Florida resident Jaclyn Lambert (who happens to be our PR consultant) never thought she’d ever sell a home during a global pandemic.
In fact, when the World Health Organization (WHO) announced the seriousness of COVID-19, she temporarily put selling a house on hold. But after a few weeks of self-quarantine, she received a call from her trusted realtor assuring her they could handle the listing and transaction in a safe manner.
Within a week, Lambert witnessed a bidding war on her home. It closed shortly after that. Aside from signing the closing paperwork curbside, it was a contactless procedure, one that she confidently described to me as, “safe and easy.”
“I couldn’t have imagined just how well the process would have gone during this crazy time, but I really do owe it all to my realtor who I’ve turned to a couple of times. In fact, I wouldn’t use anybody else,” said Lambert.
But Lambert’s experience as a repeat customer is actually rare. A recent study by Porch.com (my parent company) found that only 8% of repeat home buyers have used the same realtor more than once.
Why do 92% of recent home buyers search elsewhere? What causes this gap in return customers, and what can realtors know to navigate customer relationships better in 2020– even during a pandemic? Here are a few things to keep in mind when marketing your services under “the new normal”.
Confidence Is Key With Nervous Buyers & Sellers
Recent studies show that both buyers and sellers are heeding caution during this time, with 70% of home sellers willing to take a lower asking price just to sell their home quickly, and 58% of recent potential buyers/renters putting their moving plans on hold until further notice.
As a realtor, it’s your job and responsibility to ease the stresses of the home buying and selling process to your current and future customers. Deep-dive on CDC recommendations. Learn what a safe home buying, selling process looks like. For example, some things to consider might be:
When selling, make it a “no-contact” process for your sellers
Create a process for virtual tours, and use technology to your advantage
When showing to potential buyers, maintain six-foot distance and have proper PPE
Implement these procedures and communicate loudly and clearly that working with you will be a pleasant (and safe) experience.
And remember that this is a particularly sensitive time to conduct business, so the key here is to provide the latest and greatest safety measures and technologies with authority to put your current and future client’s minds at ease.
Update Your Reviews and Testimonials to be COVID-related
Successfully made a customer happy during this time? Great! Now, make sure you request an online review, especially with them addressing the safety precautions your team took to make sure things run as smoothly and safely as possible.
With 66% of prospective buyers polled by Porch finding their realtor from an online review, it is quite possible that hearing this type of pandemic-safety language might be exactly what your prospective customer needs to hear in order to make that call.
Hand Off Customers to People Who Also Practice Non-Contact
And reviews are not the only way technology can be your friend during this time. If you haven’t looked toward online collaboration tools for all things home searching, contract signing, and closing paperwork. Make sure to have your trusted lenders and insurance brokers ready to forward to your clients for an easy contactless closing/home searching process.
And always lead by example; be open to meetings via Zoom to replace the valuable face-to-face time you’d in the past use for coffee shop meetings.
Provide Extra Support Beyond The Norm
The Porch study also found that homebuyers aren’t reading the paperwork, with first-time homebuyers feeling especially unprepared. Coupled with pandemic nerves, this calls for some intervention.
Perhaps it’s a no-brainer that going above and beyond is good customer service, but knowing that paperwork is going unread, now would be an especially good time to prepare a conference or phone call to go over any questions or technical paperwork your client may need help deciphering.
After the sale, provide guidance on the safest way to move, provide a digital thank you gift (think: e-cards and Amazon gift cards), and simply just find any way you can to make an above-and-beyond connection with your customers, despite the lack of in-person attention you are able to give at this time.
Remain a Pandemic-Proof Realtor
Maintaining real estate customer relationships is hard, and while the pandemic certainly adds a new level of complexity to the mix, as a forward-thinking real estate agent, it’s important to look toward the signs of what a “new normal” might look like.
Lean on the proper technology to adopt now and potentially forever, and communicate to your past/future customers just how top of class your services really are. That will get you the rare repeat customer, no matter what outside variables you encounter.
When I was younger, it was so much more difficult to make money as a kid than it is today. While that wasn’t so great for the kids of my generation, it is making life a lot easier for my own children.
My parents did a pretty good job of teaching my brothers and me financial responsibility. But, I learned as an adult that there were actually quite a few gaps in my financial knowledge base. As parents, we can only teach what we know. So, if there is something I don’t know about finances and money, I am much more tenacious in my education now.
I want my children to be more financially savvy than I was at their age. A big part of this education has been teaching them how to make some extra money, even when they’re young.
What’s Ahead:
In-person ways to make money as a kid
For younger kids, ages six and up, making money can be a little more difficult. But, most kids have a fantastic social media network to pull from. And they have their parents to back them up and help them find money-making opportunities.
Anything your child decides to do to make money should be run by you first. After all, kids can’t get to a lot of these odd jobs without their parents’ consent, or transportation.
Babysit. If your child is interested in babysitting even at the age of 10-12, then you, as the parent, can help find them babysitting gigs through your friends and neighbors. That way you are comfortable with the house your child will be left alone at. Sometimes what is needed is a mother’s or father’s helper, so your child would not even necessarily be alone.
Create a yard sale. Helping your kids go through their old clothes, shoes, and toys is a great way to help your kid make money. Have them set up a yard sale and whatever money they make they get to keep.
Have your kids work for your small business. If you are self-employed and have any tasks your children can help you with, then you can pay them to do so. The tasks can vary by age. But even younger children can help with things such as sorting and shredding mail.
Organize people’s stuff. If your 11 or 12-year-old child has an eye for organizing, then they may be able to offer this service to others. You’ll need to help them find people that will let them organize for them, with your assistance, of course.
Walk dogs. Walking dogs is something that most kids love doing, and most adults could use help with. Plus, if the two of you can do it together, then you both get some fresh air and exercise also.
Wash cars. If your child is younger, they can offer to wash the neighbor’s cars. Once they get older and can legally work with a work permit, some car washes might be willing to hire them.
Water plants. Help your child find families that are vacationing, work long hours, or are elderly and just could use a helping hand with their plants.
Yard work. Yard work is something most of us need help with regularly. If you are willing to loan out your yard equipment to your kids, then this could be a great money-making opportunity for them in your neighborhood. Not to mention, it’s just easy money.
Selling t-shirts. Designing and selling t-shirts together has never been easier than it is today. You don’t need a graphic designer and a screen printer anymore. There are plenty of websites geared towards creating your own t-shirts, marketing them, and selling them such as Shopify, Zazzle, Teespring, CafePress, and more.
Become a product flipper to their peers. One of my stepchildren has been flipping candy and shoes to his school and neighborhood peers. If your child has a good eye for a deal, then this may be a good money-making option for them.
