Disney World and Disneyland are some of the most well-known landmarks in the United States. Even if you’re not a fan of its animated films, Disney’s property runs the gamut from Marvel movies to the Star Wars universe.
You’ll find characters from many of Disney’s hits at the theme parks, though exactly what rides you’ll encounter and whom you’ll meet will vary depending on where you go.
Let’s look at Disneyland versus Disney World, including tickets, resorts, locations and attractions.
The main difference between Disneyland vs. Disney World is …
Disneyland comprises two theme parks and three hotels, while the Walt Disney World Resort complex includes four theme parks, two water parks, 31 hotels and a golf course.
Disneyland vs. Disney World location
Disneyland is in Anaheim, California. It’s 35 miles from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), though traveling to the park can take a while because of traffic.
If you’re flying in, there are other airport options in the Los Angeles area, including:
John Wayne Airport (SNA).
Long Beach Airport (LGB).
Ontario International Airport (ONT).
Walt Disney World, meanwhile, is in Orlando, Florida. Its nearest airport is Orlando International Airport (MCO), which is about 16 miles away from the resort.
Disneyland vs. Disney World theme parks
Disneyland and Walt Disney World have two very different vibes, in part because of the theme parks each contains.
Disneyland Resort
Disneyland is the first theme park Walt Disney opened, doing so in 1955. Inside, the park features nine distinct lands, all of which include different theming and attractions:
Disneyland lands
Adventureland.
Critter Country.
Fantasyland.
Frontierland.
Main Street, U.S.A.
Mickey’s Toontown.
New Orleans Square.
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
Tomorrowland.
Disney California Adventure is the second theme park within the Disneyland Resort. Just across the walkway from Disneyland, this park is home to a more adult atmosphere than its sibling. You’ll find bigger rides, such as a looping roller coaster and a drop tower, as well as far more opportunities for purchasing alcohol.
Walt Disney World Resort
Walt Disney World debuted in 1971, roughly 16 years after Disneyland’s launch. Clear across the country, Disney World is far larger than Disneyland — and its four theme parks reflect this.
Magic Kingdom: Built similarly to Disneyland Park, Magic Kingdom offers a central hub ringed by different lands. These are much the same and include Fantasyland, Adventureland and Tomorrowland, among others.
Epcot: The second of Walt Disney World’s parks, Epcot focuses on two things: world culture and the future. This can be seen from rides such as Mission: Space, which simulates a trip to Mars. It can also be seen via the World Showcase, whose 11 pavilions highlight global food and culture.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios: With a focus on the movie and film aspects of Disney’s property, this park has attractions such as Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, Toy Story Land and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom: A wholly unique park in that it blends live attractions, such as a safari, with more standard fare like roller coasters.
Walt Disney World vs. Disneyland tickets
Disneyland and Walt Disney World tickets start at a similar price range: Disneyland’s tickets start at $104 for a one-day ticket, while Walt Disney World’s tickets begin at $109 per day.
However, Walt Disney World tickets will vary in price according to demand no matter what type of ticket you’re purchasing; this is true for single-day and multiday tickets. For example, a four-day ticket for a visit in late August will cost $485.
At Disneyland, multiday tickets are a fixed price. You’ll be able to visit anytime and pay the same cost, no matter how busy it is. A four-day ticket to visit Disneyland costs $395.
Both theme parks offer annual passes, though a Disneyland Magic Key pass is more costly than one for Walt Disney World. For 2023, a top-tier Inspire Key Pass for Disneyland will run $1,599 — and that pass still includes blockout dates.
Walt Disney World’s most expensive annual pass is the Disney Incredi-Pass, which costs $1,399 and allows you access to all of its parks every day of the year.
Walt Disney World vs. Disneyland resorts
The Walt Disney World and Disneyland resorts have their own hotels on property. However, Disneyland’s options are much more scarce than Walt Disney World’s. Within Disneyland, you’ll find just three options from which to choose, with price points that vary based on luxury.
At Walt Disney World, there are a whopping 31 on-site hotels. All of these feature incredible theming — such as overwater villas — and also run the gamut for pricing depending on where you stay.
Is Disneyland or Disney World better?
Which is better, Disneyland or Disney World? The one you prefer is going to come down to the type of vacation you enjoy. Because Disneyland is so much smaller, it’s easier to pack more into your day. This also means it’s possible to explore everything within the Disneyland Resort within a couple of days.
Walt Disney World has twice as many theme parks as Disneyland but also has other activities, which means that if you’d like to thoroughly explore the resort, it can easily take you more than a week to do so.
Walt Disney World and Disneyland feature theme parks with rides, characters and classic Disney favorites, but at their heart, they’re distinct. Before visiting either of these theme parks, you’ll want to do some research to see which is right for you.
Disneyland is smaller, features fewer theme parks and hotels and costs less than Walt Disney World. Walt Disney World is a sprawling complex that encompasses four theme parks, more than two dozen hotels and other attractions to boot.
(Top photo courtesy of Disneyland Resort)
How to maximize your rewards
You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2023, including those best for:
From rent to the security deposit to utilities to the million other costs and living expenses involved, renting an apartment is an expensive endeavor. Saving up enough to afford everything can seem like a daunting task, especially if you’re not good with savings or it’s your first apartment. But fear not. This complete guide to budgeting for an apartment will give you a framework to follow, allowing you to easily start budgeting and reach your financial goals.
How to budget for apartment expenses in 5 easy steps
While there are all sorts of ways to save, creating or following a budget system will help keep you accountable, motivated and consistent. Here’s how to create a budget and start setting aside money for your apartment. These easy-to-follow steps will help everyone, whether you have to budget for your first apartment and you’re doing this process for the first time or you’re a seasoned renter.
1. Figure out your monthly income
The first step is to determine where you stand financially. While annual income is important, it’s your monthly income that matters the most. This is what dictates how much you can afford to pay in rent and for other necessities.
Looking at your pay stubs or paychecks, you’ll be able to determine your take-home pay. Your take-home pay is different than your gross income because your employer has already deducted things like income tax, payroll tax and social security.
If you’re only paid once a month, you can easily identify how much you make each month. If you get your paycheck every other week, you’ll need to add up your monthly paychecks.
This process is usually easiest for salaried employees, as they get paid a set amount for each pay period. Hourly employees may need to create a rough average of how much they make each month.
2. Determine your monthly expenses
Then, calculate your monthly costs. These are living expenses you’ll pay on a monthly basis like rent, utilities, renter’s insurance, health insurance, food and more.
It’s OK if you don’t have exact figures for all these expenses. If you’re still apartment hunting, you can sub in the average rent for the city or area. You can also estimate things like food. Err on the side of caution and make your expenses higher than you expect.
3. Subtract your expenses from your income to determine what’s left
After determining how much you make and then spend each month, deduct your monthly expenses from your income.
If your projected expenses are higher than your income, you’ll need to go back and see where you can cut costs. Likely, it means you’ll need to spend less on rent.
4. Calculate what you can afford to pay in rent
You should only spend 30 percent of your income each month on rent. Most landlords also require that your income be three times more than the rent. Using your income and expenses, you can calculate how much you should spend on rent using our rent calculator.
5. Choose a budgeting system that works for you
As you start this budgeting process, you’ll find that there are tons of different budgeting methods and systems out there. If this is your first time having to budget for an apartment, you may need to try several different systems before finding the one that works for you.
Nowadays, many people enjoy using budgeting apps to track their savings. These are great options because most are affordable and easy to use, and there are tons of different apps to try. Apart from apps, other popular budget methods include the envelope method and the pay-yourself-first method. But lots of people swear by the 50/30/20 budget method.
The 50/30/20 budget rule
If you’re looking for a monthly budget system that helps you consistently build savings while still covering all your needs with a little extra money left over for fun, the 50/30/20 method is a great apartment budget option.
It essentially works like this. You divide your monthly income into three sections. Fifty percent goes to needs or necessities. These can include paying monthly rent on your current apartment, renter’s insurance, paying the electric bill and other utilities and other essential needs. If you’re saving toward your first apartment budget and still live at home, the costs for your monthly needs probably aren’t too high.
Once you’ve paid for your needs, you still have 50 percent left over. Thirty percent should go toward wants. These are things you want but don’t necessarily need, like streaming services or dining out.
The remaining 20 percent gets automatically put away as savings. This budget ensures you pay for all the things you need and want while still consistently saving toward a goal. If you don’t have a ton of needs or wants, you can put more toward savings. The 50/30/20 rule serves as a framework and you can customize the savings and wants categories how you like. But always make sure that you cover your “needs,” like paying rent.
4 things to budget for when renting an apartment
Your apartment budget should cover the following:
Rent
When moving into an apartment, obviously you’ll need to pay the first month’s rent at move-in time. Some landlords also require that you pay for the last month’s rent upfront, as well.
Security deposit
Your budget needs to include the security deposit, which is usually the same amount as one month’s rent. In total, you need three months’ worth of rent saved before moving in.
Some landlords charge a pet deposit for pets, as well.
