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- The Federal Reserve’s recent interest-rate hikes may be affecting your wallet more than you think.
- The Fed funds rate influences mortgage, credit-card, and auto-loan rates.
- This means when the bank hikes rates, it becomes pricier to get a car loan or pay off credit cards.
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Living in Pennsylvania gives you access to vibrant, historic cities and beautiful wildernesses in equal measure. It was one of the original 13 colonies that eventually formed the United States, and many of its founding tenets helped inspire the U.S. Constitution and the Declaration of Independence.
Full of historic sites like Independence Hall, Pennsylvania’s cities and towns are now modern hubs for industry, art, culture, sports and dining. Throughout the state, forested mountain ranges like the Appalachians are the perfect playground for hiking, camping and outdoor recreation.
Home to giant cities like Philadelphia and smaller communities, you’ll find different standards of living all over Pennsylvania. Each comes with its own different cost of living. You’ll find there’s a city or town to fit all sorts of budgets. Some are more expensive than the national average, while others are at or below the national average.
In general, housing, transportation and utilities are the priciest categories for the cost of living in Pennsylvania. By seeing how the cost of living in Pennsylvania breaks down in different cities and towns around the state, you’ll find the right place for you.
Pennsylvania housing prices
Ranging from well below the national average to slightly above, the cost of living in Pennsylvania for housing is all over the place. That means you have many different options to choose from. Unsurprisingly, major cities like Philadelphia and Allentown have the highest housing prices. But, if you look in smaller cities and towns around the state, you’ll find some more budget-friendly accommodations.
Let’s take a closer look at average rents and home buying costs in some of Pennsylvania’s top cities.
Allentown
Located in eastern Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley, Allentown is one of Pennsylvania’s fastest-growing cities. New residents like the city’s abundance of beautiful parks, welcoming community and growing cultural offerings. It’s quickly becoming one of the best places to live in Pennsylvania.
This rapid growth has fueled big increases in housing costs here. Allentown’s housing is 9.6 percent above the national average, making it the most expensive of our highlighted Pennsylvania cities. One-bedroom apartments have jumped in cost 40 percent from last year to $2,035 a month. Two-bedroom units are up 29 percent to $2,054.
Allentown’s housing market has also gone up 14.9 percent from the previous year. Prospective homebuyers in the area are looking at median sales prices of $200,000.
Erie
Located on the shores of Lake Erie, the charming city of Erie is a great place to call home in Pennsylvania. Not only does it have a low cost of living, but its lakeside location gives residents near-instant access to boating, fishing, kayaking and more. Safe, clean and with lively art and cultural scenes, Erie is popular among young adults and families.
But, you can’t beat its low housing costs, falling 36.4 percent below the national average. One-bedroom apartments cost an average of $1,175 a month, which is down 1 percent from last year. Two-bedroom apartments are down 2 percent to $1,387 per month.
Data about the home buying market isn’t readily available for Erie. But if its low rent prices are any indicator, the median sale price for homes around Erie must also be on the affordable side.
Philadelphia
Philadelphia needs almost no introduction. Pennsylvania’s biggest city is home to iconic attractions and landmarks from the early history of the United States, like the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. Nowadays, this exciting city has active sports, dining, fun neighborhoods and arts scenes. The city’s overall cost of living is pretty reasonable, as well.
Less exciting are Philadelphia’s high housing costs. The price of housing here is 1.2 percent above the national average, and affordable apartments are hard to find. One-bedroom apartments go for an average of $2,185 per month. This number has jumped 32 percent from last year. Two-bedroom units are actually slightly cheaper at $2,081. That rate is up only 3 percent from last year.
Philadelphia also has one of Pennsylvania’s pricier housing markets. Home prices here are up 5.6 percent from the year before, with the median sale price of $285,000.
Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is Pennsylvania’s second-most-populous city, with a scenic location at the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers. Dubbed both Steel City and the City of Bridges for its 446 bridges, the city’s past as a hub for the steel industry has morphed into a contemporary center for higher education, tech and higher education. There’s so much to love about living in Pittsburgh, from cheering on local sports teams like the Steelers to visiting esteemed art museums like the Andy Warhol Museum.
As one of Pennsylvania’s biggest and most popular cities, the price of housing here is higher. Housing costs in Pittsburgh are 9.3 percent lower than the national average. That may sound good at first glance, but a look at average rents tells a different story. Expect to pay around $1,597 per month for a one-bedroom apartment and $1,959 for a two-bedroom. Those rates are up 12 and 8 percent, respectively, from last year.
Pittsburgh’s home buying market has also grown 12.3 percent from the previous year. If you want to buy a home here, you’re looking at a median sales price of $253,900.
Scranton
Most people hear Scranton, and instantly think of it as being the location for the beloved comedy series “The Office.” But this historic city in northeast Pennsylvania is much more than a backdrop for the office antics at Dunder Mifflin. Forming part of the larger Scranton-Wilkes-Barre metro area, Scranton is Pennsylvania’s sixth-largest city. It’s noted for its industrial past, museums and family-friendly activities.
Housing costs here are 20.6 percent lower than the national average. For renters, prices for some unit types have decreased over the past year. The average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment decreased 24 percent from the previous year to $1,000. Two-bedroom apartments have climbed 4 percent to $1,362.
Scranton’s housing market has seen a huge amount of growth over the past year. The median sales price is $171,000, which is up 52.7 percent from last year. But compared to the national median sales price of $430,695, house prices here are a steal.
Pennsylvania food prices
Another cost of living in Pennsylvania is food. Pennsylvania’s culinary offerings are one of the most unique things about the state. It’s the birthplace of delicious dishes like Philly cheesesteaks and tomato pie. It also is America’s biggest pretzel supplier. Food costs here are higher than the national average by 9.3 percent. But Pennsylvania is among the bottom states for monthly food spending. The average Pennsylvanian spends between $200 and $233 on food each month. This comes out to between $2,400 and $2,800 annually.
Let’s take a look at grocery costs in these Pennsylvania cities compared to the national average:
- Allentown is 2.7 percent below the national average
- Erie is 1 percent above the national average
- Scranton is 5 percent above the national average
- Pittsburgh is 5 percent above the national average
- Philadelphia is 18.4 percent above the national average
Philadelphia has the highest food prices of the five cities. For example, a dozen eggs cost $1.99 in Philly compared to $1.57 in Pittsburgh. A half-gallon of milk in Philly has a price tag of $2.41. The cheapest cities to buy that same half-gallon of milk at Scranton and Pittsburgh at $2.22. But for a city that loves beef and steak so much, the cost of steak in Philadelphia is not the highest. The highest price tag for steak is in Pittsburgh at $18.25 compared to $15.99 in Philly.
Dining out in a big city compared to a smaller one will also be more expensive. The bill for a three-course meal for two at a nice restaurant in Philly comes out to $60. Pittsburgh is slightly cheaper at $57.50. In Scranton, you’ll save more by paying only $45 for a fancy date night dinner.
Pennsylvania utility prices
Overall, the cost of living in Pennsylvania for utilities is higher than the national average. Historically, Pennsylvania has been one of the biggest and most important coal-mining states in the nation. Today, much of the state’s electricity still comes from coal, natural gas and petroleum-fired power plants. But renewable energy sources like wind and hydropower are starting to become more prevalent.
A high electric bill can take a decent chunk out of a monthly budget. Here’s how much more locals in these Pennsylvania cities are paying for utilities compared to the national average:
- Erie is 3.8 percent above the national average
- Scranton is 4.1 percent above the national average
- Allentown is 4.1 percent above the national average
- Philadelphia is 12.2 percent above the national average
- Pittsburgh is 26 percent above the national average
Pittsburgh is the most expensive city for utilities. With total energy costs running at $251.31 per month, it must hurt opening up that utility bill. Although Erie’s utility costs are the lowest above the national average, energy bills are cheaper in other cities. In Allentown and Scranton, the monthly energy bill comes out to around $184.29 compared to $193.07 in Erie.
On top of that, Pennsylvania residents can expect to pay around $30 for water and $59.99 for the internet.
Pennsylvania transportation prices
In an effort to provide reliable public transportation to all parts of the state, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation invests $1.5 billion annually for mass transit. Thanks to all that support, public transportation services are available in every county. That’s a nice cushion to your cost of living in Pennsylvania.
Some cities and areas, like Philadelphia, have larger and more extensive systems. But all counties have access to at least some form of mass transit. This primarily takes the form of bus routes. Not only does this prove access for those living in rural areas, but in larger cities, it helps reduce traffic and commuting times and saves money on gas.
Transportation costs in Pennsylvania are higher than the national average. The exact amount varies around the state:
- Scranton is 1.4 percent below the national average
- Allentown is 2.4 percent above the national average
- Erie is 3 percent above the national average
- Pittsburgh is 8.7 percent above the national average
- Philadelphia is 13 percent above the national average
Average transportation costs in Scranton actually fall below the national average. Locals get around Scranton and surrounding Lackawanna County using the COLTS buses, or County of Lackawanna Transit System. A one-way ticket costs $1.75, with transfers adding an extra 75 cents. A 31-day pass costs $60.
Erie natives get their public transit from the Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority, which operates fixed bus routes throughout the city and metro area. Fares start at $1.65 for bus routes. The provider also runs a vintage-style trolley through the downtown area.
Let’s take a closer look at the public transportation systems servicing some of Pennsylvania’s biggest cities.
Pittsburgh Regional Transit in Pittsburgh
Consisting of bus, paratransit and light rail transit, Pittsburgh Regional Transit is the second-biggest public transportation system in the state. Their service area covers the city of Pittsburgh and surrounding areas.
Allegheny County, with over 7,000 bus stops and 27 light rail stations. Fares start at $2.75 for a three-hour window with unlimited transfers for both bus and light rail. Day passes cost $7 and a 31-day pass is $97.50. Riders can pay in cash or use the system’s Connect Card. If you use the system enough, you can even get an annual pass for $1,072.50.
The Pittsburgh Regional Transit also runs the two different inclines or funicular railways in the city. Although these steep railways are popular tourist attractions, they’re still used and operated as public transportation to get up and down some of the city’s steep slopes. A one-way ticket costs $2.75. Connect Cards do work on the inclines, as well.
Pittsburgh doesn’t have any toll roads within the town. But, if you leave town frequently for work or fun, you’ll likely travel along the Pennsylvania Turnpike. This 360-mile-long road runs from Pennsylvania’s western to eastern border, connecting Harrisburg, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Fees vary depending on how long you use the turnpike. Unfortunately, it has a nasty reputation for being the most expensive tollway system in the world. If you have an E-ZPass, passenger vehicles pay $1.70 per toll. If you don’t have E-ZPass, rates increase to $4.10
Between the funicular railways, buses and light rail, Pittsburgh boasts a high 61 score for its mass transit. This compact city is also very walk- and bike-friendly, with a walk score of 69 and a bike score of 58.
SEPTA in Philadelphia
Standing for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, SEPTA provides Philly and its five surrounding counties with a mix of bus, rapid transit, light rail, commuter rail and electric trolleybus services. In addition to reducing traffic and providing riders with affordable, reliable mass transit, SEPTA has a strong focus on sustainability. By 2040, they plan to only operate zero-emission buses.
SEPTA accepts both cash and the SEPTA Key card to use the SEPTA system. Starting fare is $2.50, which is the same for all modes of transit. The only exception is the Regional Rail Transit commuter rail, based on distance and what day of the week and time of day you’re traveling.
The lowest fares start at $4. Monthly passes are available starting at $96. Different types of passes are available to include more or less Regional Rail options. Since monthly parking rates in Philly range from $140 to $500, using SEPTA is a great way to cut down on time sitting in traffic and paying for gas and parking.
Similar to Pittsburgh, the only toll road in the Philly area is the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Tolls start at $1.70 for passenger vehicles.
