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Orlando is home to the “most magical place on Earth” — Walt Disney World Resort — which makes it a popular destination for tourists. With so many people visiting the local theme parks, attractions and restaurants, the airport can get very crowded.

Enter Orlando’s airport lounges, which can provide a sanctuary from the throngs of travelers while you enjoy complimentary beverages, snacks and other benefits.

Learn more about which Orlando airport lounges are available, where they’re located and how you can get in.

About the lounges at Orlando airport

Currently, there are seven airport lounges spread across all three terminals at Orlando International Airport. Other than the USO Lounge, each lounge is located inside airport security, which means that you must have a valid ticket to visit them.

Admission to these lounges varies based on ticket type, elite status or which credit card you hold. In some cases, you may even be able to purchase a day pass to enjoy lounge benefits.

Terminal A

Orlando’s Terminal A has limited airport lounge options, though may be the most versatile. Its Priority Pass lounge is ideal for travelers because access isn’t limited to a specific airline. Plus, Terminal A has the USO lounge, which offers exclusive access to active duty military.

The Club at MCO Lounge

  • Location: Terminal A, adjacent to XpresSpa near Gates 1-29.

  • Opening hours: Daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Lounge amenities

The Club at MCO Lounge Orlando Airport offers complimentary snacks, beverages and Wi-Fi. It does not have premium food or spa services, but guests can take advantage of its complimentary showers.

How to enter the lounge

Since there are two The Club at MCO lounges at Orlando’s airport, access is restricted based on which gate you’re flying out of. This The Club lounge is available to travelers departing from Terminal A Gates 1-29 and Terminal B Gates 30-59. All others must visit the other location.

Visitors can access the lounge beginning three hours before departure. To enter, purchase a day pass for $50 from The Club website or use your Priority Pass benefits.

USO Welcome Center Lounge

  • Location: Terminal A, outside of security on Level 1.

  • Opening hours: Daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Lounge amenities

The USO Welcome Center Lounge offers complimentary non-alcoholic beverages, coffee, tea and snacks. Visitors can access free Wi-Fi and enjoy DVDs and multiple video game systems. It includes a children’s play area, sleeping quarters and quiet areas, plus a library.

How to enter the lounge

USO lounges are available to active duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces, Reserves and Guard, plus their immediate families. Admission is not available to military retirees, disabled veterans and others who have previously served in the military.

Terminal B

Terminal B is where you’ll find the lounges for the major domestic airlines. Travelers must have elite status, a qualifying ticket, a lounge membership or a day pass to enter. If you don’t qualify, the Priority Pass lounge is another option.

American Airlines Admirals Club

  • Location: Terminal B, near Gate 55

  • Opening hours: Daily from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Lounge amenities

Inside this Orlando airport lounge, travelers can enjoy complimentary snacks and drinks, including a full-service bar. This location does not offer conference rooms for visitors. Guests can also use the complimentary Wi-Fi to access the internet to check email, stream shows or browse the internet.

How to enter the lounge

Complimentary entrance to the Admirals Club in Orlando is available to club members when flying on American Airlines or one of its partners.

Additionally, you receive free entrance if you have a ticket for a first or business class international, transcontinental or other domestic flight by American Airlines or a Oneworld airline.

Elite status members of a Oneworld airline with Emerald or Sapphire status can also enter the lounge for free with any ticket for American or a Oneworld partner.

Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® provides complimentary access to Admirals Club lounges when flying on any American or Oneworld flight. This card also provides complimentary access to immediate family members or up to two guests who are also flying on American or a Oneworld partner.

Day passes are capacity-limited, but available for purchase online or on-site for $79 (or 7,900 AAdvantage miles) when flying on American or a Oneworld partner flight.

U.S. military personnel traveling in uniform are offered free admission to Admirals Club lounges when flying American; these guests may also bring their immediate family or up to two guests.

Delta Sky Club

  • Location: Terminal B, near Gate 71.

  • Opening hours: 

    • Open 4:30 a.m to 9:45 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

    • Open 4:30 a.m to 10:45 p.m. on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday

Lounge amenities

The Sky Club in Orlando offers complimentary snacks, beer, wine, spirits and liquor. Guests can also enjoy free Wi-Fi during their stay. It does not have showers, premium food or conference rooms.

How to enter the lounge

Delta Sky Club members can access the lounge when flying Delta or one of its partners, unless they purchased a basic economy ticket.

Purchasing a domestic or international Delta One ticket provides complimentary entrance to the Sky Club. Additionally, if you’re flying on an international first or business class partner flight, you receive free entry.

Delta Medallion elite status provides free access based on the type of ticket purchased. Diamond, Platinum or Gold members can enter the lounge for free when flying Delta Premium Select internationally or on any Delta One flight. One guest can accompany the member if they have the same class of ticket.

SkyTeam Elite Plus members can access Sky Club lounges for free on a SkyTeam international flight or on a domestic flight connecting to a same-day international flight.

Those traveling on partner flights not operated or marketed by Delta can access the lounge for $50 per person. Reserve cardholders can bring immediate family members or up to two guests into the lounge for $50 per person.

The Platinum Card® from American Express, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express and Centurion cardholders receive complimentary entrance to Sky Club lounges when traveling on a Delta-operated or Delta-marketed flight operated by WestJet. They can bring up to two guests or immediate family members at a rate of $50 per person. Terms apply.

Delta no longer offers day passes for sale.

The Club at MCO Lounge

  • Location: Terminal B, near Gate 91.

  • Opening hours: Daily from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Lounge amenities

In addition to complimentary snacks, spirits, beer and wine, this lounge also offers a children’s area. Guests can use the complimentary shower before departing on their flight. It also includes complimentary Wi-Fi for streaming, browsing the internet and checking email.

The children’s area provides an opportunity for children to burn off energy before the flight while the parents enjoy the lounge’s benefits.

How to enter the lounge

Of the two Orlando airport lounges from The Club at MCO, this one serves passengers departing from Terminal A Gates 100-129 and Terminal B Gates 70-99. Passengers departing from other gates within Terminal A and B should visit the other The Club at MCO Lounge location.

United Club

  • Location: Terminal B, near Gate 43

  • Opening hours: Daily from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Lounge amenities

The United Club lounge offers a full-service bar, light snacks and Wi-Fi for free to its guests. The lounge also has a children’s area for young guests and their parents. A conference room is available for an additional fee for travelers needing to conduct business.

How to enter the lounge

There are many ways travelers can gain access to this United Club lounge. Passengers on United Polaris or business class international or transcontinental flights receive complimentary admission, as can those flying first or business class on a Star Alliance member airline.

Star Alliance Gold members also have access to United Club lounges when traveling on an international flight by any Star Alliance airline.

Travelers can also purchase a United Club membership using cash or by redeeming miles. The price starts at $550 or 75,000 miles per year and varies based on your elite status level.

United Club℠ Infinite Card includes a complimentary United Club membership. With this membership, you and your eligible travel companions can enter these lounges for free whenever you fly on United or a partner airline.

United also offers free admission to active U.S. military personnel traveling on United. This includes those dressed in uniform, on leave orders or traveling on rest and recuperation papers.

Terminal C

The only airport lounge in Terminal C is the Plaza Premium Lounge. Travelers can access this lounge with qualifying credit cards regardless of which airline they’re flying.

Plaza Premium Lounge

  • Location: Terminal C, on the second floor overlooking Palm Court.

  • Opening hours: Daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Lounge amenities

The Plaza Premium Lounge at Orlando International offers complimentary draft beer, food and Wi-Fi. Guests can also use its “luxury washrooms with spa-like shower facilities” to freshen up when they arrive or before their flight departs.

This lounge also offers an entertainment space for families, including a turtle drop game and a curated Orlando Storytelling Wall.

How to enter the lounge

Plaza Premium lounges partner with many major banks to offer complimentary access for travelers. However, it is not included with Priority Pass membership.

Eligible cards for this airport lounge in Orlando include:

Travelers can also book a day pass online through the Plaza Premium website. Price may vary based on when you’re traveling, how many are with you and how long you stay. A three-hour visit in April 2024 is available for $69.18 per person.

