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Finding a new space or new city to live in is very exciting, however, getting all your belongings to the new apartment is no fun. You have to spend your free time packing, finding a moving company and going through that hall closet you’ve been avoiding for months. Don’t worry too much because we have you covered with these packing hacks and tips.

29 packing hacks to make packing and moving a breeze

Where do you even begin packing? What size boxes do you need? What should you get rid of? These are questions we’ve all had before. The truth is there’s no right way or place to start. Here are 29 packing hacks to make your move smoother and more efficient.

1. Create a schedule

The beginning of any move is overwhelming, to say the least. There’s so much to do, but where do you start? That’s where creating a moving schedule comes into play. If you have a busy life — and most of us do — then a schedule is going to help you get everything done in time for moving day. You could pack one room a day. You could back all similar items — blankets, linens, towels — each day. Or, you could assign different items to each family member to pack as part of the schedule.

2. Have a checklist

After you’ve created your moving schedule, create a moving checklist of everything important you need to remember to do. Write down everything from hiring movers to canceling your Wi-Fi plan. By doing this, you’ll feel more in control while moving.

3. Change your address

Before you’re anywhere near being completely packed, you should change your address. Give the post office a two-week notice so they can send your mail to the correct address.

4. Fill nail holes with a bar of soap

Every renter wants their security deposit back when they move out. To do that, you have to make sure your apartment looks great when you leave it. When you go to take down the art you’ve hung on the wall, you’ll find a couple of nail holes left behind. An easy way to fix this is by using a bar of soap to fill the hole. Rub the bar of soap over the hole until it’s completely filled in.

5. Color code

Color coding is a great way to keep all your boxed organized. All you need is different colored packing tape. As long as you remember which color means and the original box you put each item in, you’re good to go. For example, the yellow tape could mean dishware and blue tape is bedding.

6. Make an overnight bag

Before you pack any boxes, start by packing an overnight bag. The unpacking process takes a couple of days at least. In the meantime, you’ll want some of your essentials. It’s a good idea to have a change of clothes, one pair of shoes, some toiletries, toilet paper and maybe even a first aid kit on hand for those first couple of days in your new place. You can also put the valuable electronics you need access to in your overnight bag.

7. Purge

You know that old sweater in the back of your closet that you swear you’ll wear one day but deep inside know you won’t? It’s time to rid yourself of it and give it a new home. When you start to pack, consider going through your belongings and getting rid of unwanted items. It’s best to do this before you pack as it saves space in the long run. Plus, you’ll move into your new space with fewer items and feel more organized.

8. Sell what you don’t want

Once you have a pile of items to get rid of, consider selling them or giving them away. You could let your friends have first dibs, sell them on eBay or donate them to places like Goodwill.

9. Pre-clean your new home

Once you start unloading your things into your new home it’s nothing but a sea of boxes. If you have access to your apartment, take some time before moving to clean all your new home’s empty spaces. This way when you get there you might have a lot of boxes but everything is clean and ready to go.

10. Eat up

It’s enough to have to pack all your things but packing food is a monster in its own right. If you can, it’s a good idea to try to eat what you can before you move. This way you won’t have to try and pack your pantry or worry about your perishables going bad along the way.

11. Take photos of your furniture assembly

As you start to unassemble the bigger items of your home, such as couches or bedframes, take photos along the way. This will help you later on when you’re re-assembling them in your new space. You could also video yourself disassembling furniture so you know where all the screws go so you’re left with one stray screw.

12. Group the boxes

Now it’s time to put things into boxes. No matter if you’re using cardboard boxes, wardrobe boxes or plastic bins, it’s a great idea to group them. Have all the bathroom and bedroom items in separate boxes. You’ll probably need multiple boxes for each room. When you’re done packing everything by group, put all the boxes together by room or use. This will make unpacking so much easier.

13. Label, label, label

Labeling your boxes is one of those tried and true packing hacks. If you need to find things, labeling will make each box easily accessible. Staying organized ahead of time will make all the difference in your move.

14. Use clear bins

Pack things you’ll need or want first in clear bins. Seeing through them will give you easy access to your belongings. Pack items, such as clothes, toiletries or important documents, in these bins.

15. Roll your clothes

A good moving and travel packing hack is to roll your clothing instead of folding them. This will save you a lot of space and will allow you to put more in each box.

16. Make your own handles

We all know boxes are not the easiest things to carry. However, you can cut your own handles.

First, you’ll need a box cutter. Next, you’re going to cut a small rectangle on each side of the box. Once you’ve cut through the cardboard, you’ll now have two rectangular holes, which are now your handles. You can do this with large boxes and small boxes alike and will save your fingers in the long run.

