy to your living space. Some fun examples are: you should be able to see the door from where you sleep and light should fall at the end of your bed from a nearby window. Even simple touches like adding fairy lights to a wall in your place can change the feel of it all.

These are a few resolutions to bring more peace and happiness into our lives this year. Isn’t that what we’re all looking for? What resolutions are you making this year?

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Have you heard about Fetch Rewards? My Fetch Rewards Review will show you how to earn free gift cards by simply snapping a picture of your receipts with your phone. That’s it – Fetch is really that easy!

Fetch Rewards is a cash back and gift card cell phone app that rewards you for purchases that you’ve already made.

With this app, you can scan your grocery receipts (from any grocery store or wholesale club, any time) and earn free gift cards.

Plus, Fetch Rewards is free. You don’t have to pay money to sign up or to use the app.

I will explain more in my Fetch rewards app review, but with Fetch, you earn points when you submit your receipts to the Fetch Rewards app from any grocery store, clothing store, restaurant, gas station, and more. Yes, ANY!

Then, you redeem your points for gift cards (to places such as Target, Amazon, or Apple) and other rewards.

All you have to do is take a picture of your receipt with your cell phone and easily earn points.

Here’s how Fetch Rewards works:

  1. Shop like you normally would
  2. Scan your receipt after you’re done
  3. Earn points on Fetch Rewards

You can sign up for Fetch Rewards here. 

Content related to my Fetch Rewards review:

Fetch Rewards Review

 

What is Fetch Rewards?

I want to start my Fetch Rewards review with some basic information about the company and app. Fetch Rewards is based out of Madison, Wisconsin, and this shopping app has helped millions of people save money with the tap of a button as you simply scan physical and digital receipts.

Every month, over 11,000,000 people use Fetch Rewards. It is super easy to use Fetch and receive free gift cards.

I keep saying it’s simple because it really is! Every time you shop or dine out, you can scan your receipt into the Fetch Rewards app.

You can scan receipts from any grocery store, clothing store, pet store, home improvement store, club store, restaurant, gas station, and more. Basically, anywhere you shop, you can snap a picture of the receipt and scan it into Fetch.

You can even use your digital receipts from online purchases such as Amazon, Target, Instacart, and more by connecting your online accounts.

If you have a receipt, then you can scan it!

You earn points when you submit your receipts, and Fetch pays you in points that you can redeem for gift cards. 

There are many redemption options. Here are some of the places you can receive gift cards from:

  • Starbucks
  • Dunkin Donuts
  • Amazon
  • Target
  • Visa gift cards
  • Airbnb
  • Old Navy
  • Ulta
  • Barnes & Noble
  • Bass Pro Shops
  • Instacart
  • Sam’s
  • BJ’s
  • Best Buy
  • Lowe’s

And so many more!

You can also decide to put your points towards charitable organizations, such as The Red Cross or the Clean Water Fund. You can even use your points to enter sweepstakes in the Fetch app.

Don’t worry, I’ll explain more about how to redeem your points further down in my Fetch Rewards review.

 

How does Fetch Rewards work?

Here’s how Fetch Rewards works:

  1. Sign up and download Fetch Rewards by creating an account or connecting a Google or Facebook account account, and then make a password for your account.
  2. Go shopping like you normally do.
  3. Scan your first receipt and earn points. To do this, you simply go to your Fetch Rewards app and click on the orange circle at the bottom of your screen that says “Snap.” You then take a picture of your receipt. If you have a digital receipt, you can just tap on the blue circle instead.
  4. Redeem your points for gift cards, make charitable donations, enter sweepstakes, and more.

I have personally used Fetch to prepare for my Fetch Rewards review, and I can promise you it’s just that simple!

 

How much can you earn with Fetch Rewards?

The amount you can earn on Fetch Rewards really depends on your spending, whether you are completing the Fetch Special Offers, and so on.

Because I am writing this Fetch Rewards review, I wanted to use the app for a while to give you the best review possible, and I was able to earn around $56 in free gift cards in 2-3 months by simply spending how I normally do. I didn’t put any additional effort in the app other than just scanning my shopping receipts.