🤓Nerdy Tip

If you’re buying a day pass, you can save money by purchasing a multi-visit pass ranging from two, five or ten days.

The bottom line

Whether it’s your final destination or you’re on a layover before your next flight, Orlando airport lounges offer an escape from the noise inside the terminal.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024, including those best for:

Source: nerdwallet.com

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Both apartments and condominiums share quite a number of traits but differ in ownership. Apartments are often found in large residential complexes owned by a company. These complexes are often operated by professional property managers. Condos are also usually located in large residential complexes, but each condo unit is typically owned by an individual owner.

If you’re browsing the market for a rental, you’ve likely encountered a dazzling array of condos and apartments, and you might rent either type of property. The question of condo vs. apartment gets more complex if you’re debating whether to buy a condo or rent an apartment.

What Is a Condo?

A condo is a residential unit within a collective living community, where each individual condo is owned by a private owner, but the cost of maintaining communal areas is shared by all owners. While condos are often located in high-rise buildings, they can also take the form of a collection of standalone properties, each designated a “condo unit.”

One benefit to renting a condo is that you can deal directly with your landlord rather than a management office, which may mean more personalized attention for your needs.

For buyers, the purchase price for a condo can be significantly lower than the cost of most single-family homes.
💡 Quick Tip: When house hunting, don’t forget to lock in your home mortgage loan rate so there are no surprises if your offer is accepted.

What Is an Apartment?

An apartment is a rental unit within a building, complex, or community. Often, an apartment complex is managed by a property management company, which serves as both landlord and leasing agent for all of the units on the premises. In big cities, “apartment” is sometimes used as shorthand for a condo or co-op unit. If you’re choosing between a co-op and a condo to rent or buy, you’ll want to know how they differ, and whether you’re ready to buy an apartment.

Rental apartments may be located in high-rises but can also be found in larger homes that have been subdivided into separate units.

Renting an apartment offers greater mobility than buying a property, which makes it a flexible option if you’re only planning on staying in an area for a couple of years. A full-time management office or private landlord takes care of leasing, rent payments, and repairs.

Where They Differ

Now that we’ve covered the condo vs. apartment basics, let’s dive deeper into some key dimensions in where they differ.

Ownership

Each unit in a condo development is usually owned by a private homeowner. Unless the condo owner retains the services of a property manager, prospective renters can expect to deal with the condo owner directly when it comes to rental applications, monthly rent payments, and any maintenance issues that arise over the course of their lease.

Apartments are often managed by a property management company that may also own the apartment complex. Effectively, this makes the company the landlord for the entire property. Prospective apartment tenants will usually submit their application and rent payments through the apartment leasing office, while full-time maintenance staffers are on call to deal with any repairs. Of course, some apartments are in smaller buildings owned by individuals. In that case, a renter might deal directly with the property owner just as a renter in a condo does.

In either case, landlords may be amenable to your desire to negotiate rent in order to take you on or keep you. Paring the rent is the main goal in such a negotiation, but you can always ask for other benefits in lieu of a rent reduction.

Property Taxes

Renters aren’t responsible for paying property taxes, making them a non-issue in the apartment vs. condo choice. However, if you’re deciding whether to purchase a condo, understand that you’re responsible for paying property taxes for your unit every year. If you decide to rent your condo out, you should also expect to be taxed on any rental income you collect.

Design

Regardless of structure type, condo owners retain the right to make cosmetic adjustments to the interior of their properties. So if you’re interested in renting in a particular condo complex and you don’t like the design choices an owner has made, consider looking at other units that are available for rent — you may find a very different look and feel in another unit. Apartments within a rental complex, in contrast, typically share similar, if not identical, layouts and designs regardless of which unit you choose.

Amenities

The amenities of both apartments and condos vary widely and often depend on when and how they were built. Generally speaking, condos are more likely to offer customized amenities, like state-of-the-art appliances and granite countertops, that reflect the tastes and habits of their owners.

Fees

Apartments and condos of similar quality and in the same area should rent for around the same cost. Both condos and apartments often charge the following fees:

•   Application fee

•   First and last month’s rent

•   Security deposit

•   Credit and background check fee

•   Pet fees and deposit

•   Parking fee

Renters may find that condo owners are more willing to negotiate on things like fees than apartment management teams, as these are private owners trying to keep their units rented out for income purposes.

Buying a condo will mean paying monthly maintenance fees that cover insurance for and upkeep of common areas, water and sewer charges, garbage and recycling collection, condo management services, and contributions to a reserve account.

Community

Condos usually have a greater sense of community than apartment complexes, given that their residents are likely to stay around longer. In many cases, residents consist of the condo owners themselves.

By contrast, renters living in apartments often intend to stay for only a couple of years. While that’s not to say that there aren’t occasional resident get-togethers at some apartment complexes, you’re less likely to encounter the same faces over several months.

If you’re renting a condo, expect to abide by rules set by the homeowners association. These can sometimes be fairly strict. Apartments have their own set of rules that may be less stringent.

Renting and Financing

Renting an apartment involves one monthly rent payment, in addition to any utilities you’re responsible for. Of course, when you leave the apartment, you leave with just your security deposit, assuming all payments have been made and no damage has been done.

Financing a condo and purchasing the property allows you to lock in your monthly mortgage payments at a steady long-term rate and gives you the chance to start building equity. In exchange, you’ll be required to make a down payment and be responsible for any taxes, insurance, and maintenance fees, among other costs.

Deciding whether it’s better to buy a condo or to rent — or to get a house or condo — is a complicated decision that depends on your personal finances and your lifestyle. If you’re thinking about settling down, have a stable job with steady income, and have enough saved up for a down payment with an emergency fund to spare, buying a condo or house may be the right choice for you. However, if you’re still exploring the area or have variable income with limited savings, it may be best to continue renting. For those trying to decide between renting an apartment and financing a condo or house, a mortgage help center can help provide answers.
💡 Quick Tip: Your parents or grandparents probably got mortgages for 30 years. But these days, you can get them for 20, 15, or 10 years — and pay less interest over the life of the loan.

Maintenance

Most apartment complexes have an on-site building supervisor who can address maintenance issues. Given that the owner of a large apartment complex oversees all of the units, they’re incentivized to employ someone full time to attend to the day-to-day affairs. This often means that apartment owners can react faster than condo owners, who sometimes don’t even live on the premises.

By contrast, condo units are usually owned by landlords, and most of them hire a third-party contractor to come in and make repairs as necessary. In some cases, condo owners may be handy and handle the repairs on their own.

If you buy a condo, you’ll have a regular maintenance fee that covers the shared parts of the property, but because condo owners typically own just the interior of their unit, any repairs in the condo unit will be separate. (It’s a good idea to pore over the covenants, conditions, and restrictions to see exactly what is part of your unit or part of the common elements.)

Condominium vs Apartment: A Side-by-Side Comparison

To help sum it all up, here’s a quick guide to the condo and apartment traits discussed above.

Condo Apartment
Ownership Private owner Property management company, if a large complex; private owner if a smaller building
Property taxes Paid by condo owner Paid by building owner
Design Customized by owner Uniform across all units
Fees

First and last month’s rent

Security deposit

Credit and background check

Application fee

First and last month’s rent

Security deposit

Pet fees
Community Typically condo owners and long-term residents Typically shorter-term renters
Renting & Financing

Condo renters:

Monthly rent

Utilities

Condo owners:

Mortgage payment

Utilities

Property taxes

Maintenance fees

Property insurance

Monthly rent

Utilities

Renter’s insurance
Maintenance Private owner hires third-party contractors for repairs and maintenance On-site maintenance staff

Condo vs Apartment: Which One May Be Right for You?

Whether a condo or apartment is right for you depends on your preferred rental experience. If you’re looking for something that feels a little more akin to home and don’t mind dealing directly with your landlord when discussing repairs and rent payments, a condo (or an apartment in a small privately owned apartment building) may be the better option for you.

On the other hand, if you prefer dealing with a full-time staff of property managers, want something more structured, and don’t mind cookie-cutter corporate apartments, an apartment may be the better rental option for you.

