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Apache is functioning normally

January 30, 2024 by Brett Tams

When it comes to racial inequity, a recent report from the Brookings Institution highlights some good news along with a concerning trend: Black wealth is increasing, but so is the racial wealth gap.

The report analyzed data from the Federal Reserve’s October 2023 Survey for Consumer Finances , a comprehensive survey on household wealth in the U.S. that is updated every three years. Household wealth measures the total value of assets a family owns (such as housing and business equity) minus their debts (such as student loans and credit card bills). Let’s take a closer look at the numbers.

Between 2019 and 2022, total wealth increased for all racial and ethnic groups, including Blacks. Median Black wealth increased from $27,970 to $44,890 but continued to lag behind other racial groups. In 2022, median wealth was approximately $62,000 for non-white Latino or Hispanic households and $285,000 for white households.

This means that in 2022, for every $100 in wealth held by white households, Black households held only $15.

Even more concerning: The nation’s racial wealth gap increased between 2019 and 2022. During that time, median wealth increased by $51,800, but the racial wealth gap increased by $49,950, resulting in a total difference of $240,120 in wealth between the median white household and the median Black household.

This gap has existed for a long time. Since 2010, the wealth disparity between Black and white families has continually expanded, the Brookings Institution notes, peaking in 2022. The divide largely stems from decades of systemic biases and structural barriers that have adversely impacted Blacks. Racial inequality in the housing, investment, debt, and credit markets has disadvantaged Black Americans’ ability to build, maintain, and pass on wealth. This has held true even as a healthy job market and rising home values have helped to boost Black wealth in recent years.

What Employers Can Do

While there is no magic bullet to end the racial wealth disparity, employers can use financial wellness programs to effectively narrow the gap. Offering the right tools and perks can give Black employees the opportunity to get a foothold in the housing market, accumulate savings, reduce their student debt, and build wealth over time.

Here’s a look at four programs that can help make your employees of color (along with all your employees) more financially resilient.

Promote Black Home Ownership

Owning versus renting a home contributes to wealth creation, but decades of discrimination in housing and credit markets have limited Black families’ access to homeownership. Only 44% of Black individuals own a home, according to the Brookings report, compared to nearly 73% of white individuals.

Offering benefits that promote employee home ownership can help bridge this gap and contribute to Black employee’s overall financial well-being.

Many employers are offering direct down payment assistance, such as paying a percentage of an employee’s down payment up to a maximum, or offering a loan that may be forgiven over a period of employment. This type of benefit is ever more appreciated in today’s inflated housing market, where mortgage rate hikes and limited inventory have caused down payment costs to swell.

Another way to help first-time Black home buyers is to offer counseling on accessing government-sponsored grants and low-interest loans designed to help first-time buyers cover down payments and closing costs. You might consider teaming up with local mortgage experts, financial counselors, and real estate pros (ideally from the Black community). They may offer free seminars and reduced fees and commissions for their services in return for a large pool of potential clients.

Recommended: Considering Housing Assistance Benefits? You Can Fight Discrimination Too

Provide Emergency Savings Support

On balance, Black households have a fraction of the wealth of white households, leaving them in a much more precarious financial situation when a crisis strikes. Wealth allows households to weather a financial emergency such as a loss of income or a family member’s illness.

A growing number of employers now offer ways to help employees bolster their backup savings so they’re able to meet unexpected expenses without racking up high-interest debt. This can provide all employees, and especially workers of color, increased financial stability and a foundation from which they can build long-term wealth. Having an emergency savings account can help employees feel more comfortable saving for retirement since they have funds set aside in case of emergency.

To encourage employees to prioritize emergency savings, consider offering an automated emergency savings program that allows them to make paycheck contributions to a dedicated account — possibly with a company match. You may also want to explore the new workplace emergency savings program linked to retirement accounts called PLESA (pension-linked emergency savings accounts) that went into effect on January 1 as part of the SECURE 2.0 Act.

PLESAs are designed to help employees increase their emergency savings while simultaneously saving for retirement. How it works: Employers can now offer non-highly compensated employees an option to link their retirement plan to an emergency savings account. Employees may make Roth (after-tax) contributions until the account maxes out at $2,500 (or a lesser limit established by the employer). After that, additional contributions can be directed to the employee’s defined contribution plan or put on hold until the balance falls below the limit, at which point the employee can start contributing again.

Balances in an emergency savings account are eligible for distribution at least once per month and the first four distributions in a year must be free from any distribution fees.

Recommended: How Much Should Your Employees Have in Emergency Savings?

Help Close the Investment Gap

Investing in the financial markets, and especially the stock market, has historically been a major way to build wealth, and many Americans today invest this way through defined contribution retirement savings plans such as 401(k)s. However, stock equity was the area with the largest disparity in wealth growth among races, according to the Brookings report. Indeed, stock equity makes up nearly 30% of white wealth but only 4% of Black wealth.

Targeted and effective financial planning and investing counseling can help Black employees more easily access the equity markets. To incentivize Black (as well as all) employees to start investing sooner rather than later, consider offering a 401(k) match — that free money can prompt workers to enroll and boost their contributions. You might also use a default opt-out feature, which automatically enrolls workers in your retirement plan unless they choose not to participate by actively opting out. Additionally, think about offering retirement benefits to more employees (including new and part-time employees). Not imposing a lengthy qualifying work period encourages more workers to save for retirement and consider their financial futures.

Recommended: How to Support Your Low-Wage Workforce

Offer Student Loan Repayment Benefits

A college degree can be critically important to building a financially successful career, but student loan debt can delay the lifelong process of building wealth just as people are starting out in their careers. This is particularly true for Black college graduates, who owe an average of $25,000 more in student loan debt than white college graduates. Indeed, four years after graduation, black students owe an average of 188% more on their student loans than white students.

Racial disparities in student loan debt are a big part of the Black-white wealth gap. The student debt burden impedes the ability of Black graduates to build wealth in the same way as their white counterparts.

Employer-sponsored student loan repayment benefits can help bridge this gap, especially when they are targeted to employees who need them most. Two important benefits to consider:

• Student Loan Repayment Assistance Under the CARES Act, employers can now contribute $5,250 annually per employee toward tuition reimbursement or student loan payments on a tax-exempt basis through 2025. Employers can make the payments directly to their employees’ student loan servicers or lenders, or they can provide them to the employees themselves, who can then put them toward their student debt.

• Matching 401(k) Loan Payment Contributions Starting in 2024, the Secure Act 2.0 formally authorizes matching contributions for student loan repayment. This allows companies to match employees’ qualified student loan payments with contributions to their qualified retirement accounts. Employees can pay down student debt while still participating in retirement savings, including 401(k)s, 403(b)s, SIMPLE IRAs, and government 457(b) plans. This program can be a particular boon for Black employees, allowing them to pay down student debt while still participating in retirement savings, hopefully starting at an early age.

Recommended: How Does an HR Team Implement a Student Loan Matching or Direct Repayment Benefit?

The Takeaway

Employers can do their share to help bridge the racial wealth gap by offering the benefits and services that help Black employees in becoming investors as well as homeowners and reduce their student debt. This makes employers part of the solution to one of our nation’s most pressing and persistent challenges. SoFi at Work can help. We provide the benefit platforms and education resources that can enhance financial wellness throughout your workforce.

Photo credit: iStock/kate_sept2004

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SoFi Relay offers users the ability to connect both SoFi accounts and external accounts using Plaid, Inc’s service. When you use the service to connect an account, you authorize SoFi to obtain account information from any external accounts as set forth in SoFi’s Terms of Use. SoFi assumes no responsibility for the timeliness, accuracy, deletion, non-delivery or failure to store any user data, loss of user data, communications, or personalization settings. You shall confirm the accuracy of Plaid data through sources independent of SoFi. The credit score provided to you is a VantageScore® based on TransUnion® (the “Processing Agent”) data.

Advisory tools and services are offered through SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. 234 1st Street San Francisco, CA 94105.

SoFi Student Loan Refinance Loans, Personal Loans, Private Student Loans, and Mortgage Loans are originated through SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC), (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org ). The Student Debt Navigator Tool and 529 Savings and Selection Tool are provided by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. 2750 E. Cottonwood Parkway #300 Cottonwood Heights, UT 84121. ©2023 Social Finance, Inc. All rights reserved. Information as of November 2023 and is subject to change.

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.

External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.

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Source: sofi.com

Apache is functioning normally

January 29, 2024 by Brett Tams

The Hong Kong and Boston Chase Sapphire lounge locations were the first to open, and a third spot is entering the scene: As of January 2024, the Chase Sapphire Lounge at New York’s LaGuardia Airport has opened its doors.

Here is what you can expect when you visit this two-level Chase lounge at New York-LGA.

Getting to the Sapphire Lounge LaGuardia

To get to the Chase Sapphire Lounge in Terminal B, pass through security and turn right. Go past the colorful falling water fountain. At the end of the concourse, you’ll find the entrance to the Sapphire Lounge, next to the Centurion Lounge entrance.

Take the elevator down to the ground floor to enter the lounge.

Hours of operation

The Sapphire Lounge at LaGuardia is open from 4:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily. The private Reserve Suites are open from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Layout

The Sapphire Lounge by The Club at LaGuardia beats out many of its competitors on square footage alone. At 21,850 square feet, this massive Sapphire Lounge can fit a maximum of 269 people. The Centurion Lounge next door comes in at less than half the size by square footage.

There are two levels. The lower level has seating areas, play areas (not just for kids), relaxation rooms and the main dining area and bar.

(Photo by Steve Miller)

Ascend the set of stairs located to one side of the center bar and you’ll find yourself in what Chase staffers called “The Perch.” This mezzanine area features more seating and tables, a refreshment station and access to the Reserve Suites: three reservation-only rooms available to groups who want more privacy than the lounge affords.

Design

(Photo by Steve Miller)

The theme of trees and greenery runs throughout, with several large “tree trunks” breaking up space on both the first and second levels. The pervasive woodgrain, mid-century furniture and colorful, abstract art on the tambour panel walls gives the feeling of walking into a particularly chic rainforest. There’s even a canopy of plants lining the railings of the upper-level mezzanine.

The womb chairs and light, oak-colored wood are in line with current design trends. Yet, the lounge has an air of timelessness that feels sophisticated but fun — falling somewhere between the retrofuturism of the TWA Hotel at JFK and the intentional whimsy of a hip coworking space. Elevated furnishings can be found in the by-reservation private suites, but more on that later.

