I’ve lived in a small town for most of my life. The drive home includes steep hills with panoramic views and winding country roads that ramble past ranches and wide-open fields.
But I didn’t always have positive feelings about the country life. In high school, I hated it. All of the action was in the city, where coffee shops, museums, restaurants, and concerts happened. When I moved to the city my freshman year of college, I thought that would be the end of country living — I was finally a city mouse.
As it turned out, after seven years in the city, I did move back. It began as a purely financial decision, and one that, at the time, made me feel a twinge of anxiety. I remember that as my husband and I were packing up our apartment in town to get ready for the move, I had a mini meltdown, asking him, “Are you sure you want to do this? Are you really sure you want to do this?” (He probably thought I was nuts since the whole thing was my idea, but he’s a wise man and kept that to himself, simply saying that yes, he was sure.)
The Move Becomes Permanent
We planned to save money for a down payment on a home, but none of the houses that we viewed were just right. Then one day we happened upon a beautiful lot that was for sale, and we started thinking about the possibilities of building a home. More excited about the prospect of building than we were about any of the homes we had toured, we bought the 4.5-acre lot and have now started the slow process of paying-with-cash home construction.
This bit of background is just to let you know that I don’t view country life as better than city life, or vice versa. Having lived in both places, I see advantages and disadvantages to each, especially when it comes to finances. (There are exceptions to every rule, but for the purposes of this article I’ll make a general comparison between living in a rural town of large ranches and 2-plus acre lots with living in a mid-sized city.)
Advantages of Being a Country Mouse
One of the biggest financial advantages of living in a small town is a lower cost of living. Housing is cheaper, and where I live, the closest parking meter is 40 minutes away. Using CNNMoney’s Cost of Living Calculator, I compared the cost of living in Austin, Texas, population 790,390, with Seguin, Texas, population 25,175. The results were as follows:
Groceries will cost 2% more in Seguin
Housing will cost 8% less
Utilities will cost 6% less
Healthcare will cost 3% less
Another benefit I’ve noticed with living in the country is that one is less prone to lifestyle inflation. No one who lives down a gravel road wants to own a BMW. As long as I’ve lived here, I’ve never met “the Joneses,” so there’s zero compulsion to try to keep up with them.
I’ve also found that entertainment and recreation costs are lower — I can’t go to a shopping center, coffeehouse, restaurant, or the movies without a some significant drive time. If I lived around the block from a coffeehouse, I’d probably never make coffee at home. I also really get my money’s worth from my Netflix Watch Instant account.
Country life gives kids plenty of free entertainment, too. As a child, I didn’t have cable TV. I thought it was a drag — my friends would talk about shows on Nickelodeon and I was left out. When I’d launch a campaign to get cable, my dad would tell me to play outside or read a book. I spent hours playing with my best friend next door, hanging out in trees, and shaking hands/paws with the sweetest golden retriever that ever did live — shaking hands was her favorite trick. When I wasn’t doing those things, I was reading a book. (Dad might have refused to pay for 100 TV channels, but he never refused me a book.)
There’s also a certain independence that comes with country living. Homesteading is more likely to be an option, and you’re less likely to run into restrictions. I’ve heard of homeowner’s associations that don’t allow energy-saving tactics like hanging clothes on a clothesline to dry. In the country, you’re free to hang your shorts wherever you please.
Advantages of Being a City Mouse
Living in the country is great for tree-climbing and composting, however, there are some drawbacks. Cities come with more employment opportunities, for example. Many professionals would have to commute to a city to find work. A neurosurgeon won’t find work in a town of 2,400, and it’s just not a possibility for someone who has to commute to the city and be on call.
City life also gives you more options to lower your transportation expenses. Most cities have decent public transportation, and some have excellent public transportation that’s a much better option than driving your own vehicle. Car sharing, biking, and walking are all possibilities, which reduces costs like fuel and wear-and-tear on your vehicle (if you own one).
Finally, if you’re a city mouse, you’ll find it more convenient to network because you live where the action is, meaning you’ll probably do more networking and socializing. Done correctly, networking is a powerful tool that will improve your job prospects. With a wider network of people who live nearby, you’ll also find that it’s easier to have someone pet-sit while you’re in Europe (something very difficult for me to arrange where I live — I pay extra to compensate for the long drive) or give you a ride to work when your car is in the shop. Another example: Even though I know a couple of neighbors very well, it would be a big hassle to ask them for a lift to the airport because that would mean almost a 2-hour round-trip.
For my husband and me, the best living situation is having a home in the country that’s 30 minutes from city life. Sure, the drive can be a pain sometimes, but I feel like we get the small town life with many of the city benefits. Despite the drawbacks, the benefits to being a country mouse sway me more — plus, I really love that I can stand on my porch at night and look up at the Milky Way.
Readers, what have I left out? What are other ways that country life saves money? What about city life?
A den is an additional room in an apartment that you can use as a multi-purpose space.
Apartments have different floor plans, rent prices and amenities. Depending on what you are looking for, you can pretty much find it when apartment hunting these days. Want a pool or an on-site gym? That’s an option!
One perk that is rising in popularity is the den. Everyone wants more space and dens are a unique way to get it. So, what is a den exactly and how might you use it? We will walk you through the 10 benefits of an apartment with this room and why you might want to rent one.
What is a den?
A den is defined as an extra room, usually without windows or closets. Dens can be found in both one and two-bedroom apartments. They are not considered additional bedrooms as they don’t have that designated closet space that a true bedroom features.
Does a room without windows sound dreary to you? Well, before you confuse a den with a dungeon, let us show you all the ways that an apartment with a den could be used. Essentially, a den is a bonus room where you can do anything you want.
10 benefits of renting an apartment with a den
What would you do with an extra room in your apartment? A den can be just that; it’s an extra room, albeit smaller than a bedroom, to do whatever you want! Here are some of Rent.’s suggestions on what to do with an apartment dent.
1. Built-in home theater
To be considered a den, the room cannot have any windows. This makes dens a cozy, dark space perfect for binging your favorite TV show or streaming the most recent Hollywood hit. With endless streaming platforms at your disposal these days, having a built-in theater room is an awesome perk of apartment living. If you’re a movie lover or Netflix and chill kind of person, an apartment with a den is a must-have. You can invite all your friends over for movies in your dedicated home theater.
2. Optional work-out room
Do you like to work out but don’t have a gym membership or on-site gym? Get some free weights, a Pelaton and a yoga mat and you’ve got yourself a small, personal workout room in the den. It’ll also be cool as there won’t be hot sunlight streaming in from any windows, so you can turn up that music and crank out a quick burn session.
3. WFH spare office
In a world where remote work is more common, you may need a dedicated office space. While some people use their bedroom or living room as a makeshift option, a den is the perfect extra room to transform into a focused work zone. In the den, you have a specific space to go to work and then at the end of the day go back to your main living room without feeling like you never left home that day. You can WFH and live at home without feeling burnt out when you have a den.
4. Meditation or wellness room
We could all use more R&R in a stressful world. If you rent an apartment with a den, you can transform it into a Zen meditation or wellness room. Get a comfortable couch or yoga mat, light a nice candle or essential oils and settle into some dedicated meditation time in your new den wellness room.
5. Private “man den,” “she cave,” or “theysment” space
Bears hibernate in dens, and honestly, that can sound kind of nice. So, why don’t you turn your den into a private space? Do you like to paint? Make your cave a painting studio. Do you like to play poker or chess around some drinks? No matter how you use it, a den is the perfect extra room to make it anything you want it to be.