Prospective condo buyers will want to keep their finances and monthly budget in mind when deciding if they want to rent or buy. While the idea of building equity is appealing, settling down and committing to a mortgage isn’t for everyone. You’ll want to thoughtfully evaluate your ability to make monthly payments and whether you want to stick around an area.

The Takeaway

In the condo vs. apartment comparison, you’ll pay similar costs when renting properties of similar quality. Things get more complex if you’re debating whether to buy a condo or rent an apartment, as there are myriad added costs for condo owners in exchange for the chance to build equity.

Looking for an affordable option for a home mortgage loan? SoFi can help: We offer low down payments (as little as 3% – 5%*) with our competitive and flexible home mortgage loans. Plus, applying is extra convenient: It’s online, with access to one-on-one help.

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FAQ

Why are condos more expensive than apartments?

In general, condos and apartments of comparable quality cost around the same amount to rent. A condo owner, however, will likely face higher monthly costs than an apartment renter, thanks to the added costs that come with owning a property, including mortgage payments, taxes, insurance, and maintenance fees. Over time, the added expense may be offset by the equity built through mortgage payments.

Which retains more value, condos or apartments?

Over the long run, both a condo and an apartment in a co-op building can lose or gain value. Whether your specific property appreciates will depend on local market factors and on upkeep of your unit as well as of the larger complex.

Can I get a loan to buy a condo or co-op apartment?

A qualified buyer can finance a condo with a government-backed or conventional mortgage loan. Getting a loan for buying into a housing cooperative can be more difficult. The buyer is purchasing shares that give them the right to live in the unit — personal property, not real property. That’s one reason that some lenders do not offer financing for co-ops.

Photo credit: iStock/Michael Vi

*SoFi requires Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) for conforming home loans with a loan-to-value (LTV) ratio greater than 80%. As little as 3% down payments are for qualifying first-time homebuyers only. 5% minimum applies to other borrowers. Other loan types may require different fees or insurance (e.g., VA funding fee, FHA Mortgage Insurance Premiums, etc.). Loan requirements may vary depending on your down payment amount, and minimum down payment varies by loan type.

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

SoFi Mortgages
Terms, conditions, and state restrictions apply. Not all products are available in all states. See SoFi.com/eligibility for more information.

Tax Information: This article provides general background information only and is not intended to serve as legal or tax advice or as a substitute for legal counsel. You should consult your own attorney and/or tax advisor if you have a question requiring legal or tax advice.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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Source: sofi.com

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Outfitting a new place with pictures and paintings can get expensive, but nowadays, there are plenty of cheap wall art options for your apartment that are inexpensive yet chic.

Once you’ve found the perfect apartment to rent, signed the lease and moved in, the fun part of decorating your new home can begin. If you’re wondering where to buy art for an apartment, we’ve put together a list of 25 places to find cheap wall art online. Browse these galleries or peruse in person and find cheap wall art for your apartment that’ll give it personality and color.

Where to buy art for your apartment

One day, you may be able to afford an original painting by your favorite artist, but until then, there are lots of places to find cheap wall art that’ll spice up your apartment without breaking the bank. Here are some places to consider when looking for art for your apartment.

1. Etsy

Etsy is an online marketplace where vendors can sell their arts, crafts and vintage supplies directly to buyers. While you’ll have to search and filter through lots of options, Etsy has a huge collection of art available and is a great place to browse when looking for cheap wall art.

2. Thrift shops

Your local thrift shop is a great place to start when looking for art for apartments. Because of the nature of thrift shops where products are constantly being donated, each time you go to the local thrift shop, you’ll find different art available for purchase at an inexpensive price point. Thrift shops will offer a wide range of art genres and you’ll never know what you’re going to find when you walk in. This makes it a fun place to check out frequently and see what you’ll stumble upon

3. Yard and estate sales

Like thrift shops, local yard and estate sales are great places to go and browse for cheap wall art. You don’t know what you’re going to find, but it is a fun surprise when you find something unexpected that you love.

4. Antique stores

Looking for something vintage and antique to decorate your apartment with? Antique stores can offer one-of-a-kind pieces of art that’ll make your apartment stand out from other homes. Antique art hunting requires patience, but when you find a fabulous piece of art, the hunt is worth it.

5. Society 6

Society 6 is a website for independent artists to showcase their work. Here, you’ll find a variety of art options — from paper prints to framed art to tapestries — to buy and decorate your apartment with.

6. Target

Who doesn’t love going on a Target run? Whether you’re looking for cheap wall art online or looking to wander the aisles, Target offers a variety of art that’ll work when decorating anything from a nursery to the living room in your apartment.

7. Bed Bath and Beyond

Bed Bath and Beyond is another big-box store that offers a little bit of everything, including cheap wall art. Here you can purchase framed art or canvas prints that’ll look high-quality hanging in your home but won’t cost the same as a gallery piece would.

8. Art.com

Art.com is a great place to start when you’re looking for art for your apartment. This website offers thousands of pieces — from classics artists like Van Gogh and Picasso to unknown artists selling flowers or signs — Art.com is a great place to browse as you’ll find almost anything your heart desires.

9. Rifle Paper Co.

Rifle Paper Co. is a brand that features whimsical designs and sweet florals on a variety of products. From paper prints to licensed products, check out Rifle Paper Co. offers a nice selection of art to hang in your apartment.

10. Wayfair

Wayfair is where to look when you’re searching for anything from furniture to art to match. If you don’t know what style of art you like, Wayfair is a great place to start because you can match it to your furniture style.

11. Artfinder.com

Do you like to support local artists from around the world? If so, Artfinder.com is a great place to find cheap wall art online. You can find styles that you like and feel good about supporting local artists at the same time. Also, lots of times you’ll find art on sale, which is always a perk.

12. Minted.com

Minted.com offers limited edition prints, meaning the prints won’t always be available for purchase. If you like unique art at a stellar price point, check out Minted.com when browsing for cheap wall art online.

13. Overstock

If you’re in the mood to browse online at endless options, Overstock.com is the place for you. This online gallery offers thousands of options and you’re bound to find a piece of art (or two) that are great for your new apartment.

14. Christmas Tree Shops

Christmas Tree Shops offers so much more than holiday art. If you’re looking for canvas art that’ll look upscale and elegant in your home, this is a great website or store to check out.

15. Circle Graphics

Circle Graphics is a digital printing company and art vendor that can help you decorate your home with art or photos. Looking for art? Great. Looking to print your own photos on canvas? You can do that, too!

16. Home Goods

Home Goods is another place to browse online and in-store to find both cheap wall art and decorative elements for your apartment.

17. Great Big Canvas

Great Big Canvas is another online art gallery that allows you to search by subject, color, size or room. This is a great way to filter your art options and find the perfect piece for every wall in your apartment.

18. Abstract Art Gallery

If you want an original piece of art but don’t want to spend thousands of dollars, Abstract Art Gallery is a great place to find abstract-style art for under $500. Check out this site if you’re looking for an original piece for your apartment.

19. Paper Source

Paper Source is a boutique paper store that sells print art and fine paper that can easily be styled into wall art. Find a piece of paper or pattern that you love, buy a frame to match and voila, you’ve got yourself a cheap piece of wall art. This is a great option because you can easily swap the art out seasonally and have new art regularly.

20. Urban Outfitters

Looking for something a little more hipster? Check out Urban Outfitters art and decor section and you’ll find a wide selection of posters, prints and frames to decorate your apartment with.

21. iCanvas

iCanvas offers people a large selection of options to find cheap wall art online. You can purchase prints that feature iconic movie and TV scenes, abstract art or classics.

22. Uprise Art

If you’re the type of person who wants to spend money on one beautiful piece of art that is a statement piece, Uprise Art is a great source to check out. With art for under $800, you can get a wonderful piece of art that’ll last you forever.

23. Vertical Gallery

Vertical Gallery is a digital art gallery where people can browse and see a variety of artists month over month. This is a fun way to purchase cheap wall art because the collections change and provide you with new options.