17. Pack your jewelry tangle-free

While jewelry is pretty to wear, it’s a pain to untangle. There’s nothing worse than going to grab your necklace and realizing it’s attached to every other piece of jewelry you own.

To avoid this, get a couple of ice cube trays, depending on how much jewelry you have. Fill each slot with your jewelry, giving everything its own space. Once you have it all organized, cover it with plastic wrap and boom you’re good to go.

Say you have all your jewelry already organized on hangers well, there’s a way to pack that, too. Just plastic wrap the entire thing and pack it as one. That way when you get to your new home it’s all ready to go.

18. Keep clothes on hangers

Do not, under any circumstances, take your hanging clothes off their hangers when packing. Keeping them hanging up will save time and maximize space during your move. Put plastic bags around the bottom of the clothes to keep them together and organized. When you get into your new apartment, all you have to hang them up in the new closet you’re done.

19. Don’t empty your dresser drawers

Instead of taking the time to empty and refill your dresser drawers, just leave them how they are. Just put a piece of tape on the drawers or cabinets to ensure they stay closed. Just pack the dresser carefully and you’re all set.

20. Plastic wrap

Plastic wrap is your new best friend when you’re moving. You can use it for so many things, from keeping items together to adding an extra layer of protection to boxes. Make sure to have some on hand before you start packing.

21. Say goodbye to bubble wrap

Let’s be honest, who hasn’t enjoyed popping a few sheets of bubble wrap here and there? While it’s a fun pastime and oddly satisfying, it’s also expensive. There are some other ways to ensure your fragile items make it in one piece.

Instead of using air-filled plastic, consider using your own clothing or your kids’ stuffed animals. Pack your fragile goods in between two sweatshirts or put your china next to Mr. Bear and Ms. Bunny. You can also consider packing paper to pack glasses or plates. This will save you from having to use more moving boxes than you need to.

22. Use garbage bags or any plastic bag to save space

Garbage bags and plastic bags are good ways to pack things, such as bed sheets, blankets, comforters or pillows. This will allow you to keep all your bedding together without having to use a single box.

23. Use cotton balls for makeup safety

As a lot of us know, make-up is expensive and to save money, we want it to last as long as possible. When moving, there’s always the risk of items, such as blush or other powders, breaking in transport. A way to avoid this is to put a cotton ball or pad inside the make-up case.

24. Make your bottles spill-proof

Having your skincare or make-up explode while moving is the worst. Your best bet to keep this from happening is cotton balls. Put either one on the top of the bottle before screwing on the lid. This way, if it does decide to explode, you’ll at least trap moisture on the cotton ball or plastic will catch it. For a bit of extra caution, wrap your bottles in packing paper to catch any liquid that might escape the cotton balls under the lids.

25. Take a photo of your electronics

Before you unplug your T.V. and other electronics creating a mountain of cords, take a photo first of how it should look. You’ll be so grateful you did when you go to plug it all back in. You won’t waste time trying to figure out which cord goes where.

26. Make use of laundry bins and suitcases

While you can use moving boxes, it’s also a good idea to use bins you already have on hand, such as bags, suitcases and laundry bins. You can use these to put your clothing in to make it a bit easier when you unpack. Or, put your lighter items like toilet paper or paper towels in them instead of taking up space in other boxes.

27. Feed your friends

If you have friends that will help you move, congrats! You’re winning at life. While your friends are generous, it’s also important for you to thank them. A great way of doing this is by feeding them. On moving day, have some things to snack on to keep your friends full and happy while they’re helping you.

If you still have things you want to use up in your pantry, now is a great time to do that. You can also always order a pizza or have a little get-together at the end of moving day to show thanks.

28. Hire a moving truck

Even if you have friends that are willing to help, it’s still a good tip to use a truck and or movers. A moving truck ensures you have enough space to fit all your boxes and bags. It can also save you from making multiple trips to get your things.

If you don’t have friends that can help you out, then, hiring professional movers or a moving company is another one of the best moving tips to consider. You should always do your homework, though, before hiring anyone. Check out a couple of different companies to see who has the best pricing and remember to always read reviews. This will save you a lot of hassle in the end.

29. Load your moving truck correctly

When the time comes to load up the truck, make sure to do it correctly. Start by putting the things you need last towards the back and the boxes you’ll need first in the front.

Stress-free packing for your next move

We all know that packing and moving is a hassle. While we can’t take all the stress away, we know that these 29 packing hacks will make your move smoother, more organized and efficient and, hopefully, stress-free.

Source: rent.com

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Over the past few years a Greek real-estate boom has gained momentum as hard times have taken prices down. So, news that Chinese buyers are maxing out their investments comes as no surprise.

