Arrival Home Loans (AHL), a mortgage startup offering a new “private money-backed mortgage product”, has named Simon Chen (pictured below) as its president and CEO. Launched in 2022, Arrival provides homebuyers with a loan of up to 100% of the purchase price of their next home, secured by the equity in their existing home. Chen … [Read more…]
Our shoes reveal a lot about who we are, and there are many situations in which we need a wide selection of different shoe styles and colors; for work, for socializing, or just a casual pair to feel comfortable in.
If you have a small closet and a growing footwear collection, fear not. It’s totally possible to organize shoes in small spaces, you just need some space-saving shoe organizing methods and a few products to help.
small closet to allow for further purchases.
After organizing your clothes in a small closet, the next task is always your shoes. The last thing you want to do is to dirty, damage, or even lose your most-loved shoes.
These tips will save you space and time searching for your favorite pair.
(Image credit: Go Modern Furniture)
The first step is to start decluttering your shoe collection, you need to know exactly where all of your shoes are, their condition, and how many you have and need.
Take out all your shoes and assess which ones you truly need and wear regularly. If you notice that there are some damaged shoes or pairs that no longer serve you, put them in separate piles for donating or discarding.
Once you have been through all of your footwear, you will have freed up space in your closet which will make organizing the space easier.
Often because we have a small closet we automatically assume that there is no room in it, but that is not always the case. Vertical potential is often overlooked and instead, it should be used to our advantage.
Vertical space is especially useful when it comes to organizing shoes, not only does it allow us to see our shoe collection easily, but it also helps us take up space that would otherwise be unused.
A shoe riser is an effective and simple way to use up your vertical space in the closet and essentially increases the amount of shoe storage space you have on your shelves.
Professional organizer Caroline Guntur says that she relies on shoe risers, available at Amazon, and uses them in all small closets for her clients: ‘It allows both pumps and flats to be stacked instead of just side by side, this automatically increases the amount of shelf space available for your shoe collection.’
Camilla Frederico, one space that is often overlooked is the closet door itself.
‘If the back of your closet door is bare, an over-the-door shoe organizer can make the most of this space,’ she says. ‘They also happen to store several pairs of shoes at once. Additionally, they can also double as storage for accessories!’
Over-the-door organizers, at Wayfair, will help take the clutter away from inside the closet, conjuring up space from nowhere and making it much easier to see everything.
Relaxing Space. ‘It will maximize your storage and you can easily see which shoes you have.’
Stackable clear shoe boxes, at Amazon, not only save space but also protect your shoes from dust. Furthermore, the clear view allows you to simply locate the shoes you want at any time.
Inspire Clean. ‘Store out-of-season shoes in a separate location, such as under-bed storage or a different closet, and swap them out as the seasons change.’
Rotating your shoes seasonally allows you to align your footwear to the clothes in your closet. For example, you are more likely to wear your summer sandals versus winter boots during the warmer months.
Consider how often you are going to be wearing each type of shoe and create space by removing the pairs not needed for now.
washing machine; however, those made with leather, suede, rubber, or vinyl should not be placed in the washer.
When you organize a closet that has limited space, you have to keep in mind that each closet is different, it is best to choose the storage and organizational solution that works for you and your space. These organization ideas will set you up for having a manageable and functional closet in no time.
Source: homesandgardens.com
Weymouth, formally known as The Town of Weymouth, is a small city home to 57,000 people in the South Shore region of Massachusetts. As the second-oldest settlement in the state, it’s known for its coastal views, community events, and rich history. While it has plenty of positives, it’s important to consider all aspects of relocating.
So, is Weymouth, MA, a good place to live? We’ve got you covered. If you’re looking at homes for sale in Weymouth or are just curious about what the area has to offer, this Redfin guide is for you. Here are 10 pros and cons to consider before moving to Weymouth.
There’s a lot to love about Weymouth. Here are five of the top reasons to make the move.
Weymouth’s coastal location means it’s full of beautiful views of the Atlantic Ocean and surrounding beaches. One of the area’s prized locations is Webb Memorial State Park, a peninsula that extends into Hingham Bay and offers panoramic views of the ocean, beaches, and forests.