Read more: How to make the most money from your garage sale
Online ways to make money as a kid
If your child is digitally savvy, then they may be more inclined to find ways to make money online instead. Either way, your child should ask your permission before they embark on ways to make money. Since they are minors, they need parental permission to engage in these activities.
Take online surveys. I love taking online surveys and so do my kids! These can be a lot of fun, and since the kids are on their devices more often than not, they might as well be making some money at the same time. Some of our favorite online survey sites are Swagbucks and MyPoints.
Create illustrations. If your child likes to create illustrations, then they could make some money with this skill. Get them a decent illustrating tablet and intuitive software (I suggest Clip Studio Paint Pro) and they will be on their way. A great website to have them set up a portfolio on is Deviantart.
Make crafts or jewelry to sell online. If your child loves to create jewelry and crafts, then selling them online may be a great way for them to make money as a kid. The most popular website for things of this nature currently is Etsy.
Make YouTube videos. Our kids today are technology savvy, right? YouTube is a platform where some decent money can be made if your child loves to create videos. Kids can be product testers and make videos of them testing out products from different companies. Even if your kid just wants to make videos talking about particular subjects (video games, how-to-videos, etc.), they can place ads in their videos to start generating income. As a parent, however, you should be monitoring this money-making avenue closely.
Sell their old stuff online. There are many different platforms for your kids to sell their old stuff online. Some of our favorites are eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, Poshmark, and Amazon.
Start a blog. If your child loves to write, starting a blog at a young age could potentially help your kids get to the point of monetization by the time they could really use it. Writing a blog can be a lot of fun, but it can take a while to start making money with a blog. So this could be more of a longer-term goal that kids can grow into over the years.
Start taking photographs. Taking photographs can be a great way to put your child’s hobby to good use. Some of the best sites that might be willing to pay them for their photographs are EyeEm, Foap, and Scoopshot.
Streaming. If your child is already big into watching streamed live content, then it may be time for them to start creating their own. Live streaming through Twitch is a great way to get them started.
Selling digital goods. Creating an ebook or a course is a great way to begin selling digital goods with very little overhead.
Making music. If your child has a musical ear, then this may just be the money-making genre for them. One of the best places to get started is Spotify.
Create games. One of my children is huge into video games and is always coming up with ways for the games to be better. If this sounds like your child, then it may be time to investigate creating their own game and monetize it (trust me, it’s a lot easier than it sounds).
App tester. Since most of our kids are very embedded in the digital world, it only makes sense for them to make some money by testing apps. There are quite a few places your child can begin doing this, but two of the best places to get started are TesterWork and UberTesters.
When can you start teaching your kids about money?
When kids are toddlers, they are extremely inquisitive and have a strong desire to learn. It is also during this timeframe that they begin to strongly mirror your behavior.
So, it makes sense to begin introducing them to the idea of money when they are in this frame of mind. Around this age, I began teaching my children about money a few different ways:
Taking them to the grocery store to look at the price tags.
Having them tell me how many fingers something costs.
Showing them the different ways you can pay for groceries (credit/debit card, cash, check, EBT card).
Buying a play cash register and plastic food to have a pretend grocery shopping trip at home.
If you start with basic lessons and pretend play like this, then building on this financial foundation is much easier as your child ages.
Benefits of teaching your kids about money
The benefits of teaching your kids about money are almost endless, especially in today’s society where most of us have more debt than income. If you can begin teaching our kids about money when they are really young, then they will grow up knowing more than you did.
The value of a dollar
One of the biggest, and easiest, lessons to teach your children about money is the value of a dollar. This lesson can begin with the grocery store example from above. A good way to do this, depending upon their age, is to tell them how much money you have budgeted for this particular grocery trip. Then, they can help you add up all of the items as you go.
When kids do this, they get to see a physical example of how much groceries really cost. Once this concept is grasped, the next step is to give them a small amount of money to spend on their own. Start with $1 or $2 to show them how far that little bit of money doesn’t actually stretch.
How to save for long-term goals
Opening up a savings account for your kids is a great way to help them begin to save money for long-term goals. When they are younger, they won’t have access to withdraw funds themselves, so you will be in charge of what they can take out.
A good way to drive this point home is to have them choose something big that they would like to save for. Depending upon their age, that can vary widely. But some items to consider may be:
Bike
Skateboard
Video games
Gaming console
Phone
Furniture
Trip
Car
College
Once you and your child have chosen their big item, then you can help them break down the total cost and how long it will take to save the money to get there. The deal is that they won’t be able to take the money out of the savings account until they have the full amount due for the item.
This can really help keep them laser-focused on the big goal and hopefully get them interested in finding other ways to make money as a kid.
What disposable income really means
As kids get older, they start to understand a bit more about bills and how much things cost. Teaching them about monthly recurring living expenses is a really good lesson to impart before they fly the coop. I know my first years as an adult were spent living hand to mouth and eating the cheapest foods I could find. This was because I had little to no money since almost everything I made went to living expenses.
Teaching your kids about what disposable income really means is exceptionally important. This message can be taught in a few different ways. But, a great way to show them is to have them go through your budget with you. This way they can see what your recurring expenses are as well as any remaining money, or disposable income.
Read more: How to make a budget: our step-by-step guide to managing your money
How much retirement might cost and how to save for it
When it comes to retirement, I suggest telling your young kids to include this number in their monthly recurring expenses budget. This way they will be sure to put something away towards retirement every single month and not let it fall by the wayside.
How much retirement costs will vary depending on where your child chooses to live and what they have planned for their retirement. The conversation will look different depending on the ages of your children as well. No matter their age, even if they are saving only a few dollars per month toward this far-off goal, they will nonetheless be developing habits that will keep them on good financial footing throughout their lives. And as they get older and begin to earn more they can begin to save more.
This will be extremely helpful to them due to the magic of compounding. If only I had known about compound interest when I was a teenager. Oh, how I would have made different financial choices!
Read more: The beginner’s guide to saving for retirement
Overall financial independence
The biggest benefit your children will get out of you teaching them about money at a young age is the ability to achieve financial independence. This is a big one! Especially because a lot of us, as parents, haven’t even achieved this.
Since we, as parents, want our children to live a better life than we did, helping them to achieve financial independence only seems natural. And one of the best ways to teach them that is to get them involved in making their own money as kids.
Read more: Financial independence in your 30s: How realistic is it?
How your kids can put their hard-earned money to work for their future
Once your kids start earning some of their own money, there are many things they can do with it. Of course, they could spend it on a lot of things they may want right now. But, it makes much more financial sense for them to put their hard-earned money to work for their future.
There are a few different ways you help them learn this lesson. Some of my favorite options (and we have done all of these) are:
Put money into a high-yield savings account.High yield savings accounts can range in the APY, but they are always higher than your typical brick-and-mortar savings account.
