Paying off debt is hard work. If it weren’t so hard, then it would be no problem for people to do. But, that isn’t the case at all.
Once you decide to pay off your debt, there will challenges along the way. There will be times that you feel tired and even defeated. Paying off debt takes making sacrifices, it takes time, and you may feeling like you are the only one working towards being debt free.
There are many things that may weigh you down as you pay off your debt, and the ones I bring up are all going to feel very negative. But, I want to talk about them because they are all things that I have felt while paying off my nearly $40,000 of student loan debt. By knowing that these feelings are common, my hope is that today’s post can help you overcome difficulties that you may experience along the way.
Instead of letting these feelings or challenges completely stop you from moving forward as you pay off your debt, you should know that many of the obstacles you come across are things that you can push past and move on from.
I hate seeing people stop their debt payoff journey because they feel too overwhelmed, and it’s important to remember that you aren’t the only one trying to pay off your debt. Just like anything else you are working towards, keep trying because you won’t get any closer to your goal if you stop now!
Plus, paying off debt is all worth it.
Remember this as you go, choosing to face your finances and pay off your debt is one of the best things you can do for yourself. And, even though it’s hard, you will be so proud of yourself once you realize what all of those struggles and hard work were for.
It may take a long time, but try to remember why you are doing it.
To help you deal with how difficult it may feel to pay off your debt, here are some of the struggles and feelings you may face and what you can do to change your mindset.
You may feel tired.
Learning to pay off your debt means you may need to find another job, cut your spending, and even downsize your house. All of those things are stressful and stress can leave you feeling exhausted.
But, you need to remember that you won’t always feel this way. This feeling is a temporary thing and what’s at the end, being debt free, will let you live a better life.
You will eventually be able to cut back on working so much and you will be able to sleep better knowing that you won’t have debt hanging over your life.
I remember how much extra work it took to pay off my debt. I worked so much and was so tired, but I wouldn’t change a thing because paying off my debt has led to living an amazing life.
You may have to make sacrifices.
Paying off your debt is all about making sacrifices, and we all know how hard that can be. You may have to change your spending behaviors, avoid places like the mall, cut your expenses, and more.
While it may seem tough to adjust to a new lifestyle, especially in the beginning, it will get easier over time. If bad spending habits were what led you into debt, then these sacrifices may feel even harder due to the fact that you may be used to spending more than you have.
But, you can break those bad habits and create new ones that will help you pay off your debt and then stay debt free. Habits like budgeting, family money meetings, and not overspending are all things that will help you for years to come.
If you are struggling with making sacrifices, I recommend bookmarking your favorite debt blogs and podcasts,
going on a no spend challenge, redoing your budget, looking for ways to extra money, and more.
Related:
You may be bored.
When you are trying to pay off your debt, you may have to start saying no to some of the activities and things you were spending money on. This could mean saying no to vacations, happy hours, dinner with friends, going to the movies, and more.
While you may feel bored in the beginning, it’s probably just because you haven’t realized that there are so many ways to have fun while you pay off your debt. When you actually start looking for frugal options to having fun, you will probably be surprised that there are so many possibilities.
You can take part in free events and festivals around your area, go to your local library, use coupons, and more. Plus, the outdoors are always a great place to have fun for cheap. You can go for a walk, ride your bike, hike, jog, or just explore. Find more ideas at How To Have Frugal Fun.
There really is no reason to be bored while paying off your debt. You’ve probably heard the saying that only boring people are bored – so don’t be boring!
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You may feel like you should be keeping up with the Joneses.
One thing that many people find hard about paying off debt is that it feels like everyone else around them is still spending a lot of money. There are social media posts about amazing vacations, your friends might be talking about the new car they just bought, and friends who are wearing trendy new clothes and shoes, etc.
But, none of those things are needs. That negative feeling you might be experiencing when thinking about those things is just the feeling that you need to keep up with others. This is often something we try to do in order to feel better about what’s going on in our own life.
Unfortunately, it can be very tempting to stop your debt payoff journey to try to keep up with others around you, this is because you may feel jealous and wonder why others can spend money when you cannot.
But, looks can be deceiving. You don’t know what kind of financial situation that the other person is in. They may have more debt than you do! They may be maxing out their credit cards to go on vacations and buy expensive new clothes. They may have taken a second mortgage out on their home, and more!
There is no need to spend just to spend. You should only make purchases that you actually want to make and ones you need to make.
The next time you feel like you should spend money on things you don’t really need, you should stop and think about what’s actually bugging you and if you truly believe that spending money will cure whatever problem you are dealing with.
So, if you are wanting to do some emotional spending to deal with your feelings of debt pay off or to keep up with others, try to think about how amazing you will feel if you just keep working on your debt.
Paying off debt is all worth it.
While all the things listed above were negative feelings, there is one thing to keep in mind:
Paying off your debt can have so many positives.
I paid off my student loan debt quickly, and while it was extremely tiring, I wouldn’t change it for the world. There were many sleepless nights, 100 hour work weeks, and more, but I always reminded myself that this wouldn’t last forever. I knew that I wanted a different life and knew that paying off my debt would be 100% worth it in the end.
And, while you may feel like it’s awful right now, here are some positives that will come along the way:
Happiness. No longer having debt means that you’ll have more money in your pocket. You can save for retirement, finally take a vacation, and those things can lead to happiness and security.
No longer living paycheck to paycheck. By eliminating your debt, you will hopefully have learned better money management skills which will then allow you to start saving for other things in life, such as retirement.
Feeling in control. Debt can make a person feel like they have completely lost control of their life. By getting rid of your debt, you will feel much more in control of your life and your financial situation.
How does, or did, paying off your debt make you feel? What do you do to remain positive? What do you think debt free life will be like?
There’s a divide in the world of personal finance. On one side are the folks who offer advice for scrimping and saving your way to financial success. On the other are the experts who scoff at frugality and champion big wins. I think there’s a place for both.
From my perspective, it’s important to do the small stuff — clipping coupons, conserving electricity — because doing so builds good habits. And, of course, many small actions combine to yield big rewards in the long term. (Plus there’s the fact that a frugal lifestyle costs less to support, which means you can reach financial independence all the sooner!)
On the other hand, the “big wins” camp has a valid point. Too many people focus exclusively on the small stuff because it’s easy to do and doesn’t require any real sacrifice. Yet you improve your monthly cash flow by hundreds of dollars by achieving a single big win, which is likely to be more than you save on all of the thrifty things you do combined.
Big Wins vs. Pyrrhic Victories
The way I see it, there are four types of things you can do to reduce your expenses or boost your income.
Difficult (or time-consuming) things that provide small pay-offs. These pyrrhic victories include things like going door-to-door to collect old newspapers in order to earn money or making your own laundry detergent.
Easy (or quick) things that provide small pay-offs. Because there are so many of these opportunities, they’re the bread and butter of personal finance. They’re the daily victories with which we’re all familiar. On the income side, they include working overtime and participating in research studies. Small, quick ways to reduce spending include clipping coupons, buying clothes at thrift stores, and making use of the public library.
Difficult (or time-consuming) things that provide big pay-offs. Some tasks, such as moving to a cheaper home in a cheaper city, can provide huge rewards, but they take a lot of time and effort to accomplish. These are ongoing projects, and might include selling all of the stuff you’ve collected in your attic or garage. (An example of this is me selling my comic books last year.)
Easy (or quick) things that provide big pay-offs. Here’s where you should spend most of your time: Working toward big wins. These include negotiating your salary (which takes minutes, but pays off for decades to come) and reducing your transportation costs (which you can do in a matter of days).