Utilities
It’s a good idea to budget for the first months’ worth of utility bills, as well. That includes electricity, water, natural gas, internet, sewer and garbage.
You can save money by finding an apartment complex that includes utilities. Apartment complexes that cover even some utilities like electricity or water are useful money-saving tools. Otherwise, you’ll be paying directly to the utility companies for everything and it adds up.
Miscellaneous fees and costs
On top of all that, you’ll also need to budget for the myriad other expenses that come with renting an apartment. That includes everything from application fees to cleaning supplies to actually furnishing the place. If you’re moving out and this is your first apartment budget, this handy checklist covers many of the things you’ll need.
You’ll also need to budget for moving costs like a moving truck or packing supplies. Sometimes, you can keep moving costs low if you don’t have a ton of stuff or aren’t moving far. But, if you have heavy furniture or are moving to a new city, you may have to pay for professional movers.
Renting an apartment also comes with the occasional additional fee or unexpected expense. It’s recommended to save more than you initially budgeted for to avoid nasty surprises.
What is a good budget for an apartment?
Along with the 50/30/20 rule, the 30 percent rule is a good rule of thumb for when you’ve moved into your apartment. As some monthly expenses like the cost of food can vary, the monthly rent will be one constant. You can use it as a set amount around which to anchor a budget.
Essentially, the 30 percent rule is that you should only spend 30 percent of your income each month on rent. This ensures you have 70 percent of your monthly take-home available for spending on other expenses like food.
How much money should you have saved when moving into an apartment?
There’s no straight answer about exactly how much money you need to save for your new apartment. The amount varies depending on factors like location and the cost of the rent. That’s why you’ll need to use the above steps to personalize the budget to your needs. If you’d like a rough estimate, check out this article about how big you should get your apartment savings.
If you’re saving for your first apartment, it’s always better to overbudget and save even more. On top of rent and other apartment living costs, you’ll need to actually furnish and outfit your apartment for living.
7 ways to save money for your apartment
Here are some other ways you can boost your budget.
1. Downsize
Smaller apartments like studio or one-bedroom apartments are generally more affordable and less expensive than bigger apartments. Plus, it’s always a good idea to live slightly below your means so you can constantly save money and not live paycheck-to-paycheck.
2. Have roommates
If you’re saving toward a two-bedroom apartment but it’s stretching your budget too much, add a roommate to the mix! Living with roommates cuts expenses down and opens the door to creating wonderful memories.
3. Don’t live near the city center
Beware the siren call of the city center. The cost of rent will nearly always be higher closer to the city center, especially in big cities. The promise of living just steps from big city amenities like dining and shopping is strong, but it’s better to live further away in a more affordable housing situation. On the plus side, you’ll have more money to enjoy those urban perks!
4. Set up a separate savings account
If you have the issue of constantly dipping into your savings account, set up a separate bank account. That way, the temptation to touch it is gone.
5. Reduce wasteful spending
While saving, cut back on unnecessary spending so you have extra cash to put toward your budget. Dine out less, cancel subscriptions you don’t need or use and the like. Have cable but don’t use it? Call the cable company and cancel. How about that gym membership you don’t actually use? It’s gone.
You can always take up those habits or wants-based spending again when you reach your goal.
6. Find bargains and deals to spend less
While saving toward an apartment, there are some things you still need to spend money on, like food. You still have to eat and food costs money. You still have to commute to work or get around for errands. But there are ways you can spend less on these activities and items.
For groceries, you can shop at bargain supermarkets, use coupons or buy cheaper, generic brands. Instead of driving everywhere and paying expensive gas prices, take public transportation.
You can also go thrifting or hit up garage sales for bargains and deals on big-ticket items. Need a new coffee table? Skip IKEA and hit up the local Goodwill. How about a couch? Check area neighborhoods for who’s having a garage sale.
7. Keep saving
Even after you’ve reached your goal and moved in, keep adding money to your savings. When the time comes for you to move again or upgrade apartments, you’ll already have a head start. You’re also prepared in the event you need a cushion in case of rent increases.
Whether it’s your first apartment or 10th, budgeting is easy with these tips and steps
It doesn’t matter if you’re a first-time renter or have been renting apartments for years. Creating and sticking to a budget is an important part of the rental process. Not only does it help you get a new place to live, but it teaches good financial practices you can use in other areas of your life. Above all, make a savings plan and stick to it.
Can you think of a movie in your collection that seemed like a good pick at the time, but now that you’re looking back, it hasn’t aged well? Not surprisingly, this is common—not least because our tastes and expectations change over time. We forgive classic films for their outdated elements due to cultural nostalgia and appreciate them despite those flaws. But some movies aren’t just old classics that we’ve gotten over, or don’t love anymore; some movies really aged poorly and don’t hold up with time. Let’s explore ten movies that just didn’t age well!
1. The Last Exorcism 2
Photo Credit: Studio Canal.
One Redditor posted, “The Last Exorcism, made obsolete by The Last Exorcism 2.”
Another user added, “2 Last 2 Exorcist.”
One user also replied, “I just watched the trailer. I was hoping it would be another movie with the same premise—a skeptic trying to expose exorcisms as a sham—since that’s what the title is alluding to, but instead, it’s just following Nell into adulthood and a traditional demon-wants-to-possess-main-character storyline, and a conventional manner of filming; it looks like there’s no post-modern meta & self-awareness with a camera crew or layers of reality/perception like the first one. What a disappointment. “
“The Penultimate Exorcism. Or, ‘The Last Exorcism: The Rehearsal’,” one user concluded.
2. Never Been Kissed
Photo Credit: 20th Century Fox.
One user shared, “Never Been Kissed. Drew Barrymore posing as a teenager and having a relationship with the teacher who gets MAD when he finds out she’s not a teenager and is his age, then we’re just supposed to smooth it over at the end.”
Another added, “Yeah, but the way they spoofed it in Not Another Teen Movie was hilarious.”
One commenter replied, “Which ironically actually stands the test of time fairly decently.”
3. Blazing Saddles
Photo Credit: Warner Bros Pictures.
One sharer posted, “22yrs old, and in that time, I can’t think of any that are anywhere near as good as it. It’s on the level of Blazing Saddles and Airplane for me.”
One added, “And they went R-rating with it too. Cue the [unclothed] foreign exchange student gal getting mad when another girl shows up at a party [also unclothed]: “Ugh, she stole my outfit!”
Another one responded, “My favorite line from the party is when the girl who fell in the pool gets out and has a glass of water thrown on her. Then, in the background, someone says, “Ooh, that’s gonna leave a stain!”
4. Passengers (2016)
Photo Credit: Columbia Pictures.
One Redditor posted, “Passengers fits this description 100%.”
Another added, “I know this is said a lot, but that film would’ve been the perfect horror movie if you followed Jennifer Lawrence’s perspective from the start.”
5. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures.
One user posted, “Benjamin Button.”
Another added, “Are you crazy? Dude looked 7 when he was 80!”
One user also replied, “That movie was weird and gross when the baby looked about 80. Then the baby died. I really didn’t like that. So for me, it’s a see once but not again.”
Another user responded, “I kind of felt like he should have ended up a man-sized baby rather than shrinking down.”
6. 40 days and 40 Nights
Photo Credit: Miramax Home Entertainment.
One Redditor shared, “40 days and 40 Nights. No one lives like that in San Francisco or works at a tech firm designing websites to make money like that… But most importantly, that ending would not fly. Victim blaming when [his ex-girlfriend takes advantage of him]??? It’s just so wrong.”
Another responded, “Seriously, he literally wakes up [with someone taking advantage of him] while tied down, and it’s HIS fault??”
“Also, given the rules of Lent, the guy could totally [be intimate] on Sundays and still follow Lent. There are 46 days between Ash Wednesday and Easter. Sundays aren’t counted for the Lenten sacrifice,” one commenter replied.
7. The Blue Lagoon
Photo Credit: Columbia Pictures.
One Redditor shared, “The Blue Lagoon.”
Another replied, “Wasn’t there a string of movies where Shields was underage and underdressed? I even remember a George Burns movie she was in that did that.”
One user confirmed, “Bruh. Here are a couple of quotes [from an article about when she was 12], although basically, the entire article is these quotes:
‘She’s the hottest new young thing in movies since a smoldering preteen named Elizabeth Taylor stiffened up Louie Mayer’s cigar…’
‘Unlike pugnacious Jodie Foster or puerile Tatum O’Neal, she’s the delicious stuff of teenage fantasies become flesh: barely old enough to want, but too young to get.’
‘By day, she was the face that sold. But, at night, she was the princess of… dreams.’
‘Producers literally held their breath, waiting for the remarkable Brooke shields to reach a reasonable age of [consent]…’
…Edit… This is getting a little traction, so I just wanted to offer that I don’t know if this is a satire or not. I am not even sure of the article’s origin or its publisher… if it is satire, it’s pretty brilliant since we are all here cringing at it, but I don’t have any info one way or the other.”