Another visual marvel is Great Esker Park, which is home to the highest esker in North America. It provides hiking trails that wind along the Back River, through wetlands, and up hills, rewarding hikers with magnificent views of the river and the surrounding forest.
Weymouth is just 12 miles from Boston, meaning residents have quick and easy access to the city’s amenities and culture, including sports, entertainment, and food. This convenience makes it an attractive commuter town for those who enjoy both city life and suburban tranquility.
Because of its nearly 400-year history, Weymouth offers a plethora of housing options and styles. These range from historic colonial homes, to new mid-century modern houses, to a variety of rental options. This wide variety means you’re likely to find a home style that suits you, no matter your budget or preference.
The South Shore is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, and Weymouth is no exception. Popular hotspots include Pond Meadow Park, The Back River Wildlife Sanctuary and Reservation, and Ames Nowell State Park. For slightly longer trips, you can head out to Wompatuck State Park for miles of trails, or World’s End, which offers untouched views of the bay and nearby ocean.
Weymouth was settled in 1622 and founded in 1635, and its history is still celebrated in its preserved colonial architecture and historic landmarks. One notable building is the Fogg LIbrary, which was built in 1897 and still acts as a public library for Weymouth and surrounding areas. You can also visit one of many graveyards that have been in use for centuries.
The culture in Weymouth is distinctly New England, offering a quintessential Northeastern experience full of history and community.
While Weymouth has plenty of positives, there are downsides as well. Here are five to keep in mind.
One downside of living in Weymouth is its relatively high cost of living due to its prime location and proximity to Boston. Housing, in particular, can be quite expensive. For example, the median sale price for a home in Weymouth is $551,000, over $100,000 more than the national average. Apartments are also expensive, with a one-bedroom apartment costing an average of $2,372.
Even though it is expensive, Weymouth is one of the most affordable cities on the South Shore. Homes in Braintree and Hingham, for example, cost an average of $607,000 and $1.32 million respectively.
Due to its proximity to Boston and its role as a commuter town, traffic congestion can be a problem, particularly during rush hours and sports events. This can make it harder for people who work in Boston or otherwise have to commute, resulting in extended commute times.
While Weymouth does have public transportation, including MBTA commuter rail service to Boston, it’s not as extensive as in larger cities. The bus service in the area is limited, and some parts of the town may require a car for commuting, errands, and accessing certain services. This could be a downside for people who rely heavily on public transportation or prefer not to drive.
Weymouth is a quieter town primarily full of single-family homes. While it has a number of pubs and restaurants, such as 4th and Cherry, Grille 151, and True North Kitchen + Bar, it lacks the vibrant nightlife of larger cities. For people who enjoy a bustling night scene, this could be a drawback.
Luckily, the city is just a short drive away from Boston, making evening getaways much easier.
Winters in Weymouth, like much of New England, can be harsh. Temperatures average around 37 degrees Farenheit in January and part of February, and heavy snowfall and cold snaps are fairly common. This, paired with early sunsets, can make living in Weymouth challenging for people who aren’t used to cold winters or don’t like them.
Source: redfin.com
In most major cities in the United States, homes in gayborhoods are worth more than the typical home – in some cases several times more.
To identify gayborhoods across the country ahead of Pride Month, Zillow analyzed data from the American Community Survey to find which neighborhoods have the highest share of same-sex couple households compared with others in the areai.
The neighborhood with the highest share is North Banker’s Hill, San Diego, where 10.1 percent of households are same-sex couples. The North Banker’s Hill housing premium is about 25 percent – the typical North Banker’s Hill home is worth $792,400, compared with the citywide median value of $632,600.
West Palm Springs in California has the second-highest share of same-sex couple households at 9.2 percent, but homes there come with a much higher premium. Homes in West Palm Springs are worth more than three times as much as the typical home in the broader Riverside metro.