Here’s a diagram to provide a visual representation of what I’m describing:
Some actions provide bigger payoffs than others. And some are easier than others.
Note: For convenience, I’m saying that the things we do fall into one of these four quadrants. In reality, all of this exists on a continuum. Some of the easy actions are easier than others. And each of us will obtain slightly different results.
As you can see, big wins are the best way to improve your financial situation. They’re easy (or quick) to achieve, but provide big rewards. If you want to improve your financial situation, start with these.
How to Achieve Big Wins
Here are some examples of common ways to achieve big wins that will dramatically improve your cash flow:
Housing
Housing is the biggest expense for most Americans — and by a wide margin. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ 2012 Consumer Expenditure Survey (CES), the typical American household spends 32.8 percent of its income on housing, which includes mortgage (or rent), maintenance, insurance, interest, and utilities.
In an ideal world, you’d slash your housing expense by buying an affordable home in a city with a low cost of living. But while that would provide a huge financial reward, it’s not exactly easy, which means it doesn’t qualify as a “big win” in my world. But there are easier ways to reduce your living expenses.
The biggest (and, admittedly, most difficult) is to move within your current city. Sell your home (or move out of your rental) and choose something more affordable. Think about it: If you’re an average American who spends slightly more than $50,000 per year, $1,408 is going to housing every month. Drop that by 10 percent, and you’ll save almost $150 per month. Drop it by 30 percent, and you’ll save more than $5,000 per year!
Transportation
Transportation is our second-largest expense. We spend an average of $750 per month (17.5 percent of the typical budget) to get around, including vehicle payments, gasoline, insurance, and repairs. I know Americans love their automobiles. They’re loath to let go of them, even in the face of logic. But imagine how much you could save if you could cut your car costs in half! How do you do that?
Sell your current car. Replace it with a used vehicle, one that’s fuel efficient. (Side benefit: An older, used vehicle will cost less to insure!)
Drive your car only when necessary. When possible, bike or walk to reach your destination. (Side benefit: Increased fitness, which also saves you money!)
Make use of public transportation. (Side benefit: Time to read!)
Usually when I recommend people make changes to the way they get around, I’m met with a wall of objections. No worries. I’m used to it. But let me suggest that instead of looking for reasons you can’t do this that you instead look for ways you can. You’ll save yourself buckets of money.
Other expenses
Together, housing and transportation consume half of the average American’s budget. There are enormous opportunities to save if you choose to economize on these two categories. But there are dozens of ways to achieve big wins in other areas too.
The CES reveals that the typical household spent $1,736 on clothing in 2012, $3,556 on health care, $2,605 on entertainment, and $6,599 on food (which doesn’t include the $783 that went toward alcohol and tobacco).
Because each of us is different and we spend in different ways, opportunities for big wins vary from person to person. For example, after tracking my spending for the last half of 2013, I realized that I was spending way too much on travel. This year, I hope to cut my travel costs in half. Doing so would allow me to save money toward other goals, such as, guitar lessons.
Examine your own spending. Where do you have the most room to cut back? How can you do it? Look for big wins — and make them happen.
Income
I’ve written before about the importance of increasing your income. While it’s great to cut your spending, you can only trim your budget so far. Your earning potential, on the other hand, is theoretically unlimited. If you really want to get rich — slowly or otherwise — you’re going to have to make more money.
But as with spending, some methods of boosting your income provide big wins while others don’t. Here are two easy (or quick) ways to make a big difference to the amount of money you make:
Take a second job. Earning more in your spare time is a quick way to boost your cash flow, and it’s something that almost anyone can do. Some people don’t like the idea of taking a second job (they feel like it’s beneath them) and others are full of reasons that doing so is impossible (they don’t have time, the job market is tough). But for those who choose this path, a second job involves less risk and planning than most other income-boosting strategies, and it’s likely to cause far less stress than your primary job.
Negotiate your salary. One of the best ways to increase your income is at the source: during salary negotiations when you land a job or during a performance review. For many folks, salary negotiations can be awkward or scary. But in his book Negotiating Your Salary, career coach Jack Chapman argues that those few minutes during which you ask for more money in an interview can make a difference of tens of thousands of dollars over your career. Maybe hundreds of thousands. That’s a big win.
There are other ways to supercharge your income — become better educated, start a side business, become a landlord — but they take more time and effort. You can find a second job this week and be earning more toward your financial goals. And you can negotiate a salary increase the next time you sit down for a performance review. Both provide big boosts to your earnings for a minimum of effort.
The Bottom Line
I’m not saying you shouldn’t make your own laundry detergent or collect newspapers to earn money. But I think it’s important to put these activities in their proper place and to realize that you will never get rich doing them. (In fact, they’re a poor way to get out of debt.) It’s better to focus on actions that are easier to complete and/or yield greater rewards.
The biggest barrier between the average person and big wins isn’t ability. It’s psychology. Big wins generally require effort and sacrifice, which can be tough to stomach, especially if you’re just getting started with smart personal finance. But the sooner you understand that these aren’t fringe ideas, the quicker you’ll get out of debt or reach financial independence. The small stuff forms a great basis for behavioral change, but it’s doing the big things that will make you rich.
A state with rich history and diverse landscapes, North Carolina is home to some of the most charming and lively college towns in the country.
From the bustling streets of Chapel Hill to the serene, tree-lined avenues of Davidson, the best college towns in North Carolina offer a perfect blend of academic opportunities, unique culture and top-notch recreational resources for students and locals alike. Let’s embark on a journey through the Tar Heel State’s top college towns.
We’ll begin our tour in picturesque Chapel Hill, which is often referred to as the ‘Southern Part of Heaven.’ With a blend of historic charm and modern sophistication, this thriving college town is home to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the nation’s oldest public university. The beautiful campus, with its lush greenery and stately architecture, beckons students and visitors alike to take a leisurely stroll or find a shady spot to soak up the day.
Chapel Hill is also a foodie’s paradise, with an array of dining options that cater to every taste and budget. For a unique Chapel Hill experience, catch a show at the Cat’s Cradle, a legendary music venue that has been hosting big-name acts since the 1970s.
Next up on our list of college towns in North Carolina is Durham, a city known for its cutting-edge research and entrepreneurial spirit. Home to Duke University and North Carolina Central University, Durham boasts a thriving community of scholars, artists and innovators.
The city’s revitalized downtown area is packed with a myriad of eclectic shops, galleries and restaurants, making it the perfect place to unwind after a long day of lectures. Be sure to visit the American Tobacco Campus, a historic tobacco factory turned mixed-use development, where you can catch a live performance at the Durham Performing Arts Center or savor a craft beer at one of the many nearby breweries.
If you’re looking for a college town that offers a more laid-back vibe, look no further than Greenville, home to East Carolina University. With its quaint downtown area and abundance of green spaces, Greenville provides a tranquil environment for students to find their passions and focus on their studies.
The town’s vibrant arts scene and bustling Uptown District offer a variety of entertainment options, from gallery crawls to live music performances. Greenville is also known for its commitment to sustainability, with numerous parks and greenways that encourage residents to enjoy the great outdoors when the North Carolina sun is shining.
Nestled amongst the trees and rolling hills of North Carolina’s Piedmont region, Davidson is home to the prestigious liberal arts college, Davidson College. This idyllic college town is an enchanting setting for both students to learn and locals to live happy lives. With its tree-lined streets, stately brick buildings and welcoming community, it should be no surprise that Davidson claims a spot on this list.
Davidson’s charming downtown area is perfect for an afternoon of fun, with its boutique shops, cozy cafes and inviting restaurants. Don’t miss the opportunity to watch a performance at the intimate Armour Street Theatre or explore the town’s vibrant arts scene at one of the many galleries and studios.