As you can see, Fetch Rewards clearly won’t make you rich, but you can easily make a little extra money shopping like you normally do.

I also don’t think that I spent more than 20 minutes total in the Fetch app. It’s easy to use and only takes like 10 seconds to scan a receipt. You don’t have to do anything else.

 

What stores can I use for Fetch Rewards?

The great thing about Fetch Rewards is that you can use any retailer or store where you buy groceries, from big box stores, to mom and pop stores, to drug stores, convenience stores, hardware stores, liquor stores, gas stations, club stores (such as Costco), and more.

With any receipt I get, I scan it into the Fetch Rewards app. It takes less than a minute, and you earn points with every scan – so easy!

Plus, you don’t have to jump through any hoops to get points. You don’t need to pre-select the offers in the Fetch Rewards app or scan barcodes, plus there are no surveys or ads. Simply go shopping at your favorite retailers just like usual.

You simply scan your receipt after you are done shopping and earn points.

 

How many receipts can I scan on Fetch a day?

Fetch Rewards allows you to submit 35 receipts within a 7-day period. Electronic receipts that are processed on your account do not count toward the 35 receipt limit.

Other things to know about using Fetch Rewards:

  • Fetch Rewards works for stores located in the United States and Puerto Rico.
  • You have 14 days to scan your receipts to earn points.
  • When you scan your receipts, your receipt must include the store name, the items that you bought, the date of your purchase, the store’s address, and the total amount that you spent. All of that information is included on your receipt.
  • If you scan a receipt with a participating item from the Special Offers tab, then you will get bonus points.
  • If you have a long receipt, you simply just snap more pictures to make sure that your whole receipt is included.
  • You should never make fake receipts or scan the same receipt twice in order to try and get more points. This violates Fetch’s terms of service. Always be honest!

 

Does Fetch Rewards take gas receipts?

Yes, you can scan your gas receipts with Fetch Rewards.

If you’re looking to earn even more from your gas station purchases, then I recommend Upside.

Upside is an app that helps you find gas stations, groceries, and restaurants where you can earn cash back. You simply sign up for a free account, and then look at the Upside app to find places near you.

You can earn up to $0.25/gallon cash back at gas stations, up to 30% back on grocery purchases, and up to 45% back at restaurants.

You can check out Upside here to learn more.

Fetch Rewards Special Offers

What receipts give you the most points on Fetch?

There are several main ways that you can earn points on Fetch Rewards, such as:

  1. Scanning receipts. When you purchase something, whether it be online or in-person, you can take a picture of your receipt with your cell phone and earn points. Every time you scan a receipt in the app, you will receive a minimum of 25 points.
  2. Complete special offers. When you are logged into your Fetch Rewards account, you can see what products will give you the most points. As you can see in the image above, you simply just go to the Fetch Rewards App and go to the Discover tab. There, you will see what items will earn you the most points and extra points. Special offers can give you anywhere from 250 points to even over 5,000 points. New special offers are added almost every day too, so even if you don’t see something today, there may be something that interests you tomorrow. Now, you don’t have to look at the Discover page if you don’t want to – it’s simply just another way to earn more points. You can just use Fetch Rewards and scan your receipts without ever doing anything else in the Fetch Rewards app.
  3. Refer friends and family. Sometimes, you can receive around 2,000 to 4,000 points by referring a new user. You can simply head to the Refer A Friend tab in the Fetch Rewards app to find your referral code.
  4. Joining the Huggies Rewards+ Club. If you use Huggies diapers, you can earn up to 50,000 points by simply purchasing certain Huggies items, such as Huggies Diapers or Huggies Little Movers. Plus, you can get Huggies special offers points as well which are quite high as well.
  5. Save on prescriptions. With Fetch, you can also save on your prescriptions. GoodRx is a free prescription price comparison tool that anyone can use. Simply head to your “Me” tab and click on GoodRx. You can then show this card when paying for prescriptions. You’ll get 10,000 points on your first prescription purchase, and then 1,500 points for future purchases and refills.