The lounge doesn’t have a lot of windows because of its location within the airport. However, even without natural light, there’s not a spot in the lounge that feels underlit. The sconces and variety of other lighting fixtures are a delightful detail.

(Photo by Steve Miller)

Throughout the lounge, you’ll find touches of New York City, whether it’s a book of Bill Cunningham photos on the shelf or a series of photos featuring matchbooks from iconic New York restaurants like The Bitter End.

Seating areas on the lower level

(Photo by Steve Miller)

The first floor of the lounge features plenty of space for work, relaxation, dining and even a little play. Cushy couches and chairs are scattered throughout.

A backlit, water vapor fireplace provides ambience in a more work-oriented section of the lower level where guests will also find two-person booths and a private phone room.

(Photo by Steve Miller)

No need to worry about keeping your devices charged — there are outlets galore embedded in furniture, walls, tables and the floor.

Photo booth and arcade

On top of the areas for working or relaxing, there are a few rooms dedicated entirely to play. One is a photo booth that guests can use to snap photos with their traveling companions. Photos can’t be printed, but guests can have a digital copy sent to their email.

(Photo by Steve Miller)

The photo booth doubles as an entrance to what Chase staff referred to as “the speakeasy” — a hidden arcade room featuring a pinball machine, tabletop shuffleboard and a jukebox. While there’s no drink service in the speakeasy, staffers indicated that there might be someday.

Children’s playroom

(Photo by Steve Miller)

Families can use an enclosed playroom on the lower level without having to worry about disrupting other lounge guests.

Nursing room

(Photo by Steve Miller)

A nursing room featuring a sink and changing table is available for use by families in addition to a dedicated changing room for those with babies.

The Reserve Suites

The Reserve Suites are three rooms that can be booked within the lounge that offer groups a private seating and entertainment area, access to fully-stocked showers and an upgraded menu. The privacy comes at a premium though.

Chase Sapphire Reserve® cardholders can reserve one of the two six-person suites and one four-person suite. The six-person suites feature a movable wall between and can be booked together for use by up to 12 people.

Suites are available in three-hour slots. Each of the six-person suites costs $3,000 to reserve (or $6,000 to combine the two suites) and the four-person suite is $2,200 for a reservation slot. You must book suites through the Chase mobile app at least 72 hours in advance.

So what does roughly $1,000 per hour get you?

(Photo by Steve Miller)

In addition to private showers stocked with bathrobes and high-end toiletries from Oribe and Augustinus Bader, guests get access to a personal lounge staffer and a private menu from the New York restaurant Jeffrey’s Grocery.

(Photo by Steve Miller)

Menu highlights include a hefty lobster roll and the Plateau le LaGuardia, a two-tiered tower featuring king crab legs, shrimp cocktail and a variety of tinned seafood. The suite-exclusive wine list is curated by New York City wine bar Parcelle and each of the suites includes caviar service in its price.

(Photo by Steve Miller)

In the sitting area of each suite, there’s a beautifully incorporated TV on the wall that comes with a PlayStation 5 for guests. The TV can be turned off, leaving the design element of a stark, glossy black circle on the wall rather than a blank TV — a subtle touch that’s in line with the elevated feel of these private suites.

(Photo by Steve Miller)

One of the few windows in the lounge is in the four-person suite, providing a near-panoramic view of The Perch and lower level of the lounge; though, there’s a curtain for privacy should you prefer it.

Meditation pods and treatment rooms

If you want to luxuriate a little but don’t want to shell out for the suites with their private showers, stop by the wellness area and treat yourself to some spa time.

The ordeal of engaging with commercial air travel can be more than a little de-centering. If you feel like you need some time to refocus and quiet your mind, the lounge offers two meditation pods, which can be booked in 30-minute slots via the Chase app or the QR codes found throughout the lounge. Meditation pod reservations are complimentary.

(Photo by Steve Miller)

You can also book a free spa treatment, such as jade rolls and oxygen blasts, on-site on a first-come-first-served basis. The private treatment rooms are staffed by estheticians and feature products from New York facial bar Face Haus.

🤓Nerdy Tip

Each spa guest can also snag a free travel kit of skincare products from Face Haus.

Bathrooms

There are several bathroom stalls in the men’s room and women’s room on the first floor and an all-gender restroom on the mezzanine.

Food

Cold plates and made-to-order meals

At the back of the lounge’s lower level is the main dining area. The kitchen serves breakfast (4:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.) and all-day fare (11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.) with menus featuring more typical lounge options alongside special, made-to-order dishes from Joseph Leonard, a West Village bistro.

(Photo by Steve Miller)

During breakfast and regular service, cold and hot plates are available at the buffet counter. For breakfast, guests can expect the usual fare like pastries, fruit, yogurt, eggs, pancakes and French toast. Made-to-order options — including omelets, egg and cheese baos, and vegan spinach bowls — can be ordered by scanning the QR codes found at every table.

(Photo by Steve Miller)

All-day food choices include Korean fried chicken bites, pumpkin muhammara, grilled cheese and made-to-order dishes like burgers or seared salmon over braised leeks. The latter items punched a fair bit above the lounge food weight class, retaining the restaurant quality you’d expect from a curated menu.

A selection of sweets is also available at the buffet, including lemon squares, chocolate chip cookies and mini chocolate bites.

The bar

(Photo courtesy of Chase)

Situated amid the dining space and seating areas is a circular bar, beautifully appointed with white stone countertops, mauve barstools and brass accents. Chase teamed up with New York mixologists Apotheke for locally-inspired cocktails.

The cocktail menu includes drinks exclusive to the LaGuardia lounge, like The Blackburn’s Sour — a berry-forward rum drink named for one of the first passengers to disembark at LaGuardia when it opened in 1939 — and a signature cocktail that you’ll find at all Sapphire Lounge locations, fittingly and simply called Sapphire.

Other standouts include the Red Eye, an interesting take on the all-too-familar espresso martini that takes things in a more refreshing direction with the addition of black cherry.

(Photo by Steve Miller)

A wine list curated by Parcelle, spirits and a selection of beers on tap round out the bar’s menu, with soft drinks, juices and coffee also available.

Refreshment stations

(Photo by Steve Miller)

The lounge features three refreshment stations, two on the first level and one on the second. Each refreshment station includes a mini fridge of canned beverages as well as drip coffee, tea, a digital espresso machine, nonalcoholic drinks on tap and assorted fruits and biscotti.

In keeping with the locally-sourced beverages, coffee is supplied by Greenwhich Village roaster Joe Coffee and teas are from SoHo-based tea blenders Harney & Sons.

How to get into the Chase Sapphire Lounge LGA

Access to the Sapphire Lounge by the Club at LaGuardia is pretty simple: you need to carry a qualifying Chase card or have a Priority Pass membership. Some credit cards include a Priority Pass membership as a benefit.

Chase cards that get you lounge access include:

Chase Sapphire Reserve® and J.P. Morgan Reserve cardholders each get two free guests, per visit. Additional guests come at a fee of $27 each. Ritz-Carlton cardholders get unlimited guests.

Priority Pass cards that get you access to the Chase LaGuardia lounge include:

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card

U.S. Bank Altitude™ Reserve Visa Infinite® Card

Annual fee

Priority Pass benefits

Full Priority Pass Select membership. Enrollment required. Terms apply.

Full Priority Pass Select membership. Includes two guests per visit. No restaurants.

Full Priority Pass Select membership. Enrollment required. Terms apply.

10 complimentary Priority Pass lounge visits per year. Enrollment required. Existing cardholders who enrolled in Priority Pass on or before Jan. 31, 2023 will no longer have a membership as of Feb. 1, 2024. Cardholders who enroll between Feb. 1, 2023 and Jan. 31, 2024, will continue to have membership through Oct. 31, 2024. Terms apply.

Eight free Priority Pass lounge visits per year.

Learn more

(Top photo by Steve Miller)

The information related to the J.P. Morgan Reserve and The Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card.

How to maximize your rewards

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

Source: nerdwallet.com

Apache is functioning normally

January 23, 2024 by Brett Tams

Pet insurance can be a literal lifesaver if your furry friend needs emergency surgery or expensive medical treatment, but the premiums can also put a dent in your budget. NerdWallet gathered quotes from 15 popular insurers and crunched the numbers to help you find the best cheap pet insurance.

We shopped on the insurers’ websites for accident and illness plans in five cities around the U.S. Sample pets were a medium-sized, mixed-breed dog and a domestic shorthair (mixed-breed) cat at ages 2 and 8. Each plan had a $250 deductible, $5,000 annual coverage limit and 80% reimbursement rate. Read our full methodology.

Keep in mind that the affordability of your own rates will vary based on where you live, how much coverage you want, and your pet’s breed and age. Companies that offered the cheapest rates in our tests may not be the best fit for you.

The best cheap pet insurance companies

Below are the five companies we recommend for affordable pet insurance. Click on the company name or keep scrolling for more details on each.

Figo: Cheapest for cats.
ASPCA: Best for younger pets.
AKC: Best for pets with pre-existing conditions.

Lemonade: Cheapest for dogs

Lemonade

Seamless online experience and quick claims, but limited policy options.

Pay vet directly

Scope of coverage

Average

Ability to customize plan

Average

Lemonade

Seamless online experience and quick claims, but limited policy options.

Pay vet directly

Scope of coverage

Average

Ability to customize plan

Average

Why we picked it: Lemonade offered some of the most consistently affordable rates for dog insurance in our tests. On top of low premiums, the company also has discounts for paying your bill annually rather than monthly and for insuring more than one pet. If you have another Lemonade policy (such as homeowners, renters or life insurance), you can save even more.

Lemonade stands out for its unique “Giveback” program, which donates a portion of company profits to charities chosen by policyholders. It also shines when it comes to claim processing. After you file your claim through the app, the company uses artificial intelligence to review and pay some claims right away. (Human adjusters review the rest.)

Average of sample monthly rates for dogs: $49.

Average of sample monthly rates for cats: $28.

Figo: Cheapest for cats

Figo

Extensive coverage, a variety of deductibles to choose from and generous reimbursement options.

Pay vet directly

Scope of coverage

Excellent

Ability to customize plan

Excellent

Figo

Extensive coverage, a variety of deductibles to choose from and generous reimbursement options.