Our next stop takes us to the coastal city of Wilmington, a bustling college town that seamlessly blends laid-back beach vibes with top-tier academic resources. Home to the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, this picturesque city offers students the best of both worlds, with a thriving downtown area and miles of pristine beaches just minutes away.
Wilmington’s historic riverfront district boasts a ton of shopping, dining and entertainment options, including the popular Riverwalk that lines the scenic Cape Fear River. In your downtime, be sure to visit the iconic USS North Carolina Battleship, which serves as a memorial to the sailors and marines who served during World War II.
As we journey further west, we arrive in Boone, a haven for outdoor enthusiasts thanks to its mountain location and home to Appalachian State University. Surrounded by the breathtaking Blue Ridge Mountains, Boone provides a picturesque setting for college life and a wealth of recreational activities for students and residents alike. From hiking and mountain biking to skiing and snowboarding, the opportunities for adventure are endless.
The town’s vibrant downtown area, with its unique shops, art galleries and farm-to-table restaurants, is the perfect place to go after a day of exploring the great outdoors. Students that stick around for the summer can even enjoy the renowned Appalachian Summer Festival, a celebration of the arts that brings world-class performances and events to the High Country each year.
Our next destination is Elon, a quaint college town that exudes a warm, small-town charm. Home to Elon University, this tight-knit community is a serene and inviting environment for students to focus on their studies. With its brick sidewalks, gaslit street lamps and historic architecture, Elon’s picturesque campus has been recognized as one of the most beautiful in the country.
The town’s stellar arts scene is highlighted by the university’s numerous events, including theater productions, concerts and art exhibitions. For a taste of the great outdoors, students can often be found taking a leisurely stroll through the Elon Forest or enjoying a round of golf at the challenging on-campus course.
No tour of college towns in North Carolina would be complete without a visit to Raleigh, the state’s bustling capital city. As the home of North Carolina State University, Meredith College, Shaw University and several other institutions, Raleigh boasts a diverse and thriving academic community.
The city’s downtown area houses a wealth of attractions, making it an ideal destination for students seeking a college experience that is rich in culture. For a taste of Raleigh’s thriving food scene, head to the Warehouse District, where you’ll find a variety of innovative eateries and craft breweries. And if you’re a sports fan, don’t miss the opportunity to catch a game at the PNC Arena or Carter-Finley Stadium, both of which host exciting collegiate and professional events.
As a bonus, let’s take a quick detour to the vibrant city of Charlotte, home to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. While Charlotte may not fit the traditional mold of a college town, its dynamic urban setting provides a wealth of opportunities for students and visitors alike.
The city’s thriving creative population is complemented by a burgeoning tech and banking industry, making it an ideal destination for those pursuing careers in arts, technology and finance. Explore the captivating museums in the Uptown area, take in a performance at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center or cheer on the Carolina Panthers at the Bank of America Stadium.
Now’s the time to settle down in an NC college town
The best college towns in North Carolina offer an impressive array of academic, cultural and recreational opportunities for students and locals alike. From the bustling streets of Chapel Hill to the serene, tree-lined avenues of Davidson, each town boasts its own unique charm. Whether you’re a prospective student, a visiting family member or simply an adventurer seeking new experiences, the Tar Heel State’s most sought-after college towns are sure to leave a lasting impression.
It is crucial to acknowledge the critical role that trees and plants play in preserving biodiversity. Despite their significance, the story of endangered and extinct trees is often neglected, but it’s important to note that trees are vital to the survival of various animal and insect species, and they play a significant role in maintaining our planet’s ecological balance. Today, we’re diving into some of the most endangered trees on our planet right now.
1. Serbian Spruce
The Serbian Spruce, once widespread across Europe before the Ice Ages, is mostly confined to Southeastern Europe. This tree species was once cherished by horticulturalists for its elegant, tall, and slender form and it was a popular ornamental tree. Its resilience and adaptability to various soil types also make it valuable for local ecosystems. However, the Serbian Spruce’s population has drastically declined over time, owing to fire, exploitation, climate change, and competition from other preferred tree species.
2. Big-Leaf Mahogany
The Mahogany tree is a spectacular sight, with its massive buttresses and strong roots that support trunks towering up to 200 feet high, and its large leaves made up of numerous leaflets. This species has a rich history dating back to the 16th century when it became popular for creating fine furniture, thanks to its strength and resistance to rot. However, the Mahogany tree is now among the most expensive wood materials due to its limited availability. Unfortunately, weak regulations, global demand, and over-harvesting have nearly decimated this species. In Central America alone, the Mahogany population has decreased by 70% since the 1950s, highlighting the urgent need for conservation efforts.
3. Bristlecone Pine
Have you heard of the world’s most renowned tree, Methuselah? It is a species of Bristlecone Pine and happens to be one of the oldest living trees on our planet. Methuselah isn’t the oldest: another tree is around 5,062 years old and yet to be named. Bristlecone Pines are predominantly found in Eastern California, Nevada, and Utah, where they grow in rocky terrain with little water. Despite their harsh growing conditions, these trees have survived for centuries, and their twisted, gnarled branches are a testament to their longevity. Bristlecone Pine tree rings have been used to study climate conditions dating back thousands of years. Sadly, due to its vulnerability to extinction, conservation efforts are crucial to preserve this remarkable species.
4. Monkey Puzzle
Despite being Chile’s national tree, the Monkey Puzzle has suffered a significant decline in numbers due to various factors, including wildfires, excessive logging, and grazing. This tree species is native to Chile and Argentina and is highly valued for its premium timber, which has contributed to its rapid depletion. The Monkey Puzzle can reach towering heights of up to 40 meters (130 feet), making it a prime target for loggers and tree harvesters. Its straight, robust trunk makes it an ideal source of timber for constructing sturdy bridges, boats, and buildings.
5. African Baobab Tree
The Baobab tree, an iconic symbol of Africa, is under constant threat from the detrimental impacts of climate change and human activities. Rapid deforestation for farming and fuel has led to a significant loss of habitat for these trees. Among the Baobab species, A. perrieri is the most endangered, with only 99 trees known to exist. The shrinking habitat of this species poses a grave threat to its survival, and concerted conservation efforts are urgently needed to protect and preserve these magnificent trees for future generations.
6. Loulu
The Loulu tree, an iconic symbol of Hawaii’s native flora, is on the brink of extinction with a dwindling population of only 300 remaining wild specimens. Nevertheless, the future of this unique species seems hopeful as it is highly adaptable to cultivation in nurseries and has become a sought-after garden plant among enthusiasts, creating a viable source for conservation efforts. Furthermore, with the increasing awareness and conservation initiatives undertaken by various organizations, the Loulu tree may still flourish and thrive in the natural habitats of Hawaii once again.
7. Honduras Rosewood
The Honduras Rosewood, with its distinct purple hue, is found in Belize, Guatemala, and Southern Mexico. Unfortunately, this species is facing a grave threat due to extensive logging and the loss of its natural habitat. The timber gotten from this species is highly prized, which adds to the pressure on the already dwindling populations. The situation is particularly alarming in Belize, where slash-and-burn agriculture is a prevalent practice and has resulted in a significant decline in species numbers.
8. Bois Dentelle
The Bois Dentelle tree is a strong contender for the title of the rarest tree in the world. Only two specimens are known to exist in the wild, both of which can be found in Mauritius’ cloud forest. Unfortunately, these trees are facing tough competition from invasive species such as the commercially grown Guava, which poses a threat to their survival. To safeguard Bois Dentelle’s future, the Mauritian Ministry of Agriculture and the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation have taken proactive measures. They have established a nursery where seedlings are being grown to ensure the species’ survival. Through these efforts, they hope to protect this unique and rare tree from the challenges it faces in the wild.