6. Secondary living space
Are you simply feeling crowded in your apartment and needing more space? Then a den is a great option for additional living space. You can have your bedrooms, kitchen and dining areas and living room plus a den. Extra space in an apartment is always a pro. But, keep in mind you’ll likely pay more in rent for the extra square footage.
7. Peaceful reading room
Escape to a fictitious land by reading or listening to a book. When you turn your den into a peaceful reading room and library, you can go anywhere you want when you escape through the pages of your book. This dedicated reading space can be charming and like your own small bookstore. Get some cozy couches and plush pillows and your den is now your escape.
8. Game room
Do you enjoy game nights with friends? Well, turn your den into the go-to game room. Depending on the size, you could add a pool table or ping pong table here. Or, get a cool table and lots of board games for any sort of competitive gaming setup. Dens are ideal for game rooms.
9. Additional guest room
While it’s not technically a bedroom, a den can double as a spare bedroom for short stays. Get a futon so your guest can have a couch and bed to stay in. This additional room will enable you to host guests without giving up your precious bedroom space or main living room area.
10. More storage space
You probably have too much stuff, as we all do, so extra storage space is never a bad thing. Because apartments are smaller and often have fewer storage options, a den can double as a storage unit. Free up those closets and put your seasonal clothes in the den. Or, fill it with holiday decorations or food storage. Really, you can use it however you like because it’s extra space.
How to find apartments with dens
Does an apartment with a den sound appealing to you? Then it’s time to start the apartment hunt! You can search for apartments in your desired area, within your price range and with the desired amenities — like a den!
It was always my dream to be paid to travel. I thought I’d write guidebooks or be a tour guide. A few years ago, my wanderlust was acting up again, so I crunched some numbers, adding up the cost of living where I was (New York) versus traveling for month. With some careful planning, I spent a month in Paris and ended up with more money than when I left. The cost of staying in one place I’m sure most of us know our monthly expenditures. Rent, utilities, Internet, cable, Netflix, gym membership, gas, cellphone, and the list goes on. Granted, all of us have different interests and different monthly expenditures, but there’s usually a basic bottom line for all of us. I thought if I could zero that out, then a month away would become more of a reality. Living in New York made it easy to sublet my apartment for a one-month stint. I raised my rent price a couple hundred dollars to cover my utilities, Internet, and cable. I put my Netflix and gym memberships on hold, and at the time, pay-as-you-go was all the rage so my cellphone had no contract. My car stayed parked out back and my gas expense dropped to zero. My monthly expenses dropped from around $1,500 to nothing at all.
Accommodations I knew I wanted to be centrally located in Paris, but didn’t need much more. On Craigslist I found a lot of graduate and doctorate students who had to travel for their dissertations. They were looking to rent out their apartments for cheap, real cheap, just so their rent wouldn’t be a total loss. Not only that, most everyone I talked to was willing to negotiate. I ended up with a small room on the top floor of the building (the former maid’s room) for €150 a month, less than a fourth of my rent back home. The student was traveling to Africa and was happy to have someone to watch his cat. (If you want to go even cheaper than that, you can try house-sitting. Friends of mine have been paid to stay in beach houses in the Caribbean or mountain homes in Montana. I have yet to do this myself, so I’m curious if any of you have stories.) Food, and becoming the invited guest When I travel, everything is new. Yes, five-star restaurants are appealing, but street food gives me the most pleasure. Some of my best meals had been Nutella crepes and crusty baguettes, often for less than €3. At home, not only was I prone to $8 burritos when I didn’t have a chance to make something after work, but I’d also have a small dinner party for friends at least once a month. This often meant having either wine or liquor and cooking for five, a lot pricier than cooking for one.
When abroad, I’m usually the one who’s asked to dinner. Through volunteer work, attending free book readings, or helping someone carry groceries down the street, I found myself being the invited guest to at least one dinner party a week, and it was a great way to try some of the traditional French dishes, learn the language, and interact with people. Put yourself out there, learn some niceties, and you might be surprised how willing people are to want to share their culture and open their doors.
Work One problem with long-term travel, especially when traveling internationally, is that short-term work isn’t much of an option. You need proper documentation, and there aren’t many listings for month-long positions. So not only are you taking time off work, but you’re not working in your place of travel. However, I didn’t want to take a month long vacation, and I definitely didn’t want to end up in the red. This is when my search for Internet work started. Whether it be selling things online, writing, designing, editing, or in my case, translating, with some effort, there is work that travels with you if you look hard enough. GRS has offered advice often enough on making money on the side here, and here, and here. With a few side gigs lined up, I was making less money, but with my living expenses substantially lower, too.
Slowing down That month, I didn’t rush anywhere. It meant slower meals, slower glasses of wine, and more than anything, slower transportation. I walked everywhere. Three miles would be an ungodly distance to walk back home, but that month, three miles was chump change and more scenic than anything I had ever seen. I saved a lot on gas and train tickets. With that slowness, the desire to keep up diminished, too. Not only my desire to keep up with the commuters around me (goodbye road-rage) but my desire to keep up with social norms. I didn’t purchase any clothing, nothing for the home, no luxuries, just because everything seemed so new and held my attention.
There’s a French word, flâner, which is the best travel advice I could ever give. Flâner is hard to translate, something like “to meander about with an eye for beauty, with the eyes of a poet.” It’s the art of strolling, the art of observation. It’s slowing down.
Taking a month off to travel (and spending less money than if I stayed home) was a dream. By planning my trip like this, I was able to spend an month in Europe instead of spending a weekend in upstate New York at some lodge (Which sounds wonderful, but just a weekend compared with an entire month?). Once I compared my living expenses for a month in New York with those in Paris, it was clear it was possible. Have you ever traveled and reduced your living expenses?
We’re kicking off the week with a stunning space and latest post from contributor Ali Hartwell! I knew I’d convince that girl to love modern decor someday!
As a whole, I tend to avoid modern design. While I appreciate elements of it, I often find that the full-blown modern look comes off as cold, unwelcoming and even pretentious. No one should ever feel judged by their own living room for their Netflix binge-watching and ratty t-shirt wearing tendencies—amiright?!
That being said, when I came across this Brooklyn home tour, all of my preconceived notions around modern decor were rattled to the core. What was it about this particular take on modern that didn’t send me running for the hills of my tried and true California Eclectic style??
Could it have been black and color palate? The mixture of hard lines juxtaposed by organic, textured accessories? The perfectly balanced incorporation of brass accents?? Yes, yes, and yes! At the end of the day, the perfect mix of all these things bring charm and warmth to this primarily minimalist look (and let’s be honest, a touch of herringbone floors never hurt).
Here are a few pieces I’ve rounded up to help you recreate this look:
SHOP THE LOOK:
> 1. Arc Sofa > 2. Fish Catcher Pendant > 3. Cara Oval Coffee Table > 4. Mirror > 5. Cog Candle Holder > 6. Hans Pedestal Side Table > 7. Fan Dining Chair > 8. Mongolian Lamb Pillow > 9. Sweater-weave Basket > 10. Dora Maar Urn
I don’t know about you, but I’m totally rethinking my hesitation towards modern decor with this type of approach. What are your thoughts on all things modern? Love it? Hate it? Scared of it? Do share!
Funko toy executive Brian Mariotti has once again listed his spectacular Coronado, CA, mansion—at a lower price this time around.
In March 2022, the sprawling spread made its market debut at $39 million but was reduced to $32 million earlier this year. After a brief hiatus, the property was relisted at $29,995,000 for what will hopefully be a charmed third time.