In fact, there are 10 major cities where home values in the gayborhood are more than double the community at large, including Houston, Charlotte and Philadelphia. That’s not to say home values are necessarily higher simply because it’s the gayborhood. Other factors could be driving the premium; gayborhoods are often close to amenities like bars, restaurants, and job centers.
There are a few places where gayborhoods buck this trend. In the downtown area of San Jose, Calif., homes are worth 38.1 percent less than the typical San Jose home. The area also has the smallest share of same-sex couples in the analysis at 1.1 percent. Gayborhoods in San Antonio and Kansas City have a similar discount on housing.
“The narrative of gayborhoods as a signal for rapid home value appreciation and gentrification has been around for decades, with Greenwich Village and the Castro long held up as examples,” said Zillow Director of Economic Research Skylar Olsen. “Today, the story is a little different. While these neighborhoods still foster a sense of community and social acceptance, living within them often comes at premium many may not be able to afford. This has a disproportionate effect on intersectional LGBTQ people —not just gay, but a person of color, transgender, a woman—those who are disadvantaged when it comes to earning potential.
Source: realtybiznews.com
As expected, the FHA has begun relying on government appropriations to operate, the first time in its 75-year history.
Of course, the $800 million in requested funds from Congress will only go towards its reverse mortgage program, which HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan called “very sensitive to the projected path of long term house price appreciation.”
In other words, when you insure a reverse mortgage at a certain home price, say $250,000 at time of loan origination, and the value subsequently drops to $200,000, the FHA loses big.
The FHA hasn’t asked for any money for its conventional mortgage program, but it seems like they’re easing into this whole bailout thing by starting with less traditional mortgages.
Their capital ratio has dipped to just three percent, down from six percent the previous year, barely clear of the Congressionally-mandated two percent bench mark.
This has been the result of rising delinquencies and increased FHA loan demand, which has grown unhealthily for the past year and change as subprime loans got phased out.
“FHA volume has grown consistently,” said Donovan in prepared remarks. “As recently as 2007, FHA volume for its flagship mortgage insurance program was $60 billion. By 2008, the volume had grown to $181 billion.”
“For FY 2009, we are expecting $290 billion in forwards. For our FY 2010 budget, we are asking Congress for the authority to endorse an even higher volume – up to $400 billion in authorization for FHA insurance.”
I guess you can call it consistent, it’s always rising, but I don’t know if that type of growth is anywhere close to healthy.
“FHA’s market share – which was at just 1.9% in the fourth quarter of 2006 and reached 23.7% in the fourth quarter of 2008 – means that we must continue to ensure that FHA can play its critically important countercyclical role, serving as a backstop to the private mortgage market,” he said.
Interestingly, if it hadn’t been for the extinguishment of seller funded downpayment assistance loans, the FHA would have needed appropriations of $2.5 billion to operate.
Instead, the FHA is projected to return over $1.7 billion to taxpayers in 2010.
“Seller funded downpayment assistance loans accounted for 14 percent of all FHA loans outstanding, but generated 31 percent of all FHA foreclosures and 31 percent of all losses on foreclosed-properties,” he noted.
Thank goodness they got rid of those loans.
(photo: kevindooley)
Source: thetruthaboutmortgage.com
Florida resident Jaclyn Lambert (who happens to be our PR consultant) never thought she’d ever sell a home during a global pandemic.
In fact, when the World Health Organization (WHO) announced the seriousness of COVID-19, she temporarily put selling a house on hold. But after a few weeks of self-quarantine, she received a call from her trusted realtor assuring her they could handle the listing and transaction in a safe manner.
Within a week, Lambert witnessed a bidding war on her home. It closed shortly after that. Aside from signing the closing paperwork curbside, it was a contactless procedure, one that she confidently described to me as, “safe and easy.”
“I couldn’t have imagined just how well the process would have gone during this crazy time, but I really do owe it all to my realtor who I’ve turned to a couple of times. In fact, I wouldn’t use anybody else,” said Lambert.
But Lambert’s experience as a repeat customer is actually rare. A recent study by Porch.com (my parent company) found that only 8% of repeat home buyers have used the same realtor more than once.
