One of the more unique mortgage originators out there is First Republic Bank, due to both their large volume of jumbo home loans and adjustable-rate mortgages.
Unlike most mortgage bankers that stick to fixed-rate conforming loans and home loans backed by the government, they mostly make jumbos that don’t adhere to the guidelines of those agencies.
In fact, they don’t even bother with FHA loans, USDA loans, or VA loans.
As such, they tend to cater to high-net worth individuals who are also relatively low-risk borrowers relative to the rest of the population, including billionaires like Mark Zuckerberg.
Let’s learn more about this premium mortgage lender, which may be a good fit if you need a very large home loan.
First Republic Bank Fast Facts
Headquartered in San Francisco, CA, founded in 1985
Publicly traded depository bank valued at more than $25B+
Offer home loans, construction loans, and HELOCs
Funded more than $14.5B in mortgages in 2019
Most of loan volume came from states of CA, MA, and NY
Specialize in jumbo home loans for high-net worth individuals
First Republic Bank was founded by its current CEO Jim Herbert back in 1985 in the city of San Francisco.
Today, the company is publicly traded on the NYSE and valued at more than $25 billion.
Based on their numbers through the first nine months of 2020, they likely originated more than $20 billion in home loans last year, which would be quite a jump from 2019.
Most of their loan volume comes from just a few states, including California, Massachusetts, and New York, though they’re nationally licensed.
Perhaps more interesting, about 75% of the home loans they extend to customers are adjustable-rate mortgages.
That’s basically unheard of in the industry, especially with fixed mortgage rates breaking record lows left and right.
In fact, the 7/1 ARM accounted for nearly 40% of their mortgage business, while the 5/1 ARM grabbed another 25%.
The rest went with a more traditional 30-year or 15-year fixed, which tells you their clients often put their money to work elsewhere, and are likely able to pay off their loans whenever they wish without fear of a rate adjustment.
How to Apply for a Mortgage with First Republic Bank
It’s unclear if they offer a digital mortgage application
You’ll need to visit a branch, call them, or request a call to get started
Expect a thorough underwriting process since they deal with high-dollar loan amounts
Loan processing, underwriting, and funding are done in-house and they service their own loans
To get started, you’ll either need to visit a physical bank branch, call them up on the phone, or fill out a short contact form on their website and wait for a call back.
My assumption is they offer a very high-touch, personalized home loan experience, as opposed to say a Rocket Mortgage or other fintech-fueled lender.
That’s not to say they don’t offer a digital mortgage application as well (unknown), but when you’re dealing with super jumbo loans, they likely do a bit more hand-holding.
And because they’re dealing with high-dollar loan amounts, there’s a good chance you’re underwriting process will be a bit more rigorous, with mention of three years of tax returns (as opposed to the standard two) on their application checklist.
I wish they’d share about their home loan process, but their website is a bit light on details.
However, they do seem to process, underwrite, and fund loans in house, and there’s a good chance they’ll service your loan as well since it’ll likely stay in their bank portfolio.
Home Loan Programs Offered by First Republic Bank
Home purchase loans
New construction loans (all-in-one construction-to-perm)
Refinance loans (rate and term and cash out)
Jumbo home loans
Conforming home loans
Home equity lines of credit (HELOCs)
Eagle Community Home Loan (for borrowers in underserved minority areas)
Fixed-rate and adjustable-rate options available
As noted, First Republic Bank is big on jumbo home loans, no pun intended. In fact, roughly 80% of their total production exceeded the conforming loan limit.
And while they do originate conforming home loans as well, their average loan size exceeded $1.6 million.
In other words, they’re financing very expensive homes, mostly in very pricey regions of the country, such as California and New York.
Oh, and they’re offering mortgages to the very, very wealthy, such as Mark Zuckerberg, who went with an ARM that featured an interest rate of 1.05%.
So it’s clear they’re not your everyday mortgage lender, but if you are rich, they could be a good choice, as they’ll likely have options others won’t.
In terms of loan programs, you can get a home purchase loan, a refinance loan, or a new construction loan on a variety of different property types, including single-family homes, condos/co-ops, and multi-unit properties.
You can finance a primary residence, a vacation home (popular with the wealthy), or a non-owner occupied investment property.
To be fair, it’s not all high net-worth lending at First Republic Bank.
They also created their “Eagle Community Home Loan” program back in 2015, which offers discounted fixed rates and waived non-recurring closing costs to borrowers in underserved minority areas.
Since it was launched, they’ve extended more than $1.8 billion in mortgages to borrowers located primarily in African-American or Hispanic/Latino neighborhoods.
First Republic Bank Mortgage Rates
You won’t find mortgage rates on the First Republic Bank website, which differs from some of the other big depository banks that do feature their rates.
This doesn’t say anything about how competitive they are, it’s just not what they lead with.
Ultimately, First Republic Bank is a premium bank so you’re not going to see mortgage rates in large font and discounted lender fees.
However, as we’ve seen with some of their celebrity borrowers, they do offer very low mortgage rates, especially on adjustable-rate mortgages and jumbo loans.
But if you need pricing, you’ll need to get in touch with a banker first, then you can shop their rate with other lenders.
The one advantage First Republic Bank might have is that their competitors may not even be able to offer the same loan products, including high-dollar loan amounts and short-term ARMs.
Still, you should take the time to compare lenders, especially if we’re talking about a very large loan amount, where even an eighth of a percent difference in rate can result in hundreds of dollars a month.
First Republic Bank Mortgage Reviews
It’s somewhat difficult finding customer reviews for First Republic Bank, possibly because they deal with high-end clients who may not bother writing reviews.
Nonetheless, there are some out there if you dig a little bit. For example, they have a 3.5-star rating on Yelp from roughly 100 reviews.
You are able to fine-tune to include words like “mortgage” to see what folks said about that specific line of business.
Additionally, they’ve got a 3.8-star rating out of 5 on WalletHub based on 100+ reviews, though not all pertain to their mortgage division. Comb through and you can find mortgage-specific ones.
There are also some Google reviews for each branch if you search via Google Maps for a branch near you. But all in all, somewhat light in the reviews department.
Lastly, First Republic Bank is not Better Business Bureau accredited, but does enjoy an ‘A+’ rating based on its history of dealing with complaints.
First Republic Bank Mortgage Pros and Cons
The Good
Can get a very large home loan (they specialize in jumbo loans)
They offer portfolio loans that their competitors may not be able to
Offer home equity lines of credit
In-house loan processing, underwriting, funding
A+ BBB rating
They may service your loan after closing
Free mortgage calculators and home buyer resources
The Maybe Not
Do not offer FHA loans, USDA loans, or VA loans
Limited number of bank branches
Need to speak to someone before applying for a mortgage
Mortgage rates have moved up slightly this week. They are still hovering in the tight range that they’ve been in for the past couple of months, but we did see a modest nudge higher. If you’re considering a purchase or a refinance, we believe the smart move is to lock in a rate soon. Read on for more details.
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Market Outlook 7.9.18 from Total Mortgage on Vimeo.
Where are mortgage rates going?
Mortgage rates nudge higher
It’s been a fairly uneventful week (unless you count the drama in the World Cup), keeping mortgage rates from moving too far in either direction. Long-term Treasury yields have moved up and down, but are ultimately resting at levels very close to where they were at the start of the week.
In the headlines, analysts are still talking about the global trade war that is taking place, with the U.S. and China being the main players here. It’s definitely an interesting situation at the moment because no one really knows exactly where we are headed.
What we can say, though, is that with the inflation readings this week coming in at strong levels and last week’s monthly jobs report showing a healthy labor market, the Federal Reserve is posed to continue raising the nation’s benchmark interest rate.
This might not put immediate upward pressure on mortgage rates, but as we move through the third and fourth quarter this year it is reasonable to expect mortgage rates to increase.
We did get the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) today, which showed that rates inched higher. Here are the numbers:
The average rate on a 30-year fixed rate mortgage moved up one basis point to 4.53% (0.4 points)
The average rate on a 15-year fixed rate mortgage moved up three basis points to 4.02% (0.4 points)
The average rate on a 5-year adjustable rate mortgage increased twelve basis points to 3.86% (0.3 points)
Here is what the Economic and Housing Research Group at Freddie Mac had to say about rates this week:
“Mortgage rates were mostly unchanged, but did tick up for the first time since early June.
The 10-year Treasury yield continues to hover along the same narrow range, as increased global trade tensions are causing investors to take a cautious approach. This in turn has kept borrowing costs at bay, which is certainly welcoming news for those looking to buy a home before the summer ends.
A record number of people quit their job last month, most likely for a new opportunity with higher wages and better benefits. This positive trend, along with these lower mortgage rates, should increasingly give some previously priced-out prospective homebuyers the financial wherewithal to resume their home search.”
Rate/Float Recommendation
Lock now before rates rise
Given that mortgage rates are expected to rise over the coming weeks and months, we believe the smart move for most borrowers is going to be to lock in a rate sooner rather than later.
The longer you wait, the more likely it is that you will be locking in a higher rate. It only takes a few minutes or a quick phone call to get started.
Learn what you can do to get the best interest rate possible.
Today’s economic data:
Consumer Price Index
The Consumer Price Index for June rose 0.1% from the previous month, putting it at a year over year change of 2.9%. CPI less food and energy rose 0.2% month over month, putting it at 2.3%, year over year. The monthly reading for June is notable in that it’s a six-year high.
Jobless Claims
Applications filed for U.S. unemployment benefits came in at 214,000 for the week of 7/7/18. That puts the four-week moving average at 223,000. It’s a drop of 18,000 from the previous week.
Fedspeak
Philadelphia Fed President Patrick Harker at 12:15pm.
Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari at 8:00pm.