Mariotti purchased the Spanish-style estate in the beach town off the coast of San Diego in 2017 for $12.2 million. Over the next four years, the toy maker carefully and thoughtfully transformed the 1925-era home into a luxury playground.
The majestic 15,067-square-foot “Coronado Castle” now boasts such lavish delights as a full-service spa, putting green, and a “secret garden.”
So considering the millions poured into the pretty palace, the price cut could be considered a real deal.
“After buying the original house, they purchased the land next door for $6 million and adjoined the properties,” says listing agent Jason Oppenheim, of The Oppenheim Group and Netflix’s “Selling Sunset.”
Another $12 million was spent during the remodel, he adds.
Aerial view
Just 100 feet from the beach, the historical landmark boasts one of the largest lots in Coronado.
“It’s very much like an oasis to have that much land and just be steps from the ocean,” Oppenheim says. “You really don’t get this amount of land in Coronado.”
The home was designed for a luxurious lifestyle, offering abundant state-of-the-art amenities.
A dramatic foyer features a spiral staircase and hand-hewn beams, a nod to the home’s history. The palatial interior boasts everything from opulent tile and ornate ironwork to custom light fixtures.
The home was originally designed in the Mission Revival style by Richard Requa for Michigan furniture manufacturer W.A. Gunn, who is said to have had an affinity for timeless beauty.
Mariotti’s renovation painstakingly preserved the property’s heritage.
“I have walked through a lot of remodels over the years, but I can’t say that I have ever seen a more authentic remodel than this,” Oppenheim notes. “They imported items from Europe that are 200 to 300 years old. The tile around the pool is over 300 years old. There are a couple of beams that are original that they matched by handcarving the beams. The details are just extraordinary.”
An elegant dining room has a hand-painted, coffered ceiling. Just beyond, arched steel glass doors open to the pool deck.
The massive kitchen is designed with a marble island, La Cornue range and rotisserie, double Sub-Zero fridge, Miele steam oven, coffee station, and wet bar.
A lavish lower level is thoughtfully arranged for entertaining, with its golf simulator, media room, and bar. But the area’s crown jewel is its 25-seat, “Star Wars”-themed movie theater.
“The movie theater is one of the largest theaters I have ever seen in a home,” Oppenheim notes.
There’s also a fitness center, spa and dry sauna, massage table, and ice bath.
And the magnificent grounds really wow with a fire-pit lounge, full outdoor kitchen, and pool.
Oppenheim believes the property could be a vacation home for a buyer who lives in Los Angeles or Orange County.
“I think it will be someone who appreciates the real craftsmanship of the design,” he predicts, of the future owners. “I hope they are able to recognize just how timeless and authentic it is. It’s a rare person who will actually understand the thousands of decisions and thousands of hours spent creating the design of the home. It’s a home that will still look good in 100 years, that you will never need to remodel.”
It’s common knowledge that the pilot episode of any given TV show is just a warm-up round. To know what you’re getting into, and decide if you really want to watch it, you have to give most shows 2-3 episodes. But some shows just have a really strong pilot, and you know from the beginning that the show is going to be good. Today, let’s talk about the top 20 TV shows with the strongest first episodes. Do you have one in mind? Check out this list and see if it’s here!
1. Chernobyl
Chernobyl is a 2019 series based on the historical 1986 Chernobyl tragedy and the subsequent cleanup activities. Some people say the drama series had one of the strongest first episodes.
One person said, “Still watch that series a couple of times a year, it’s amazing.”
Another person replied, “It was brilliant but scarred for life after it. Couldn’t do that to myself again.”
One commenter added, “Same team made The Last of Us pilot, which is also quite good.”
2. Six Feet Under
The HBO television series Six Feet Under was highly praised by critics for its writing and acting, and was consistently popular among viewers, resulting in high ratings. It is widely considered to be one of the greatest television shows ever made. Also, the last episode of the series has been called one of the best endings to a TV show ever.
One person said, “I love this show. Still recommend it for anyone asking for a solid series to watch.”
Another added, “I recommend it to people all the time too. I’ll Have to watch it again someday. So good.”
3. Fargo
Fargo is a 2014 black comedy crime series with four seasons and 41 episodes. The series is incredibly well-curated, with each episode just getting better.
One person commented, “Yeah! I came to say this one, it has the best first episode I’ve ever seen.”
Another commenter replied, “First and second season both had excellent opening episodes.”
Another user added, “Came here to say this too! I was immediately hooked.”
4. Attack on Titan
Attack on Titan (AOT) is a Japanese manga series illustrated by Hajime Isayama. The apocalyptic series follows the story of Eren Yeager, along with his other friends to exterminate the man-eating giants in the post-apocalyptic world.
One person shared, “Yes. Immediately sets the tone and gives you the first wave of questions you want answered.”
“I remember watching it and being immediately hooked,” someone replied.
“The first two episodes triggered my depression really hard and I had to stop. Then I couldn’t get it out of my head and went back to it like a week later. Now it’s one of my favorite shows ever,” another Redditor added.
5. Lost
Lost is a 2004 science fiction drama that follows a group of survivors who manage to survive a plane crash on a deserted island in the tropical Pacific while aboard Oceanic Airlines Flight 815.
One person stated, “My answer too—ridiculously strong opening. Hard to imagine now but it was one of the first ‘mystery box’ series’ and still maintained strong character focus. That whole first season was incredibly good.”
Another commenter added, “As someone who quit watching Lost half way through, the pilot was one of the most riveting things I’ve ever seen.”
6. Hannibal
Hannibal is a psychological horror-thriller television series that aired from 2013 to 2015, starring Mads Mikkelsen as the titular character, Dr. Hannibal Lecter. The series is based on the characters and elements from the classic novels ‘Red Dragon’ and ‘Hannibal’ by Thomas Harris.
One user said, “Hannibal sets up the tone for the whole show quite well.”
Another Redditor replied, “The first season of Hannibal is one of my favorite TV seasons ever and that first episode is flawless.”
One commenter added, “Love the show so much! Mads Mikkelson and Hugh Dancy are fantastic! I never would’ve thought I’d like another Hannibal Lecter after Anthony Hopkins, but I dare say that Mads is right up there with him. If not better.”
7. The West Wing
“Came here to say this. The entire show was a masterpiece for me, even after Sorkin left. Easily my most rewatched series,” One Redditor shared.
“26 Emmy awards. It’s a comical number when you consider how many legendary TV shows only got 1 or 2 awards. I remember when John Spencer, Bradley Whitford and Richard Schiff were all nominees for best-supporting actor against each other, and you just had to laugh at how much better it was than other shows,” another added.
“My favorite of all time. Have viewed S1-S7 at least three times, maybe four. I never get sick of it. Glad to know others are obsessed with it. Succession is the only other show that has come close to me wanting to absorb eps multiple times,” one commenter replied.
8. Westworld
One user commented, “I watched the first episode of Westworld and then immediately made a group of friends watch it. It hooked me hard. It is a shame the later seasons couldn’t (to me) hold on to the same magic as that first season.”
Another person replied, “The performances in Westworld were incredible. Especially when they were troubleshooting Peter Abernathy, that scene was masterful.”
A third commenter added, “Westworld S1 was absolute perfection. One of the best first seasons of a show ever. So sad its trajectory went the way it did.”
9. Ozark
Ozark is a crime drama television series that premiered on Netflix in 2017. The series stars Jason Bateman as Marty Byrde, a financial planner who relocates his family from the Chicago suburbs to the Ozarks in Missouri to launder money for a drug cartel.