Open an investment account. Helping your kids open an investment account is a great way to teach them about the stock market. This is especially true while they are younger when the stakes aren’t as high with regard to them losing massive sums of money. Some very user-friendly options are Public and J. P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing, both of which offer commission-free investment options.
Put gift money into a UTMA account. When the kids are getting money gifted to them from a family member for holidays and birthdays, they should put it into a UTMA account. You can set these up as custodial accounts which will then be rolled over to them once they turn 18. These types of accounts let you help your kids choose which ETFs and/or mutual funds they want to invest in after they have deposited the money into their UTMA account.
Invest in a Roth IRA with their earned income.One of my favorite retirement savings strategies for kids is a Roth IRA. However, your kids must have earned income in order to contribute to one. These types of accounts can be opened as custodial accounts, just like the UTMA accounts. You will deposit your kids’ earned income into the account and then they, or you both, can choose what they would like to invest in. This has become one of our favorite financial games around our house since our kids like to see whose investment choices are performing the best. Some great options for Roth IRAs are Fidelity, Vanguard, and Charles Schwab. Not all investment firms offer custodial Roth IRA’s, so your choices here may be a bit more limited than opening a Roth IRA account for yourself.
Read more: Roth IRAs for young adults: why starting early pays off
Disclosure – INVESTMENT AND INSURANCE PRODUCTS ARE: NOT A DEPOSIT • NOT FDIC INSURED • NO BANK GUARANTEE • MAY LOSE VALUE
The bottom line
Teaching your kids about finances and how to make money are extremely important lessons. Embrace the challenge with your young children as they become budding adults!
While you may not know everything about personal finance, learning new things together might just teach you both something valuable. And if your kids can learn to make extra cash now, when they are still children, then they will ultimately be much more diverse and adaptable in terms of managing everything financial later on. Plus, they’ll get a little pocket money so they don’t have to keep asking you for $20 every time they want to go to Starbucks.
That’s a win-win in my book!
Read more:
Disclosure – INVESTMENT AND INSURANCE PRODUCTS ARE: NOT A DEPOSIT • NOT FDIC INSURED • NO BANK GUARANTEE • MAY LOSE VALUE
The practical side of me loves wedding registries, and the values-driven side of me has grown to loathe them as brides and grooms seem ever bossier. Registries are nothing new, of course. We registered for gifts in 1973, and as a result received two lovely sets of china and ten place-settings of silver. Beyond that, it was open season: we received all sorts of gifts we had not designated. Most we used, a few we actively hated, and many we came to appreciate and even love over time. (Regifting hadn’t been “invented” back then.). From the point of view of the brides and grooms, wedding registries have many upsides. But let’s look at it from the perspective of the gift-giver.
Pros and Cons
The pros of a gift registry are:
Efficiency. You can order the gift and you’re done. The store ships it and you don’t have to wrap it, schlep it, or even buy a card.
The couple picks what they want, and you know your gift is to their taste, which is especially helpful if you hate shopping or don’t know the couple well enough to key in to their life style. Easy. Done.
From my point of view, the negative list is more extensive:
It’s impersonal. No way to write a note to go with your gift, except electronically.
The choices are not prioritized. Recently, after scrolling through scores of chosen items, I finally decided to just purchase a gift certificate from the registry and let the couple decide. Wrapping and shipping would have been an extra $20, which seems mostly wasted.
The options are overly directed. The attitude expressed, even if it’s not intentional, is DON’T EVEN THINK ABOUT GIVING US SOMETHING NOT ON OUR LIST! I find it arrogant that young couples think they know more about what they will need over a lifetime than people who have actually lived a generation or two longer. This is often the case because the couple is using a store registry, which is a fixed template without options to comment or personalize any aspect of the choices. They come off sounding very dictatorial.
I don’t like being limited to chain stores and/or mass produced items. Some of my favorite wedding gifts are pottery and other handmade crafts, which cannot be purchased from a registry. It’s also nice to give a family heirloom or something more personal.
I still might very well decide to give them a place setting of something they’ve chosen, or whatever, but as a sport PSAWSWLD [J.D.’s note: Yeah, I had to click that link, too.], I could probably find it cheaper elsewhere online, and/or perhaps using Amazon Prime’s free shipping, thereby giving them a more valuable gift.
I am often turned off by the actual items chosen since they are way pricier and extravagant than anything I have ever owned. (And I’ve lived a perfectly abundant life!) I like to feel simpatico with the gift I’m giving, since it’s an expression of my values.
I dislike not knowing whether our gift arrived, since brides and grooms (or bride + bride and groom + groom) are often really terrible about writing thank-yous. My preference is to bring the gift with me to the wedding, if I am attending. Not an option with a registry — the whole point is to ship the gift directly to the couple. They haven’t added return receipts for the giver, so far as I know, so if you never receive an acknowledgment, you don’t know if it’s just another inconsiderate bride and groom screwing up, or if your gift didn’t arrive, and they think you are a creep.
The old-fashioned side of me feels uncomfortable with the couple knowing precisely, down to the dime, what I spent on their gift. It feels so calculated. I mean, why don’t they just send a bill?!
Other Options
A few brides and grooms I know have worked to transcend the tax-assessment feel of store registries. While they feel obliged to include conventional stores on their wedding sites (because that’s what lots of their guests do prefer), they expand their suggestions, including favorite charities and causes. One couple said they would love gift certificates to local bookstores and garden shops and described their garden, giving their guests a sense of their values and passions. A few years ago we gave a giant composter to this couple, since they had included it on a wishlist, and it really spoke to me; I totally enjoyed sending it to them. The fancy china comes out maybe once a year, but that composter is used every day!
Another way some couples counteract the gimmes is to ask for non-material gifts. Recently all the invitees to a wedding we attended were asked by the bride’s friend to submit a favorite recipe, which they made into a cookbook for the bride and groom. Another woman I know did something similar for her future daughter-in-law, collecting recipes from all the immediate family, including copies of recipes written by grandmothers no longer alive. (She made copies for all the contributors, and I’m sure they are treasured!)
A nice custom in the Jewish community is to send close friends and family fabric squares to decorate, which are then sent back and stitched together to create the wedding canopy. None of these touches are instead of a material gift, but they serve to make guests feel like they are more than ATMs.
Some couples create an online donation registry in lieu of gifts, but the site notifies the couple of the amount of each contribution, something which makes some people (like me, for example!) uncomfortable. I recently received a link to New American Dream’s registry where the celebrants (brides and grooms, new parents, etc) can set up a registry asking for whatever they like, mixing purchased and guest-created items. Their sample asks for recipes, food for potluck weddings, advice, and fair-traded household things. Very nice idea for a small, simple event, but for a conventional, fancy wedding, I think it would freak people out. (It would be a nice additional alternative to a conventional registry, though; a couple could do both, and explain their thinking on their wedding website, the new de rigeur system for communicating wedding plans.)