Why do 92% of recent home buyers search elsewhere? What causes this gap in return customers, and what can realtors know to navigate customer relationships better in 2020– even during a pandemic? Here are a few things to keep in mind when marketing your services under “the new normal”.
Recent studies show that both buyers and sellers are heeding caution during this time, with 70% of home sellers willing to take a lower asking price just to sell their home quickly, and 58% of recent potential buyers/renters putting their moving plans on hold until further notice.
As a realtor, it’s your job and responsibility to ease the stresses of the home buying and selling process to your current and future customers. Deep-dive on CDC recommendations. Learn what a safe home buying, selling process looks like. For example, some things to consider might be:
Implement these procedures and communicate loudly and clearly that working with you will be a pleasant (and safe) experience.
And remember that this is a particularly sensitive time to conduct business, so the key here is to provide the latest and greatest safety measures and technologies with authority to put your current and future client’s minds at ease.
Successfully made a customer happy during this time? Great! Now, make sure you request an online review, especially with them addressing the safety precautions your team took to make sure things run as smoothly and safely as possible.
With 66% of prospective buyers polled by Porch finding their realtor from an online review, it is quite possible that hearing this type of pandemic-safety language might be exactly what your prospective customer needs to hear in order to make that call.
And reviews are not the only way technology can be your friend during this time. If you haven’t looked toward online collaboration tools for all things home searching, contract signing, and closing paperwork. Make sure to have your trusted lenders and insurance brokers ready to forward to your clients for an easy contactless closing/home searching process.
And always lead by example; be open to meetings via Zoom to replace the valuable face-to-face time you’d in the past use for coffee shop meetings.
The Porch study also found that homebuyers aren’t reading the paperwork, with first-time homebuyers feeling especially unprepared. Coupled with pandemic nerves, this calls for some intervention.
Perhaps it’s a no-brainer that going above and beyond is good customer service, but knowing that paperwork is going unread, now would be an especially good time to prepare a conference or phone call to go over any questions or technical paperwork your client may need help deciphering.
After the sale, provide guidance on the safest way to move, provide a digital thank you gift (think: e-cards and Amazon gift cards), and simply just find any way you can to make an above-and-beyond connection with your customers, despite the lack of in-person attention you are able to give at this time.
Maintaining real estate customer relationships is hard, and while the pandemic certainly adds a new level of complexity to the mix, as a forward-thinking real estate agent, it’s important to look toward the signs of what a “new normal” might look like.
Lean on the proper technology to adopt now and potentially forever, and communicate to your past/future customers just how top of class your services really are. That will get you the rare repeat customer, no matter what outside variables you encounter.
Source: geekestateblog.com
There’s more to banking than low monthly fees, high yield savings, and a large ATM network. More Americans today seek banks and credit unions that align with their values when it comes to sustainability and social responsibility.
The U.S. banking system tends to disregard lower income and rural communities, with traditional banks establishing multiple branches in the country’s largest and wealthiest cities. The most socially responsible banks, on the other hand, provide online banking, low monthly fees, and no minimum deposit requirements, making them accessible to lower income individuals and families. They may also support efforts to help lower income individuals qualify for personal loans, auto loans or mortgages at fair interest rates.
But that’s not all that comes with socially responsible banking. Socially responsible banks emphasize financial literacy for those in their local community. They might also consider their organization a green bank, committed to fighting climate change and avoiding projects that support fossil fuels.
The best socially responsible banking institutions combine sustainability, accessibility, transparency and ethics to help make the world a better place. Yet, you won’t sacrifice top-notch personal checking and savings or even high-quality business banking when you choose one of the financial institutions on our list. You can have the best of all worlds – and do what’s best for the world – by choosing a socially responsible bank or credit union.
Aspiration is not a bank. But it’s one of the best cash management accounts offered anywhere online, with no monthly fee and a host of money management features. The Aspiration Plus Spend Save account that offers 3% interest on savings.