“Ozark’s first episode was pretty chill and then whoa,” one user stated.
“This is my answer too. It’s a good show, but far and away the best episode of the series was the pilot. One of my favorite hours of television,” the second person replied.
10. Derry Girls
The show is known for its witty and irreverent humor, as well as its poignant exploration of the impact of political conflict on everyday life in Northern Ireland. It has been praised for its diverse and relatable characters, as well as its portrayal of female friendship and adolescent angst.
“Most sitcom first episodes (seasons too?) have to do so much table setting that they’re not funny. This first episode established the settings, and characters, and was funny too,” one person stated.
“Yup, wife and I just started and we were in love with it from the first episode. It’s great when you find a new show that doesn’t require time to ‘get into it, it gets better’ etc.,” another commented.
11. Sherlock
One person stated, “It started well, but they tried to get too clever. The last series was unwatchable.”
Another user added, “Not fair as this show is on another level. Each episode is an entire cinematic experience. Masterpiece.”
One commenter said, “Yeah I liked the slow-mo matrix-style wedding photos, really added to the experience.”
12. The Americans
The Americans has been praised for its complex characters, compelling storytelling, and meticulous attention to detail in its portrayal of historical events and espionage tactics. It has won several awards, including Emmys for its lead actors and for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series.
One person shared, “YES! Also has one of the saddest series finales ever. I cannot listen to With or Without you anymore.”
The second person replied, “It sets up everything perfectly. I remember finishing it the first time and being confused that I’d only watched a single episode. It felt longer, but in a good way. The finale is also amazing, along with pretty much every moment in between.”
13. Battlestar Galactica
Battlestar Galactica is a science fiction television series that initially aired from 2004 to 2009. The show is a reimagining of the original 1978 series and is set in a distant star system where humans and their robot creations, the Cylons, are in a state of war.
One user shared, “That opening scene had me soooooo hooked.”
Another Redditor replied, “Oh, so good. And the finale was great too. (And like most of the in-between bits).”
14. Designated Survivor
Designated Survivor was initially praised for its compelling premise and strong performances, particularly from Sutherland. However, the show received mixed reviews over the course of its three seasons, with some critics and fans feeling that it lost its way in later seasons.
“Also had the best episode of the series,” one person commented.
“I’m so hooked on this show right now!” another person replied.
15. The Good Place
“This is especially striking because sitcoms are notorious for having ‘meh’ pilots at best, even the ones that become classics. Sitcoms always seem to take time to get the characters well together and for the writing to align with their characters’ energy. But The Good Place was straight hysterical right out of the gate!” one person said.
“Can’t believe I had to scroll this far to find this. You watch the first episode, you’re probably going to watch all of them,” another user stated.
“Yup, I was about to comment this because I didn’t think anyone would. I don’t really like sitcoms, but this show is amazing,” a third commenter added.
16. The Walking Dead
One person commented, “[The] Walking Dead season 1 was so damn good.”
Another commenter replied, “I agree. That first episode hooked me. I was actually frightened and squirming in my seat as I got through the scene in/under the tank. What an adrenaline rush. After that, seeing NO progress in a resolution for years…other than to try to escape another disaster of their own making. I eventually gave up on the show.”
One user added, “This is actually the first to come to my mind as well. Such a great start.”
17. Dexter
The series explores Dexter’s personal struggle with his dark impulses and his attempts to balance his ‘normal’ life as a brother, friend, and father with his secret life as a killer. Over the course of the series, Dexter becomes involved in a number of complex and dangerous situations, including his interactions with other serial killers, the police department’s investigations into his activities, and his attempts to maintain his cover while pursuing his targets.
“Loved season 1 & 2,” one person commented.
“There is so much packed in to the first episode in the best way,” added another.
18. Jericho
Jericho is a post-apocalyptic drama television series that aired from 2006 to 2008. The show is set in the small town of Jericho, Kansas, after a nuclear attack on several major US cities. As the survivors struggle to rebuild their lives and society in the wake of the disaster, they face various challenges, including food and water shortages, disease outbreaks, and conflicts with neighboring towns and militias.
One person said, “That first episode was dynamite. Hands down. But unfortunately when they were forced to bring it back for season two, with a much reduced budget (just to pacify the fans), it showed. Was not the same quality show as season one.”
19. Mr. Robot
One person said, “That first episode legit dropped my jaw. It’s one of the all time greats.”
Another user commented, “I’m just watching Mr Robot for the first time now. About halfway through season 3. It’s really good, but they play a little too hard in the ‘unreliable narrator’ trope.”
One Redditor added, “Agreed! Haven’t been that immediately hooked by the opening 10 minutes in a while.”
20. Fringe
Fringe is a science-fiction television series that aired from 2008 to 2013. The show follows a team of FBI agents and scientists investigating mysterious and unexplained phenomena, including parallel universes, advanced technology, and supernatural events.
“I agree with you. Fringe was a terrific show,” one person stated.
“Very underrated and I rarely see it even mentioned anywhere,” the second person replied.
Source: Reddit.
10 Terrible Fads People Are Glad Died Out
Every fad has its time in the limelight, but some of them come and go faster than others; and some just need to die out right away. Check out this list of fads of which people were happy to see the last.
These are 10 Things That Completely Destroyed The Love in a Relationship
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10 Actors and Actresses People Refuse to Watch Ever Again
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Top 10 Worst Human Inventions of All Time
Some inventions are world-changing, and some of them, well, they change the world in the wrong ways. Here are some of the worst inventions Redditors could think of.
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One of the things we can remember about the show is its ending—is it beautiful or tragic, maybe boring, or doesn’t make sense, or a cliff-hanger Today, we’re discussing 17 TV shows with some of the worst endings ever!
1. ALF
One person said, “Nobody will remember this, but the correct answer is ALF. It was supposed to be a cliffhanger, but the show got canceled, and they ended the series with ALF being captured and taken away to be dissected. GOOD NIGHT KIDS!”
Another person replied, “Eventually, they made a made-for-TV-movie about five years later to attempt a wrap-up called Project: Alf. It had virtually no one from the original series besides Alf’s voice, and as I remember it, was almost universally panned.”
One Redditor added, “I remember seeing the movie. It was horrible. I loved the series as a kid. Nothing beats Alf singing Old time rock ‘n’ roll with a cucumber.”
2. The X-Files
“Glad I searched for X-Files because this was going to be my comment. Honestly the last 3 seasons were… not great (outside of a single episode here and there, usually written by Vince Gilligan, of course). Talk about a show with highs and lows. It could be the best show on television, and the next week it could be the most senseless garbage you’ve ever seen,” one user commented.
“The point for me where I felt the most disappointed was the episode that ‘resolved’ the disappearance of Samantha. Not only was it a confusing mess but it opened up some pretty aggravating plot holes retroactively. HATED it,” another commenter added.
Another user said, “I remember someone suggesting the final episode should have been Chris Carter and a flipchart explaining how everything fits together.”
3. My Name Is Earl
One user commented, “My Name Is Earl ended on a cliffhanger which was canceled soon after S4. The only resolution given was on the first episode of Greg Garcia’s next project Raising Hope where a TV news broadcast in the background said a man in Camden County completed his list. NBC had a knack for making bonehead decisions.”
The second person replied, “Yup. They didn’t plan on it being the series finale, and their surprise cancellation lead to them scrabbling last minute to come up with an ending. That’s what they settled on.”
4. Heroes
One person stated, “Heroes. God the writer’s strike really had that show go wildly off the rails.”