And what about the most obvious wedding gift? Cold cash, of course. It’s nice to receive, but I can tell you, 33 years later, it’s the beautiful, thoughtful items which I enjoy, the cash long ago having been plowed into aggregate savings. Many of the brides and grooms I know are mature and earn more than I do, so in those cases money feels like a weird gift. (If the couple is a pair of starving students, money is still a great idea, perhaps along with a smaller material item.)
Let’s hear what you all think about wedding registries, pro or con, and from both givers and receivers’ points of view. Are they a necessary evil, a godsend, or something in between?
Teutsch previously told GRS readers about the pros and cons of working at home and discussed how to get a grip on consumerism.
For many entrepreneurs, real estate is the “how” when it comes to building an incredible life. But it’s important not to neglect the “why.” On today’s podcast with author Jim Sheils, we discuss what it takes to deepen relationships with those who matter most. Listen and learn about a simple strategy proven by thousands of parents worldwide. Jim also shares real estate predictions—including why he thinks 2030 could be the next big crash—and offers advice on where investors should buy property right now.
Listen to today’s show and learn:
Living a life by design [4:59]
Learning life’s hardest lessons [6:35]
Asking for help instead of hoping [9:14]
About The Family Board Meeting [11:30]
Rules for running a family meeting [14:50]
Separating the parts to strengthen the whole [17:33]
Jim’s plans for The Family Board Meeting and his brand [21:23]
The 18 summers concept [27:43]
The homeschooling hybrid and what school is really for [33:16]
Jim Sheils’ start in real estate and thoughts on new construction [36:50]
Jim’s real estate predictions and advice [42:02]
The pros to investing in Florida real estate [42:56]
Where to find Jim Sheils [46:10]
Jim Sheils
Jim is a partner at Southern Impression Homes, a company that specializes in building rental portfolios for individual investors and institutional buyers (American Homes for Rent, Haven Realty, Crescent APL, Mynd ) They provide new construction, low density properties (SFH, duplex and quads) in 14 high growth markets in Florida. Property management in place. Also, private fund offerings for accredited investors based around the highly lucrative Build-to-Rent niche. Average returns have been 12-16% Net IRR.
Jim formally owned the private real estate investment company, Jax Wealth Investments. This company focused on bulk foreclosures and then moved into new construction investments in 2017. After doing over $300 Million in joint venture projects with Southern Impression Homes, the two companies merged in 2022 to better serve the growing BTR niche and client base.
Currently have over $637Mil assets under management, $44 mil recurring revenue, over 1,000 active investors,$182 Mil in sales 2021. Jim Sheils is also known as the “Crazy Glue” for entrepreneur families. His popular “Board Meeting” strategy and other simple frameworks are helping thousands of business leaders worldwide reconnect where it counts the most: at home. Check out his Amazon best-selling book, “The Family Board Meeting.”
He is owner/ founder of the family education company, 18 Summers. They specialize in retreats, workshops and private consulting for family focused companies, entrepreneurs and professionals looking to strengthen their family lives while still succeeding in business.
Jim is an avid surfer and enjoys traveling with family and friends, especially his beautiful wife Jamie and their five children, Alden, Leland, Maggie, Sammy and Gloria. Jim’s greatest adventure to date: donating a kidney to the greatest guy on the planet, his father.
Related Links and Resources:
It might go without saying, but I’m going to say it anyway: We really value listeners like you. We’re constantly working to improve the show, so why not leave us a review? If you love the content and can’t stand the thought of missing the nuggets our Rockstar guests share every week, please subscribe; it’ll get you instant access to our latest episodes and is the best way to support your favorite real estate podcast. Have questions? Suggestions? Want to say hi? Shoot me a message via Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, or Email.
Disclaimer: We are getting con-fi-dent in this creative DIY world. It’s like a semi-addiction- once you successfully conquer one DIY, you can’t stop. We can’t lie, our latest project makes us a little giddy inside- we consider it our most genius DIY yet. Brace yourselves!
Even though the office isn’t quite complete yet, we decided to share one of our favorite makeover projects that we’ve tackled thus far. We’d been searching high and low for a gold-speckled rug for the office ever since we laid eyes on the one in Freda Salvador’s San Francsico boutique. Unfortunately, theirs was from Spain no thanks, shipping costs!. We bookmarked a couple of other options online that were ok, but finding the right color hide with the added gold accents we loved was a challenge and not to mention, they were running close to $800!
Determined to do this on the cheap, we dug a little deeper and found this DIY that inspired us to gold speckle our own rug. We bought a super affordable one under $300! on Amazon and put our skills to the test- woot!
Have no fear, we’re not pulling your leg when we say that this is the easiest DIY you’ll ever tackle- the results are ah-mazing! All you need is your favorite gold spray paint we love Design Master’s in 24kt or 12kt gold! and a cowhide Amazon, Ikea, Overstock all have great, affordable options!.
Step 1: In a well ventilated space, spray paint into side of cap, in a heavy, concentrated stream. You’ll want a small puddle of wet paint in the cap.
Step 2: From about 12 inches from the rug, drip paint quickly. You’ll start seeing a pretty even amount of big and small splatters.
Step 3: To achieve smaller drips and splatters, stand up and “throw” the paint onto the rug. This technique creates nice movement on the piece.
Step 4: Step back and take a look at your handy work! Go into areas that need specific gold spots and drop paint closer to rug, about 4-6 inches above. You should achieve bigger spots with this technique. Remember: the more paint in the cap, the bigger the gold spot.
We found the “drop” technique was our favorite in order to achieve the look we wanted. Take a few minutes prior to starting, practicing all three techniques on a scrap cloth to see which you like best!
And 10 minutes later you move fast when working with wet paint! you have your finished product! We LOVE the way the rug came out, but you’ll have to wait for the full reveal in the office to see it all. Stay tuned!
In the meantime, is there a spot in your house that could use a little update? You have to try this DIY for yourself- for less than $300 you can achieve a look of a high end rug that would have cost three times the price. It looks like we’re slowly leaving the “DI-buy” team for the DIY team!
original photography for apartment 34 by Aubrie Pick
Inside: If you have a Visa Gift Card and want to know how to use it on Amazon, you are in the right place. We will show you exactly how to load it to your account.
Do you have a Visa Gift card burning a hole in your pocket? If you do, Amazon is the perfect place to spend it!
There are a few different ways to use your Visa Gift card on Amazon. You can add it to your Amazon account as a payment method, or you can use it to purchase an Amazon gift card.
If you want to learn how to use your Visa Gift card on Amazon, keep reading!
In this post, I will show you different ways and steps how to use your Visa Gift Card on Amazon. You will also learn about the benefits and drawbacks of using a Visa Gift Card on Amazon.
So, if you are ready, let’s get started!
Can you use a Visa gift card on Amazon?