Aspiration is a certified B-Corp that shows its commitment to socially responsible banking with a variety of programs. Aspiration will plant a tree each time you round up a debit card purchase to deposit the difference in your Save account. It pays 3% to 5% cash back on debit card purchases with companies that are members of the Conscience Coalition, a group of small businesses devoted to social responsibility and sustainability.
Aspiration offers two accounts: One asks members to “Pay-What-Is-Fair,” which means you can use the account for free if you choose. Aspiration Plus costs $7.99 monthly or $71.88 annually (save $24 when you pay upfront.) Save accounts in the Pay What Is Fair model earn 1% APY, while Aspiration Plus savings accounts earn 3% APY.
Amalgamated Bank has branch locations in the nation’s largest cities: Boston, New York, San Francisco and Washington D.C. The bank offers personal checking and savings accounts with no monthly fees.
Amalgamated Bank offers four checking account tiers, including three interest bearing accounts. Two of the accounts have no minimum opening deposit. If you choose the interest earning Give-Back Checking account, you’ll earn a high APY of 0.90% – 0.95%, with an additional contribution of one-half of your interest earnings going to the charitable organization of your choice.
In addition to its choices in checking and savings accounts, Amalgamated Bank stands out when it comes to helping new retail investors choose ESG companies to invest in and plan for their future.
Hailed as New York’s first B Corp bank, Spring Bank offers personal and business banking online and at branches in Harlem and the Bronx. The Green Checking account offers no monthly fee with direct deposit, paperless statements and no overdraft fees. If you need an account to write checks, you’ll want to choose the Basic Checking account.
Spring Bank deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, up to $250,000 per depositor, per account. But the bank works with the IntraFi Network to also insure multi-million dollar deposits across multiple reputable U.S. banks.
Spring Bank offers CDs with terms from 90 days up to five years with a minimum deposit of just $250 and interest rates ranging from1.50% APY up to 3.25% APY. The bank also has a high-yield Vacation/Club savings account for short-term savings.
Spring Bank ranks in the top 5% of all 3,000 B Corps across the world and earned awards for its Governance and Customer Service in 2022. The company strives to provide affordable financial products, enabling its customers to avoid what it calls “fringe” financial products like check-cashing services and payday loans.
The bank also supports small businesses in New York and beyond with business checking accounts, money market accounts, and business loans.
With seven locations across California, Oregon, and Washington, Beneficial State Bank is the B Corp bank of choice for those on the West Coast. The bank’s majority owner is Beneficial State Foundation, a nonprofit organization serving the public interest.
Beneficial State Bank offers three checking accounts, all with a $50 minimum opening balance and a low monthly service charge. eChecking waives the monthly fee if you sign up for eStatements. Checking and Interest Checking products have low monthly service charges that are easy to waive if you meet certain criteria. The bank also has savings, money market, CD, and IRA accounts to help you meet your long-term and short-term savings goals.
With an emphasis on ethical, equitable banking, Beneficial State Bank is a green bank that does not support or lend fossil fuel companies. The bank shows where every percentage of your deposit goes and says that 75% of its lending occurs within its mission categories. The other 25% supports other categories, but never to projects or organizations that cause harm to the planet or the people on it.
Some of the bank’s top lending categories for businesses and consumers include environmental sustainability, affordable housing, auto loans with fair interest rates, and health and well-being. The bank is also a preferred lender for clean vehicle programs in the state of California.
City First Bank is part of a family of companies devoted to socially responsible lending and personal and business banking in low to moderate income communities. City First Bank, based in Washington, D.C., is a black-led, minority depository institute (MDI), as well as a B Corp and a member of Global Alliance for Banking on Values.
City First Bank offers a variety of personal and business banking products, as well as accounts for nonprofit organizations. The personal checking account has no monthly fee if you meet any of four criteria:
The bank also offers a personal savings account, CDs, money market accounts and savings accounts for minors.
Sunrise Banks offers a full range of personal banking products, including personal checking, savings accounts, credit cards, and a pre-paid Mastercard. But it is best known for its Pathway2Home affordable mortgage product, as well as other mortgages with down payments as low as 3%. The bank also writes VA loans with no down payment required.