Notable events this week:
Monday:
Tuesday:
NFIB Small Business Optimism Index
JOLTS
Wednesday:
PPI-FD
EIA Petroleum Status Report
Fedspeak
10-Year Note Auction
Thursday:
Consumer Price Index
Jobless Claims
Fedspeak
Friday:
Consumer Sentiment
Fedspeak
Import and Export Prices
*Terms and conditions apply.
Carter Wessman
Carter Wessman is originally from the charming town of Norfolk, Massachusetts. When he isn’t busy writing about mortgage related topics, you can find him playing table tennis, or jamming on his bass guitar.
MSR Valuation, Non-QM, DPA, Mobile Property Valuation Tools; What’s the Fed Chair Up To? New-Home Housing Market List
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MSR Valuation, Non-QM, DPA, Mobile Property Valuation Tools; What’s the Fed Chair Up To? New-Home Housing Market List
By: Rob Chrisman
Thu, Jun 22 2023, 10:16 AM
“So, HBO Max is now just ‘Max.’ Your move, Peacock.” Lenders continue to cogitate on their next moves as rates remain stubbornly high and inventory available for sale stubbornly low, and neither appears ready to change much any time in the near future. As I continue to visit with groups of lenders and vendors, lender’s overhead, and how comp figures into that, continues to be a hot topic. STRATMOR’s current blog is titled, “Compensation: Ever Changing,” and I asked STRATMOR CEO Lisa Springer about what lenders are doing in that area. “Lenders in increasing numbers are reaching out to STRATMOR to advise on compensation strategies from a holistic point of view, seeing how changes fit within the entire company. Management teams are thinking about structural changes and capitalizing on the opportunity to create win-win comp programs for both the employees and the companies.” In housing and inventory news, a recent real estate report from Zillow predicts 5% growth in home values this year. Housing inventory remains limited, which in turn continues to push property prices skyward and inflate home value appreciation. And sure you can read this list of hot new-home markets, and may even have branches in them, but do you have the products to offer those buyers? (Today’s podcast can be found here and this week’s is sponsored by MCT and its Hedge Advisory division. Download their recently released whitepaper, Mortgage Pipeline Hedging 101, for more information on hedging in today’s market. Today’s has an interview with Optifunder’s Carmel York that goes through a comprehensive overview of the warehouse lending space and current environment.)
Broker and Lender Services, Products, and Software
“Home equity lenders need fast, reliable, and objective property valuations to streamline processes, lower origination costs and deliver a better borrower experience, all while mitigating risk. This is a tough balancing act, but Black Knight can help. Our innovative mobile app – Validate – simplifies the property valuation process for home equity loans and lines of credit. Validate combines artificial intelligence, a condition-adjusted AVM and up-to-date property data with borrower-supplied property photographs to automatically determine a property’s value and the available equity. With Validate, lenders can save time and money, increase valuation accuracy, manage risk, and provide a better consumer experience. Learn more by scheduling a demo today.”
For many people, homebuyer assistance programs can make the difference between building wealth by making fixed mortgage payments or being subject to the ever-increasing cost of rent. This National Homeownership Month, Jackie, a single woman in the greater Tampa area, shared the story of how mortgage broker Pam Marron of Innovative Mortgage Services helped make her homeownership dreams a reality by pairing Pasco County Community Development’s DPA offering with Freddie Mac’s BorrowSmart program. Down Payment Resource made it easy for Pam to identify best-fit programs, understand requirements upfront and maximize the assistance she could provide Jackie. Learn how Down Payment Resource can help you be a community hero while filling your pipeline with eager first-time homebuyers.
“The Newrez Correspondent team would like to thank all of our lenders and industry partners who took the time to meet with us in NYC for the annual Secondary and Capital Markets Conference and Expo. It is a testament to the team and industry as we came together and discussed ways to navigate this fluctuating market. As a top-tier aggregator, our offering provides the product, pricing, and service our clients need to succeed and grow their business. Looking for Non QM? Our industry-leading Smart Series products are now available through LoanNEX. This product and pricing eligibility platform is available at no cost to our correspondents. Contact your regional sales manager to learn more! Believe it or not, we are only a little over 120 days from the National MBA Convention in Philadelphia. Save the date – We will have meeting space at the Loews Hotel – Stay tuned for more details as we prepare to take on the city of brotherly love! As always, thank you to our customers for their time, business, and partnerships!
Do you have a servicing portfolio? Do you understand how it is valued? With the decline in overall production, the MSR asset has become more critical than ever and effectively managing that asset demands ongoing oversight. MCT offers portfolio valuations that are accurate and easy to understand, with built-in safeguards focused on client and borrower data security. MCT’s fair value analysis and reports are customized to support servicer’s internal requirements and objectives, and extensive number of clients and MSR market knowledge keep your valuations timely, accurate, and reliable. Schedule a phone call with the MCT MSR experts to discuss a customized approach for valuing your MSR portfolio.
Non-Agency and Non-QM News
Sure, non-Agency production remains far below 10 percent of overall volume. But many programs are an important part of an LO’s offering to potential borrowers, and no LO wants to tell a client, “I can’t help you. But this other lender may be able to.” Let’s take a random look at what’s new out there.
Skip the pay stubs with Bank Statement Loans from the Industry’s Leader in Non-QM Solution Lending, Carrington Correspondent. Self-employed borrowers can use 12 or 24 months of bank statements to verify income and secure loans up to $3.5 million.
Summer Specials are in season at LoanStream. BPS’ off on some Government products and Non-QM: Full Doc, Alt Doc & DSCR.
Are your borrowers’ tax returns leaving them with too little income to qualify? Large amounts of tax write-offs can disqualify your borrowers from standard agency and Jumbo transactions. Champions Funding’s Activator loan option may be the perfect fit for those situations without the hassle of submitting tax returns. Now offering ITIN loans for non-U.S. Citizens.
Unite Mortgage, a DBA of Home Mortgage Alliance Corporation (HMAC), is offering the perfect program for borrowers looking to take cash out of their home but don’t want to refinance their 1st mortgage due to having a low-rate locked in. Mortgage Brokers… The 2ND Mortgage Program from Jet Mortgage is here. Contact Aaron Hilton at 623-252-0606 or send an email to [email protected]. Need a Bank Statement income analysis done? Click here and choose Aaron Hilton as your AE. Interested in learning more? Check out the Prime Seconds Matrix and Rate Sheet.
Champions Funding is 100% Non-QM with a dedicated underwriting team to move your files from submission to funding with ease – and GREAT communication. In a recent product update, Champions increased the Max LTV/CLTV by 5% on the Accelerator No Ratio (DSCR <.75) loan products at Champions Funding. Minimum 700 FICO to qualify with maximum loan amount up to $1 Million.
Capital Markets
In an about-face move, markets are seemingly succumbing to the Fed’s “higher rates for longer” projections to reduce U.S. growth to below its long-term trend and contain price pressures, with pricing in fed funds futures suggesting one additional 25 basis points hike at the July Federal Open Market Committee meeting and then holding firm at that level through the end of the year as the most likely outcome. Echoing his comments at the post-FOMC press-conference, Fed Chairman Powell delivered the first part of his two-day semiannual Humphrey-Hawkins testimony on monetary policy to Congress yesterday, telling the House Financial Services Committee in prepared remarks that “there is still a long way to go” in reducing inflation and that most FOMC members expected that further rate hikes are needed this year to thwart persistently high inflation.
Which all reminds me… The semiannual testimony of the U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman to Congress is commonly referred to as the Humphrey-Hawkins testimony in reference to the Humphrey-Hawkins Full Employment Act (the Full Employment and Balanced Growth Act of 1978). The bill was named after its primary sponsors, Senator Hubert Humphrey and Representative Augustus Hawkins, and was enacted with the goal of promoting full employment and stable prices in the U.S. It mandated the Federal Reserve to pursue maximum employment and stable prices as part of its monetary policy objectives.
Additionally, the Act required the Chairman of the Federal Reserve to provide regular reports and testify before Congress on the state of the economy (including the outlook for inflation, unemployment, and economic growth), discuss the central bank’s monetary policy decisions, and answer questions from members of Congress. The term “Humphrey-Hawkins testimony” became popularized as a shorthand way to refer to these semiannual appearances by the Federal Reserve Chairman to discuss the economy and monetary policy with Congress, in accordance with the requirements of the Humphrey-Hawkins Act. And Powell certainly put the “hawk” in Hawkins yesterday.
Fed Chair Powell’s main points were threefold. The inflation target of 2 percent is the goal the central bank intends to get back to, and though inflation has declined over the past year, we have a long way to go to get back there. The Summary of Economic Projections (“dot plot”) sees no rate cuts this year while market forecasts are (still, and likely wrongly) calling for a chance of one at the December meeting. Price stability comes first as a lousy currency negates all the work on the employment part of the Fed’s dual mandate. As Powell said in a recent presser, “Without price stability, the economy doesn’t work for anyone. In particular, without price stability, we will not achieve a sustained period of strong labor market conditions that benefit all.”
Today’s calendar contains three central bank decisions where more rate hikes are expected: the Swiss National Bank (SNB), Norges Bank, and the Bank of England (+ 50 basis points). The (busy) U.S. calendar is under way with the Chicago Fed National Activity Index for May, as well as weekly jobless claims (264k, roughly as expected and unchanged from last week, 1.759 million continuing claims: the labor market is still tight). Later today brings May existing home sales, May leading indicators, KC Fed manufacturing for June, a Treasury auction of $19 billion reopened 5-year TIPS, and Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Markets Survey. Today is also loaded with Fed speakers including Chair Powell’s visit before the Senate Banking Committee, but also Governor Waller, Governor Bowman, Cleveland President Mester, and Richmond’s Barkin. The narrative since last week’s meeting is that the FOMC is trying to figure out whether it has done enough and how much more tightening is needed. After yesterday’s seesaw of rates rallying hard after selling hard, which eventually took us back to flat on the day, we begin Thursday with Agency MBS prices unchanged from Wednesday night, the 2-year at 4.71, and the 10-year unchanged 3.72 percent.