9. Dragon Tree
In ancient times, the Dragon Tree was a prevalent species, but its population has been gradually declining over time. Today, it is only found in limited regions including Morocco, Madeira, Cape Verde Islands, and some parts of the Canary Islands. Unfortunately, the survival of this species is constantly threatened by natural and human factors, such as wildfires and the consumption of seedlings by animals like rabbits and goats. As a result, the regeneration of Dragon Tree populations has been hindered.
10. Pennantia Baylisiana
The tree discovered in the Three Kings Islands off the coast of New Zealand is believed to be the rarest species on the planet, with only a solitary plant remaining in its natural habitat. This unique tree is exclusive to the area, and the sole surviving specimen is situated on a scree slope in the northern region of Great Island, where it faces the constant threat of extinction due to natural disasters and human activities.
It’s clear that urgent action is necessary to prevent the extinction of these trees. The loss of any species has a significant impact on our planet’s biodiversity, and we must recognize their critical role in our ecosystems. From the towering Mahogany to the gnarled Bristlecone Pine, each of these species faces unique challenges, and conservation efforts are vital for their survival.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Guest Post The Top 5 Neighborhoods in The DC Area for Runners You’re lucky you don’t live in Boston. They rank #1 in the nation for most hours lost to sitting in traffic congestion. Bostonians lose 164 hours staring at the back of someone else’s bumper. … [Read more…]
Would you be worried about noise, traffic, or unwanted media attention?
[find-an-apartment]
Mr. Bieber has engaged in some questionable activities, suggesting — for some, at least – a possibility of less than neighborly behavior. There was the report of an alleged egging of a neighbor’s home in Los Angeles, and also claims that Bieber has allegedly driven a car unsafely. A petition to deport Bieber from the United States has received over 269,000 signatures.
An informal poll conducted by the author among a few friends revealed varied opinions about hypothetically having Bieber as a neighbor:
“I’d move.”
“I’d worry for my safety, and take measures to protect myself.”
“I’d want to help and mother him.”
“I’d be thrilled to get close to the ‘celebrity life.’”
“I’d ignore or tolerate the extra attention…to a point.”
“I’d prefer Jennifer Lawrence.”
What challenges might a celebrity presence bring to a neighborhood? Any fringe benefits, perhaps?
Would you move if a celebrity became your neighbor?
Here at Apartment Guide, we thought the situation merited some thought on the nature of the neighbor relationship.
What is good neighbor behavior?
Good neighbors are respectful: they pay attention to loud music or other unreasonably distracting behavior which might annoy their neighbors.
Good neighbors are good pet parents. They control their pets so that neighbors don’t have to interact with them, if they would prefer not to.
Good neighbors follow parking and garbage disposal guidelines in the community.
Good neighbors don’t engage in unsafe behavior at home.
Good neighbors are tolerant of differences between people. They realize when personal prejudices might affect how they treat a neighbor.
Good neighbors watch out for each other. They’re aware of what’s going on in the neighborhood.
Good neighbors follow the Golden Rule: behave toward others as you would have others behave toward you!
This post may contain affiliate links, which helps us to continue providing relevant content and we receive a small commission at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read the full disclosure here.
Okay, you are reading this because you are overwhelmed with the fact that your kids have everything (or the kids you want to buy gifts for).
That is a tough situation to be in.
In today’s society, kids are quick to get anything and everything they want. There are a million different reasons for that. But, that is the reality our society lives in. In fact, research proves overindulged kids may experience lifelong consequences.
So, what do you get for kids who have everything?
You have to really search and put some thought into finding an awesome gift – even better a gift that is not a toy.
Maybe it is the year to consider a no gift Christmas?
Kids who have everything may seem like they have it all, but there are still gifts that will surprise and delight them.
Let’s dig into these cool gifts for kids who have everything.
What do you get a kid who has everything?
You need an off-the-wall gift that is out of this world.
In order to hit a grand slam, you must really know the kid you are purchasing a gift for.
And honestly, most of the best gifts are gifts of time – specifically experience gift ideas.
What to get a kid that’s not a toy?
If you are looking for non-toy gift ideas for kids, there are many options to choose from. You need to turn your mind off the traditional gift giving and think outside the box.
Great ideas include anything personalized, educational classes, sports gear, or experiences like ziplining.
Whatever you choose, the important thing is that it is something the child will enjoy and cherish.
Lifesaver Ideas to Turn To – The 4 Gift Rule
The 4 Gift Rule is a guideline to help you find the perfect gift for someone. It suggests that you should give something that the person needs, wants, or may not have already. Since we have determined that “something they want” is already taken care of, here are the other 3 gift rules to consider.
Something they need: Think about school, sports, and activities – what is it that they need? Do they play baseball and outgrown their catcher’s gear? Interested in robotics, but don’t have the computer subscriptions to keep learning? There are many unique options available as this is personalized to them.
Something to wear: Even if your child has a closet full of clothes, there are always new fashion trends and styles that come out each season. They may also need new shoes or accessories to go with their outfits.
Something to read: Books make great gifts for kids of all ages. If your child is into sports, you can get them a biography of their favorite player. If they’re into history, look for a book about a topic they’re interested in. Right now, graphic novels are the big hit!
Whether you’re looking for a unique gift for a loved one, or need some helpful ideas for yourself, check out some of these amazing options.
Need Creative Gifts?
Here are the best places to find creative gifts.
If you’re looking for creative gifts, turn to Etsy! It offers a wide selection of handmade and vintage items that will surely provide hours of fun.
Need something quick, check out these Amazon gift guides.
Unique Gift Ideas for Kids and teens – Specifically Gifts for Kids who Have Everything
Everyone loves gifts, and kids are no exception.
However, when you are on the hunt for cool presents to buy your child that they won’t get tired of playing with or using over and over again, you may find yourself coming up short.
This is where we come in!
We have compiled a list of 35 cool gifts for kids who already have everything or are just too young to know what they want.
These gifts are sure to make your shopping experience a breeze and will keep you from having to hear the dreaded question, “What do I get them?”
Subscription
One option for a kid who seems to have everything is to get a subscription to their favorite magazine or TV show. This will keep them entertained and give them something new to look forward to each month or week.
Great options include Amazon kids or Kindle Unlimited.
Subscription Boxes
There are so many reasons why subscription boxes are so much fun. They are a way to try out new things without committing to anything. Plus, they come with a lot of great discounts.
You can also find boxes that are perfect for specific interests.
Kitchen Science Kit
The Kitchen Science Kit is a great gift for kids who love to know how things work and want to learn more. It comes with plenty of pieces that your child needs to start testing their experiments. This kit will help your child learn life skills like patience, organization, and creativity.
Coding Games
There are many great coding games that make excellent gifts for kids who have everything.
One option is the Bitsbox coding subscription box, which is designed for kids ages 6-12 and provides them with a variety of STEM education activities.
Another option is the Booleen Box, which is a computer building game that is perfect for kids who are interested in technology and engineering.
Both of these games are great ways to get kids interested in coding and help them develop important skills for the future.
Time Capsule
Time Capsules are a great way to preserve your memories and experiences. You can store anything in a time capsule, such as photos, articles, and notes.
The recipient can open the capsule in the future and experience the memories stored inside. Get your time capsule container!