8. Revenge of the Nerds
Photo Credit: 20th Century Fox.
One user posted, “Revenge of the Nerds.”
One Redditor added, “I mean, who hasn’t worn a mask to trick a girl into [being] with you?”
Another user replied sarcastically, “The worst part is it’s alright because it was really [just taking advantage]. So remember folks [taking advantage] is fine as long as she enjoys it.”
Another user replied, “That might be one of the worst sentences I’ve ever read, and applies to a lot more media than it ever should.”
9. Scream 3
Photo Credit: Dimension Home Video.
One user posted, “Scream 3 and it’s plotline of a movie producer who assaulted young actresses. Miramax (i.e. Harvey Weinstein) made that movie.”
One commenter added, “Harvey Weinstein was one of the executive producers of the film. It is said that the film was nothing more than an attempt by Wes Craven to expose everything that was underneath.”
“In which case, it has aged extremely well post-MeToo. Not sure why OP thinks this ‘aged poorly’,” another user replied.
Source: Reddit.
Image Credit: Shutterstock – Denis Makarenko
Who is one actress you can never stand watching, no matter their role? After polling the internet, these were the top-voted actresses that people couldn’t stand watching.
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These 7 Celebrities are Genuinely Good People
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
We’ve all heard the famous adage that “no publicity is bad publicity,” and while it tends to be accurate, there are certainly exceptions. But what about those few stars who stay out of the limelight and get along without a hint of trouble?
These 7 Celebrities are Genuinely Good People
Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Have you ever known someone and thought you liked them—until you learned about their hobbies? Then you get to know them and then you’re like, “Wow, red flag.” Well, you’re not alone.
These 10 Activities Are an Immediate Red Flag
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
Some celebrities definitely seem to enjoy the limelight and keep working to stay in the public eye. While others quickly move out of the spotlight. Many of these actors and actresses stepped out of the spotlight to live a more private life without constant media pressures.
10 Celebrities That Made the Big Times Then Disappeared Off The Face of the Earth
Image Credit: Troma Entertainment
We’ve all been there – sitting through a movie that we can’t help but cringe at, but somehow it still manages to hold a special place in our hearts.
These 10 Terrible Movies Are Still People’s Favorites
When I was younger, it was so much more difficult to make money as a kid than it is today. While that wasn’t so great for the kids of my generation, it is making life a lot easier for my own children.
My parents did a pretty good job of teaching my brothers and me financial responsibility. But, I learned as an adult that there were actually quite a few gaps in my financial knowledge base. As parents, we can only teach what we know. So, if there is something I don’t know about finances and money, I am much more tenacious in my education now.
I want my children to be more financially savvy than I was at their age. A big part of this education has been teaching them how to make some extra money, even when they’re young.
What’s Ahead:
In-person ways to make money as a kid
Source: Pressmaster/Shutterstock.com
For younger kids, ages six and up, making money can be a little more difficult. But, most kids have a fantastic social media network to pull from. And they have their parents to back them up and help them find money-making opportunities.
Anything your child decides to do to make money should be run by you first. After all, kids can’t get to a lot of these odd jobs without their parents’ consent, or transportation.
Babysit. If your child is interested in babysitting even at the age of 10-12, then you, as the parent, can help find them babysitting gigs through your friends and neighbors. That way you are comfortable with the house your child will be left alone at. Sometimes what is needed is a mother’s or father’s helper, so your child would not even necessarily be alone.
Create a yard sale. Helping your kids go through their old clothes, shoes, and toys is a great way to help your kid make money. Have them set up a yard sale and whatever money they make they get to keep.
Have your kids work for your small business. If you are self-employed and have any tasks your children can help you with, then you can pay them to do so. The tasks can vary by age. But even younger children can help with things such as sorting and shredding mail.
Organize people’s stuff. If your 11 or 12-year-old child has an eye for organizing, then they may be able to offer this service to others. You’ll need to help them find people that will let them organize for them, with your assistance, of course.
Walk dogs. Walking dogs is something that most kids love doing, and most adults could use help with. Plus, if the two of you can do it together, then you both get some fresh air and exercise also.
Wash cars. If your child is younger, they can offer to wash the neighbor’s cars. Once they get older and can legally work with a work permit, some car washes might be willing to hire them.
Water plants. Help your child find families that are vacationing, work long hours, or are elderly and just could use a helping hand with their plants.
Yard work. Yard work is something most of us need help with regularly. If you are willing to loan out your yard equipment to your kids, then this could be a great money-making opportunity for them in your neighborhood. Not to mention, it’s just easy money.
Selling t-shirts. Designing and selling t-shirts together has never been easier than it is today. You don’t need a graphic designer and a screen printer anymore. There are plenty of websites geared towards creating your own t-shirts, marketing them, and selling them such as Shopify, Zazzle, Teespring, CafePress, and more.
Become a product flipper to their peers. One of my stepchildren has been flipping candy and shoes to his school and neighborhood peers. If your child has a good eye for a deal, then this may be a good money-making option for them.
Read more: How to make the most money from your garage sale
Online ways to make money as a kid
If your child is digitally savvy, then they may be more inclined to find ways to make money online instead. Either way, your child should ask your permission before they embark on ways to make money. Since they are minors, they need parental permission to engage in these activities.
Take online surveys. I love taking online surveys and so do my kids! These can be a lot of fun, and since the kids are on their devices more often than not, they might as well be making some money at the same time. Some of our favorite online survey sites are Swagbucks and MyPoints.
Create illustrations. If your child likes to create illustrations, then they could make some money with this skill. Get them a decent illustrating tablet and intuitive software (I suggest Clip Studio Paint Pro) and they will be on their way. A great website to have them set up a portfolio on is Deviantart.
Make crafts or jewelry to sell online. If your child loves to create jewelry and crafts, then selling them online may be a great way for them to make money as a kid. The most popular website for things of this nature currently is Etsy.
Make YouTube videos. Our kids today are technology savvy, right? YouTube is a platform where some decent money can be made if your child loves to create videos. Kids can be product testers and make videos of them testing out products from different companies. Even if your kid just wants to make videos talking about particular subjects (video games, how-to-videos, etc.), they can place ads in their videos to start generating income. As a parent, however, you should be monitoring this money-making avenue closely.
Sell their old stuff online. There are many different platforms for your kids to sell their old stuff online. Some of our favorites are eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, Poshmark, and Amazon.
Start a blog. If your child loves to write, starting a blog at a young age could potentially help your kids get to the point of monetization by the time they could really use it. Writing a blog can be a lot of fun, but it can take a while to start making money with a blog. So this could be more of a longer-term goal that kids can grow into over the years.
Start taking photographs. Taking photographs can be a great way to put your child’s hobby to good use. Some of the best sites that might be willing to pay them for their photographs are EyeEm, Foap, and Scoopshot.
Streaming. If your child is already big into watching streamed live content, then it may be time for them to start creating their own. Live streaming through Twitch is a great way to get them started.
Selling digital goods. Creating an ebook or a course is a great way to begin selling digital goods with very little overhead.
Making music. If your child has a musical ear, then this may just be the money-making genre for them. One of the best places to get started is Spotify.
Create games. One of my children is huge into video games and is always coming up with ways for the games to be better. If this sounds like your child, then it may be time to investigate creating their own game and monetize it (trust me, it’s a lot easier than it sounds).
App tester. Since most of our kids are very embedded in the digital world, it only makes sense for them to make some money by testing apps. There are quite a few places your child can begin doing this, but two of the best places to get started are TesterWork and UberTesters.
When can you start teaching your kids about money?
Source: Africa Studio/Shuttestock.com
When kids are toddlers, they are extremely inquisitive and have a strong desire to learn. It is also during this timeframe that they begin to strongly mirror your behavior.
So, it makes sense to begin introducing them to the idea of money when they are in this frame of mind. Around this age, I began teaching my children about money a few different ways:
Taking them to the grocery store to look at the price tags.
Having them tell me how many fingers something costs.
Showing them the different ways you can pay for groceries (credit/debit card, cash, check, EBT card).
Buying a play cash register and plastic food to have a pretend grocery shopping trip at home.
If you start with basic lessons and pretend play like this, then building on this financial foundation is much easier as your child ages.
Benefits of teaching your kids about money
The benefits of teaching your kids about money are almost endless, especially in today’s society where most of us have more debt than income. If you can begin teaching our kids about money when they are really young, then they will grow up knowing more than you did.
The value of a dollar
One of the biggest, and easiest, lessons to teach your children about money is the value of a dollar. This lesson can begin with the grocery store example from above. A good way to do this, depending upon their age, is to tell them how much money you have budgeted for this particular grocery trip. Then, they can help you add up all of the items as you go.
When kids do this, they get to see a physical example of how much groceries really cost. Once this concept is grasped, the next step is to give them a small amount of money to spend on their own. Start with $1 or $2 to show them how far that little bit of money doesn’t actually stretch.
How to save for long-term goals
Opening up a savings account for your kids is a great way to help them begin to save money for long-term goals. When they are younger, they won’t have access to withdraw funds themselves, so you will be in charge of what they can take out.