Pay vet directly

Scope of coverage

Excellent

Ability to customize plan

Excellent

Why we picked it: Figo was the most affordable option for many of our sample cats, and its overall average cost was the lowest of all the companies we tested. Figo also offers discounts for insuring multiple pets or serving in the military.

One unique feature from Figo is a 100% reimbursement option. If you choose this level of coverage, the company will reimburse all your vet bills once you’ve met your annual deductible. (Most pet insurers offer reimbursement options from 70% to 90%.) We also like Figo’s Pet Cloud app, which can store your pet’s digital medical records and has a 24/7 vet telehealth line.

Average of sample monthly rates for dogs: $54.

Average of sample monthly rates for cats: $23.

MetLife: Best for older pets

MetLife

Customizable plans for dogs, cats and even other animals in some states.

Pay vet directly

Scope of coverage

Excellent

Ability to customize plan

Excellent

MetLife

Customizable plans for dogs, cats and even other animals in some states.

Pay vet directly

Scope of coverage

Excellent

Ability to customize plan

Excellent

Why we picked it: With affordable rates for older pets in our tests and no maximum age limit for enrollment, MetLife is a good bet for animals who’ve left the puppy or kitten stage far behind. Depending on where you live, MetLife may offer discounts for active-duty military, veterans, first responders, health care workers or people who work in animal care. You can also save money in the first year of your policy by buying your plan online.

MetLife’s plans cover treatment for arthritis, diabetes, periodontal disease and other ailments that may crop up for older pets. The company offers a wide range of deductible options to help you customize your policy and price.

Average of sample monthly rates for dogs: $49.

Average of sample monthly rates for cats: $29.

ASPCA: Best for younger pets

ASPCA

Generous coverage and multiple plan options, including an accident-only policy.

Pay vet directly

Scope of coverage

Excellent

Ability to customize plan

Average

ASPCA

Generous coverage and multiple plan options, including an accident-only policy.

Pay vet directly

Scope of coverage

Excellent

Ability to customize plan

Average

Why we picked it: ASPCA, which had competitive rates for the 2-year-old dogs and cats in our tests, will cover puppies and kittens over 8 weeks old. Insuring multiple pets can get you a 10% discount.

ASPCA offers some of the most comprehensive plans in the industry, with coverage included for dental diseases, behavioral issues, alternative therapies, prescription food and even microchip implantation. If you want your policy to help pay for your furry new friend’s spay or neuter surgery, you can add the Prime preventive care package.

Average of sample monthly rates for dogs: $61.

Average of sample monthly rates for cats: $29.

AKC: Best for pets with pre-existing conditions

AKC

Lots of ways to customize your coverage, but the basic plan lacks benefits many other companies include.

Pay vet directly

Scope of coverage

Good

Ability to customize plan

Excellent

AKC

Lots of ways to customize your coverage, but the basic plan lacks benefits many other companies include.

Pay vet directly

Scope of coverage

Good

Ability to customize plan

Excellent

Why we picked it: AKC wasn’t the cheapest option in our tests, but in many states it offers a perk that’s almost impossible to find at any price: coverage for pre-existing conditions. While many companies will pay to treat curable issues that have been symptom-free for six months or a year, they generally won’t cover chronic, incurable conditions that developed before you bought your pet’s policy. So if you enroll a pup with diabetes or a cat with kidney disease, most companies won’t cover treatment for these issues.

AKC is the exception. Once your pet has had a plan for 365 consecutive days, the company may cover its pre-existing conditions. (This coverage isn’t available in all states.) Other bonuses include a multipet discount and a 24/7 vet helpline.

Average of sample monthly rates for dogs: $60.

Average of sample monthly rates for cats: $38.

Other cheap pet insurance companies

Not sure if the companies above are right for you? See sample rates for more cheap pet insurance companies below.

Average of sample monthly rates for dogs

Average of sample monthly rates for cats

What determines your pet insurance cost?

Each company has its own formula for setting prices, but the following are some of the main factors that will likely influence how much you pay for pet insurance.

Where you live. If you’re in an area with a high cost of living, vet care may be expensive, too — and your premium will go up accordingly.

Your pet’s age. Just like humans, pets tend to develop more health issues as they age. Because older pets are more likely to need veterinary care, their pet insurance will generally cost more than it would for a puppy or kitten.

Your pet’s species and breed. Dogs tend to be more expensive to insure than cats, and certain breeds cost more than others. That’s because some breeds are more susceptible to health conditions such as trouble breathing, joint problems or heart issues.

The coverage you choose. Expect higher prices for more comprehensive plans offering things like unlimited annual payouts and 90% reimbursement for vet expenses. Adding wellness coverage to pay for annual checkups and vaccinations can also run up your costs. Some insurers charge extra to cover certain expenses such as exam fees or physical therapy.

How to find cheap pet insurance

The following tips can help you get the best possible rate for your pet insurance plan.

Shop around. We recommend getting quotes from at least three companies. Keep in mind that the lowest price may not offer the best value if it comes with a higher deductible or less coverage. (A deductible is the amount you need to pay before your insurer starts reimbursing you.)

Customize your coverage. Many insurers let you tweak your price by changing your deductible, adding or reducing coverage, or opting for a different reimbursement rate. For example, you can typically lower your premium if you choose to be reimbursed for only 70% of your vet expenses rather than 80% or 90%. You could also buy an accident-only policy, which will cover injuries like broken bones or snake bites but not illnesses like cancer.

Just be sure you’re comfortable with the tradeoffs you’re making to get a lower premium. The plan may be cheaper, but you’ll be on the hook for more of your pet’s vet bills.

Ask about discounts. Some companies offer savings if you insure more than one animal, serve in the military or buy multiple insurance policies (such as pet and homeowners insurance). You may also be able to save a few bucks by paying your premium in full once a year instead of in monthly installments.

Look for employer benefits. Some companies offer pet insurance at a discounted rate to their employees. Before you choose this option, however, check with the insurer to make sure you can maintain your pet’s coverage even if you leave your current job.

How to compare pet insurance plans

Aside from price, pet insurance plans vary in what they cover and how generously they’ll reimburse your vet bills. Here are a few key things to check before you commit to a pet insurance plan.

What’s covered — and what’s not

Most accident and illness plans cover things like cancer treatments or surgery if your pet gets hurt. But there are types of coverage you can’t always count on.

Say your pet develops periodontal disease and needs to have a few teeth pulled. Some plans will cover this expense; others won’t. Still others might cover it only if you’ve bought optional dental illness coverage. Learn more about pet dental insurance.

Plans may also vary in their coverage of prescription food and supplements, treatment for behavioral issues and rehabilitative therapies.

Finally, check whether your plan will cover vet exam fees. If you bring your pet in for a sick visit, some pet insurers will pay for medication and other treatment but won’t reimburse you for the exam fee.

Reimbursement

One of the most important things to know about a plan is how it will reimburse you for your vet expenses. A handful of companies can pay your vet directly, but in most cases you’ll need to settle the bill yourself and then file a claim for reimbursement.

Check how long it generally takes the companies you’re considering to process claims. Some do so in a matter of days, while others may take up to a month.

You’ll also want to make sure you’re comfortable with your plan’s coverage limit, deductible and reimbursement rate. These factors all work together to determine how much your plan will pay toward your vet expenses.

Say you have a $500 yearly deductible and $5,000 annual coverage limit with a reimbursement rate of 80%. If your dog needs a $2,000 surgery and you haven’t paid anything toward your deductible yet, your plan would cover $1,200. Here’s the math:

$2,000 – $500 deductible = $1,500.
80% reimbursement on the remaining $1,500 bill = $1,200.

You’d still have $3,800 left of your annual limit ($5,000 – $1,200) to spend on any other treatment your pet might need that year.

Waiting periods

There’s generally a waiting period between when you buy your policy and when your coverage begins. For instance, your pet’s illnesses might not be covered for the first 14 days. Some companies have extended waiting periods for certain issues such as knee injuries or hip dysplasia. Learn more about pet insurance waiting periods.

Reviews

NerdWallet has evaluated more than a dozen major pet insurance companies to help you compare your options. Read our pet insurance reviews to see our star ratings and get details about each insurer’s plans.

Source: nerdwallet.com

Apache is functioning normally

January 8, 2024 by Brett Tams

Where you live can play a major role in how enjoyable your retirement is. So, where do the happiest retirees reside? To determine which cities in the U.S. are the happiest places to retire, we studied the 200 largest metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) using the latest U.S. Census Bureau population estimates, and consulted multiple sources, including the Sharecare Community Well-Being Index, Tax Foundation, Walk Score, Sperling’s Best Places, and County Health Rankings & Roadmaps.

By identifying key elements that contribute to happiness — social networks, financials, and health — and examining 13 pivotal rankings within them, such as community, cost of living, and healthcare access, we created the Happiest Places to Retire in the U.S. in 2024. Read on to learn about the 20 best places to retire in the U.S. to help you explore your options for where to live in retirement.

Key Findings on Retirees’ Favorite Cities

• Barnstable, MA is the happiest city to retire to, ranking #1 of all 200 cities we analyzed. It has the highest ranking overall for community well-being, and one of the highest percentages of residents who are 65-plus. The other cities at the top of the list: Naples, FL at #2, and Ann Arbor, MI at #3.

• Colorado has the highest number of happiest cities for retirees on our top 20 list, beating out Florida. Boulder, CO is the #5 happiest city for retirees, and Fort Collins and Denver also made the list.

• Colder climates are now attracting retirees. Three of our top 5 cities for retirement (Barnstable, MA; Ann Arbor, MI; and Boulder, CO) have average high winter temperatures in the 30s or 40s.

• Naples, FL residents live the longest. The city has the highest average life expectancy (86.1 years) of all 200 cities we analyzed.

• Ann Arbor, MI, has the lowest tax burden for retirees on our top 20 list, followed by Myrtle Beach and Charleston in South Carolina. Meanwhile, Akron, OH has the lowest cost of living of the top 20 cities for retirees, 80.8% of the U.S. average.

Top 20 Happiest Cities to Retire

Looking for information on the happiest places to live after retirement? Whether you dream of an ocean breeze or mountain views, you have plenty of cities to consider.

The top 20 happiest cities for retirees offer a broad range of activities, amenities, and resources. They’re also located all across the nation, as shown in this map of the top 10, so you can find a place in the part of the country you’d most like to live in.

