exercise

Apache is functioning normally

These are the best apartment gyms in Sacramento. Which one matches up with your workout style?

Known as the “City of Trees,” there’s no doubt that Sacramento is a beautiful place to call home. Because the city is peppered with parks and full of fun options to fill your days with outdoor activities, it’s important to stay in shape if you want to experience the full scope of everything Sacramento has to offer.

Whether you’re a CrossFit junkie, dedicated treadmill runner or committed to curls, there’s an apartment gym on this list that will look like it was built just for you. Find the Sacramento gym that best fits your exercise style and start the process toward signing that lease today.

Row machines and more at The Press Apartments

Source: Rent. / The Press Apartments

The Press Apartments is a modern complex designed to help residents maximize every aspect of their daily lives. From the private office spaces and 24-hour hangout area to the hound lounge to, of course, the pristine fitness center. Equipped with everything you’d expect to find in a community with more than a few things you seldom see outside of the most expensive monthly membership gyms, this gym sets the bar in Sacramento.

Providing residents with a yoga studio, multiple rowing machines and even a boxing machine, this gym has what you’re looking for regardless of how you like to get your heart rate up. Located in Sacramento’s highly sought-after Richmond Grove, life is good when you’re lucky enough to call The Press Apartments home.

Beautiful loft-style gym at Capitol Towers

Source: Rent. / Capitol Towers

The amenities at Capitol Towers are extensive. These downright beautiful apartments are located in Downtown Sacramento and it’s safe to say they boast one of the best apartment gyms in Sactown.

Featuring a loft-style fitness center with leg machines, a lat pulldown machine and enough free weights for all to enjoy a workout without any wait time, this fitness center doesn’t leave any room for complaints. The wellness amenities don’t stop at the expansive gym either. There are also two dry saunas, a spa/hot tub area and a large, rectangular pool that’s perfect for swimming laps.

The serene spin room at Vasari

Source: Rent. / Vasari

Situated south of Sacramento in Elk Grove, the Vasari apartment complex is complete with a fitness center that just might put your current gym to shame. With a dedicated spin area and yoga studio alongside a large gym equipped with an array of upper and lower body machines, heavy ropes and treadmills with pool views, it’s easy to see why residents often fall in love with this fitness center soon after signing the lease.

Whether you’re an early-morning lifter or more of an after-work elliptical person, you’re never short on options at this apartment gym. Not to mention the fact that you can work out hard with the comfort of knowing there’s a hot tub waiting for you to soak the soreness away.

View of the entire gym at Miramonte and Trovas

Source: Rent. / Miramonte and Trovas

Lit up by large windows and a lime green accent wall, the fitness center at Miramonte and Trovas is more than meets the eye. With everything you’d expect in a well-equipped gym, like a Smith machine for safe reps without a spotter, large free weight racks and plenty of benches to help you get a full workout with ease, this gym clearly covers all the essentials.

Where this North Natomas complex really separates itself from the rest is its offering of fitness on-demand. The gym TVs have fitness on-demand, a system that allows residents to learn more about working out and fitness from the comfort of their home gym. No personal trainer is required, this fitness center has it all and then some.

one of the best apartment gyms in Sacramento

Source: Rent. / The Mansion

With a name like “The Mansion” you better have some high-end amenities to match. Needless to say, the beautiful fitness center at this beautiful Boulevard Park apartment complex does not disappoint.

With strength and conditioning equipment as far as the eye can see, mirrored walls, flat-screen TVs and plenty of natural light, this gym sets up its residents for success and supports the journey toward accomplishing even the loftiest of personal fitness goals. Enjoy full-circuit workouts with top-tier equipment in this fine fitness center.

Natural light pouring through the large windows at the fitness center Kensington in Sacramento

Source: Rent. / Kensington

Stationary bikes, Hoist machinery and Matrix treadmills are just a few of the stellar pieces of equipment you can expect to find at the Kensington fitness center. With vaulted ceilings letting in all the natural light you could ever want and, most importantly, enough space to stretch out and get your sweat on without being disturbed by others, this gym was built with residents’ comfort in mind every step of the way.