Spa Day Kit
If you are looking for a unique and thoughtful gift for a child in your life, look no further than the Spa Day Kit. This kit includes everything a child needs for fun and relaxing spa day, including a bath bomb, nail polish, and hair treatment. The easy-to-use instructions make it perfect for kids of all ages, and the kit makes a great gift for moms on any occasion.
Scientific Explorer – My First Mind Blowing Science Kit
The Scientific Explorer My First Mind Blowing Science Kit is perfect for kids who are just starting to learn about the scientific method. This kit comes with a lot of different materials that help kids learn about science. It’s a great way for kids to learn about science and see how it works.
Customized Journal
Customized journals are a great way to show your personality and interests. You can choose the cover, the paper, and the layout of your journal. You can also add your own photos and drawings.
This will be something special that the child can use to document their thoughts and experiences. Pick your design on the customized journal here.
Customized Planner
There are a lot of different things that you can get a kid that doesn’t want toys. One idea is to give them a customized planner.
This will help them stay organized and be able to keep track of their school work, extracurricular activities, and social events. Design your customized planner here.
Lego Chain Reactions Kit
This is a great gift for kids who like to build and experiment. The portable craft studio is easy to carry and organized by item type and color group.
If your kids seem like they have outgrown Legos, check out Gravitrax! Hours of wonder and fun for preteens and teens!
ABC Mouse
The ABC Mouse is a great gift for kids of all ages.
It features age-appropriate games and activities, as well as family-friendly shows that kids can watch. You’ll have peace of mind knowing that your kids are engaged with awesome content when you give them the ABC Mouse.
Customized Jewelry
One option for a unique gift for a kid who has everything is customized jewelry. You can find stores that will let you personalize items like necklaces, bracelets, and earrings with the child’s name or initials. This makes the gift special and something they can treasure for years to come.
Amazon Glow
Amazon Glow is an interactive entertainment and video-calling system designed for children. A great way to keep in touch with grandparents.
It has a huge 19″ touchscreen that let’s kids be kids, and an interactive video call on a tablet or smartphone. Amazon Glow is designed for children to learn and play with each other, making it the perfect gift for your tech-savvy kid.
The service requires an Amazon Kids+ subscription, which automatically renews every month. For just $4.99 per month, you can give your child access to a wide variety of toys that they are sure to love.
Craft Supplies
When you give someone a craft supplies as a gift, you are giving them the opportunity to create something special. This could be anything from a new piece of jewelry to a painting.
Craft supplies are also a great way to show your appreciation for someone.
Gift Basket
Kids love to get gifts, but it can be hard to come up with something unique and special. If you’re looking for a gift that your child will love, you should consider building a gift basket.
This is a great way to combine different types of gifts, and it’s a fun way to spend some time together.
For example, my daughter got a princess-themed gift basket when she was little.
Non-toy gift idea for kids: Experiences
Experiences make great gifts for kids because they can be educational, fun, and memorable.
Some great ideas for experiences to give as gifts include museum visits, sporting events, Broadway shows, dinner at a fancy restaurant, science exhibits, art exhibits, theme parks, comedy clubs, acting classes, and dance classes.
Master Classes
Master Classes are a great way for kids to learn from the masters.
They provide a unique experience that can help kids learn about anything (almost). Master Classes can be a great gift for kids because they can help them learn new things and improve their skills.
I remember and treasure all of the master classes I took growing up.
Spa Experience for Kids
One way to give the gift of a spa day to kids is to buy some bath bombs, nail polish, and hair treatments. Another way is to set up a little home spa kit.
Finally, you can spend some quality time together and have fun!
Grab all of your spa experience supplies here.
Tickets to a favorite play or concert
One option is to get tickets to the child’s favorite play or concert.
This will give them an experience they will enjoy and remember for a long time.
Every time Imagine Dragons come to our city, I always hear the kids practicing their lyrics.
Tickets to Sporting Events
There are a lot of great sporting events happening throughout the year that your kid would love to attend.
Whether it’s a professional game or a college game, sporting events make for great memories. And tickets aren’t as expensive as you might think!
Head to the Theatre for a Broadway Show
Do you have a family member or friend who loves to go to the theatre?
Perhaps they’ve seen a show before and are always looking for something new to see. Head to the theatre for a Broadway show!
Broadway shows are often full of excitement and suspense. Your loved one will have a memorable time and you’ll get to go out with them!
A day of sleeping in
One idea is to give the child a day of sleeping in especially popular with middle schoolers and high schoolers.
This can be a great gift for kids who seem to have everything and are always on the go. It can also be a chance for parents to spend some time alone or with other siblings.
A day at a zoo
One idea is to give the child a day at the zoo. This can be an all-day experience or simply a visit to see the animals.
It can be fun and educational, and it’s something different that the child may not have done before.
Game Night
Kids love the game night! It’s a great way to bond with friends, have some fun, and learn new things. There is a lot of fun non-toy gifts you can give your kids for a game night that will make it even more enjoyable. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Set up a board game or card game in your home and let the kids play with you.
If your child is a competitive type, give him or her an incentive to win by offering a small prize for the winner of each game. This will make the game night more exciting.
If you are playing a card game, make sure to have plenty of snacks and drinks on hand in case anyone gets thirsty or hungry while playing the game.
Check out the latest games on the market!
A day of cooking with a celebrity chef
One unique gift you could give to a kid who has everything is a day of cooking with a celebrity chef. The child will get to learn how to cook their favorite dishes from the best in the business, and they will get to eat their creations afterward.
Great for the aspiring chef!
Theme Park Excursion
If you’re looking for a unique gift for a kid who has everything, why not take them on a day trip to a theme park?
A day at a theme park could be a great non-toy gift idea for kids. Kids would love the chance to go on rides, explore the park, and enjoy the company of their friends. .
They’ll get to experience all the fun and excitement of a theme park while spending time with you (and their friends).
Splash at a water park
A day at the water park can be a great gift for kids who have everything. They will enjoy hours of fun in the sun and get to cool off in the water.
Plus, they will be able to play with their friends and make some new ones. Maybe even consider a season pass?
Flight Lessons
If you’re looking for a unique and cool gift for a kid who has everything, how about flying lessons?
There are many different programs that offer this experience, and it is sure to be something the child will never forget. They will get to fly in the cockpit of a private jet or airliner, and may even have the opportunity to take the controls!
They may even make a career choice out of this gift.
A day with a celebrity
Could you imagine if this kid got a chance to hang out with Dude Perfect or Ninja Kidz all day?!?!
They would be on cloud nine.
That would be one unique and cool gift for kids who have everything.
Course at a local college
One idea is to give the child a day of learning by taking him or her to a local college for a course of their choice.
This will allow the child to explore new interests and learn something new in a fun and stimulating environment.
There are plenty of classes to choose from.
Kid’s Choice Dinner
One great gift idea for kids is to give them a Visa Gift card. This way, they can “pay for dinner” and have a fun experience doing it.
Also, you could also give them a gift card to a grocery store so they can cook their own dinner. This would be especially beneficial if you teach them how to cook their own dinner as well.
A day of doing nothing
When it comes to finding a unique and interesting gift for a kid who has everything, sometimes the best option is to give them nothing at all.
A day of doing nothing can be just what they need to relax and enjoy their birthday or special occasion.
Can adults have this one too, please?!
Dinner at a Fancy Restaurant
A dinner at a fancy restaurant can be a great gift for kids.
Kids will love the experience of trying a different cuisine and sitting at a high-end table. Plus, spending a special night out with friends can be a memorable experience.
A day of service at a local charity
One option for a kid who has everything is to give them a day of service at a local charity.
This will allow the child to spend time giving back and helping those in need, which can be just as rewarding as any material gift.