Employment
“Behind the scenes at Sagent! As we continue building the team to propel our vision and mission for the industry, it’s important to also recognize the existing (and powerful) team that have been supporting us since the beginning of our future-of-servicing journey. Meet Greg Lane (Director, Financial Analysis), finance + accounting aficionado, and according to him, “It doesn’t matter what the numbers are supposed to do, whether it’s investments, foam pricing (you’ll have to read to find out why this is relevant), or fintech software FP&A, it’s what I like to do.” But there is so much more to Greg than pricing and forecasting revenue. Greg is a loving husband, father, pet owner, golfer. While in college, he scored an internship in Beijing for 3 months supporting a sole distributor for European beverage brands. Check out our latest employee spotlight piece for a glimpse into Greg’s world and what it’s like to be a part of Team Sagent.”
Are you frustrated as a retail loan officer or mortgage banker with the lack of flexibility to provide custom loan options? Take control: follow the lead of thousands of MLOs like you who have joined the wholesale channel in the last year. Whether you open your own independent mortgage brokerage or join a team as a loan officer, you’ll have the ability to provide your clients with the personalized solutions they need. Contact our team at BeAMortgageBroker.com today and you’ll be well on your way to a more fulfilling tomorrow.
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Standard Bank says struggling customers have home loans of less than R1.5 million. Many are first-time home buyers with incomes between R15 000 and R40 000 a month.
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Standard Bank says customers with home loans of less than R1.5 million have felt the most pressure from a rapid rise in interest rates.
Many are first-time home buyers with incomes between R15 000 and R40 000 a month.
Home loans that the bank wrote in 2020 – when many of its peers switched off their lending taps – had been performing the best.
For more financial news, go to the News24 Business front page.
Standard Bank says customers with home loans of under R1.5 million are battling the most with a rapid rise in interest rates that pushed up their bond repayments by more than a third.
But Africa’s largest lender, which warned on Tuesday that its impairment charges rose by almost 50% in the first five months of 2023, says its decision not to turn off the lending taps during the height of Covid-19 has also paid off, with market share gains among the more affluent.
During a call with analysts on Tuesday evening, the bank said cases referred for debt review have climbed more than a fifth as a rise in interest rates saw more clients struggling to pay their instalments.
Typically, households spend a maximum of around 28% to 30% of their income servicing their home loans.
However, given that the South African Reserve Bank has hiked rates by 475 basis points since it began its tightening cycle in November 2021, this percentage has increased for many households.
A customer who received a R1 million home loan at a prime lending rate of 7% with no deposit in 2020 or 2021 now pays 40%, or R3 000 more.
CFO of Standard Bank’s Consumer and High Net Worth Clients franchise, Lihle Ngema, said on Tuesday “pockets” of customers with home loans of under R1.5 million were under the most pressure.
Ngema said interestingly, though, the home loans that the bank wrote in 2020 – when many of its peers switched off their lending taps – had been performing the best.
Losses and gains
Standard Bank and Absa grew their secured lending books drastically in 2020, taking advantage of the record-low interest rates that brought a new calibre of first-time buyers to the property market. Ngema said that as other banks tightened their lending appetite, Standard Bank used that opportunity to take low-risk clients from them.
“Those [2020] home loans have actually been our best vintages,” she said. “What’s quite important is that in the last couple of years is that we’ve been very targeted in terms of the clients. It has been largely within the affluent segment.
“The average income in terms of our lending has been to people earning over R60 000 on a monthly basis,” she added.
But Standard Bank also grew its market share among first-time buyers. Standard Bank’s CEO for the Consumer & High Net Worth Clients division, Funeka Montjane, previously told News24 that around 60% of home loans the bank wrote before the recent hiking cycle went to first-time buyers. This was mostly young black women who bought homes worth about R1 million.
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But the bank assessed buyers’ affordability by assuming a higher interest rate than the prevailing one.
Ngema said that of those customers, people with salaries between R15 000 and R40 000 a month are under pressure now.
“But more broadly, what we are also seeing is an increase in the flow to debt review, which you would expect in this sort of market. Debt review across the portfolio is up 22% from this time last year,” she noted.
READ | Don’t fall for big-talking debt counsellors, Capitec and others warn
But Standard Bank Group Financial Director Arno Daehnke said the bank has enough coverage if more customers struggle to service their home loans. This is the case even if there is another 25 basis point hike in 2023, which the group expects.
“Of course, if we have a worst-case scenario playing out, with many more interest rate hikes, that might put additional pressure on the portfolio. But on the base case scenario, we remain confident that we’ll be within the [targeted credit loss ratio] range,” he said.
The base case scenario Standard Bank has modelled includes only one more interest rate hike of 25 basis points in July. The bank also said that if more customers fall on hard times, it has programmes in place to help them keep their homes.
Of the estimated 211,154 residential units foreclosed on in California during 2009, roughly 77,145 were rental units, according to a new report focused on tenant rights.
The foreclosures resulted in the displacement of an estimated 208,795 tenants who were living in single-family homes, condos, and multi-family apartments, despite likely making on-time mortgage payments every month.
From 2008 to 2009, there was a 70 percent increase in the foreclosure rate of apartment buildings of five units or more – single-family foreclosures fell 3.1 percent year-to-year.
An overwhelming 85 percent of the foreclosed properties went back to banks and mortgage lenders in 2009, while private investors took the rest.
During the year, banks forfeited more than $776 million in rental income, focusing on booting tenants by hiring lawyers to litigate eviction cases and having real estate agents carry out cash-for-keys deals.
“Once the properties are vacated, they become prime targets for vandalism, further contributing to plunging property values, and creating legal liability for banks as the owners of blighted vacant property,” the Tenants Together report said.
“Furthermore, banks continue to tarnish their standing in local communities by maintaining their policies to evict rent- paying tenants.”
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have implemented post-foreclosure programs to assist renters, but many banks apparently continue to see tenants as obstacles to future profits.
Tenants Together is calling for better tenant protections, including making the “Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act” (PTFA) permanent, passing local “just cause for eviction” laws, providing tenant notification when a landlord receives a foreclosure filing, and boosting legal funding for tenants in foreclosure situations.
Currently, PTFA provides tenants with the right to a 90-day notice to vacate after foreclosure and requires new owners to allow tenants with leases to continue occupying properties until the end of the lease term, unless sold to a buyer who intends to occupy the property as their primary residence.
While pundits and fusspots continue to question whether we’re headed for another housing bubble, consider this: The most recent mortgages were among the highest quality (lowest risk) since 2001.
Indeed, mortgages originated during the fourth quarter of 2016 were of the utmost quality, exhibiting even less risk than those funded a year earlier, this according to the latest CoreLogic Housing Credit Index (HCI).
The Housing Credit Index (HCI) Factors Include:
Credit score (the higher the better)
Loan-to-value ratio (LTV)
Debt-to-income ratio (DTI)
Documentation type (generally only one game in town nowadays: full doc)
Occupancy status (owner-occ is the best occ)
Condo/Co-up share (SFRs are safer)
While the mortgages look pretty darn good, the company did note that the reduction in risk from both a year and a quarter earlier could be partially attributed to a higher refinance share.
Per CoreLogic chief economist Frank Nothaft, refinance borrowers tend to have lower loan-to-value ratios (LTVs) and debt-to-income ratios (DTIs) than their home purchase counterparts.
And because mortgage rates have since moved higher from late last year, default risk could increase as lenders loosen underwriting guidelines to accommodate “harder-to-qualify borrowers.” Nothaft added that fraud could also rise as the mortgage market becomes more purchase-heavy.
Credit Scores Up, DTIs and LTVs Steady
Credit risk remains very low in the housing market
Relative to what was seen a decade earlier
Thanks to very high borrower credit scores
And DTIs and LTVs that are in a healthy range
As you can see from the chart above, mortgage credit risk has gone down sharply over the past several years. It was highest in 2006 when home prices peaked and options arms were all the rage (they aren’t slated to resurface anytime soon or ever).
During the fourth quarter, the average credit score for home buyers was 737, up 4 points from the fourth quarter of 2015.
Additionally, the share of buyers with credit scores under 640 (not quite subprime but on the riskier side) was roughly one-tenth the rate seen in 2001.
In other words, mortgages continue to go to really creditworthy borrowers, which is generally a good thing, though not completely immune from risk.
Meanwhile, the average DTI ratio for home buyers in Q4 2016 was 36%, unchanged from a year earlier. At the same time, the share of buyers with DTIs greater than or equal to 43% (the Qualified Mortgage cutoff) was up “slightly” compared to levels seen in 2001.
Finally, LTVs were up by less than one percent year-over-year in the fourth quarter, rising from 86.7% to 87.1%. The only potentially troubling data point was that buyers with an LTV of 95% or higher increased by more than one-fourth compared with 2001.
Is Down Payment Still the Biggest Problem?
The biggest hurdle to ownership continues to be the down payment
While borrowers may have excellent credit and solid income
Many aren’t able to muster even a 3-5% down payment on a home
Which could lead to trouble again if they buy at the height and slip into an underwater position
That tells me down payment continues to be the biggest hurdle to homeownership, and perhaps the biggest risk facing the housing market as home prices ascend to new heights.
While many borrowers have excellent credit scores and no problem making monthly housing payments, a large proportion are unable to put down a sizable down payment.
Aside from making it more difficult to qualify for a mortgage thanks to private mortgage insurance and a higher mortgage rate, it also means these borrowers are at greater risk of falling underwater if things take a turn for the worse (again).
And if there’s an expectation this time around that home buyers will be bailed out in such a situation, we could have another big problem on our hands during the next crisis.
But because the mortgages being underwritten today are of the utmost quality, we may actually avoid a similar fate.