Greece is an amazing value since the recession seems to have ended

Taking advantage of Greece’s “Golden Visa” program, Chinese and other non-EU investors can attain residence permits to Greece and the greater EU area, if they only invest €250,000 euro in real estate.

According to Carrie Law, who is the CEO of Juwai.com, the property portal of choice for Chinese consumers, the number of Greece property requests has quadrupled over the last few months. In fact, Chinese buying inquiries increased by 137.5 percent in the third quarter alone, according to Law.

At the other end of the spectrum, Greek real estate agents are now keen to capitalize on the boom in Chinese investment. China worldwide real-estate investment reached $119 plus billions in 2017, and 2018’s figures are now well past $123 billion. And where Greece is concerned, it’s not only the Chinese who are focused on potential boom markets. This Forbes report spotlights Germany, Greece, Cyprus, and Malta as European countries with immense potential. Market expert Panos Mourdoukoutas also points to the added bonus of “Citizenship” for foreigners who buy properties tied to such visa programs.

In addition, a recent study by Arbitrage Real Estate showed that major investment groups such as Apollo Global Management, PIMCO and Bain Capital had in their non-performing loan portfolios, some 140 Greek hotel properties valued at over 282 million euros. According to the news from GTP, Yannis Orfanos, an investment management executive at Arbitrage is cited saying:

“Based on current data, 75 percent of hotel exposures secured by real estate collateral, either due to size and location or due to poor quality and need of renovations, do not interest large hotel chains or international investors in the sector. These are, however, an opportunity for certain international travel agents and domestic unit managers seeking quality 3-star hotels, and generally larger hotels in popular up-and-coming tourist destinations.”

Finally, property brokers Tranio and the Bank of Greece have provided amplification of Greece’s newfound popularity with investors. According to the brokerage firm, the Bank of Greece report on the record number of foreign tourists hitting Greece exceeding 32 million by the end of 2018 will impact both hotel and private property (Airbnb) investments.

Greek real estate reached a record high back in 2017 with the total value of transactions with foreign investors rising above €328 million euros, a figure that was twice the 2016 investment. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) for that year exceeded €3.6 billion euros according to the Bank of Greece. George Kachmazov, founder and managing partner Tranio offered this statement:

“The current low real estate prices and high demand contribute to higher returns for investors. Thus, the net yield on the short-term rent of a renovated city centre apartment in Athens is 5–7 percent per annum vs 3 percent in most European capitals. Moreover, there is potential for real estate prices to grow by 20-30 percent over the next two or three years.” 

Greece has unbelievable property values compared to many European markets

Back in the Summer, the hedge fund Dromeus Capital announced plans to invest €200 million euros ($231.82 million) in Greek commercial real estate. I mention this because Greek Advantage, Dromeus’ first fund launched way back in October 2012, ended up returning an annualized 15.2 percent return since launch. Clearly, the advantages of investing in markets that have bottomed out is taking hold in Greece. For those still skeptical, I say “follow the small time Israeli investor.” This story tells of up and coming Israeli investors looking to Greece for the big win as the country bottoms out of a huge recession. Reporting from here in Heraklion, Crete, I’d advise any would-be investor to pay close attention to the success stories of these Israeli entrepreneurs. That is, if Chinese billions are not convincing enough.

Phil Butler is a former engineer, contractor, and telecommunications professional who is editor of several influential online media outlets including part owner of Pamil Visions with wife Mihaela. Phil began his digital ramblings via several of the world’s most noted tech blogs, at the advent of blogging as a form of journalistic license. Phil is currently top interviewer, and journalist at Realty Biz News.

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Source: realtybiznews.com

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Bookshelves are an essential tool in your styling arsenal. Book collections are the no-brainer way to add personality to a room. But sometimes you need a breath of fresh air and this week’s Idea to Steal is just that.

What if, instead a cacophony of random titles, all those different colors and fonts screaming at you, you just turned the spines around?! Suddenly, you have a soft, neutral and monochromatic look.

My dear friend Kirsten of Simply Grove actually caught a ton of flack for this concept when she debuted it back in 2010, but my how things change!

Nearly three years later the look is popping up everywhere. And given that I love pretty much every idea Kirsten ever has, of course, I’m loving this too. In fact, we already tried it in a little corner of the loft. I’ll be sharing a sneak peek on Instagram later today!

What do you think? Are you a fan of the anonymous bookshelf idea?

image 1 piero lissoni showroom // image 2 by joshua simpson for remodelista // image 3 by alexis toureau for maison & deco

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Source: apartment34.com

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Do you remember the excitement of curling up in front of your TV for Saturday morning cartoons, or coming home from school to watch a show you’ve been waiting for all week? If you’re feeling nostalgic, look no further than this blog post. We’re talking about all the shows that were so good that we could watch every episode.