With its many different modes of transit and straightforward fare system, Philadelphia earns a high transit score of 68. With its close-knit neighborhoods and highly walkable city center, Philadelphia is also an ideal city for pedestrians and cyclists. Philly has high scores for both walking and biking, with a walk score of 84 and a bike score of 76.
LANTA in Allentown
The Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority, or LANTA, operates bus routes throughout Allentown and the Lehigh Valley. One-way, one-ride tickets are $2 and a full day pass is $4. Transfers cost 25 cents extra. A 31-day pass costs $60.
Allentown is off the Pennsylvania Turnpike route, but it does have a service plaza for toll road travelers. So, the toll road and its toll fees are accessible from Allentown.
While using LANTA buses is a great way to save money, Allentown’s mass transit only has a score of 36. So, a car might still be a necessity. Allentown’s city center is pretty walk- and bike-friendly with scores of 59 and 41.
Pennsylvania healthcare prices
Healthcare is one of Pennsylvania’s cost of living categories that falls below the national average throughout the state. But, it’s important to note that it’s hard to determine average healthcare costs due to the variability of the subject. Healthcare costs vary from person to person depending on their personal health situation. Some people have pre-existing conditions requiring higher levels of specialized care. Others may have expensive prescription drugs. That’s why it’s important to view healthcare costs with a grain of salt.
Overall, Pennsylvania is a healthy state with good healthcare resources and access. Here’s how much a trip to the doctor’s office will cost in different cities around the state:
- Erie: $124
- Scranton: $77
- Pittsburgh: $97.25
- Philadelphia: $137.50
- Allentown: $110.10
You’ll be paying the most for a doctor’s visit in Philly, followed by Erie and then, Allentown. Rates are the cheapest in Scranton. Pittsburgh is a good middle point, and it’s also a great city to live in for quality healthcare. With 68 different universities and colleges in the area, Pittsburgh is home to numerous top-notch medical schools. With such excellent training programs, city hospitals are nationally ranked for the quality of their care. The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center is especially notable. So, while costs aren’t the cheapest in Pittsburgh, the quality of care is top-rate.
Here’s how healthcare costs in these different cities stack up to the national average.
- Scranton is 11.8 percent below the national average
- Pittsburgh is 4.3 percent below the national average
- Philadelphia is 2.8 percent below the national average
- Erie is 1.1 percent below the national average
- Allentown is 0.2 percent below the national average
Average healthcare costs in Scranton are the cheapest. The $77 doctor’s co-pay is evidence of that. But going to the dentist is more expensive in Scranton, costing $107. The lowest rate for a dental check-up is $94 in Philly. This is why healthcare averages don’t always tell the full story.
Pennsylvania goods and services prices
When determining a monthly budget, it’s important to always factor in miscellaneous goods and services in the cost of living in Pennsylvania. This nebulous cost of living category encompasses regular spending on things not related to housing, groceries or other costs of living categories. This includes things like going to get a haircut or seeing a movie.
Let’s see how those goods and services costs stack up to the national average:
- Pittsburgh is 4.5 percent below the national average
- Erie is 2.8 percent below the national average
- Scranton is 0.9 percent below the national average
- Philadelphia is 1.3 percent above the national average
- Allentown is 5.3 percent above the national average
Compared to the national average, Allentown is the most expensive city for miscellaneous goods and services. But individual costs can vary by city. Getting your haircut in Allentown costs $20.50. But in Scranton, it’s $25.75. If you need to go to the dry cleaners, it’s the most expensive in Erie, costing $15.60. But in Philly, it’s $12.70.
With their safe neighborhoods, good schools and fun assortment of family-friendly attractions and activities, Pennsylvania cities and towns are great places to raise a family. If you plan on moving your family to Pennsylvania, you’ll need to consider childcare costs. Allentown comes out on top for the most expensive childcare, with a month of private preschool or kindergarten costing $2,000 per child. Erie and Scranton are the cheapest at $500 and $800.
Taxes in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania’s statewide sales tax is 6 percent. To put that into perspective, for every $1,000 you spend on Philly cheesesteaks, you’re paying an extra $60 in tax.
Some counties and cities around Pennsylvania levy additional sales tax while others do not.
- Erie has a combined tax of 6 percent
- Scranton has a combined tax of 6 percent
- Pittsburgh has a combined tax of 7 percent
- Philadelphia has a combined tax of 8 percent
- Allentown has a combined tax of 6 percent
Most of our highlighted cities stick to the statewide rate. The city where you’ll be paying the most sales tax is Philadelphia. Instead of $60, you’ll be paying $80 in tax for every $1,000 you spend. That’s a lot towards your cost of living in Pennsylvania.
How much do I need to earn to live in Pennsylvania?
Now that we’ve seen how Pennsylvania’s cost of living breaks down throughout the state, it’s time to figure out if it’s the right fit for you and your budget. It’s recommended that you only spend 30 percent of your gross money income on housing.
The average rent in Pennsylvania is $1,642. That means that you need to earn $5,473 per month or $65,676 annually to adhere to the 30 percent rule. That’s pretty darn close to Pennsylvania’s median household income of $63,627.
This rent calculator can help you crunch some numbers to see which Pennsylvania city or town fits your budget.
Living in Pennsylvania
The overall cost of living in Pennsylvania’s cities and towns is usually cheaper than the national average, if not close to the national average. By being neither too expensive nor too cheap, living here is open and accessible to a variety of renters, homeowners and budgets. Plus, living in Pennsylvania allows you to take full advantage of all the state’s benefits, such as pristine nature and fun sports.
Related articles
The Cost of Living Index comes from coli.org.
The rent information included in this summary is based on a calculation of multifamily rental property inventory on Rent. as of June 2022. Rent prices are for illustrative purposes only. This information does not constitute a pricing guarantee or financial advice related to the rental market.
Source: rent.com
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The U.S. has become a nation of side hustlers and freelancers. With an uncertain economy, nearly 50% of Americans engage in side hustles for extra money, and as of this year, 73.3 million freelancers are working in the U.S.
The gig economy, which allows individuals and companies to hire independent workers for short-term projects, is one area of the economy that is still consistently growing.
With gig work on the rise, platforms that seek to connect gig workers and those looking for their services have sprung up. One such platform is the Steady App, which strives to put all gig and flexible work opportunities in one place.
Read on to learn about the Steady App and how to increase your cash flow through Steady gig opportunities.
What is the Steady App?
More than ever, people are looking for flexible ways to make money outside their nine-to-fives, and Steady has sought to fill that demand with its free mobile app.
Launched in 2018 as a fintech startup backed by NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal, the Steady App consolidates gigs and side hustle opportunities in one easy-to-use app. Users can filter their job search by type depending on availability and flexibility and begin browsing opportunities.
In addition to the free app, Steady members can join the optional Steady premium plan for just $1.99 monthly and access additional benefits. These benefits include income comparisons, access to the highest-paying job listings, financial data recording, and more.
Even though the premium plan costs $1.99 a month, the additional features should help you easily earn more in the long run and thus is likely worth it for serious gig workers and side hustlers.
Ways to Earn Through the Steady App
There are three main ways users can earn money through the Steady App, with the primary mode being through completing jobs.
Jobs
Steady App users can filter their search according to five different job types:
- Recently Added
- Work from Home
- Anytime
- Part-Time
- Full-Time
As the name suggests, the Recently Added category is for brand-new gigs and opportunities to the app. Also self-explanatory is the Work from Home category, which includes remote customer service, writing, tutoring, and other similar jobs.
The Anytime category is for those looking for flexible jobs you can work whenever you’re available. When searching this category, you’ll take a quick survey to help narrow down options with questions about your desired hours, location, licenses, certifications, etc.
There are also many full- and part-time options for those looking for steadier work opportunities. Examples include local opportunities in caregiving, hospitality, retail, and much more.
Another neat feature of the app is that it will curate jobs it thinks you may be interested in based on the information you’ve fed the app. Simply click on “Jobs for You” to see your personalized recommendations.
Most hourly jobs listed are in the $15 to $25 per hour range.
Grants
For those experiencing financial hardship, the Steady App offers grant opportunities that you can apply for directly in the app. Of course, filling out an application doesn’t guarantee a grant, but Steady reports on its site that it’s paid out $4 million in emergency cash grants to members thus far.
Income Boosters
Finally, there is an Income Boosters section of the Steady App with recommendations for Steady partners offering sign-up bonuses and other cash incentives for trying products or signing up for services. These include bank accounts, loan products, and various services like DoorDash.
How to Get Started with the Steady App
The Steady App is free for iOS and Android users, and it’s easy to get signed up and search for gigs.
Once you’ve downloaded the app, you’ll need to set up your free account using your name, email, and phone number. Then, choose a password, link your bank account, and you’re all set.
Next, you’ll need to complete your profile by answering several questions. These questions help to curate opportunities to your specifications. Questions include:
- Type of work you want
- Where you want to work
- Your highest level of education
- Your job experience
- Your availability
- Your modes of transportation
Once your profile is complete, you can search for thousands of opportunities within the abovementioned categories. In addition to searching within job categories, users can also filter by location, posted date, industry, and pay.
How to Apply for Gigs on the Steady App
Similar to getting started, applying for jobs on the Steady App is also straightforward. Simply hit apply and follow the link to apply or register with the third party offering the job. Once you’ve applied, communication will come from the third party advertising the job listing, not the Steady App.
How Much Can You Make with the Steady App?
How much you earn with the Steady App will depend on which jobs you qualify for and how much you choose to work. However, the average Steady user makes around $5,500 a year in extra income.
Just note that Steady charges a 10% commission on money made through the app.
Who Should Use Steady?
The Steady App is ideal for anyone looking to earn extra money on the side. The app is an excellent option for students, freelancers, teachers, independent contractors, and similar individuals looking for flexible work.
The app is also great for those looking for regular part or full-time income opportunities.
Steady App Reviews
A common question about apps like Steady is whether or not they are legit. Not only is Steady a legitimate platform, but the app also has very positive reviews.
Steady Pros and Cons
As with any product or platform, there are benefits and drawbacks.
Pros
- It’s free to sign up and use the app
- Quick and easy signup
- Easy to filter and find job opportunities that work for you and your situation
- Curated job opportunities all in one place
- Access to multiple earning opportunities through jobs, income boosts, and grants
- You can easily link your bank account for direct deposit of earnings
- Easy to manage your income using the income tracker tool
Cons
- You will need to continually apply for gigs
- You must pay $1.99 a month to access premium features
- Pay isn’t always listed
- Search filters tend to favor the same types of jobs
- No budgeting features to help users manage expenses and overall budget
Other Options
Steady seeks to put all the best gigs and freelance opportunities in one place, along with opportunities for part and full-time jobs. However, Steady isn’t the only place freelancers and gig workers can find these types of jobs.
Here are a few other apps like Steady and a brief overview of each.
TaskRabbit
TaskRabbit is another platform that connects gig workers with opportunities. Called Taskers, the app connects users looking to earn money with individuals who need help completing various tasks.
These tasks could be as simple as running errands or more complicated, like assembling furniture and home repairs. Other common tasks include driving, moving help, and painting.
Taskers set their rates and get paid when they complete the task.
FlexJobs
If you’re looking for remote, flexible job opportunities, then FlexJobs is a great place to look. In business since 2007, FlexJobs is a low-cost subscription service for those looking for high-quality remote work. The jobs advertised include part-time hours, freelance work, and remote or home opportunities. In addition, they verify and screen all job opportunities to ensure they are legitimate.
Aside from finding viable, high-quality jobs, members of FlexJobs also have access to Q&A sessions, webinars, job fairs, skills tests, mock interviews, and resource articles. In addition, subscribers can also access discounted career coaching and resume reviews to enhance their ability to land quality jobs.
FlexJobs offers the choice of a weekly, monthly, quarterly, or yearly subscription, so there is an option that works for almost any job-seeking situation.