By supporting affordable housing and helping Minnesota residents get into homes of their own and begin building generational wealth, Sunrise Banks shows its commitment to socially responsible banking. Like many of the socially responsible banks on this list, Sunrise Banks is a member of GBAV, a Community Development Financial Institution, and a B corporation.
Most of the banks on our list support efforts to reduce climate change, do not help fund or support fossil fuel companies, and run their organization sustainably. Clean Energy Credit Union works to fund renewable energy through personal loans for electric bicycles, solar electric systems, geothermal heat pump systems, and green home improvements. Clean Energy Credit Union also offers auto loans for electric vehicles.
While the credit union specializes in funding renewable energy and other loans, it also offers options for personal checking and savings accounts. Checking accounts offer dividends from .01% APY to 3.56% APY with a minimum opening balance of just $25 and no monthly fees if you meet certain requirements, including having a Clean Energy loan.
Savings accounts include a bank account with a 0.15% APY and a minimum opening deposit of $100, certificates, and a money market account with dividends ranging from 0.95% up to 1.61% APY, with a minimum deposit of $2,500.
As part of its commitment to green living, the credit union offers bio-based, compostable debit cards that are eco-friendly. It is also one of the few banks or credit unions on our list that offers a Carbon Zero Teen Account online, which shows your teen the carbon offsets their deposits can fund.
National Cooperative Bank offers high yield CDs, and money market accounts, as well as checking and savings accounts and business products. The bank offers an interest earning checking account with a 0.90% APY and no minimum opening deposit. There is a $15 monthly fee if the balance falls below $500.
The money market account has a high 2.28% APY, with a minimum balance of $5,000 to avoid the $25 monthly fee. You will need just $100 to open the account. You can earn a 4.34% APY on with a 12-month CD with a $2,500 minimum opening deposit.
While the bank is committed to helping its customers earn money through high interest rates, it is equally committed to its duties as a socially responsible bank. The bank has donated $8 billion to support underserved communities nationwide, and provided loans and investments of $475 million to low and moderate income families, including mortgage loans.
Clearwater Credit Union is a certified Community Development Financial Institution and a member GBAV. While most credit unions are devoted to serving their local communities, Clearwater takes it a step further by donating $1.6 million to 290 non-profit organizations in 2022. Employees donated more than 1,340 volunteer hours within their local communities, and the credit union awarded $20,000 in scholarships to students in the credit union’s home state of Montana.
Clearwater CU offers multiple choices in bank accounts, including a basic checking with no monthly fee, a premium checking that pays dividends, and a SmartSpend checking account with a low, $5 monthly fee for previously unbanked consumers.
The SmartSpend account can help lower income individuals and families avoid the fees that come with check cashing services or prepaid debit cards. It also gives them the opportunity to avoid overdraft fees while gaining the convenience of a deposit account, debit card, and access to mobile banking.
Many of the banks on our list devote time and money to sustainability, equality, and other social causes. But they don’t necessarily offer the highest interest rates available in online banking today. Carver Federal Savings Bank, however, is a Black-operated, socially responsible bank that also delivers high-yield savings of 4.00% APY.
But there is a catch. You’ll need a $5,000 minimum opening deposit. This might make the Carver savings account inaccessible to many in underserved communities seeking personal checking and savings accounts. However, for those on firm financial footing who want to support a socially responsible bank, Carver’s high yield savings is a solid choice.
Beyond the high yield savings, Carver is known for an array of checking and savings products for small business owners, including a money market account with 2.00% APY and a business interest checking account.
Start-up businesses or those with low-to-moderate balances might prefer the Carver Community Business Free Checking with no minimum balance, no monthly fee, and 200 free transactions per month. The bank focuses on Black- and Minority-owned businesses as well as women-owned businesses across New York City.
Carver is a designated CDFI and has reinvested 80% of every dollar deposited into NYC communities. It also donated $149 million in New Market Tax credit and more than $259 million in leveraged loans across the New York metro area.