1. Barnstable, MA

Coming in at the top of the happiest cities to retire in the U.S. list is Barnstable. Located on Cape Cod, its beachside beauty attracts retirees, making it one of the top three cities for residents 65 and up. While living here can be expensive (the median household income is $91,438) and there’s less access to healthcare than the other top contenders have, residents enjoy a high level of social interaction and plenty of entertainment and activities.

2. Naples, FL

Those who want to live by the water and enjoy warmer weather can head south to Naples. The cost of living in this city is fairly reasonable, and there’s no state personal income tax, which means your retirement savings can go a lot further. Naples also has the highest life expectancy (age 86.1) of all 200 cities we analyzed.

3. Ann Arbor, MI

Want to enjoy city life without the high prices? Ann Arbor, a college town, has plenty of big city amenities at an affordable price point. Another draw for retirees: Ann Arbor residents enjoy the highest level of healthcare access of the cities on our list, and ranks #1 for health overall.

4. Durham, NC

Friendship and social interaction are important in retirement. Durham, one of the top cities to retire in the U.S., offers a strong sense of community and social well-being, according to the data. Residents will find plentiful healthcare in Durham as well. It ranks #2 out of the top 20 for healthcare access.

5. Boulder, CO

If you like to hit the slopes, Boulder may be the ideal location for your retirement years. The city is #3 on the top 20 list for housing and transportation, so you should be able to find the right place to live and get around easily.

6. North Port, FL

North Port is the second Florida city to make the top 20 list of the happiest places to live in the U.S. Community and social connection is high here, and there’s a sizable population of those aged 65 and up, making it easier to meet new friends. It also has one of the lowest tax burdens among the top 20 cities.

7. Olympia, WA

Retirees who want to live affordably on the west coast can check out scenic Olympia, WA. It ranks as #1 in the financial category, which takes into account factors such as cost of living and household income. It’s also one of the best states to retire in for taxes, which can help retirees stretch their savings. Olympia has the lowest number of residents living below the poverty level of all 200 cities we analyzed.

8. San Jose, CA

Retirees in San Jose enjoy the second-highest average life expectancy (after Naples, FL) of the 200 cities we studied, making it one of the top places for a long and healthy retirement. But there’s a tradeoff: The cost of living in San Jose is extremely high: a whopping 231% of the U.S. average.

9. San Luis Obispo, CA

If being in a comfortable environment is one of your top retirement priorities, look no further than San Luis Obispo. Along with San Jose, the city scored the highest level of comfort for retirees on our top 20 cities list, thanks to its temperate weather.

10. Madison, WI

A low average cost of living plus a high median household income ($83,214) make Madison not only one of the happiest places to live in retirement, but also one of the most affordable. In this relatively walkable city, you can save on transportation costs and live a healthier lifestyle.

Recommended: Average Retirement Savings By State

11. Honolulu, HI

Honolulu combines great weather, pristine beaches, and big city living. It gets high scores for comfortable weather and transportation. And Honolulu has some of the highest scores for social factors and community. Retiring in paradise comes at a price, however — namely, the city’s high cost of living (171.5% of the U.S. average).

12. Salisbury, MD

Salisbury, in the Eastern Shore area of Maryland, is a popular place for retirees. More than a quarter of the population is 65 and over, which means you should have plenty of peers to socialize and do activities with.

13. Washington, DC

If you’re interested in history and culture, Washington D.C. might be a good fit. And many of the city’s major attractions are free of charge. The nation’s capital is also the most walkable city on our top 20 list of the happiest places to live after retirement, so you’ll save on transportation as you get your steps in.

14. Portland, ME

In this city on the coast, you can enjoy all that the ocean has to offer plus metropolitan amenities. Portland ranks as one of the best cities to retire in when it comes to community, and it also has abundant options for art, recreation, and entertainment, which can help you stay happily busy in retirement.

15. Myrtle Beach, SC

Retirees settle down in this popular travel destination to take advantage of the reasonable cost of living and low tax burden. They also love the miles of beaches, plentiful golf courses, and comfortable weather. Myrtle Beach has the 4th highest population of people age 65-plus.

16. Harrisburg, PA

The capital city of Pennsylvania is an affordable place to retire. It has a low cost of living, which means the city’s average median income of $73,739 can go farther. Fewer people live below the poverty line here than in many other cities. Retirees can be active here as well: Harrisburg ranks as #2 of our top cities when it comes to walkability.

17. Fort Collins, CO

If you love the great outdoors, this city, located at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, has a lot to offer. All those outside adventures come with some nice health perks: Fort Collins has one of the higher life expectancies of our 20 top cities for retirees.

18. Denver, CO

Where is the happiest place to retire? It might just be the state of Colorado. Denver is the third Colorado city to make the top 20 list of happy places for retirees to live. Denver has a high level of community and social well-being, which could make retirement a lot more fulfilling. It’s very walkable, too, coming in at #5 out of the top 20 in the walking category.

19. Akron, OH

With the lowest cost of living (80.8% of the U.S. average) of the 20 best cities, Akron offers retirees affordability plus many opportunities for social and community connection. That can make it easier to make new friends in retirement.

20. Charleston, SC

A vibrant cultural scene, great food, ocean access, and lovely architecture make Charleston one of the best places to retire in 2024. Charleston ranks #2 for art, recreation, and entertainment out of the 200 cities studied, following only Los Angeles, so you’ll find plenty to do here in your golden years. And the tax burden is one of the lowest on our 20 happiest cities list.

Best Places to Retire for a Happy Retirement

Want to consider some of the different places that could make for a very happy retirement? The map below shows the top five cities out of the 200 analyzed in each of the three key categories that contribute to happiness: social, financial, and health.

200 Cities Studied for Happiest Places to Retire

Reviewing the full list of 200 cities studied for the Happiest Places to Retire can reveal additional great options for retirement. For example, following Naples, FL, the next three cities with the highest life expectancy — San Jose, CA, San Francisco, CA, and New York, NY — are all bustling, well-populated cities that also rank highly for community and social factors. Take a look at what cities across the U.S. have to offer.

Overall Rank	City	Total Score	Social rank	Financial Rank	Health Rank
1	Barnstable, MA	62.05	1	6	120
2	Naples, FL	61.43	2	18	32
3	Ann Arbor, MI	61.40	64	14	1
4	Durham, NC	57.56	57	13	2
5	Boulder, CO	56.95	21	16	13
6	North Port, FL	56.77	4	37	129
7	Olympia, WA	56.46	32	1	88
8	San Jose, CA	55.52	5	113	7
9	San Luis Obispo, CA	55.18	9	11	41
10	Madison, WI	55.13	84	5	11
11	Honolulu, HI	54.82	7	71	12
12	Salisbury, MD	54.70	11	3	177
13	Washington DC	54.33	23	17	19
14	Portland, ME	53.86	17	35	22
15	Myrtle Beach, SC	53.66	8	20	181
16	Harrisburg, PA	52.39	50	24	24
17	Fort Collins, CO	52.11	34	19	80
18	Denver, CO	52.03	86	9	33
19	Akron, OH	51.64	55	10	69
20	Charleston, SC	51.62	37	55	30
21	Manchester, NH	51.49	47	22	58
22	Seattle, WA	51.44	19	101	15
23	Minneapolis, MN	51.22	48	26	28
24	Richmond, VA	50.56	24	46	40
25	Bridgeport, CT	50.52	25	83	8
26	Daphne, AL	50.50	31	12	171
27	Des Moines, IA	50.49	106	2	158
28	San Francisco, CA	50.42	6	172	4
29	Santa Rosa, CA	50.11	14	81	43
30	Raleigh, NC	50.08	45	42	56
31	Prescott Valley, AZ	49.92	3	118	193
32	Oxnard, CA	49.38	16	78	49
33	Asheville, NC	49.35	10	125	57
34	Bremerton, WA	49.22	22	52	108
35	Boston, MA	49.18	33	139	6
36	Colorado Springs, CO	49.18	95	7	141
37	Pittsburgh, PA	49.14	35	82	47
38	Portland, OR	49.03	58	96	14
39	Hartford, CT	49.02	62	36	16
40	Omaha, NE	49.00	87	25	37
41	St. Louis, MO	48.88	56	73	36
42	Lancaster, PA	48.80	46	48	74
43	Chattanooga, TN	48.79	43	53	122
44	Appleton, WI	48.78	41	30	128
45	Sioux Falls, SD	48.48	92	34	83
46	Salt Lake City, UT	48.42	125	23	25
47	Charlotte, NC	48.40	38	61	90
48	Allentown, PA	48.35	52	43	42
49	Crestview, FL	47.95	61	15	183
50	Cape Coral, FL	47.88	13	119	110
51	New Haven, CT	47.81	73	65	9
52	Austin, TX	47.76	123	40	48
53	San Diego, CA	47.73	27	103	29
54	Peoria, IL	47.60	66	27	91

