What should you avoid saying or doing on a listing presentation?Whether you’re presenting to a good friend, a referral client or a colder lead, there are some universal mistakes you must avoid if you want to take the listing. The good news is that all of these things are easy to remember:
1. Don’t arrive late
Early is on time, on time is late and if you’re late, you’ll lose. People have varying degrees of tolerance for an appointment showing up late, so err on the side of caution and always be early. If you miscalculate and get there too early, use that time to drive the neighborhood and become even more familiar with the streets, amenities, parks, other homes for sale and so forth. It’s better than being late!
2. Don’t park in their driveway
You’re either blocking someone in or taking someone’s spot. If their teenager has to drive to soccer practice and you’re blocking them from leaving, then your appointment mojo will be messed up with an awkward interruption. Park in the street.
3. Don’t discuss politics
Politics aren’t relevant to the sale of the home, and no matter what you say, you have a 50/50 shot of being in contention. This also applies to your social media. Don’t invite conflict!
4. Don’t make the appointment all about you
Always make it all about the client: their needs, motivation, time frame and priorities. Don’t talk about how busy you are, about a deal you’re trying to save, inspection and financing drama, or how you’re going to be out of town for two weeks. They don’t care about any of that. They care about your ability to solve their real estate needs.
5. Don’t forget to ask for the business
The definition of “close” is the logical ending to a great presentation. Assuming you did a great job presenting, closing is easy, conflict-free and results in a signed listing contract.
Create a reminder card with these 5 mistakes to avoid, plus your favorite affirmation for success. Keep it in your car and review it before every listing appointment. Sometimes even the smallest things can tilt the appointment in your favor…or away from it.
Seneca said that “luck is what happens when preparedness meets opportunity.” Be prepared and luck will be on your side!
Tim and Julie Harris host a podcast for real estate professionals. Tim and Julie have been real estate coaches for more than two decades, coaching the top agents in the country through different types of markets.
You can sense it in the ubiquitous “Help Wanted” posters in artsy shops and restaurants, in the ranks of university students living out of their cars and in the outsize percentage of locals camping on the streets.
This seaside county known for its windswept beauty and easy living is in the midst of one of the most serious housing crises anywhere in home-starved California. Santa Cruz County, home to a beloved surf break and a bohemian University of California campus, also claims the state’s highest rate of homelessness and, by one measure based on local incomes, its least affordable housing.
Leaders in the city of Santa Cruz have responded to this hardship in a land of plenty — and to new state laws demanding construction of more affordable housing — with a plan to build up rather than out.
Many Santa Cruz business owners back the city’s plan for high-rise development, saying the city needs more affordable housing for servers and retail workers.
(Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
A downtown long centered on quaint sycamore-lined Pacific Avenue has boomed with new construction in recent years. Shining glass and metal apartment complexes sprout in multiple locations, across a streetscape once dominated by 20th century classics like the Art Deco-inspired Palomar Inn apartments.
And the City Council and planning department envision building even bigger and higher, with high-rise apartments of up to 12 stories in the southern section of downtown that comes closest to the city’s boardwalk and the landmark wooden roller coaster known as the Giant Dipper.
“It’s on everybody’s lips now, this talk about our housing challenge,” said Don Lane, a former mayor and an activist for homeless people. “The old resistance to development is breaking down, at least among a lot of people.”
In recent years, Santa Cruz has approved development of modern multistory housing complexes, part of a broader effort to add housing stock.
(Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Advertisement
Said current Mayor Fred Keeley, a former state assemblyman: “It’s not a question of ‘no growth’ anymore. It’s a question of where are you going to do this. You can spread it all over the city, or you can make the urban core more dense.”
But not everyone in famously tolerant Santa Cruz is going along. The high-rise push has spawned a backlash, exposing sharp divisions over growth and underscoring the complexities, even in a city known for its progressive politics, of trying to keep desirable communities affordable for the teachers, waiters, firefighters and store clerks who provide the bulk of services.
A group originally called Stop the Skyscrapers — now Housing for People — protests that a proposed city “housing element” needlessly clears the way for more apartments than state housing officials demand, while providing too few truly affordable units.
City officials say the plan they hope to finalize in the coming weeks, with its greater height limits, only creates a path for new construction. The intentions of individual property owners and the vicissitudes of the market will continue to make it challenging to build the 3,736 additional units the state has mandated for the city.
“We’ve talked to a lot of people, going door to door, and the feeling is it’s just too much, too fast,” said Frank Barron, a retired county planner and Housing for People co-founder. “The six- and seven-story buildings that they’re building now are already freaking people out. When they hear what [the city is] proposing now could go twice as high, they’re completely aghast.”
Frank Barron is among the activists who say the City Council’s development plans are out of character for the laid-back beach town.
(Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Susan Monheit, a former state water official and another Housing for People co-founder, calls 12-story buildings “completely out of the human scale,” adding: “It’s out of scale with Santa Cruz’s branding.”
Housing for People has gathered enough signatures to put a measure on the March 2024 ballot that, if approved, would require a vote of the people for development anywhere in the city that would exceed the zoning restrictions codified in the current general plan, which include a cap of roughly seven or eight stories downtown.
The activists say that they are trying to restore the voices of everyday Santa Cruzans and that city leaders are giving in to out-of-town builders and “developer overreach laws.”
The nascent campaign has generated spirited debate. Opponents contend the slow-growth measure would slam on the brakes, just as the city is overcoming decades of construction inertia. They say Santa Cruz should be a proud outlier in a long string of wealthy coastal cities that have defied the state’s push to add housing and bring down exorbitant home prices and rental costs.
Diana Alfaro, who works for a Santa Cruz development company, said many of the complaints about high-rise construction sound like veiled NIMBYism.
“We always hear, ‘I support affordable housing, but just not next to me. Not here. Not there. Not really anywhere,’ ” said Alfaro, an activist with the national political group YIMBY [Yes In My Back Yard] Action. “Is that really being inclusive?”
Zav Hershfield, a renters’ rights activist, advocates rent control caps and housing developments owned by the state or cooperatives.
(Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
The dispute has divided Santa Cruz’s progressive political universe. What does it mean to be a “good liberal” on land-use issues in an era when UC Santa Cruz students commonly triple up in small rooms and Zillow reports a median rent of $3,425 that is higher than San Francisco’s?
Beginning in the 1970s, left-leaning students at the new UC campus helped power a slow-growth movement that limited construction across broad swaths of Santa Cruz County. Over the decades, the need for affordable housing was a recurring discussion. The county was a leader in requiring that builders who put up five units of housing or more set aside 15% of the units at below-market rates.
But Mayor Keeley said local officials gave only a “head nod” to the issue when it came to approving specific projects. “Well, here we are, 30 or 40 years later,” Keeley said, “and these communities are not affordable.”
Santa Cruz County, known for its windswept beauty and easy living, is in the midst of one of the most serious housing crises anywhere in California.
(Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Today, with 265,000 residents, the county is substantially wealthy and white.
An annual survey this year found Santa Cruz County pushed past San Francisco to be the least affordable rental market in the country, given income levels in both places. And many observers say UC Santa Cruz students contend with the toughest housing market of any college town in the state.
Advertisement
State legislators have crafted dozens of laws in recent years to encourage construction of more homes, particularly apartments. While California has long required local governments to draft “housing elements” to demonstrate their commitment to affordable housing, state officials only recently passed other measures to actually push cities to put the plans into practice.
Regional government associations draw up a Regional Housing Needs Assessment, designating how many housing units — including affordable ones — should be built during an eight-year cycle. The state Department of Housing and Community Development can reject plans it deems inadequate.
For years 2024 to 2031, Santa Cruz was told it should build at least 3,736 units, on top of its existing 24,036.
For decades, Santa Cruz culture has centered on quaint shops and restaurants along sycamore-lined Pacific Avenue.
(Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Santa Cruz and other cities have been motivated, at least in part, by a heavy “stick”: In cases when cities fail to produce adequate housing plans, the state’s so-called “builder’s remedy” essentially allows developers to propose building whatever they want, provided some of the housing is set aside for low- or middle-income families. In cities like Santa Monica and La Cañada-Flintridge, builders have invoked the builder’s remedy to push ahead with large housing projects, over the objections of city leaders.
The Santa Cruz City Council resolved to avoid losing control of planning decisions. A key part of their plan envisions putting up to 1,800 units in a sleepy downtown neighborhood of auto shops, stores and low-rise apartments south of Laurel Street. Initial concepts suggested one block could go as high as 175 feet (roughly 16 stories), but council members later proposed a 12-story height limit, substantially taller than the stately eight-story Palomar, which remains the city’s tallest building.
City planners say focusing growth in the downtown neighborhood makes sense, because bus lines converge there at a transit center and residents can walk to shops and services.
“The demand for housing is not going away,” said Lee Butler, the city’s director of planning and community development, “and this means we will have less development pressure in other areas of the city and county, where it is less sustainable to grow.”
Santa Cruz planning director Lee Butler advocates concentrating new development downtown, rather than building in areas where growth is less sustainable.
(Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
A public survey found support for a variety of other proposed improvements to make the downtown more attractive to walkers, bikers and tourists. Among other features, the plan would concentrate new restaurants and shops around the San Lorenzo River Walk; replace the fabric-topped 2,400-seat Kaiser Permanente Arena, which hosts the Santa Cruz Warriors (the G-league affiliate of the NBA’s Golden State Warriors), with a bigger entertainment and sports venue; and better connect downtown with the beach and boardwalk.
Business owners say they favor the housing plan for a couple of reasons: They hope new residents will bring new commerce, and they want some of the affordable apartments to go to their workers, who frequently commute well over an hour from places such as Gilroy and Salinas.
Restaurateur Zach Davis called the high cost of housing “the No. 1 factor” that led to the 2018 closure of Assembly, a popular farm-to-table restaurant he co-owned.
“How do we keep our community intact, if the people who make it all happen, the workers who make Santa Cruz what it is, can’t afford to live here anymore?” Davis asked.
One opponent calls the plan to add high-rises to the city’s picturesque downtown “out of scale with Santa Cruz’s branding.”
(Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
The city’s plan indicates that 859 of the units built over the next eight years will be for “very low income” families. But the term is relative, tied to a community’s median income, which in Santa Cruz is $132,800 for a family of four. Families bringing home between $58,000 and $82,000 would qualify as very low income. Tenants in that bracket would pay $1,800 a month for a three-bedroom apartment in one recently completed complex, built under the city’s requirement that 20% of units be rented for below-market rents.
The people pushing for high-rise development say expanding the housing supply will stem ever-rising rents. Opponents counter that the continued growth of UC Santa Cruz, which hopes to add 8,500 students by 2040, and a new surge of highly paid Silicon Valley “tech bros” looking to put down roots in beachy Santa Cruz would quickly gobble up whatever number of new units are built.
Advertisement
“They say that if you just build more housing, the prices will come down. Which is, of course, not true,” said Gary Patton, a former county supervisor and an original leader in the slow-growth movement. “So we’ll have lots more housing, with lots more traffic, less parking, more neighborhood impacts and more rich people moving into Santa Cruz.”
Leaders on Santa Cruz’s political left say new construction only touches one aspect of the housing crisis. Some of the leaders of Tenant Sanctuary, a renters’ rights group, would like to see Santa Cruz tamp down rents by creating complexes owned by the state or cooperatives and enacting a rent control law capping annual increases.
“No matter what they build, we need housing where the price is not tied to market swings and how much money can be squeezed out of a given area of land,” said Zav Hershfield, a board member for the group.
The up-zoning of downtown parcels has won the support of much of the city’s establishment, including the county Chamber of Commerce, whose chief executive said exorbitant housing prices are excluding blue-collar workers and even some well-paid professionals. “The question is, do you want a lively, vital, economically thriving community?” said Casey Beyer, CEO of the business group. “Or do you want to be a sleepy retirement community?”
The town clock is one of several landmarks in the beach town.
(Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Just days after the anti-high-rise measure qualified for the March ballot, the two sides began bickering over what impact it would have.
Advertisement
Lane, the former mayor, and two affordable housing developers wrote an op-ed for the Lookout Santa Cruz news site that said the ballot measure is crafted so broadly it would apply to all “development projects.” They contend that could trigger the need for citywide votes for projects as modest as raising a fence from 6 feet to 7 feet, adding an ADU to a residential property or building a shelter for the homeless, if the projects exceed current practices in a given neighborhood.
The authors accused ballot measure proponents of faux environmentalism. “If we don’t go up,” they wrote, “we have less housing near jobs — and more people driving longer distances to get to work.”
The ballot measure proponents countered that their critics were misrepresenting facts. They said the measure would not necessitate voter approval for mundane improvements and would come into play in relatively few circumstances, for projects that require amendments to the city’s General Plan.
While not staking out a formal position on the ballot measure, the city’s planning staff has concluded the measure could force citizen votes for relatively modest construction projects.
The two sides also can’t agree on the impact of a second provision of the ballot measure. It would increase from 20% to 25% the percentage of “inclusionary” (below-market-rate) units that developers would have to include in complexes of 30 units or more.
The ballot measure writers say such an increase signals their intent to assure that as much new housing as possible goes to the less affluent. But their opponents say that when cities try to force developers to include too many sub-market apartments, the builders end up walking away.
Advertisement
Santa Cruz’s housing inventory shows that the city has the potential to add as many as 8,364 units in the next eight years, when factoring in proposals such as the downtown high-rises and UC Santa Cruz’s plan to add about 1,200 units of student housing. That’s more than double the number required by the state. But the Department of Housing and Community Development requires this sort of “buffer,” because the reality is that many properties zoned for denser housing won’t get developed during the eight-year cycle.
As with many aspects of the downtown up-zoning, the two sides are at odds over whether incorporating the potential for extra development amounts to judicious planning or developer-friendly overkill.
Joyful, left, and Valerie Christy, right, jam for fun and a few dollars in downtown Santa Cruz.
(Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
The city’s voters have rejected housing-related measures three times in recent years. In 2018, they decisively turned down a rent control proposal. Last year, they said no to taxing owners who leave homes in the community sitting empty. But they also rejected a measure that would have blocked a plan to relocate the city’s central library while also building 124 below-market-rate apartment units.
The last time locals got this worked up about their downtown may have been at the start of the new millennium, when the City Council considered cracking down on street performers. That prompted the owner of Bookshop Santa Cruz, another local landmark, to print T-shirts and bumper stickers entreating fellow residents to “Keep Santa Cruz Weird.”
Santa Cruzans once again are being asked to consider the look and feel of their downtown and whether its future should be left to the City Council, or voters themselves. The measure provokes myriad questions, including these: Can funky, earnest, compassionate Santa Cruz remain that way, even with high-rise apartments? And, with so little housing for students and working folks, has it already lost its charm?
We’re all aware that there are vast differences in what’s considered normal around the world, and most of us have even noticed that there are differences in normal between families, small towns, different schools, etc. But have you ever found yourself in the midst of your own country or even your family and wondered How is that just normal? Well, we’re with you. Whether it’s something as seemingly inconsequential as a particular gesture, or more dramatic such as customs surrounding celebrations, it’s pretty common to feel like the odd one out a some point. So stick with us; we’re examining some of the things people find normal that we just can’t get used to.
1. Spitting Loogies
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
One user shared, “Spitting, especially loogies. I literally almost throw up when I see someone doing it.”
Ok, we’re with you on that one. We know everybody has their own preferences and we’re not here to stop you, but spitting really just baffles us.
2. Holding a Bag of Dog Waste
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
One Redditor user said, “On colder days when my dad walks the dog, he’ll sometimes hold the dog [waste] bag in his hands to warm his hands.”
Another user commented, “This is deeply disturbing.”
Fortunately, it seems only that commenter’s dad thinks this is normal. Frankly, we’ve never heard of anyone else doing this and we don’t plan to make it any more widespread than it already is. That’s just uncomfortable and gross.
3. Writing With Chalk
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
“Perhaps not gross, but I am repulsed by holding chalk and writing on a chalkboard. The touch, the feel, the sound, everything,” posted by one Redditor.
Another user shared, “We just got new dishes a couple of months back and the bottom is the raw clay feeling. That terrible gritty sandpaper-like texture. I can hardly use the plates without shivering and getting weirded out.”
There are a lot of odd textures out there, and while they don’t bother a lot of people, when they do bother you it’s almost impossible to forget about.
4. Parents Monetizing Kids on YouTube
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
One user pointed out, “People monetizing their kids on YouTube.”
Another user replied, “This should be a top comment.”
To be fair, that’s definitely a gray area. But we definitely feel a lot of sympathy for those kids, having to grow up in the spotlight, and sometimes in really vulnerable and uncomfortable ways. We’ll say this much for sure: people’s kids should never have to be publicly uncomfortable just to help their parents make a buck. Providing for the family is the job of an adult, and kids aren’t responsible to help with expenses by performing.
5 When Someone Else Washes My Dishes
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
One user stated, “When someone else ‘washes’ my dishes for me and I drink from a ‘clean’ glass, and it smells of rotting food and I look at my sponge and it’s covered in food because someone thought that smearing food around my dishes with a sponge somehow made them clean you’re all fired I never want to see you again.”
Sanitation is no joke when you’re washing the dishes. Sponges are great, but you’ve got to keep them clean in order to really clean the dishes you’re washing. And if you’re washing dishes in somebody else’s home to show them you care, go the extra mile and make sure you wash the dishes they way that they like them washed.
6. Wearing Big Engagement Rings Without Cleaning Them
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
“Wearing those big-a- engagement rings and never properly cleaning them. Especially in a hospital, nobody should be wearing anything below the elbow for good hand hygiene. I can’t imagine how many germs live between all those diamonds that are now spreading to my patients. Just take it all off, leave them at home!” one online user stated.
Another user confirmed and replied, “Omg, so many patients just leave their rings on for years, and then the stones are filled with lotion, dead skin, and grease.”
Besides the important sanitary concerns, did you know your ring will sparkle so much more if you clean it regularly? Most jewelers will offer free cleanings for any rings or jewelry you’ve purchased through them, and otherwise the price is very low, often as cheap as five dollars to get your whole ring polished and looking good as new again.