Fiverr and Upwork
Fiverr and Upwork are both online marketplaces for freelancers looking for remote gigs. If you have writing, editing, and graphic design skills or can work as a virtual assistant, these sites are a great place to find freelance work. However, these sites operate differently because clients respond to your advertisements rather than you applying for job postings.
Sign up for free, create a profile, list your services, and set your price so potential clients can begin searching and hire you for their jobs.
DoorDash
DoorDash is yet another option for gig workers looking for a flexible schedule. While DoorDash differs in that it doesn’t have as wide a range of job types, there is quite a bit of flexibility.
DoorDash connects food delivery jobs to those willing to deliver the (Dashers). Now available in 5,500 cities, Dashers can deliver their goods by car, on a bike or scooter, or even by walking if close enough. Signing up is simple, and once approved, Dashers can work when they want and can choose to accept or decline jobs that come through the app.
Instacart
Instacart is similar to DoorDash, except, in this case, you’re shopping for and possibly delivering groceries.
There are two types of Instacart shoppers: full-service and in-store shoppers. Full-service shoppers compile the order in the store and deliver the groceries to the customer’s home. In-store shoppers select the items in the store but do not deliver them to the customer. Thus, anyone can be an in-store shopper.
If you love shopping and want a flexible schedule or a side gig, Instacart may be an excellent option.
Rover
Not into shopping or delivery services? There are still some great options for flexible side gigs, including Rover. Rover is a platform that connects pet sitters or walkers to those who need those services. You can sign up to walk dogs, pet sit for owners out of town, or both. So if you love animals and are looking for a side hustle you can fit into your schedule, Rover is a great option.
Steady App: Final Thoughts
The gig economy has been steadily growing, and the pandemic has only fueled the desire and demand for flexible work.
With free membership and the most extensive collection of freelance and gig jobs, the Steady App is an excellent platform for anyone looking for flexible work. While you’ll see full-time job options on Steady, the platform is ideal for those looking for side hustles and flexibility.
The average member earns an extra $5,500 annually, so sign up today, boost your earning potential, and start putting more money in your pocket.
About the Author
Source: financequickfix.com
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Inside: Are you moving into your first apartment? Planning a move can be daunting, but with this checklist, everything will be ready for your bed and bathroom you arrive. From a mattress, pots and towels to cleaning supplies and furniture, this list has it all. This is a huge deal!
Moving into your first apartment is an exciting time!
You’re finally out on your own, and you get to decorate and furnish your space however you want.
But before you can start shopping for all the cute home décor, there’s one very important task that needs to be taken care of first: creating a First Apartment Checklist.
This comprehensive checklist will ensure that you don’t forget any essential items when furnishing your new place. From kitchen supplies to bathroom necessities, we’ve got you covered.
So what are you waiting for? Let’s get started!
My First Apartment Mistakes
Moving into your first apartment indeed marks an exciting milestone in life.
However, it is also a moment of awakening when realizing that filling the apartment with all the necessities is not child’s play. My lesson learned the hard way.
It requires great planning and acute mindfulness of one’s budget. While the thrill of setting up your own place can easily lead to overspending, it’s important to keep the budget in check and be judicious about your purchases.
Here are some aspects to consider:
- It’s easy to forget that there’s a huge list of big and small things you’ll still need to buy to fully equip your space. However, the keyword here is “need” and not “want”. I should have been better at differentiating between what is absolutely necessary for your immediate living situations and what can be procured later.
- Define what you can spend right away by considering the moving costs and other related expenses. After setting the budget, the next most important step is to stick with it. You will be tempted to stretch your limit, but remember that financial restraint is key.
- Moreover, remember that you don’t need to get everything right away, certain things can wait. Spend wisely, and stick to immediate needs. You might be surprised to find out that some items you thought were essential, in fact, can be comfortably lived without.
Your home is meant to give comfort, not financial stress.
The above statement is a lesson that stick with you for a long while. Keeping track of your expenses and making wise decisions can help establish your first apartment without breaking the bank.
Learn is $5000 enough to move out?
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Big Items for Your First Apartment Checklist
You’re finally out of your parents’ house and ready to start your own life. Congrats!
This is an important step when you want to move out at 18.
Moving into a new place is both exciting and daunting. To help you make sure you have everything you need for your new digs, we’ve put together a first apartment checklist of all the big items you’ll need to buy.
This is where to focus your money or look to find free items.
1. Mattress
Living in your first apartment?
Do not underestimate the importance of a good mattress.
It’s the foundation for quality sleep, which is crucial for your health and daily performance. Investing in one is non-negotiable even if budget is a constraint.
Personally, this. is the one item I would say to buy new! Thankfully you can find affordable mattresses now.
2. Bed Frame & Headboard
You may be tempted to skip the bed frame in your first apartment, but it’s a key piece that offers myriad benefits.
In full honesty, I didn’t get a headboard for my mattress until well after I was married. But, it was one small thing that made me happy.
Popular bed frame options vary in price from $60 for a simple metal frame to over $200 for wooden or upholstered models. Make sure to evaluate your needs and budget before buying.
3. Couch
Your first apartment is exciting, and the right couch can really set the tone. It’s not only a seating arrangement but also a place for relaxing, entertaining, and unleashing your personality.
When setting up your first apartment, you might be conflicted about whether to buy a new couch or look for a used one. Here are some factors to consider:
For those living by themselves:
- A new couch can be a significant investment, but it is worth the cost if you value personal comfort, hygiene, and aesthetics.
- Utilize discount stores to find quality furniture that is within your budget. A new couch often comes with warranties or protection plans that can give you peace of mind for any potential repairs or damages.
- Investigate measurements and delivery options thoroughly to ensure your new couch comfortably fits your apartment layout.
If you are planning to live with a roommate:
- You can consider getting a used couch. This is a great way to cut costs during a time when budgeting and saving money are important.
- To make sure the couch you’re acquiring is clean and pest-free, buy or get it for free from trusted sources. Friends or family are often the best people to approach when looking for used furniture.
- Look into garage sales or online platforms like Craigslist for options. However, always inspect the couch thoroughly before purchasing it from these sources.
Whether you choose new or used, ensure that the couch fulfills your needs.
4. End Tables and Lamps
End tables and lamps are essentials you need in your first apartment. They offer functionality along with a touch of class to your space.
There are many reasons why they should be on every first apartment checklist.
- Versatility: Side tables can be used in various ways, from serving as a coffee holder, providing a place for books and magazines, or showcasing photo frames and indoor plants. It can also function as an extension of your workspace when you need to create an impromptu office setup.
- Convenience: Having a side table next to your bed or sofa allows you to have important items within easy reach. This may include your phone charger, eyeglasses, or remote controls.
- Decorative Value: Side tables contribute to the aesthetic appeal of your living space. They come in different styles, shapes, and designs that can complement various types of interior décor themes.
More than likely with lamps, you will notice where you need them the most after you move. So, it is okay to wait and buy them.
5. Dining Room Table
Your first apartment isn’t complete without a dining room table. It’s the multi-tasking hero of your living space, essential for meals, socializing, and possibly working or studying.
Finding the right dining room table for your apartment can be a fun and rewarding experience. However, it may be daunting for some, given the myriad of options available in the market.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you find your ideal fit:
- Determine the Size Needed: The first step in finding the right dining room table is to measure the space it will occupy. Knowing the size helps narrow down the options and ensures a comfortable fit. Consider the number of people you plan on hosting on a regular basis – that should dictate the size of the table you need.
- Consider the Shape: Dining tables come in various shapes, including square, rectangle, round, and oval. Identifying the shape that suits your space and lifestyle is crucial. Rectangular tables are the most common, but circular ones are great for maintaining an intimate dining experience, while an oval one can be a middle ground between a square and a round table.
- Decide on Style: Whether you lean more towards a modern, contemporary, or rustic look, there are countless styles of dining tables to choose from. Ensure that the style of the table resonates with the rest of your home decor for a harmonious look.
Remember, choosing the right dining table is a balance of both form and function. Considering these aspects will surely help you find the dining room table that fits your lifestyle and space.
A good friend of mine had great luck finding a dining room table at a Restore resale shop. Something to definitely check out!
6. Kitchenware
Moving into your first apartment often comes with the challenge of equipping your kitchen efficiently.
To help guide you in making thoughtful purchases without breaking the bank, here are some important kitchen items you should consider investing in.
- Basic Cooking Equipment: A Starter kitchen at the bare minimum requires at least two pots and a frying pan. These should be supplemented with necessary cooking utensils like a ladle, spatula, whisk, etc. You also need a high-quality knife set, at least one cutting board, and measuring cups and spoons to help you prepare and portion your meals accurately.
- Food Storage & Serving Items: Get microwave-safe food storage containers to store leftovers efficiently. Additionally, invest in a good set of plates, bowls, glasses, and coffee mugs.
- Countertop Appliances: While these can be a bit costly, consider getting a microwave, an InstantPot, and a coffee maker. These can vastly simplify and speed up your daily meal prep.
These are the basic items for a minimalistic kitchen.
7. Patio Furniture
Patio furniture can be an excellent cost-effective addition to your first apartment. Often overlooked, patio furniture can provide advantages for a first-time tenant:
Getting patio furniture as hand-me-downs or buying used ones can save you lots of expenses.
Plus patio furniture can be easily refurbished or painted to match your apartment’s interior design. You can showcase your creativity and add a personal touch without spending much.
8. Grill
One must-have in your first apartment is undoubtedly a grill. Nothing beats the flavor of a good grill and it’s perfect for friendly gatherings or quiet evenings.
Having a grill can add a sense of fun and adventure to your living situation. It allows for new culinary experiences and outdoor entertaining, especially during warmer months when you can have a delightful barbecue party in your yard or balcony.
Grilling can also act as a social catalyst. Whether it’s a relaxed summer evening cookout with neighbors or a gathering of friends for a sporting event, grilling can bring people together in a fun and casual way.
Thanks to websites like Craigslist, eBay, and Facebook Marketplace, second-hand grills in good condition are often available locally and at a much lower cost than brand-new grills.
9. Storage Items
Stepping into your first apartment, huh? The organization will be your closest ally.
Crisp and neat storage items can help you stay clutter-free and make your space feel like home.
This is something I would wait to buy until you are in your space and know what you need. There are so many storage ideas and organization items.
10. Decor
Making your first apartment feel like home is both exciting and challenging. Decor plays a crucial role, transforming an empty space into a cozy, personal refuge.
You want the decor to reflect your style, but the cost may be more than you can afford.
Enter thrift shopping for some of your favorite items.
You can always splurge on that one item you want!
How do I prepare for my first apartment?
Getting your first apartment can be incredibly thrilling, but let us guide you through a smooth transition.
Before making any purchases, it’s critical to create a budget that takes into account moving costs and other associated expenses.
Additionally, make a checklist of essential items to ensure a smooth move, but remember to prioritize immediate needs as some items may not be necessary initially.
Being prepared and methodical about your approach can help significantly in making your first apartment feel like home. It’s all about spending wisely and sticking to your plan.
First Apartment Checklist for Bedroom
Ready to move into your first apartment and need help setting up your bedroom?
This checklist will ensure you won’t miss any essentials.
- Bed: Choose a full or queen-size bed to maximize space.
- Mattress: Select the right firmness for your sleep style. Don’t forget a mattress pad and bedding.
- Nightstand: You need this to place essentials like a reading lamp and a glass of water.
- Dresser: An essential piece of furniture for your clothing storage.
- Lamp: A softer lighting option for your bedroom. Don’t forget light bulbs!
- Closet Organizers: Invest in baskets or cloth storage cubes for easy organization.
- Desk and Chair: A small workspace if your room allows. Opt for a stool or folding chair to save money.
Remember every space is unique, tailor this list to your needs and budget.
First Apartment Checklist for Kitchen
As you embark on your solo living adventure, setting up your kitchen shouldn’t be a brain tease.
Here’s a lifesaver list of must-haves:
Remember, your kitchen is not just for cooking, but for hosting toasts and storing eats. Cheers to your new apartment kitchen!