For me, I mainly just scan my receipts and refer others to Fetch Rewards. But if I wanted to earn more, there are several other great ways to increase the amount of rewards points that I can earn.

 

How many points equal a dollar on Fetch?

On average, 1,000 points equals $1 in rewards.

10,000 points is equivalent to around $10.

 

How do I redeem a free gift card from Fetch Rewards?

To redeem a Fetch reward, you will simply go to your Fetch account, and look at the bottom of the app. Look for the Rewards tab and tap on that.

Here, you will see what you can use your points on, such as:

  • Gift cards up to $50
  • Sweepstakes entries
  • Charitable organizations
  • Fetch merchandise, such as t-shirts

Then, you click on the button that shows how many points you want to use.

Next, you click on the orange button that says “Get My Reward” at the bottom.

You will then be asked to confirm that this is what you would like to do. It typically takes around three days to process your redemption request.

Once your reward is ready, you will get a notification. You can then go to your Rewards tab, then click on “My Rewards” to find your reward. Here, you will see your gift card code so that you can redeem your gift card at the company that you have chosen.

What’s the Fetch bonus code?

Fetch Rewards does not currently have an active bonus code. But, once they do, I will update this and let you know.

 

What is the catch with Fetch Rewards? How does Fetch Rewards make money? What does Fetch Rewards do with your receipts?

These are all great questions, and they are definitely things I want to cover in this Fetch Rewards review.

Fetch Rewards is so easy to use, but what’s in it for them? Why do they give out rewards and free gift cards just for scanning your receipts?

Fetch Rewards is paying you for the data they get from your receipt. They don’t see your name or other private or personal information. Instead, they are observing trends in shopper behavior. They then use this information to help their partners better understand their customer’s shopping habits.

Fetch Rewards also makes money by finding good deals for those who are signed up for Fetch Rewards. The Special Offers section in the Fetch Rewards app is an area where companies pay to be featured in this list, sort of like an advertisement. Companies know that they can get a lot of people looking at their company in the Fetch Rewards app, so they pay Fetch Rewards for this advertisement.

 

Is Fetch Rewards safe?

Yes, Fetch Rewards is safe to use.

They go through many steps to protect your personal information, and all of the data that they collect is anonymized and aggregated with everyone else’s, so your personal information is never shown.

Also, your receipts only show the last five digits of your credit card number, so you don’t have to worry about that being shared either because Fetch can’t see it.

 

Do my Fetch Rewards points expire?

If your Fetch Rewards account is not used for 90 days, then your points will expire. Your account will receive inactive status if you haven’t submitted any receipts or redeemed any rewards in a 90-day period.

This means that you just simply need to scan a receipt or redeem your Fetch points so your points never expire. If you get in the habit of scanning your receipts every time you shop, you shouldn’t have a problem with expiring points.

It’s very easy to stay active as pretty much everyone spends money in a 90-day period.

 

Is Ibotta or Fetch better?

Fetch Rewards and Ibotta are very similar.

Fetch Rewards is a little easier to use than Ibotta because all you need to do is scan your receipt into the Fetch Rewards app, and then you are done. With Ibotta, it’s more like clipping coupons and takes a little more time, but you may be able to earn a little more with Ibotta.

The great thing is that you can use the same exact grocery receipt for both Fetch and Ibotta. So if you have the time, you can try using both to earn even more rewards and free gift cards. This will allow you to increase your earnings by doing very little extra work.

Here’s how Ibotta works:

With Ibotta, you simply create an Ibotta account, unlock rebates and rewards, go shopping, verify your purchases, and then get cash.

You can redeem rebates from over hundreds of stores, such as Walmart, Target, Kroger, Publix, Walgreens, Home Depot, Old Navy, Chewy, and more.

You can also earn cash back online and in-store with Ibotta.

Ibotta is one of the easiest money making apps because you’re making money shopping like you normally do. They pay in cash or gift cards to Amazon, Starbucks, and other stores.

 

Is Fetch legit? – Fetch Rewards Reviews

Yes, Fetch Rewards is legitimate.

I looked through other online Fetch app reviews and found it’s rated 4.8/5 in the App Store with over 2,600,000 ratings.