This Arden-Arcade apartment complex also boasts three pools and a relaxing spa. That means you can start your day swimming laps and then cap it off by soaking away the pains of the day.

Cardio area in the brick-walled fitness center at Academy65

Source: Rent. / Academy65

Known for its youthful resident population, proximity to Sacramento State and impressive list of amenities, Academy65 is a great place for active people to call home. Boasting a 24-hour fitness center complete with a StairMaster, multiple treadmills under flat-screen TVs, and a mountain of medicine balls, this fitness center is equipped to handle all types of exercise styles.

Not just catering to the heavy lifters, the fitness center at this College Town complex is also equipped with a yoga studio and spin area. Whether you’re looking to pedal away your problems or just improve your flexibility a little bit, there’s a space for you at the fitness center at Academy65.

Exposed beams in the light-filled gym at The Woodlands

Source: Rent. / The Woodlands

The Woodlands is a magnificent Metro Center apartment complex with, as you may have guessed from the name, an appealing cabin feel. With more than one StairMaster, a lat pulldown machine and a squat rack all at your disposal, among many other pieces of top-tier equipment, there’s no questioning the Woodlands fitness center’s place on this list.

The opportunities for recreation don’t end at the fitness center either. This complex also provides residents with a cornhole court, three pools and two hot tubs. Regardless of what you’re feeling, there’s always something to do at The Woodlands.

Daytime view of the Irongate apartments gym

Source: Rent. / Irongate

Located in North Natomas, Sacramento, the fitness center at Irongate isn’t just spacious, it’s also equipped with everything you need to not just achieve but to exceed your fitness goals. Whether you are looking to up your cardio, tack on some mass, drop a few pounds or anything in between, you have more than a few options thanks to the exercise amenities at this North Natomas fitness center.

Adorned with upper and lower-body machines, lots of free weights and flat-screen TVs for when you need a mental break from your treadmill running or leg pressing, exercise options are never an issue. Thanks to white walls, a high ceiling and plenty of natural light, this fitness center feels large and always has enough space for residents to work out, even during the busier hours.

one of the best apartment gyms in Sacramento

Source: Rent. / The Fremont

Easily recognizable by its unique Mediterranean architecture, The Fremont is one of the more desirable buildings in Midtown to call home. With sizable windows to let in natural light, large free-weight racks, stacks of stationary balls and a couple of shelves of complimentary towels, this fitness center is fully stocked and ideal for fitness-minded folks from all walks of life.

Also boasting a professional-grade stationary bike alongside a state-of-the-art elliptical machine and treadmill, The Fremont’s fantastic fitness center supports your cardio goals.

Get your sweat on in Sacramento

Whether you’re a daily runner, a weekly weightlifter or someone just looking to improve flexibility the slightest bit, Sacramento is full of apartment gyms that are capable of supporting you through even the most ambitious fitness goals.

See yourself getting your sweat on in one of these next-level fitness centers? Fill out an application today and reignite your passion for personal fitness in your new apartment gym.

Featured image source: Rent. / The Press Apartments

Source: rent.com

Apache is functioning normally

This guest post from Shelley Turner is part of the “reader stories” feature at Get Rich Slowly. Some stories contain general advice; others are examples of how a GRS reader achieved financial success — or failure. These stories feature folks from all levels of financial maturity and with all sorts of incomes.

They’re coming! Like it or not, the holidays — and all the stress of buying the Perfect Gift — are just around the corner. I actually like brainstorming gift ideas, and have been told I’m pretty good at it. Today I’ll share my secrets with you.

The best gifts are appropriate for the recipient, yet don’t cost a small fortune. You want your gift to say “I know what you like”, not “I didn’t have a clue of what to get you for a gift for but here it is anyway”. I once received a leopard-hair belt. Anybody who knows me, or has seen how I dress, understands that there’s never been (nor ever will be) a time that I’d wear a leopard-hair belt. A gift like that screams “I just bought you something because I had to”.