Yes, you can use a Visa gift card on Amazon. You will need to register the card with the bank issuer and then add it as a payment method on Amazon.
Once the card is registered, you will be able to use it as you would any other credit or debit card on the site.
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.
How can I use a Visa Gift Card on Amazon?
You can use a Visa Gift Card on Amazon by adding it to your Amazon account as a payment method.
To do this, go to the “Payment Methods” section of your account and add the Visa Gift Card as a new payment method.
You will then be able to use the gift card to make purchases on Amazon. Pretty simple.
3 Steps to use a Visa gift card on Amazon
It is quite easy to use a Visa Gift Card on Amazon. You just need to follow some simple steps and you are good to go.
This is how to add Visa gift card to Amazon and the steps that you need to follow:
Step 1: Register your Mastercard, Visa, or Amex gift card with the issuing bank
Registering your Visa gift card with the issuing bank is an essential step to ensure a seamless transaction when using it on Amazon.
By registering the gift card, you not only associate your name and address with the card but also confirm the available balance.
This guide will walk you through the step-by-step process of registering your Visa gift card with the issuing bank.
Look for the registration URL or the name of the financial institution on the back of your Visa gift card.
On the bank issuer’s website, you will be prompted to verify the card information. This typically includes entering the card number, expiration date, and the security code located on the back of the card.
After verifying the card information, you will have the option to register the card with your name and address. This step is important as it ensures that the card is associated with your personal information and can be used for online transactions.
During the registration process, you may also be asked to set up a four-digit PIN for added security. While this step is not always required, it is recommended to protect your gift card from unauthorized use.
Remember to keep your gift card safe and secure, just like any other credit or debit card. Now that you have completed this important step, you can proceed to use your Visa gift card on Amazon with confidence.
Step 2: Add your gift card as a payment method on Amazon
Now, the next step is to add your Visa gift card to your Amazon account.
Log into your Amazon account.
Locate the “Accounts & Lists” option, which is typically found towards the top-right corner of the screen. Click on it.
On the account overview page, find and click on the “Your Payments” option. This will open the payment methods section.
Look for the option to “Add a payment method” and click on it. This will prompt you to add a new payment source.
Under the “Add a payment method” section, you will see a button labeled “Add a credit or debit card.” Click on it.
On the next screen, you will be asked to enter the information from your Visa gift card. Input the card number, expiration date, and the name associated with the card. Make sure to enter the information exactly as it appears on the card.
Even though the Visa gift card is not technically associated with any specific address, you will still be prompted to enter an address during the process. Fill in the required address fields as you would with any other card.
Once you have entered all the necessary information, click on the “Add your card” button. This will add your Visa gift card as a payment method to your Amazon account.
The next time you shop on Amazon, during the checkout process, make sure to select the gift card you added as your payment method. You can identify it by the last four digits of the card, which should be displayed alongside the payment options.
Step 3: Use the correct payment method
When using a Visa gift card on Amazon, it is crucial to select the correct payment method to ensure a successful transaction.
I’ll be honest; I have used the wrong method of payment before.
So, lesson learned… It is important to double-check your payment method before finalizing the purchase to avoid any potential issues.
Also, there is no time difference on how long does Amazon take to ship your order.
How do I add a Visa Gift Card to my Amazon Balance?
Adding a Visa Gift Card to your Amazon Balance or Wallet allows you to use the card for purchases on Amazon.
Here is a detailed explanation of how to add a Visa Gift Card to your Amazon Balance:
Log into your Amazon account.
Once logged in, either click on the “Account” option under “Your Account” from the dropdown menu, or hover over the “Account & List” tab in the top right corner of the page and click on “Your Payments.”
In the “Your Payments” section, go to the “Rewards and Balances” tab. You will see the option for Amazon Gift Card. Click on it.
After clicking on the Amazon Gift Card option, click on “Reload your Balance.”
On the “Reload your Balance” page, take note of the amount of money on your gift card. Make sure to enter the exact amount in dollars. Then, click on “Buy Now.”
Next, go to the “Add a Payment Method” tab. Select the “Add Debit or Credit Card” option.
Enter the Visa card details, including the card number, name, CVV or security code, and expiration date.
A simple way to have funds available to use.
What information do I need to use a Visa Gift Card on Amazon?
First, you need to ensure that the gift card has been activated. Activation instructions are usually available on the receipt or on the back of the card itself.
Next, you need to add the Visa gift card to “Add a payment method.”
Most importantly, if the gift card balance is insufficient to cover the entire purchase, you’ll need to add a second payment method to cover the difference or divide up the order into smaller orders.
This is better than needing a gift card exchange kiosk.
FAQ
While Amazon allows you to use Visa Gift Cards as a payment method, they do not allow them to be combined with credit or debit cards on a single transaction. This means that you cannot use a Visa Gift Card in conjunction with another payment method to complete a purchase.
When using a Visa Gift Card on Amazon, you need to keep an eye on your balance and ensure that your purchases stay within that limit. This includes factoring in taxes and shipment costs if you are not a Prime member or if your items do not qualify for free shipping.
If you attempt to make a purchase that exceeds the balance on your gift card, Amazon will decline the payment and ask for an alternative payment source.
Visa Gift Cards cannot be used to purchase an Amazon Prime membership.
Amazon does not allow the use of Visa gift cards for this specific type of purchase.
When using a Visa gift card on Amazon, there are certain restrictions and limitations to keep in mind.
While it is not necessary to register a Visa Gift Card before using it on Amazon, it can be beneficial to track your account balance.
Can you use Visa Gift Cards on Amazon?
Yes! Using a Visa gift card on Amazon is a convenient way to shop for your favorite items while also taking advantage of any funds available on the gift card.
By following the step-by-step guide outlined above, you can easily add your gift card to your Amazon account and use it as a payment method during checkout.
This may complicate how long does Amazon take to refund if you have a return, so make sure you are confident in your purchase.
Just remember to check the balance, enter the gift card information accurately, and use the correct method of payment during the checkout process.
Happy shopping!
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If you can make it anywhere, can you make it here?
When looking into the bustling metropolis of New York City, it’s easy to be swept up in the kaleidoscope of city lights, towering skyscrapers and the ceaseless symphony of life that dances through its streets. However, amidst the hypnotic allure of the city that never sleeps, practical considerations emerge. Considerations like the economics of living in this urban paradise. A particular question looms large: “What is the average salary in New York, and how far does a $100,000 salary stretch?”
The average salary in New York is a topic of interest for both locals and those considering a move to this vibrant city. While the average salary in NYC currently hovers just above $50,000, for many, $100,000 seems to be a gold standard, a signpost that one has ‘made it.’ However, the reality of living in New York with this salary can prove more challenging than you might think in a metro that has this much to offer.