55 Tucson, AZ 47.56 69 59 67 56 Green Bay, WI 47.33 80 33 92 57 Lexington, KY 47.28 94 79 31 58 Deltonah, FL 47.24 18 58 198 59 Reno, NV 47.08 44 67 117 60 Tyler, TX 47.07 127 28 99 61 Ogden, UT 47.07 101 8 160 62 Santa Cruz, CA 46.99 12 147 27 63 Atlanta, GA 46.97 54 100 60 64 York, PA 46.96 53 49 112 65 Palm Baye, FL 46.89 20 84 182 66 Boise City, ID 46.89 96 32 98 67 Grand Rapids, MI 46.89 140 39 55 68 Cincinnati, OH 46.77 71 74 63 69 Wilmington, NC 46.53 40 105 79 70 Canton, OH 46.52 100 29 131 71 Fargo, ND 46.49 154 21 71 72 Savannah, GA 46.37 107 63 59 73 Provo, UT 46.20 135 4 175 74 Norwich, CT 46.08 49 31 115 75 Roanoke, VA 46.05 28 123 46 76 Baltimore, MD 45.92 29 120 68 77 Philadelphia, PA 45.91 63 109 44 78 Nashville, TN 45.89 99 68 105 79 Anchorage, AK 45.87 136 87 86 80 Indianapolis, IN 45.73 119 44 95 81 Sacramento, CA 45.72 42 98 50 82 Trenton, NJ 45.67 70 110 18 83 Lincoln, NE 45.63 103 38 93 84 Port St. Lucie, FL 45.51 15 126 173 85 Albany, NY 45.48 60 62 38 86 Vallejo, CA 45.16 36 97 89 87 Louisville, KY 45.03 117 47 106 88 Worcester, MA 44.90 82 94 51 89 Virginia Beach, VA 44.90 83 70 64 90 Huntsville, AL 44.81 77 60 142 91 Chicago, IL 44.70 79 107 26 92 Kalamazoo, MI 44.57 149 64 70 93 Poughkeepsie, NY 44.47 90 54 45 94 Spokane, WA 44.35 113 51 111 95 Eugene, OR 44.29 68 108 81 96 Columbia, SC 44.22 105 91 104 97 Kansas City, MO 44.13 75 88 103 98 Phoenix, AZ 43.94 89 104 85 99 Jacksonville, FL 43.71 67 102 152 100 Salinas, CA 43.70 85 86 66 101 Little Rock, AR 43.63 144 80 61 102 Dallas, TX 43.55 130 90 97 103 Cleveland, OH 43.47 139 142 10 104 Greenville, SC 43.41 118 106 75 105 Lansing, MI 43.35 150 56 125 106 Rochester, NY 43.26 114 93 20 107 Cedar Rapids, IA 43.25 104 50 161 108 Winston, NC 43.23 91 116 73 109 Greeley, CO 43.15 141 41 162 110 Detroit, MI 43.15 72 122 116 111 Reading, PA 42.88 76 117 87 112 Fort Wayne, IN 42.52 152 45 168 113 Dayton, OH 42.43 111 95 127 114 Davenport, IA 42.37 110 77 139 115 Atlantic City, NJ 42.26 39 131 100 116 Fayetteville, AR 42.17 122 75 151 117 Santa Maria, CA 42.11 59 134 53 118 Evansville, IN 41.59 161 57 144 119 Knoxville, TN 41.58 74 138 149 120 Oklahoma City, OK 41.21 148 89 150 121 Milwaukee, WI 41.18 98 141 54 122 South Bend, IN 41.14 145 85 167 123 Hagerstown, MD 40.26 81 112 179 124 Columbus, OH 40.23 166 72 137 125 Ocala, FL 40.11 26 153 199 126 Birmingham, AL 39.94 65 159 107 127 Montgomery, AL 39.91 134 92 189 128 Rockford, IL 39.80 143 76 157 129 Pensacola, FL 39.44 133 121 153 130 New York, NY 39.32 51 184 5 131 Syracuse, NY 39.27 137 124 35 132 Killeen, TX 39.26 186 69 114 133 Lynchburg, VA 39.22 155 66 174 134 Buffalo, NY 38.98 128 128 39 135 Wichita, KS 38.67 97 135 163 136 Tallahassee, FL 38.65 147 132 134 137 Providence, RI 38.62 112 167 34 138 Los Angeles, CA 38.60 30 187 23 139 Kennewick, WA 38.45 151 127 123 140 Flint, MI 38.34 171 111 156 141 Orlando, FL 38.33 153 155 72 142 Tulsa, OK 38.31 174 99 169 143 Las Vegas, NV 38.31 121 146 135 144 Salem, OR 38.25 138 130 133 145 Duluth, MN 38.21 116 136 126 146 Erie, PA 37.91 126 137 154 147 Springfield, MA 37.88 115 162 62 148 Hickory, NC 37.71 93 140 194 149 Tampa, FL 37.66 102 174 77 150 Albuquerque, NM 37.59 146 157 65 151 Gainesville, FL 37.58 178 182 3 152 Huntington, WV 37.41 88 161 159 153 Toledo, OH 37.11 168 144 82 154 Scranton, PA 37.05 109 156 143 155 Jackson, MS 36.89 175 148 76 156 Amarillo, TX 36.78 142 149 176 157 Kingsport, TN 36.67 158 133 190 158 Springfield, MO 36.65 164 129 165 159 Youngstown, OH 36.63 78 158 188 160 Houston, TX 35.66 179 164 52 161 Binghamton, NY 35.66 162 114 124 162 Charleston, WV 34.97 132 168 138 163 San Antonio, TX 34.88 184 152 94 164 Waco, TX 34.80 176 143 170 165 Greensboro, NC 34.68 108 175 148 166 Augusta, GA 34.56 120 176 145 167 New Orleans, LA 34.48 172 181 21 168 Utica, NY 34.17 167 115 155 169 Memphis, TN 34.17 182 160 130 170 Lubbock, TX 33.95 183 166 84 171 Lakeland, FL 33.94 124 173 178 172 Stockton, CA 33.82 156 154 146 173 Riverside, CA 33.53 129 169 121 174 Macon, GA 33.03 163 180 101 175 Spartanburg, SC 32.77 131 177 185 176 Longview, TX 31.85 185 150 191 177 Miami, FL 31.74 157 192 17 178 Baton Rouge, LA 31.69 181 170 136 179 College Station, TX 30.49 193 165 96 180 Tuscaloosa, AL 30.35 165 179 180 181 Clarksville, TN 30.17 189 145 200 182 Mobile, AL 29.95 170 185 113 183 Shreveport, LA 29.22 177 191 78 184 Fayetteville, NC 28.42 187 171 184 185 Fort Smith, AR 27.72 159 186 196 186 Beaumont, TX 27.36 197 151 195 187 Gulfport, MS 27.33 173 183 197 188 Fresno, CA 26.58 188 178 119 189 Corpus Christi, TX 26.09 192 189 102 190 Modesto, CA 26.05 169 190 147 191 Visalia, CA 25.28 196 163 166 192 Columbus, GA 24.08 160 193 192 193 Lafayette, LA 23.64 180 196 109 194 Bakersfield, CA 21.84 190 188 186 195 Merced, CA 18.10 191 194 187 196 Yakima, WA 17.32 195 195 164 197 El Paso, TX 8.56 194 198 118 198 McAllen, TX 3.30 200 197 132 199 Brownsville, TX 2.10 198 199 140 200 Laredo, TX -3.32 199 200 172

Tips for a Happy Retirement

You’ve worked hard, now it’s time to enjoy yourself! These smart strategies can help you find happiness in retirement.

• Create a budget. You may have fewer expenses when you’re retired, but you’ll still need a roadmap for managing them. This is where retirement planning and a budget come in handy. If you are already retired, create a budget that works well for your retirement income. If retirement is still in the future, map out a plan to see how much you’ll need to save to be properly prepared.

• Keep tabs on your retirement savings. Don’t forget to check on your retirement savings regularly to ensure that you’re on track financially. And, of course, make sure you have retirement savings accounts like a 401(k) or a traditional or Roth IRA to help you reach your goal.

Don’t yet have a retirement account? Learn how to set up your own retirement account.

• Prioritize health and wellness. To be at your best, strongest, and happiest in retirement, prioritize your physical and mental health with regular exercise, a balanced diet, and lots of social interaction.

• Pursue your passions. Don’t let retirement slow you down. You can pursue your favorite hobbies, work on fulfilling and meeting your top ambitions and challenges, and do the activities you’ve always wanted to try now that you have the time and freedom for them. When choosing among the best retirement cities, be sure to look for places that cater to your interests.

Methodology

To find the happiest cities for people to retire in the U.S., we looked at the 200 largest metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) based on the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2022 population estimates for 13 ranking factors across three categories (Social, Finance, and Health).

We graded each factor on a 100-point scale, where 100 was the highest possible score. Each factor was weighted differently.

Socioeconomic Score Factors

• Community well-being

• Social well-being

• Comfort index*

• Percentage of population age 65 and over

• Percentage of art, recreation, and entertainment businesses

Financial Score Factors

• Housing & transportation

• Cost of living index*

• Median household income

• Percentage of people aged 65 and over living below poverty level

• Tax burden**

Health Score Factors

• Healthcare access

• Life expectancy

• Walk Score*

*Data represents city proper data (excluding surrounding metro).
**Data represents state level data.

Sources: U.S Census Bureau, Sharecare Community Well-Being Index, Walk Score, Tax Foundation, County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, Sperling’s Best Places.

The Takeaway

When you’re ready to retire, choosing where to settle down is a big and important decision. Exploring our list of top 20 happiest places is a great place to start. You can look for cities that offer affordability, good access to healthcare, entertainment and cultural activities, and opportunities for making social and community connections.

And to ensure that your retirement is as happy and stress-free as possible, you’ll want to have your retirement savings in order. Contributing to your 401(k) or IRA can help you build the retirement nest egg you’ll need.

Ready to invest in your goals? It’s easy to get started when you open an investment account with SoFi Invest. You can invest in stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and more. SoFi doesn’t charge commissions, but other fees apply (full fee disclosure here).

Invest with as little as $5 with a SoFi Active Investing account.

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.

SoFi Invest®
SoFi Invest refers to the two investment and trading platforms operated by Social Finance, Inc. and its affiliates (described below). Individual customer accounts may be subject to the terms applicable to one or more of the platforms below.

1) Automated Investing and advisory services are provided by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser (“SoFi Wealth“). Brokerage services are provided to SoFi Wealth LLC by SoFi Securities LLC.

2) Active Investing and brokerage services are provided by SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA(www.finra.org)/SIPC(www.sipc.org). Clearing and custody of all securities are provided by APEX Clearing Corporation.

For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest platforms described above, including state licensure of SoFi Digital Assets, LLC, please visit SoFi.com/legal.

Neither the Investment Advisor Representatives of SoFi Wealth, nor the Registered Representatives of SoFi Securities are compensated for the sale of any product or service sold through any SoFi Invest platform. Information related to lending products contained herein should not be construed as an offer or pre-qualification for any loan product offered by SoFi Bank, N.A.

SOIN1123001

Source: sofi.com

Apache is functioning normally

January 6, 2024 by Brett Tams

Since the calendar turned to 2024, the internet has been abuzz with trend reports and home decor predictions that offer a glimpse into what lies ahead in the world of interior design.

For many, these lists may seem overwhelming, especially if you’re not planning to embark on a full-scale renovation this year. But fret not; there are simpler ways to elevate your home by getting creative with a DIY project or two.

Below, we’ll introduce you to 7 home trends experts predict will be big in 2024 and the DIY projects that can help you breathe new life into your living spaces.

DIY Projects That Will Elevate Your Home

Get your toolbox ready. From textured walls to living walls, home renovation experts predict these DIY projects are exactly what you need to elevate your home in 2024.