In the Google Play store, the average Fetch app review is 4.6/5 stars with over 475,000 reviews on Fetch rewards and over 10,000,000 downloads.

You can see even more Fetch Rewards reviews on Trustpilot.

 

How do I contact Fetch Rewards?

If you have any questions or concerns with Fetch Rewards, you can contact them at [email protected].

You can also go to your app, click on the “Me” tab on the bottom, then click on “Help Center,” then “Contact Us.”

Here’s a screenshot of my Fetch Rewards Account. In 2 months, I have earned 55,566 points, which is equal to a little over $50 in free gift cards.

My Fetch Rewards Review

I hope you enjoyed my Fetch Rewards review. I have been using it for several months now and it is very easy to use.

Fetch Rewards rewards shoppers for shopping at their local supermarket and other popular retailers.

With Fetch Rewards, you can start earnings points by submitting both physical receipts and e-receipts so that you can turn your points into Amazon gift cards, Visa gift cards, and more. There’s no coupon clipping and it is very easy to use.

Simply just upload receipts that you have and earn Fetch Rewards points.

You can upload receipts from retailers such as Target, Walmart, Costco, Publix, Kroger, Walgreens, Home Depot, and more. Small stores, big stores, and everything in between.

This is a must-have shopping app that will help you to save more money, without spending a lot of extra time or effort on your end.

You can sign up for Fetch Rewards here.

Do you use Fetch Rewards? What other questions do you have for this Fetch Rewards review?

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Source: makingsenseofcents.com

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Moving an existing debt to a credit card usually incurs a charge called a balance transfer fee. Paying it might feel like a penalty, but it could be your ticket to a faster and cheaper debt payoff.

Here’s what you need to know.

What is a balance transfer fee?

A balance transfer fee is the cost you pay to transfer a debt to a credit card. The credit card issuer assesses this fee in exchange for taking on your debt.

A balance transfer fee typically costs between 3%–5% of the transfer amount. Balance transferring a debt of $5,000 at a 5% rate would cost $250. The balance transfer fee is added to the overall balance on the card receiving the transfer. So, using the prior example, you’d owe $5,250 after the transfer was completed.

Balance transfer fees tend to increase with the age of the account, incentivizing you to make a transfer within the first few months of opening the credit card.

🤓Nerdy Tip

The best balance transfer credit cards often require at least good credit to qualify, meaning a FICO score of 670 and above. If good balance transfer cards aren’t available to you, there are still ways to make debt payoff more manageable. Read our tips.

Do all credit cards charge a balance transfer fee?

No, but those cards that waive balance transfer fees are rare. You’ll have better luck finding a no-balance-transfer-fee credit card through a credit union rather than a major card issuer like American Express or Barclays. However, to be eligible for a credit card from a credit union, you need to be a member of that credit union. Membership may be contingent upon employment status or proximity to one of the credit union’s branches, so not everyone will have access to the credit union and its financial products.

Some Capital One cards don’t charge a balance transfer fee — but only if you transfer a balance at the current transfer annual percentage rate, or APR. If you take advantage of a promotional balance transfer APR — say, 0% APR on balance transfers for 15 months — Capital One would charge a balance transfer fee. Most people will benefit far more from a lengthy interest-free period rather than a waived one-time fee.

🤓Nerdy Tip

Each major credit card issuer has its own rules about the types of debts that may be transferred to a credit card. For example, Chase only allows balance transfers of credit card debt whereas Barclays accepts transfers of any loan, including personal loans and student loans. Read about each issuer’s policies.

When is a balance transfer fee worth it?

Moving a debt to a credit card to obtain a lower interest rate can save hundreds or thousands of dollars in interest. So, you’ll likely make up the cost of the balance transfer fee, and then some, through the transfer.

Consider the previous example of transferring $5,000 at a 5% rate for a $250 fee. Let’s say you moved the $5,000 to a card with a 0% APR on balance transfers for 18 months, and you pay the entire debt off before the promotional 0% period ends. Total debt paid off: $5,250.