First Apartment Checklist for Living Room
When setting up your first apartment living room, remember to shop for these essential items:
- A Cool Lamp or Two: Lighting is crucial. Pick unique lamps that add both light and character to your space.
- Side Tables: Grab a couple; these provide additional surfaces for decorations or mugs of tea.
- Storage Solutions: Think TV cabinets or bookshelves where you can neatly store your belongings.
- Extra Seating: More seats for more guests.
- Window Treatments: Curtains or blinds not only offer privacy but can also tie a room together.
- Decorative Pillows and Throw Blankets: For aesthetics and comfort.
- Decor Items: This includes wall art, picture frames, coffee table books, houseplants, candles and vases. Make your space you.
Be smart in your selections, ensuring each item marries functionality with aesthetics. Holistic harmony is key in a living space.
Technology for Your First Apartment
In today’s digital era, modern apartments are nearly incomplete without a range of essential tech items.
These add convenience, entertainment, and a sense of security to your cozy abode.
- Smart TV: This is essential for entertainment and relaxation. It can be a source of news, sports, movies, and shows that make your apartment a much more enjoyable living space.
- Roku Stick: If you opt for a basic TV, then these devices enable you to stream content like Netflix, YouTube, and Hulu directly to your TV. This is much needed if you prefer digital streaming over traditional network channels.
- Computer / Laptop: This is useful for work, learning, entertainment, and communications in the current digital era. It helps you stay connected to the world and perform various tasks easily.
- Wifi Router: A Wi-Fi router is a must-have in this age as it provides an internet connection for all your devices. It enables you to stay connected to the world, shop from home, stream entertainment, or work remotely.
- Chargers: Chargers for phones, laptops, and other electronics are essential. They keep your devices powered up and ready for use at any moment.
- Speakers: They enhance your entertainment experience by providing high-quality sound for music, TV shows, and movies. They can also be useful for work or study, for instance when participating in video conferences or online courses.
Thankfully prices have dropped significantly on TVs since I bought my first one!
First Apartment Checklist for Bathroom
One key area to consider is your bathroom – it’s essential to have all the basis to make your daily routines smooth and simple. Here’s what you’ll need:
Cleaning Your First Apartment
Ready to take that first crucial clean sweep in your very first apartment? Here’s how you’ll nail it!
Start with unpacking your cleaning essentials, preferably even before you start arranging your furniture. This will make it easier to spot dust, stains, and dirty spots that are usually hidden.
Now, let’s dig into your basic apartment clean-up kit:
Honestly, these frugal green items are perfect to keep things clean and on budget.
Things you need for an apartment that you wouldn’t think of
Moving into your first apartment is an exciting milestone, but it’s also full of small details that are easy to overlook.
Some essential items might not make it on your moving checklist, leaving you scrambling on your first day in your new place.
- Basic Handyman Tools: A Leatherman or small toolkit is essential for assembling furniture and making minor repairs.
- Hangers: You’ll need more of these than you think for your wardrobe.
- Extension cords and surge strips: You’ll need these to plug in all your electronics in spaces with limited outlets.
- Drawer organizers: Helps keep your belongings categorized and easy to find. Especially important in small spaces where efficient storage is key.
- Flashlight: You never know when a power outage may happen. A flashlight is a crucial tool for safety and navigation in the dark.
- Batteries: Handy for various gadgets like remote controls, flashlights, and smoke detectors.
- First aid kit: Accidents can happen anywhere, and having a first aid kit handy can make dealing with minor injuries easier and more efficient.
- Light bulbs: Essential for maintaining good lighting in your apartment. You don’t want to be left in the dark when a bulb burns out.
- Matches and/or lighters: Useful not only for candles and gas stoves but also a necessity in case of a power outage.
- Pen and paper: Although we live in a digital age, pen, and paper are still handy for jotting down quick notes, lists, or reminders.
- Fire Extinguisher: Better to be safe than sorry!
- Carbon Monoxide Detector: Extremely important to have in your apartment
- Duct Tape: It solves every DIY project – while almost any.
- Security Cameras: It bums me out completely to add this to the list, but in today’s society it is a must-have.
Renter’s insurance is instrumental for various reasons
It provides financial protection in case of unforeseen circumstances like theft, damage due to disasters like fires, or liability if someone gets hurt in your apartment.
Additionally, considering the value of electronics, furniture, clothing, and other personal belongings, investing in renter’s insurance helps safeguard one’s possessions, making it invaluable, especially for first-time renters.
How do I budget for my first apartment?
Managing your expenses while moving into your first apartment is crucial since it’s usually an expensive endeavor with many large and small essentials needed to fully complete your home.
Having a budget not only helps you to control your finances effectively but also assists in prioritizing immediate needs, avoiding unnecessary items, and managing moving costs and related expenses.
Step 1: Make a Budget
Budgeting is, unquestionably, a crucial strategy to manage your personal finances efficiently, particularly while setting up a new apartment.
- Begin by detailing your annual net income.
- Subsequently, list down all your essential expenditures, such as food, household supplies, phone bills, car payments, credit card bills, clothing, transportation costs, internet charges, healthcare expenses, school loans, and entertainment.
- Don’t forget to add a section for “miscellaneous” to cover any unanticipated expenses.
- Make sure your expenses are less than your income.
While rent will be your biggest expense, you want to make sure you can truly afford the amount without going broke.
If you observe that your expenses are relatively high, it’s time to analyze your spending patterns and cut down on unnecessary spending.
Step 2: Save Money
Saving money and living frugally requires strategic thinking and discipline.
Honestly, the simplest thing you can do is to set aside 20% of your income each paycheck. That will ensure you are on your way to becoming financially independent.
Simply remember, frugal living doesn’t equate to deprivation, it’s about making informed choices to optimize your resources.
The 100 envelope challenge is extremely popular!
Step 3: Start a Side Hustle
Side hustles can be a flexible and rewarding way to supplement your income, and they’ve become much more popular in recent years.
Manage your time wisely and ensure the side hustle is something you enjoy or are passionate about. It should be a source of additional income without causing stress or burnout.
Here are ways to make money online for beginners.
First Apartment Tips
Embarking on the journey of renting your first apartment can be both exciting and daunting, hence having some essential tips can be quite handy.
1. Make a list of apartment essentials
A list of apartment essentials plays a crucial role, particularly for first-time movers.
The benefits and significance cannot be overstated. Here’s why:
- Prevents Overspending: Moving into a new apartment is already expensive. There are lease deposits, rent due, utility set-ups, and other hidden expenditures that can easily catch first-time movers off guard. Having a list of apartment essentials can keep your spending in check, ensuring that you only purchase what’s necessary and avoid unnecessary or impulsive purchases.
- Minimizes Stress: The task of moving can be overwhelming, and missing essential items only adds to the stress. A well-thought-out list can not only help you keep track of what you’ve already acquired but also what you need to purchase or source.
- Ensures You’re Prepared and Organized: By carefully creating an apartment checklist, you’re ensuring that you have everything you need in your new home, from cleaning supplies and toilet paper to the necessary items for your furry friends.
- Saves Time: A concise and focused list saves you time by clearly stating what needs to be acquired, allowing you to focus on other important matters related to the move.
Follow this approach, and you’ll have a comfy, well-equipped apartment in no time.
2. Consider your budget
Experts advise rent shouldn’t exceed 25-30% of your income. But, don’t forget to include your other costs like food, bills, loans, etc
Remember, your dream apartment isn’t worth it if it’s a financial nightmare. Think smart, save hard, and enjoy your new home’s comforts without breaking the bank.
Learn the ideal household percentages.
3. Research apartments
Researching apartments requires careful consideration of numerous factors such as the proximity to vital facilities like workplaces, grocery stores, hospitals, and entertainment joints.
Try to physically tour potential residences where possible to examine amenities and gauge the atmosphere of the neighborhood.
Don’t forget to make inquiries and view the apartment personally or through a floor plan, all these will help you make a wise decision.
4. Check apartment listings for features and amenities
When searching for the perfect apartment, consider features and amenities that align with your lifestyle.
If there is a sym space, you could eliminate your monthly gym membership.
Just make sure the cost of the upgraded amenities is worth the price tag.
While checking apartment listings, ensure to evaluate the location, amenities, available space, and physical integrity.
5. Think about the size and layout of the apartment
Understanding the size and layout of your new apartment is crucial before you start styling and furnishing it.
Acquire a floor plan from the apartment management, and if possible, tour the apartment physically to note the positioning of rooms, doorways, hallways, and stairwells. Take measurements of these areas and visualize the kind of furniture and fixtures they can accommodate fittingly, taking into account maneuverability around corners as well.
Moving to your first apartment is exciting, yet demands careful consideration of the size and layout.
6. Look for apartments with good security
When you’re hunting for your next apartment, don’t forget to check out its security features. This is crucial for your peace of mind.
- Ensure the apartment is in a safe neighborhood, close to amenities like hospitals or public transport.
- Ask if the apartment complex has features like controlled access gates, security guards, and CCTV surveillance.
- Check the apartment for proper alarm systems, well-functioning locks on doors and windows, and that fire safety measures are in place.
- Verify the cell phone reception inside the apartment for any emergency calls.
- Lastly, always ensure that the parking area is secure and well-lit.
Remember, your apartment isn’t just a place, it’s your sanctuary. It should feel like one, too.
7. Make sure you get a good deal
Before signing a lease, it’s crucial to ensure the rent price is a good deal.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median gross rent from 2015-2019 was approximately $1,097 per month.
8. Talk to the management and make sure you understand the rules
Get to grips with your apartment’s rules by thoroughly reading your lease. Take note of any restrictions, and don’t fear to ask for clarifications. Data indicates that understanding lease terms significantly reduces tenant-landlord conflicts.
It is important you understand your lease as it is a binding contract.
First Apartment Checklist PDF
Moving into your first apartment is exciting but daunting. The First Apartment Checklist PDF helps simplify the process.
Take it at your own pace—don’t rush. This is your journey to your new home. Enjoy!
FAQ
Now Get Moving with your Apartment Shopping List!
In conclusion, creating and managing a first apartment checklist requires a judicious mix of prudence and patience.
It’s an exciting journey of setting up your first independent space but it’s also a test of properly managing your resources without compromising on your basic needs.
It’s crucial to remember that you do not need to get everything at once, and it’s okay to take your time to gradually fill your apartment.
Remember, be mindful of your budget and prioritize based on your specific needs and preferences.
And don’t forget, you’re not just setting up an apartment, you’re creating your own unique sanctuary.
With patience and careful planning, you’ll soon have an apartment that’s not only functionally equipped but also a reflection of your personal style. The experience, in the end, will prove to be as rewarding as it is educational.
Source: moneybliss.org
Apache is functioning normally
If you grew up in the 90s as I did, you likely watched Father Of the Bride, erm, let’s say more than a handful of times.
I’m also willing to bet that, while you sat there admiring Annie’s eternally bouncy curls with utter certainty that stonewashed mom jeans and layered turtleneck sweaters would never go out of style, you also dreamt about growing up in a home as warm and welcoming, (not to mention downright huge) as the Banks’ house.
To be fair, Annie’s outfits have come full circle and are once again considered the height of cool-girl fashion. As for our love of that fairytale family home, you’re not the only one still pining to step inside over 30 years later.
To this day it remains one of the most searched-for movie houses on the internet and after a quick re-watch (or three) since the film joined Disney+, I was instantly reminded why.
It also got its fair share of recognition in the 1991 movie that starred Steve Martin as George Banks, Diane Keaton as Nina Banks, Kimberly Williams-Paisley as Annie, Kieran Culkin as Matty, and Steve Martin’s Only Murders in the Building co-star Martin Short as the eccentric wedding planner extraordinaire Franck Eggelhoffer.
Steve Martin’s character, George, proudly boasted that “I love this house. I love that I taught my kids to ride their bikes in the driveway. I love that I slept with them in tents in the backyard. I love that we carved our initials in the tree out front. This house is warm in the winter, cool in the summer, and looks spectacular with Christmas lights. It’s a great house, and I never want to move.” Safe to say that if we lived at the Banks’ house, we’d stay put too!