When you’re shopping around for a socially responsible bank, first consider what aspects of ethical banking are most important to you. Are you looking for a bank committed to serving low income communities, or one that puts a focus on renewable energy? Maybe sustainability is the most significant aspect to finding a socially responsible bank that aligns with your values.
Of course, you also want to think about all the other elements that you would consider for your personal banking needs. These include low fees, online banking capabilities and an intuitive mobile app, early availability of your direct deposits, and a high yield savings account.
Our list of the best socially responsible banks takes all these factors into consideration and showcases banks that back up their values with investments – in their communities and in the environment.
The best socially responsible banks often showcase their commitment to ethical banking through certifications or membership in organizations that support and reflect their values. If a bank is a member of the Global Alliance for Banking on Values, recognized as a community development financial institution (CDFI) or a Certified B corp, you know the bank has demonstrated its commitment to ethical banking.
The Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV) is a worldwide network of socially responsible banks committed to ESG values. GABV banks focus on three pillars:
To join the Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV), banks must show their commitment to sustainability, and have a balance sheet of at least $50 million. They must be a full service bank and show financial stability and stable governance. Many of the best socially responsible banks are members of the Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV).
A Community Development Financial Institution is a bank, cash management account, or credit union that is certified by the U.S. government. It’s a bank that has shown a commitment to providing banking services in low income communities and underserved communities across the U.S.
Unlike many other financial institutions, Community Development Financial Institutions focus on areas such as economic development, affordable housing and supporting small businesses in their local community.
A Certified B Corp is any organization or socially responsible financial institution that successfully balances purpose and profit. Organizations can apply for B Corp certification if they demonstrate transparency, social responsibility, and show high social and environmental sustainability standards. Banks and credit unions must pass rigorous certification standards to become recognized as a B Corp.
Still have questions about the best socially responsible banks? Check out some commonly asked questions below.
Many U.S. banks meet eco-friendly requirements in a variety of ways. Some, like Clean Energy Credit Union, refuse to support fossil fuel companies. Aspiration plants a tree whenever customers round up their debit card purchases to deposit into a savings account.
To find eco-friendly banks, you can look up their ESG (Environmental, Social & Governance) ratings on their websites, in their financial statements, or on a website like Sustainalytics.
Remember, ESG ratings are derived from many factors, including a company’s diversity & inclusion practices, sustainability, charitable donations, and more. You may have to dig deeper to see which banks employ sustainable practices to reduce their carbon footprint.
A search on a company website should help you find the best socially responsible banks committed to ethical banking. Check online to see if the bank helps underserved communities or the unbanked or underbanked population. Ethical banks may be recognized as a community development financial institution.
Responsible banking or ethical banking typically focuses on three key areas:
An ESG bank focuses on environmental sustainability, social responsibility and ethical governance.
Source: crediful.com
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Your apartment budget should cover the following:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Here are some other ways you can boost your budget.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Source: rent.com
While it’s part of our daily duties to be hunting for fab new blogs, Instagram is quickly becoming our favorite inspiration destination. We love seeing so much amazing work in bite sized bits. But it can feel hectic trying to keep up with the stream! I mean, we’re already checking a bazillion times a day- in line at the grocery store, during commercial breaks, at a red light shhh!…as we’re sure you well know it’s quite addicting!
That’s why we try to fill our feed with people who know a thing or two about taking a delightful picture. Uncovering inspiring new feeds can be a bit challenging so we thought we ought toshare some of our favorite photographers, art directors and bloggers who have that extra-special eye. First up for our all new series, Instagrammers Delight, are three of current Instagram obsessions: @Dabito, @BlackPigment and the one and only @Rick_Poon.
Here’s a peek at their genius ‘grams!
Beyond gorgeous, right? These three ‘grammers inspire us by the hour. The way they capture lines and light pushes us to up our own Instagram game!
You definitely want to follow these delightful feeds: @dabito, @blackpigment and @rick_poon. We promise, they’ll make your stream totally awe inspiring!!
images via @dabito // @blackpigment // @rick_poon
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Source: apartment34.com
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!
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.
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.”
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!”
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.”
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.”
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.
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.”
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.”
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.
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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.
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Source: financequickfix.com