Rent
In terms of housing, the median rent in New York as of July 2023 is $4,364, translating to over $52,000 annually. That’s more than half of a $100,000 salary spent on accommodation alone. Yet, New York’s diverse range of neighborhoods offers options for different lifestyles and budgets. While Manhattan may command sky-high prices, boroughs like Queens or the Bronx may offer more affordable rents without compromising the quintessential New York experience.
Transportation
Transportation, another major consideration, can be relatively affordable. Opting for public transport, the subway costs $2.75 per ride, with a monthly MetroCard costing $127. This equates to a yearly expense of $1,524 if one is commuting daily — a mere fraction of the $100,000 salary. Of course, for those desiring the convenience of a car, parking fees, insurance and fuel costs can add a significant amount to this figure.
Food
Food and entertainment are areas where New York truly shines. The city’s multicultural tapestry has created a food scene like no other. Eating out in New York can be an adventure, with price points to suit every pocket. For a foodie earning an average salary in New York, a mix of dining out and cooking at home can balance the budget nicely. Let’s say you spend about $400 per month on groceries and $200 on dining: That’s a total of $7,200 annually.
Entertainment
The city’s entertainment scene is equally diverse. A night out at a Broadway show, a visit to one of the city’s many world-class museums or a concert in Central Park could set you back, but it’s part of the allure that makes New York, New York. An allocation of $500 per month towards entertainment, while on the generous side, equals $6,000 per year.
Everything else
Add in additional expenses like utilities, health insurance and personal care, and you’re looking at another $10,000-$15,000 annually, depending on individual needs and choices. All these expenses combined, a $100,000 salary in New York can offer a comfortable lifestyle, though without much room for extravagant splurges.
New York job market at a glance
New York’s economic tapestry is just as dynamic as the city itself. The city is a magnet for talent, driven by a wide range of industries that form its thriving economic ecosystem. While it’s nearly impossible to encapsulate every facet of this ever-evolving landscape, a few industries and employers emerge as the city’s backbone.
Finance
New York’s Wall Street is globally synonymous with finance. It is the heart of the world’s financial markets, housing the New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ, two of the largest stock exchanges worldwide. Major employers in this sector include Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase and Morgan Stanley. Not only does the industry provide direct employment, but it also fuels ancillary services like law, consulting and real estate.
Healthcare
Healthcare is a top employer in New York, contributing significantly to the city’s employment landscape. The city boasts world-class hospitals and research institutions, including NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, Mount Sinai Health System and Northwell Health. These organizations offer a wide range of roles, from clinicians to administrative staff, reflecting the sector’s diversity.
Tech
New York’s tech scene has experienced explosive growth over the past decade, earning the moniker ‘Silicon Alley.’ The city is home to tech giants like Google and Amazon, who’ve set up major outposts here. Additionally, it hosts a solid startup ecosystem, featuring companies like Etsy, MongoDB and Datadog, just to name a few.
Media and entertainment
New York’s media industry is renowned worldwide, with numerous media conglomerates calling the city home. These include Time Warner, ViacomCBS and The New York Times. The city’s thriving entertainment sector hosts Broadway, a global beacon for theatre and major television networks like NBC and ABC.
Retail and fashion
New York is a global fashion capital, playing host to renowned fashion houses and designers. Do Vera Wang, Michael Kors and Donna Karan sound familiar? It’s also home to retail giants like Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s. The fashion week in New York further bolsters the city’s reputation as a leader in fashion and retail.
Tourism and hospitality
New York’s iconic landmarks, from Times Square to Central Park, attract millions of tourists each year. This fuels a vibrant tourism and hospitality industry, with major employers including hotel chains like Marriott and Hilton, as well as tons of restaurants and service providers.
Education
With prestigious institutions like Columbia University and New York University, education is a major employer in New York. These institutions offer employment opportunities in teaching, research, administration and support roles.
Find a new apartment in New York
Given these numbers, it becomes clear that while a $100,000 salary is substantial, it’s also relative. What it offers depends on a variety of factors — lifestyle choices, neighborhood, family size and more. Overall, a prudent financial approach can help navigate the complexity and allow one to savor the flavors of the Big Apple without biting off more than they can chew.
Every American Airlines plane flies for hundreds of hours, carrying thousands of passengers for miles across the globe. But after a while, even the most reliable aircraft needs a break. For some of them, that break comes at a sprawling 3.3 million-square-foot facility in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Functioning as its own ecosystem within Tulsa, this facility’s various hangars and warehouses are where the airline’s planes are picked apart. Seats and engines are refurbished. Exteriors are repainted to sport red, white and blue stripes along the tail fins.
These are only some of the many tasks that occur in this spacious, maze-like facility. Hangars upon hangars stretch across the massive property by a National Guard base and an Amazon warehouse.
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“It’s like a city within a city,” Barbara Cruz, a store supervisor at American’s Tulsa facility, said.
Thousands of American planes have gone through Tulsa since 1946, when the Fort Worth-based carrier relocated its maintenance base from LaGuardia Airport (LGA) to the old oil capital following World War II.
The base — a major hub for American’s maintenance operations — now has about 4,800 employees and claims to be one of the largest commercial aviation bases in the world.
At any given time, the facility can hold up to 20 narrow-body aircraft in its hangars; 800 commercial planes pass through it annually.
In 2020, American unveiled plans to invest $550 million in the Tulsa base to construct a new wide-body hangar and make improvements to each building in the facility. The new hangar should’ve begun taking shape in early 2021, but its construction start date was pushed back due to the coronavirus pandemic. It will be able to hold two wide-body (or about six narrow-body) aircraft at a time.
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Despite the renovation delays, the Tulsa base serves as an important destination for many American aircraft. It handles every bit of maintenance for a plane, from cleaning out toilets to inspecting engines.
Boeing 737s and 777s are the jets that primarily make their rounds in Tulsa. The aircraft either go through heavy, routine or unscheduled maintenance in a process that’s similar to surgery.
“We document all the findings,” Ed Sangricco, the managing director at the Tulsa base, said. “We go in, and we fix all those findings. We close the airplane, we put it back together again, and then we check everything — we make sure everything works.”
While the pandemic halted travel and grounded planes worldwide, that didn’t stop the maintenance technicians, engineers, managers and supervisors in Tulsa. American’s aircraft technicians were tasked with maintaining roughly 100 aircraft already at the base to prevent corrosion (and to stop weeds and birds from infesting the crevices of the planes). That meant remote work wasn’t an option for the employees at the Tulsa base.
Airlines received billions of dollars from the federal government during the pandemic partly to keep their fleets in tip-top shape, so they would be ready when travel demand returned.
“Maintenance requirements don’t stop during COVID-19,” Sangricco said.
Related: 6 incredible facts about the Boeing 777
What it takes to maintain a plane
Maintaining a commercial plane is a complicated process. Hearing all the steps to ensure an aircraft is running smoothly — all over the course of an eight-hour tour — was similar to taking a college crash course in physics and engineering.