1. Wishbone

Photo Credit: PBS.

One Redditor posted, “Wishbone.”

Another replied, “PBS programming back then was [seriously great]! Watching Wishbone gave me an upper hand in my classical lit course at university. Ghost Writer was also really good!”

One user asked, “Wait? Disney got the licensing for Wishbone?”

One user added, “It was. I was technically ‘too old’ to watch Wishbone (I was in HS when it aired), but I’d watch it when I babysat my brother (who is six years younger than I am), and it was so… adorable. I felt a weird sense of pride that it was filmed in Allen, which was just a short drive (maybe an hour?) from where I grew up in Ft. Worth.”

One replied, “Loved that little dog so much!”

A user said, “I am 51, so I wasn’t exactly a kid when this was on, but I can sing every word of the theme song and own a small Wishbone stuffy.”

2. Batman: The Animated Series

Photo Credit: Fox Kids.

One user shared “Batman: The Animated Series.”

One replied, “Consequently, Superman TAS, The New Batman Adventures, Teen Titans, and Justice League & JL Unlimited. The 90s-2000s DC animation run is one for the ages.”

Another responded, “Justice League was hands down the greatest comic-to-screen adaptation ever.”

“JL Unlimited was outstanding,” one Redditor commented.

One user shared, “90s-2000s DC animation run was great, and those shows, including BTAS, remain my favorites ever since my dad placed them on when I was younger and when they aired on tv.” 

Another user replied, “Batman TAS used to come on at 4:30 PM where I lived on weekdays. I can’t tell you how happy and warm it made me to watch that show. It was an escape from a very stressful home. I watched it when I was 4-6ish yo, probably, like in ’93-’94 or so maybe.”

“You’re me, but much younger. I would have been 15 to 16—very stressful home. Batman TAS was a godsend some days,” one user concluded.

3. Batman Beyond

Photo Credit: Warner Bros.

One user added, “AND BATMAN BEYOND.”

Another Redditor added, “Won’t ever argue with someone about BAS being the better one overall, but holy crap, Batman Beyond is still incredibly amazing, and people overlook it so much in favor of BAS. In the very same vein, obviously, Mask of the Phantasm is the better movie overall, but I can never get over just how INSANELY amazing Return of the Joker is. Tim Drake sob/laughing is one of the most full-body goosebumps and heart-wrenching scenes in animated history. And the whole final fight against the Joker was 100% perfect. Joker was losing his cool at fighting a Batman with a Spiderman-style ‘mouth.’”

Another user replied, “Lol yeah, Terry is pretty chatty for a Batman. He got more Bruce Wayne-ish later in the series, but he was still quippy.”

“I did a complete rewatch of this series about a year ago, and except for a couple of episodes here and there, it absolutely holds up,” one user added. 

4. Are you Afraid of the Dark?

Photo Credit: Nickelodeon.

One user commented online, “Are you afraid of the dark?”

Another user replied, “Ahh, I loved that show!!! Same with Goosebumps, lol.”

“The episode where the girl is writing ‘help’ on the wall backward scared me a lot as a kid. I still think the imagery was quite haunting for a kid’s show,” one user replied.

Another Redditor added, “Pick the right door, and you’ll go free. Pick the wrong door, and [he’ll] be………”

One user shared, “I can only remember the episode where the one dude attempted to flirt with girls but later is revealed to be a ghost that only his sister could see.” 

5. Count Duckula

Photo Credit: Cosgrove Hall Films.

One user commented on the thread, “Probably showing my age here, but there was a show in the UK back in the early 90s called Count Duckula. As a kid, it was enjoyable, but some of the jokes went over my head. ‘Your cousin lives in Spain, m’Lord. He’s sure to give us a warm welcome.’ ‘Oh, he’s a friendly kind of guy?’ ‘No, m’Lord, he’s a pyromaniac.’

 Another user replied, “This is the one where he’s a duck vampire but only eats vegetables?” 

One user replied, “They used to show this at 5 AM on Saturday morning in America when I was a kid, I still remember the song. ‘From the halls of Transylvania / There’s no one more insane. / Dun dun dun da da da / DUCKULA’ Well, I kind of remember it.”

6. Duck Tales

Photo Credit: Disney.

One Redditor commented, “Duck Tales(1987).”

Another user exclaimed, “OoOooh!”

One commenter replied, “‘Racecars, lasers, aeroplanes.’”

Another added, “‘It’s a duck-blur!’”

One user replied, “I can hear it in my head, lmao.”