24. Big Lots

Big Lots offers art and home decor for inexpensive prices. This is a great place to start looking for art if you aren’t sure about your style and don’t want to invest in an expensive piece yet. You can purchase a few pieces of art, see what you like, and then commit to a more expensive piece down the road.

25. Dollar Tree

Last but not least is Dollar Tree. If you’re looking for cheap wall art, try Dollar Tree. You can get prints for literally one dollar and outfit the entire apartment wall-to-wall if you want.

Decorate your apartment with cheap wall art

Whether you’re looking for one statement piece of art or multiple pieces you can swap out seasonally, there are plenty of places to find cheap wall art. These 25 places are a great place to start when looking for places to buy art for your apartment.

Sage Singleton is a freelance writer with a passion for literature and words. She enjoys writing articles that will inspire, educate and influence readers. She loves that words have the power to create change and make a positive impact in the world. Some of her work has been featured on LendingTree, Venture Beat, Architectural Digest, Porch.com and Homes.com. In her free time, she loves traveling, reading and learning French.

Source: rent.com

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Full of historic buildings and Victorian and Craftsman homes, Nob Hill exudes an air of classic Portland style and sophistication. But it’s also one of the Rose City’s trendiest spots for shopping and dining, especially along NW 23rd — or Trendy-Third — Avenue. From the latest must-try restaurants to charming local boutiques, there’s always something to see and do. And if you live in the area, home is just a quick walk or bus ride away along quiet, tree-lined streets. If you want to set down roots in one of Portland’s eternally-iconic neighborhoods, Nob Hill is the spot.

Where is Nob Hill located in Portland?

Nob Hill is in Northwest Portland, with the West Hills to the west and the Pearl to the east. For those unfamiliar with Portland’s topography, Northwest Portland is on the west bank of the Willamette River. Also known as the Alphabet District, Nob Hill is generally defined as stretching north-south from West Burnside St. to NW Thurman, and east-west from NW 20th to 23rd Avenues.

The area ZIP code is 97210, which also encompasses the overall Northwest neighborhood and the base of the West Hills.

Source: Rent.

Sure, the area is highly walkable, but what about public transit? How expensive is it since many of the buildings are so historic? There are lots of factors to consider when choosing a new neighborhood. Here are some stats about Nob Hill:

  • Studio average rent: $1,680
  • One-bedroom average rent: $2,165
  • Two-bedroom average rent: $3,062
  • Walk score: 95.86
  • Bike score: 91.04
  • Transit score: 81.90

Living in Nob Hill

Choosing Nob Hill as your home means you get big-city fun in a communal, neighborly package. You can easily walk or bike to some of Portland’s best shopping, dining and cultural offerings. But you also feel well-connected to your community. It’s the best of both worlds!

Walking and biking

As you can see above, Nob Hill boasts of incredibly high walking and cycling scores. As an extremely pedestrian and cyclist-friendly city, Portland drivers are very aware of their surroundings.

Local laws are also very geared toward pedestrian and cyclist safety and right of way. So you can feel safe and secure walking and biking around your own neighborhood.

Photo source: Oregon Trail Recovery Project

Public transportation

Although Nob Hill is easily walkable and many residents choose to walk or bike around, there is still great mass transit available.

TriMet bus Line 15 offers a straight shot down NW 23rd. Another convenient transit option is the Portland Streetcar, whose North/South Loop connects the north end of Nob Hill to Downtown.

Walking or using mass transit are also the main ways of getting around as finding parking is difficult. I-405 is also just a few blocks off Nob Hill, connecting to I-5 toward Seattle or heading south into central Oregon.

Education

Many young people choose Nob Hill for the happening lifestyle. But the peaceful neighborhoods and large Craftsman-style homes are great for families, and there are some highly-rated schools in the area. Chapman Elementary School and the Metropolitan Learning Center are well-regarded, as well as Lincoln High School.

Safety

Overall, Nob Hill is a very safe neighborhood.

Both local forums and third-party reviewers rank it as a safe place, with violent crimes like assault ranking incredibly low or nonexistent. There are some issues with theft and burglary, which is an issue many parts of Portland have been grappling with. But overall, residents report feeling safe and secure.

Recreation

Nob Hill is a fantastic area if you enjoy spending time outdoors. There are several clean and lush city parks nearby like Wallace Park, where you can exercise, walk your dog or relax. And Forest Park, which has tons of trails, is easily accessible via Lower Macleay Park.

Source: Rent. / The Celine

Dining

Nob Hill is one of Portland’s best districts for dining, and foodies here have a field day.

From breakfast to nightcaps, there’s always an occasion for dining out. Start off the day at Pine State Biscuits for their breakfast biscuit sammies, and get coffee from Barista or Good Coffee.

For lunch and dinner, you have your pick of anything from sushi to seasonal Pacific Northwest fare. And drinks-wise, there are awesome spots like Bar Diane, a chic wine bar, and Southland Whiskey Kitchen.

10 things to do in Nob Hill

Homebodies, beware: you’ll never want a stay indoors life when you live in Nob Hill. Whether popping out for a coffee, bar-hopping or browsing local shops, there’s always something fun to do.

  1. Dive into Portland’s famous weird vibes at the Freakybuttrue Peculiarium and Museum with its collection of the bizarre and strange.
  2. Enjoy al fresco dining Portland-style at the Nob Hill Food Carts, with its diverse offerings from ramen to burgers.
  3. Dine at top-notch restaurants and eateries like Bamboo Sushi, Grassa and Salt & Straw.
  4. Say goodbye to store-bought bread; get all your loaves from the iconic Ken’s Artisan Bakery.
  5. Go for a hike in nearby Forest Park, which has over 70 miles of trails, to enjoy some time in nature.
  6. Shop locally-made goods and handicrafts at shops like Tender Loving Empire, and find your fave national retail brands like LUSH and Williams-Sonoma.
  7. Take in a movie at Cinema 21, a neighborhood treasure that showcases classic, indie and arthouse films.
  8. Go for a stroll around the neighborhood to admire the many historic buildings and houses.
  9. Break out for your best karaoke song at VoiceBox, which boasts of private karaoke booths and now offers virtual karaoke during the pandemic.
  10. Move over, craft beer; Portland’s distilling scene is booming, as you’ll discover visiting and tasting at NW distilleries like Bull Run and Aria Portland Dry Gin.

Finding an apartment in Nob Hill

Ready to live that hip Northwest Portland lifestyle? Check out what apartments are available in Nob Hill! Even if Nob Hill itself isn’t your top choice, then check out the other apartments for rent and homes for sale in Portland.

Rent prices are based on a rolling weighted average from Apartment Guide and Rent.’s multifamily rental property inventory of one-bedroom apartments in March 2021 and go back for one year. Our team uses a weighted average formula that more accurately represents price availability for each individual unit type and reduces the influence of seasonality on rent prices in specific markets.
The rent information included in this article is used for illustrative purposes only. The data contained herein do not constitute financial advice or a pricing guarantee for any apartment.

Zoe Baillargeon is an award-winning writer and journalist based in Portland, Oregon, where she covers a variety of beats including travel, food and drink, lifestyle and culture for outlets like Apartment Guide, Rent., AFAR.com, Fodor’s, The Manual, Matador Network and more. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, hiking, reading and spoiling her cat.

Source: rent.com

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Carrie Carrollo
Photo Illustration: Jae Payne
Carrie Carrollo
Photo Illustration: Jae Payne

There’s something about opening a new calendar that makes us want to feel our best. So this January, POPSUGAR is giving you everything you need to hit the reset button on your health, your habits, your beauty routine, and more. To find more articles about resetting your home, click here.

The past few years have been full of lessons. For a homebody and serial (re)decorator like me, here’s a big one: never underestimate the value of creating a home you like spending time in. (In some cases, a lot of time.)

Actually doing that is easier said than done, and there’s far from a one-size-fits-all approach. Some things — certain features of your space, or maybe your current circumstances — might make it tough to take on major changes or pricey reno projects. But one place we can all start? Finding (or creating) a home decor style that resonates, and then taking the steps, big or small, to bring it to life.