That same $5,000 debt on a card with a 20% APR would rack up $82.85 in interest in just one month. (This number assumes that no payments and no additional purchases are made on that credit card.) As long as any part of that $5,000 isn’t paid off, the issuer will continue to charge interest on the remaining balance.

Use our calculator to determine how much interest your debts are costing you to decide if a balance transfer to a credit card can save you money.

Source: nerdwallet.com

Apache is functioning normally

This article originally appeared at I Will Teach You to Be Rich in a slightly different format.

Finding a job can be tough. Competition is fierce, and even if you’ve got the skills, it’s a challenge to make yourself known to the right people. According to Michael Hampton, Director of Career Development at Western Oregon University, informational interviews are a valuable networking technique that can give you an edge on your competition.

The informational interview is designed to help you choose or refine a career path. You can learn how to break in and find out if you have what it takes to succeed. Spending time with one of your network contacts in a highly focused conversation will provide you with key information you need to launch or boost your career.

An informational interview is not the same as a job interview. It’s an opportunity to find out more about a particular career or company. These sorts of interviews can be valuable for anyone, not just those looking for a new job. You might consider this approach if:

  • You’re a recent graduate exploring possible career opportunities.
  • You have an established career, but would like to discover what it might be like to work for another company.
  • You feel as if you’ve done as much as you can in your current job and are interested in changing fields.

By meeting with somebody experienced in the field you’re considering, you can find out more about what the work is really like, about how much it pays, and about the drawbacks.

The First Rule

Before you begin seeking informational interviews, it’s important to understand a couple of rules:

  1. The first rule of informational interviews is: do not ask for a job.
  2. The second rule of informational interviews is: do not ask for a job.

If you meet with somebody under the pretenses of gathering information and you attempt to turn the encounter into a job application, you’re just going to make her angry. If, after the interview is finished, she thinks you’re promising and she has a position available, she’ll contact you. Do not ask for a job.

Conducting the Informational Interview

Your first step is to find people with jobs that look intriguing. Once you’ve identified some likely candidates, prepare a simple phone script to make sure you get everything you need in your initial contact. It can be helpful to approach the informational interview as if you were a reporter. Pretend you’re gathering information for a news story. This can help calm your nerves. Make sure to adhere to the following guidelines:

  • Ask politely. If the person declines the interview, respect her boundaries. If she accepts, select a time and location that works for both of you. (Phone interviews are fine.) Confirm the time and location.
  • Be prepared. Dress appropriately. Be punctual. Do your homework — learn what you can about the company from trade magazines, press releases, and past (and present) employees. Research will allow you to skip questions that could have been easily answered via another source. You want to use this opportunity to ask more intelligent, relevant questions.
  • Listen. Be ready with a list of open-ended questions. Let the interviewee talk about herself. Good questions include:
    • “What is your typical day like?”
    • “What do you like most (and least) about your job?”
    • “How does your company differ from its competitors?”
    • “What is the future like for this industry?”
  • Take notes. Remember that you’re conducting this interview to gain insight into a possible career. Write down anything that might be important. Ask follow-up questions.
  • Be brief. Keep track of time. Don’t rush the interview, but don’t overstay your welcome, either. If you’ve done your homework, you know which questions to ask. Get the information you need in a timely fashion, and then let the person return to her workday. Pay attention to signals that it’s time to leave.

Don’t forget to send e-mail or a brief hand-written note to thank the person for taking time out of her day to meet with you.

Informational interviews aren’t just for job seekers. You can use them to locate mentors or to pick the brains of experts on a favorite subject. I’m preparing to write a book, for example, and have been fortunate to find half a dozen authors who have been willing to take time to describe their experience with the publishing process.

Further Reading

If you’d like more information on this subject, follow this inter-related web conversation:

Although the primary rule of the informational interview is to never ask for a job, there is an exception. Says Western Oregon University’s Michael Hampton:

If you discover a job that you want to apply for during the interview, wait. The next day, call the employer and tell your contact that the informational interview not only confirmed your interest in the field, but made you aware of a position that you would like to formally apply for.

The best part about the informational interview? Few people use them. Add this weapon to your arsenal, and you’ll have an advantage on everyone else who’s out there looking for a job.