A good way to drive this point home is to have them choose something big that they would like to save for. Depending upon their age, that can vary widely. But some items to consider may be:
Bike
Skateboard
Video games
Gaming console
Phone
Furniture
Trip
Car
College
Once you and your child have chosen their big item, then you can help them break down the total cost and how long it will take to save the money to get there. The deal is that they won’t be able to take the money out of the savings account until they have the full amount due for the item.
This can really help keep them laser-focused on the big goal and hopefully get them interested in finding other ways to make money as a kid.
What disposable income really means
As kids get older, they start to understand a bit more about bills and how much things cost. Teaching them about monthly recurring living expenses is a really good lesson to impart before they fly the coop. I know my first years as an adult were spent living hand to mouth and eating the cheapest foods I could find. This was because I had little to no money since almost everything I made went to living expenses.
Teaching your kids about what disposable income really means is exceptionally important. This message can be taught in a few different ways. But, a great way to show them is to have them go through your budget with you. This way they can see what your recurring expenses are as well as any remaining money, or disposable income.
Read more: How to make a budget: our step-by-step guide to managing your money
How much retirement might cost and how to save for it
When it comes to retirement, I suggest telling your young kids to include this number in their monthly recurring expenses budget. This way they will be sure to put something away towards retirement every single month and not let it fall by the wayside.
How much retirement costs will vary depending on where your child chooses to live and what they have planned for their retirement. The conversation will look different depending on the ages of your children as well. No matter their age, even if they are saving only a few dollars per month toward this far-off goal, they will nonetheless be developing habits that will keep them on good financial footing throughout their lives. And as they get older and begin to earn more they can begin to save more.
This will be extremely helpful to them due to the magic of compounding. If only I had known about compound interest when I was a teenager. Oh, how I would have made different financial choices!
Read more: The beginner’s guide to saving for retirement
Overall financial independence
The biggest benefit your children will get out of you teaching them about money at a young age is the ability to achieve financial independence. This is a big one! Especially because a lot of us, as parents, haven’t even achieved this.
Since we, as parents, want our children to live a better life than we did, helping them to achieve financial independence only seems natural. And one of the best ways to teach them that is to get them involved in making their own money as kids.
Read more: Financial independence in your 30s: How realistic is it?
How your kids can put their hard-earned money to work for their future
Source: Ink Drop/Shutterstock.com
Once your kids start earning some of their own money, there are many things they can do with it. Of course, they could spend it on a lot of things they may want right now. But, it makes much more financial sense for them to put their hard-earned money to work for their future.
There are a few different ways you help them learn this lesson. Some of my favorite options (and we have done all of these) are:
Put money into a high-yield savings account.High yield savings accounts can range in the APY, but they are always higher than your typical brick-and-mortar savings account.
Open an investment account. Helping your kids open an investment account is a great way to teach them about the stock market. This is especially true while they are younger when the stakes aren’t as high with regard to them losing massive sums of money. Some very user-friendly options are Public and J. P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing, both of which offer commission-free investment options.
Put gift money into a UTMA account. When the kids are getting money gifted to them from a family member for holidays and birthdays, they should put it into a UTMA account. You can set these up as custodial accounts which will then be rolled over to them once they turn 18. These types of accounts let you help your kids choose which ETFs and/or mutual funds they want to invest in after they have deposited the money into their UTMA account.
Invest in a Roth IRA with their earned income.One of my favorite retirement savings strategies for kids is a Roth IRA. However, your kids must have earned income in order to contribute to one. These types of accounts can be opened as custodial accounts, just like the UTMA accounts. You will deposit your kids’ earned income into the account and then they, or you both, can choose what they would like to invest in. This has become one of our favorite financial games around our house since our kids like to see whose investment choices are performing the best. Some great options for Roth IRAs are Fidelity, Vanguard, and Charles Schwab. Not all investment firms offer custodial Roth IRA’s, so your choices here may be a bit more limited than opening a Roth IRA account for yourself.
Read more: Roth IRAs for young adults: why starting early pays off
Disclosure – INVESTMENT AND INSURANCE PRODUCTS ARE: NOT A DEPOSIT • NOT FDIC INSURED • NO BANK GUARANTEE • MAY LOSE VALUE
The bottom line
Teaching your kids about finances and how to make money are extremely important lessons. Embrace the challenge with your young children as they become budding adults!
While you may not know everything about personal finance, learning new things together might just teach you both something valuable. And if your kids can learn to make extra cash now, when they are still children, then they will ultimately be much more diverse and adaptable in terms of managing everything financial later on. Plus, they’ll get a little pocket money so they don’t have to keep asking you for $20 every time they want to go to Starbucks.
That’s a win-win in my book!
Read more:
Disclosure – INVESTMENT AND INSURANCE PRODUCTS ARE: NOT A DEPOSIT • NOT FDIC INSURED • NO BANK GUARANTEE • MAY LOSE VALUE
In these languid—and, for much of the country, excruciatingly, unbelievably hot—days of summer, the timeless allure of a large, cool body of water beckons. And while heading to the lake is, for some, an occasional destination, for others it’s a way of life.
Sure, some of America’s more famous lake towns are pricey. But there are others that are surprisingly affordable, offering lakeside living for bargain-basement prices. The data team at Realtor.com® dug into the data to find some of the cheapest lake town real estate in the nation.
It helps that there are a lot of lakes in America. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, there are just shy of 7 million bodies of water in the U.S. and in adjacent areas along the borders. Of those, 5.76 million are classified as a lake or pond, and 134,000 have official names.
Each of the lake towns we found has a unique charm, blending natural beauty and local culture. All of them are nestled in the most affordable regions of the country, especially the Upper Midwest to the Deep South—areas known for their low cost of living. As it turns out, they’re also ideal places for lake house shoppers not looking to stretch their budget.
As famously avid lake admirer Henry David Thoreau once wrote, “A lake is a landscape’s most beautiful and expressive feature. It is Earth’s eye; looking into which the beholder measures the depth of his own nature.”
To find the most affordable lake towns, we looked at all the home listings for the past year within a half-mile (roughly a 10-minute walk) of a named lake or pond. (Named bodies of water exclude reservoirs and lakes that folks can’t swim or boat on.) Then we calculated the median prices from July 2022 through June 2023 for homes in those areas to pinpoint the most affordable lake towns in 2023. Only towns with at least 50 home listings over that period were included.
We excluded big cities, because we’re looking for places where the lake plays a large part in the local culture. And we didn’t include extremely small towns, because you’ve got to have at least a few shops and restaurants to keep you busy when you’re not on the water. And we included only the single most affordable lake town in any state, to ensure geographic diversity.
So let’s set sail to the most affordable lakeside real estate in 2023.
Lake Vermilion, IL
(Photo courtesy of Jeff McIntire via Google Maps)
Median list price: $154,900 Median list price per square foot: $76 Population: 29,534
Danville, a relatively small town in east central Illinois along the Indiana border, is home to Lake Vermilion. The human-made reservoir provides drinking water for the city, but it has also become a popular fishing and boating location. Cabins and docks line its forested edge.
The town was an industrial hot spot for the region from the mid-19th century to the mid-20th century, as a major coal mining town and a rail hub. Abraham Lincoln was known to visit the town and once delivered a speech from the balcony of the home of a prominent Danville resident.
The median home listing within a half-mile of Lake Vermilion over the past year had a price tag 65% below the national median list price of $445,000 in June. A three-bedroom home within walking distance of Lake Vermilion, with hardwood floors, a garage, and a big yard, goes for $120,000. And for just over $100,000, home shoppers can find a two-bedroom condo about as close to the lake.
Lake Huron, MI
(Getty Images)
Median list price: $140,000 Median list price per square foot: $79 Population: 2,838
Rogers City is the smallest of any of the spots on our list of affordable lake towns, just shy of 3,000 residents.
Situated on the banks of Lake Huron, about 45 minutes from Cheboygan, Rogers City residents have quick access to multiple parks along the lakeshore. They include Harbor View Park on the southern corner, Seagull Point Park on the northern tip of the town, and several in between, including the Rogers City Yacht Harbor and Lakeside Park.
Rogers City has been host to multiple salmon fishing tournaments in the summer, including the vividly named Fat Hogs Fishing Frenzy and the more straightforward Rogers City Salmon Tournament.
It’s also home to the Great Lakes Lore Maritime Museum and the Presque Isle County Historical.
A large three-bedroom home with a garage and a brick fire pit in the backyard can be found for $165,000, a short walk from Rogers City’s North Shore Park and beach.
The Dunkirk Lighthouse on Lake Erie in Dunkirk, NY
(tourchautauqua.com)
Median list price: $122,750 Median list price per square foot: $83 Population: 12,651
The western tip of northern New York state, in the Chautauqua-Allegheny region, is known for its lakeside getaway culture. And although some of the area’s real estate is quite pricey, the lowest home prices within a half-mile of a lake can be found in Dunkirk at the edge of Lake Erie.