I’ve lived at 11 addresses in my life (a good chunk of those thanks to the New York City rental market), and made some questionable decor choices along the way. But my ninth home, a 350-square-foot studio apartment and my first solo adult space, was a significant turning point in understanding the power of making an empty box my own. Importantly, it allowed me to discover my eclectic and colorful decor style in the process.

Carrie Carrollo
Photo Illustration: Jae Payne

Now, a few years and two places later, I’ve created a home that feels more personal — more like me and the partner I share it with — than ever. It’s an evolution of the style I established in that tiny studio that’s grown with me and that I know will only continue to.

So if you’re feeling inspired to rethink your space in the new year, or just looking for some advice to refer back to later, maybe I can help. Here are some decor tips to make your home feel more like you, so you can enjoy it to its fullest.

1. Get familiar with what you like.

We do it with food, fashion, and even dating. So why does it seem so much harder to nail down an interior style (or styles) that we like? I have a hunch. Furniture and decor isn’t the same as fashion; it’s bigger, more expensive, and takes up more space. Aside from accruing blankets and tchotchkes, it’s much easier to own multiple coats or change a lipstick than it is to swap out your sofa or have another set of dining chairs in rotation. The pieces in your home are designed to be lived with every single day, and you want to like what you’re sharing space with. In this case, decision paralysis can be very real.

So, where to begin? You’ve got options. For some, an interior-design-style quiz can point you in the right direction (especially a thoughtful one from a designer, like this). For others, scrolling through Pinterest and Instagram are the best ways to find variety at your fingertips (and save what you like). Don’t overthink it; you’ll know what you’re naturally gravitating to.

I take a hybrid approach: saving and pinning while also snapping photos of things (hotel lobbies, wall and furniture color combinations in restaurants) I see in real life. I also browse online stores like AllModern, vintage furniture resale sites like Chairish, and even Facebook Marketplace.

Carrie Carrollo
Photo Illustration: Jae Payne

When browsing, don’t ignore the small stuff — even if you don’t love the big picture. For example, you may not like the way a whole room looks, but you might love a particular side table. Or you might spot a pairing of textures you love in a lamp but find a way to use that combo in a mirror. I recently saw an aged, almost-black brown wood stool on Pinterest that inspired me to buy a similarly colored bar cabinet on Facebook Marketplace. It’s now one of my favorite pieces.

2. Find a style sweet spot.

You may want your home to look like a magazine, or even the set of a Nancy Meyers film. But a few things you might be less keen on? Creating a carbon copy of someone else’s home or a time capsule of a hyper-specific decor style — early 2000s Olive Garden-style kitchens or Y2K bedrooms. (We can bring back blow-up chairs and lava lamps, though.)

While this can be hard to avoid as trends cycle in and out of style, mixing and matching can be a smart way to maintain a transitional look. Whether it’s pairing vintage with modern, incorporating family heirlooms into the mix, or laying trending patterns and textures (think: checkerboard or bouclé) over more subtle fabrics, this can help your space feel balanced and versatile.

Wherever you ultimately land may help define your decor style tastes even further. And that spot might sit somewhere between a few distinct decor styles, or many — coastal and Scandinavian, preppy meets French country, industrial with hints of art deco and glam. There’s no pressure to fit neatly into a box.

Carrie Carrollo
Photo Illustration: Jae Payne

Let my space be an example: my living room is home to a mix of Chinese and Japanese accents, a Moroccan rug, a postmodern coffee table, a modern CB2 credenza with clean lines, a ’70s lamp, and curtains I found at Ikea. It’s eclectic and varied, exactly the way I like it.

3. Embrace the evolution.

All good things must come to an end, or at least change and grow. You’ll know when it’s time to let your space — or your tastes — evolve.

Carrie Carrollo
Photo Illustration: Jae Payne

Maybe you’re moving into a bigger space and need the furniture to match, or maybe you’re entering a new phase of life and ready to replace an old table with a sturdier investment piece. In cases like mine, you might be transitioning from living alone to with a dog, a roommate, and eventually a partner. Or you might just generally be ready for something new.

Whatever the reason, trust your instincts about what stays and what goes, and take your time. You might want to keep sentimental artwork, statement furniture, and your sofa. But it might be time to change a rug, a table lamp, or your bedding.

And if you like what you’ve already created but just want to iterate on it, find replacement pieces with familiar qualities like colors, silhouettes, or patterns. Black-and-white patterns have become a staple of my spaces, as have bold uses of green in different shades. I interpret them a little differently each time — on a rug and then a headboard, or on towels and then a lamp — but now, they’re a signature. Wherever they are feels like home.

Carrie Carrollo
Photo Illustration: Jae Payne

Source: popsugar.com

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SoMa San Francisco, which stands for South of Market San Francisco, represents the most central part of the city. The area is home to techies, Michelin-starred restaurants and high-rise apartment buildings. The location and close proximity to downtown, public transportation, entertainment and restaurants make SoMa a highly walkable and convenient place to live.

Where is SoMa in San Francisco?

As its name suggests, SoMa is nestled south of San Francisco’s main street, also known as Market Street. The area includes a few smaller neighborhoods as well, including South Beach, Yerba Buena and Rincon Hill.

SoMa stretches all the way down to 11th Street, and along the way, you can find plenty of shopping, dining, museums and San Francisco’s famous Moscone Center. The neighborhood is also adjacent to Embarcadero, which is the city’s famous waterfront that faces the Bay Bridge and further down, the city’s tourist attraction, Fisherman’s Wharf.

Source: Rent.

Like many neighborhoods in San Francisco, SoMa has withstood earthquakes, financial fallout and now a pandemic. It has survived and thrived and is now a destination for both techies and tourists.

SOMA has about 12,000 residents, compared to the general San Francisco population of 881,549.

  • Studio average rent: $3,040
  • One-bedroom average rent: $3,635
  • Two-bedroom average rent: $4,692
  • Walk score: 97
  • Bike score: 83
  • Transit score: 85

Living in SoMa San Francisco

SoMa represents a complete spectrum of San Francisco, with accessibility and comforts of the city just a short walk away. Here are a few things to know about living in SoMa San Francisco.

Crime and safety in SoMa

Like parts of any big city, SoMa is perfectly safe to walk around during the day. Because the area is always bustling with lots of people and activity, it’s considered safe. There are, however, parts of Market Street that can get dicey, including going past 6th Street.

You may encounter some of San Francisco’s homeless population, which tends to gather in this area. If you need to go through this area at night, the best thing to do would be to either avoid Market Street or take public transportation if you need to go beyond 6th Street.

Entertainment and shopping in SoMa

If you’re in search of shopping or entertainment, SoMa is trendy and has plenty to offer. The most popular destination is Union Square and San Francisco’s Westfield Centre. At this mall you’ll find high-end brands like Bloomingdales and Nordstrom. The shopping continues in the outdoor part of Union Square, with the famous cable trolley available to ride, right outside of The Gap.

For more of a local shopping experience, there’s also the city’s beloved Alexander Book Company, Foto-Grafix Books and The Green Arcade.

Like the rest of the city, SoMa has its fair share of parks and places to relax. Locals enjoy the lawn outside of the Metreon, Salesforce Park and — just a short walk away — the Embarcadero.

Dining and restaurants

Although the pandemic has caused a shift in the way restaurants serve their food, there’s still plenty of ways to enjoy a nice takeout meal and beverage from local eateries and artisan coffee shops. The neighborhood’s dining scene offers delicious food at every price point, craft cocktail bars and incredible bakeries.

Here’s a glimpse into SoMa’s food and drink scene:

  • The Bird: There’s often a line out the door for this hotspot that offers fried chicken and slaw. Top it off with a beer and curly fries.
  • Dottie’s True Blue Cafe: If brunch is more your thing, Dottie’s is a staple in SoMa. Get a ginormous order of pancakes and settle in at this San Francisco institution.
  • Birdsong: For some fine dining and a look at an open kitchen, check out Birdsong. The chefs prepare delicious chicken-based meals in front of you. Try any of the perfectly crispy fried chicken sandwiches and don’t forget to eat the huge flakes of batter that fall out of the sandwich with each bite.
  • The View Lounge: For one of the best hotel rooftops in the U.S., make your way to the 39th floor of the Marriott Marquis Hotel in SoMa. It’s a fantastic way to soak up the city’s stunning views with a delicious cocktail and light meal.