7 the Sound of Chewing
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
One user posted, “The sound of people chewing,”
Another user responded, “Ugh, eating with mouth open …”
Honestly, that’s just good manners. There’s definitely an etiquette to chewing. If you’re alone in the privacy of your own home, then be considerate of anyone else around you while you’re eating.
8. Children With Snotty Faces
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
“Children with food on their face. And snot,” one user shared.
Another user stated, “As a parent, we find it gross too. We’re just tired of cleaning it 900 times a day.”
9. When Clothes Smell Musty
Image Credit: Shutterstock – Krakenimages.com
One Redditor posted, “Maybe not ‘normal’ but I am repulsed by the smell created by clothing not correctly drying. The scent is on clothing that sat in the washer machine too long. Or dish towels and bathroom towels that dried without being spread out. I smell it on people from down the aisle in stores. And don’t get me started on drying my hands in someone’s bathroom and finding out the smell is lingering on my hands now.”
Granted, some people have this harder for others. For example, the southwest United States is much less humid than other parts of the country, and that makes drying clothes and towels much faster and easier. In other locations, it’s more challenging to get clothes and linens completely dry and it takes some effort not to smell musty.
10. Constantly Spitting
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
One user said, “Spitting. I feel physically ill when I witness someone hawking and spitting in public or see spit sitting on the pavement.”
Another user added, “My friend is always doing this. I’m less disgusted than I am confused. I’ve never felt the need to spit spontaneously, lol.”
While we’re here, could somebody tell us why they spit all the time? Is there a good reason for this? From the outside it seems like a pretty unnecessary habit, so please enlighten us.
11. Licking Fingers to Turn a Page
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
“Licking their fingers to turn a page. Turns my stomach!” one Redditor shared.
Another user added, “Or counting money. F- filthy.”
Ok, fair enough.. If you need to lick your fingers for any reason, please wash your hands afterwards. Keep the germs from spreading and be considerate of others.
12. Not Washing Hands Before a Meal
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
One Commenter mentioned, “Not washing hands before a meal. You have been in filth, and you are going to touch your food with those hands? Yuk.”
Another replied, “Also, not washing your hands when cooking food. I can’t understand how people just start cooking food for other people without doing it.”
13. Not Rinsing the Soap Suds off Dishes
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
One user added, “Washing dishes in a tub of soapy water and not rinsing off the soap suds. Or not scrubbing the outsides of pots and pans as well. Makes me want to vomit. I’d rather not taste stale soap and bacteria in my cup of tea or food, thanks. I can always tell as well.“
Soap always leaves a residue, and yea, most of us can taste it. It’s such a strong flavor and it adds an unpleasant taste to anything you eat or drink from that dish. It seems Washing dishes is more of an art than maybe we first thought.
14. Coughing Without Covering
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
“Spitting, coughing without covering your mouth. I have multiple sclerosis. Get sick really easily,” one user added.
Another user agreed, “I work in a hospital. I still wear a mask the entire work day. I’ve been asked “why” over & over, told that I don’t have to do that anymore, so-called a sheep, & various other comments. My job is directly in patient’s bubbles. The mask does prevent being a direct hit from bodily fluids, helps with the unpleasant outdoors, & hides my facial expressions from exposure to those things.”
Ok, that’s a pretty fair assessment. If you’re working with people’s bodies and fluids, it only makes sense to be as protected as you can.
15. Not Washing Your Hands After Going to the Bathroom
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
A user commented, “Not washing your hands after going to the bathroom. Nasty.”
Another user shared, “I would hope everyone finds this nasty …”
What can we say; there’s a reason stores and restaurants have signs reminding employees to wash their hands. It’s both less common than we could wish, and much more gross than some people seem to think.
16. Employers Paying New Hires More Than Current Employees
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
One user stated, “Employers paying new hires more than tenured employees. Having drastically different pay rates for people with similar credentials doing the same job.”
Another user added, “Not entirely the same, but my first job was at a McDonald’s. I was making, I think, like, 5.45 an hour? One of my friends at the time got hired on at 6/hr. I approached the manager about it, and he said, ‘It was a mistake, but I can’t increase your pay or decrease theirs. Also, who told you about it?’ He made clear in his tone he intended to punish the person that told me, and I didn’t say s-.”
17 Wearing Sneakers Without Socks
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
“Wearing sneakers without socks. Ugh! The sweat stinks,” one user shared.
Another user replied, “Agreed. But Most of the time you see that; they’re probably just wearing no-shows.”
We agree with both commenters; most of the time people are wearing no-show socks. And if they’re not wearing socks at all, that’s about to smell terrible. Even shoes you’ve only worn with socks tend to smell terrible after a while. But if you really have make that fashion choice, rest assured there are plenty of stinky-shoe remedies online to rescue you.
18. Childbirth
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
One Redditor stated, “Childbirth. We’re all here because of it, and it’s currently my day job to catch a baby or two per day, but [holy cow] is it like watching a woman’s [body] go through Vietnam each time.”
One user added, “Time for a game of ‘child-snatcher or midwife?’”
It’s true that watching childbirth can be an uncomfortable process, but birth is truly a normal part of life. Like the commenter said, without birth none of us would be here, so we have our mothers to thank for going through all that struggle for us.
19. Kissing Pets on the Mouth
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
“Kissing pets in their mouth,” shared one user.
Another user posted, “What everyone’s dad didn’t say, ‘I just saw that dog eating s- outside,’ every time this happens … “
No offense to the pet parents out there, but there’s definitely a lot of germs not only in cats’ and dogs’ mouths, but in human mouths. And transferring that many germs between humans and animals has never been a great idea. We get that it’s normal and a lot of people connect with their pets and show affection that way, but maybe consider some other manner of pet cuddling than kissing them.
20. Smacking Gum
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
Another commenter shared, “Smacking gum. I hate it. And loud chewing/swallowing noises.”
Chewing gum seems to be one of those things people either love or hate; there’s no middle ground. But we totally understand how it can be annoying for those who are highly sensitive, especially to noise.
What do you think of the list shared above? Share your thoughts with us down in the comments!
Source: Reddit.
10 Actors Perfectly Cast for Their Character Roles
Photo Credit: Warner Bros.
Have you ever watched a movie or show and been completely lost in it because of how well an actor or actress became their character? Check out this article for a whole list of actors who were perfectly cast!
11 Vampire Movies That Will Make You Thirst for More
Photo Credit: Columbia Pictures.
You know that feeling where you’re on a movie kick in a certain genre, but you seem to run out of good movies to watch? Well, if you’re down for a vampire movie or three, check out this article for the best ones out there!
10 Incredible Movies That People Rated 10 Out of 10
Photo Credit: Universal Studios.
It’s pretty hard to replicate the experience of watching your favorite movie for the first time, but we’ve put together a list of movies that people have rated at a perfect 10/10. Next time you need a good movie to watch, check this out!
10 Famous People Who Canceled Themselves With Their Own Stupidity
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
We’ve all been there: you make a comment you haven’t thought through at all, and the whole room goes silent at what you’ve just said. But can you imagine doing that as a famous person—and getting canceled? Check out this list of celebrities who did just that!
13 Things You Shouldn’t Do When You’re in the US
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
Are you planning a trip to the US? Culture varies a lot between countries, even countries that share borders. So if you’re headed to the good old U. S. of A, here are a few pointers to make your travels go more smoothly!
The surge in inflation may have slowed, but the cost of everyday items is still high enough to put a strain on your travel budget. If winter already has you dreaming of a luxury beach vacation, it’s worth finding a destination where the U.S. dollar delivers more bang for your buck. Fortunately, there are several options around the world where five-star accommodations are surprisingly affordable, even without using travel rewards.
Travel search engines Skyscanner and Kayak both analyzed data on their platforms to rank the cities where you can book the cheapest five-star hotels. How cheap are we talking? All of the cities in this combined list feature five-star hotels for less than $200 per night.
Skyscanner looked at the average price per night for a five-star hotel room booked on its portal from January through June 2023. Kayak looked at average prices based on searches conducted across all its portfolio domains from July 2022 through June 2023 for travel from November 2022 through October 2023.
Here are the top five cities to consider for your next luxury getaway.
1. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, City Center skyline. (Getty Images)
The Malaysian capital topped Skyscanner’s list at $102 a night for five-star accommodation and came in second on Kayak’s list at $175 a night. Five-star hotels in the city include chains such as Hyatt and Hilton, as well as high-end properties such as the St. Regis and Banyan Tree.
Known for its delicious cuisine, cultural attractions, street food markets, shopping, nightlife, skyscrapers and theme parks, Kuala Lumpur offers a mix of luxury and budget-friendly activities for all travelers.
2. Hoi An, Vietnam
Hoi An Ancient Town and Thu Bon River at sunset, Quang Nam Province. (Getty Images)
This ancient port city on Vietnam’s central coast offers five-star luxury for $117 per night, according to Skyscanner data. Boutique luxury hotels include Little Riverside, Anantara and Amina Lantana.