7. Looney Tunes

Photo Credit: Warner Bros.

“Looney Tunes. I still laugh off watching them,” one user posted.

One replied, “They are where most people my age (69) first heard classical music. The Boston Symphony Orchestra used to run an instrument petting zoo every year, and they played Looney Tunes cartoons in Symphony Hall non-stop all day.”

Another user stated, “The Indianapolis Symphony did a performance of “Bugs Bunny on Broadway. They showed the cartoons on a movie screen while the Symphony played the soundtrack! It was SO much fun.” 

One user added, “My favorite all-time bugs bunny line is right after he finishes destroying a man’s bagpipes thinking they were the Loch Ness monster. ‘Well, he put up a good fight. But clean livin’ prevailed.’”

8. The Muppets

Photo Credit: ABC Studios.

One user commented, “The Muppet Show and Fraggle Rock.”

Another user replied, “The Muppets aren’t for kids. They’re for everybody.”

“Fraggle Rock was on HBO, wasn’t it? It was forbidden to all those who didn’t have a rich friend,” one commenter replied.  

Another user commented, “LOVED the Muppet show! Statler and Waldorf were the bombs! Saturday morning cartoons were Hong Kong Phooey.”

One Redditor added, “The Swedish Chef herdy gurd gurd herdy bork bork!” 

“​​And Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and Beaker MEEP MEEP MEEP MEEP…. we could do this all day because the whole show and all the characters are awesome!” another user said. 

9. Gargoyles

Photo Credit: Disney.

One user shared, “Gargoyles.”

A user replied, “Did a rewatch when Disney+ started up. Very rewarding.”

One added, “Up until the boat episodes…it became such a slog around then.”

One user also added, “‘Avalon doesn’t take you where you want to go, AVALON SENDS YOU WHERE YOU NEED TO BE!’ Ugh that entire bit, like 20 [whole] episodes, is nothing but filler.” 

10. Animaniacs

Photo Credit: Warner Bros.

One Redditor posted, “‘Wheel of morality turn turn turn tells us the lesson we must learn.’” 

Another replied, “‘If at first, you don’t succeed, blame it on your parents’ even as an adult that makes me giggle. Edit: and winning the trip to Tahiti.” 

One commenter added, “‘Lake Titicaca, oh lake Titicaca, it’s between Bolivia and Peru. Lake Titicaca, yes lake Titicaca, with waters tranquil and blue. Lake Titicaca, oh lake Titicaca, why do we sing of its fame? Lake Titicaca, yes lake Titicaca: ’cause we really like saying it’s name! Titicaca!’” 

11. The Magic School Bus

Photo Credit: PBS Kids.

One user shared, “The Magic School Bus!”

Another added, “‘I knew I should have stayed home today!!’”

Another user replied, “‘With the Frizz??’”

One commenter exclaimed, “‘NO WAY! aaaaaaaAAAAAAA’.” 

Another replied, “‘Cruising [on] down Main Street.’”

12. Teen Titans

Photo Credit: Warner Bros.

One user shared, “Teen Titans.”

Another user replied, “The old one, not the new overly cartooned characters.”

Another responded, “I do believe that one’s called ‘Teen Titans Go’.”

One user commented, “I think I’m the only person who likes the original and Go.”

Another added, “Honestly, I like it too. It has its own charm. I just see them as alternate universe versions of the first show characters.”

One also commented, “They’re both great, for different reasons. The original for the stories and action. Go! For the comedy.” 

Another user shared, “Just introduced my son to this. He was addicted to Teen Titans Go but now prefers this and wants to know why it changed lol.”

13. Recess

Photo Credit: Toon Disney.

One user posted, “Recess.”

Another user replied, “The episode about stickers was making fun NFTs long before they were even a thing.”

One person responded, “That episode whomps.”

One user added, “This is literally the only show on TV at my house ever since it went up on Disney plus, it’s the best show in terms of nostalgia for me, but I believe no other show quite captures the mind of children better than it. All the rumours, the secrets, the relatable boredom, takes me back to my childhood with each episode!” 

Another person stated, “I watched this as an adult and loved it. I’m constantly looking for the Ashleys in my workplaces, lol.” 

14. Hey Arnold

Photo Credit: Snee-Oosh, Inc.

One user commented, “Hey Arnold.”

Another poster wrote, “Watching it as an adult… it’s bittersweet because I watched it all the time as a kid but, man they really have some ‘hidden gems’ in there kid. I definitely didn’t understand.”

One commenter added, “The episode where the popular cool girl goes home and her dad is crying about eating their last can of soup is forever in my brain. And the episode where he teaches one of his adult neighbors to read. ‘LOOK I am petting the kitty!’”