1. Using reclaimed materials

(Image credit: Future/Paul Massey)

As more and more of us aspire to make eco-friendly home improvements in 2024, it’s no surprise that using reclaimed and recycled materials is gaining popularity among DIY enthusiasts.

Beyond their environmental benefits, reclaimed and salvaged materials bring a distinctive ‘well-loved’ quality that enriches interior designs with texture and depth. The weathered patina of reclaimed wood, for instance, can seamlessly enhance a home with a modern rustic style, while salvaged fireplaces and reclaimed bricks effortlessly complement modern farmhouse aesthetics. These materials possess a timeless charm, making them an ideal choice for elevating your home’s overall look.

If you’re seeking a quick and manageable DIY project that can be completed in an afternoon, consider exploring your local antique market for a set of vintage drawers and transform them into a unique plant display. Alternatively, give rustic scaffolding boards a fresh lease on life as distinctive kitchen shelves, or reimagine tin ceiling tiles as a one-of-a-kind kitchen backsplash.

For those willing to take on a slightly larger project, a salvaged barn door can be flipped into a statement headboard, and ordinary internal doors and windows can be replaced with antique shutters to achieve a truly bespoke finish.

2. Adding texture to walls

(Image credit: ILIV Textiles )

While the memories of popcorn ceilings and orange peel walls might remind you of outdated interior design trends from yesteryears, wall texture is poised to make a stylish comeback in 2024.

Embrace the classic elegance of a knockdown finish or the rustic charm of limewash paint to infuse subtle drama into your walls. For a touch of warmth, consider decorative plasters like stucco or tadelakt. The beauty of these unique finishes is that they can be applied to your walls through a DIY approach using a trowel or roller, making it a cost-effective way to enhance your home’s ambiance.

And remember, texture doesn’t have to be just tactile. There are plenty of ways to introduce visual texture to your walls. Leading industry names like Benjamin Moore are bringing color-washed walls back into the spotlight this year, and even famous figures like Blake Lively are embracing this trend in their own homes.

3. Biophilic home improvements

(Image credit: Future)

‘In 2024, biophilic design and creating healthier living spaces are poised to be prominent trends,’ predicts Christine Marvin, Vice President of Strategy & Design at Marvin. To fully embrace this trend, consider decorating with plants, choosing natural color palettes and materials, or increasing natural light in your living areas.

Kriss Swint, design lead at Westlake Royal Building Products, emphasizes the importance of a closer connection with nature and its elements, citing potential benefits like increased well-being and productivity. ‘Growing concerns about wellness and the environment are driving demand for backyard improvements and the integration of nature into design. This includes features like green roofs, large windows, and living walls.’

wooden kitchen cabinetry is predicted to dominate kitchen trends this year.

However, before you jump into a full-scale kitchen remodel, consider that you can revamp this space without breaking the bank by resurfacing or refinishing your existing cabinet fronts.

Rather than reaching for your hammer right away, consider stripping paint from wood cabinets you already have to reveal the material beneath. Alternatively, you can replace your current kitchen cabinet fronts with custom-made ones that perfectly fit your space. Consult a local woodworker for bespoke cabinetry tailored to your kitchen’s dimensions or explore options like preloved wooden cabinet fronts available in salvage yards or online marketplaces.

‘A great DIY hack for achieving premium quality without overspending is using Ikea cabinets combined with custom fronts,’ says Archie Tkachoff, Founder of Arteum.design. ‘This approach is not only cost-effective but also versatile, allowing for the application of custom doors on new and existing cabinets.’

Archie Tkachoff

walk-in pantry?

‘In 2024, we expect to see pantries being upgraded with intelligent organization solutions, providing more space and functionality,’ predicts Laurel Vernazza, Home Design Expert at The Plan Collection. ‘When designed with floor-to-ceiling storage, the walk-in pantry can be used to conceal air fryers, coffeemakers, and larger appliances such as dishwashers, with plenty of room for pots and pans, spices, and dry goods’.

Simply clear the kitchen closet and assess its layout. Install adjustable shelving for better storage, add hooks or racks for spices and dried goods, and improve visibility with an overhead light.

Laurel Vernazza

2-Tier Stainless Steel Lazy Susan

Butterfly Ginkgo K-Cup Carousel

coffee station or walk-in pantry.

Royal Check Large Enamel Canister

wainscotting.

7. DIY built-in bookshelves

(Image credit: Michael Clifford/Jake Arnold)

The classic built-in bookshelf remains a popular choice for 2024, and it’s easy to see why. With just a modest amount of DIY expertise, you can easily turn an ordinary bookshelf into a faux built-in feature that instantly elevates your home.

Start by measuring your space and acquiring the right number of standalone bookcases for the job. We recommend options such as Ikea’s Billy bookcase or Wayfair’s Lagner bookcase, as they are well-suited to this task. Securely anchor these bookcases to the wall, ensuring they are level and perfectly aligned.

To achieve that coveted built-in appearance, add a plywood surround, crown molding, or decorative trim that complements your room’s style. After carefully caulking and sanding any rough edges, apply paint or stain to the bookshelves, allowing them to seamlessly blend into their surroundings.

Home renovation trends are typically less transient than paint trends, such as the color of the year, and can significantly improve the aesthetic and functionality of your home.

Source: homesandgardens.com

Apache is functioning normally

January 5, 2024 by Brett Tams

If you’ve always dreamt about walking a mile in Tom Brady’s shoes, an opportunity just came up — but you’d have to pony up some serious cash to afford it.

A glam apartment at the Fendi Chateau Residences in Surfside, Florida that the former New England Patriots / Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback rented after his divorce from supermodel Gisele Bündchen landed on the market, looking for a new owner to enjoy its unobstructed ocean views.

As expected, it has a price tag worthy of its former occupant’s deep pockets: the Fendi Chateau unit is listed for a hefty $15,900,000.

But it comes with the added perk of owning a space that served as a bachelor pad for the NFL’s most decorated and accomplished players, not to mention a whole suite of luxury amenities and upscale finishes that the Surfside building has gained a reputation for.

Photo credit: Become Legendary courtesy of Compass Florida

Inside Tom Brady’s former apartment at the FENDI Chateau Residences

Tom Brady reportedly lived here right after his widely-covered divorce from Gisele Bündchen, with media outlets dubbing it the NFL superstar’s “bachelor pad”.

He rented it during his final year with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before announcing his retirement (for a second time) in February 2023.

See also: Tom Brady’s & Giselle’s Custom-Built Home in Brookline, Massachusetts

The unit is one of only 58 residences in the luxury residential development — which sets itself apart from nearby Miami’s soaring skyscrapers, rising only 12 stories high and adding a note of boutique living to its appeal. Mendel Fellig with Compass Florida holds the listing.

Key facts & numbers

Location: 9349 Collins Avenue, Surfside, FL
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 4.5
Square footage: 4,103
Year built: 2016 (building)
Amenities: White glove service (including full beach service), in-house salon and spa, state-of-the-art fitness center, resident-only restaurant, kid’s club, and more.
Asking price: $15,900,000

“The condo offers a sanctuary of privacy and luxury, boasting unobstructed ocean and skyline views and a highly desirable flow-through layout,” listing agent Mendel Fellig tells us. “With only 58 units, the building ensures an intimate and exclusive living experience.”

Photos

Photo credit: Become Legendary courtesy of Compass Florida

With its many wellness-oriented amenities, the Surfside building is a great choice for athletes

While Tom Brady was undoubtedly the Fendi Chateau Residences’ most famous resident, the building is known for attracting top earners.

Current and former residents reportedly include UnitedHealthcare CEO, Claudio Lottenberg, Founder of Naturhouse, Felix Revuelta, Founder and CEO of E&M Management, Irving Langer, and Software Chief of Totvs, José De Lucena Cosentino.

And it’s easy to see why.

Talking about the many amenities Fendi Chateau residents enjoy, Fellig lists upscale features like “full beach service, in-house salon and spa, business center, movie theater, and a resident-only restaurant, creating a lifestyle of pure luxury. It’s easy to see why a celebrity may be captivated by the privacy, luxurious amenities, and the stunning ocean vistas that this property provides.”

Photo credit: Become Legendary courtesy of Compass Florida

Standing out in its long roster of amenities are the building’s many wellness-oriented perks, which make it a great choice for athletes.

“Fendi Chateau is the perfect haven for athletes, with a focus on health and wellness,” agent Mendel Fellig confirms.

“The residence offers a state-of-the-art fitness center, a rejuvenating sauna, an invigorating steam room and a private massage room. These amenities make Fendi Chateau the ultimate destination for athletes looking to maintain their physical well-being.”

“The in-house facilities offer a comprehensive approach to fitness and recovery, making it the top choice for athletes seeking luxurious living that caters to their health and fitness needs.”

So it wouldn’t be at all surprising to see another athlete taking up residence here. Who do you think that might be?

The article You can buy Tom Brady’s former Miami apartment – But it won’t come cheap first appeared on Fancy Pants Homes.

More stories

Where does Leo Messi live now? The soccer star’s Miami homes

A Jupiter, FL house across the waterway from Tiger Woods’ place sells for $15.4M

Mar-a-Lago neighboring mansion undergoing a massive renovation eyes $40 million sale

Source: fancypantshomes.com

Apache is functioning normally

January 4, 2024 by Brett Tams

What can you do if you’re buying or living in a home that’s considered “high risk” because of its location or other factors, and you can’t find the insurance protection you need? In some states, including Florida and California, where insurers are limiting their coverage or exiting the market altogether, it can be challenging to find a renters or homeowners policy. You may even find the insurer you’ve had for years is no longer willing to provide coverage.

There’s no need to panic just yet, or give up on your efforts to get the policy you want or need. There may be options you haven’t thought about that are just a few computer taps away.

What Makes a Home, Area, or State High Risk?

There are a few different factors that can make a home, neighborhood, region, or state high risk when it comes to getting insurance coverage. Some of these factors may affect homeowners only, while others can affect both homeowners and renters.

Sometimes a home is determined to be high risk because it’s fallen into a state of disrepair. The insurance company may say, for example, that the home needs a new roof, the foundation is unsafe, or the plumbing or electricity needs updating. If that’s the case, following through on those repairs may make it easier to keep or qualify for a traditional homeowners policy.