So, is the Father of the Bride house real? Can we go visit it? And, most importantly, can we too carve our initials on the tree out front?
Probably a firm no on that last one but in answer to the rest, I’ve done some digging and finally know everything I’ve ever wondered about this heart-warmingly nostalgic home. And spoiler alert, it’s not in San Marino, where Steve Martin’s character, George Banks, said it was.
“We live in a small town in Southern California called San Marino. I love this town and not just because it’s the kind of place where people still smile at each other. But because it hasn’t changed much in the past 25 years.”
Is the ‘Father of the Bride’ house real?
Yes, the Father of The Bride House is absolutely real! However, as it turns out, they actually used two homes to bring the movie together. The first, built in 1913, was used to film interior scenes and features as the front of the home that George pulls up to at the beginning of the movie.
“This is our house, 24 Maple Drive”
It has an incredible total of 8 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms and remains as charming today as it was back in the early 90s.
Though the true address isn’t quite as pretty sounding as 24 Maple Drive, it is, as George says, located in California. You’ll find the house looking just as dreamy as you’ve always remembered it at 843 El Molino Avenue in Pasadena, California.
It’s a private residence of course so any trips there should be respectful and discreet, making sure not to trespass on the property or disturb residents and neighbors. There’s been plenty of that in the past; according to betweennapsontheporch.com, the young couple who purchased the property shortly after the movie was made even had people ringing their doorbell and asking for a tour.
However, if you’re noticing that the first house doesn’t have those same iconic pink flower-lined white picket fences you remember from the movie, that’s because they were constructed especially (and temporarily) for the film.
The new owners had them taken out and replaced with new ones when they moved in.
The second house was used to shoot scenes for Annie and Bryan’s backyard wedding.
A Colonial home built in 1925, that property boasts 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, and almost half an acre of land. There’s also a partly furnished basement, a working fireplace, and a parking spot outside to keep the family car in. No mention of a basketball hoop (or swans in the bathtub) of course but I like to think the owners have one!
House #2, the wedding house, it’s also in California and stands at 500 N Almansor St, Alhambra.
“I’ll be honest with you. When I bought this house 17 years ago it cost less than this blessed event in which Annie Banks Became Annie Banks McKenzie.”
A lot has changed since 1992 when Father of the Bride first hit theatres. Not least the cost of huge five-bedroom houses with white picket fences and beautifully landscaped backyards.
So, three decades on and, sadly, more in the know about the cost of real estate, I couldn’t help but wonder just how much the Father of the Bride house would set you back today. Zillow had the answer. Though it’s currently off the market, they estimate that the iconic 4,339 square-foot house is worth over 3.5 million dollars!
And, if you’re hoping the house used for the backyard wedding scenes might be more reasonable, you’re in luck… kind of. Also off the market, Zillow estimates this equally striking family home’s worth at around the 2.5 million dollar mark. It was last sold in 2016 for $1.998 million.
I’m suddenly considering giving up writing in pursuit of owning my own cook nook or perhaps an athletic shoe company!
Featured image: The real-life house featured on “Father of the Bride”, photo credit: Peter M. CC BY-SA 2.0 via Flickr
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Source: fancypantshomes.com
Apache is functioning normally
Michigan is a special state. It’s not too big and not too small, yet four great lakes touch it. You can get to Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron and Lake Erie all without crossing a state border. That spells out plenty of water-based, outdoor activity for sure, but that’s only one feature of this affordable state.
Michigan’s cost of living is relatively reasonable, with plenty of pockets geared toward those working with a smaller budget. Basically, you have options when eyeing Michigan as your next home, but to make sure everything adds up, let’s look at the data.
By examining the averages within a variety of cost of living categories, you can get an idea of the real dollars and cents you need to call Michigan home. Will your budget stand up? Let’s check these categories out:
Michigan housing prices
The cost of living in Michigan for housing hit every point on the grid. You’ll find areas that slightly exceed the national average, come in a bit under and hit way below. That means there’s housing for everyone, at an affordable price point.
Detroit
Still rebounding from the hit it took during the last recession, Detroit today is all about small, tight-knit communities that give the area a welcoming feel. Housing prices are 5.1 percent above the national average, but there are plenty of classy fixer-uppers waiting for someone who wants a project.
Steeped in music and art, it’s not known as Detroit Rock City for nothing. And, as the home of Motown, this rich component to an overall intricate city history makes Detroit a great place to live.
Apartments in Detroit are actually seeing a downturn in pricing. One-bedroom apartments are down 7 percent over last year, with an average monthly rent of $1,195. Two-bedroom apartments are down even more, 18 percent over last year, with an average monthly rent of $1,575.
Home prices, on the other hand, are up 28.4. percent over last year. However, the median sale price of $95,000 is very reasonable.
Grand Rapids
As Michigan’s second-largest city, Grand Rapids combines the best of the best. The city has affordable housing prices that are 19.1 percent below the national average but isn’t without fun and culture. A growing art scene, excellent food and beer and easy access to nature keep locals busy. Grand Rapids has plenty of amenities but hasn’t yet handed in that small-town feel. It’s a great spot.
Rental prices are rising in Grand Rapids. Two-bedroom apartments are seeing the highest level of growth, up 26 percent from last year, but one-bedrooms are only slightly behind at 21 percent growth. A one-bedroom apartment rents for an average monthly cost of $1,187, while two-bedrooms are $1,467.
Home prices in the area are also experiencing growth, up 10 percent over last year. The median home sale price in Grand Rapids is $275,000.
Kalamazoo
With an eclectic and fun vibe, Kalamazoo has a lot going for it. From parks and lakes to craft beer and concerts, there’s no shortage of fun. There are also plenty of job opportunities and affordable housing. Home prices are 52.5 percent below the national average, which seems like a steal for all you get in this Western Michigan city.
Even with rent prices slowly creeping up, you should still have a lot of housing options. One-bedroom apartments, up 6 percent over last year, have an average monthly rent of $987. Two-bedroom apartments, also up 6 percent over last year, have an average monthly rent of $1,150.
Sale prices for homes are also equally reasonable. Up 10 percent over last year, the median home price in Kalamazoo is $220,000.
Michigan food prices
There are quite a few staple food items in Michigan, but the most iconic is the state’s pizza and its pasty. The pizzas are deep dish, with cheese to the very edge and toppings under the sauce. Pasty fillings include hearty ingredients like pork and potatoes, all encased in a pastry shell.
The great thing about these signature dishes is you can go out for them, or make them at home. For all those aspiring chefs, the average Michigan resident spends between $233 and $267 per month on groceries. The total grocery bill, though, varies based on average food prices.
- Kalamazoo is 22.1 percent below the national average
- Grand Rapids is 9.6 percent below the national average
- Detroit is 2.8 percent above the national average
What does this really mean? Well, at the grocery store in Kalamazoo, you’ll see ground beef for $3.52 a pound. In Detroit, that same beef will cost you $5.74, 39 percent more. Back in Kalamazoo, a loaf of bread will cost $1.55, while in Grand Rapids, that bread is $3.66, a difference of 58 percent.
Eating out in Michigan aligns the cities a little differently. In this case Detroit will give you your least expensive three-course meal for two, but only by a few dollars. This date night out in Detroit will cost $55, but in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo, the same meal will run you $57.50. All things considered, you’re going out for about the same price. Not too bad for your cost of living in Michigan for food.
Michigan utility prices
Your utilities will work hard during a Michigan winter. The average daily temperature during this time is below 41 degrees Fahrenheit. The snow season is even longer, lasting almost five months. February is the snowiest month with an average accumulation of 5.7 inches. All of this to say, make sure you live in a place with a good heater.
As a result of this lengthy winter, average utility costs are high in all three cities. They actually cluster pretty close together.
- Kalamazoo is 4 percent below the national average
- Detroit is 2.7 percent below the national average
- Grand Rapids is 1.2 percent above the national average
Hanging so close to the national average across the state can mean pricer monthly energy bills, too. Anywhere from $166 to $180 is possible based on the energy averages in our three cities.
Michigan transportation prices
Transportation prices in Michigan also run on the higher side, closer to the national average. Since the state is rather large, a car is probably a requirement. That and most cities aren’t considered walkable, though they do have walkable areas. Both Grand Rapids and Detroit have high walk scores at 63 and 59, respectively. The cities are also considered bike friendly, although this most likely isn’t the case all year round.
Looking at the combined transportation costs:
- Kalamazoo is 8.2 percent below the national average
- Grand Rapids is 6.3 percent below the national average
- Detroit is 1.6 percent above the national average
If public transportation is your strategy for cutting down on the costs of owning a car, you’re in luck, Michigan has 82 local public transit agencies across the state to help get you where you need to go.
Detroit DDOT
The Detroit Department of Transportation, or DDOT, currently runs 37 bus routes. The entire system has additional routes, but as of now, a handful of direct and express lines are temporarily suspended. In addition to this thorough bus system, there’s also the QLINE streetcar, which runs from downtown to the city’s north end hitting key stops along the Woodward Corridor.
While the streetcar is currently free to ride, DDOT passes are $14 for a seven-day pass and $50 for a 31-day pass.
Grand Rapids The Rapid
Using their city name rather appropriately, The Rapid includes an extensive list of routes with bus stops at every major point in the city. There are also two BRT lines that help commuters get across town easier.
A one-way fare is $1.75, but you have the option to get a single-day or 31-day pass. The single-day pass is $3.50, and the 31-day pass is $47.
Kalamazoo KMetro
The KMetro bus system operates 21 routes, but not all run on the weekends, so make sure you keep a schedule handy. Routes crisscross the heart of Kalamazoo and fan out in every direction, providing an extensive, local system.
A one-way fare is $1.50, and Western University students can ride free with their student ID. A monthly pass is $60, and a nine-day pass is $20.
Michigan healthcare prices
Across Michigan, healthcare prices are pretty reasonable. Every city on our list is below the national average, the only key category where that’s the case.
- Kalamazoo is 5.1 percent below the national average
- Detroit is 2.9 percent below the national average
- Grand Rapids is 1.1 percent below the national average
These rates should help keep out-of-pocket expenses low when it comes to visiting the doctor. Within our three cities, the average cost to the doc is between $110 and $120. The average cost of a trip to the dentist is between $100 and $110. And, the average eye doctor visit costs as little as $74.
Michigan goods and services prices
The cost of living in Michigan for goods and services can really make or break your budget. These are the items that you include every month, but if you had to make cuts you could. Think of them as non-essentials. Doing so makes it easier to let them go should you have a rough month.
- Grand Rapids is 15.7 percent below the national average
- Kalamazoo is 0.5 percent above the national average
- Detroit is 5.1 percent above the national average
These averages can give you an overall impression of where total costs will lay, but individually, not everything is less expensive in the city with the lowest goods and services average. That’s why it’s best to look at the specific items you’d want to budget for yourself.
Grand Rapids may have the lowest average, but it’s only got the cheapest pizza based on this chart. Kalamazoo comes out consistently on the bottom with individual prices, even though its combined prices are above the national average.
Another service that debunks the combined ratings is childcare. This is an important one, whether you need it right now or not because it adds a hefty amount to your monthly costs. Interestingly enough, the highest monthly cost for a full-day, private preschool is in Grand Rapids at $1,150, and the lowest is in Detroit at $683.33. Kalamazoo leans closer to Grand Rapids, with a monthly cost that’s only $50 lower.
Taxes in Michigan
Michigan has a flat income tax rate of 4.25 percent per individual. When it comes to sales tax, the rate is 6 percent. Localities are not allowed to add any additional sales tax to the state rate. This keeps sales tax relatively low across Michigan.
So, if you’re shopping for furniture for your new apartment, for every $1,000 you spend only $60 goes to taxes. That should lead to lower overall prices since there’s less markup required to compensate.