Because of its trading history, Hoi An has a unique blend of Japanese, Chinese and European influences. At this offbeat Vietnam destination, you can enjoy everything from beautiful architecture in the Old Town neighborhood to seventh-century temples, farm-fresh cuisine, lush countryside and pristine beaches.
3. Tirana, Albania
The New Bazaar in Tirana, Albania. (Getty Images)
The Albanian capital comes in third on Skyscanner’s list, with five-star accommodations available for $140 per night. Although not as popular as its European neighbor Greece, Albania is slowly opening up to more tourism.
Tirana, the largest city, is a haven for art and history lovers, featuring a bustling town square, an underground Cold War bunker converted into an art museum, mosques, palaces and fortresses.
Although it has a few big hotel chains, including a Marriott and a Radisson, most of Tirana’s five-star hotels are lesser-known, such as the Xheko Imperial and Mak Albania.
4. Chiang Mai, Thailand
Doi Inthanon at Chiang Mai, Thailand. (Getty Images)
It’s no surprise that Thailand is a popular destination for travelers looking for both luxury and affordability. At $146 per night according to Skyscanner data, Chiang Mai boasts a large collection of five-star properties.
Marriott, InterContinental and Shangri-La are a few of the big hotel chains with locations in the northern Thai city. High-end boutique hotels include Chala Number 6, Cross Chiang Mai Riverside and Villa Mahabhirom.
The mountainous city of Chiang Mai offers a different landscape from Thailand’s famous beach destinations. Attractions include the country’s highest peak at Doi Inthanon National Park, Buddhist temples, botanical gardens and traditional villages against a backdrop of rice fields.
5. Hammamet, Tunisia
Beach in Hammamet, Tunisia. (Getty Images)
Kayak’s top affordable five-star destination is Hammamet, a beach town in the African country of Tunisia. A luxury stay here will set you back $151 a night, according to Skyscanner data.
Sheraton and Radisson Blu are two of the only chain hotels in this town. Luxury properties include The Sindbad, Medina Solaria & Thalasso, La Badira and Les Orangers.
Located about 40 miles from the capital of Tunis, Hammamet’s namesake beach features sparkling blue waters suitable for snorkeling and diving. History lovers can soak in cultural attractions from the ancient medina, a maze of alleyways bustling with shops and Islamic architecture, to fortresses and mosques. There’s even something for amusement park enthusiasts: Carthageland, a theme park inspired by the Carthage empire.
Other cities where you can find affordable luxury
Here are the other destinations that made it into Kayak’s top five:
Bogotá, Colombia: $192 per night.
Colombo, Sri Lanka: $210 per night.
Side, Turkey: $212 per night.
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:
Do you need health insurance? Did you know that there are many part-time jobs with health insurance that you may be able to apply for? These types of part-time jobs are great because they not only help you to make more income but they also give you benefits like health insurance. Health benefits are usually…
Do you need health insurance?
Did you know that there are many part-time jobs with health insurance that you may be able to apply for?
These types of part-time jobs are great because they not only help you to make more income but they also give you benefits like health insurance.
Health benefits are usually associated with full-time employment, but a growing number of companies give these perks to part-time employees as well. Companies know that in order to keep good employees, giving helpful benefits like health insurance helps them with this.
You may need a part-time job with health insurance for many different reasons, such as perhaps your full-time job doesn’t come with good health insurance, or maybe you are only looking for part-time hours to make extra money.
My husband worked at UPS for many years, mainly for the health insurance. And, so did many other people who worked there. The health insurance at UPS is one of the best I’ve ever seen, and it’s available to part-time workers.
And, you may be able to find a part-time job that comes with medical insurance like this too!
Key Takeaways
UPS is known for having many valuable benefits for their part-time workers, such as health insurance.
Starbucks is another place where you can get health insurance, even working part-time. After putting in an average of 20 hours a week over three months, you can get medical, dental, and vision plans.
There are many other jobs that give you health insurance as well and even other great benefits like tuition reimbursement and parental leave.
Best Part-Time Jobs With Health Insurance
Below are the best part-time jobs with health insurance coverage.
1. UPS
If you’re looking for a part-time job with health insurance, UPS can be a great choice. At UPS, even part-time employees can get health benefits.
This is probably one of the most popular jobs ever when it comes to getting great health insurance. UPS is a very popular choice for those who are looking for health insurance.
Like I said earlier, my husband worked at UPS for years, mainly for the health insurance. And, so did many other people that we know, such as many of our personal friends, his brother, our friend’s parents, and so many more people that we personally know.
Many of the part-time jobs at UPS are for package sorters and UPS truck loaders.
Part-time UPS workers get the same healthcare benefits as full-time workers. They don’t have to pay premiums, and there is low or no co-insurance and co-pays.
Plus, part-time employees at UPS earn an average of $20 per hour after 30 days. As a part-time employee at UPS, you’re promised at least 3.5 hours of work each day you’re scheduled.
There are also other benefits you can qualify for, such as you can get a pension when you retire, help paying for college, and paid time off for vacations and holidays.
Recommended reading: 26 Best Weekly Pay Jobs To Make Money Quick
2. Starbucks
If you’re looking for part-time work and need health insurance, Starbucks might be the place for you.
Starbucks gives health, dental, and vision insurance to all part-time workers who put in at least 20 hours per week on average after working 240 hours.
Starbucks also has a generous benefits package, such as dental care, a 401(k), vacation time, college tuition reimbursement, and more.
Another nice employee benefit is Starbucks’ parental leave – workers at Starbucks who are eligible and welcoming a new child can take time off and receive pay replacement through parental leave. Additionally, Starbucks gives Family Expansion Reimbursement, giving up to $10,000 for adoption, surrogacy, or intrauterine insemination for eligible partners.
3. REI
REI has a new medical plan called the REI Access Plan, which gives medical coverage to every employee who works at REI, even part-time employees.
The REI Access Plan gives medical coverage to employees after working for only three months, no matter how many hours they work (so, if you only work one day a week, you can qualify!). This plan is in addition to the existing health care options for employees who work an average of 20 or more hours per week over a 12-month period.
The health insurance coverage includes checkups for free with in-network doctors, mental health support, hospital care, and physical therapy. It also covers pharmacy costs and provides access to virtual healthcare through Teladoc.
4. National Guard
As a National Guard member, you get to serve your country and community, and you also have access to job benefits like health insurance.
You and your family can get low-cost health insurance through a plan called Tricare Reserve Select (TRS).
In 2023, the individual monthly health insurance plan cost $48.47, and family plans cost $239.69.
You’re also eligible for low-cost life insurance that pays up to $400,000.
National Guard members respond to emergencies (such as natural disasters), serve as law enforcement, and more. Guard members have about two days of drills each month and spend two weeks on annual training every year.
5. Costco
If you’re interested in a part-time job that includes health insurance, you might want to look into working at Costco.
There are many different kinds of jobs that you can find at Costco, such as cashier, baker, forklift driver, gas station attendant, member service assistant, stocker, and so much more.
Costco gives health insurance to part-time employees who work 23 or more hours each week.
Their health insurance comes with low out-of-pocket monthly premiums and co-pays. They provide medical, dental, and vision benefits that can be used for yourself and/or your family.
I know a few people who left their day job to work at Costco due to the good pay, nice benefits, and fun work environment. So, it can be a great one to look into!
Recommended reading: 20+ Best Jobs That Pay $20 An Hour Or More
6. Chipotle
At Chipotle, you can work part-time and still get health insurance. They understand that you might be studying, have another job, or need extra time for yourself. That’s why they offer flexible schedules.
If you join their team, even part-timers can sign up for health insurance. All Chipotle crew members are eligible for the Anthem Preventive Plus, Delta Dental PPO plan, and EyeMed PPO vision plan.
They also have 100% tuition coverage for select programs. You can learn about agriculture, technology, and business. If you’re into something else, they give up to $5,250 for other study areas.
Other helpful benefits from Chipotle include paid time off, 401(k) retirement savings plans, free meals, an annual bonus, a gym membership discount, and more.
7. Walmart
At Walmart, you can find part-time jobs that come with health insurance.
Part-time jobs with health insurance at Walmart include stocking shelves, unloading trucks, customer service, cashier, and more.
If you’re working at least 30 hours per week over a 60-day period, you can become eligible for coverage.
Once you meet the hours requirement, you can choose from different health plans. These plans are not just any plans; they include options for medical, dental, and vision coverage.
8. JPMorgan Chase
JPMorgan Chase gives health insurance to part-time employees, such as for entry-level jobs like being a bank teller or in customer service.
For example, as a part-time associate banker, you’ll be helping customers with their banking needs. You will be talking to them about their accounts and showing them how to use the bank’s products and services.
To get health insurance at JPMorgan Chase, you need to work at least 20 hours a week, and their benefits include medical, vision, and dental coverage.
9. Delta Airlines
If you’re looking for part-time work and need health insurance, you might want to find a job at Delta Airlines.
There are many different jobs at Delta Airlines that could fit your needs, even if you work part-time. These can include becoming a ticket agent, gate agent, customer service, and more.
They have multiple health plans that you may be interested in, plus dental and vision plans.