The area was first occupied by the Indigenous Erie and Seneca tribes, then colonized by the French, who erected the Dunkirk Lighthouse at Point Gratiot in 1826. This helped the town become a significant regional port for coal and lumber shipping. It’s now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Dunkirk has multiple beach parks, and it hosts several summertime events, including an annual strawberry festival, arts and music festivals, and a “Fly-In Breakfast,” which welcomes pilots from all over to the small lakeside town.
Duke McLachlan, a real estate agent with Howard Hanna Hold Real Estate in neighboring Jamestown, says that from June through August, life in this area is all about the lake, for residents and visitors alike.
“It’s the whole Chautauqua area,” McLachlan says. “The local economy really picks up.”
Buyers will find the most listings just before and after prime lake season. Sellers know they can find buyers looking forward to the summer in April and May. Meanwhile, other sellers will list in September and October after they used their homes for the summer.
Fairmont, MN sits on a string of five small lakes.
(fairmontlakesfoundation.com)
Median list price: $129,900 Median list price per square foot: $86 Population: 10,465
Minnesota is called the “Land of 10,000 Lakes” for a reason: The state has 11,842 of them.
So don’t drop your oar in the water when you hear that Fairmont, a small town in southern Minnesota near the Iowa border, sits on a string of five small lakes. These include George Lake, in the northern part of Fairmont, and Budd Lake, near the center of town.
All five offer boating and fishing—and there is very affordable real estate near two of these bodies of water.
The median home that was listed over the past year near both Lake George and Budd Lake is less than half the national list price. The real estate near Budd Lake is a little pricier, due to its proximity to the center of Fairmont, and a couple of developed parks along its edge.
For those who want to live and work near the water year-round in the “City of Lakes,” Fairmont’s local economy is driven by the local Mayo Health System hospital, two small colleges, and a couple of modern industrial companies.
Cherokee Village, AR
(discovercherokeevillage.com)
Median list price: $126,900 Median list price per square foot: $91 Population: 4,977
Cherokee Village, a small town in central northern Arkansas about 20 miles south of the Missouri border, boasts seven lakes in total.
Lake Cherokee, the smaller of the two lakes where we found low-priced homes, has a park and private docks. Meanwhile, Lake Thunderbird, the town’s largest lake, has a public marina and the town’s public recreation center, which has two swimming pools and a minigolf course.
For just under $290,000, a homebuyer can get a 1,200 square-foot, two-bedroom house with a backyard dock on Lake Thunderbird. For those looking for homes costing less, just across the street from Lake Cherokee, a two-bedroom townhome can be found for as little as $120,000.
Lake Pickwick in Sheffield, AL
(Photo courtesy of Brett Ferguson via Google Maps)
Median list price: $169,900 Median list price per square foot: $95 Population: 9,305
Pickwick Lake, a popular boating and fishing destination, was created by the Pickwick Landing Dam on the Tennessee River near where Alabama, Tennessee, and Mississippi meet.
The lake is known for record-size smallmouth bass and catfish. Local fishing guides say 2- or 3-pound smallmouth bass are the norm—and catches of 5 to 6 pounds are not uncommon.
History lovers will also appreciate the small town of Sheffield. It became a major wartime aluminum smelting location in the 1940s, boosting the nation’s aircraft production. It’s also the hometown of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
And it’s where you’ll find the famous Muscle Shoals Sound Studio, where a litany of modern musical icons came to record, including The Rolling Stones, Aretha Franklin, Cher, and Wham! The studio faded and was repurposed for several years, before a documentary reignited interest and a restoration brought it back to life. It’s now a museum during the day and a working studio at night.
The Lorain Harbor Lighthouse on Lake Erie in Lorain, OH
(Getty Images)
Median list price: $135,000 Median list price per square foot: $96 Population: 65,440
Lorain is a small city on Lake Erie, in the far western corner of the Cleveland metro area. Like the other Great Lakes locations on our list, Lorain was once an industrial production mecca, dominated by steel.
Now, says Bill Swanzer, a real estate broker at The Swanzer Agency Realtors in neighboring Amherst, Lorain mixes a classic lake culture with good access to the city.
“You’re only 20 or 30 minutes from the Cleveland Browns‘ stadium,” Swanzer says. “So you can get to all the big-city things—live sports, live music, shows.”
But for Lorain residents, Lake Erie’s offerings are right in the backyard.
“The lake’s always been a big draw for us,” Swanzer says. “You’ve got kayaking, boating, fishing, swimming—you’ll see Jet-Skis on the water and parasailing.”
Two Rivers, WI
(Photo courtesy of Sandra and Dave via Google Maps)
Median list price: $139,900 Median list price per square foot: $97 Population: 11,276
Two Rivers is uniquely situated on Lake Michigan, such that it remains cooler than nearby areas on hot summer days—earning the town its nickname “Cool City.” It became a summertime destination for folks looking for a reprieve from the heat.
The moniker is memorialized just about everywhere, from the annual Cool City Car Show & Cruise, the Cool City Brewing Co., and Cool City Coffee Shop to the Cool City Charters and Cool City Cleaners.
Summer activities include swimming and sunbathing at Neshotah Park & Beach, and hiking and camping in Point Beach State Forest, just north of town. There’s also boating and fishing on Lake Michigan and the town’s—you guessed it—two rivers. It’s also only about 30 miles southeast of Green Bay, offering relatively quick access to a big city nearby.
But what’s especially cool about Two Rivers for us is the low price of homes near Lake Michigan. Take this recently listed two-bedroom home with an updated bathroom and floors about a block from Lake Michigan, priced at just $134,000.
Lake Augusta in Augusta, KS
(Photo courtesy of John Sobonya)
Median list price: $185,000 Median list price per square foot: $106 Population: 9,299
About 30 miles east of Wichita is Augusta and its 190-acre human-made lake on the north end. Augusta Lake, lined with parks, grassy embankments, and walking trails, is a community center of sorts. There are Little League tournaments, concerts, disc golf, and the town’s Fourth of July celebration, in addition to the standard lake activities like fishing, boating, and kayaking.
The town is known for its historic buildings, many of which have been added to the National or State Register of Historic Places.
Of course, we’re interested in the home prices, which are inexpensive, even for a relatively affordable state like Kansas. A three-bedroom, ranch-style home six doors away from Augusta Lake can be found for just $150,000.
This home is currently for sale for $289k and is just a ten minute walk to Lake Prestwood.
(Realtor.com)
Median list price: $285,000 Median list price per square foot: $125 Population: 7,565
Homes within a half-mile of Prestwood Lake are the most expensive of any place on our list of affordable lake towns—but they’re still about 35% less expensive than the national median list price.
Lauri McLeland, a Realtor with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Segars Realty in Hartsville, says it’s not uncommon to see small speed boats and jon boats on Prestwood Lake, and even some kayakers on Black Creek, which leads into the lake.
But although there’s a decent amount of housing within that half-mile of the lake, it can be a tight market for buyers looking for something right on the water.
The small South Carolina town, about an hour northeast of the state capital of Columbia, is a tight-knit community, says McLeland. Word of someone selling their home can lead quickly to an offer from another local looking to get closer to the water.
“Prestwood is a really pretty lake,” McLeland says. “There’s not a lot of housing right on the lake, and some of those sell before they even hit the market.”
While many may have familiar-sounding job titles, some have ventured off the beaten path and pursued unique careers. Despite the unconventional work, there are a plethora of lucrative job opportunities available. In this article, we’re exploring some weird, high-paying jobs worth considering.
1. Bereavement Coordinator
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
A bereavement coordinator is tasked with assisting families who have terminally ill or recently passed loved ones. Their responsibilities include overseeing administrative tasks, scheduling appointments, managing funeral arrangements, and supervising staff and volunteers to alleviate the burden on grieving families.
Offering Words of Wisdom
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
Additionally, a bereavement coordinator may also arrange counsel for those who are struggling with grief. This role often involves working in hospitals, nursing homes, or hospice settings and can be considered a type of counseling service.National Average Salary is $47,660
2. Online Dating Ghostwriter
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
An online dating ghostwriter is a professional who writes online dating profiles on behalf of clients. This individual is responsible for creating an engaging and attractive online dating profile that accurately reflects their client’s personality and interests. The ghostwriter must have strong writing skills and be able to craft a compelling narrative that highlights the client’s best qualities.
Matchmaker, Matchmaker
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
They may also assist with messaging and communication with potential matches. The goal of an online dating ghostwriter is to help their clients stand out in a crowded online dating market and increase their chances of finding a compatible match. The national average salary is $54,204 per annum.
3. Art Therapists
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
Art therapy is a unique profession that blends the principles of therapy with the creative process of art. Art therapists utilize various forms of artistic expression to aid patients in their healing journey. By reducing stress levels and enhancing self-esteem, art therapy can help improve overall mental health. This therapy is particularly useful when individuals have difficulty expressing themselves verbally.