In fact, this is why mission trips are so popular!
Some other fun experience gifts for kids include go-karting, theme parks, and escape rooms. These experiences are exciting and new, and they’re something that the kids can enjoy together.
The Ultimate Gift Idea for Kids: Cold Hard Cash
Giving cash as a gift is a good idea because it is a tangible gift that can be used immediately.
It is also a great way to avoid any possible clash of interests with the child who might receive the gift. Cash is a low-key way to show your appreciation for the child, and it is also a way to avoid feeling obligated to give a gift.
Also, it helps kids to realize the value of money and how to manage it. Those life lessons might be well worth it!
Or a Gift Card
When you don’t know what to get a kid who seemingly has everything, a gift card is always a safe option.
With so many different stores and places to spend them, gift cards let the child choose what they really want. This way, you know they’ll be happy with their present.
Unique Fun Toys or Eyes to See the World?
Now, you have a decision to make…
Will you go with: unique fun toys or experiences? The choice is yours.
Just remember… one will leave a longer impact on the recipient than the other. That is why many families are opting for Christmas experiences over traditional gifts.
Which Creative Gifts Will You Get?
If you have a child that seems to have everything, it can be hard to know what to get them for gifts. However, there are still some great options out there.
It is proven that experiences bring more happiness than traditional gifts, so why not lean to towards those ideas.
There’s no need to spend a fortune on a gift for a kid who has everything. With a little bit of creativity, you can find a gift that will be sure to put a smile on everyone’s face.
Review our list and see what takes your fancy!
If you’re looking for a gift for a young person who has everything, our list of 35 cool gifts is sure to have something for everyone. From non-toys to clothing ideas, there’s something for everyone on this list.
So, what are you waiting for? Get shopping!
You probably need inexpensive gifts for the woman who has everything, right?
Need More Christmas Gift ideas?
Know someone else that needs this, too? Then, please share!!
If we were to ask you to imagine your dream home, what would your mind conjure up?
Perhaps you’d love a penthouse in the skies or a palatial property with sweeping gardens. What about a lush forest paradise away from civilization or an opulent oceanfront property?
Maybe a hillside mansion with an infinity pool or a good ol’ swanky apartment in a coveted address is more your style.
What if we told you that you no longer need to choose just one view or destination because you can have it all?
Welcome aboard the NJORD, a one-of-a-kind superyacht that redefines luxury living as we know it.
Aptly named after the Norse god of the wind and seas, NJORD is being developed by Ocean Residences Development and German shipyard, Meyer Werft.
A look at the luxury homes aboard the NJORD Superyacht
Once completed, NJORD will offer 117 private residences that range from 1,500 to 9,000 square feet with two to six bedrooms. There will also be 16 duplexes and triplexes that have their own private elevators.
The prestigious homes will be priced from $8.5 million to $70 million.
The project is expected to be completed by 2026, but the first ten homes aboard the NJORD Superyacht are already up for grabs. And they’re quite spectacular!
To add a personalized touch, the developers have brought many interior designers and architects on board including Kelly Hoppen and David Linley who have worked on the first 10 units as well as Jean-Michel Gathy, Francesca Muzio, Sabrina Monteleone, Taylor Howes, and 1508 London.
Future residents can choose from 15 different floor plans and — while each residence is intended to be unique — there are also certain similarities like floor-to-ceiling windows, smart home technology, Gaggenau appliances, and of course, private balconies with spectacular views of the ocean.
The epic 948-feet superyacht also includes other features like gourmet kitchens with custom cabinetry by Studio Becker, walk-in closets, ensuite bathrooms, personalized housekeeping, laundry, and tailoring services.
The luxury doesn’t end there though.
The vessel comes with a travel and excursion concierge for the more adventurous residents, a Eurocopter 160, four superyacht limo tenders, two dive and fishing boats, a dive center, and an excursion lounge.
All of the residents’ culinary requirements will be taken care of in the six world-class restaurants and bars on board.
For the health and mental well-being of residents, there’s the Chenot Spa and Wellness Center and a Chenot Gym and Fitness Center.
Other than that, there’s also a telescope space observatory, a golf simulator and pro shop, a gourmet market and shops, a kids club, outdoor terraces, and multiple pools.
Lastly, the party never has to end thanks to the onboard nightclub, jazz lounge, and 10,000 -bottle wine cellar.
The first 10 private NJORD residences are now on the market
While the groundbreaking residential project is only slated for completion in 2026, the first private homes aboard the superyacht have recently been listed for sale.
The sales and marketing for the first ten residences aboard NJORD will be led by global real estate brokerage The Agency, with CEO/founder Mauricio Umansky and principal & managing partner Santiago Arana at the helm.
“We are proud to represent the sales and marketing for the first ten incredible residences aboard NJORD, one of the most innovative and exclusive residential offerings in the world,” says Mauricio Umansky.
“With its thoughtfully designed residences, endless array of amenities and philanthropic and scientific purpose, buyers have the unique opportunity to live aboard one of the finest vessels to ever be built,” Umansky added.
If Mauricio Umansky’s name rings a bell but you don’t know where from, you might know him from The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (he’s Kyle Richard’s husband).
You’ll also be seeing a lot more of him on Netflix’s Buying Beverly Hills, which follows him and his stellar team of real estate agents. And we’re kind of hoping the new reality series will also give us a closer look inside the NJORD Superyacht and its luxury residences.
“We’re delighted Mauricio Umansky and Santiago Arana of The Agency will be at the helm of sales and marketing for the first ten luxury residences aboard NJORD,” said Kristian Stensby, Founder and CEO of Ocean Residences Development.
“With their combined record-breaking career success, global reach and white-glove service, we can’t think of a better team than The Agency to represent NJORD, the finest address everywhere in the world.”
Luxury meets sustainability
NJORD is more than just a collection of upscale residences.
It’s an adventure around the globe and, according to Alain Gruber, COO of Ocean Residences Development Ltd, residents can choose to either completely relax or participate in the activities and expeditions planned by the concierge.
The best part about NJORD (other than the fact that you will get to circumnavigate the planet) is that you will do so sustainably.
The developers aim to build it under strict environmental regulations to minimize its carbon footprint.
The vessel will not only use carbon-neutral fuel but also include a professional oceanographic laboratory, a cloud computing system, multibeam echo sounders, and other resources to help the scientific community tackle environmental issues like climate change.
Talk about a new wave of residential living!
More stories you might like
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Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information.
American Express, Capital One, Chase and Citi are four of the major players in the travel credit card space. As such, these issuers offer their own travel portals, where users can earn and redeem their points and miles for flights, hotels, car rentals and more.
These issuers also incentivize their cardholders to use the bank’s own portal, done by offering bonus points on bookings.
For instance, with the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, you’ll earn 10 miles per dollar on hotel and car rentals and 5 miles per dollar on flights — but only when booked through the Capital One Travel portal. Purchases made outside the portal earn 2 miles per dollar.
Likewise, with the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, you’ll earn 5 points per dollar on all travel booked through the Ultimate Rewards portal. Otherwise, you earn 2 points per dollar on those travel purchases.
Given the lucrative earning potential that booking through these portals presents, it begs the question: Is it worth your time to use them rather than booking directly?
In this guide, we put these four travel portals to the test when booking flights. We compared price, ease of use, redemption value and other metrics.
Methodology
For this analysis, we limited our research to flights and didn’t include hotels, rental cars or other travel. That’s because we generally recommend that you avoid booking hotels through a third party since you likely won’t receive elite-status benefits (if you have any) or earn elite-qualifying stay credits.