Another commenter said, “Hiro constantly losing his powers every season because of lazy writing and he is too strong… I gave it another try last year couldn’t finish watching the last season again. Still no idea how it ended.”
One Redditor replied, “I still don’t understand how Heroes went from being so good to such utter trash… like how did it happen? They fumbled way before the writers strike. I’m still upset.”
5. Pretty Little Liars
“Pretty little liars, the creator never even knew how it would end. I hate that show because it was great for the first maybe 2 seasons then just terrible from then on,” one user shared.
“It was a bunch of mystery building and no resolution for any of those mysteries. It should just be referred to as blue balls the show,” another added.
“I couldn’t believe what I was watching. I thought it was leading up to some [crazy] masterpiece and instead we got a long-lost evil British twin and Mona’s dollhouse. I was pissed I’d invested all that time into the series and got that [disappointing] of an ending,” another Redditor said.
6. House of Cards
“Should have ended when he got the presidency. It was all weak after that—Frank had a goal in the first few seasons; it’s what drove him. Then he gets it, and his motivation is just…keeping what he has. Perfect end scene was when he did his signature knock on the president’s desk. Cut to black. End show,” one person stated.
“I don’t understand how this didn’t end with Season 4 and having Frank ultimately impeached and arrested after gaining the presidency. That would both complete his arc and fit the theme of house of cards with 4 seasons of 13 episodes each,” the second person replied.
7. Merlin
One person shared, “Merlin. What the hell was it all for!?!?! Arthur rejects magic and they’re back to square one.”
Another person replied, “Not to mention that suddenly it becomes modern day, and poor Merlin is still alive, just waiting around in the hopes that Arthur will come back. He’s had to slowly watch everyone and everything he loves slowly die over the decades centuries. It’s just completely miserable and pointless, Merlin doesn’t deserve that.”
Finally, the third added, “God it’s been over a decade and I’m still mad I’m so glad I’m not the only one. Like why did they even make season 5? They should have ended after four and let fanfic do the rest.”
8. Sherlock
“The whole reason I loved that show was the mystery being explained by cold hard logic and the powers of observation. The entire last season was basically Sherlock sister has mind control which takes effect within seconds. Total BS and I hate it. That was my favourite tv series of all time and I felt physically ill when they just murdered the whole season like that,” one person stated.
Another user replied, “I wanted to mention this too. I loved Sherlock at first but there’s so much wrong with it that, and the 4th season really made me look at it differently. It was already going downhill, but then it really took a nosedive. My mother was a fan as well and I just told her not to watch the last season by explaining it was so bad. Fans were sure there was a secret 4th episode that was going to make everything okay again. She got the message.”
“Same. I binged Sherlock hard. Got to his sister and I totally stopped watching it,” a third commenter added.
8. Jericho
One person stated, “Jericho. That show had so much potential and they just loosely wrapped it up leaving me very unfulfilled with no conclusion or closure.”
Another added, “Jericho really did have a lot of potential. The comic books wrapped it up but I still wish they had made more of the TV show.”
One Redditor replied, “It wasn’t the writers it was the network. They were given three more seasons to finish but then when more than half the season was done they pulled the rug and the writers had to write a conclusion. It wasn’t great but acceptable under circumstances. The writers wrote comic books after the show which further went through the story and it was actually a nice conclusion to the storyline.”
9. Xena: Warrior Princess
“Xena: Warrior Princess… 20 years later and I am still [angry],” one person shared.
“Ah, I had to scroll way too far for this, I was starting to think I was the only one who remembered it! I was a Xena fanatic when it was airing, and the ending gutted me. Deciding to introduce yet another character that was important to Xena in the past, in the finale? A whole village of innocent people dying, but it was blamed on her despite it being an accident, if I recall correctly? The sheer unnecessary amount of brutality, and leaving Gabs alone in the end? So cruel. When I rewatch the series, I skip the finale and pretend the show ends on Many Happy Returns or When Fates Collide,” one Redditor replied.
Another added, “I found my emotional support thread! They did us dirty in the 90’s with that ending. The reveal of Xena’s body and Gabrielle’s reaction full on TRAUMATIZED me.”
10. Star Trek Enterprise
One user shared, “Star Trek Enterprise. It was a fun prequel that looked at the start of the United federation of planets. The last episode was an insult. A main character was killed off and it was in a TNG holodeck! Bloody rubbish, I’m stil livid.”
The second person replied, “That’s what I came here to say. Absolutely terrible ending to a series that otherwise had a great last season. I’m almost convinced that they tried to create a bad last episode because how did anyone think that was a good idea?”
The third added, “Yeah ST Enterprise is criminally underrated, especially toward the end…except for that awful finale.”
11. The Last Man on Earth
“Last Man on Earth, the show got cancelled on a cliffhanger and we never saw an end to it,” one person shared.
“I needed some closure, closure, closure, closuuuuuuure,” replied another.
“They canceled it at the same time as Brooklyn 99. Everyone resurrected Brooklyn 99 and I was waiting for Last Man on Earth to get the same reaction but I felt like the only one who cared. I’ve never laughed at a show harder. Still sad,” one user shared.
12. Teen Titans
“The show ended on a gut punch episode that was far more mature than anything else on Cartoon Network before or since. Emotionally clever storytelling that let the audience down. It was heartbreaking that they chose to end that relationship that way. But they expected a 6th season. To tie off the ongoing rivalry with Slade/tie up every character’s arc. It was canceled on the penultimate season. It had set up all the pieces set up—had finally graduated to the next level of storytelling; ratings were high…..then bam. Canceled. Now we’re left with a downer ending of an episode. It’s fantastic—but clearly not designed to be the real end,” one person stated.
“No no, I agree. Sad ending that almost felt like a universe-death when beast boy went out the all white doors. Surreal, depressing, not the best way to end a serious but light-hearted show,” another added.
13. The 100
One person stated, “The 100. Stupidest ending ever.”
Another person replied, “I’m so glad other people have this opinion. I binged it a few months ago and genuinely enjoyed the series, but the last season made me wish I never started it and erase the series from my mind. They destroyed Bellamy’s character and then killed him off in the lamest way possible.”
One commenter added, “My gf started watching that show and I swear all I ever heard was ‘my people this’ and ‘my people that.’ If you had a drinking game every time they said ‘my people’ in that show you’d be dead before the first commercial break.”
14. The Man in the High Castle
One person stated, “I feel like that show lost a lot of its vision after Season 1. John Smith, Minister Tagomi, and Chief Inspector Kido basically just carried the show by sheer force of personality.”
Another user shared, “That ending [makes me angry] more than GoT, which Also [made me angry]!”
One Redditor commented, “I was too confused to even be mad about that ending. I feel like they were trying to be profound or something, but can’t figure out what the message was supposed to be. Everybody’s moving in now?”
15. Star vs the Forces of Evil
“The entire show was derailed to make the popular ship canon, and they didn’t even do it well. And let’s not get into how the characters decided the best way to stop a genocide in their kingdom was to create a far bigger genocide on a multiversal scale, stranding countless innocent people away from their homes and families, but that’s okay because Star gets to be with her new boyfriend. There’s so much more I can get at, but this is GOT level bad. This show could’ve gone down with the likes of Gravity Falls but they massively dropped the ball in the last season,” one person stated.
“Once they woke up Eclipsa’s husband and he was completely harmless I finally admitted to myself they had abandoned whatever plan was originally in place,” another added.
“Man, the first 2 seasons were a lot of fun. But then shipping took over and it all went downhill,” another commenter shared.