Wisdom and Creativity
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
Becoming an art therapist requires a background in psychology or counseling and specialized training in art. Art therapists have the flexibility to work in a variety of settings, including schools, communities, and private practices. Companies can even hire them to help employees manage stress and improve their mental well-being. The National average salary is $58,139.
4. Flavorist
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
As a Flavorist, your primary responsibility would involve developing both natural and artificial flavors. To accomplish this task, you must possess a wealth of knowledge regarding essential oils, botanical extracts, flavor aromas, and essences in order to replicate natural flavors accurately.
Education… and Good Taste
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
Additionally, you would be tasked with inventing new and captivating flavors that appeal to consumers. This highly specialized profession necessitates a Ph.D. in chemistry or biochemistry, along with extensive apprenticeship experience with flavor companies. The National average salary is $60,640.
5. Color Designer
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
The role of a color expert involves utilizing color psychology, trends, statistics, and theory to recommend optimal color schemes for various settings, including homes, company buildings, brand logos, and more. As a color expert, you would be responsible for creating layouts and designs for a variety of purposes, such as branding, interior design, and architecture.
Think Outside the Box
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
A college degree is not typically required for this position, although specialized training is necessary. Additionally, possessing a creative and innovative mindset can be beneficial when pursuing a career as a color expert. The National average salary is $61,554 per annum.
6. Veterinary Acupuncturist
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
Veterinary acupuncture is a form of alternative medicine that involves using techniques similar to those used in human acupuncture to treat animals. As a veterinary acupuncturist, your primary objective would be to provide non-surgical and non-pharmaceutical treatments to animals using methods such as needle insertion, massages, blood-moving approaches, frequency approaches, and polarity devices.
A Big Heart
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
In order to pursue a career in this field, you would need to acquire the necessary training and certification in acupuncture. Furthermore, genuine love and compassion for animals would be crucial to succeed in this role. The National average salary is $69,167 per annum.
7. Equine-Assisted Therapy
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
An equine therapist is a profession that merges horseback riding with therapy to help both children and adults. This therapy involves using horses to provide patients with physical and emotional benefits. To pursue this career, you would need to be a certified therapist with extensive knowledge of various disabilities, as well as experience working with horses.
Ready to Ride
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
Hippotherapy has proven to be an effective method to improve recreational activities, socialization, and interactions with other patients. As a hippotherapist, you would be a valuable member of a team of experts responsible for designing customized plans and objectives for each patient. National average salary is $74,434 per year.
8. Toy Designer
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
A toy designer is a professional who creates toys that are not only fun but also safe for children to play with. This role may also be referred to as a product designer or toymaker, and it requires a keen artistic and imaginative sense. Toy designers must have a good understanding of materials to create toys that do not pose any safety risks to children. They should also have the ability to design toys that are sturdy and easy to maintain.
Are You a Tinkerer?
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In addition, a love for gadgets and proficiency in mechanical skills are highly desirable traits. To pursue a career as a toy designer, you would need to earn a degree in the arts, such as a design degree. Furthermore, proficiency in CAD and engineering skills would be necessary to succeed in this field. The national average salary is $74,913 per year.
9. Podiatrist
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
A podiatrist is a healthcare provider who specializes in the examination, diagnosis, and treatment of conditions affecting the feet, ankles, and lower legs. They are also qualified to perform surgeries on these body parts.
Take Good Care of Feet
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
Podiatrists possess the expertise to detect and manage abnormalities in the feet, prevent and correct deformities, and alleviate foot pain and infections. To pursue a career as a podiatrist, you would need to obtain a degree from an accredited podiatric medical college. The National average salary is $90,795 per year.
The job market is full of unique, unconventional job opportunities that can offer excellent salaries. Pursuing a career in one of these jobs may lead to a rewarding career path with significant income potential. So, if you’re looking for an exciting and well-paying job, don’t be afraid to explore some of these unique professions!
Image Credit: Shutterstock – Denis Makarenko
Who is one actress you can never stand watching, no matter their role? After polling the internet, these were the top-voted actresses that people couldn’t stand watching.
10 Actresses People Despise Watching Regardless of Their Role
These 7 Celebrities are Genuinely Good People
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We’ve all heard the famous adage that “no publicity is bad publicity,” and while it tends to be accurate, there are certainly exceptions. But what about those few stars who stay out of the limelight and get along without a hint of trouble?
These 7 Celebrities are Genuinely Good People
Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Have you ever known someone and thought you liked them—until you learned about their hobbies? Then you get to know them and then you’re like, “Wow, red flag.” Well, you’re not alone.
These 10 Activities Are an Immediate Red Flag
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Some celebrities definitely seem to enjoy the limelight and keep working to stay in the public eye. While others quickly move out of the spotlight. Many of these actors and actresses stepped out of the spotlight to live a more private life without constant media pressures.
10 Celebrities That Made the Big Times Then Disappeared Off The Face of the Earth
Image Credit: Troma Entertainment
We’ve all been there – sitting through a movie that we can’t help but cringe at, but somehow it still manages to hold a special place in our hearts.
These 10 Terrible Movies Are Still People’s Favorites
We think we know what will make us happy, but we don’t. Many of us believe that money will make us happy, but it won’t. Except for the very poor, money cannot buy happiness. Instead of dreaming of vast wealth, we should dream of close friends and healthy bodies and meaningful work.
The Psychology of Happiness
Several years ago, James Montier, a “global equity strategist”, took a break from investing in order to publish a brief overview of existing research into the psychology of happiness [PDF]. Montier learned that happiness comprises three components:
About 50% of individual happiness comes from a genetic set point. That is, we’re each predisposed to a certain level of happiness. Some of us are just naturally more inclined to be cheery than others.
About 10% of our happiness is due to our circumstances. Our age, race, gender, personal history, and, yes, wealth, only make up about one-tenth of our happiness.
The remaining 40% of an individual’s happiness seems to be derived from intentional activity, from “discrete actions or practices that people can choose to do”.
If we have no control over our genetic “happy point,” and if we have little control over our circumstances, then it makes sense to focus on those things that we can do to make ourselves happy. According to Montier’s paper, these activities include sex, exercise, sleep, and close relationships.
What does not bring happiness? Money, and the pursuit of happiness for its own sake. “A vast array of individuals seriously over-rate the importance of money in making themselves, and others, happy,” Montier writes. “Study after study from psychology shows that money doesn’t equal happiness.”
The Happiness Paradox
Writing in The Washington Post last June, Shankar Vedantam described recent research into this subject. If the United States is generally wealthier than it was thirty or forty years ago, then why aren’t people happier? Economist Richard Easterlin of the University of Southern California believes that part of the problem is the hedonic treadmill: once we reach a certain level of wealth, we want more. We’re never satisfied. From Vedantam’s article:
Easterlin attributes the phenomenon of happiness levels not keeping pace with economic gains to the fact that people’s desires and expectations change along with their material fortunes. Where an American in 1970 may have once dreamed about owning a house, he or she might now dream of owning two. Where people once dreamed of buying a new car, they now dream of buying a luxury model.
“People are wedded to the idea that more money will bring them more happiness,” Easterlin said. “When they think of the effects of more money, they are failing to factor in the fact that when they get more money they are going to want even more money. When they get more money, they are going to want a bigger house. They never have enough money, but what they do is sacrifice their family life and health to get more money.”
The irony is that health and the quality of personal relationships are among the most potent predictors of whether people report they are happy — and they are often the two things people sacrifice in their pursuit of greater wealth.
Why aren’t rich people happier? Perhaps it’s because many of them are workaholics, because they’re more focused on money than on the things that would bring them joy. A brief companion piece to The Washington Post story notes that researchers have found that “being wealthy is often a powerful predictor that people spend less time doing pleasurable things, and more time doing compulsory things and feeling stressed.”
In general, rich people aren’t much happier than those of us in the middle class. Yes, money can buy happiness if it elevates you from poverty, but beyond that the benefits are minimal. So why do so many people believe that money will make things better?
Stumbling on Happiness
In 2006, Harvard psychology professor Daniel Gilbert published Stumbling on Happiness, a book about our inability to predict what will really make us happy. Here is is a 22-minute video of a presentation Gilbert made at TED 2004, in which he compresses his ideas into bite-sized chunks.
[embedded content]
Gilbert says that because humans can plan for the future, we naturally want to structure our lives in such a way that we are happy, both now and later. But how do we know what will make us happy? We don’t. In fact, we’re surprisingly bad at predicting what will bring us joy. Gilbert asks:
Which future would you prefer? One in which you win the lottery? Or one in which you become paraplegic? Which would make you happier? […] A year after losing their legs, and a year after winning the lotto, lottery winners and paraplegics are equally happy with their lives.
The problem is impact bias, the tendency to overestimate the “hedonic impact” of future events. Put another way, the things that we think will make us happy usually don’t make us as happy as we think they will. Winning the lottery isn’t a panacea. Having an affair with your hot new co-worker won’t be as thrilling as you imagine. And losing a leg isn’t the end of the world.