If you’re not concerned with earning hotel elite status or are booking an independent hotel, then booking your stay through a travel portal could be advantageous for you.
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It’s also worth noting that you can get elite-like perks at hotels, even without elite status, by booking with these programs: Amex’s Fine Hotels + Resorts, Amex’s The Hotel Collection, Capital One’s Premier Collection, Chase’s Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection, Citi’s Hotel Collection and Citi’s Luxury Hotel Collection.
With flights, you may be able to “double-dip” your earnings: You can usually earn bonus points on bookings through your card issuer’s portal and earn airline and elite-qualifying miles just as you would by booking directly through the airline. That said, here are the features we examined in each portal:
Results: Do you get comprehensive results when searching through the portal?
Price: How do the prices compare to booking directly with an airline versus through a portal?
Ease of use: Is navigating the portal easy for a user? What unique features or benefits do users get from using this portal?
Redemption value: Is it worth redeeming your points and miles for travel through a portal?
With these four factors in mind, here’s how the individual issuers’ travel portals stack up.
American Express Travel portal
Any American Express card that earns Membership Rewards points grants access to the Amex Travel portal. Depending on your specific card, you may earn bonus points for booking through the portal.
The Platinum Card® from American Express, for instance, earns 5 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel (on up to $500,000 of these purchases annually, then 1 point per dollar) and 5 points per dollar on prepaid hotel bookings made through Amex Travel. The American Express® Gold Card, meanwhile, earns 3 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel.
You can search for flights, hotels, flight and hotel packages, rental cars and cruises on the Amex portal.
Related: Everything you need to know about Amex Travel
Capital One travel portal
The Capital One travel portal offers a fresh interface powered by the travel tech app Hopper and is accessible with most credit cards earning Capital One miles or cash back.
Bonus earnings are available, depending on which card you have. Using the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card to book flights in the portal provides 5 miles per dollar; flights booked elsewhere earn 2 miles per dollar.
Currently, you can only book flights, hotels and rental cars through the portal. The portal also houses the Premier Collection for luxury hotels. However, this is only accessible if you have the Venture X or its counterpart, the Capital One Venture X Business card.
The information for the Venture X Business card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Related: How to use the Capital One travel portal — now with more cards and new rewards
Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal
Chase’s Ultimate Rewards travel portal was powered by Expedia for many years, but the issuer migrated to cxLoyalty in 2021.
You can access the portal with your Ultimate Rewards-earning credit card, including popular options like the Chase Sapphire Reserve, the Chase Sapphire Preferred or the Chase Freedom Unlimited. Cardholders can book flights, hotels, cars, activities and cruises on the Chase travel portal.
Related: Why are some flights more expensive through the Chase travel portal?
Citi travel portal
The overhauled Citi travel portal launched in March 2023 after months of delays. It’s powered by Rocket Travel by Agoda, part of the Booking.com family.
You can access the portal with any credit card earning ThankYou points, and several cards earn bonus points on bookings in the portal. Unfortunately, flights aren’t included in these bonus offerings.
With Citi’s new portal, you can book flights, hotels, rental cars and attractions of numerous types. The portal also offers two hotel programs: Hotel Collection and Luxury Collection.
Related: Ultimate guide to the Citi travel portal
Booking flights
I looked at a variety of round-trip routes with the same dates (roughly six months from now) and gathered the following prices:
Itinerary
Booked directly
Amex Travel
Capital One Travel
Chase travel
Citi Travel
New York (JFK) to Los Angeles (LAX) in economy with Delta Air Lines.
$533.
$541.
$540.
$523.
$540.
Tampa (TPA) to Bozeman (BZN) in economy with American Airlines.
$786.
$786.
$786.
$786.
$786.
Baltimore (BWI) to Las Vegas (LAS) in economy with Delta Air Lines.
$720.
$720.
$720.
$720.
$720.
Miami (MIA) to Boston (BOS) in economy with JetBlue.
$418.
$418.
$338.
$418.
$412.
Chicago (ORD) to Milan (MXP) in economy with United Airlines.
$902.
$902.
$902.
$772.
$732.
Nashville (BNA) to Bogotá, Colombia (BOG) in economy with American Airlines.
$535.
$535.
$535.
$535.
$415.
Toronto (YYZ) to Seoul (ICN) in economy with Air Canada.
$1,079.
$1,952.
$1,880.
$ 2,581.
$1,952.
New York (JFK) to Los Angeles (LAX) in Delta One.
$2,798.
$2,600.
$2,798.
$2,798.
Not available.
Newark (EWR) to London (LHR) in business with British Airways.
$3,272.
$3,272.
$3,300.
$3,300.
$3,300.
San Francisco (SFO) to Singapore (SIN) in business with Singapore Airlines.
$8,351.
$7,285.
$8,521.
$9,386.
$8,521.
Price
All of the travel portals generally fared well when it came to searching economy flights versus booking directly. However, there were a few major caveats worth noting.
Southwest Airlines is not bookable on any of the portals, and tickets for low-cost airlines like Spirit Airlines and Frontier are typically more expensive on the Chase and Capital One travel portals than booking directly. Amex Travel didn’t display any Spirit Airways or Frontier Airlines flights.
When it came to international flights, all of the bank portals struggled at times to match prices or give comparable results versus booking directly. For a deeper dive on some of these routes and flight prices, we did a broader comparison across 20 flights in this guide.
As a general word of advice, domestic flights should yield the same results and price, but it gets tricky when searching for international fares. Your best bet would be to compare the prices and only use a portal when the prices are identical.
Ease of use
The Amex portal is my favorite for a comprehensible search experience, fast load times for results and the simplicity of parsing through the various options.
On the other hand, the Capital One portal offers one of the most visually appealing interfaces, with color-coded dates to indicate the lowest prices in a calendar view — plus price drop protection. However, the Capital One portal did not provide as many options as its competitors on some searches. It also yielded higher prices for international routes, but I’m hopeful that the issuer will continue to make improvements in the future.
Based on millions of data points from Hopper, Capital One is supposed to let you know if this is the best time to book via its price watch prediction feature.
To standardize the offerings across various airlines, Capital One also provides detailed insights into what flyers can expect from their chosen fare class. With the rise of “basic economy” fares, it’s not always clear what amenities are included in your ticket and what you’ll have to pay for as extras.
Capital One does an excellent job of explaining in-depth features such as seat pitch, aircraft type, and food and beverage options on board.
Speaking of basic economy, it’s worth noting Amex Travel rarely (if ever) displays these fares. If you’re looking for basic economy, you should use another portal.
Citi’s new portal does a good job of offering a broad range of results in economy and offering upgrades on the payment page. And being able to book flights plus other travel elements in one transaction is great. However, searching directly for business-class fares is tricky on this portal.
Finally, the Chase portal has seen vast improvements since fully migrating toward its cxLoyalty interface. Previously, when Chase was powered by Expedia, users complained about slow load times and much higher prices than those offered directly by the airlines. Some of those issues seem to have been resolved.
While the Ultimate Rewards portal could use some work in cleaning up the interface, the overall user experience is much better than before. That said, it’s also the portal with the highest frequency of price divergence from booking directly — sometimes higher and sometimes lower.
Redemption value
This is not a criterion we used for evaluating these bank travel portals for this particular article. The value of your points or miles can depend on which particular rewards card you carry. Still, it is worth remembering if you intend to use your credit card’s travel portal to earn or redeem points and miles.
Your credit card points or miles are typically worth 1 cent each for flights in your respective travel portal. That’s the case with Amex cards that earn Membership Rewards points and Capital One credit cards. Even with the Capital One’s premium card (the Venture X), your points are only worth 1 cent each when redeemed for travel through the Capital One portal. The same applies to credit cards earning Citi ThankYou points.