16. Game of Thrones
One person shared, “I didn’t mind Bran as a character until that moment. Then I wanted him to get crippled all over again.”
Another replied, “Dude came with his own throne.”
Then the third added, “‘Why do you think I came all this way.’ Basically implies that he orchestrated literally everything in the show to make himself king. Bran is one of the greatest villains in TV history.”
View the original Reddit thread here.
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There are tons of amazing TV shows that set the world on fire with their stories but, for some reason or another weren’t continued. It’s tragic enough when a long-running series gets curtained, but it’s even more heartbreaking when a stellar show begins to hit its stride, and then gets abruptly canceled. We turned to Reddit to find out which canceled shows people miss the most. Whether you’re mourning a beloved show, or want an introduction to some television gold, here are 10 series that came and left far too quickly!
1. Mindhunter
One user said, “Probably anything canceled by Netflix.”
Another user replied, “Mindhunter has entered the chat.”
A third added, “Mindhunter is the first series I actually got super bummed out about being canceled. The story, actors, and music. Shame.”
One Redditor commented, “Soundtrack was elite. Almost got lost in the shuffle of everything else is so well done.”
Another user shared, “Inside Job made it two seasons before getting axed on a cliffhanger. I still want to know what happens.”
One commenter replied, “This is how I found out Inside Job got canceled… sigh.”
2. Rome
One user exclaimed, “ROME!!!!”
One commenter added, “Yes. Rome! It was Game of Thrones before Game of Thrones.”
One user replied, “Rome walked so GoT could run….into a post.”
“Yeah, the later seasons weren’t as good, but I don’t know how much better they could be considering everything that happened behind the scenes… Though I guess the real weakness was injecting Caesar and that one guy’s the stupid horrible son. Ugh…yeah…now I’m remembering everything…geez… you’re right…I was only thinking about the first season and the prequel,” one user responded.
3. 2003 Teen Titans
One user posted, “This may seem a bit childish, but Teen Titans—the original one from 2003…”
Another replied, “It’s a bummer because every character got one season where they were the focus of the ongoing plot. Season 1 was Robin, season 2 was Terra, season 3 was Cyborg, season 4 was Raven, and season 5 was Beast Boy. It was set up perfectly to have a 6th season focused on Starfire, and we never got it.”
One commenter added, “Rewatched the whole series reasonably recently. It really was such a unique show for the time. I remember seeing reruns on Boomerang after the series had finished airing on CN. Unfortunately, they no longer air anything from the original series or movie. Season 5 absolutely ended in a way that demanded something more, and the movie did not scratch that itch.”
4. Reaper
“Reaper—Absolutely loved that [show], oh and Firefly, but everyone says that,” one Redditor posted.
Another user added, “I hate that they don’t cast Tyler Labine in more comedy stuff. Reaper was a fantastic showcase of his hilarity, and one of my all-time favorite movies is Tucker and Dale vs. Evil.”
One user commented, “I can’t believe Reaper was so far down the list.”
Another added, “From what I remember, it was canceled because they wanted The Vampire Diaries in that time slot. Guess they made a good move, considering the success of TVD. But I still hate them for canceling it.”
One user added, “The network canceled it, they tried to syndicate to SciFi, but the cast would have to take pay cuts, so they weren’t on board, and then the showrunners were going to produce a comic book to at least wrap the cliffhanger they left us on, but… nothing. They did at least do an interview where they revealed the secrets behind Sam and the devil’s deal, his parentage, etc., if you’re interested. (Warning: spoilers for a show canceled 14 years ago).”
5. Jericho
One user posted, “Jericho.”
Another added, “Every time I see this thread, I come just to upvote or add Jericho. Nuts to CBS.”
One user also commented, “Same. I keep scrolling until I see Jericho, and then I upvote.”
“Let’s be honest. This would be one of the best ‘remakes’ of our time. Jericho and not just season one and a half. But seasons 3, 4, 5, and 6. Let’s see how the country is rebuilt. I would watch every last second of this. I also really like that long before preppers and all this other [stuff]. They were doing things that were way ahead of their time. Granted, they were probably public knowledge to somebody, but they weren’t mainstream. And I thought that was really cool that they were touching on a lot of topics. I think this show was ahead of its time, and it was canceled during a writer’s strike, and that [was terrible],” one user responded.
Another user concluded, “I think HBO or Paramount would do a good job on a Jericho reboot. However, if it ever does happen, I hope they use the original cast.”
6. Venture Bros
One user posted, “Venture Bros.”
One of the users then shared, “Venture Bros was easily a solid decade ahead of its time.The Boys, Invincible, Harley Quinn, Doom Patrol, Peacemaker. All these shows deal with deconstructing the superhero mythos, and the Venture Brothers did this in 2004. At least we’re getting a movie.”
“Venture Bros started as a pitch-perfect parody of old Hanna-Barbera cartoons and went on to skewer every element of pop culture they could get their hands on while maintaining well-written, context-driven comedy. It was never cheap. It was well-acted and scripted. It grew and evolved and allowed its characters to step outside the narrow channels they were born in, developing them from single characteristic, classic archetypes into something more complex. I [really] love the Venture Bros. Dead excited for the film, but I’d equally take another few seasons,” one user replied.
Another user concluded, “Honestly, the fact that most (all?) VB characters have some sort of arc is part of what makes the show great. Most shows (especially adult cartoons) have these flat, static characters. Venture bros are nothing like that.”
7. I Am Not Okay With This
One user shared, “I Am Not Okay With This.”
Another responded, “It had so much potential, not to mention they left so much unanswered at the end of the season purposely so they could make a second one.”
One Redditor commented, “Netflix does not [care at all] about finishing a story. It is not worth investing any time in any of their content, even the stuff that looks good.”
One user replied, “This cancellation made me give up on Netflix. I just can’t get excited by anything on their platform at this point because I know whatever I get interested in, no matter how good it is, will get dropped without a conclusion. I WON’T LET THEM HURT ME AGAIN!”
8. Pushing Daisies
One Redditor posted, “Pushing Daisies.”
One user replied, “Definitely this one. I loved the series and wanted to see where it was going.”
Another user seconded, “This and Dead Like Me. Both sensational shows.”
Another commenter responded, “I’ve just come to accept that anything Bryan Fuller makes, I’m going to love and then be heartbroken when it’s canceled too soon.”
One user commented, “Or when he’s ousted from it. American Gods took an extreme nosedive when he left.”
One user also shared, “I don’t really fault Fuller for Discovery. After all, CBS dropped him early in development, and they only used some of his outlines. As a result, the final product is different from what he was originally going for. As an example, he wanted to do an anthology series that explored many different eras of Star Trek.”
One user concluded, “Yeah, I thought he was there for the whole production of season one, but reading the Wiki page, it looks like there was a lot of turmoil early on.”
9. Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency
One of the Reddit users shared, “Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency. Edit: so many people didn’t like the 2nd season, which is entirely fair. It’s hard to live up to the expectations of such a solid first season. The reason I personally would like a 3rd season is that the cliffhanger is so damn tasty. Also, I want more Rowdy 3 (6?), Alan Tudyk, and Tyler Labine.
“I recognize that it deviates completely from the source material, and I understand why a lot of people are upset by that. There are a lot of examples where I hated the adaptation (looking at you, World War Z), but I personally believe this is a perfect example of how you take inspiration and run with it.