It turns out that humans are able to synthesize happiness. Many people look outside themselves for fulfillment; they expect to find it in things, or in relationships, or in large bank accounts. But true happiness comes from within. True happiness comes when we learn to be content with what we have.
13 Steps to a Better Life
What does all this mean to you? If money won’t bring you happiness, what will? How can you stop making yourself miserable and start learning to love life? According to my research, these are the thirteen actions most likely to encourage happiness:
Don’t compare yourself to others. Financially, physically, and socially, comparing yourself to others is a trap. You will always have friends who have more money than you do, who can run faster than you can, who are more successful in their careers. Focus on your own life, on your own goals.
Foster close relationships. People with five or more close friends are more apt to describe themselves as happy than those with fewer.
Have sex. Sex, especially with someone you love, is consistently ranked as a top source of happiness. A long-term loving partnership goes hand-in-hand with this.
Get regular exercise. There’s a strong tie between physical health and happiness. Anyone who has experienced a prolonged injury or illness knows just how emotionally devastating it can be. Eat right, exercise, and take care of our body. (And read Get Fit Slowly!)
Obtain adequate sleep. Good sleep is an essential component of good health. When you’re not well-rested, your body and your mind do not operate at peak capacity. Your mood suffers. (Read more in my brief guide to better sleep.)
Set and pursue goals. I believe that the road to wealth is paved with goals. More than that, the road to happiness is paved with goals. Continued self-improvement makes life more fulfilling.
Find meaningful work. There are some who argue a job is just a job. I believe that fulfilling work is more than that — it’s a vocation. It can take decades to find the work you were meant to do. But when you find it, it can bring added meaning to your life.
Join a group. Those who are members of a group, like a church congregation, experience greater happiness. But the group doesn’t have to be religious. Join a book group. Meet others for a Saturday morning bike ride. Sit in at the knitting circle down at the yarn shop.
Don’t dwell on the past. I know a guy who beats himself up over mistakes he’s made before. Rather than concentrate on the present (or, better yet, on the future), he lets the past eat away at his happiness. Focus on the now.
Embrace routine. Research shows that although we believe we want variety and choice, we’re actually happier with limited options. It’s not that we want no choice at all, just that we don’t want to be overwhelmed. Routines help limit choices. They’re comfortable and familiar and, used judiciously, they can make us happy.
Practice moderation. Too much of a good thing is a bad thing. It’s okay to indulge yourself on occasion — just don’t let it get out of control. Addictions and compulsions can ruin lives.
Be grateful. It’s no accident that so many self-help books encourage readers to practice gratitude. When we regularly take time to be thankful for the things we have, we appreciate them more. We’re less likely to take them for granted, and less likely to become jealous of others.
Help others. Over and over again, studies have shown that altruism is one of the best ways to boost your happiness. Sure, volunteering at the local homeless shelter helps, but so too does just being nice in daily life.
Remember: True wealth is not about money. True wealth is about relationships, about good health, and about continued self-improvement.
Related >> Is it More Important to be Rich or to be Happy?
When the Wander Card debuted in 2021, its issuing bank was quick to point out that it’s not a “typical travel credit card” that involves miles, luxury lounges or lavish vacations. And while all that’s true, note that it charges the same annual fee as credit cards that have those perks.
Issued by Credit One (not to be confused with Capital One), the Wander Card does stand out, however, as one of the only travel credit cards available to those with fair credit — aka average credit — an underserved market that typically includes those with FICO scores of 630 to 689. Most travel credit cards from major players like Chase, American Express and Citi require at least good credit, meaning scores of 690 or higher.
If you meet that threshold and don’t mind paying an annual fee in exchange for valuable travel rewards and perks, you can pass on the Wander Card. You’ll get much more out of other similarly priced travel cards.
Here are five things to know about the Credit One Wander Card.
1. It has an annual fee typical of travel credit cards
The Wander Card carries a $95 annual fee, which is assessed upon account opening.
But those cards offer you a lot more back.
🤓Nerdy Tip
The minimum credit limit on the Wander Card is $500.
2. But it lacks the perks typical of travel credit cards
The Credit One Wander Card comes with the same price tag as other travel cards, but it doesn’t boast the same benefits. For example, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card packs several perks that can offset its $95 annual fee, including a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. The card also comes with travel insurance and car rental insurance — plus, it gets you two visits to eligible airport lounges per year.
The Wander Card only offers travel accident insurance. On the plus side, it doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees, but that should be a given for any travel credit card that you might take abroad.
3. You’ll get solid rewards on travel expenses
As to be expected in a travel card, the Wander Card offers its highest rewards rates on travel purchases. You’ll earn:
10x points on eligible hotels and car rentals booked using the Credit One Bank travel platform, accessed via the link in the Credit One Bank mobile app or your online account.
5x points on flights, dining and gas as well as on eligible travel not booked using the Credit One Bank travel partner.
1x points on all other purchases.
4. There are flexible redemption options
Credit One Wander cardholders have a healthy menu of redemption options for their points, which never expire as long as the account is in good standing. Points may be redeemed for:
Statement credits. (Cardholders must redeem in increments of 1,000 points.)
Gift cards.
Merchandise.
Eligible activities.
Points are worth 1 cent when redeemed for a statement credit. However, point values may vary when redeemed for gift cards, goods and activities.
Travel redemptions are facilitated by Aspire Loyalty Travel Solutions.
5. It has a modest sign-up bonus
As of this writing, the Wander Card comes with the following sign-up bonus: Earn 10,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on eligible purchases in the first 90 days from your account opening that can be redeemed for a $100 statement credit, gift cards, or travel.
That’s a decent offer if you have only fair credit; many cards for fair credit don’t offer any sign-up bonus.
But again, if you have at least good credit, you can find far, far more lucrative bonus offers on cards with comparable annual fees. The aforementioned Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, for instance, offers the following: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
Part of the Pacific Northwest, Oregon is home to quirky cities, stunning mountain ranges, locally-grown produce, and picturesque beaches. With sparkling seas, white sands, boating and kayaking, sightseeing and fishing, these charming coastal towns in Oregon are some of the best around. Whether you’re looking to relocate to Oregon or one of the many Oregonians looking for a beachside property, you have lots of towns to choose from.
But if you’re not sure where to start on your hunt for the best Oregon beach town, we’ve got you covered. To help you find the right coastal area, Redfin has gathered a list of 14 of the best coastal towns in Oregon from Astoria to Seaside. Let’s explore some of the state’s top beach spots, listed in alphabetical order, and you might just be tempted to move there.
#1: Astoria
Median home price: $498,000 Astoria, OR homes for sale Astoria, OR apartments for rent
Located along the Columbia River, Astoria is home to roughly 10,300 people. There are many picturesque oceanfront spots to explore while living in Astoria. You can also check out museums like the Oregon Film Museum or Columbia River Maritime Museum, take the Astoria Riverfront Trolley through town, and explore the charming downtown streets.
#2: Bandon
Median home price: $390,000 Bandon, OR homes for sale Bandon, OR apartments for rent
Another one of Oregon’s great coastal towns to consider buying a home in is Bandon. Even with about 3,300 residents, there are plenty of beaches to visit like Bandon Beach and Bullards Beach. Make sure to explore Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge, hike out to Coquille River Lighthouse, and check out downtown Bandon.
#3: Cannon Beach
Median home price: $1,600,000 Cannon Beach, OR homes for sale Cannon Beach, OR apartments for rent
About 1,500 people live in Cannon Beach year-round and it’s a popular tourist destination for many living in the Pacific Northwest. There are lots of beaches to explore on a warm Oregon day including Cannon Beach and Chapman Beach. If you find yourself moving to Cannon Beach, make sure to see the iconic Haystack Rock, explore John Yeon State Natural Site, and stroll through the downtown area where you’ll find shops and cafes.
#4: Coos Bay
Median home price: $334,500 Coos Bay, OR homes for sale Coos Bay, OR apartments for rent
Home to beautiful beaches like North Beach, there are countless places to spend a beach day in the town of Coos Bay. About 15,900 people live in Coos Bay, where you can also check out Cape Arago State Park, explore one of the museums downtown, and visit Mingus Park.
#5: Depoe Bay
Median home price: $965,000 Depoe Bay, OR homes for sale Depoe Bay, OR apartments for rent
The picturesque beach town of Depoe Bay has about 1,500 residents, making it a great place to consider moving to. You’ll also find gorgeous beaches such as Depoe Bay Scenic Park. In Depoe Bay, you can visit Whale Cove National Wildlife Refuge, take a whale watching cruise, and check out one of the local restaurants.
#6: Florence
Median home price: $420,000 Florence, OR homes for sale Florence, OR apartments for rent
With just about 9,500 people living in Florence, it’s a great beach town to consider renting or buying a house in. Some beaches you can visit include North Jetty Beach and South Jetty Beach. There are lots of activities to do in this coastal city – you can stroll through the downtown area, try sandboarding, or golf at one of the courses, among many other local favorites.