Transportation

Fact: The trolley is definitely not the best way to get around San Francisco but is a blast to ride.

One of the best things about being in SoMa is that you have any number of public transportation options to get to your destination. From jumping on the ferry from Embarcadero to get across the bay to Marin or taking BART to shuttle down to the East Bay, SoMa offers it all.

If you have a car, you can easily hop on the 101 Freeway or take Interstate 80 to get to the East Bay or Sacramento.

The main forms of transportation include:

  • Bus: 14, 14R, 5, KBUS, LBUS, NBUS
  • MUNI: To get anywhere within the city, including Ocean Beach and Dogpatch
  • BART: Subway that goes south to SFO or to the East Bay
  • Ferry: East Bay or north of San Francisco, such as Sausalito or Marin
  • Scooters and public bikes: They’re everywhere!

Education

Although for the moment, many schools are offering online courses only, there are a number of continued educational institutions housed in the heart of SoMa.

The SoMa area offers a number of universities, art schools, and trade colleges that are conveniently located for people living in the area. These include:

  • The California Institute of Studies (CIIS)
  • San Francisco State University Downtown
  • Golden Gate University
  • City College of San Francisco – Downtown Center
  • Academy of Art University
  • Wharton School – University of Pennsylvania

Weather in SoMa

SoMa has arguably the best weather in San Francisco — which is known for its micro-climates. Generally speaking, SoMa is slightly warmer and has more sun than other parts of the city, such as Ingleside or Oceanview, which both get an average of 12 hours of fog, daily! The fog is such a prominent force in the city, it’s called Karl and has its own Twitter account, @KarlTheFog.

San Francisco weather is mild, with moist winters, dry summers and an average temperature around 60 degrees. If you’re not familiar with San Francisco weather, prepare for foggy, chilly summers. The summer doesn’t really start until September, also known as San Francisco’s Indian Summer.

10 things to do in SoMa

From shopping, checking out local eateries, and soaking in the picturesque waterfront, there is so much to do and see in SoMa.

  1. SFMOMA: Spend a day browsing through 30,000 pieces of modern artwork across seven gallery floors and 45,000 square feet of free, art-filled public space open to all.
  2. Press Club: In the mood for a full-bodied glass of wine with dinner? Count on Press Club to offer an incredible selection of tastings and wines.
  3. Yerba Buena Gardens: Take advantage of San Francisco’s fantastic weather by spending an afternoon on the lush green grass.
  4. Salesforce Park: Stroll along a 5.4-acre elevated park, four stories above the streets on top of the Salesforce Transit Tower. Enjoy the view and check out the botanical gardens and public art.
  5. Oracle Park: This is where the Giants play! Even if you’re not into baseball games, you’ll still appreciate the beautiful view of the bay and can take a behind-the-scenes tour of the stadium.
  6. Alice Street Community Gardens: This is a small but surprisingly serene urban garden that is kept and manicured by seniors and younger disabled people from the neighborhood. Each person gets a plot for creative expression.
  7. California Historical Society: This organization has galleries that showcase the history of California through photography, manuscripts, posters and artwork.
  8. Walk the Barbary Coast: This is a four-mile walking tour connecting 20 historic sites and local history museums. There are approximately 180 bronze medallions and arrows embedded in the sidewalk mark the trail.
  9. Deli Board: This SoMa staple will satisfy your sandwich cravings with plenty of surprises to boot. The menu changes daily and includes piles of delicious meats spilling out of fluffy, hot rolls.
  10. Ice skate or bowl: Near the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, there’s a year-round ice skating rink and bowling center.

Finding an apartment in SoMa

Finding an apartment in SoMa starts with your budget for rent and what kind of building you want to live in. On smaller side streets you’ll occasionally find a Victorian or a modern condominium. Brick walk-ups are common, as are high-rises—these are more common the further west you go.

SoMa isn’t the most car-friendly part of San Francisco, but the newer high rises offer parking, usually with a monthly fee.

Convenience is the main theme when living in SoMa, but if a balcony overlooking a beautiful, innovative city appeals to you, then it may just be your next place to live.

Rent prices are based on a rolling weighted average from Apartment Guide and Rent.’s multifamily rental property inventory of one-bedroom apartments. We pulled our data in May 2021, and it goes back for one year. Our team uses a weighted average formula that more accurately represents price availability for each individual unit type and reduces the influence of seasonality on rent prices in specific markets.
The rent information included in this article is used for illustrative purposes only. The data contained herein do not constitute financial advice or a pricing guarantee for any apartment.

Claire Tak is a writer who previously served as head of content and chief editor for FinTech companies in New York and San Francisco. Her work has appeared on FOX Business, Bloomberg and Forbes. She writes regularly about travel, money and being a good human. Traveling and snowboarding are her two favorite things to do.

Source: rent.com

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Nearly two-thirds of college graduates leave school with debt, which means many couples have to manage outstanding student loans after they get married. If you and your spouse each have multiple student loans, you could potentially end up with a large number of loans to manage in one household. That might make the idea of consolidating student loans with your spouse appealing. So, can you do it? And, if so, is it a good idea?

Yes — and maybe.

The federal government no longer offers spousal consolidation of federal student loans. However, you may be able to combine your federal or private loans by refinancing with a private lender. Whether or not that’s a wise move will depend on a number of factors, including the types of loans you have and your interest rates.

Here’s a look at options available for consolidating your loans as a couple, plus other ways to make student loan payments more manageable after marriage.

Consolidating Federal Loans

Consolidating is the process of combining your loans so you only have to make one payment and keep track of one due date, rather than several. Individual borrowers can consolidate their federal student loans through the federal government.

When you consolidate federal loans, the government pays them off and replaces them with a Direct Consolidation Loan. Your new fixed interest rate will be the weighted average of your previous rates, rounded up to the next one-eighth of 1%.

Previously, married federal student loan borrowers could consolidate their loans together through a joint consolidation loan. However, the government ended that program in 2006 and no longer offers federal loan borrowers a way to consolidate student debt with a spouse.

Currently, the only way to consolidate federal student loans with a spouse is through refinancing with a private lender. This involves taking out a new, larger student loan to pay off all of your existing loans. The lender will base your new loan’s interest rate on your combined income and creditworthiness, and both of you will be listed as primary borrowers on the loan.

It’s important to note that consolidating in this way will convert those federal loans into private loans, which removes all federal benefits and protections, such as income-driven repayment plans and student loan forgiveness programs.
💡 Quick Tip: Get flexible terms and competitive rates when you refinance your student loan with SoFi.

Refinancing Student Loans With Your Spouse as a Cosigner

Another way to commingle student loan repayment responsibility is to apply for refinancing with your spouse as a cosigner (or vice versa). While your loans won’t be consolidated together if you’re approved, you’ll share ownership of the loan with your spouse. This could be a good idea if you would not be able to qualify for a refinancing on your own or could qualify for a better rate if your spouse serves as a cosigner, due to their added income and/or good credit.

An advantage of cosigning versus joint consolidation is that some lenders allow you to eventually remove a cosigner from a loan, which could be useful should you ever part ways. Joint refinancing, on the other hand, generally doesn’t have an “out” clause.

Recommended: Student Loan Consolidation vs Refinancing

How to Combine Student Loans With Your Spouse

If you’re interested in combining student loans with your spouse, here’s a look at the steps involved in a joint refinance.

1.   Find a lender. You’ll need to find a lender that offers joint refinancing (not all do). Ideally, you’ll want to shop around and compare offers from multiple lenders to make sure you find the best deal. Browsing around and receiving prequalified rates won’t affect your credit, since companies will do a “soft” credit check.

2.   Apply for the loan. Once you find a lender you want to work with, you’ll need to choose which loans you want to consolidate (you don’t have to include every loan you have) and officially apply for the loan. Both you and your spouse will need to supply personal and financial information.

3.   Review your documents and sign. Once approved, it’s a good idea to carefully review all the documents you receive and check the fine print before signing anything. Confirm the loan terms you were approved for match the ones you applied for.