Delta also gives paid long-term disability coverage, optional short-term disability insurance, and company-paid basic life insurance.
10. Amazon
If you’re looking for a part-time job with health insurance, you may want to look for a job at Amazon.
Amazon is one of the largest companies in the world, so it makes sense that they would give good health insurance.
Amazon’s medical plans cover things like prescription drugs, emergency and hospital care, mental health, X-rays, and lab work.
There are no exclusions for pre-existing conditions in any of Amazon’s medical plans. They have many different plans, so it means that you can pick the one that fits you and your family the best. Plus, all plans cover 100% of preventive care.
The benefits available to you can vary based on how many hours you work each week and where you live. For example, if you are full-time or work 40 hours a week, you get one set of benefits. If you work between 30-39 hours or 20-29 hours, your benefits may be different. And if you’re in certain states, these standard benefits might not apply.
11. Lowes
At Lowe’s, you can find many jobs that could fit your schedule, and they offer both part-time and full-time positions.
Lowe’s gives affordable health insurance plans to both part-time and full-time workers. These plans cover medical, dental, and vision, and you can get low-cost prescription drugs after 30 days.
If you head to the Lowe’s worker’s benefits website here, you can actually see a preview of your different benefit options. I thought this was really handy. I clicked on “Prospective Lowe’s Associate” which then showed me their medical plan pricing. I typed in my zip code, and it showed me that there was one available medical plan in my area for a part-time Lowe’s Associate.
This plan started at $38.60 for Employee Only. For Employee + Children, the plan then costs $106.18. For Employee + Family, the cost is $152.52 each month. This medical plan includes an annual deductible of $0 and an out-of-pocket maximum of $9,100 for an individual plan or $18,200 for a family plan.
This platform also showed me pricing for their dental coverage, which is through Delta Dental. The pricing for this started at $9.60 per month for an Employee Only plan.
Other employee benefits from Lowe’s include off-the-job accident insurance, identity protection insurance, life insurance of $20,000, short-term disability insurance, 401(k), and an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP).
12. Ikea
If you’re considering a part-time job, Ikea is a place you might think about. Ikea gives health benefits to its part-time workers, and you get benefits if you work at least 20 hours a week.
IKEA’s health insurance is from Anthem, and many find the premiums reasonable. Besides health coverage, IKEA also offers dental, vision, and prescription coverage. Additionally, employees enjoy benefits like paid time off, parental leave, pet insurance, and income protection.
Some examples of part-time jobs with health insurance at Ikea include retail sales associate, customer service representative, forklift operator, and food service team member.
13. Whole Foods Market
If you’re looking for a part-time job that offers health insurance, Whole Foods Market might be a place to consider. To get health insurance at Whole Foods, part-time employees need to work at least 30 hours per week.
Examples of part-time jobs at Whole Foods include sales associate, customer service representative, cashier, and more.
14. Trader Joe’s
Trader Joe’s is a popular place to work, especially if you want a part-time job with health insurance.
Trader Joe’s has medical, dental, and vision plans for eligible crew members, and the company covers a big part of the cost, which starts as low as $25 per month.
They also have competitive pay, a retirement plan, up to a 20% store discount, paid time off, and more.
14. Staples
If you work part-time at Staples, you can get helpful health benefits. Staples provides medical, dental, and vision plans for both full-time and part-time employees.
You become eligible for these benefits if you work at least 15 hours a week.
All part-time associates are also eligible for other employee benefits like dental, vision, life, dependent life, accidental death, and short-term disability insurance coverage.
Some examples of part-time jobs at Staples include retail sales associate, cashier, stocker, and more.
15. Home Depot
Home Depot has a generous benefits package for its employees, which includes medical coverage, dental insurance, vision coverage, short-term disability, and more.
Part-time employees can qualify for benefits if they work an average of 16 hours per week or more during a 90-day period.
Some examples of part-time jobs at Home Depot include cashier, sales associate, customer service representative, stocker, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions About Part Time Jobs With Health Insurance
Below are answers to common questions about part-time jobs with health insurance.
Which jobs have the best health insurance? What companies have the best healthcare benefits?
Jobs at larger companies like UPS and Starbucks usually have better health insurance, even for part-time employees. They have good health insurance because they want to keep and attract good employees who will stay for a long time.
Remember to check if you need to maintain a certain number of working hours to keep your health insurance active as the requirements can change. Each company is different too, so make sure to look at the details for each job.
What companies give medical insurance to part-timers?
Companies such as UPS, Staples, and Chipotle are known for giving health insurance to part-time workers. Each company has its own criteria for eligibility, so you’ll need to check if you meet their requirements.
How can I find nearby jobs that give health benefits quickly?
You can start by seeing if any of the companies mentioned above have job openings near you.
Does Starbucks give health insurance to part time employees?
Yes, Starbucks gives part-time employees the option to enroll in health insurance plans, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, as long as they meet certain eligibility criteria (such as a minimum amount of hours worked each week).
Is health insurance through work worth it?
Yes, getting health insurance through your job can be a way to save money as well as get access to health insurance. My husband did this for years, and he had great health insurance that was extremely cheap.
Part-Time Jobs With Health Insurance – Summary
I hope you enjoyed this article about how to find part-time jobs with health insurance for medical care.
Health insurance isn’t only for full-time employees.
Yes, there are jobs that will give you medical insurance for working just part-time shifts!
Finding the right part-time job with health insurance and a nice benefits package is very possible across many different industries. Companies like UPS, Starbucks, and Costco are known for giving health and medical insurance to part-time workers.
This can be a game changer for you if you are balancing multiple jobs, attending school, or have family obligations that don’t allow for a full-time position.
What other part-time jobs come with health insurance? Leave a comment below and let me know!
You don’t need a Hollywood star to enjoy the splendor of the City of Angels. Palm-lined sidewalks, scenic beaches and killer Mexican food are just some of the reasons why Los Angeles is Southern California’s most flocked-to metropolis.
While living in La La Land will cost you 51.9 percent more than the national average, roughly 4 million people living in this desert oasis make it work — and so can you.
If you’ve decided Los Angeles is the place for you, check out how the cost of living really breaks down in this high-demand hometown. Take a look at the community and economic research in these categories:
Los Angeles housing prices
Rent in Los Angeles is considerably higher compared with the national average. In fact, it’s 134 percent above it. This aligns with the current standard in many other major cities like Washington, D.C., and Boston, but doesn’t even come close to the higher prices in San Francisco and Honolulu.
Housing expenses in L.A. are so high that you can expect to pay around $2,807 each month for a one-bedroom apartment and $3,845 for a two-bed. What’s more, both of these monthly costs are up over last year by 6 percent and 5 percent, respectively.
Making housing costs even more challenging, nearby cities don’t often cut you a break, either. Places like Santa Monica, Venice and Hollywood all have higher one-bedroom rents. The typical one-bed rent in Santa Monica is actually $1,000 more than in Los Angeles.
The Los Angeles cost for homes also tells an expensive story. The median sales price in L.A. is at $955,000, up 3.2 percent over last year. The real estate market also continues to stay pretty competitive, too. Most homes are only listed for about a month before selling.
Which neighborhood is right for you?
Among the high-end living, there are hidden gems in Los Angeles, with an average price for rent that’s a little more affordable.
First, avoid some of the city’s most expensive neighborhoods. These are where the cost of living in Los Angeles is highest. Estimated monthly costs for housing put Playa Vista and Brentwood at the top. Here, one-bedroom rents average out to over $4,000.
In other areas like the Hollywood Hills, Westlake and Koreatown, rent runs closer to the city’s average. One-bedrooms across these three neighborhoods averages between $2,510 and $2,800.
It’s also possible to find inexpensive apartments in Los Angeles, underneath the living index you’d expect to pay. In areas like Greater Wilshire and Crenshaw, one-bedroom apartments average less than $2,000. Both communities are also seeing a decrease in rents over last year.
Los Angeles food prices
You can’t talk about eating in Los Angeles without acknowledging the state has its own signature fare. L.A. restaurants embody the traits of California Cuisine. This means a lot of fresh produce, seafood and leaner cuts of meat. It also means most restaurants cost a bit more money. Living in Los Angeles can make for an expensive night out when it comes to eating. Though you can find a deal at an inexpensive restaurant (where the average meal for a single person is $16.50), a three-course meal for two at a mid-range establishment averages $90.
When it comes to groceries, expenses are 13.7 percent above the national average. This is about a 1 percent increase over last year for food expenses. Based on whether you prefer a higher-end grocery store, most items on your list should only be a little more than average.
Basic groceries like a load of bread or a half gallon of milk have average costs of $3.99 and $2.56 respectively, which are pretty close to the price throughout California.
Los Angeles utility prices
Los Angeles apartments rarely include utilities. This is similar to many rentals in big cities around the country. It means housing is always more than what you expect to pay in monthly rent.
Utilities can include a variety of expenses — electricity, gas, water, trash and even internet. All combined, Los Angeles utilities run 9.9 percent higher than the national average.
What keeps this number slightly above the average is the summer. Warmish weather year-round means heating bills are never high but come summertime, expect to keep your air conditioning blasting. Some parts of L.A. reach up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit at the peak of the hot season.