Source: getrichslowly.org

Apache is functioning normally

Consumers expect mortgage rates to drop, so they’re feeling a lot more optimistic about the housing market, according to a Fannie Mae FNMA poll published Monday.

After the U.S. Federal Reserve’s rate increase last week, the Fed Chair signaled a potential pause in hikes. Rates dipped after the news, and economists are expecting mortgage rates to gradually decline over the course of this year, and into 2024.

Consumers…

Source: marketwatch.com

Apache is functioning normally

Posted on: June 14, 2018

The busy summer season is here. The housing market tends to pick up during the summer, but with how hot the housing market has been lately, it’s hard to imagine things moving quicker.

With how predictable the housing market has been during the summer during recent years, it would be easy to guess that 2018 won’t be any different. However, the current housing market is in a much different environment than it was just a few years ago.

There are plenty of home buyers and homeowners looking to either buy or sell this summer – and it could end up being an excellent decision for both.

Here are housing trends to know for this summer:

Click to check current VA rates.

A hot housing market

The housing market has been on fire lately with home prices rising across the country. While some markets have been slower than others, the overall sentiment is that this is an incredibly strong housing market.

Because the summer is generally the busiest time of the year, there should be no reason to expect anything different. Home buyers are more active in the summer for a variety of reasons, regardless of how strong the housing market is.

For home buyers in some of the hotter markets, don’t expect a huge pickup. The strongest markets don’t have much room for growth at the moment, so you should be prepared for more of the same.

Rising home prices – but not too high

Home prices have been rising steadily for years now, and they should continue to do so.

The price of homes is largely dictated by how much home buyers are willing to pay. Since the demand for housing is high, home buyers will be willing to spend more money than they were just one year ago.

That being said, home price growth might slow down in a lot of markets. According to the Case-Shiller Home Price Index, home prices across the nation rose by 6.53% year over year from March of 2018 to this year. That’s incredibly quick growth, especially considering it includes smaller markets.

That type of growth is not sustainable and it shouldn’t continue. While home prices will rise this summer, it will likely be by a smaller margin.

Check today’s VA rates.

Low housing inventory

This probably isn’t news to anyone who has been looking to buy a home for the past few years.

The national housing shortage is real, and home buyers – particularly those in dense urban areas – have been having a difficult time finding affordable housing.

Unfortunately for home buyers, this trend should continue to persist through the summer. The demand for housing typically jumps during the summer, but there’s no guarantee that housing supply will match the increase.

The good news is that housing inventory is likely becoming less of an issue. Toward the end of 2018 and going into 2019, don’t be surprised if homes stay on the market longer.

Higher mortgage rates

With economic growth occurring across the country, it would be nearly impossible to avoid higher mortgage rates.

Just last month, Freddie Mac reported that mortgage rates hit their highest average levels of the past three years. Rates are nearing even higher levels, and they should set record highs for 2018 multiple times throughout the summer.

The rise in rates is mostly fueled by an optimistic outlook on the market. The Federal Reserve has been raising rates, and this has affected every market – housing included.

Higher rates don’t always occur during the summer – in both 2016 and 2017, mortgage rates steadily declined from April through August, only to start to climb right after.

2018 is already breaking that trend. Since the beginning of April, mortgage rates are up roughly 20 basis points (0.20%). With the way the economy is moving, rates should continue to climb this summer.

VA loans continue to be the best mortgage program

While some home buyers might become worried about the cost of buying a house this summer, VA loans will continue to make it easier for veterans to purchase a home.

VA loans have consistently had the lowest rates available. According to mortgage software company Ellie Mae, the average VA loan in April had a rate of 4.63%, as compared to 4.84% for FHA and 4.80% for conventional.

Also, VA home buyers can avoid paying a downpayment entirely, something that should help them afford a home despite rising home costs.

This summer, there’s no reason to believe VA loans won’t continue to be the best mortgage program available. Anyone who is eligible and wants to buy a home this summer will likely want to use a VA loan.

Click to check current VA rates.

Source: militaryvaloan.com