4.   Keep paying your individual loans until the refinance is complete. When you refinance a loan, your new lender must then pay off your old lender. It may take a little while for that process to finalize. In the meantime, it’s important for you and your spouse to continue making your payments on your individual loans until you’ve received notice from your new lender that the debt transfer is complete.

Recommended: Pros and Cons of Refinancing Student Loans

Advantages of Consolidating Student Loans With Your Spouse

Combining your student loans with your spouse’s through refinancing comes with certain advantages. Here are some to consider:

•  Simplified repayment Rather than juggling multiple student loan payments and due dates, you and your spouse will only have one payment to make.

•  A potentially lower rate If your spouse has better credit or a higher income than you, refinancing with your spouse may allow you to qualify for a lower interest rate than you’d get on your own. Together, you could potentially save money.

•  You could lower your payment You may be able to lower your monthly payment by getting a lower interest rate and keeping the same repayment term. You can also lower your payment by extending your loan term. (Note: You may pay more interest over the life of the loan if you refinance with an extended term.)

•  Fosters teamwork When you combine student loans with your spouse, there’s no longer separate debt. You have one joint goal you’re working towards as a team.

Recommended: Making Important Money Decisions in Marriage

Disadvantages of Consolidating Student Loans With Your Spouse

Although consolidating student loans with your spouse can seem appealing, there are some significant drawbacks to keep in mind:

•  Few lenders offer it Only a small number of lenders offer spousal student loan consolidation. With few options to choose from, you may have trouble getting approved or finding a competitive interest rate.

•  Loss of federal protections If you or your spouse have federal student loans and you refinance them, they become private student loans. You’ll lose federal loan benefits and protections, including the ability to enroll in an income-driven repayment plan and access to federal forbearance or deferment options.

•  Divorce could be messy When you refinance your student loans with your spouse, you are taking on a new loan together. If you end up divorcing, you’ll still be legally obligated for the combined debt and you’ll have to work out payment terms with your former spouse as part of the divorce agreement.

•  You might not lower your rate In most cases, refinancing only makes sense if you can get a lower interest rate. This is especially true if you have federal loans because you give up many protections by refinancing.

Other Ways to Tackle Student Debt as a Couple

A joint refinance isn’t the only way to manage your combined student debt load. Here are some other tips for how to manage student debt as a married couple.

•  Be honest — with yourself and your spouse Having a high student loan balance might feel overwhelming, but avoiding your debt or hiding it from your spouse can affect your relationship. You can start by getting acquainted with exactly how much you each owe, your interest rates, and the loan terms.

•  Know your repayment options If you have federal loans, it can be helpful to read up on the different plans available for student loan repayment and the pros and cons of each. If you’re having trouble making payments, you can look into income-driven repayment plans or other federal loan forgiveness programs. Speak to your loan servicer(s) if you’re concerned with your ability to repay your total loans as a couple.

•  Consider consolidating separately If your or your spouse has multiple federal student loans, consolidating with a Direct Consolidation Loan can help you better manage the loans you have in your name. If you have loans other than Direct Loans, it can also give you access to additional repayment options. Federal consolidation won’t lower your rate, however. It could also extend your loan term, which would increase your overall costs.

•  Look into refinancing separately If you (or your spouse) has higher-interest graduate PLUS loans, Direct Unsubsidized Loans, and/or private loans, refinancing could help you get a lower rate, a lower payment, or both. Keep in mind that refinancing federal student loans with a private lender means giving up federal benefits. And, if you opt for a longer loan term, you could end up spending more over the life of the loan.

💡 Quick Tip: It might be beneficial to look for a refinancing lender that offers extras. SoFi members, for instance, can qualify for rate discounts and have access to career services, financial advisors, networking events, and more — at no extra cost.

Figuring Out the Financial Path that’s Right for You

While you and your partner can’t jointly refinance your student loans with the federal government, you may be able to find a private lender that offers a spouse consolidation loan. Other ways to manage student loan repayment after marriage include: listing all of your loans and coming up with a repayment strategy together, re-evaluating your payments plans, and looking into consolidating or refinancing your loans separately.

Looking to lower your monthly student loan payment? Refinancing may be one way to do it — by extending your loan term, getting a lower interest rate than what you currently have, or both. (Please note that refinancing federal loans makes them ineligible for federal forgiveness and protections. Also, lengthening your loan term may mean paying more in interest over the life of the loan.) SoFi student loan refinancing offers flexible terms that fit your budget.

With SoFi, refinancing is fast, easy, and all online. We offer competitive fixed and variable rates.
<sp-rc-cta cta-text="https://www.sofi.com/refinance-student-loan/“>


SoFi Student Loan Refinance
If you are a federal student loan borrower, you should consider all of your repayment opportunities including the opportunity to refinance your student loan debt at a lower APR or to extend your term to achieve a lower monthly payment. Please note that once you refinance federal student loans you will no longer be eligible for current or future flexible payment options available to federal loan borrowers, including but not limited to income-based repayment plans or extended repayment plans.

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

Non affiliation: SoFi isn’t affiliated with any of the companies highlighted in this article.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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Source: sofi.com

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Do you want to get paid to watch ads? While you won’t get rich watching ads (it’s not a full-time job), it’s an easy way to make extra money to cover a phone bill or pay for some groceries. And, it’s something you can do from your couch and in your spare time. If you’re…

Do you want to get paid to watch ads? While you won’t get rich watching ads (it’s not a full-time job), it’s an easy way to make extra money to cover a phone bill or pay for some groceries.

And, it’s something you can do from your couch and in your spare time.

If you’re wondering why companies are even paying people to watch ads, it’s simple.

Companies pay people to watch ads or fill out surveys to get a better idea of what the consumer wants and whether they would buy the product or not. This helps companies improve their product and potentially make way more money. They also pay people to watch their ads so that they can get more eyes on their company.

Today, I’ll help you learn how to get paid to watch ads as well as the best apps and sites to watch ads for money.

13 Best Places To Get Paid To Watch Ads

There are many different places to make money watching ads. Below are some popular options for the best places to make money watching ads.

1. InboxDollars

InboxDollars is one of the top ways to make money watching ads, with over $80,000,000 being paid out to people who use this site (watching ads isn’t the only way, though). Once you sign up for an InboxDollars account, you can start watching ads for extra money.

You can also make money on InboxDollars by:

  • Cash back shopping
  • Playing games
  • Trying out new products and services 
  • Reading emails 
  • Printing coupons 

How to sign up for InboxDollars:

  1. Sign up for InboxDollars here and get a free $5 bonus.
  2. Start watching ads by heading to the Videos tab on their site to see what ads are available to you.

The videos open in a different tab or window. Some videos start playing automatically in the new tab or window, while others need you to click the Next button to see the next part of the content.

2. Swagbucks

Swagbucks is a website that pays people for watching ads, completing surveys, and more. You can watch ads on a bunch of topics including food, cosmetics, fashion, and more. 

Swagbucks pays via points (known as SBs), and they can easily be transferred so that you can get paid either via gift cards (such as to popular retailers like Amazon or Walmart) or get cash back via PayPal.

Swagbucks’ minimum withdrawal amount is also just $3.

You can also make money on Swagbucks by:

  • Filling out surveys
  • Playing games
  • Scanning receipts
  • Complete daily tasks offered in the app
  • Referrals (such as with a referral link)

How to sign up for Swagbucks:

  1. Click here to sign up.
  2. Set up an account by entering your email and setting up a password.
  3. Start watching ads or filling out surveys.

Sign up for Swagbucks here (and earn sign-up bonus points).

3. MyPoints

MyPoints is a rewards site that has over 20 million active users on their website. MyPoints has access to tens of thousands of surveys and advertisement videos to watch for extra cash.

Once you create a profile and fill out basic information about yourself, MyPoints will even send you surveys to fill out. Once you fill out online surveys, you get paid via points which can then be redeemed for gift cards, travel miles, and more.

You can also make money on MyPoints by filling out surveys, playing games, and even redeeming coupons.

How to sign up for MyPoints:

  1. Sign up on their website.
  2. Create an account by entering your email and setting up a password.
  3. Start watching ads.