You have to remember that aside from being upside down on the mortgage, many of those same borrowers couldn’t actually afford to make their payments.
Today’s borrowers can. And that’s a very important detail.
Have you ever noticed that all the credit cards in your wallet are exactly the same size?
That’s because every credit card issued in the U.S. — and around the world — must be 3.375 inches wide by 2.125 inches high, according to requirements established decades ago by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
Credit card issuers can get a little creative with their logo and some other design features, but there are rules regarding credit card size, including how high, wide, and thick they can be. (And, by the way, those same rules apply to debit cards and government-issued IDs.)
Read on to learn why, when it comes to credit cards, size matters.
Why Are All Credit Cards the Same Size?
It makes sense that all credit cards should be a uniform size so they can fit conveniently in the slots of any type of wallet. But that’s just a happy byproduct of card standardization.
The dimensions were put in place so that payment-processing technology can accept any credit card, no matter where the card came from or where it’s used. This means the same cards you use to make purchases or withdraw cash in the U.S. can go with you when you take a vacation trip to Paris, France, or any of the ISO’s member nations.
All financial transaction cards must follow the ISO’s ID-1 format. It specifies the dimensions of a credit card in inches must be 3.375 wide by 2.125 high, with a thickness of 0.0299 inches, and the corners must be rounded. The sequence of the digits in your credit card number and other card features also must follow standards set by the ISO.
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When Did the Size of a Credit Card Become Standardized?
Although credit cards have gone through several major changes over the past 60 or so years—especially when it comes to developing new ways to pay and protect against identity theft—they’ve actually looked pretty much the same since the late 1950s.
There were different versions of credit “cards” before that — made from clay tablets in ancient times, dog tag-style metal plates in the 1930s, and even paper and cardboard in the ‘40s and ‘50s. But when American Express and Bank of America began issuing cards in 1958, and other banks followed suit in the next few years after that, credit cards quickly evolved to the size and shape they are today. Even that magnetic “swipe” stripe on the back has been around for decades: It was invented in the 1960s by an IBM engineer and became the standard worldwide by the early ’70s.
Recommended: What Is a Contactless Credit Card and How Does It Work?
What Are Credit Cards Made Of?
American Express is credited with creating the first plastic credit card, in 1959, and that’s still what most cards are made of. A card is typically created using a plastic resin known as polyvinyl chloride acetate (PVCA) that makes it bendable, durable, and water resistant.
Some credit card companies also issue metal credit cards, which are sturdier than plastic cards and usually heavier, too. (We’re only talking about a few grams here, however, so not nearly enough weight to put extra stress on a pants pocket or purse strap.)
What Is the Weight of a Credit Card?
While most plastic credit cards weigh about 5 grams, metal credit cards—which may be made from stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, or a mix of metals—may weigh in at anywhere from 10 to 18 grams.
These heavier cards are sometimes considered more prestigious, as many premium cards are made of metal. And feeling that distinctive heft in your hand can make a metal card stand out from plastic cards. But metal cards aren’t as rare as they used to be. And the way a credit card works is basically the same no matter what material it’s made from.
If you’re thinking about applying for a credit card, you may want to start by finding the card that’s the best fit for you based on its financial benefits rather than its appearance or physical weight. It can be helpful to compare the type of rewards a card offers, if it has low or no fees, the interest rate and credit limit you can qualify for, as well as other perks.
Recommended: What is the Average Credit Card Limit and How Can You Increase It?
Are There Other Design Features that Can Vary?
Although all credit cards are the same size and share other important features, if you lay out your credit cards side by side in front of you, you’ll also likely spot a few differences.
Your credit card number may be on the front of some cards and on the back of others, for example, and those numbers might be flat or slightly raised (embossed). There may or may not be a space for your signature. And the security hologram and code verification value (CVV) — features that are there to protect you from fraudsters — also may vary a bit from card to card.
The magnetic stripe and chip used for making payments are located in the same spot on every card, though. Again, this is designed to make processing transactions as universal and convenient as possible. Mastercard plans to slowly get rid of the swipe stripe on its cards, however, starting in 2024.
Recommended: Guide to Choosing a Credit Card
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The Takeaway
Although there have been significant advancements over the years in how credit cards can be used, how payments are processed, and the technology that helps shield consumers from theft, the standard credit card size and shape hasn’t changed in decades. And thanks to the international standards that dictate credit card dimensions, all your cards should fit in any card reader used worldwide — and in the slots in your wallet.
This means you can focus on other factors when choosing which credit card or cards you want to own, including the card’s interest rate, the types of rewards offered, and other benefits and protections.
Looking for a new credit card? Consider a rewards card that makes your money work for you. With the SoFi Credit Card, you earn cash-back rewards on all eligible purchases. You can then use those rewards for travel or to invest, save, or pay down eligible SoFi debt. (It’s also a pretty good-looking card… if you’re into that sort of thing.)
The SoFi Credit Card: The smarter way to spend.
FAQ
What size is a credit card in centimeters?
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) specifies that credit cards, debit cards, and gift cards must be 8.56 cm by 5.398 cm (which is 85.6 mm by 53.98 mm, or 3.375 inches by 2.125 inches). The ISO standard for credit card thickness is .076 cm (that’s .76 mm, or about .03 inches).
What is the print size on a credit card?
Print size, font, and color may vary from one credit card to the next. Some credit card issuers even allow their customers to personalize a card with their own custom or semi-custom design.
How can visually impaired consumers tell a credit card from a debit card?
Credit card issuers are increasingly moving away from using raised letters and numbers as part of their card designs. Mastercard, for instance, plans to introduce the Touch Card, which uses a distinctive notch on the side (rounded for debit, squared for credit, triangular for prepaid) to aid those who may struggle to identify the card they’re using.
Photo credit: iStock/Sitthiphong
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Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.
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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This probably sounds strange coming from a guy who has been anti-budget all his life. Besides, haven’t I paid off all my debt? Don’t I have a positive cash-flow of over $1,000 per month? Yes, these things are true. But I’ve noticed something troubling: I’ve begun to experience that lifestyle inflation I’m always warning others about.
Lifestyle inflation is the natural tendency to increase our spending as our incomes increase. When we get a raise at work, we’re likely to spend more at home. A little lifestyle inflation is fine. But there’s a real danger of becoming too comfortable with increased spending. Once we become accustomed to a certain lifestyle, it’s difficult to cut back.
Cracks in the Foundation
On our flight home from Orlando, Kris and I talked about my spending. It has increased in recent months. Some of this is deliberate. I’ve made a conscious decision to allow myself to spend more money on Wants. I can afford it. The trouble is that I’ve begun to spend indiscriminately again, and I’m afraid that’s a slippery slope. I’ll buy random magazines at the grocery store, or pick up a game for the Wii that I’m only half interested in.
I’m certainly not spending beyond my means, but I’ve begun to make more impulse purchases. I want to correct this now — before it becomes a problem. In the past, I’ve used a spending plan to help me meet my goals, and more recently I’ve been following the broad outlines of Elizabeth Warren’s balanced money formula:
But sometimes broad outlines aren’t enough. In this case, Kris suggested that a budget might help curb my impulsiveness, and I think she’s right. With a budget, I can set specific goals. I can focus on the things I really want instead of just spending on random things that appeal to me in the moment.
So, I’ve decided to create a budget. Not a comprehensive budget — my Income, Needs, and Saving are all fine — but a budget for my Wants. I want to exercise discipline in this area so that I’m spending on things that are actually important to me instead of random stuff, stuff that ultimately turns into clutter.
Blueprint for Success
To start, I reviewed my discretionary spending from last year and compared it to the totals from the first four months of 2009. This is where tracking every penny you spend can prove valuable. By comparing my past spending to my present spending, I’m able to detect trends. It’s very clear, for example, that I am again spending too much on dining out. Time to cut back.
Next, I thought about my goals. What is it that I really want to do? Lately, travel appeals to me. Kris and I both would like to take a vacation to Europe in 2010. To make that happen, I need to save. This gives me a medium-term goal to save toward.
Finally, I allocated a specific amount of money toward my monthly Wants. Remember, because I’m self-employed, I have an irregular income that passes through my business account first. If I pull out $2500 per month (after taxes) to act as personal income, that gives me $750 to spend on my passions. That should be plenty.
Note:Based on my Income, Needs, and Saving, I can afford to allocate $750 for Wants. This might seem high to some GRS readers. It would have seemed high to me once, too. But because I’ve paid off my consumer debt, I have $750 per month to spend on the things that make me happy.
Building the Budget
After collecting the data and setting my goals, I made a first pass at a budget. This is what I’ll use for June and July:
Books: $50/month
Comic Books: $50/month
Entertainment: $50/month
Clothing: $50/month
Charity: $50/month
Dining Out: $200/month
Vacation 2010: $200/month (plus small windfalls)
Miscellaneous: $100/month
Obviously, you might make different choices. I know that many GRS readers are avid contributors to charity, for example, and I suspect few of you budget for comic books! These are the allocations that seem to make sense for me and my situation. I’m sure that I’ll make changes to this budget as I work with it in the real world.
Actually, I have a lot of questions about how a budget should work in the real world. Because I’m a budgeting novice, I could use some help. I’m hoping that you experienced budgeters can answer some of my questions:
How often do you re-evaluate your budget? Do you make monthly adjustments? Quarterly? Yearly?
If you go over budget for a month, what do you do? Do you make immediate adjustments? Or do you simply try to correct things the following month?
What if I go under budget in a category? Does that mean I get to carry that money into the next month? Can I use it for a different Want category? (Perhaps sweep anything extra into the Vacation fund?) Or does does that money go to Saving instead? Or should I donate it to charity?
How do you track your spending against the budget? If I used the envelope system, I’d allocate the actual cash to each account before-hand. But what if I don’t want to have that much cash around the house? Is there a good way to keep track of current spending in each category? Should I carry a notecard with my monthly spending on it? (That seems to be what Bargain Babe recommends.)