On the other hand, Chase’s credit cardholders are incentivized to use the Ultimate Rewards portal via a higher redemption value. With the Chase Sapphire Reserve, your points are worth 1.5 cents each toward travel bookings, while the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Ink Business Preferred Credit Card fetch 1.25 cents per point in value.
While not as consistent of a program, American Express offers “Insider Fares,” allowing cardholders to redeem their points for a better value than 1 cent apiece on select domestic and international itineraries. However, these can be quite specific.
Select Amex business credit cardholders can also leverage the Pay with Points benefit to get a 25% to 50% points rebate when booking select airfare through Amex Travel — yet another incentive to book through the portal.
Due to all these card-specific circumstances, we didn’t make redemption values a main criterion for judging these portals for booking flights. Rather, we focused on each portal’s user interface and the availability of competitive fares — as those two factors will probably be the determinants as to whether travelers end up using them.
Related: Why I love the Amex Business Platinum’s Pay With Points perk
Bottom line
Credit card issuers have improved their travel portals over the years, but they’re still far from perfect. While there isn’t a clear winner for the best travel portal, each has unique features and incentives for its cardholders.
If you decide to book a flight through your issuer’s travel portal, be sure to compare that price against booking directly with the airline to get the best deal possible. And don’t forget that you may want to book directly anyway to avoid any headaches down the road. If you need to change or cancel your airfare, booking with a third party can complicate matters when plans change.
Arts, athletics and so much more are all at your fingertips in Ohio’s best college towns.
Ohio has become a magnet for young minds seeking a top-notch higher education experience. With a plethora of colleges and universities peppered throughout the state, it’s no wonder that Ohio has nurtured some of the most vibrant and diverse college towns in the country.
Nestled in the rolling hills of southeastern Ohio, Athens is home to Ohio University, one of the oldest public institutions of higher learning in the United States. The city’s picturesque setting is matched by its vibrant culture, with an eclectic array of shops, restaurants and bars lining the historic brick Court Street area, the town’s main artery.
Athens is also renowned for its music scene, which has spawned a number of notable acts like New Bomb Turks and Skeletonwitch. With its verdant parks, thriving arts community and the annual Halloween Block Party, Athens is a true gem among college towns in Ohio.
Dayton is a hub of innovation and creativity and home to the University of Dayton and Wright State University. This bustling city offers a thriving academic environment for students, while also boasting a rich aviation history as the birthplace of the Wright brothers. The National Museum of the United States Air Force and Carillon Historical Park are just a few of the attractions that add to the city’s unique charm.
A dynamic arts scene, bustling Oregon neighborhood and an array of restaurants and breweries make Dayton an enticing destination for students and visitors alike. Pro tip: be sure to hit Dewey’s Pizza just a few blocks off the UD campus.
Dayton is also located near Yellow Springs, which is home to legendary comedian Dave Chappelle. This small village is quickly emerging as one of the premier places for artists of all disciplines in the Midwest to call home.
Located in the southwest corner of Ohio, Oxford is a quintessential college town and home to Miami University. With its stunning Georgian architecture and tree-lined streets, the campus is often referred to as one of the most beautiful in the country.
Uptown Oxford, the historic heart of the city, offers a delightful mix of shops, eateries and galleries, which cater to the diverse tastes of students and locals. Outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate the abundance of parks and hiking trails in and around Oxford, while fans of college sports can cheer on the Miami RedHawks at various games throughout the year.
Columbus is a city brimming with energy and excitement, making it an ideal location for college students. As the home of The Ohio State University, one of the largest and most respected public institutions in the country, Columbus offers an unparalleled blend of academic rigor and vibrant city life.
Students and visitors can explore the trendy Short North Arts District, catch a concert at the Nationwide Arena, or peruse the shops and cafes of the historic German Village. The annual Ohio State Fair and the beloved Buckeyes football team only add to the city’s allure.
Nestled along the banks of the Ohio River, Cincinnati is a city steeped in history and culture, making it an exciting destination for college students. Home to the University of Cincinnati and Xavier University, the city offers a wealth of academic and social opportunities for students of all interests and persuasions.
The Over-the-Rhine neighborhood, known for its stunning 19th-century architecture, has transformed into an arts hub, dining destination and entertainment anchor, while the banks of the river have picturesque parks and riverboat cruises. Sports fans can catch a Reds baseball game at the Great American Ball Park, or cheer on the Bengals at Paycor Stadium.
Gambier, a small village in central Ohio, is the idyllic home to Kenyon College, one of the nation’s most prestigious liberal arts institutions. With its beautiful, Gothic-inspired campus and close-knit community, Gambier is a serene and intellectually stimulating environment for students.
The village’s quaint downtown area, featuring the iconic Middle Path, is lined with charming boutiques, cafes and an iconic independent bookstore, providing a perfect setting for leisurely strolls and study breaks. The nearby Kokosing Gap Trail, a 14-mile recreational path, offers opportunities for biking, walking and enjoying the picturesque Ohio countryside, making Gambier a true haven for those seeking a peaceful college town experience.
Located in central Ohio, Granville is the picturesque home of Denison University, a top-rated liberal arts college. This charming New England-style village offers a warm and welcoming atmosphere for students of all walks of life, with its tree-lined streets and historic architecture.
The downtown area, centered around the village green, boasts a variety of shops, restaurants and galleries, perfect for students looking to unwind after a long day in the classroom. Nearby, the Dawes Arboretum and the Bryn Du Mansion provide beautiful outdoor settings for relaxation and exploration. With its strong sense of community and commitment to the arts, Granville stands out among the best college towns in Ohio as a place where both students and visitors can feel at home from the moment they set foot in the city.
Cleveland is an exciting destination for students attending Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland State University. Known for its rich industrial history and vibrant arts scene, Cleveland offers a wealth of cultural and recreational opportunities for students with a wide range of interests.
The city’s renowned Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the West Side Market are just a few of the attractions that make Cleveland an enticing destination for college students. In addition, the city’s booming craft beer scene (be sure to check out Noble Beast Brewing Co.), dynamic neighborhoods, like Tremont and Ohio City, and professional sports teams ensure that there is always something happening in this lively Midwestern metropolis.
Located in the northwest part of the state, Bowling Green is home to Bowling Green State University. This vibrant college town offers a wealth of activities for students and visitors, including a thriving downtown area with shops, restaurants and ample entertainment options.
The city’s annual Black Swamp Arts Festival celebrates the local arts community by sowcasing a variety of visual, musical and culinary talents. In addition, the nearby Slippery Elm Trail and the Bowling Green Wind Farm provide unique outdoor experiences for outdoorsy types.
Known as the ‘Rubber Capital of the World,’ Akron is home to the University of Akron. This lively college town offers a wide range of cultural and recreational activities for students, from exploring the historic Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens to enjoying the bustling downtown area with its array of dining and entertainment options. The Akron Civic Theatre and the annual Akron Marathon are just a few of the attractions that contribute to the city’s vibrant atmosphere and keep college students around after receiving the cap and gown.
Up your quality of life in one of these Ohio college towns
The college towns in Ohio featured above offer a unique blend of academic excellence, rich culture and engaging social scenes. From bustling cities like Cleveland and Cincinnati to the serene and historic charm of Gambier and Granville, Ohio’s top college towns cater to a wide range of interests and lifestyles.
Whether you are a prospective student, a visitor passing through or simply looking to explore the rich tapestry of experiences these towns have to offer, there is no doubt that you will find something special somewhere in the Buckeye State.