It’s also possible that the way the home is constructed — with certain types of building materials or a roof style that doesn’t meet the insurer’s underwriting standards — is making it harder to get insurance. Or it could be that the home is in an area that makes it more vulnerable to certain crimes, such as burglary or vandalism. Sometimes, a person’s own history (a criminal background, bankruptcy, or too many past claims) could lead an insurer to cancel a policy or say no to a new one.

Increasingly, it’s the propensity for serious, damaging weather that can cause an entire region or state to be considered high-risk. In California, wildfires are one reason insurers cite for pulling out. In Louisiana, it’s flooding. And in Florida, insurers are leaving the state because of the expensive damage hurricanes and tropical storms can cause.
💡 Quick Tip: A basic homeowners insurance plan doesn’t cover floods, earthquakes, or sinkholes. If you live in an area prone to natural disasters, you may want to look into supplemental coverage.

What Can You Do If You’re Denied Coverage?

Though homeowners and renters insurance policies aren’t mandated by any state or federal laws, mortgage lenders and landlords can and often do require a certain amount of coverage. Even if yours doesn’t, you may find it makes sense to get a policy to protect yourself, your home, and/or your belongings.

It can be frustrating and scary to find out you’ve been denied the insurance you want or need, or that the policy you have is being canceled. Here are a few things you can do to find protection:

Shop Around

There are many insurance companies out there, so don’t feel as though you have to give up just because the carrier you wanted won’t cover you. You may be able to find a similar or better policy online, or you could search the old-fashioned way and call around. While you’re looking, try not to limit your options based on brand names or because you have car insurance or another type of policy through a certain company.

If you’re buying homeowners insurance: Before you start shopping, consider how much and what types of coverage you need and what your lender requires. Depending on where you live, you may need to buy additional protection for flooding, earthquakes, sinkholes, etc. This coverage is usually not a part of a basic homeowners policy.

If you’re buying a home, you may want to ask the current homeowners or your new neighbors what coverage they think is necessary.

If you’re buying renters insurance: Keep in mind that even though your landlord might have insurance that covers the building you’re living in, that policy won’t cover your possessions should they be damaged or stolen. And the landlord’s policy probably won’t pay for additional living expenses if you need to move out while your unit undergoes repairs.

As you shop renters policies, it’s important to compare apples to apples, and to be sure you’re getting the renters insurance coverage you might need in a worst-case scenario. Remember: Most renters policies won’t cover damage from flooding. To be sure you’re protected, you’ll likely need to purchase a separate renters policy from the National Flood Insurance Program, which is managed by FEMA.

Use a Broker or Independent Insurance Agent

If you don’t have the time to shop for a policy yourself, you may want to hire an insurance broker or independent insurance agent to get quotes from multiple insurers for you. Before you get started in this process, it’s a good idea to be clear on how your insurance professional will be paid (fee, commission, or both), and how broad or limited the policy search will be.

Contact Your State Department of Insurance

The consumer division of your state insurance department can provide you with a list of insurers that are writing policies in your area. And they may be able to help you work with your current provider regarding a nonrenewal — that is, if the company isn’t pulling out of the state altogether.

Ask Your Current Insurance Professional for Advice

If your current insurance company is leaving your region or state and you need to change your homeowners insurance, your representative — who is familiar with your policy needs — may have suggestions for which companies you could try next.

Consider a FAIR Plan

Many states have Fair Access to Insurance Requirements (FAIR) plans available for homeowners who can’t get a traditional homeowners policy. FAIR insurance coverage is different for each state, but generally, these are bare-bones policies provided by a pool of insurance companies. They often do not include personal liability coverage, and you may have to make upgrades to your property to get or keep your policy.

A FAIR plan may be your last resort if you can’t get a policy anywhere else. Still, it’s important to be clear on what you are getting — and what your premium will be — before moving forward.

Look into Beach and Windstorm Plans

If you live in a coastal state that is prone to wind and hail damage, you may want to look into getting a beach and windstorm insurance plan. These plans are similar to FAIR plans and can provide coverage to homeowners in areas that aren’t insured through the voluntary insurance market.

Recommended: Renters and Homeowners Insurance Definitions

Can You Go Without Insurance If You Can’t Get Coverage?

Although you aren’t legally required to purchase a renters or homeowners policy, you may not have a choice. If you’re renting, your landlord might say it’s a must. And if you’re buying or still owe money on your home, your mortgage company will let you know how much homeowners insurance you need.

If you can’t get a policy, or if the coverage is deemed insufficient, your mortgage company might buy “force-placed” insurance for your home. With force-placed insurance, the lender typically pays upfront for the insurance, then adds the premium cost to your monthly mortgage payment. You won’t have control over the type of coverage you get, or the policy limits, and it might be more expensive than the policy you would purchase for yourself.

You also may be required to have homeowners insurance if you live in a condominium or co-op.

Recommended: Is Homeowners Insurance Required to Buy a Home?

What Are the Downsides of Going Without Coverage?

Even if you don’t have to get insurance, you may want to seriously consider the downsides of going without coverage. You might discover that the security a policy can offer is worth the extra effort or cost involved with finding coverage.

If you’re a homeowner: It’s quite likely your home is your biggest asset, and insurance can help you protect that investment and your overall financial wellness. Your homeowners policy doesn’t just cover the structure you live in; it also insures your belongings and provides liability protection in case of an injury or property damage.

If you’re a renter: Your personal property (furniture, electronics, clothes, jewelry, etc.) may be worth more than you think, and renters insurance can help you pay to replace belongings that are damaged or stolen. Renters insurance also typically includes coverage for property damage, or if a guest is accidentally hurt, or if your pet bites someone.

Worried about how much renters insurance costs and if it’s worth it? Usually, renters insurance is much less expensive than homeowners insurance, so you may want to at least check the price before passing on coverage.
💡 Quick Tip: Next time you review your budget, consider making room for additional insurance coverage. Think of it as an investment that can help protect you from a major financial loss.

The Takeaway

It can be frustrating and stressful to learn that you can’t get the insurance coverage you need for your home and belongings, or that you’re losing the coverage you thought you could count on. But just because one company won’t offer you a policy doesn’t mean you don’t have other options. You may have to spend a little extra time searching for the right policy, though, or get a little help finding the appropriate amount of coverage at an affordable price.

When the unexpected happens, it’s good to know you have a plan to protect your loved ones and your finances. SoFi has teamed up with some of the best insurance companies in the industry to provide members with fast, easy, and reliable insurance.

Find affordable auto, life, homeowners, and renters insurance with SoFi Protect.

FAQ

Is homeowners insurance required to buy a home?

While homeowners insurance isn’t required by state or federal laws, if you’re financing the home, your mortgage lender will likely require that you have a certain amount of coverage.

Is renters insurance required?

Renters insurance isn’t required by law, but your landlord or property management company may require that you purchase a renters policy.

How much renters insurance do I need?

To determine how much renters insurance you should purchase, you may want to do a quick inventory of what you own, including clothing, jewelry, electronics, artwork, furniture, etc. Then, using receipts if you have them, estimate how much it’s all worth.

How much homeowners insurance do I need?

If you’re financing your home, your mortgage lender will likely require a certain amount of insurance coverage. But you may want to purchase additional coverage based on your assets and the types of protection you want. Your insurance company can help you determine the appropriate amount of coverage.

Photo credit: iStock/svetikd

Insurance not available in all states.
Experian is a registered service mark of Experian Personal Insurance Agency, Inc.
Social Finance, Inc. (“SoFi”) is compensated by Experian for each customer who purchases a policy through Experian from the site.

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

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

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Source: sofi.com

Apache is functioning normally

January 1, 2024 by Brett Tams

We’ve ridden the waves of 1970s revivals, wall-to-wall carpeting, the rise and fall of the Ultrafragola, and bouclé upholstery. When we type “interior design trends 2024” into our crystal balls (or indeed, into Google) what are we likely to find? AD PRO consulted the experts, and 2024 promises to be a year of thoughtfully chosen offbeat colors, a mix-and-match approach to the designs of different time periods, and a return to romanticism, with jewel tones and florals offering a flirty, old-fashioned respite from the onward march of technology.

Stone Fruit Chic: Peach and Apricot

Soft, sweet, and just a bit tart, peach and apricot are the dominant hues in the home trends color forecasts for 2024. Pantone declared Peach Fuzz its color of the year, and Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute describes it as “a color radiant with warmth and modern elegance.” Gemma Riberti, head of interiors at trend forecasting agency WGSN, notes that her team has had its eyes on orange. In particular, they note its emergence as “a recharging near-bright in the wellness sector” and as a vivacious alternative to traditional pastels. WGSN’s color of 2024, Apricot Crush, “can be easily paired with neutrals and naturals, and is suitable for textiles, glass, bath, and bedroom products” Riberti says, “but you can also work it to create intriguing narratives: offset it with greens, purples, and blues for vibrant contrast.”

A sweet-as-a-peach Ettore Mocchetti slipper chair takes up residence on the upper floor of a home designed by Ninety Nine Group in Forte dei Marmi, Italy.

Marco Bertolini

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The classic technique of selecting chromatic bedfellows from opposite sides of the color wheel is also in Champalimaud Design’s toolkit. Principal Courtney Brannan tells AD PRO that when it comes to interior design trends in 2024, “we are seeing all the possibilities of peach and turquoise tones.” Though these shades have a tropical feel to them, they “can also feel neutral,” she says. Case in point: “At the Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, turquoise creates an amplifying, formal statement surrounding the Silver Palm Bar.” Meanwhile, in New York City’s West Village, an apartment’s peach plaster wall “has a much more understated presence, calmly backgrounding the artful living space around it.”

That’s So Metal

It’s back to the essential elements (literally) for home decor trends in 2024: chrome, steel, and aluminum are suddenly everywhere. Pinterest Predicts 2024 includes a “Hot Metals” board with a distinctly surrealist aesthetic—gleaming surfaces that resemble the shiny sinew of liquid mercury.

Mirrored surfaces and chrome furniture are on the upswing for 2024. Here, a mirrored dining table anchors a dining room in the home of AD100 designer Oliver M. Furth and his partner Sean Yashar.

Photo: Yoshihiro Makino/Styling: Amy Chin

David Michon, author of the Substack newsletter For Scale, thinks this is a natural consequence of the early-2020s overload of earth tones. “The desperate search for some kind of warmth in this cold world has exhausted ‘earthy’ browns and ‘meditative’ grays,” he notes. But don’t be too quick to write off these metallic finishes as industrial: “The many stainless-steel explorations of Milan’s Concorde, Harry Nuriev, or Tejumola Butler Adenuga show us that, in fact, steel simply reflects.” In general, says Michon, these metals amplify whatever vibe a room is already giving. With one notable exception: “stainless-steel appliances, which remain overrated.”