Do you try to further reduce spending on these categories? For example, should I try to drop my budget for Dining Out even more?
This is a strange new world for me. Over the past year, I’ve been pursuing more and more advanced personal finance subjects and concepts. Yet here I am, in better financial shape than ever, about to implement a basic skill I’ve never mastered before. That’s okay. I believe it’s important to continue focusing on the fundamentals even as we tackle more advanced topics.
My Discretionary Spending: Bits and Pieces
I want to talk about a couple of my spending habits. One is a worrisome trend, and one is a thing I’m doing right.
Food for Thought
Long-time readers know that Kris and I love to dine out. It’s one of those things we’re willing to spend on. We cut corners in other areas of our lives so that we can afford to make this happen. Still, I’ve been concerned about my restaurant spending for the past couple of years. It seems a tad excessive.
How’d I do last year? Well, my grocery spending dropped, but my restaurant spending went up again — a lot. Here’s a look at five years of data:
In 2005, we spent $1423.39 to dine out 100 times, for an average cost of $14.23 per meal.
In 2006, we spent $1869.58 to dine out 108 times, for an average cost of $17.31 per meal.
In 2007, we spent $2051.93 to dine out 84 times, for an average cost of $24.43 per meal.
In 2008, we spent $2628.08 to dine out 77 times, for an average cost of $34.14 per meal.
In 2009, we spent $3443.61 to dine out 69 times, for an average cost of $49.91 per meal.
Holy cats! Will you look at those numbers? We’re only dining out about half two-thirds as often as we were in 2006, but we’re spending nearly three times as much per meal. At the current rate of spending growth, we’ll be spending $300 per meal in 2015! Since I can afford our current spending — I’m not living beyond my means — the real question is: Am I getting my money’s worth? I’m not sure that I am.
If I’m honest, I have to admit that I don’t like the idea that we’re paying $50 per meal. I’d much rather return to our former habit: Dining out more often, but spending less each time. To that end, I’ve been brainstorming ways we can work to cut costs:
We could do a better job of looking for discounts. We have an Entertainment book, and the local paper often features specials at local restaurants. We should take advantage of both of these. We used to do this, but have fallen out of the habit (primarily because we’ve become so used to eating at the same places again and again).
We need to find more cheap places to eat. Half the fun of going out is just going out. Sure, we love the fancy restaurants, but we used to be happy with Dairy Queen. (This is lifestyle inflation in action!) The real problem is that the cheap places I know and love (Cha Cha Cha and Imperial Garden) aren’t Kris’ favorites. We need to find cheap places we both like.
When we do eat in the same old haunts, we need to make an effort to reduce our spending. It’s okay to have an appetizer, entree, dessert, and drink all in the same meal now and then, but we could save money by cutting one or two of these from the mix each time we dine out.
Finally, we should invite friends to our home for dinner more often. As soon as the book is done (getting close!), I’m going to make a habit of inviting one family to dine with us every couple of weeks. We used to do this a lot, but have fallen out of the habit. It’s fun and frugal to have folks over for dinner.
So, that’s one part of my financial life that still needs work. Next, let’s look at something I’m doing right.
Tangent: Portlanders, help me out. What are your favorite cheap places to eat around town? Bonus points for inner southeast, West of 39th from Hawthorne south to Oregon City.
A Waning of Want
Here’s something that amazes me: We’re twelve days into the year and I haven’t spent anything yet on personal expenses. I haven’t even felt the urge. I’ve bought gas for the Mini and groceries for home, and Kris and I went out to lunch last Friday, but I haven’t spent a dime on gadgets or books or games or toys or magazines.
“Big deal,” you might say. “That’s how it should be.” You’re right. But for me, this is a big deal. All my life, I’ve had the uncontrollable urge to buy Stuff. It used to be that I couldn’t go more than a day or two without buying something. Even while writing this blog, that’s been the case. (I’ve just learned to channel my desires into smaller, cheaper things.) Now, as last, I seem to have licked it.
I still want things — no question! — but I’ve become very good at ignoring the wants and moving on. How?
Sometimes, I just put down the thing I want, turn off my brain, and walk away. I force myself to stop thinking about it. (Usually by thinking about something else — like our upcoming trip to Europe, and how I need to save for that instead.)
If I still want the thing when I get home, I put it on my Amazon wish-list. For whatever reason, that’s often enough to satisfy the strange inner workings of my mind. I feel comforted knowing I’ve let myself put it on a list where I won’t forget it.
I’m very good about using the 30-day rule to control my impulse spending. My Amazon wish-list plays a role in that, but so does my mountain of index cards. (My life wouldn’t be complete without index cards.) I have a handful of cards on my desk filled with notes about the things I want. It’s amazing how many times I sort through this stack and end up throwing cards away because I no longer want the item I’ve written down.
These techniques help me deal with desire. They don’t quell it completely — nor would I want them to — but they do keep it in check. That last rule is probably the most effective. By delaying purchases 30 days, I don’t feel like I’m denying myself. I can still buy what I want if I want it 30 days later, but I’m not just giving in to impulse spending. (When 30 days rolls around and I do still want something, it actually feels pretty good to be able to buy it.)
My current spending moratorium isn’t permanent, and I know that. In fact, the new Dick Tracy anthology comes out tomorrow, so if nothing else, I’ll be shelling over $25 for that.
Remember: there’s nothing inherently wrong with spending money on things that bring you joy. Problems arise when you finance these purchases with debt. If you’re meeting your other financial goals and have money left over, it’s good to indulge your interests and passions. Just make sure you’re getting value for the dollars you spend.
A Look Back to Previous Years
I believe there are two components to building wealth:
Reducing costs
Boosting income
Doing one or the other can help you meet your goals, but to really succeed, you must do both. My goal has been to create a significant positive monthly cash flow. I’ve managed to do this. But as my income increases, so does the temptation to spend more. Have I been able to fight the urge? It’s time for the annual review of my largest sources of discretionary spending:
Although I use comics as a prop for laughs at Get Rich Slowly, I’ve genuinely struggled with my spending on them in the past. Not this year. I made vast improvements in 2008, actually spending less on comics than I had planned. There are two reasons for this. First, I’ve narrowed my focus, collecting only those titles I most desire. I’m also making an effort to read all of the books I’ve bought but never finished. These two changes have helped me to spend less on this hobby.
At one time, I spent over $200 a month on books. Now I spend less than $40. I’m content with this number, especially since many of these are for our monthly book group. One reason my inclination to buy books has decreased is that I’m able to purchase personal-finance books through Get Rich Slowly, the business. (Plus authors and publishers send them to me for free.) This gives me a never-ending source of reading material, and makes me less inclined to spend time in a bookstore. And again, I’m trying to read books I own but have never finished.
Entertainment (2005: $478.81, 2006: $543.55, 2007: $1094.83, 2008: $897.91)
This number isn’t as bad as it seems. It includes two Decemberists concerts for me and Kris, and it also includes some of our television viewing. (Remember that Kris and I cut back to basic cable, and now we watch TV through Netflix and through the iTunes Music Store.) There’s also a one-time $236 event here that ought to have been a business expense. I’m not unhappy with my spending on Entertainment.
Many personal finance writers view pets as an unnecessary expense. To me, $35 a month to keep four cats is a bargain. It only costs me about a quarter a day for each animal, and they bring much more joy to my life than that. If Kris would let me, I’d be the “crazy cat lady” on the block. (Are there “crazy cat gentlemen”?) Note that our actual pet expenses are greater. Kris pays for their food, and that’s not reflected in these numbers
This includes wine, liquor, pipe tobacco, poker nights, etc. I don’t smoke regularly, but I do smoke a pipe maybe a dozen times a year. Most of this expense is for alcohol at dinner parties and social gatherings. My alcohol consumption did increase during 2008, which is a concern, but that’s not the reason for the increased spending. For the first time ever, we bought a couple of cases of wine. This will actually reduce the “wages of sin” in the long run, but it bumped the number for 2008.
Although this report is interesting, there are problems with my methodology. For example, I’ve included my grocery spending above (although it’s not really discretionary), but have not included spending on exercise equipment (which is discretionary). Also, Kris pays for much of our grocery shopping. Because we keep separate accounts, her share of that expense isn’t reflected in these numbers.
In order to be consistent from year-to-year, however, I’ve elected to continue reporting the same expenses in the same ways. You’ll have to take my word that the figures here are representative of my spending as a whole. This annual report is sort of like tracking a stock market index, I guess. It doesn’t reveal nuances, but it’s still a useful indicator of the Big Picture.
So despite cutting back on the areas that are really important to me — books and comics — my spending increased. And most of that increase came from dining out.
How did you do on your spending goals last year? Are there areas where you wish you spent less? If so, what strategies do you use to keep yourself in check?
Inside: Looking for fun things to do with friends? Look no further! This guide has 101 fun activities for you and your friends to enjoy. From painting parties to bowling nights, there’s something for everyone.
Do you ever feel like you’re in a rut, doing the same things with your friends all the time?
If you’re looking for some new ideas for fun things to do with friends, look no further!
We’ve compiled a list of fun activities for friends to do so you can find something that fits your mood.
Whether you want to get active and try something new, or stay in and relax together, we’ve got you covered.
So round up your besties and get ready for some fun!
Why spending time with friends is important
Spending time with friends is an essential aspect of human life. It provides us with an opportunity to bond, socialize, and create lasting memories.
The benefits of spending time with friends are numerous, and they range from improving our social skills to reducing stress levels.
By participating in activities that allow us to spend quality time with our friends, we will have better overall mental health.
What should friends do for fun?
There is no one answer to this question, as friends can have different interests and preferences.
However, some fun activities that friends could do together include going to the movies, playing sports, going out to eat, or attending a concert.