Aircraft maintenance is heavily governed by the Federal Aviation Administration, which has a set list of requirements and deadlines for every plane component. Every record chronicling the maintenance of an aircraft needs to be preserved to be in compliance with the FAA, according to Roger Steele, a supervisor at the Tulsa facility who specializes in 737 narrow-body maintenance.
So, document holders containing slips of paper that detail every task from the FAA line two walls of an office within a 737 hangar at the Tulsa base.
At the start of a visit, a 737 narrow-body will undergo about 1,200 required tasks — excluding non-routine inspections — before it can fly again.
The Tulsa facility is never quiet. Throughout my tour of the maintenance site, I could hear constant drilling noises and the occasional thunderous engines of a National Guard plane taking off a couple of miles away as Steele explained the ins and outs of narrow-body maintenance.
The 737 I saw in the hangar had already been stripped down, as it was in its fifth day of maintenance. (The crew at American has around 25 days to completely finish work on the plane.)
The seats, the walls and the flooring were completely gutted from the aircraft. All that was left inside were gray insulation bags on all sides, which made the 737 look more like a cave than a plane.
Inside, technicians were already hard at work. One was by the plane’s back door, critically documenting what parts had been affected by corrosion.
While several areas can suffer from corrosion, a plane’s galleys and lavatories are the most susceptible to corrosion and environmental damage, as moisture from toilets and soft drinks wear down the interior.
“What coffee and soda pop can do to an aircraft after humans consume it is very corrosive,” Steele joked.
Once the technician documented the damage, the next step was determining what parts needed reinforcement. One piece of metal in the galley suffered from corrosion, so the technician sanded the area and recorded its remaining structural thickness.
Like the maintenance process itself, refurbishing an aircraft is anything but glamorous. At the Tulsa base, the majority of hangars and buildings have no air conditioning, leaving most of the workers stuck toying away at engines and aircraft in the sweltering summer heat.
When I toured the site, it was already a muggy 90 degrees, but Tulsa summers can soar well into the 100s during the season’s peak.
For some, the day starts early. Robert Bales, a maintenance technician who works on wide-body half galleys, normally wakes up at 5 a.m. for his 6:30 a.m. shift.
Each technician works around 8 1/2 hours. Much of the schedule, specifically for cabin work, is determined by the crew chief and the needs of the aircraft.
Before someone can start working at the facility as a technician, they must undergo significant training.
Gabriel Figueroa Navedo, another wide-body aircraft technician, said he went to trade school to receive an FAA-issued aircraft technician license. There, Navedo — who first started his career managing reservations and bookings for American — learned extensively about topics like hydraulics and electricity.
However, Navedo said many of those skills do not directly apply to his day-to-day job. Instead, the training provided a general knowledge of planes.
“I like to call it a license to learn,” Navedo said, “because it’s got to cover stuff like small propeller engines, and the FAA doesn’t know if you’re gonna work here, or if you’re gonna be working on your own private plane.”
Related: What it’s really like at flight attendant training
Even the seats and toilets need a makeover
When an aircraft’s seats need refreshing, the plane goes to a different warehouse, where the seats get disassembled. During this process, technicians tend to find all sorts of trash underneath, including gum, candy, pills, credit cards, cellphones and iPads.
“You’re gonna find no telling what,” Brent Strickland, a supervisor who primarily works on Boeing 777s and 787s, said.
Strickland said he has even found false teeth and engagement rings inside the seats.
After removing the various items passengers leave behind, the seats are washed and left to dry. Then, the technicians check the hardware for any damage.
Cushions are changed about every six years, according to Strickland, and it only takes two to three days to completely finish a seat.
It’s not just the seats that need refurbishing during maintenance — the toilets also get picked apart. The waste tanks are cleaned out, and the flushes are inspected by another team of technicians dedicated to toilet maintenance. Strickland described those team members as “another one of those unsung heroes.”
Dee West, a technician, cleaned out a water valve during my tour, closely inspecting the valve under the scope of a flashlight before carefully reassembling the three parts and a spring in the pipe.
“It ain’t no joke,” he said. “It’s gotta be done right.”
One mistake by a toilet technician could be costly for the airline, as each toilet costs $17,000.
Perhaps surprisingly, this area of focus is one of the more desirable on the Tulsa base, according to an American spokesperson. That’s because it’s one of the few jobs workers can do inside an air-conditioned building — providing a reprieve from the otherwise hot and muggy weather Tulsa experiences every summer.
Engines, windows and other plane parts also get a makeover, depending on the aircraft’s maintenance schedule. This includes the fans and combustive parts of the engine, which the staff works on separately in “cold” and “hot” rooms within another hangar, respectively.
Blue lines on the walls demarcate the “cold” parts of the room, whereas painted yellow lines indicate the “hot” area.
Staff members also inspect some parts of the engine by soaking them in a fluorescent lime-green liquid to magnify which parts need to be reinforced.
Whenever parts like the wings and the radome — located at the tip of the plane — need a lift, they are sent to a composite center. There, they get reinforced with materials such as carbon fiber and a honeycomb web made from materials like aluminum.
“[It’s] poetry in motion,” Jody King, a composite repair center crew chief at American’s composite repair center, said when referring to the process of fitting the materials onto parts of the aircraft.
The reason this complex web of maintenance is even possible is because American’s site also has a warehouse containing thousands of parts and stickers. These parts are either shipped to other hangars in Tulsa or to airports and third-party services that need to do maintenance on an aircraft.
Related: Take a look inside Air New Zealand’s unique cabin innovation laboratory
Gearing up to fly again
Before a plane is ready to fly again, the landing gear — the wheels on the plane, in layman’s terms — must be checked, and the exterior must be repainted and rewaxed.
You may not notice the gargantuan size of planes since you typically only see them from afar in the sky or through the windows of an airport. However, were you to see one up close, you’d be struck by the size.
The landing gear alone measures at least 21 feet tall, roughly the equivalent of four people my height (I’m around 5 feet, 4 inches) standing on top of one another.
The wings also feel so vast it almost seems impossible that workers can repaint them by hand in a matter of days; the team uses foam rollers and brushes, according to Jeff Green, a shared services supervisor.
Once the plane completes its maintenance maze in Tulsa, it’s ready to return to the skies and fly to hundreds of destinations. Later, it’ll likely touch down in Tulsa yet again to go through the same routine.
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Amazon Prime Day 2023 is a stellar opportunity to elevate your space. If you’re constantly saving home decor Reels on Instagram and consistently updating your home decor boards on Pinterest, it’s finally time to join in on the fun!