Gift-giving ground rules
Before you buy, take a few minutes to think about what your recipient has in her house or on her desk, what she spends her time doing, what she likes to talk about, where she likes to eat, and even what she keeps in her refrigerator. Even if you don’t know her that well, this exercise will help you get some ideas of what the recipient likes.

I’m not a collector, so I prefer practical and useful gifts. However, if your gift recipient is a collector, that’s a perfect opportunity. Even if his collection is filled with expensive items, you can often find a small token within that collection that you could give him. The trick to buying a great gift for somebody, no matter what the occasion, is to buy what your recipient would enjoy — not what you’d enjoy.

Often, a consumable gift that provides momentary pleasure and then disappears is best, especially around the holidays when people usually get many gifts. Consumables can be given, enjoyed, and remembered without becoming Stuff.

My husband’s 90-year-old grandmother is a perfect example. What can you give a 90-year-old woman who already has everything she wants and needs? Not much. However, I know she really enjoys a good cup of coffee. And I found some European butter cookies and a some jars of preserves made in her native Denmark. I give her this same gift every year. She tells me she waits eagerly for our gift because not only does she enjoy consuming it during the winter, but because it’s a small reminder of her home country.

Inexpensive gift ideas
No matter which gift you choose, if it’s something your recipient uses over and over, you can give a great gift without spending too much. Here are some of my favorite inexpensive gift ideas. These have all been well-received and cost less than $20. You can tailor the gift idea to fit your budget. Some of these can be used as hostess gifts for holiday parties you may be attending.

  • Personalized note cards
  • A book by her favorite author
  • Monogrammed wine stoppers
  • Travel journal
  • Engraved metal bookmark
  • Monogrammed soap bars
  • Bread basket with quick bread or muffin mix inside
  • Dog or cat breed-specific items — calendars, notepads, keychains, etc. of their pet
  • Cookbook (specific subjects like fondue, vegetarian, appetizers, etc or you could get a book representing their hometown like the Chesapeake Bay, etc.)
  • Personalized insulated tote-style lunch bag (put his favorite snack inside)
  • Sports team items — pick her favorite team mug, hat, t-shirt, scarf, etc. (fill a mug with her favorite hard candy)
  • Gourmet chocolate bars tied with ribbon or raffia
  • Favorite bubble bath & bath pillow
  • Wallet with gift cards or cash inside
  • Amaryllis or Paperwhite bulb package
  • Old-fashioned jar filled with favorite candy or snack
  • Hand-made soap with an interesting soap dish
  • Handmade crocheted or knitted scarf or hat
  • BBQ sauces, hot sauces, grilling rubs, etc (some have funny labels)
  • Ice cream dish with favorite topping
  • Decorative candy bowl with favorite candy
  • Ornament representing current hobby
  • Charm to add to an existing charm bracelet
  • T-shirt from favorite restaurant
  • Crabtree & Evelyn hand therapy (super-rich hand cream)
  • Nice colored pencils and/or sketch notebook for artists
  • Small decorative bowl and package of dip mix
  • Hand towels with initials embroidered (especially if newly married)

Here are a few more ideas with a bit of explanation:

  • Magazine subscription (hundreds of subjects to choose from — and you can give crossword puzzle and comic book subscriptions too). Buy the current issue and put a note on it that you got him a one-year subscription.
  • Lolita glasses are painted wine, beer, or margarita glass that have themes painted on them based on hobbies. There’s a recipe painted on the bottom of each glass too.
  • Year of Napkins! This requires advance planning, but makes a unique gift for a very reasonable price. For each holiday throughout the year (plus Happy Birthday), pick up one pack of luncheon-sized napkins. When you’ve collected all the holidays, package them in order of the holidays in small CD crates, baskets, etc. Usually you can find the napkins in the clearance section right after the holiday. Decide how many of these you want to put together in advance so you can buy as many as you need during each holiday.