That is why we will cover so many various ideas for you and your friends!
The fun things to Do with Friends
We all know the importance of having friends in our lives. They are the people we rely on and confide in. They make us laugh, help us when we’re down, and are always there for us.
If you are wondering what should I do today, then we have you covered.
So, it’s important to have plenty of fun things to do with friends as well.
1. Go on a Scavenger Hunt
Scavenger hunts are a popular group activity that can be enjoyed by friends of all ages.
Planning and executing a scavenger hunt with friends can be a fun and engaging way to spend time together.
To get started, choose a location that offers a variety of interesting sights and sounds.
Next, create a list of items to find, such as a red bicycle or a funny sign.
Divide into teams and set a time limit for the hunt.
Use a special hashtag and have each team post a pic every time an item is found.
Nowadays, you can even buy a scavenger hunt kit to make it easier!
2. Play Board Games
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Board games are a great way for friends to have fun and connect with each other.
Some popular board games include Scrabble, Chess, and Monopoly, but there are many other options to choose from. Card games like poker and blackjack are also great choices. Party games like Charades and Apples to Apples can bring a lot of laughter and enjoyment.
Board games provide an opportunity for friends to engage in friendly competition, improve their strategic thinking and social skills, and have a great time together.
So, gather your friends, choose one of the best-selling board games, and let the fun begin!
3. Explore street food
Exploring street food with friends is an exciting way to satisfy your taste buds while spending quality time with your loved ones. From food trucks to pop-up stands, there are plenty of options to choose from.
Here are three street food examples that are worth finding:
Tacos: Bite into the crispy shell and savor the juicy meat, fresh salsa, and creamy guacamole. Tacos are the perfect combination of flavors and textures that will leave you craving more.
Gyros: Sink your teeth into the warm pita bread and taste the tender slices of meat, crunchy vegetables, and tangy tzatziki sauce. Gyros are a delicious Greek dish that will transport you to the Mediterranean with every bite.
Bao buns: Savor the fluffy steamed bun filled with savory meat, pickled vegetables, and sweet sauce. Bao buns are a popular street food item in Asia that will tantalize your taste buds with their unique flavors and textures.
Exploring street food with friends is an adventure that will take you on a gastronomic journey around the world. You can try new dishes, share your opinions, and bond over your love of food.
The joy of exploring street food with friends lies in discovering hidden gems, trying something new, and creating memories that will last a lifetime.
4. Get Messy with a Color Run
Participating in a color run is a unique and exciting way to stay fit while having fun with your friends.
This 5K run involves getting covered in colored powder while running through different stations. It’s a great way to stay active and create some memorable photos with your friends.
Plus, you get to support a good cause since many color runs are organized as charity events.
5. Watch a Movie Marathon
A movie marathon with friends is a fun way to bond and enjoy each other’s company. They provide a fun and relaxing environment to enjoy each other’s company and appreciate great films.
To plan and execute a successful movie marathon, follow these steps:
Choose a theme or movie series: Decide on a theme or movie series that everyone will enjoy. This could be a specific genre, actor, or movie franchise like “Harry Potter” or “Star Wars.” Or just pick a variety of old classics and new favorites.
Prepare snacks and refreshments: Popcorn, pizza, and soda are classic movie snacks, but feel free to get creative with your choices. You could even have a potluck and have everyone bring their favorite snack to share.
Arrange the viewing space: Make sure the viewing space is comfortable and has enough seating for everyone. Consider using blankets and pillows to create a cozy atmosphere.
So, grab some popcorn and gather your friends for a movie marathon that you’ll never forget!
The best movies can be found on Paramount Plus!
6. See What Festivals Are in Town
Attending festivals with friends can be a fun and unique activity to break up your routine. There are many different types of festivals to choose from, including food, music, art, and film festivals.
Additionally, there are usually free local events like food festivals, music festivals, farmers’ markets, and intercultural events.
Planning ahead and checking the festival schedule is important to ensure that all friends can attend. So why not gather your friends and try attending a festival together?
7. Hike
Hiking is a fantastic way to stay active and enjoy the great outdoors with friends.
Not only does it provide a great workout, but it also offers the opportunity to bond with your crew while surrounded by natural beauty.
You can even plan on these fantastic hiking trails for beginners or more experienced hikers:
In California, Big Basin Redwoods State Park offers a variety of trails ranging from easy to challenging, with the highlight being the 11-mile Skyline to the Sea Trail.
In Colorado, the Mount Falcon Park Trail offers stunning views of the Rocky Mountains and is a moderate 3.6-mile hike.
For those on the East Coast, the Franconia Ridge Trail in New Hampshire is a challenging yet rewarding 8.9-mile hike with breathtaking views of the White Mountains.
Remember to dress appropriately for the weather and terrain, wear sturdy hiking boots, carry plenty of water, and pack snacks to keep your energy levels up.
8. Go for a short road trip
Planning a road trip with friends can be a bonding experience, from working together on a collaborative Spotify playlist or burning some old-fashioned mixtapes to listen to on the road to stocking up on snacks and booking an Airbnb.
Going for a short road trip with friends is an excellent way to take a break from the daily grind and explore new places. It is also a reason to escape life’s hustles and bustles.
A spontaneous road trip might turn out to be a trip to remember as you explore unknown routes, stop at scenic spots, and try the local cuisine.
9. Host a Vision Board Party
A vision board is a visual representation of your goals and aspirations for the future.
Making a dream board with friends can be a fun and inspiring activity that promotes deeper social connections while helping you achieve your dreams.
It’s a crafting and manifesting activity that can help you visualize your dreams and work towards them with the support of your friends.
Learn how to host a successful vision board party.
10. Make Smoothies Together
Making smoothies with friends is a fun and healthy activity that promotes bonding and trying out new recipes.
You will need fresh or frozen fruits, such as bananas, strawberries, or blueberries, a liquid base like almond milk or coconut water, and optional add-ins like spinach, chia seeds, or protein powder to make smoothies.
Personally, I have found the Vitamix to blend the perfect smoothie!
11. Have a Karaoke Night
Karaoke is a great way to build confidence and create lasting memories with friends, so don’t be afraid to let loose and have a good time!
To host a successful karaoke night, start by choosing a venue such as a karaoke bar or setting up a karaoke machine at home.
Provide drinks and snacks to keep energy levels high and make sure to take plenty of photos and videos to capture the fun.
12. Have a Potluck Dinner
Having a potluck dinner with friends is a fun and affordable way to spend time together while enjoying delicious food.
To organize a successful potluck, consider the following tips:
Set a date and theme: Choose a date that works for everyone and select a theme to make the potluck more exciting. Some ideas for themes include Italian food, comfort food, or secret family recipes.
Assign dishes: Encourage everyone to bring a dish to share, and assign specific types of dishes to avoid duplicates. For example, one person can bring an appetizer, another a main course, and another a dessert.
Communicate and coordinate: Make sure everyone knows what they’re bringing and communicate any dietary restrictions or allergies. Coordinate with each other to ensure a good variety of dishes and avoid too many of the same thing.
A potluck is a great way to try new foods and bond over shared experiences. It’s also a money-saver and takes the pressure off one single host.
13. Skateboard/Roller-skate
Skateboarding and roller-skating are not only fun but also great ways to build friendships and community.
There are numerous activities that can be done while skateboarding or roller-skating with friends like:
Trying out tricks and stunts with friends can be a great way to learn and improve your skills.
Racing with friends can add an element of competition and excitement to the activity.
Obstacle courses can also be set up to test your agility and coordination.
Freestyle sessions can allow for creativity and self-expression.
Doing these activities with friends can provide support, encouragement, and a sense of camaraderie.
14. Have a DIY spa day
Spa days with friends are a fantastic way to bond, relax and practice self-care. It offers a break from the stress of daily life and provides opportunities for quality time together.
Moreover, hosting a spa day at home is a more affordable alternative to going to an actual spa.
You can confer with your BFF and figure out what kind of spa treatments both of you are in the mood for. For example, you can apply face masks, give each other manicures, or soak your feet in bath salts.
If you have the funds, you could even book a couple of treatments at a real spa and make it a real spa day! Regardless of where you have it, having a spa day with friends is an excellent way to relax, rejuvenate, and bond with friends.
15. Have a Craft Night
You don’t have to be crafty to enjoy craft night!
To have a successful craft night, start by choosing a craft that everyone is interested in and gather all the necessary supplies. A few craft ideas that are perfect for a craft night include making jewelry, painting, scrapbooking, or even DIY home decor.
Once you have everything set up, encourage everyone to let their creativity flow and enjoy the process of making something together.
Make sure to create a comfortable atmosphere by providing plenty of space to work and snacks to munch on.
16. Blow Bubbles
Roll by the time calendar and remember how much fun blowing bubbles was!
Blowing bubbles is a great way to spend a lazy afternoon or unwind after a long day.
You can go with the classic way of blowing bubbles or look into a bubble machine!
So, grab some bubble solution and wands and get ready for a fun and bubbly time with your friends!
17. Have a Water Balloon Fight
Water balloon fights are a fun activity to indulge in during the scorching heat of summer.
To make the water balloon fight even more enjoyable, you can incorporate team play or set up a tournament bracket. This will add a competitive element to the game and make it more exciting.
Regardless, having a water balloon fight with friends is a great way to beat the heat and have fun.
18. Plant a Garden
Gardening with friends is a rewarding activity that allows you to connect with nature and each other.
Plus it can also provide a sense of accomplishment and a source of fresh produce.
You can choose to plant a garden in someone’s backyard or join a local CSA.
Also, this is a continuous way to get together!
19. Spend Time in Nature
Spending time in nature with friends is a great way to relax, recharge and create lasting memories.
There are a variety of activities that friends can engage in while spending time in nature such as hiking, camping, picnicking, rock climbing, paddleboarding, and gardening.