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In the early aughts, director Peter Jackson adapted J.R.R. Tolkien’s beloved fantasy epic, “The Lord of the Rings,” into an acclaimed film series. The high-fantasy saga followed Frodo and the Fellowship of the Ring’s quest to destroy the One Ring. In the mid-2010s, “The Hobbit” film series took viewers back to before the events of the first trilogy, showing how the One Ring came into the possession of Bilbo Baggins.
Now, fans can once again return to Middle-earth with the highly-anticipated premiere of “The Rings of Power.” Released on Sept. 2, 2022, on Amazon Prime, it takes place during the Second Age of Middle-Earth, thousands of years before “The Hobbit.” The series shows viewers how the Rings of Power and the Dark Lord Sauron came about, among other plotlines.
One of the best parts of seeing Tolkien’s work brought to life on the silver screen (and now at-home TV) is the locations and settings. The films and TV show have been famously filmed in New Zealand, set against the country’s stunning natural landscapes. If you can’t hop on a plane to New Zealand to visit the “Lord of the Rings” locations in person, these cities around the U.S. feel like places right out of Middle-Earth.
For this list, we used some locations from the original films and others from the new series. We chose these cities based on their appearance or resemblance to their Middle-earth counterparts. Mild spoilers ahead.
Misty Mountains, Rocky Mountains. Potato, po-tah-to. If one would like to live in a place that feels like the enchanted, Elven refuge of Rivendell, look no further than Aspen. Depictions of Rivendell show towering mountains, lush forests and a thriving yet peaceful city dwarfed by the majesty of nature. Aspen is similarly a mere speck against the giant Colorado Rockies. While waterfalls flow through the Elven city, you’ll need to head into the surrounding valleys and peaks to find them in Aspen, though.
Both are sanctuaries from the outside world, places to rest and be at one with nature. In addition to their abundant outdoorsy pursuits, you’ll also find abundant dining, gracious hosts and robust arts and crafts scenes, as well.
2. Missoula, MT, is the Shire and Hobbiton
One of the most beloved places in Middle-Earth is the bucolic green hills and cozy hillside homes of the Shire. As we all know, it’s the home of the Hobbits. With mountains on the horizon, it’s a place of peace and prosperity where families live happily. The Hobbit residents spend time outdoors enjoying their unspoiled natural surroundings. Its real-world counterpart is definitely Missoula.
Surrounded by rolling green hills with a mountainous backdrop, Missoula bears a striking resemblance to the Shire. The city itself is also dotted with trees and lush greenery. Locals love Missoula for its laidback, relaxed quality of life, which Hobbits also prized. But it’s also a very outdoorsy, vibrant town with great dining and higher education. One doesn’t need to look far to find a lovely hike, walk or activity. It also has a very close-knit community. Sounds very Shire-like to us.
“The Rings of Power” introduces viewers to the Southlands. This idyllic region features green hills, plains and forests set against snowcapped mountains. This realm of Men calls to mind the mountainous landscapes around the rugged, outdoorsy town of Jackson Hole. The wooden barns and historic settler buildings of the area also have a similar look to the Southland villages.
But, those who have read Tolkien’s books know that the Southlands will one day become Mordor. Yep, the dark, lifeless plain and evil lands of Lord Sauron in the original films. The series will likely show how this comes to pass. But Jackson Hole could one day share a similar fate thanks to the nearby Yellowstone Caldera supervolcano.
If you haven’t read “The Silmarillion,” Eregion will likely be new to you. During “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings,” the cities of Eregion were ancient ruins. But, in the “Rings of Power,” Eregion is a prosperous, thriving Elven kingdom. A sweeping aerial shot in the second episode shows a forested city full of grand towers, nestled against a body of water. Immense, green mountains surround the city. This brings to mind Anchorage’s scenic location.
Not only that, but Eregion is close to the Dwarven city of Khazad-dûm and the Mines of Moria. The show hints that Eregion will be the location of the mighty forge that created the “Rings of Power.” Building such a forge requires the crude natural resources, craftsmanship and extractive skills of the Dwarf kingdom. Alaska is also a place of extreme natural beauty, mined for its natural resources.
It may lack the dramatic mountain backing of Minas Tirith. But the gleaming white and grey towers and spires of the City that Never Sleeps mimic the grandeur and colossal scale of Gondor’s capital city. From the multi-tiered building levels to the crowing spire of the Empire State Building, these two great cities look very similar. But, they’re also alike in terms of their importance in their respective realms.
As Gondor was the main realm of Men in Middle-earth, so is New York City, one of modern man’s great centers of living. It’s here that business, art, culture, politics and key historical events all converge, as in Minas Tirith.
Who can forget the enchanting, moss-laden Fangorn Forest? It was here that Merry and Pippin first encountered the Ents in “The Twin Towers?” Located at the base of the southeastern Misty Mountains, this deep, dark woodland is the last remnant of a sweeping forest dating from the First Age of Middle-earth.
With its lush, dense city parks like Forest Park and Washington Park, Portland captures that same, magical feeling. Portland is often hailed as one of the greenest cities in the U.S. Along with its many parks, Portland’s eccentric and fantastical districts boast their own urban forest. So, even if you’re not hiking in Forest Park, you still feel surrounded by nature. Not only that, but Portland locals love the great outdoors. It’s common to spend most of your time outside, and locals also respect nature. The city’s famously weird atmosphere also dovetails with LOTR’s fantasy genre.
And, with Bigfoot said to roam the forests and mountains of the Pacific Northwest, who’s to say there isn’t an Ent or two out there, as well?
With its stately trees, undulating forested mountains and tranquil aura, the Blue Ridge Mountains of the southeastern United States feel similar to Lothlórien. This realm of sky-scraping trees and mystical cities is the fairest of all the Elven realms. Anyone who explores the Blue Ridge Mountains can’t deny its majesty and beauty.
For many reasons, the mountain city of Asheville in the heart of North Carolina‘s Blue Ridge Mountains feels like it would fit right into place in Lothlórien. Its historic and stately architecture, like the Biltmore Estate, and wealth of architectural styles from Gothic to Beaux Arts reflect the elegant dwellings of the Elves. Asheville is renowned for its arts scene and makers culture, and the Elves of LOTR are master craftsmen, as well. Finally, the beautiful outdoors in and outside the city feel like the timeless forests of Tolkien’s fantasy realm.
Why watch Middle Earth when you could live in it?
It’s all well and good to watch the films and TV shows or read the books and imagine yourself living in Middle-Earth. But, in these “Lord of the Rings” cities and regions, it’s like you’re actually there. So, why not go on an adventure and try living in a new city that feels like something out of a fantasy world?
Zoe Baillargeon is an award-winning writer and journalist based in Portland, Oregon, where she covers a variety of beats including travel, food and drink, lifestyle and culture for outlets like Apartment Guide, Rent., AFAR.com, Fodor’s, The Manual, Matador Network and more. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, hiking, reading and spoiling her cat.