“A dark, gritty version where Dirk was the fat slob the books described him as might also be fantastic, and I’d probably watch… it. However, I think this adaptation perfectly captures the whimsical nonsense of Douglas Adam’s writing, and I’m ok with it. It’s just a shame that the show was attached to such a scumbag. Otherwise, we might have seen that 3rd season that gave us all the answers they teased.”
One user commented, “That show is still my absolute favorite. With absolute [great lines] like, ‘The Rowdy Three!’, ‘But there are 4 of them!’, ‘I’m WILDLY aware.’
“They captured Douglas Adams’ whimsical nonsense so perfectly in that show. I feel like the second series went completely off the rails, but I still loved it.”
“This was so gloriously, bizarrely brilliant. It was completely different from the (excellent) books, but it took on some of the core ideas and added a bunch of its own, then ran simultaneously with them in multiple directions. It was a joy to watch and made me feel an almost childlike wonder. It surprised and delighted me; a modern-day fairy-tale for grown-ups. Gutted it was canceled,” one user replied.
Another user added, “It was a book adaptation done right. Borrowed concepts from the book, but instead of trying to squeeze the book’s story onto the screen (which would have been a… trainwreck), they went their own way and made something unique.”
10. Better Off Ted
One Redditor posted, “Better Off Ted. The show was a brilliant satire of corporate business that was far too funny. The amazing cast was incredibly quotable and ended far too soon. Punisher should have had a season 2 with more gang/mafia shenanigans. Altered Carbon should have been able to wrap up its story. Rubicon. It didn’t have to be a continuation, but I would love to see more like it. Edit: I have corrected it. Punisher had a season 2—my mistake.
Another added, “The episode where they installed motion detectors for everything that didn’t see black people, so they had to assign every black person a white person to open doors, but then because of diversity rules, they had to hire more black people was phenomenal.
Ted: ‘That’s more than weird, Veronica. That’s basically, well… racist.’
Veronica: ‘The company’s position is that it’s actually the opposite of racist because it’s not targeting black people. It’s just ignoring them. So they insist the worst people can call it is indifferent.’
Ted: ‘Well, they know it has to be fixed, right? Please… at least say they know that.’
Veronica: ‘Of course they do, and they’re working on it. In the meantime, they’d like everyone to celebrate the fact that it sees Hispanics, Asians, Pacific Islanders, and Jews.’”
One user concluded, “Definitely. Whenever people ask me about good, fun TV, they usually know the standards like Office and 30 Rock, so I point them to Better off Ted and outline this specific episode. And each time, they are eager to check it out. It’s such an unusual, new trope that hits all the right points.”
Source: Reddit.
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As a personal finance blogger, I come across many great websites and apps. I always try to stay updated on the latest and greatest apps, money-saving companies, and more, as I believe they can help a person improve their financial situation.
Whether they make managing your money easier, allow you to make or save more money, simplify financial tasks, or something else, there are many benefits to all of the companies that I have listed below.
Every little bit counts and taking part in many of the websites or apps below may be things that you may not have tried yet. You never know how much money they may allow you to save or make, which may completely change how you think about your finances.
There are affiliate links in this blog post, but these are all products and services that I recommend. I wouldn’t put anything in a blog post that I haven’t verified and/or personally used.
Enjoy!
Have Digit trick you into saving more money.
I recommend looking into Digit if you want to trick yourself into saving more money. I have an account and it’s already helped me save a little more as well.
Digit is a free service that looks at your spending and transfers money to a savings account for you. Digit makes everything easy so that you can start saving money with very little effort.
Read Digit Review – A New Way To Save Money.
Related: Yotta Savings App Review – Win up to $10 million weekly by saving in an FDIC insured account
Use Bluehost to start a blog.
There are many ways a blog may be able to help you make and save money.
I know many people who have started a blog and are making thousands of dollars a month. Plus, it’s a lot of fun!
I now earn around $50,000 a month from my blog, and I expect that to double in 2016. I also travel full-time and am happier than ever!
If you are interested in starting a blog of your own, I created a tutorial that will help you start a blog of your own for cheap, starting at only $3.49 per month (this low price is only through my link and for a limited time) for blog hosting. In addition to the low pricing, you will receive a free blog domain (a $15 value) through my Bluehost link if you purchase at least 12 months of blog hosting.
Switch to Republic Wireless and save money on your cell phone.
If you have a cell phone, I recommend checking out Republic Wireless for a more affordable plan.
Republic Wireless is a service I’ve been using for over one year now and I’m still very pleased with the service. They have monthly cell phone plans as low as $10 per month. Yes, TEN DOLLARS!
Read Save Over $2,000 A Year With Republic Wireless Review.
Shop with Ebates and get cash back.
I had to include Ebates today in this blog post since the holidays are quickly approaching. Ebates is a great site to be using when you are shopping for the holidays.
Ebates allows you to earn free cash money for spending like how you normally would online. All you do is click on a store that you want to shop through (they have tons of stores such as Kohls, REI, Toys R Us, etc.), and shop just like how you normally would. Ebates makes a commission for referring you to the store you just shopped at, and they give you some of that money back as a thank you.
Plus, when you sign up through my link, you receive a free $10 gift card to Macys, Walmart, Target, or Kohls!
Read my Ebates review Use Ebates For Free Cash Back.
Plan your meals with $5 Meal Plan.
I joined $5 Meal Plan earlier this year in order to help me eat at home more and cut my food spending. It’s only $5 a month (the first four weeks are free too) and you get meal plans sent straight to you along with the exact shopping list you need in order to create the meals. The meals are easy to make, affordable, and delicious!
You can sign up for $5 Meal Plan here.
Take surveys for extra money.
Survey sites are great because they allow you to have the ability to make extra money while doing it all from the comfort of your home.
Some survey sites I recommend include:
It’s best to sign up for as many as you can as that way you can receive the most surveys and make the most money. These are all legitimate survey sites and occasionally you may receive free items to test out too.
Related: 12 Paid Survey Sites To Make $50+ Per Month
Get rewarded for being online.
These three sites are fairly similar so I’m grouping them all together.
Swagbucks is an easy way to earn Amazon gift cards with very little work. Swagbucks is just like using Google to do your online searches, except you get rewarded points called SB for the things you do through their website. You can also receive points for taking surveys, watching videos, and more. Then, when you have enough points, you can redeem them for cash, gift cards, and more. You’ll receive a free $5 bonus just for signing up through my link!
Another one you may be interested in related to this one is Nielsen Digital Voice. Digital Voice is a part of Nielsen, which I’m sure you’ve heard of. All you have to do is surf the web and you may be able to start earning money.
InboxDollars is the last of the online rewards websites that I recommend. You can earn cash by taking surveys, playing games, shopping online, searching the web, redeeming grocery coupons, and more. By signing up through my link, you will receive $5 for free just for signing up!
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Improve your credit score with Credit Sesame.
With Credit Sesame, you can get your credit score for free, with no catch. Your credit score can impact whether or not you are approved for a loan, whether you are hired at certain jobs, your interest rate, and more. It’s relatively easy to raise your credit score, so you should start doing so today.
Read How Your Credit Score Affects Your Life + Credit Sesame Review.
Use Personal Capital to manage your finances better.
Personal Capital provides free financial software somewhat similar to Mint. Personal Capital is much more detailed, though, and due to that between the two I would definitely choose Personal Capital.
You can track your net worth, your cash flow, your portfolio, your investments, and more. Personal Capital pretty much picks up in the main area that Mint is not the greatest in, which is investment planning.
Read Personal Capital Review – An Easier Way To Manage Your Finances.
Save money by shopping with Flipp.