With these particular utility needs, expect to pay about $207.75 per month on total energy costs.
Los Angeles transportation prices
We can’t talk about L.A. without mentioning one crucial detail: its infamous traffic. It feels like people commute to their job all day long, or are always in a rush to get somewhere. Freeways seem perpetually congested.
Overall, transportation expenses in Los Angeles, CA, are 26 percent above the national average. This is consistent with other cities about the same size and includes maintenance costs and gas.
If you do decide to drive your way around the city, a FasTrack pass is your ideal traffic cheat. This pass gives you access to a special express lane on certain highways, potentially shaving time off your drive. The transponder itself costs $40, but you can put that toward your tolls once you set everything up. After that, there’s a $1 monthly fee in addition to what you put into your account to cover tolls.
In addition to paying to drive, you also have to pay to park. Rates for metered parking areas vary between neighborhood — they’re set anywhere between 50 cents to $6 per hour, depending on the location.
Public transportation expenses
Unfortunately, Los Angeles isn’t exactly known for its stellar public transit system, however, it’s certainly possible to get around using the Metro, a network of buses and trains.
On both the bus and the train, a one-way trip costs $1.75. You can also purchase a one-day pass for $3.50 and a seven-day pass for $12.50. Monthly passes, good for 30 days, have a price of $50.
If this works for you, you can save a lot on transportation costs, not to mention the time you’d have to sit in traffic otherwise.
Living the L.A. life on foot
Los Angeles isn’t the best city for walking — its walk score is 79. You’ll find pockets of highly walkable streets and neighborhoods, but overall, walking from Point A to Point B isn’t always easy.
Until recently, biking wasn’t a great option, either. Recent initiatives include putting bike paths on more city streets and offering a bike share program through the Metro. The cost is $1.75 per 30 minutes, but day and monthly passes are also available and only incur extra charges if your ride lasts for more than 30 minutes. L.A.’s current bike score comes in at 65.
Los Angeles healthcare prices
From routine check-ups to unforeseen trips to urgent care, healthcare costs are bound to pop up intermittently. Luckily, you’re in good hands in Los Angeles.
Healthcare costs in L.A. are only slightly higher than the national average at 15 percent above. This is an increase of about 5 percent over the previous year.
Healthcare expenses in Los Angeles without insurance average out to:
$130 to see a doctor
$127.20 to see a dentist
$131.60 to see an eye doctor
Depending on your insurance coverage, and how often you find yourself in a doctor’s waiting room, healthcare will impact your cost of living differently each year.
Los Angeles goods and services prices
Angelenos love staying active, whether that means hiking the surrounding hills, running, cycling or trying out a calming yoga class on the beach. However, this is only one area of all the cost of living elements that create your goods and services category. Everything you like to do, but could live without, fit in here.
What’s good about this particular piece of the cost of living in Los Angeles, is that it’s all optional. If one month the cost of a movie ticket edges your budget into the red you can skip it.
Overall, prices in this category are 15.2 percent above the national average, and the best way to evaluate what you can and can’t do is to look at the individual price of your favorite activities.
For example, if you’re the type of person who likes to see a movie every week, it’s good to know a ticket costs around $17.89. If yoga is your thing, a single class can set you back $21.33. If grabbing a pizza with friends is your ideal night on the town, it’s best to know the average cost for a pie is $12.99.
Taxes in Los Angeles
The cost of living in Los Angeles is greatly affected by taxes. In California, the state sales tax is 7.25 percent. However, localities can add to that total, which can vary your cost of living a lot. In L.A., the sales tax rate is 9.5 percent, but this is only in the city itself. Though some neighboring places still feel like L.A., they can have a completely different sales tax.
This means when you’re out at The Grove and you spend $1,000, you’ll pay $95 in taxes.
The state also has a progressive income tax, where you pay anywhere from 1 to 13.3 percent based on your salary.
How much do I need to earn to live in Los Angeles?
Experts recommend that renters spend around 30 percent of their salary on rent. That means, to afford an average one-bed priced at $2,835 your annual income should come in at or over $113,400.
With the median salary in L.A. of only $65,290, it’s in the best interest of most of those living in Los Angeles, CA, to find apartments or home prices that sit well below average. Luckily, the city provides, and many thrive while having a job that doesn’t yield such a high average salary.
To really see how salary numbers impact the Los Angeles cost of living, use our rent calculator to discover how you can make your budget work in the City of Angels.
Living in Los Angeles
Though the city is famous for its glitz and glam, you don’t need to call yourself a millionaire to live well in this world-renowned place. Although the price is higher than in most around the country, you can find your niche. And, once you do, you’ll have all the benefits of sunny skies, pristine natural parks and a culture unlike any other in enjoy.
The Cost of Living Index comes from coli.org.
The rent information included in this summary is based on a calculation of multifamily rental property inventory on Rent. as of August 2022.
Rent prices are for illustrative purposes only. This information does not constitute a pricing guarantee or financial advice related to the rental market.
I want to share a fantastic Q&A from this past week. A reader, “Vince,” wrote in and said:
Hi Jesse. I just reread your best of 2023 post about Compounding. Well, I’m late 50s. No debt. Have stayed the course, and am retiring with 4.2m dollars and 5.5m net worth. I’m the poster child for DCA, yearly rebalancing and living below your means but enjoying life. My wife and I know we’re very fortunate.
Here’s the irony. Bernstein said ‘when you win the game, stop playing ‘ To me, that means going to a 55/45 (or even a 50/50) portfolio in perpetuity because a 3% withdrawal rate is likely all we need to keep us happy. Yet, I’m giving up some return that comes with 60/40.
Thoughts? I can afford to be more aggressive, maybe much more so, but is it worth it? Or should I just chill, rebalance annually or every 18 months, and watch the portfolio grow but a bit more slowly.
Thanks!
Vince is in an awesome situation. To add some context to his message:
I wrote back to Vince and said:
Hey Vince. Thanks for reading and for writing in. It’s fun to chat with folks like you.
First off…wow. You find yourself in a terrific position! I love those details…dca, rebalance, live below your means. Do you mind if I ask…looking back, what was your rough average career household salary? And where did that salary max out? I’m just curious.
[And now I’m coming back up here after having written the entire email…this would be a wonderful blog post Q&A, with your permission. Happy to anonymize you entirely. Let me know your thoughts?]
Yes – great Bernstein quote. I have a thought experiment that might put you at ease…
Take your current household spending needs…let’s say, $150,000 per year.
Social Security will cover some…let’s say $50,000 per year (assuming you’re US? your country might have a different social safety net)
Therefore, your portfolio needs to cover $100,000 every year.
And I’m going to assume (?) the $4.2M you mention is fully investable.
If you went 50/50 in your portfolio – roughly $2.1M in stocks, $2.1M in bonds – you’d have 21 years of annual spending in bonds. Ideally, high-grade Treasury bonds. In theory, you have 21 years of buffer before you “need” to tap into your stocks.
Do we have faith that your stocks will outpace bonds over a 21-year period? That’s now the critical question. Based on the stuff I talk about on The Best Interest, my answer is: yes, 21 years is a sufficient period for stocks to do their thing.
Next question: can/should we pull that period closer to the present? 15 years? 10 years?
60/40 –> $2.5M stocks, $1.7M bonds –> 17 years
70/30 –> $2.95M stocks, $1.25M bonds –> 12.5 years
I think you can feel good about 60/40. 17 years of bonds is a great buffer.
But should you? You’re right that, technically speaking, you’re adding more risk to your portfolio. And for what reason? To die with a larger pile of money?
It all comes back to Bernstein’s quote: what game are you playing, Vince? Have you “won?” If not, that’s fine. But ask yourself: when will that answer change? What is “winning” to you?
For example, if you have big goals for your “Excess Money,” that’s a different story. Do you want to donate $1M to the dog shelter when you die? In that case, we should separate that portion of your money from the rest of your money, and invest it differently.
But if you’re main/most important goal is, “Live comfortably forever,” and the 55/45 gets you there…great! You’ve done it.
…now I’m curious, how much return are you actually giving up in the long run by shifting down from 60/40 to 55/45?
Assume 7% annualized inflation-adjusted returns for stocks and 2% inflation-adjusted for bonds
60/40 –> 5.00% per year, or 165% inflation-adjusted growth over 20 years.
55/45 –> 4.75% per year, or 153% inflation-adjusted growth over 20 years.
Definitely a difference. But not a huge one, IMO, especially when you (specifically you) won’t define success or failure based on that ~0.25% per year annualized difference.
Alright – that’s a lot. But I hope it helps.
If Vince’s portfolio is $4.2M and his annual needs are $100,000, he’ll be entering retirement following (essentially) a “2.38% Rule.” That’s way more conservative than the classic 4% Rule.
He doesn’t need to expose himself to undo risk. 60% stocks, 55% stocks, 50% stocks…Vince will be successful in any of these portfolios. Since he has “won the game” of career financial success, he can “stop playing the game” by taking some of his chips off the table a.k.a. reducing his exposure to risk assets (stocks).