Personally, know that spending time in nature with friends can be a refreshing and rewarding experience that allows friends to bond and enjoy the great outdoors together.
20. Sign up for a Recreational Sport
Signing up for a recreational sport is a great way to spend time with friends while staying active. There are many sports that are suitable for recreational leagues and can be played with friends, such as soccer, basketball, volleyball, and ultimate frisbee.
Playing team sports has many benefits, including building camaraderie, improving communication, and developing a sense of teamwork.
Costs associated with joining a league can vary, but many leagues have affordable fees.
21. Go Kayaking
Kayaking is a fantastic outdoor activity that is gaining popularity among friends who want to bond and have fun at the same time. It provides a great opportunity to explore new waterways, race each other, play games, fish, and take breaks to swim.
While kayaking, you and your friends can discover new places and enjoy the serenity of nature, which will help you to relax and forget about your daily worries.
Also, you have to work on your communication with each other while kayaking.
22. Cook Together
Cooking with friends can be a fun and rewarding activity that helps build strong bonds.
This is one of my favorite ways to spend time with friends. You can spend hours and never actually make anything edible and it doesn’t matter! Or you can create something absolutely delicious!
23. Join a Club
Joining a club with friends is a great way to try new things and meet new people.
There are many different types of clubs to choose from, including:
Book clubs
Hiking clubs
Cooking clubs
Bunco groups, and more.
Joining a club with friends not only provides an opportunity for shared experiences and new adventures but can also strengthen relationships by creating a common interest. Plus you meet on a regular schedule for spending time together.
24. Have a Painting Party
Painting artwork with friends can be a fun and fulfilling activity. Even better, plan to host a painting party with friends!
You hire someone with experience to help you out or you can watch a video on YouTube.
The best part is being able to exchange ideas and inspiration with each other to spark creativity!
25. Play Laser Tag
Playing laser tag with friends is a thrilling and exciting activity that is sure to get your adrenaline pumping.
This is always a must-do for most teens!
Playing laser tag with friends not only provides a fun and memorable experience, but it also helps build teamwork skills, promotes physical activity, and fosters friendly competition.
26. Go Birdwatching
Birdwatching is a relaxing and enjoyable activity that can be done with friends to appreciate the beauty of nature and learn about different bird species.
All you need to go birdwatching with friends is a simple guide to birds in your area, a pair of binoculars, bird seed, and a park or garden.
Birdwatching can enhance the bond between friends as they learn to identify different bird species and discover a new hobby together. It is a great opportunity to explore new trails, take pictures, and enjoy the scenic location.
27. Have a Marshmallow Fight
Marshmallow fights with friends are a fun and exciting activity that can help you forget your worries and bond with your friends.
You need a good laugh, right? This is exactly what you should participate in.
It’s a great way to relieve stress and enjoy some friendly competition with your friends.
So, grab some marshmallows, find a safe spot, and get ready for an unforgettable marshmallow fight with your friends!
Make sure to grab this indoor s’more kit!
28. Do Yoga
Yoga is a great way to improve flexibility, reduce stress, and promote overall well-being. Doing yoga in a class with friends or in a park can make the experience even more enjoyable and motivating.
Attending a yoga class with friends can be a fun and social way to exercise. You can encourage each other to push yourselves further and hold each other accountable for attendance. Additionally, practicing yoga in a group setting can help to create a sense of community and support, which can be beneficial for mental health.
Alternatively, practicing yoga in a park can be a great way to connect with nature and enjoy the fresh air and sunlight. You can bring your own mat or towel and find a quiet spot to practice. Practicing yoga outdoors can be a refreshing change of pace from the usual indoor studio setting.
29. Plan a Trip
Planning a trip with friends can be an exciting and bonding experience. It provides an opportunity to create unforgettable memories and explore new places with your closest friends.
However, it can also be expensive, so use this 100 envelope challenge to save for the trip.
Another way to save money is to be flexible with your travel dates.
Research your destination, create a budget, and be flexible with your travel dates to save money. With some dedication and effort, you and your friends can have the trip of a lifetime. Remember, the journey is just as important as the destination.
30. Explore a New Town
Exploring a new town with friends is an adventure that offers new opportunities to learn more about each other’s interests and create lasting memories. It allows you to discover new places, try local cuisine, and learn about the history and culture of the area.
When exploring a new town with friends, you can visit local landmarks such as museums, botanical gardens, and historical sites. You can also attend local events such as festivals, concerts, and fairs.
Don’t forget to try the local cuisine at restaurants and cafes.
31. Paint Pottery
Pottery painting is a popular activity to do with friends that allows you to unleash your creativity.
Thankfully, you can go to a business that provides all of the necessary supplies or you can purchase online.
Painting pottery can also be a relaxing and therapeutic activity that helps to reduce stress and anxiety.
32. Try a New Food
Let’s be honest… If it wasn’t for good friends, you may be missing out on different types of foods and cuisines.
Trying new foods with friends is an excellent way to break up your eating routine and have some fun while discovering new flavors.
So step out of your comfort zone and try something new – you never know what delicious dishes you might discover!
33. Visit a Farmer’s Market
Visiting a farmer’s market with friends is a fun and exciting way to spend a day outdoors. Not only does it support local businesses, but it also provides an opportunity to stock up on fresh fruits and vegetables.
Did you know the Palisade Farmer’s Market is one of the best in the country? I can attest to that; it was wonderful, especially during peach season.
There are many activities to enjoy at a farmer’s market with friends, here are my favorites:
Shopping for fresh produce: One of the main reasons to visit the farmer’s market is to stock up on fresh fruits and vegetables. You can compare prices, sample different varieties, and even learn new recipes from the vendors.
Trying free samples: Many vendors offer free samples of their products, from homemade jams to artisanal cheeses. This is a great way to taste new flavors and support local businesses.
Exploring local crafts: Along with food, many farmer’s markets also feature handmade crafts and artisanal products. You can browse jewelry, pottery, candles, and other unique items.
Eating street food: If you’re hungry, there are often food trucks and stalls selling everything from tacos to crepes. You can grab a bite to eat and enjoy it at one of the picnic tables or benches.
So why not gather your friends and head to a farmer’s market? You won’t regret it!
34. Compete with Minute-to-Win-It Games
This one is popular! Competing with Minute-to-Win-It games is a fun and easy way to spend time with friends while challenging each other’s skills.
To get started, gather a few household items and set a timer for one minute.
These games are not only a great way to have fun with friends, but they also improve hand-eye coordination and quick-thinking skills.
Plus this is a low-cost and entertaining way to bond with friends. Give them a try and see who comes out on top!
35. Host a DIY Escape Room
If you are looking for a cost-effective way to enjoy an escape room challenge with friends, setting up your own escape room at home is a great idea.
You can find free missions at Escape Team, and additional missions only cost a few dollars each.
Hosting a DIY escape room for your friends is an excellent way to challenge their problem-solving and teamwork skills in a fun and engaging way.
36. Join a Flash Mob
Joining a flash mob can be an exciting and memorable thing to do with your friends. Flash mobs are spontaneous gatherings of people who come together to perform a predetermined action, often in a public place.
Typically, flash mobs can range from dance performances to singing events and can involve people of all ages and backgrounds.
Participating in a flash mob can be a unique and fun experience that you and your friends can cross off your bucket list.
You can find local flash mob announcements by searching on Google or checking out websites that list flash mobs in your area.
37. Create a Time Capsule
Creating a time capsule with friends is an exciting and unique way to capture memories and special moments together. It allows you to reminisce about the past and look forward to opening the capsule in the future.
To create a time capsule, start by finding a sturdy waterproof container.
Next, gather items that are important to each of you, such as letters to your future self, photos, ticket stubs, and other mementos.
Add these items to the capsule and bury the capsule in a safe place, such as a backyard or a park.
Make a pact to open it up in a few years, say five or ten years or twenty years.
Cherishing memories with friends is important, and creating a time capsule is a fun and meaningful way to do just that.
38. Head to the Beach
Visiting the beach with friends is a great way to spend quality time together while enjoying the beauty of nature. There are many activities you can do with your friends at the beach, such as lounging under an umbrella, playing beach volleyball, building sandcastles, or having a picnic.
If you’re feeling more adventurous, you can go surfing, snorkeling, or take a walk along the shore. The possibilities are endless, and the memories you create with your friends will last a lifetime.
Whether you want to relax and unwind or have an action-packed day, the beach offers something for everyone.
39. Try an Art Class
Trying an art class with friends is a fun and fulfilling way to explore your creative side.
There are many places you can try painting or pottery! by going with a friend, it cuts out the scary risk of doing a creative project alone.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to create something beautiful with your friends! This is a great experience gift idea, too!
40. Go Bowling
Bowling is a fun and engaging activity to do with friends.
Not only is it a great way to get some exercise, but it also offers a variety of fun things to do while playing. From trying trick shots to competing for the highest score, bowling is a great way to bond with friends.
Bowling is a fun and engaging activity that everyone can enjoy, regardless of their skill level.
41. Use Guest Passes
Typically, when you belong to a gym, museum, or any other membership-based activity. They will offer free guest passes.
This is a great way to hang out with your friends while enjoying a new activity. Or showing your friend one of your hobbies.
42. Go Snowshoeing
Snowshoeing is a winter activity that involves walking on snow with specialized footwear. It is a fun and unique way to explore the outdoors with friends while enjoying the beauty of nature.
There are many snowshoeing trails and locations that friends can explore together.
Snowshoeing provides an opportunity to get exercise, enjoy the peacefulness of nature, and bond with friends.
43. Get Creative With Sidewalk Chalk
Regardless of age, sidewalk chalk is a fun activity to do with friends that can ignite your creativity and bring out your inner artist.
There are a variety of ways to get creative with sidewalk chalk.
You can draw a hopscotch board and challenge each other to see who can jump the longest.