How much do I need to earn to live in Michigan?
It’s easy to begin calculating how much you’d need to earn to live in Michigan. Start with rent. Keep this expense around 30 percent of your overall income, so if the average rent in Michigan is $1,178 per month, you’d need a minimum salary of $47,120.
This is a manageable number given that the average annual wage in Michigan is $59,234. With that salary, you’ll have plenty left over to upgrade to some higher-end amenities if you wanted.
If you want to make sure all your numbers match up, plug them into our rent calculator for a quick check.
Living in Michigan
With a relatively affordable cost of living, plenty of professional potential, lots of lakes to enjoy and more, Michigan is a great place to live. A vibrant culture and strong sense of community mean any city within the state will get you feeling right at home quickly. All you’ve got left to do before starting to pack is ensure what you can afford aligns with the costs of Michigan living. Grab a calculator.
Related links:
The Cost of Living Index comes from coli.org.
The rent information included in this summary is based on a calculation of multifamily rental property inventory on Rent. as of June 2022.
Rent prices are for illustrative purposes only. This information does not constitute a pricing guarantee or financial advice related to the rental market.
Source: rent.com
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All the best places to live in Maine offer up something unique and special. If you’re looking for a thriving art scene, fine dining and high-end marinas, a city or even a rural area, Maine has you covered. With so many options, your next question isn’t whether or not to move to Maine, but can you afford to live there.
Looking at the cost of living in Maine can help you check average city living against your own budget and see if it’s a perfect match.
Checking prices in these specific areas can help you decide.
Maine housing prices
The largest city in Maine, Portland is one of the state’s most prestigious culinary destinations. The food scene is eclectic and delicious, set in the perfect coastal location. Rocky beaches and lighthouses abound, but there’s nothing sleepy about this northeastern city. Portland has an excellent cultural scene and many consider it a world-class destination. With the cost of living in Maine for housing 26.2 percent above the national average, paying a little extra could be worth it.
Although rent prices for one-bedroom apartments are on the rise, going up 12 percent over last year, two-bedroom rents stayed the same. They’re now only slightly above smaller units at an average of $1,950 per month. The average monthly rent for one-bedroom apartments in Portland is $1,850.
Home prices are also on the rise, although by a smaller amount. Up 7.6 percent over last year, the median home price in Portland is $570,000.
Maine food prices
There are plenty of iconic foods in Maine, but, of course, seafood tops the list. We’re talking lobster, clams and more. But, the one thing you should definitely try when in Maine is a whoopie pie (it’s the state’s official treat.) Adding whoopie pies to your grocery list won’t impact the price too much, especially when the average Maine resident spends at least $333 per month food shopping.
Although that average is on the pricer side, it makes sense. Food prices in Portland, for example, are 5.5 percent above the national average. This can make individual grocery items a bit more costly, so don’t be surprised when:
- Steak costs $16.49
- A dozen eggs cost $1.69
- One banana cost $0.56
- A loaf of bread costs $4.34
- Coffee costs $4.24
Grocery items can definitely add up, but higher-than-average food prices can also impact the cost of going out. A three-course meal, for two, in Portland, has an average cost of $82.50.
Maine utility prices
In Maine, residents don’t really feel the budgetary impact of their utility bills until winter hits. Summers are full of perfect weather conditions, with average temperatures between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. However, cold, snowy winters and temperatures between 15 and 25 degrees Fahrenheit mean big electricity, natural gas and heating oil bills. That’s a major hit to the cost of living in Maine.
In Portland, average utility prices are 8.6 percent above the national average, and the average energy bill is around $211 each month. That’s definitely on the high side, and most likely dragged up thanks to the long winter months.
Thankfully, other utility bills, like water, are relatively low. The average water bill in Maine is only $24 per month. The average internet bill is also on the low end at only $45 per month.
Maine transportation prices
While the entire state provides transportation options that include buses, trains and even ferries, Maine is the kind of state where owning a car is particularly useful. This is in part because Maine is close to other states in New England. You’re able to day-trip to Vermont, New Hampshire or even Massachusetts.
In Portland, transportation costs are 9.1 percent above the national average. That’s on the more expensive side, but the fact that Portland is both a highly walkable and bike-friendly city can ease some of the costs associated with other forms of transportation. The city has an 80 walk score and a 76 bike score.
The city also offers an extensive public transportation system through the Greater Portland Metro. Local service consists of 10 routes. There are also three South Portland bus routes and the Metro Breez Express, which travels to nearby cities along the coast. The Husky Line connects Portland to two additional cities and two University of Southern Maine campuses.
Local fares are $2 for a one-way ticket, or 90-minute pass and $60 for a monthly fare. Express fares are double this cost.
Maine healthcare prices
Healthcare costs compose a broad category of doctor’s visits, medications, trips to the eye doctor and those two annual dentist appointments. Even unexpected trips to urgent care count. While you can’t really guess how much you’ll end up paying for the cost of living in Maine for healthcare in a single year, it’s good to know where the city you’re thinking of moving to compares with the rest of the country.
Healthcare prices in Portland are 5.6 percent above the national average. This translates to an average visit to the doctor costing about $143, your annual trip to the eye doctor costing around $154 and a dentist visit costing $106. Insurance could lower these prices, but it’s always good to have a baseline average.
Maine goods and services prices
When thinking about goods and services, look at your monthly budget. All the items you want, but don’t need, on that list fall into this category. These are the things that keep you happy, but if you had to cut them out of your budget, for whatever reason, wouldn’t prevent you from functioning. That doesn’t mean they’re not important, just expendable.
Portland’s goods and services, all combined, are 14.4 percent above the national average. That could mean fewer of these bonus items get into your budget should you call Maine home.
The best way to figure this out though is by looking at the individual goods and services you would want to include. A few popular ones in Portland have some surprisingly reasonable average price tags.
- A six-pack of beer: $9.99
- Yoga class: $16
- Movie ticket: $11.90
- Haircut: $31.25
Not all of these prices may seem low to you. It all depends on where you’re coming from, but that doesn’t mean they wouldn’t be affordable should you move.
There are some goods and services expenses, however, that just stay high no matter what. Childcare is one of them, and in Portland, the average monthly cost for a full-day, private preschool is $1,430. This isn’t cheap and could throw off your entire monthly budget when the time comes to factor it in. Knowing about this cost in advance can make a big difference though.
Taxes in Maine
Maine is a very straightforward state when it comes to taxes. There’s a graduated individual income tax, with rates between 5.8 and 7.15 percent.
When it comes to sales tax, Maine has a 5.5 state rate and doesn’t allow localities to add on anything additional. That means for every $1,000 you spend, no matter where you’re shopping in the state, only $55 is going toward taxes. That’s not too bad for the cost of living in Maine.
How much do I need to earn to live in Maine?
Calculating whether or not you can afford to live in Maine starts with rent. To get exact confirmation that rent isn’t outside your budget, use our rent calculator.
To look at some general numbers, you can compare income against average rent information. In Portland, the average two-bedroom apartment $1,950. This is on the high side when compared to other areas of the state, but it’s a good place to start. At this rate, assuming you’ll put 30 percent of your income toward rent (as experts suggest), you’ll need an annual income of more than $77,000.
With the median annual income across Maine at $58,489, certain places in Portland are out of reach. However, there are always options if Maine is your ultimate destination, whether it’s looking at lower-priced neighborhoods near Portland, or even other cities within the state.
Living in Maine
Forests, coastline, cities and country living — Maine has it all. The beauty of this state is truly unique and relaxing, but calling the Pine Tree State homes comes with a financial commitment. With the cost of living in Maine above the national average, you’ll have a shell out a few extra bucks to settle in here. Make sure you can afford it first by looking closely at your own budget. Then, all this northeastern beauty — and fresh seafood — is yours.
The Cost of Living Index comes from coli.org.
The rent information included in this summary is based on a calculation of multifamily rental property inventory on Rent. as of June 2022.
Rent prices are for illustrative purposes only. This information does not constitute a pricing guarantee or financial advice related to the rental market.
Source: rent.com
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Online bill pay can be a major convenience: It can allow you to schedule payments to transfer money from your bank account to your creditors. Using this technology can also be a money-saving move. It can lower the odds of your forgetting to pay a bill or winding up with late payment charges.
To be honest, paying bills likely isn’t anyone’s favorite way to spend free time. Automating the process may let you focus your energies elsewhere without needing to worry about how much money is due when and where.
If you’re curious to know the answer to, “How does bill pay work?” and understand how it could simplify your life, read on.
What Is Online Bill Pay?
Bill pay is a way of paying your bills online and automating your finances. It allows you to use your mobile device, laptop, or tablet to send money from your account to that of another person or business. No check writing required.
You specify the funds and provide details on the recipient, and the amount is automatically taken from your account and sent to the payee.
Yes, you can do this in real time, but you can also determine the “when.” That means you can schedule bills for payment in advance whenever you have time free, which can be a huge life hack.
Using Bill Pay to Organize Your Bills
When you set up bill pay, it can be a good opportunity to review your finances and the money you have coming in and going out.
You might also decide to stagger the payment dates on your bills to enhance your cash flow. To help with this, you may be able to change due dates on your bills by contacting your creditor.
Here are some of the ways you might use bill pay:
• Mortgage or rent
• Utilities
• Car loan payments
• Credit card bill
• Gym memberships
• Streaming channel and other subscriptions
• Student loans
• Charity donations
💡 Quick Tip: Make money easy. Open a bank account online so you can manage bills, deposits, transfers — all from one convenient app.
Setting Up Online Bill Pay
While bill pay can help make managing finances simpler, it does require some initial manual set-up. But, once you’ve learned how bill pay works, this automatic feature can make keeping track of and paying bills less cumbersome. Here are some ways to get started:
1. Finding a Financial Partner that Offers Bill Pay
While many financial institutions offer digital payment tools, like bill pay, it’s worth investigating the features that are included at each, before opening up an account. Online billing is free with some accounts, while some providers may charge for each transaction — either per bill or on a repeating monthly basis.
Recommended: When All Your Money Goes to Bills
2. Determining which Bills to Autopay
Utility bills, loan payments, credit card bills — you can pay just about any bill using bill pay. One benefit of centralizing bill payments is that, whether it’s a one-off charge payment or recurring bill, the user can rest assured that the bill will get paid on time — assuming bill pay has been set up correctly and there are sufficient funds in the linked account.
To streamline bill payments even further, it may be helpful to think about which ongoing bills you want to automate on a revolving basis through bill pay. Every month, bill payment could go out automatically, on a schedule determined by you, to the businesses or service providers where the money is due.
Predictable expenses that don’t fluctuate from month to month, such as loan and mortgage payments or the internet bill, are solid candidates for recurring automated payments. After all, it can be easier to budget for an expense that won’t go up and down from month to month. For bills that always cost the same, you may want to schedule payment for a time each month when you know there’ll be sufficient funds in your account to cover what’s come due. Some service providers may even allow you to change the due date on certain bills.
3. Gathering Together All Bills
Once a person has figured out which bills to pay automatically, they still might want to gather together all their regular bills in one place. (Organizing your bills can really help you see exactly where your money goes.) While individual bills are generally due at the same time each month, bills from different businesses or providers will have different due dates.
With all the bills in one place, you can then enter the various billing accounts into your money management provider’s bill pay system. It could be useful to research each bill ahead of time, determining whether they’re delivered by snail mail, paperless emails, or both.
4. Logging on to Personal Finances
As with other personal finances, bill pay is generally managed through a financial institution’s website or mobile app. A person interested in accessing bill pay could simply sign on to their secure account and search for the “Pay a Bill” or “Online Bill Pay” function.
5. Inputting Billing Information
Once logged on, you might follow the prompts to add individual billing accounts, indicating for each the funds you wish to pay with. You’ll likely be asked to input the name of the business or service whose payments you’re seeking to automate. You may also be asked for more specific details, such as your individual account number.