Remember that you can also go in with others to purchase bigger gifts, such as theater tickets, cooking classes, and other “experiences”. If you’re very organized, you can shop all year and pick up interesting gifts along the way. My sister-in-law has a birthday in January, but I often find stuff she’ll love in the summer, so I buy it and keep it until her birthday.

Check the clearance racks all year to get even better deals. Unless you really enjoy going shopping the week before Christmas, you may find that buying gifts ahead of time will not only save you money, but also make the holiday season a little more relaxing, as well.

Reminder: Another way to save money on gifts is to make them yourself. Here’s a list of 34 great homemade Christmas gifts almost anyone can put together. And over at The Simple Dollar, Trent has been documenting his own quest for family-produced Christmas presents.

A note on packaging
When packaging your gifts, you’re not stuck using a gift bag or plain wrapping paper unless you want to. Tulle (that material used to tie up rice/birdseed to throw at weddings) is great for wrapping unusually-shaped items, such as the bowls & dip mixes, candy bowls & jars, ice cream dishes, bottles of hot sauces, soap, etc. It’s really inexpensive to purchase by the yard, comes in many colors, and your recipient can see what you gave her without unwrapping it. Tulle is especially good for hostess gifts so they don’t have to open them upon receipt.

Some other tips:

  • Magazines roll up perfectly in those tall wine bottle bags.
  • Chinese-food boxes and small tin buckets are inexpensive and fun to use.
  • Bread baskets work nicely to hold all kinds of items and they can reuse the basket later.

When packaging your gifts, use your imagination!

1980 Gates Christmas - Tiff and Kris

Gift giving can be fun — if you allow yourself to be creative and take a few minutes to think about your recipient. The bottom line: If he’ll enjoy it, it’s a great gift for him!

Happy gift-giving!

Source: getrichslowly.org

Apache is functioning normally

Regardless of how you like to work out, there’s a gym on this list that’s perfectly designed to help you meet your fitness goals.

Known for its proximity to the legendary Garden of the Gods and beloved by locals for its awe-inspiring natural beauty, it’s no surprise that Colorado Springs is home to an active population of nature lovers that prioritize health and physical fortitude in their daily lives.

With such an active population, apartment complexes have felt the pressure to provide residents with ample options to work out the way they want. These are 10 of the best apartment gyms in Colorado Springs.

Falconview colorado springs, co

Source: Rent. / FalconView

FalconView is a Northgate apartment complex that features an indoor-outdoor workout area that will put your local CrossFit gym to shame. Garage-style doors, a killer sound system and lofty ceilings with large fans to help keep you cool — this fitness center is for the workout freaks and resentful treadmill runners alike.

Whether you’re looking for a full-body workout courtesy of a half hour on the rowing machine or some outdoor turf to tone your legs while you take care of your tan, the FalconView gym sets the standard in Colorado Springs and earns the top spot on this list.

the residences at falcon north fitness center

Source: Rent. / The Residences at Falcon North

The first thing you notice when you walk into the fitness center at The Residences at Falcon North is the humongous square skylight smack dab in the middle of the gym. This unique feature supplies the fitness center with a ton of natural light and almost makes you feel like you’re actually outside.

As far as equipment goes, this gym features top-of-the-line resources including a multi-purpose structure at the center with everything from heavy ropes to chin-up bars and even a punching bag. Bottom line, this Northeast Colorado Springs gym has what you need and then some.

one of the best apartment gyms in colorado springs

Source: Rent. / University Village

Boasting an undeniably cool cabin vibe, the fitness center at University Village makes the most of its unique semi-circle footprint to create a space that is welcoming, visually appealing and the ideal spot to get your sweat on.