Flipp is a new app that I recently heard about. In case you’re not familiar with the app, Flipp is a free shopping app that brings the weekly shopping circular to your mobile device. With Flipp, shoppers can have seamless access to their favorite circulars and all the savings without lugging around paper or missing a good deal!
The app is also extremely easy to use. With Flipp’s shopping list feature, you can quickly find the best deals for your weekly essentials. Once you’re in the store, you can easily check off items from your list, which is built right into the app. This way you can pick up everything you need and also stick to your list.
You can download Flipp for Apple or Android.
Cancel cable and get a digital antenna.
We got rid of cable earlier this year and we even got rid of Netflix last month. Now, we just have a digital antenna and it’s all we need.
Digital antennas are very affordable and there is no recurring cost with them. You just buy the antenna once and you can get great quality TV and many channels for free.
You can buy a digital antenna here. That is the same exact one I have.
Read more at Cut Cable, Use A Digital Antenna, and Save Thousands.
Refinance your student loans with Credible.
If you have student loans, you may want to look into Credible.
I highly recommend Credible for student loan refinancing. You can lower the interest rate on your student loans significantly by using Credible which may help you shave thousands off your student loan bill over time.
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What other sites do you recommend so that a person can save or make more money?
Webull believes that everyone should have an equal opportunity to control their financial future, and with their app, you can do just that.
Let’s dig into our Webull review.
In This Article
What is Webull?
It’s an iOS and Android online stock trading app that incorporates a ton of real-time information and tools to help the beginner get started investing for their future, or give the veteran investor an excellent option for zero commission trading.
Although other mobile apps offer free trades, like Robinhood, these two apps are very different, and Webull has some unique features to offer, especially in the area of research.
Webull is offering a free stock priced at $12-$1400 after successfully opening a free account and depositing ANY amount.
Webull Financial, LLC owns the Webull application. The company was founded in 2017 (privately held), and the mobile app was launched in May of 2018.
Webull is a registered broker-dealer with the SEC and a member of FINRA and Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC), which protects securities customers of its members up to $500,000 (including $250,000 for claims for cash).
You can check the background of Webull Financial LLC on FINRA’s BrokerCheck.
Keep in mind when investing in stocks and all other investment products involve substantial risk of loss and are not suitable for every investor. The value of stocks may fluctuate, and as a result, clients may lose more than their original investment.
Webull Features
Webull provides several great features to get you started buying and selling stocks. Webull V6.0 was recently released, which added Options Trading for all our users. Cryptocurrency Trading will also be coming to Webull soon! Visit the Webull website to join the Cryptocurrency Trading RSVP list.
Here are the features WeBull includes:
Free to Setup – Download the app, and you can begin setting up a commission-free brokerage account. You must be at least 18 years old with a valid social security number. There is no minimum deposit required for regular trading, but for margin trading, the minimum account balance must be at $2,000 or above (to use leverage or short).
Trading Tools – Webull delivers some of the best tools of any trading platform. They include free Free real-time quotes (NASDAQ Last Sale), in-depth charts, analyst ratings, and financial calendars.
Extended Trading Hours – Webull has free pre-market, and after-hours trading from 4 am to 8 pm Est. Full pre-market (4:00 AM – 9:30 AM ET) and after hours (4:00 PM – 8:00 PM ET) sessions.There are not many trading platforms that offer these extended hours.
Retirement Accounts – Webull offers three different types of IRAs to serve different financial goals: Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, and Rollover IRA.
Margin Account – With a margin account, you can short stocks, employ leverage to increase your exposure beyond that of your cash balance, and can place multiple day trades within a week without breaching regulatory constraints around day trading.
Free Stocks – You have the opportunities to receive free stock. You get one for opening an account. You can’t beat free!
Easy of Use – The Webull app is easy to use and has a great design. Check out the video I made. The app is running on an iPhone 6 with no issues.
Multi-platform accessibility
Free access to our advanced and fully customizable desktop, web, and mobile platforms.
24/7 Online Help
We offer 24/7 online help to guide you through our multiple platforms and answer all your questions.
Is Webull Safe?
Webull has several different levels of security and insurance for your account.
First, for your personal data, Webull uses state-of-the-art security measures when handling customer information. Your personal information is fully encrypted and never shared.
Second, for your money invested, Webull Financial is a member of SIPC, which protects securities customers of its members up to $500,000 ( $250,000 of cash).
Thirdly, Webull’s clearing firm, Apex Clearing, has purchased an additional insurance policy. The coverage limits protect securities and cash up to an aggregate of $150 million, subject to maximum restrictions of $37.5 million for any one customer’s securities and $900,000 for any customer’s cash. Similar to SIPC protection, this additional insurance does not protect against a loss in the market value of securities.
All the details can be found at Webull’s website or call Webull’s customer service for more information.
Webull Offers Free Stocks
Did I mention a free stock? Who doesn’t like free? You can get a free stock, once you successfully open a Webull account and fund the account with ANY amount. A stock valued between $12-$1400 will be received.
The stock inventory is composed of stocks with a minimum market capitalization of $2.5 billion from a US-based company listed on the NYSE or NASDAQ stock exchange.
Increase Your Investing Knowledge
One of the best features of Webull’s app is its aggregation of stock and investing information in one place. If you are looking to gain a better understanding of the stock market, this app is for you.
Several features will help you increase your knowledge, and help get you more comfortable with investing.
Watchlist – The watchlist gives you the ability to track individual stocks, mutual funds, ETFs, and companies. Even if you know very little about investing, this feature allows you to track the performance of any company you add to your watch list.
So if Netflix happens to be your binge-watching service or Starbucks your beverage company of choice, you can add them. Once added, you can drill down and review detailed performance, news, and analyst rating. This simple ability will help you increase your investing IQ.
Market Data – The market tab within Webull’s app gives you a complete market overview, including all US-base markets, the Dow Jones, S&P 500, and the NASDAQ. It also includes the Cryptos market, and all of the Global markets with great detail.
Paper Trading – This is a simulated trading feature, that just maybe the best way for a novice investor to better understand the market without the risk of losing any of their own money.
The feature allows you to start with 1 million dollars of virtual money to begin to build a stock portfolio. This real-life scenario is suitable for beginners to practice without using real money and a variety of features that benefit traders.
Webull offers simulator trading competition with real prizes on the line. To participate, you need to use Webull points to enter.
From their website, points are based on your contributions to Webull and the community. You can earn points by posting comments and ideas in the Webull community, completing tasks, and participating in our promotional activities, etc. These points can be redeemed for upcoming Webull products and services.
Cons
There is a lot we like about WeBull. Currently, there is only one con we could find.
Joint accounts – Webull does not support custodian, joint, or trust accounts. All accounts are individual accounts.
Overall Webull Impressions
I hope you have found this review useful. Webull is a slick trading platform app with a significant number of tools and data to balance your level of experience. It’s easy enough to use to help the beginner investor learn more about the stock market and deep enough to keep the experienced investor engaged.
Webull is an excellent choice for anyone who wants to be able to trade stocks from a smartphone.
Check out Twitter and follow the hashtag #HelloWebull for all the social media buzz on the application.
Brian is a Dad, husband, and an IT professional by trade. A Personal Finance Blogger since 2013. Who, with his family, has successfully paid off over $100K worth of consumer debt. Now that Brian is debt-free, his mission is to help his three children prepare for their financial lives and educate others to achieved financial success. Brian is involved in his local community. As a Financial Committee Chair with the Board of Education of his local school district, he has helped successfully launch a K-12 financial literacy program in a six thousand student district.