Stocks outperform bonds over long periods of time, and Vince will be able to leave his stocks untouched for decades (if he wants to).
Now, Vince did get back to me and shared some of his personal story. I want to share some of those details with you.
On his salary and investing: “I started at 35k in 1994 and ended at about 560k this year. One outlier year was about 600k. I’d bet my average was around 200k but there were so many big jumps it’s really hard to say. (I never moved jobs for a bigger salary. In fact sometimes I took less to be happier. Eventually , the money came). Also, I got married and we both worked so I’d guess 275k average over 30 years, but this may be off. As I mentioned, dca, rebalance, live below our means. Also, 95% indexing with 4 funds and occasionally buying a stock or two and holding it.
Vince’s top-end salary ($500 – $600K) is top 1% territory. His average salary ($275K) is top ~4%. Vince earned great money. But his starting salary is relatively low. Salary growth was essential for Vince’s success. The lesson: you can – and should – look for ways to increase your income over your career. It might take decades. But it makes a huge difference.
And Vince’s investing technique is…boring! Index funds, dollar-cost averaging, buy-and-hold, annual rebalance. Sound familiar?! The boring stuff, while BORING, really does work.
Bored?
I’m not pulling your leg here with my articles and podcasts about boring, long-term investing. I’m serious. It works. Just look at Vince. Moving on…
On his lifestyle: “We drive old cars and jeans and t shirts are our preferred outfits. We researched our area before buying and our house that cost 350k is now worth about 1.2m. Actually, not the best 25-year return, but we’re very happy here.We want to keep living simply but comfortably. We’ve put 2 kids through college and have no debt. We love traveling but can do it rather inexpensively. In fact, we just spent a month in Portugal for a small amount. So 55/45 it is. THANK YOU!!!!!
(FYI, the housing return Vince mentioned is about 5.5% nominal / 2.7% real annual return. )
The important takeaway is Vince’s choice to drive cheaper cars and wear cheaper clothes than he otherwise could. By my math, you could buy a Corvette on a $500,000 salary. You could fly first class. You could eat caviar. But Vince is an example that wealth is what you don’t see.
“Wealth is created by a slow, steady drip of investment deposits, just like decades of waves carving a shoreline rock. Wealth is compound interest that grows slowly at first, then rapidly in the end. Wealth is what you choose not to spend money on. Wealth is quiet.”
It sounds like Vince still doing what he loves. He’s cutting costs where he can (or where he simply doesn’t care), but then spending where he wants to. That’s bimodal spending. Vince is enjoying the journey.
Vince is a success story. He’s won the game. And now, like a smart investor, he’s opting to “stop playing” by taking some of his investment risk off the table.
Thanks, Vince, for sharing your example with us.
Thank you for reading! If you enjoyed this article, join 7500+ subscribers who read my 2-minute weekly email, where I send you links to the smartest financial content I find online every week.
-Jesse
Want to learn more about The Best Interest’s back story? Read here.
Looking for a great personal finance book, podcast, or other recommendation? Check out my favorites.
Was this post worth sharing? Click the buttons below to share!
“America’s Finest City” has a price-point, and amenities, that live up to its nickname.
The eighth-most populous city in America, San Diego typically ranks around the same for the cost of living compared to other major cities in the country. Overall, San Diego’s cost of living comes in at 44 percent above the national average.
While that may seem steep, it’s important to realize that within this expensive city, there are plenty of pockets where the cost of living is more affordable. San Diego residents may already know where to look, but it’s something you can calculate, too. It’s all about understanding the price, and whether your expenses are still affordable in the city.
Below, we break down the five factors affecting the cost of living in San Diego to help you discover if “America’s Finest City” is a fit for you.
1. Housing costs and utilities in San Diego
Housing in San Diego doesn’t come cheap. In fact, the uninitiated may experience sticker shock at first glance when it comes to home prices.
Overall, housing costs are a whopping 115.6 percent higher than the national average. This is only slightly below the housing costs in Los Angeles and Orange County, and considerably higher than most California cities.
The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in San Diego is about $2,887 per month, which is a 1 percent decrease in cost over last year. A two-bedroom is around $3,788 per month on average, a 1 percent increase over last year. Those prices fluctuate depending on the neighborhood and amenities.
If you’re looking to buy a home, the median price in San Diego is $930,000. Home prices are up 3 percent over last year. Most homes in San Diego sell within days, so if you have the means, you need to act fast.
To better understand how housing costs in San Diego compare to the rest of California, the average cost for a two-bedroom apartment in San Francisco is $4,939, over $1,151 more. The average home price in Los Angeles is $975,000, $45,000 more. The San Diego cost of housing may feel high, but it’s definitely not the highest in the state.
Apartment hunting around San Diego County
Although San Diego is an expensive city, prices vary greatly based on the neighborhoods you decide to check out. The difference in living expenses between a more expensive San Diego spot, and the least expensive, is pretty significant.
Trendy North Park, with its vibrant restaurant and nightlife scene, is an expensive neighborhood in the city, with one-bed rental prices at $2,300 per month on average. But, rest assured, there are plenty of areas offering apartments for a fraction of that price.
Case in point, City Heights, located inland and to the east of many better-known San Diego communities, offers one-bed apartments for an average rent of $1,700. Areas like Colina del Sol and Paradise Hills are also on the more affordable side, with one-bed rents averaging the same at $1,650 a month.
Utilities in San Diego
San Diego is known for its beautiful weather. Average temperatures hover around 76 degrees Fahrenheit for most of the year, but you’ll still feel some seasonal change, lots of rain and the occasional cold front.
If you live inland, summer days are scorchers, leading locals to crank up that air conditioning. On the flip side, some nights in the winter get really cold. As a result, a person could pay a hefty price for AC and heat.
Taking this into account, overall utility costs are 13 percent higher than the national average. This is an actually a increase over last year, where this particular piece of the cost of living in San Diego was 10 percent above the national average. Inflation has contributed to this number for every state.
2. Food costs and goods and services in San Diego
San Diego is famous for its diverse culinary scene. Whether you’re more inclined to try a pasta dish in Little Italy, some chile rellenos at an authentic Mexican restaurant in Old Town or fish tacos, a local favorite, you can find a deal on a meal just about anywhere. However, when it comes to casual dining, meals average out to around $25 per person.
Of course, most people don’t eat out all the time. With dozens of quality supermarkets and plenty of neighborhood farmer’s markets, meal planning and finding a deal on food is easy.
Keep in mind that groceries in San Diego run 10 percent higher than the national average. You’ll pay extra for certain staples like milk ($2.17 for a half-gallon), eggs ($4.85 for a dozen), bread ($3.63 for a 24-ounce loaf) and ground beef ($8.08 per pound).
Commodities and entertainment costs
As you tally up expenses in your cost of living calculator, don’t forget to budget for goods and services. This includes all the extras on your monthly expense sheet that you could live without, but really don’t want to deny yourself.
This category includes things like a session at a yoga studio ($24), movie tickets ($12.5 each), dry cleaning ($24) and a trip to the beauty salon ($80).
Overall, goods and services in San Diego cost 10 percent more than the national average, a slight dip of less than one percent over last year.
3. Transportation costs in San Diego
One of the many luxuries about life in San Diego is that the freeways are much calmer than those of Los Angeles. Traffic is tame during most hours of the day, although it gets a bit congested around common commute times. Still, transportation expenses are slightly higher than those in Los Angeles and 30.4 percent higher than the national average.
For any person who decides to use a car to get around the city, be prepared to pay to park. Parking can range from as little as $7 to as much as $32 based on parking type and whether you need to keep your car there overnight.
For those who choose to forgo driving altogether, San Diego offers an accessible public transportation system. The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System provides bus and trolley services across San Diego County, including a dedicated line for the University of California, San Diego.
Bus and trolley fares are the same. One way will cost $2.50, but you can purchase a day pass for $6 or a monthly pass for $72. Family weekends allow you to save a little on transportation. Up to two children, 12 and under, can ride free with a fare-paying adult.
If you just want to get around and enjoy life outside, San Diego’s layout makes it ideal for walking — it’s also convenient for bike enthusiasts. The city has a walk score of 53 and a bike score of 43.
4. Healthcare costs in San Diego
Healthcare is a primary concern in most people’s minds, and in San Diego, you can expect to pay slightly more in this category — about 7.2 percent above the national average. This is a slight dip in overall costs from last year.
Prices now are about 1.4 percent less. It’s also not the highest-priced city in the state by far. Los Angeles and most major cities in Northern California are higher than San Diego’s cost of living for healthcare.
A visit to a doctor will cost you about $145, while a dental checkup will run you around $120. You can also expect to pay a bit more for medications. For example, the median price for a bottle of Ibuprofen is about $13. When you factor in the maintenance appointments you’ll need each year, and your list of prescriptions, the price can add up.
Calculating average healthcare costs for everyone is difficult. Everybody has different needs for their body and healthcare routines vary drastically. As a result, you should consider your typical healthcare routines when creating your cost of living budget, factoring in your medicine regimens and insurance coverage.
5. Taxes in San Diego
Since taxes vary by location, it’s easy to get confused when it comes time to budget accordingly. Sales tax in San Diego is 7.75 percent. However, neighboring cities, where you may go shopping, can vary.