If you can’t find the business or service provider listed, you want to try spelling out the full name, removing abbreviations. If you still can’t find the payee, it’s possible that you can still utilize bill pay, but you may need to manually add in the payment details.
Having printed or saved digital copies of previous bills handy can be helpful here. (One other potential option is to set up automated payments, linked to your money accounts, directly through the provider — for instance, the water department of the city where you live).
When paying electronically, you’ll need to add your account number so that your payment is properly credited to you. You can also add the amount and frequency of payments, selecting a specific payment date (for one-time payments) or a regular schedule (for repeat bills that get paid on the same date every month).
Some financial institutions place a cap on the amount of money that can be transferred electronically through bill pay. If an automatic payment exceeds that designated transaction limit, users may then need to pay via a physical method, such as a personal or cashier’s check.
6. Taking Note of the Billing Schedule
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Keeping Track of Outstanding Bills and Extra Fees
One research report (spanning 2,000 individuals) indicates that 28% of Americans report difficulty in paying their bills on time. In this group, 52% of those earning less than $25,000 or less noted difficulty with paying bills, while only 11% of those earning $125,000 or higher reported the same bill-paying challenges.
benefits to automatic bill pay, including avoiding overdue accounts.
Here are some consequences of not paying bills on time.
Imposing Late Fees
One of the ways companies or service providers enforce on-time payments is by penalizing people for, well, paying late. Whether it’s a credit card, utility bill or simply missing a payment date by a single day, submitting a late payment can result in late fees, higher interest rates, or other charges.
Put another way, not paying right now can cost individuals more in the long run. It’s worth noting that these fees or penalties can be higher if a person has a previous history of late or unpaid bills.
Accruing Interest Charges
On top of late penalties, some providers may also charge interest on the balance owed, essentially creating a double-wallop of fees if you’re late paying a bill. In some cases, the interest may be charged starting the day an account becomes overdue. In others, it may accrue going back to the purchase date or transaction day.
Depending on the interest rate charged and how frequently that interest compounds, this fee could quickly balloon to more than the initial fee assessed.
Experiencing Service Disruptions
In some cases, a provider may have the right to shut off your service if you pay a bill late. Not only are such disruptions a major interruption to daily life (ahem, no water, ahem) individuals may also have to pay a reinstatement fee once account has been paid—just to reactivate the service, such as electricity, natural gas, or the internet.
Declining Credit Rating
Think no one other than the service provider will notice a missed bill payment? Not so, in many cases. Payment history on outstanding debts makes up 35% of a FICO credit score. So, things like, overdue credit card bills, unpaid mortgage or car payments, and other late payments can erode an individual’s credit score.
It’s worth recalling that lenders and landlords can rely in part on credit scores when evaluating the risk of doing business with someone. So, dings to a credit score—things like late payments—can impact the likelihood of being approved for a loan or a lease. (Generally speaking, lenders consider a score below 580 a sign that the borrower is at a higher risk of not paying back the money loaned).
Even if approved, having a lower credit score could increase the rate of interest charged on a loan or credit card, potentially costing the borrower thousands of dollars over time.
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Weighing the Benefits of Bill Pay
Not having enough money is just one reason people pay bills late. In many cases, the complexity of managing competing bills is a factor. It can be difficult to stay on top of each individual due date, especially for one-off bill payments or those bills that get paid less frequently, such as quarterly and annual bills. If you pay different bills from separate accounts, paying bills can become even more tangled.
Adopting regular strategies for paying bills can help solve remembering when to pay each bill (and with which account).
One payment strategy is to use online bill pay tools to automate your finances. Instead of remembering to pay each individual bill, while keeping track of competing due dates and amounts, bill pay allows users to set a payment schedule in advance and then, essentially, to forget about it.
Automatic bill payments can be a key way to prevent late payments and to simplify this important aspect of managing one’s finances. Now that you know what bill pay is and how it works, you can decide if it’s a wise move for you.
The Takeaway
Bill paying is a necessity that can be simplified. Signing up for automated bill-pay can put you in control. It can ensure that outstanding bills get paid on time or when you have more money in your accounts, reducing the likelihood of late-payment or overdraft fees.
Interested in opening an online bank account? When you sign up for a SoFi Checking and Savings account with direct deposit, you’ll get a competitive annual percentage yield (APY), pay zero account fees, and enjoy an array of rewards, such as access to the Allpoint Network of 55,000+ fee-free ATMs globally. Qualifying accounts can even access their paycheck up to two days early.
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FAQ
Does bill pay take the money out right away?
In many cases you can determine when you want the transfer of funds to occur. You can pay in real time or schedule the payment for a later date.
Does bill pay send a physical check?
Bill pay is an electronic process that moves funds from one account to another. You do not have to write a check, nor does the payee receive one.
What is the difference between bill pay and ACH
Bill pay is a way of automating your finances. ACH (Automated Clearing House) is a network that moves funds electronically between banks. Bill pay may use the ACH network.
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Have you ever seen Buzz Lightyear or Cinderella walking around the Disney World theme parks and wondered what it was like to be an actor living out those iconic roles? Or maybe you’ve dreamt of playing these classic characters for a day? Well, we talked to former actors from Disney parks who experienced first-hand what it’s actually like.
From having tourists ask strange questions to deal with wardrobe malfunctions – they had plenty of stories to share. Get ready for some wild experiences as you read all about their adventures.
1. Nick Wilde from Zootopia
A Redditor shared his experience as Nick Wilde from Zootopia and posted, “I was one of the performers for Nick Wilde from Zootopia a few years ago, And if you’re not aware; a large number of people in the furry community find him highly attractive.You can just imagine the number of people in that community who flirted with me and/or Judy and whispered some pretty [nasty] things to us. I think I also had a guy grab Nick’s tie like in that flirty way, we had to get him escorted out of the park. The moral of the story is: don’t be inappropriate with the characters, we are real people underneath, and there are legitimate consequences for that kind of behaviour.”
One user replied, “You wouldn’t go up to a random stranger in public and assault them; them being dressed as a cartoon character doesn’t make that okay.”
Another responded,”People assault random strangers in public all the time. I work in retail, and it happens almost daily. I think you, like most people, overestimate the goodness in others.”
2. Piglet
A user posted, “Dated an actress, the weirdest she had was a man asking for him to be in the suit for an hour. He offered her 3k.”
One user asked, “Which suit?”
The original poster answered, “Piglet.”
One user exclaimed, “OMG.”
Another user added, “What the actual heck!”
Another user also asked, “Did she do it? 3k is 3k.”
One replied, “I doubt Disney would let her take the costume off property, lol.”
One user also shared, “Not exactly the same situation, but where I work, there was this girl working on a golf course who got fired because a group of old guys bribed her with $200 to flash them and she did. One of the guys took a picture and their wife found it, which almost got the resort into major trouble. So the question is do you take $3k and lose your job or not?”
3. Goofy
A user shared, “I was playing Goofy inside a restaurant and I got swarmed Aliens-style by a hoard of kids [less than 10 years old]. Unfortunately, while I was playing around with them the inner hood below the mask slipped over my eyes, and I was completely blinded. We had assistants around whom we could signal for help by flapping our arms, but the kids had made it a game of attaching themselves Tarzan-like to both my arms, and to raise them I would have had to lift 3-4 kids per arm (dangerous even if I’d been strong enough to do that).
“I found myself blind and completely rooted to the spot, unable to ask for help and with nobody realizing that I was in trouble. I spent like a solid 10-15 minutes in that sort of limbo reflecting on the life decisions that had taken me there until the assistant came over and whispered, ‘Set is over, dude,’ and I finally managed to signal something was wrong.”
Another user chuckled and replied, “I’m sorry, but I’m laughing imagining Goofy, rooted in place, contemplating life decisions in the middle of a restaurant.”
The original poster answered, “There’s remarkable room for thinking inside those suits.”
“Damn. That sounds exhausting,” one user replied.
The original poster shared, “Playing Goofy in general, was mostly physically ok other than the big weight of the mask on your neck. The real grind was Sully from Monsters & Co. The mask is so big it’s basically an architecture strapped to your waist and shoulders, the boots are huge and flatfooted, and there are no gloves, instead, you hold these two artificial arms from inside the costume and wave them about (not too bad at first but do it for 30 minutes straight and those things really begin to weigh). That shift was a proper workout.”
4. Tinkerbell
One user posted, “I dated a girl that played one of the fairies for the Tinkerbell place. Beyond the pretty much daily occurrence of old dads hitting on her (she was 19 at the time), the weirdest thing to happen to her was a woman with a 4yr old little girl was all excited to get a picture with Tinkerbell, who was busy, so my ex volunteered to do pictures and entertain the little girl while they waited.
“The woman was [very rude] about that idea, rudely saying she was here to see Tinkerbell and not ‘off-brand’ fairies. So just shrugging it off, my ex moved on. A bit later, she hears a commotion, and Tinkerbell is obviously upset, and security shows up. Apparently, this woman was Tinkerbell’s bio mom and had taken her granddaughter to Disney, just to violate the restraining order against her. Disney Jail is a real place.”
5. Mickey Mouse
One user stated, “I was a ‘mouse height’ performer at Disney World around 2013. Can unfortunately confirm groping happened from time to time, and it was incredibly uncomfortable. We were trained to move away if we could and signal to the character attendants to escort the guest away if it happened. One time some guy thought it appropriate to pick me up completely off the ground in a bear hug. The head pushed back and because the inside is connected to us with headgear and a chin strap, my neck bent back with it, and it hurt like hell.
Not a weird story, but one of my most memorable guest experiences was meeting a little blind boy as Mickey in Epcot. I gently guided his hands to the soft ears, then the nose, and bow tie, and he was laughing, and his smile lit up the whole room. I still get emotional thinking about it! Interactions like that made it all worth it to me at the time.”
Another added, “The second story, the blind kid… great story. Thanks for making his day.”
Another user asked, “I’m slow… what’s a “mouse height” performer?”
A Redditor answered, “It was to imply they played Mickey or Minnie in the Parks, probably due to their height being right for the costumes. Also, Disney can get weird about performers mentioning their past work, so a lot of times, people will hint at who they played rather than outright say.”
One user also added, “They’re not supposed to ever say who they played, just that they were friends with the character.”
6. Minnie Mouse
One user commented, “I knew a friend (a guy) who wore a Minnie Mouse costume. He told me almost all guys would put their hands around his waist. He wouldn’t dare to talk, or else they will hear his manly voice, and that might [make them mad]. Edit: this blows up quickly. I feel I need to let people know that it’s not okay to grope the Disney characters… All I can tell you is that they will make a disgusting face under the mask and talk… about you later after work.”
One added, “I’d have waited till they groped then in my deepest gruffest voice said “how YOU doin’?”
The original commenter replied, “He sometimes wanted to take off the Minnie Mouse headpiece off and look straight at the guy’s eye with a straight face and say ‘Stop it.’”
7. Pluto
One of the Redditors posted, “I had a female friend who played Pluto for a few years. Even though her gender was indistinguishable because it’s a fully body Pluto costume, she would regularly share how often she was groped by kids and adults alike. In costume, she looked like she was 6’6”, but was only 5’8” in real life. You couldn’t tell the gender of any of the 3-4 in Pluto rotation and you could barely tell them apart.”
Another user also shared, “We met an absolutely amazing Pluto… many years ago. Our daughter was about 5, and was absolutely besotted with Pluto, to the extent that was all she asked for for Christmas. Just Pluto… The whole time we were at Disney, she was looking out for him without any luck. On our last full day there, we booked a character breakfast, but he didn’t turn up there, either. But as we were leaving and about to go down the stairs to the exit, who should be coming up them but the dog himself?
“I have no way of knowing who was in that costume, but I am so grateful to them. They must have seen something in our daughter’s face, because they got to the landing, went down on one knee and opened their arms to her. She absolutely FLEW down the stairs, and was given the longest hug. We took a photo (this was before cell phones, when everybody had those little disposable digital cameras). It’s one of my favorites; you can’t see her face because it’s buried in orange plush, but you can tell how much it means to her. So whoever you were—thank you. You absolutely made her day—she still mentions it now.”