Sign up for MyPoints by clicking here.

4. PrizeRebel

Prize Rebel is a popular survey app that rewards members who answer surveys, watch ads, and try out free samples. Prize Rebel pays out via PayPal cash, Bitcoin, gift cards, and more. 

You can also make money on Prize Rebel by:

  • Trying out free samples
  • Entering sweepstakes
  • Trying out new apps
  • Trying out free trials 

How to sign up for Prize Rebel:

  1. Create an account by either entering your info or connecting your Facebook account.
  2. Start watching ads or filling out surveys.

Sign up for Prize Rebel by clicking here.

5. Ibotta

Ibotta is an app (available for Android, Apple, etc.) that gives cash back to customers who make everyday purchases. Once you’re in the Ibotta app, you can start clicking and activating special cash back by clicking the + button next to the item offer.

Some offers will make you watch an ad on their product in return for getting their offer.

For certain retailers, you can even link your store loyalty account to the Ibotta app. This makes it incredibly easy to earn cash back with the app because you don’t have to submit any receipts.

You can also use Ibotta even if you’re shopping online. To shop from your phone, open the Ibotta app, tap online shopping, and browse offers from hundreds of retailers.

New Ibotta users get $10 when they spend $50 at participating online retailers.

How to sign up for Ibotta:

  1. Sign up for an Ibotta account. 
  2. Shop and click to activate offers within the app.
  3. Shop at stores like you normally would.
  4. Submit receipts to the Ibotta app.

Please click here to sign up for Ibotta.

Recommended reading: How To Make Money Without A Job

6. iRazoo Rewards

iRazoo Rewards is an app that pays people to watch ads and fill out surveys. New offers are added everyday, making it easy to find new ways to earn iRazoo points within the app.

You can also make money on iRazoo Rewards by:

  • Answering surveys
  • Completing offers
  • Playing games

How to sign up for iRazoo Rewards:

  1. Download the app and create an account.
  2. Fill out the information about yourself.
  3. Start watching ads.

7. Nielsen TV Ratings 

Neilson is an information and market research company that you’ve probably seen in commercials in the past as they are popular. Neilson’s job is to give companies information into consumer behavior so that they can create and improve their products.

And, this is why they need you!

Nielson pays out via PayPal Cash, gift cards to stores like Amazon, and more.

How to sign up for Nielsen:

  1. Sign up for an account.
  2. Download the app on your phone or computer.
  3. Earn rewards.

8. Earnably

Earnably is a website that pays you to complete different tasks, such as watching videos.

Earnably pays out via PayPal cash or gift cards. This app stands out more from others because you only need $1 to cash out the rewards that you earn. This means that it is typically easier to get your first payment.

How to sign up for Earnably:

  1. Create an account.
  2. Start watching ads or filling out surveys.
  3. Redeem points for PayPal Cash or gift cards.

9. QuickRewards

QuickRewards pays people to watch informational and entertaining videos on topics like news, lifestyle, pop culture, food, and more.

To get paid to watch videos on Quick Rewards, you simply go to their “Videos” tab when you’re logged in. You’ll then see the daily videos that are available to you, and the amount of points that you can earn for watching each video.

When I was logged in, I was able to earn points for watching movie trailers, food videos (such as cooking tutorials), ads, and more.

There is only a 1 cent minimum needed for redeeming points on QuickRewards. You can earn free PayPal cash, gift cards to Amazon, and more. 

You can also make money on QuickRewards by:

  • Filling out surveys
  • Playing games
  • Completing offers
  • Shopping online

How to sign up for QuickRewards:

  1. Create an account.
  2. Start watching ads.

10. AppTrailers

AppTrailers is a way to make money by watching videos of new apps, celebrity gossip, DIY videos, video ads, and more.

You get points for watching these videos, which you can then redeem for PayPal cash, Amazon gift cards, and more.

You can also make money on App Trailers by playing trivia in the app and entering sweepstakes.

How to sign up for AppTrailers:

  1. Download the app and create an account.
  2. Fill out basic information.
  3. Start watching videos.

11. AdWallet

Unlike the other apps mentioned, AdWallet’s only way to make extra money in the app is by watching ads. After you’ve finished the ad, you’ll complete a short survey. Once you’re logged into the app, you’ll see videos that are ready for you to view them.

The minimum payout for AdWallet is $10 and cash out options are via PayPal cash, gift cards, or donating the funds to a charity.

How to sign up for AdWallet:

  1. Create an account.
  2. Start watching videos.
  3. Redeem points for gift cards or PayPal cash.

12. KashKick

KashKick is an online platform that pays users cash for completing tasks like watching videos. There are no points in KashKick, so you always know exactly how much you’ve earned.

You can also make money on KashKick by:

  • Completing offers
  • Trying out new apps

How to sign up for KashKick:

  1. Sign up for a KashKick account.
  2. Review offers in the app.
  3. Start earning money.

Please click here to sign up for KashKick.

13. GrabPoints

GrabPoints is similar to all of the other survey apps and rewards its users for answering surveys, watching videos, and playing games. 

To make money watching ads with GrabPoints, you want to pick one of the following video providers: Hideout.TV and Loot.tv. Each of these video providers offers all kinds of videos with topics from entertainment, fashion, sports, and action. How many points you earn depends on the channel.

You can also make money on GrabPoints by:

  • Taking surveys
  • Playing games
  • Downloading apps 

How to sign up for GrabPoints:

  1. Create an account.
  2. Start earning points by watching ads or filling out surveys.
  3. Redeem points for cash or gift cards.

FAQ – How To Make Money Watching Ads

Here are answers to common questions about how to watch ads for money.

Can I earn money from watching ads?

Yes, you can earn money from watching ads right from your smartphone or laptop. The amount you earn depends on several things such as the survey site, how long the ad is, and how much time is needed from you.

Ads pay out at around .7 cents per advertisement for Inbox Dollars and related sites. Sites may pay via PayPal cash, Visa gift cards, Amazon gift cards, and more. Withdrawals (payment thresholds) typically start at around $5 to $10, but depend on the specific site.

Recommended reading: 26 Weekly Pay Jobs To Make Money Quickly

Which app pays for watching videos?

There are tons of mobile apps that pay users for watching videos. The top apps that pay for watching ads include Swagbucks, Inbox Dollars, MyPoints, You-Cubez, and Slidejoy. You can search on Google Play and the iOS App Store to look for more. Viggle used to be a popular option for watching short films as well, but it is no longer around.

How to get paid to watch ads on your phone?

To get paid to watch ads, download the app you want to use. You can choose from many apps including MyPoints, Inbox Dollars, Swagbucks, and more. Then, create an account and fill out some basic information. Survey sites want to know information about you to match you to certain surveys. 

Once you have the app and information filled out, start browsing the different tasks you can do to make money. This may be watching ads, filling out surveys, printing and redeeming coupons, playing games, etc.

Once you complete the task, you’ll start earning rewards which can then be redeemed for PayPal cash, gift cards, and more depending on the app.

Why are companies paying people to watch ads?

Companies and advertisers pay people to watch ads to get product testing, feedback and insights, and ideas on how to fine-tune their product before the product goes public.

These brands want to know what you’re thinking and what you think about certain products or services. This helps them in the process of making new items for their brand.

Recommended reading: 21 Best Free Surveys That Pay Cash Instantly

Is it worth it to make money by watching ads?

You won’t get rich making money watching ads, but it is an easy way to make extra income to pay off a bill each month. 

You may want to think if it’s worth the time and effort to make money watching ads. Try out an app or site listed above for a couple of weeks and see if it’s worth it. You may find that it’s easy enough to do while you’re watching Netflix or waiting in the car to pick up your kids from school.

How To Get Paid To Watch Ads – Summary

If you’re looking to make extra money in your downtime, watching ads is an easy side hustle to start.

By signing up for apps and sites like Inbox Dollars and Swagbucks, you can get paid watching ads, filling out surveys, and even get free products in return for giving feedback to the brand.

Do you make money watching ads?

Recommended reading:

Source: makingsenseofcents.com