Another replied, “Far too many real, legit situations in that show that were just casually thrown around and us kids just thought it was hilarious. I need to watch the show again at my own risk. I feel incredibly sad for Helga now that I’m older.” 

15. Rocko’s Modern Life

Photo Credit: Nickelodeon.

One user shared “Rocko’s Modern Life.”

Another added, “I loved this show as a kid. As an adult, my thoughts are, this show is really weird and I can’t believe I watched it as a kid. I still love it lol. Similar to Ren and Stimpy.”

One Redditor responded, “Yes! This is my pick as well! It gets even better as an adult with all the innuendos!”

Another exclaimed, “‘Oh baby oh baby oh baby.’”

One user responded, “‘Rocko?!?!’”

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.

10 Actresses People Despise Watching Regardless of Their Role

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



About the Author



Source: financequickfix.com

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“It can be easy to think that the decisions made by central banks don’t impact the daily lives of normal people, however, the reality is they’re very much likely to,” James McManus, chief investment officer at Nutmeg, told CNBC Make It.

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The U.S. Federal Reserve, euro zone’s European Central Bank and U.K.’s Bank of England have all announced monetary policy moves in recent weeks — and interest rates have once again taken center stage.

The world of central banks and their policies, which include interest rates, may seem abstract — but they affect everyone.

“It can be easy to think that the decisions made by central banks don’t impact the daily lives of normal people, however, the reality is they’re very much likely to,” James McManus, chief investment officer at Nutmeg, told CNBC Make It.

On a very basic level, interest is charged when you borrow money, and paid out when you save money. Interest rates — the rate at which you are charged or rewarded — are set by central banks, like the Fed or Bank of England.

These central banks often raise rates in an effort to cool inflation, and then cut them when inflation is closer to their target. A shift in interest rates affects retail banks and lenders, which then pass them on to consumers.

Pros and cons

How consumers are affected by interest rates varies according to whether rates are higher or lower.

“As a rough rule of thumb, when rates are high, the banks will charge us more for borrowing, and pay a better return on savings. When rates are low, borrowing gets cheaper, but saving gets less rewarding,” Sarah Coles, head of personal finance at Hargreaves Lansdown, told CNBC Make It.

“Borrowing” includes mortgages, student loans, credit card repayments and more. Having higher interest on these payments ultimately means they cost you more.

A real-life example of this is playing out in the U.K., where an ongoing mortgage crisis saw mortgage rates hit a 15-year high in July. Many homeowners are unsure if they can afford the higher payments, while prospective buyers are being put off by the higher cost of borrowing.

This is to be expected, said Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell.

“Interest rate rises are supposed to hurt by raising interest bills on mortgages, car loans, credit cards and other finance for borrowers, as those higher bills crimp cash flow and disposable income,” he said.

On the flip side, higher interest rates can boost your savings, Mould added.

“They are, however, potentially good news for savers, as they should, in theory, get higher interest on the cash they have in the bank. That will boost their spending power,” he told CNBC Make It.

Interest rates versus inflation

Interest rates often go hand in hand with inflation (rising prices). Central banks hope that higher interest rates will help bring prices down.

“The theory here is that if more money is spent on borrowing (such as mortgages) and saving is more appealing, people will buy less – therefore reducing demand,” McManus said. “As demand reduces, prices should come down to encourage competition for the reduced level of demand.”

Falling prices might sound like good news, especially in the context of the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.

But interest rate hikes from central banks around the world have also triggered fears of a recession and job losses — both of which are linked to the economic slowdown brought on by higher rates.

Despite these risks, higher inflation can be even more damaging, according to Mould.

“High inflation has not been an issue since the early 1980s so many will have forgotten – or never encountered – its ravages,” he pointed out.

“It does far more damage to far more people that higher interest rates because it hurts the value of everyone’s money by reducing its purchasing power and it affects those who are least well off the most.”

How worried should you be?

Ultimately, the question of how people will be affected depends on their individual situations, Coles said. For example, those with large mortgages will likely be more severely affected by high interest rates, she added.

“However, for someone with no mortgage, inflation feels more painful, and for someone with plenty of savings, higher rates are a bonus,” she said.

Although central bank monetary policy decisions affect everyone’s life in one way or another, it’s important not to worry too much about them, according to McManus.

“Central bank monetary policy goes in cycles, there will be times when interest rates are higher and times when they are lower, the most important thing can often be to plan ahead for both scenarios,” he added.   

Source: cnbc.com

Apache is functioning normally

Last weekend, I played paintball for the second time in my life. I had great fun charging through undergrowth, hiding behind logs, and shooting my friends at close range. Paintball is a blast, but I’m amazed at how much it costs to play. We each paid $25 to use the field and an additional $25 for paint. The total cost was $50 for about five hours of playtime — roughly $10 an hour.