House of Hunt founder Holly Hunt concurs, but with a slightly more muted finish: “I foresee bright aluminums and silver gaining popularity in 2024 after years of gold and black dominating metal hardware and accessories,” she tells AD PRO. “However, I tend to avoid metals that are too shiny and prefer the richness of a brushed chrome or nickel, as they give a more polished and sophisticated look.” Adding to the evidence: Earlier this month, Nifembi Marcus Bello presented an eye-catching suite of cast-aluminum furniture at Design Miami.

Dark and Deep: Jewel Tones

The saturated hues of precious gems are giving the palette of 2024 design trends a sense of velvety mystery. According to Rob Natale, chief of design at Sixpenny, this is thanks in part to the recent dominance of neutrals across interiors. “People are rediscovering color in their homes, which is a welcome shift from the all-neutral palette we’ve seen for several years, and jewel tones are at the forefront of that shift,” he says. “It’s a perfect way to incorporate richness, whether as an accent or as the centerpiece for a space since they create such a strong counterpoint to almost any look.” (Heeding their own wisdom, Sixpenny is currently selling furnishings in an array of gem-inspired hues.)

Source: architecturaldigest.com

Apache is functioning normally

December 30, 2023 by Brett Tams

Nestled in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, Denver, Colorado, offers a unique blend of outdoor adventure and urban sophistication. With over 300 days of sunshine each year, residents enjoy a vibrant outdoor lifestyle, from hiking and skiing in the nearby mountains to exploring the city’s numerous parks and bike trails. Whether you’re drawn to the city for its outdoor recreation, cultural attractions, or thriving job market, Denver has something to offer everyone. So if you’re looking for homes for sale in Denver, an apartment to rent, or want to learn more about the area, this Redfin article will guide you on what Denver is known for.

1. Outdoor recreation

Denver is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, offering immediate access to the majestic Rocky Mountains for hiking, skiing, and snowboarding. Its extensive network of parks, such as City Park and Washington Park, coupled with nearby scenic trails and biking paths, solidifies Denver’s reputation as an outdoor paradise.

2. Craft beer scene

Often referred to as the “Napa Valley of Beer,” Denver boasts a great craft beer scene. The city is home to numerous breweries offering various unique and flavorful beers. Denver hosts the Great American Beer Festival, attracting beer lovers worldwide.

3. Arts and culture

The renowned Denver Art Museum highlights Denver’s art and culture scene, featuring an extensive collection spanning various cultures and periods. The city’s RiNo (River North) Arts District, with its eclectic street art, galleries, and creative spaces, showcases Denver’s dynamic and evolving artistic landscape. From the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre to the diverse culinary experiences, Denver has much to offer its residents.

4. Skiing and snowboarding

Skiing and snowboarding is Denver’s way of life. The city is a premier destination for skiing and snowboarding, serving as a gateway to world-class resorts including Breckenridge, Vail, and Aspen. The proximity to these renowned ski areas and the stunning slopes of the Rocky Mountains positions Denver as a hub for winter sports enthusiasts. With a short drive from the city, visitors and locals can access unparalleled snowy terrain, making Denver a mecca for skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts.

5. Startup and tech hub

Denver has a thriving startup and tech hub, attracting entrepreneurs and tech professionals nationwide. The city’s supportive business environment, access to capital, and skilled workforce have contributed to its reputation as an expanding tech hub.

6. Red Rocks Amphitheatre

7. Active lifestyles

Denver is known for its active lifestyle and fitness culture. The city’s residents are passionate about health and wellness, and Denver offers many fitness studios, outdoor workout spaces, and recreational activities. The city’s emphasis on fitness contributes to its reputation as one of the healthiest cities in the United States.

Source: redfin.com

Apache is functioning normally

December 25, 2023 by Brett Tams

Most people in the US have at least one credit card. These cards are a popular, convenient way to pay for items as you go about your day, tapping and swiping. They can also allow you to buy items that you can’t afford to pay for in one fell swoop, such as airfare to Hawaii or a new laptop.

But they have downsides, too; perhaps most notably, their high interest rates. At the end of 2023, one analysis found that the average interest rate was nudging close to 25%; two years earlier, the rate was hovering around 15%. That’s a considerable increase.

Here, you’ll learn more about how and why credit card payments can balloon as interest rates rise. You’ll also read advice on keeping your credit card in check, which can benefit your financial wellness.

How Interest Is Calculated

If you’re confused by all of the fine print that accompanies a credit card offer or the thought of an annual percentage rate (APR) calculation makes you wince, you probably aren’t the only one. To understand how rising rates can affect your credit card payment, it helps to understand a bit about how credit card interest is calculated.

• First, there are two types of consumer loans: installment loans and revolving credit. A mortgage, student loan, or car loan are all examples of installment loans. With an installment loan, the borrower is loaned an amount of money (called the principal), plus interest to be paid back over a designated amount of time.

• Revolving credit, on the other hand, is not a loan disbursed in one lump sum, but is a certain amount of credit to be used by the borrower continuously, up to a designated limit. A credit card is revolving credit. A borrower’s monthly payment is determined by how much of the available credit they are using at any given time; therefore, minimum payments may change from month to month.

Installment credit is sometimes easier than revolving credit to understand and calculate. First, installment loans often come with fixed rates, which means that the interest rate doesn’t change (unless you miss payments). For example, the rate on a federal student loan or a 30-year fixed mortgage won’t change, even if government-set interest rates shoot to the sun.

Revolving credit almost often has a variable rate, which means that the interest rate applied to the credit balance fluctuates.

The average rate on credit cards is quoted as an annual percentage rate, or an APR. The APR is the approximate interest rate that a borrower will pay in one year. Why approximate? The prime rate could fluctuate based on when the Fed changes the federal fund target rate.
💡 Quick Tip: Need help covering the cost of a wedding, honeymoon, or new baby? A SoFi personal loan can help you fund major life events — without the high interest rates of credit cards.

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How Credit Card Interest Rates Change

Generally, when the Fed raises the federal funds rate, it can slow economic growth because it dissuades banks from lending money — and discourages consumers from borrowing at a subsequently higher interest rate. Raising rates is also used as a technique to combat rising inflation.

While this may be a normal and natural part of an economic cycle, rising rates can be frustrating for anyone who is currently carrying a credit card balance.

Credit card interest rates have risen as a result of 11 rate hikes enacted by the Federal Reserve (the Fed) since March 2022. Although the Fed does not control interest rates on credit cards directly, credit card interest rates are often pegged against the prime rate, which changes with the federal funds rate.

What Does a Rising Prime Rate Mean for Credit Card Holders?

A change in interest rates is likely to impact anyone with a variable rate on their credit card balance. When the Fed raises federal funds interest rates, it can be expected that credit card interest rates may follow.

How much would your credit card interest rate increase? It depends on your credit card. Generally, credit cards move in sync with rate hikes, which usually happen in quarter-percent increments.

However, the Fed has said, as of the end of 2023, that they don’t plan to raise rates further in the immediate future.

How to Combat a High Credit Card Bill

Here are some ideas for battling a high credit card bill and potentially paying less in interest over time:

1. Pay More Than the Minimum Payment

If at all possible, pay off as much of your credit card balance as you can each month. Making payments greater than the minimum amount due can help reduce your balance. The faster you can work on reducing the actual principal balance on your credit card, the less interest you’ll likely pay. If you only pay your credit card’s minimum payment, you may wind up in debt longer and paying more interest in the long run.

2. Switch to a Balance Transfer Card

Balance transfer credit cards typically have 0% APR introductory offers lasting for several months to a couple of years. If you’re serious about getting rid of your debt, you could transfer your debt over to one of these cards and then actively work on paying off the debt while you’re not paying interest.

If you do this, make sure to look for a card that has no transfer fee. Beware: If the root of the problem is actually overspending, this will not be a good long-term solution. Sometimes, 0% APR cards have interest rates that jump up dramatically after the trial period is over. And the 0% APR may no longer apply if you make a new purchase on the card.

3. Negotiate a Lower Rate

You might be surprised to find out that a credit card rate can be negotiable. It may be worth giving your credit card company a call and seeing whether they can reduce your rate.

When talking to the person on the other end of the line, explain your situation, be kind to them, and see what happens. Again, this isn’t a permanent solution or a guaranteed outcome, but it could help give you a leg-up on the payback journey.

4. Sign up for Credit Counseling

You might benefit from professional credit counseling to help with your credit card debt. The National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) is a nonprofit organization that offers free and affordable advice for people who are struggling to manage debt on their own. If you’re unable to envision a path to paying down debt, it could be a good idea to ask for assistance.

5. Consider a Personal Loan

One tactic to consider in an environment where prime interest rates are rising is paying off credit card balances with a fixed-rate unsecured personal loan.

These are sometimes referred to as “debt consolidation loans” and allow a qualified borrower to pay off high-interest debt, such as credit cards, with this lower-rate personal loan. With a fixed-rate personal loan, the rate never changes (as long as payments are made on time), and it helps provide the borrower with a defined plan to pay off the debt.

If you decide to go this route, it’s a good idea to shop around to ensure that you’re getting a fair rate. You can get a personal or debt consolidation loan from banks, credit unions, and online lenders.

To compare estimated personal loan interest charges to credit card interest charges, you can use a tool like a personal loan calculator.

Shopping for a Personal Loan

Each lender sets its own terms for making these types of loans, so be sure to ask lots of questions about rates, terms, and fees.

Think twice before turning to high-interest credit cards. Consider a SoFi personal loan instead. SoFi offers competitive fixed rates and same-day funding. Checking your rate takes just a minute.

SoFi’s Personal Loan was named NerdWallet’s 2023 winner for Best Online Personal Loan overall.

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

Disclaimer: Many factors affect your credit scores and the interest rates you may receive. SoFi is not a Credit Repair Organization as defined under federal or state law, including the Credit Repair Organizations Act. SoFi does not provide “credit repair” services or advice or assistance regarding “rebuilding” or “improving” your credit record, credit history, or credit rating. For details, see the FTC’s website .

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

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Source: sofi.com