“Reminds me of Marry Poppins. My daughter had just watched the original and learned the supercalifragilistic song. She was obsessed. Then when we were on It’s a Wonderful World ride, we saw her walking away. She couldn’t get off the ride fast enough. And ran to find her at the carousel. They waved at each other, and when Mary and Bert got off the ride, they came over. She walked with my daughter hand in hand, and they had a conversation…
“She invited her to come to the show in front of the castle and brought her up to sing and dance. Then later there was a parade. Mary spotted her in a nearby balcony we were watching from. She seemed genuinely excited to see my daughter. Mary made the trip awesome,” one user responded.
8. Easter bunny
One user posted, “I used to be the Easter Bunny at a function hall, and people were just…weird. I’ve been threatened by a guy that told me he was going to throw me down the stairs. It’s hot, too. Some kids were really happy to get a picture, so it made it all worthwhile.”
One added, “I read that second sentence as a completely different kind of ‘hot’ in the context of the prior sentence, and was deeply concerned for about a second.”
Another user confirmed, “I’ve done some volunteer work in costume, and I agree. People are weird. And adults are always worse than the kids.”
9. Goofy, Mickey, and the Parade
One Redditor shared, “Repost from a guy who played Goofy from a couple of years ago. ‘I have one moment that stands out above all the rest. I was waiting for someone to ask me this question. It’s the reason I left a good job as a VIP Tourguide and moved to the Character Department.
“I was working at City Hall… when two guests came in with two little girls. One was in a wheelchair, and the other one looked like she had just seen death. Both were cut and bruised and the one in the wheelchair had her arm in a cast. The two women were… nurses from a hospital and were asking for a refund on the girl’s tickets… When I asked why they told me the story. The two girls were with their mom and dad at Epcot and on the way home they got into a horrible car accident. The mother [passed away] right in front of them. The father… died too, but the two girls didn’t know that yet.
“They were from overseas and had no money and no contact information for anyone they knew. They were bringing the tickets back to get the girls some much-needed money to help get them back home. My heart absolutely sunk. [Those girls] were truly traumatized. I refunded their tickets and got permission to be their private tour guide for the rest of the day… I walked them to the VIP viewing area for the parade which was as far as I could walk them in the costume we used to wear at City Hall… On the way down I pulled out every kid joke I could think of. I was a REALLY good tour guide… and I knew how to make kids smile.
“Nothing worked. These girls were too far gone for that. I left them at the bridge to go change… and bawled my eyes out. I just had never seen something so horrible. I [had] a terrible feeling of powerlessness not being able to fix the situation. When I came back I brought them to get ice-cream, take them on rides… but they never smiled, not once. The nurses were loving it and were trying to get them into it but it just wasn’t working. We went back to the bridge to watch the parade. It was there that I honestly saw true magic. Real magic, not [fake].
“I… called the parade department to… set up a private meet and greet after the parade. As the parade was coming around Liberty Square I told the girls that I had called Mickey and told him all about them. I told them that Mickey asked to meet them after the parade. The little girl in the wheelchair smiled. “Really?” she asked. My heart skipped. “Yes, really! He told me to tell you to look out for him in the parade and to follow the float back to City Hall.” The other girl smiled. “You mean right now?” she asked.
“It worked. They were talking… It was the first time I had heard them speak. Every single parade performer came up to them on the bridge and told them to look out for Mickey. Every one of them told them that. When Mickey’s float came up Mickey (who was attached to a pole at the top of the float) managed to turn her body sideways, look down at the girls and point towards Main Street. That was all it took. The girls were excited now. They had forgotten about death. They were lost in a magical world and… I was watching it unfold in front of my eyes.
“We followed that float all the way back to City Hall, singing “Mickey Mania” the whole way. I took them in [the VIP celebrity lounge] and showed them the book where all of the autographs were. They were eating it up. The girl who was Mickey that day got down off her float and without even taking her head off walked up to me backstage and said “Let’s go.”
I walked in with Mickey behind me so I got to see the exact moment the girls met their new friend. They got shy but Mickey was in control now. Those girls met the REAL Mickey Mouse that day. Every single parade character stayed dressed to meet those girls. One by one they’d come in and play… We were in that lounge for over an hour. Mickey stayed in costume the entire time (which is hard to do after a parade). When Mickey finally said goodbye I had two excited girls on my hands that couldn’t stop smiling… We had a wonderful day after that but what I remember most is when we walked by the rose garden, the older one said “Oh, my mommy loves roses! I mean…” and she stopped.
“I held out my hand and walked her to the gate, picked her up and put her on the other side and said “Pick one!” She looked happy as she picked out her favorite rose. She didn’t say anything more and she didn’t need to. I said goodbye to the wonderful nurses and the wonderful girls then walked backstage behind the train station. This time I didn’t cry. It felt so good to be a part of that. I realized that as much as I liked helping guests at City Hall, the true magic of Disney was in the character department. I auditioned, transferred, and never looked back. Thanks for letting me relive this. It was a special day for me.”
One user replied, “I can’t imagine it… I lost both my parents last year and I’m in my 30s. The pain, impossibility of it, loneliness, fear, the MISSING them is all so intense. I can’t imagine being that young and witnessing such a thing and then having to walk through it. My first birthday without them is coming in 10 days, and I feel as devastated as when they first passed. I hope those girls have found comfort and love.”
“I’m so sorry. Much love to you on your birthday,” another user responded.
10. Chip ‘n Dale
One user said, “I was Chip ‘n Dale in Land, and some dad came up with his kids, I was doin my thang and having fun with them. When it came time for pics the dad came over to join us and all was well until after the picture when he asked for a hug so I gave him one. He squeezed, pulled away, grabbed his kids hands, smiled and said, ‘I didn’t know Dale was a girl under all that fur.’
“I played it off at the time but it made me really uncomfortable that he had actually squeezed hard enough to feel me under my costume… decided to wear binders while I was in character so that no one else could ever feel my boobs again through the suit. This was back in 2019.”
Another one responded, “I have a similar story as Smokey Bear. I used to work for the US Forest service and when I was an intern I got to be Smokey (I thought it was a high honor, turns out I was just the unlucky fool to volunteer). Still there was a bunch of training and rules before I was allowed to do it. Regardless I had a few dads grab my waist, which was actually just a pair of massive jeans and realize I was a girl and make really lewd comments. It was weirder with the handful of women who would try to grab my cr***h and make jokes about what I had down there.
“Being Smokey was a lot of fun otherwise (except also that every dog hated you) but it had its moments. Lots of weird comments, luckily I wasn’t allowed to talk at all and had handlers (fellow employees) to manage the people. It definitely always made me uncomfortable how weird people can be with someone in that situation where you’re kind of held hostage by your environment and the persona you’re inhabiting.
“Although the scariest moment was when one overzealous person tried to tackle me and the head almost came off, I don’t know what I would have done since it was in front of a crowd of like 150 children.”
One added, “That’s a gross way to phrase it, but as a teen I was shocked to realize I could see through the mesh of the character heads when close up. It looks so opaque from a distance and the accidental eye contact inside a cartoon animal’s mouth felt super awkward.”
Another user concluded, “As someone who does a lot of different character work, kids love to press their faces against the mesh mouth and try to get a look of whoever’s inside. Nothing I can really do about that, unfortunately.”
Source: Reddit.
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Source: financequickfix.com
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Let’s say that you find yourself with some tax debt this year. It’s less than ideal—if you’re scrambling to pay off your tax debt, it might have a huge impact on your financials. But does tax debt affect your credit score? And does an IRS collection go on your credit report?
The IRS doesn’t report directly to the credit bureaus. And a tax lien won’t show up on your credit report either. But that doesn’t mean taxes won’t impact your credit score. Read on to find out more about how federal taxes and credit can be related.
Does IRS Collection Go on Your Credit Report?
The IRS doesn’t report information about the taxes you owe, when or how you pay them or whether you’re in collections to the credit bureaus. In fact, the Taxpayer Bill of Rights includes a right to privacy and confidentiality. That means that in many situations, your tax information is not public knowledge.
What does this mean?
- Your payments on a tax bill, whether on time or otherwise, generally don’t impact your credit positively or negatively.
- If you’re late paying your taxes, the IRS won’t report that information to the credit bureaus.
- The IRS itself typically won’t report your debt to the credit bureaus at all.
Does IRS Debt Ever Show up on Your Credit Report?
Prior to April 2018, federal tax debt could show up on your credit report via another path. If the IRS files a tax lien against you for taxes owed, the information becomes public record. That’s true of most liens.
Credit reports used to include information about liens. In April 2018, the credit reporting agencies modified policies on how certain public records, including liens, were dealt with. That included removing all tax liens from credit reports.
What does this mean?
- Tax liens won’t show up on your credit report, so tax information probably won’t ever show up.
- This is due to a policy change from the credit bureaus, though, and that can always be reversed if things change.
- Tax liens are still public records, so creditors or others can find out about them if they look.
How Do Taxes Affect Your Credit Score?
Just because taxes don’t appear on your credit report doesn’t mean they won’t have an impact on your credit score. If you’re behind on taxes or dealing with paying off a large tax bill, that could have an impact on your overall finances. In turn, that could negatively impact your credit score. Here are a few ways this can happen:
You Prioritize Tax Debt Over Other Debt
In the worst-case scenario, you might make payments on tax debt instead of payments owed on a mortgage, car loan or other debt. If you do this for several months, you could risk serious issues like foreclosures or repossessions. Even if you only do it for a month or two, you can end up with late payments reported on your credit report. All those things are bad for your score.
In less severe cases, you might be able to make tax payments while also making timely payments on your other debts. But perhaps you’re not paying down balances on those debts quickly because you’re prioritizing your tax debt. That can lead to a higher credit utilization ratio for longer, which can impact your credit score.
You Use Revolving Credit to Pay Taxes
If you aren’t starting with a large balance on your credit card accounts, you might think about using them to pay down your tax bill. That’s one way to remove the stress of a potential tax lien. For many people, the interest expense of paying off some credit card debt is preferable to facing consequences from the IRS.
But this option does impact your credit score. If you max out or drive up your credit card balances to pay off tax debt, you increase your credit utilization ratio. Credit utilization is about 30% responsible for your credit score, so that can make for a big impact!
You Take Out a Loan to Pay Taxes
Instead of revolving credit, you might use an installment loan to pay off some tax debt. Whether you’re taking out an unsecured personal loan or a home equity loan, this new debt will have at least some impact on your credit. First, there’s the hard inquiry that may be required to evaluate you for the loan. Hard inquiries can negatively impact your credit score a bit.
Then there’s the fact that you have a new account on your credit score. That can also cause a temporary drop in your score if it changes the overall age of your credit.
It’s Important to Deal With Taxes Promptly
Tax debt doesn’t magically go away, and the impact to your life and finances can get bigger the longer you ignore the issue. If you owe taxes, make a plan to pay them as soon as you can.
Does filing taxes late affect your credit score? Not directly, but it can lead to all the issues discussed above. If you know you’ll owe taxes, don’t avoid filing because you can’t pay. Interest on tax debt is often less than the fines for not filing your return on time. You can also reach out to the IRS to set up installment plans or other payment arrangements on large tax bills.
It’s also a good idea to be familiar with how your other debts might impact your taxes. For example, if a creditor forgives your debt and sends you a 1099C cancellation of debt, you may need to pay taxes on that amount.
Learning how to do your taxes yourself and getting a head start on the process every year can be a good idea to get ahead of tax debt. When in doubt, consider consulting a tax or financial professional to help you come up with the right plan for you.
Not sure what your credit score is to begin with? Sign up for ExtraCredit® and get the full story about your credit with information from all three major bureaus and 28 of your FICO® scores.
Source: credit.com