#7: Gold Beach
Median home price: $384,000 Gold Beach, OR homes for sale Gold Beach, OR apartments for rent
With a population of about 2,400, Gold Beach is an awesome coastal spot to live in, where you’ll find the namesake Gold Beach. If you find yourself moving to this beach town, make sure to take a jet boat tour, visit one of the landmarks like Kissing Rock, and grab a meal overlooking the water.
#8: Lincoln City
Median home price: $529,000 Lincoln City, OR homes for sale Lincoln City, OR apartments for rent
Lincoln City has beautiful beaches such as D River State Recreation Site, Lincoln City Beach, Nelscott Beach, Oceanlake Beach, and Taft 48 Beach – all perfect for a picnic or enjoying the waves. Once moving to Lincoln City you’ll want to hike along one of the many trails like the Cutler City Wetlands Trail, visit the Siletz Bay Vista Point, and spend time checking out the many nature preserves and green spaces.
#9: Newport
Median home price: $485,000 Newport, OR homes for sale Newport, OR apartments for rent
About 10,500 people live in Newport where you’ll find beaches like Agate Beach, Cobble Beach, Oregon Coast Beach, Nye Beach, and South Beach. Some other fun activities to do in Newport include exploring the Oregon Coast Aquarium, checking out the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse, and strolling the charming downtown area.
#10: Pacific City
Median home price: $580,000 Pacific City, OR homes for sale Pacific City, OR apartments for rent
This coastal town has a population of 1,200 and there are lots of beaches to enjoy the day at. In Pacific City, you can visit Green Acres Beach, McPhillips Beach, and Pacific City Beach. There is also plenty to do on an afternoon or weekend, like checking out the quaint shops in downtown Pacific City, exploring Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area, and going camping.
#11: Rockaway Beach
Median home price: $463,000 Rockaway Beach, OR homes for sale Rockaway Beach, OR apartments for rent
In Rockaway Beach there are countless of beaches you’ll want to spend time at if you decide to move to this quaint town. Some of these beaches include Diamond Beach, Manhattan Beach, and Rockaway Beach. This city is home to 1,500 residents and you’ll find plenty of other activities like visiting Rockaway Big Tree Trailhead, spending the morning at a local cafe, and exploring Manhattan Beach State Recreation Site.
#12: Seaside
Median home price: $375,000 Seaside, OR homes for sale Seaside, OR apartments for rent
Seaside has plenty of beaches to choose from, perfect for a day outside. Some popular places are Painted Rock Beach, Seaside Beach, and Seaside Cove. If you’re looking for a different activity, be sure to visit the Captain Kid Amusement Park, check out one of the many museums or the Seaside Aquarium, and explore the charming downtown.
#13: Warrenton
Median home price: $479,000 Warrenton, OR homes for sale Warrenton, OR apartments for rent
There are numerous beachfront spots to visit if you decide that Warrenton is the right beach town for you. Some of the local spots include Delaura Beach and Jetty Road at the Beach. In this town of 6,400 residents, you can also explore nature or camp under the stars at Fort Stevens State Park.
#14: Yachats
Median home price: $375,000 Yachats, OR homes for sale Yachats, OR apartments for rent
Last up is Yachats where there are just about 1,000 residents, making it a cozy beach town to consider moving to. One popular beach to check out is Yachats State Recreation Area. For a break from the beach, you can also explore Yachats State Recreation Area and grab a meal at one of the great local restaurants.
Note, this list is not comprehensive of all the beach towns in Oregon. Median home sale price data from the Redfin Data Center during June 2023. Average rental data from Rent.com June 2023. Population data sourced from the United States Census Bureau.
Local renters take pride in calling St. Louis home thanks to a diverse selection of neighborhoods, easy commutes around the city and plenty of restaurants and bars to enjoy. There are more than 100 parks designed to invite residents outdoors and sports teams with winning records to get behind. This is St. Louis.
With so much to offer, there’s almost too much in St. Louis to really discover all the best spots yourself. That’s why our experts are weighing in. They know The Gateway City inside and out and are passing along their favorite spots to you.
1. Forest Park
Who doesn’t want a way to enjoy the outdoors in St. Louis and get access to fun activities for free? Nobody! Forest Park provides the best of both. Basically creating its own neighborhood, this is one of the country’s greatest urban parks. Within its 1,300 acres, you’ll find five major cultural institutions in addition to nature preserves, a lake and more.
“I love that our fabulous zoo and museum are all free, and the park has great little walking paths,” share Julia Noack of Julia Noack Photography. Forest Park is her favorite summer destination in St. Louis.
In addition to the St. Louis Zoo and the St. Louis Art Museum, Forest Park is also home to the Missouri History Museum, the MUNY and the St. Louis Science Center.
2. The Grove
Stretching almost a mile long, The Grove is home to over fifty businesses including places to drink, eat, dance and shop. There’s even a tattoo parlor or two. Among all there is to enjoy here, one place stands out as the favorite for Sydney from Perennial Artisan Ales. The whole crew likes Grace Meat + Three the best.
“The amazing food is what brought us in, but the hospitality and atmosphere make us feel home. Fried chicken with a Grace Hominy Lager is the fave around here,” says Sydney.
3. The rest of Midtown
According to Tori Wright of Victorious STL Photography, the Midtown neighborhood of St. Louis is where it’s at. As the city’s geographic center, the area packs in a lot to do and see. It’s also the location of St. Louis University, so it draws a large number of college students to entertain.
For Wright, her Midtown hidden gems include catching a show at the Fabulous Fox, sipping coffee at the High Low Coffee Shop, watching the sunset on the rooftop at the Angad Arts Hotel and finally having a delicious meal at the food hall inside City Foundry.
4. The International Photography Hall of Fame
“When I have a day off,” shares Kristi Foster of Kristi Foster Photography, “I love going downtown to the International Photography Hall of Fame. There I can rejuvenate my creative side!” This impressive museum in Grand Center honors individuals who’ve made a significant contribution to the world of photography. It also preserves historic photographs and cameras for visitors to check out.
A walk through the International Photography Hall of Fame means going on a journey through hundreds of years of photography. Not a trip you can embark on in many other places.
5. Lemp Mansion
Source: facebook.com/TheLempMansion/
Both a restaurant and an inn, Lemp Mansion is a definite stop for all locals in St. Louis. According to the entire team at Hammond’s Books, “you can’t say you’ve been in St. Louis if you haven’t been there.”
Situated in the historic neighborhood of Benton Park, try and grab a dinner reservation on Sundays for their all-you-care-to-eat chicken dinner, served family-style. If you want to stay a night, Lemp Mansion has four different suites to pick from. The venue also hosts special events and does its own ghost tour.
6. Cherokee Street
Source: facebook.com/cherokeestreetofficial
Yes, an entire street can be a hidden gem within a city, mostly because you may not even realize how much Cherokee Street has to offer. Randy Vines from STL Style loves it because it’s an, “unfiltered, creative, unapologetically raw South Side corridor full of immigrants and artists and dreamers and makers that packs a bigger cultural punch than any other street in the city.”
Vines claims this street actually has it all, from “tamales to tattoos to open mics to impromptu parades.” He appreciates everything that operates within this space without pretense, calling it an area, “defined by both tradition and experimentation…a perfect blend of urban life.”
Crossing through multiple St. Louis neighborhoods, you’ll find bits of Cherokee Street in or beside many popular spots, including:
7. The Japanese Garden
A part of the Missouri Botanical Garden, this particular spot is a favorite for Lauren Throrp of Bonboni Mercantile Co. This 14-acre garden is one of the largest Japanese gardens in North America and perfectly highlights cultural influences through botanicals.
The Japanese Garden includes waterfalls, bridges, a lake and expansive lawns that foster a feeling of openness
8. Tower Grove Park
Whether it’s to picnic, take a stroll or visit the farmer’s market, Tower Grove Park is another hidden gem in that it has so much more going on than meets the eye. Mary Henesey, Co-Owner and Buyer of Urban Matter calls the park an “incredible space,” and tries to regularly visit the farmers market either on Tuesday afternoons or Saturday mornings.
When she wants to grab a bite and enjoy it within the park, Henesey prefers to stop at Navin’s and get a barbecue order to go.
Other popular spots in St. Louis
The fun in St. Louis is definitely not limited, even when talking to the local experts. In fact, it’s hard to limit the go-to list in any way. Some other places in the more popular neighborhoods, including Tower Grove South, Central West End, Botanical Heights, and more cover all types of activities.
For fun:
For a cup of coffee:
For a good meal or a good cocktail:
For shopping:
Seek out your favorite hidden gems in St. Louis
This list is just the start of all the special places to be found for those who call St. Louis home. This is a city that’s so much more than that famous arch So, get out there, find your favorite neighborhood and look closely at what other locals are missing. You may be the next person to discover a real hidden gem in this fantastic city.
Lesly Gregory has over 15 years of marketing experience, ranging from community management to blogging to creating marketing collateral for a variety of industries. A graduate of Boston University, Lesly holds a B.S. in Journalism. She currently lives in Atlanta with her husband, two young children, three cats and assorted fish.