Live in San Diego, but prefer to shop in Oceanside? You’ll pay 8.25 percent in sales tax.
How much do I need to earn to live in San Diego?
Earlier, we discussed the fact that the housing piece to your cost of living in San Diego is quite a bit more than in other locations.
Experts generally recommend you allocate at least 30 percent of your annual income to rent, which means you should know the average salary that aligns with the average rent.
If a one-bedroom in San Diego is $2,879 per month, you’d need a job that pays at least $115,160 per year. You may have to consider a roommate or some creative living situation, given that the median annual income in San Diego is $89,457.
Although lower than what you’d need to pay the average rent, it’s not impossible to live comfortably. Our rent calculator can show you exactly how much you can afford and help you target specific areas within your budget.
Living in San Diego
San Diego is a wonderful place to live if you love warm beaches, temperate climates, great food and a lively club scene. It’s no wonder 35 million people visit each year and some of them end up living in San Diego after their vacation.
Whether those people choose to plant roots depends a lot on budget. What can you afford?
The Cost of Living Index comes from coli.org.
The rent information included in this summary is based on a calculation of multifamily rental property inventory on Rent. as of August 2023.
Rent prices are for illustrative purposes only. This information does not constitute a pricing guarantee or financial advice related to the rental market.
Our experts answer readers’ home-buying questions and write unbiased product reviews (here’s how we assess mortgages). In some cases, we receive a commission from our partners; however, our opinions are our own.
Getting a mortgage as a teacher can be tough, particularly if you still have student loan debt to pay off. Fortunately, there are programs to help make buying a home possible.
Whether you’re looking for down payment assistance, lender discounts, or more lenient credit requirements, there are plenty of options available to help teachers achieve their homeownership goals. Here’s what to know about the Teacher Next Door program and other programs or home loans for teachers.
Are there home loans for teachers?
Teachers who are looking to become homeowners have a wide array of options available to help them, including both teacher-specific programs and more general first-time homebuyer loans.
Some teacher-specific homebuyer assistance includes Teacher Next Door, Good Neighbor Next Door, Home for Heroes, or benefits through your teachers union. Your state or city may also have homebuyer programs specifically geared toward teachers. Check your local housing authority’s website to see what’s available to you.
But you may have better luck looking at mortgages available to all borrowers, regardless of profession. There are more of these programs available, and many of them come with bigger benefits than what you’ll find with some profession-specific programs.
How does the Teacher Next Door program work?
Teacher Next Door is a program for homebuyers that’s available to teachers as well as other school personnel, including administrators, office staff, lunchroom workers, custodians, and paraprofessionals.
“Affordable housing is a major concern for everyone, including teachers,” says Stephen Parks, the national director of the Next Door programs, which includes Teacher Next Door. “Many times, the grants and other assistance we provide is the difference maker in a purchasing new home for their family.”
Through this program, eligible professionals can get a grant of up to $8,000, which doesn’t have to be repaid. Teacher Next Door will also help connect you to local down payment assistance programs and says participants can get as much as $10,681 in down payment assistance.
Teacher Next Door is sometimes confused with the Good Neighbor Next Door program, which is overseen by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. But these are two completely separate programs.
“The Teacher Next Door Program is much more inclusive and flexible than the Good Neighbor Next Door Program, since you may purchase any home on the market, not just in revitalization areas, and there are no minimum residency restrictions,” says Parks.
To get a grant and down payment assistance through Teacher Next Door, you’ll need to work with a real estate agent who’s affiliated with the program and one of the program’s preferred mortgage lenders.
If you’re considering buying a home through the Teacher Next Door program, it’s a good idea to also get your own mortgage rate quotes from other lenders to be sure you’re getting a good deal.
Teacher Next Door program income limits
The Teacher Next Door program doesn’t have any income limits. However, if you have a higher income, you might not qualify for some of the local down payment assistance programs that Teacher Next Door connects you with.
Good Neighbor Next Door program for teachers
The Good Neighbor Next Door program offered through HUD lets public servants buy a home at a 50% discount in certain areas. Teachers are eligible for the Good Neighbor Next Door program.
The catch is that the inventory for this program is extremely limited. Not all homes are eligible — it has to be a HUD-owned foreclosed home in a designated “revitalization area,” which are areas that are lower income and have low homeownership rates. As of December 2023, there were only four homes in the entire country that were eligible for the GNND program, according to HUD’s website.
Homes for Heroes program for teachers
Homes for Heroes offers homebuying discounts to teachers and other public service professionals. According to its website, program participants save an average of $3,000 with Homes for Heroes.
To save money with the Homes for Heroes program, you’ll work with homebuying professionals who are affiliated with the program. For example, working with a Homes for Heroes-affiliated real estate agent could save you $700 for every $100,000 of your home’s purchase price. You’ll get your discounts in the form of a check after closing.
Teachers union mortgage benefits
If you belong to a union, you may want to see if it offers discounts with any mortgage lenders or other types of homebuyer assistance.
For example, the American Federation of Teachers has a mortgage program through Amalgamated Bank that includes a discount on your origination fee. AFT members can also get discounts on professional movers or truck rentals.
Low-down-payment home loans for teachers
There are a variety of low- or no-down-payment home loans available to borrowers, including both conventional and government-backed options.
Conventional loan
When you get a mortgage that isn’t backed by a government agency, it’s called a conventional mortgage. Borrowers can get a conventional loan with a down payment as low as 3%.
However, this might not be the best option for you if your credit isn’t great, since lenders typically have stricter standards for conventional loans. You’ll need at least a 620 credit score to qualify for one of these mortgages.
If you have a lower score, you might want to consider your government-backed mortgage options.
FHA loan
FHA loans are backed by the Federal Housing Administration, and they’re geared toward first-time and low-income homebuyers.
FHA loans have less stringent credit requirements; you can get one of these mortgages with a score as low as 580 with a 3.5% down payment, or 500 if you can put 10% down.
VA loan
To be eligible for a VA loan, you’ll need to be a veteran or current servicemember who meets minimum service requirements. You’ll also generally need at least a 620 credit score, though it varies depending on your lender.
If you qualify for a VA loan, you’ll be able to get a mortgage with 0% down.
USDA loan
Mortgages backed by the US Department of Agriculture are geared toward borrowers buying in rural areas, though some suburban areas also meet the USDA’s requirements. These mortgages also require no down payment.
To qualify for a USDA loan, you’ll typically need at least a 640 credit score.
First-time homebuyer loans and down payment assistance for teachers
Many of the best mortgage lenders for first-time buyers have their own unique programs that come with features and benefits that make homeownership more accessible to borrowers. This includes things like low down payments, down payment or closing cost grants, or flexible credit requirements.
These products aren’t unique to teachers, though they often do come with income or geographical limits.
As you search for a lender, ask about any affordable loan options they offer.
For example, Chase Mortgage has a loan called the DreaMaker Mortgage. It allows 3% down payments, reduced private mortgage insurance costs, and flexible credit requirements. This mortgage can also be combined with the bank’s Homebuyer Grant, which offers up to $5,000 in down payment or closing cost assistance. Many other major mortgage lenders have similar programs.
Home loans for teachers FAQs
The Teacher Next Door program is a legitimate homebuyer program that can help teachers and other school personnel who are buying a home get grants and down payment assistance.
Teacher Next Door could be a good option to help you become a homeowner — but there are a wide array of homebuyer assistance programs out there, so it’s a good idea to explore your options first. With the Teacher Next Door program, you’ll be limited to working with a lender affiliated with the program, which might not be ideal if you can get a lower rate from a different mortgage lender.
You might be able to get a discount on your mortgage through your teachers union or a credit union that offers special rates to educators. Check with local lenders in your area to see what’s available to you.
Industry veteran Adam O’Daniel is transitioning to Guild Mortgage as senior vice president and chief marketing officer, anewly created role, after about two years at Open Mortgage, the company announced on Tuesday.
“We’re going to expand Guild’s brand presence nationally, deliver best-in-class marketing tools, technology and support for our sales teams, and infuse a culture of creativity and collaboration across the brand,” O’Daniel said in a statement.
California-based Guild, a purchase-focused lender with a distributed retail model, has engaged in mergers and acquisitions to expand its footprint across the country.
In the third quarter, the company originated $4.3 billion in mortgages, down 4% compared to the previous quarter. But the lender’s gain-on-sale margin rose 22% in the period, and it delivered a $54.2 million net income from July to September, up 47% compared to the previous quarter.
According to Guild, O’Daniel will “spearhead the company’s marketing and communications initiatives to expand Guild’s brand presence nationally, support the company’s growth, and foster a culture of creativity and collaboration.”
The executive has more than 15 years of experience in the mortgage and financial services industry. Before joining Guild, he was Open Mortgage’s senior vice president of marketing, responsible for branding and communications. He also served in marketing and communications leadership at Movement Mortgage.
“He has a successful track record of building high-performing marketing teams in the mortgage industry by focusing on brand storytelling, borrower education, social media and innovation,” Terry Schmidt, CEO of Guild Mortgage, said in a statement.