On the drive home, we compared the cost of paintball to the cost of laser tag. Last fall, we spent $7 per person for each twenty minute game of laser tag. That’s $21/hour — twice the cost of paintball. Some of our group felt the higher cost was worth it; others thought paintball was a much better deal.

This made me wonder: What are the hourly costs for other recreational activities? How much do we spend to have fun? Do people consider how much pastimes cost, and which would they continue to pursue if they realized how much they were spending?

I do this sort of geeky number-crunching all the time. In March, I broke down the numbers to discover how much Kris and I were spending on television. I learned that it cost us $3.16/hour for digital cable, but only $0.90/hour for Netflix. We cut back to basic cable.

Ten years ago, I paid $700 for a new bicycle, on which I’ve since logged about 3,000 miles. At roughly 15 miles per hour, that’s 200 hours of use, or $3.50/hour. That seems moderately expensive until I factor in the health benefits. But these are difficult to quantify — what do the benefits of biking save me in the long run? Calculations like this can become needlessly complex.

Still, it’s easy to estimate how much most activities cost. Here’s what I spend on various pastimes:

  • Laser tag: $20/hour
  • Paintball: $10/hour
  • Biking: $3.50/hour, but less every time I ride
  • Bowling: $5/hour
  • Neighborhood walk with Kris: free
  • Seattle Mariners game: $10/hour, plus food, plus 300+ mile round-trip
  • Portland Beavers game: $5/hour, plus food, plus short travel
  • My nephew’s t-ball game: free
  • Movie theater: $5/hour
  • Cable TV: $3/hour
  • Shows from iTunes: $2/hour
  • Netflix: $1/hour
  • Nintendo Wii: About $10/hour so far, but decreasing with time
  • Board games: $3/hour (on average)
  • Contract bridge: virtually free ($1 for a pack of cards)
  • The opera: $25/hour, plus dinner plus parking
  • Community theater: $2.50/hour

Neither laser tag nor the opera seem that appealing after running the numbers. Don’t get me wrong: I’m not saying that you should base your recreational choices solely on their hourly cost, but I do think you should keep money in mind. Try to discover inexpensive (or free!) sources of entertainment.

For example, reading library books is pretty cheap. A new $25 hardback might take five hours to read, for a cost of $5/hour. If you buy the book used, you might only spend $1/hour. But if you borrow the book from the library, you get to read it for free.

The most expensive recreational activity I ever participated in was a season of city league soccer. It cost me $100 for ten games, or about $5/hour. That’s not so bad. But then I tore out my ACL, which required expensive surgery. Even with insurance, I was out $2,000. Ultimately my season of soccer cost me over $100/hour!

How much do your favorite activities cost? Which are worth it? Which are not?

This article originated with a discussion in the forums.

Source: getrichslowly.org

Apache is functioning normally

When I first got started in the financial planning industry, I had the opportunity to sit in on a joint meeting between my clients and a wealth management specialist that came down from my home office.

The nature of the meeting was to discuss some estate planning strategies that my clients were interested in to protect their assets.

Ironically, the one item in the meeting that really stuck out of me wasn’t anything related to estate planning (at least directly).

The specialist, who was also very versed in insurance, had made a strong case that my clients needed an umbrella policy.

At the time I was young and realized that I didn’t even know what an umbrella policy was. The wealth specialist had shared instance after instance of why umbrella polices make sense for almost everyone, especially how inexpensive they are.

Personal umbrella insurance policies are often misinterpreted by consumer and are surrounded by myths so often that people can fail to recognize the importance of having additional coverage when they need it most. I”m amazed of how many people I come across that don’t really understand the basics and benefits of umbrella policies. (I guess I can’t be too amazed since I didn’t know about them. In my defense, I was only 24 🙂 )

Umbrella insurance policies are thought to be too expensive to afford for average-income consumers and are too complicated to fit in with the insurance coverage you already have. But for many, the added protection of an umbrella policy may be just what your family needs.

What Is an Umbrella Policy?

Umbrella insurance policies essentially rest on your existing insurance policies for your vehicles and your home. They provide extra protection in the event of a situation not fully covered by your normal insurance. Umbrella policies cover the gaps left by your existing insurance coverage.

How Does an Umbrella Insurance Policy Protect You?

For instance, in the event you are sued for liability in an auto accident and the judgment is declared against you for $500,000 but you only have $200,000 worth of liability coverage. The rest of the money would have to come out of your own pocket unless you had the umbrella coverage to fall back on. Without the additional umbrella insurance protection, you are susceptible to losing all of your assets to pay off the outstanding debts, including your home.