Create a masterpiece by working together on a huge drawing and experimenting with different styles and themes.
Play a game of tic-tac-toe and enjoy some friendly competition.
You can even use sidewalk chalk to write positive messages or quotes to inspire each other.
Spending quality time with friends is important, and simple activities like using sidewalk chalk can create lasting memories.
44. Have a Cocktail Party
Overall, the goal of a cocktail party with friends is to have fun and create shared experiences that will be remembered for years to come.
The best cocktail parties are based on a theme that will set the tone for the evening. Then, select a variety of easy-to-make and crowd-pleasing cocktails that will impress your guests.
Dress up smartly, put on some music, and decorate your space to match the theme. Provide snacks such as finger foods, cheese platters, and charcuterie boards to accompany the drinks.
During the party, encourage guests to mingle and try each other’s cocktails, while sharing conversation and laughter.
45. Go to a Drive-in Movie
Drive-in movies are a unique and fun experience that makes for a great activity to do with friends.
However, drive-in movie theaters are harder and harder to find. So, you may have to plan ahead for a local showing.
Once you arrive, park your car and settle in for the movie, chatting and joking around with your friends as you watch.
46. Meditate
Meditating with friends can be a powerful way to connect and improve your mental and emotional well-being.
To get started, find a quiet spot in nature, set up a blanket, and close your eyes. Take in the natural sounds as you sit in silence together.
Alternatively, you can attend a group meditation or breathwork session or hold a moon circle.
The benefits of meditating with friends include reducing stress and anxiety, improving focus and concentration, and deepening your connection with others.
47. Have an Insta Photoshoot
One of the best things about having a photoshoot with friends is that it offers you the opportunity to create memories together.
You can make funny faces, strike silly poses, and capture the moment in a photograph. You can also dress up in costumes and enact your favorite movie scenes together, which is bound to create some beautiful memories.
Whether you are looking to be goofy or play model, a photoshoot is an excellent way to express yourself and have some fun. You don’t necessarily have to photograph people either! You can experiment with still-life photography, food photoshoots, or even take pictures of landscapes.
P.S. You will always see teens taking photoshoots around town.
48. Play charades or Pictionary
Playing charades or Pictionary with friends is indeed a fun way to build excitement and laughter within the group while also improving communication skills and teamwork.
These guessing games are perfect for group activities and can elicit lots of shouting and laughter as people try to guess the correct word or movie.
You can even form teams and start a tournament to make it more interesting. Alternatively, card games such as poker, blackjack, spoons, and rummy are also fun and cost nothing to play if you already have a deck of cards.
All of these games can help improve your strategic thinking and social skills while having a great time with friends.
49. Make videos together
Indeed, making videos with friends can be a fun and exciting activity that creates lasting memories. There are many different types of videos that can be made with friends, such as music videos, vlogs, or short films.
The research suggests that enacting favorite movie scenes with friends can uplift the atmosphere as well. Dressing the part, rehearsing together, and video shooting the entire set can create fun moments that are bound to create some beautiful memories.
Making videos with friends can strengthen friendships and develop new skills such as video production and editing. The key is to have fun with your best friends and enjoy the time spent together.
50. Start a Band
If you and your friends have instruments, getting together and making music can be a fantastic way to bond and express yourselves while also encouraging collaboration and teamwork.
Creating music together is an excellent opportunity to learn new skills and experiment with different musical styles.
Plus, it helps create unforgettable memories and offers new opportunities to learn.
51. Create a Photo Album
In our digital age, putting together a photo album is another fabulous activity that you can do with friends.
Asking each friend to contribute a few photos and putting them in a friendship photo album is an excellent way to keep your memories close and spend an afternoon with your best friends.
Plus you are creating something you can enjoy for years to come!
52. Have a pillow fight
Having a pillow fight with friends can be a hilarious bonding experience that will make you forget all your worries.
To get started, find a spacious room or outdoor area where you can safely swing your pillows without breaking anything. Before starting the fight, agree on some basic rules to ensure everyone’s safety, such as no hitting in the face or aiming for sensitive areas.
Once you’re ready, grab your pillow and let the feathers fly! Don’t forget to laugh, scream, and dodge as you try to land a hit on your friends.
53. Attend park concerts
Attending park concerts is one of the best fun things to do with friends.
Not only are they affordable or free of charge, but they also offer a great opportunity to relax and unwind with friends.
This is something to enjoy after long work weeks!
54. Start a Business
Starting a business with friends can be a great way to combine your passions and skills while also earning extra income.
However, before jumping into any business venture with friends, it’s important to consider the potential risks and challenges. It’s crucial to have a clear agreement and plan in place to avoid conflicts and misunderstandings in the future.
Another option is to research side hustles as a great way to earn extra income. There are numerous side hustle ideas that can be done with friends such as dog walking, pet sitting, house cleaning, and tutoring.
Learning how to make money online for beginners is a hot topic.
55. Play Tourist in Your Own Town
Playing tourist in your own town can be a great way to spend time with friends while discovering new sights and experiences. There’s no need to travel far when there are plenty of activities to do in your hometown.
To start, visit local landmarks such as museums, historical sites, or city parks. These places offer a glimpse into the history and culture of your town.
Try out new restaurants and cafes that you haven’t been to before. It’s a great opportunity to sample local cuisine and support small businesses.
Attending local events such as concerts, festivals, or farmer’s markets can also be a fun way to experience your town.
Exploring the outdoors by taking a hike, bike ride, or even a picnic in a nearby park can be a refreshing change of pace.
Playing tourist in your own town not only allows you to discover new places but also strengthens friendships by creating shared memories and experiences.
56. Play games via video call
Playing games with friends remotely is indeed a great way to stay connected despite the distance.
There are various options available for playing games online with friends, such as board games, card games, and online games like Fortnite or Minecraft. Additionally, apps like Words with Friends or Yahtzee with Buddies can also be used to play games with friends remotely.
If you prefer non-digital games, you could play games like “Would You Rather?” or “Truth or Dare?” on a video call.
Playing games with friends online is an excellent way to spend time together and maintain a strong connection, even when you can’t be together physically.
57. Go to a bonfire
Going to a bonfire with friends is a fun and memorable activity that allows for bonding through storytelling, laughter, and shared experiences. Honestly, I forgot how fun a bonfire was until I went last weekend!
A bonfire is an outdoor gathering around a fire, typically held on a crisp fall evening.
With the hot temperatures and risk of fires, I would plan to attend a bonfire put on by an organization with fire trucks readily available.
Ensure there are snacks and drinks, and follow safety precautions. Overall, a bonfire with friends is a great way to escape the monotony of life and create lasting memories.
58. Bake something delicious together
Baking with friends is indeed a fun and exciting activity that can bring people closer together. It provides an opportunity to bond and share a sweet treat afterward.
One can choose a recipe they would like to try, whether it’s an old standby or something brand new. A cake, a sweet fruit pie, or a few batches of favorite cookies are some of the options that one can bake and decorate.
Alternatively, holding a friendly bake-off is a good way to bond competitively with friends.
So, next time you’re looking for something fun to do with your friends, why not try baking together?
59. Go camping together
Camping with friends is an excellent way to bond and enjoy the outdoors while disconnecting from technology. It is a cheap and fun hobby that offers numerous benefits, including strengthening friendships.
Whether you choose to camp in a nearby park or your backyard, sharing stories around a campfire, cooking meals together, and exploring nature can be a healthy move for everyone to unwind.
Camping provides an opportunity to enjoy the serenity of nature away from the disruptions of city life. You can hitch a tent, make a bonfire, roast some marshmallows, and play games, which is sure to be an adventure away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
It is important to plan ahead, bring necessary supplies, and follow safety precautions to ensure a fun and safe camping experience.
60. Go Geocaching
One of our personal favorite activities.
Geocaching is a fun and exciting activity that involves using GPS to find hidden containers or “caches” outdoors. It’s like a real-life treasure hunt that can be enjoyed with friends.
To get started, one can download the official Geocaching app for free.
Geocaching can be a great way to explore new places in your local area with friends while having fun. With GPS coordinates, you can search for hidden treasures that are waiting to be discovered.
61. Go to A Local Coffee Shop
Going to a local coffee shop is a great way to spend quality time with friends. Aside from being a cliche, it is an easy thing to do and offers a comfortable environment to catch up with your friends.
You can order your favorite beverage and indulge in a little slice of cake while chatting about everything you have missed since you last spoke.
A coffee shop offers a cozy and relaxed atmosphere, which makes it a perfect spot to hang out with friends.
Going to a local coffee shop also supports small businesses in your community. It is also a great way to discover new cafes and coffee shops in your area, which can become your new favorite hangout spot.
62. Volunteer
Volunteering with friends is a great way to give back to the community while having fun with your pals.
There are various ways friends can volunteer together, such as helping out at a local animal shelter, sprucing up city landscaping, or serving meals at a soup kitchen.
Volunteering with friends strengthens relationships, gives back to the community, and is a fun way to do good.
These are the best ways to capture your bucket list and find ideas!
FAQ
There are a number of things you can do right now with friends. You can go for coffee, take a walk, or visit a museum. You could also consider doing something more active, such as going for a run or playing a sport.
Whatever you choose to do, make sure you enjoy it and spend time with your friends.
The important thing is to find something that you both enjoy so that you can have fun together.
You can watch a movie, play video games, go for a walk, listen to music, or even just sit and talk.
What Fun Places to Go with Friends Will You Choose?
These unique activities are just a few examples of the many fun things you can do with your friends.
Don’t be afraid to try something new and get creative! Who knows, you might just discover a new favorite activity.
A little short on cash? Don’t worry… here are 101 things to do with no money.
So, gather your friends and start planning your next adventure together.
And if you have any unique ideas of your own, be sure to share them in the comments below!
Know someone else that needs this, too? Then, please share!!