Umbrella policies generally pay an additional $1-$2 million on top of your current insurance policy. In some cases, a $5 million policy is available.

How Much is an Umbrella Policy?

The cost of umbrella insurance coverage is not as expensive as some think. Premiums can range between $200-$300 a year for a million dollar’s worth of coverage over existing insurance policies. When we bought our first $1 million umbrella policy 6 years ago, our premium was only about $200 and I want to say it was less. Actual premium costs are dependent on a number of factors including the current insurance company you are using and the personal risk factors involved in your situation. The amount you pay will also be dictated by your credit score.

Umbrella policies typically carry very high deductible amounts, usually several hundred thousand dollars, because they are designed to be used only when all other insurance policies have been drained. An umbrella policy will require you to have both homeowners and auto insurance coverage in amounts equal to the amount of your deductible. Discounts can be obtained on the umbrella policies if you have the same insurance carrier for all of your coverage policies. Recently, we increased our umbrella policy coverage with our insurance agent. Since we already had the rest of our coverage with them, we were able to get a decent discount for it.

Do You Need Umbrella Insurance Coverage?

There is no right answer to this question as every individual situation dictates a different need for insurance. It is worthy to note that in today’s society lawsuits are commonplace and in the event an incident does occur, it is necessary to have the right protection to cover yourself, your family, and protect your assets and interests with the right insurance. That has been the motivating force in why we took out a larger umbrella policy and why I encourage my clients to at least consider purchasing one.

Consumers will need to determine their own risks for added protection such as the amount of time they spend driving their vehicles, the risk of people getting injured on their property, and the general nature of your financial and personal situation. You also need to check in with the terms of your existing insurance coverage.

If there are any gaps where coverage for specific incidents are not covered, such as being self-employed and having clientele regularly in your home, you may want to consider the options for umbrella insurance coverage. After an incident, it can be too late to protect yourself so check into the benefits of additional umbrella insurance coverage for the peace of mind it can offer.
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Source: goodfinancialcents.com

Apache is functioning normally

These are also microwave- and dishwasher-safe.

Promising review: “I saw these containers for the first time on one of those aesthetically pleasing TikToks. I thought to myself, ‘I need these to be my best organized self.; When I came to Amazon and saw how much they were, I was appalled. Because, quite frankly, why would I spend that much on ONE little container? I was so curious as to why it was so expensive, I went ahead and bought one to see what all of the fuss was about. When I got the package, and took that sleek heavy duty bad boy out, I knew immediately why it was on the higher side. It’s sleek, durable, adorable, and excellent quality. It’s microwave safe, which is nice. It’s also dishwasher safe, which is even nicer. I realized that I do, in fact, need these in my life. I plan on purchasing more of them and I definitely recommend giving them a try!” —Ally

Get them from Amazon for $25+ each (available in two sizes and five colors).

Source: buzzfeed.com

Apache is functioning normally

Wells Fargo announced today that it expects to report record first quarter earnings of $3 billion thanks in part to the current mortgage bonanza.

“Business momentum in the quarter reflected strength in our traditional banking businesses, strong capital markets activities, and exceptionally strong mortgage banking results,” said Chief Financial Officer Howard Atkins, in a release.

“$100 billion in mortgage originations, with a 41 percent increase in the unclosed application pipeline to $100 billion at quarter end, an indication of strong second quarter mortgage originations.”

The San Francisco-based bank and mortgage lender said it realized roughly $175 billion in loan commitments, mortgage originations, and mortgage securities purchases during the quarter.

The company processed $190 billion in mortgage applications for more than 800,000 customers, a 64 percent increase from the fourth quarter, aided by a record $83 billion month in March.

Additionally, Wells funded more than $100 billion in mortgage loans, serving over 450,000 borrowers via purchase mortgage or refinance transactions.

I wonder what kind of mortgage market share Wells Fargo and Bank of America will end up with this year.

The bank also provided 150,000 “mortgage solutions,” such as loan modifications and repayment plans, to help homeowners stay put during the quarter.

Wachovia has also been a welcome addition to the bank, contributing about 40 percent of combined revenue.

“With the acquisition of Wachovia, we’re now serving almost one of every three U.S. households. Revenue synergies from cross-sell are a huge opportunity much like the Wells Fargo-Norwest merger ten years ago,” Atkins added.

But what about all those billions in option-arms?  At some point they will be a big, big problem, whenever they decide to charge them off.  Moratoriums don’t last forever.

Shares of Wells Fargo were up nearly three dollars, or about 20 percent, to $17.71 in midday trading on Wall Street.

Source: thetruthaboutmortgage.com