Set up so the cardio area has a view of the professionally manicured outdoors and designed so the machines have enough space between them to support a relaxing workout environment, this Northeast Colorado Springs fitness center is on par with some of the more expensive monthly membership gyms.

crowne at briargate colorado springs gym

Source: Rent. / Crowne at Briargate

With multiple hydro rowing machines, top-quality stationary bikes and plenty of space for plyometrics, the Crowne at Briargate fitness center is designed to make everyone feel comfortable and motivated to accomplish their goals. Along with lots of natural light, there is also mirrored wall so lifters can check their form and, opposite that, is a mural portraying active individuals in a sea of calming colors.

Beyond that, this Briargate-based fitness oasis also boasts a dedicated yoga studio. This relaxing space is perfect for practicing yogis and anyone looking to improve flexibility and work on mindfulness without leaving the comfort of home.

Springs at Foothill Farm apartment gym

Source: Rent. / Springs at Foothill Farm

As the second apartment fitness center featured on this list with garage-style doors, the Springs at Foothill Farm fitness center does an excellent job facilitating a seamless indoor-outdoor workout space. Also featuring a kettlebell station and flatscreen TVs in addition to soaring ceilings, this is a great place to get a workout in.

Located in Colorado Springs’ scenic Northgate neighborhood, this thoughtfully designed fitness center also features SmartMats to help make sure you’re stretching the essentials, a stability ball station and plenty of resistance bands for those that like to lift but want to avoid the weights.

Union heights apartment gym

Source: Rent. / Union Heights

The Union Heights apartment complex features a light-filled fitness center with distinct cardio and weight-lifting areas. The cardio area looks out onto the pool and provides a great view to get lost in while you work up to 10,000 steps. Featuring treadmills, ellipticals and stationary bikes, residents are free to get creative and work their legs in a number of different ways.

The lifting area at this Northeast Colorado Springs fitness center is well-equipped, properly spaced out and perfect for experienced and novice weight-lifters alike. While this may not be the largest fitness center on the list, it does a lot with a little and is more than adequate for even the loftiest fitness goals.

Woodland hills apartments fitness center

Source: Rent. / Woodland Hills Apartments

Woodland Hills Apartments is the perfect place for an active person to call home because of its versatility in options for recreational activity. Featuring an on-site gym with all the equipment you’d expect to find in a gym capable of supporting the residents living in the complex’s 160 units as well as a spa area and beach volleyball court, you’re never short on options for activity at Woodland Hills.

This complex also backs up to the Cottonwood Creek Trail, making it an ideal spot for people that prefer to get their steps in while immersed in the great outdoors. With views of Cottonwood Creek along the way, you won’t find a better spot to run, walk or jog in the Colorado Springs area.

one of the best apartment gyms in colorado springs

Source: Rent. / Estate at Woodmen Ridge

Estate at Woodmen Ridge lies between Black Forest and Northeast Colorado Springs and benefits from its close proximity to Cottonwood Creek. While the fitness center here may not have some of the frills found at other gyms on this list, what it may lack in flash, it more than makes up for in versatility.

Featuring a stability ball station, outside views for all of the cardio machines, and plenty of space for free weight lifting and full-body stretching, this gym is capable of supporting all styles of exercise.

Bonus: There’s also a Coke machine for those that like to chase their workout with a little reward.

one of the best apartment gyms in colorado springs

Source: Rent. / Knolls at Sweetgrass Apartment Homes

Boasting an all-new yoga area to supplement their traditional fitness center setup, The Knolls at Sweetgrass Apartment Homes gym represents the standard of what all modern apartment complex fitness centers should attempt to live up to. High ceilings, natural light and mirrored walls make for a perfect place to check your form while basking in the morning light before work. Sound like a good way to start your day?

Whether you’re working on flexibility, bulking up for pool season or slimming down to start the New Year, the equipment at this gym is capable of helping you reach even the most ambitious of fitness goals. If you find yourself in this Old Colorado City fitness center, you’re in for a good workout.

Enchanted springs apartments colorado springs

Source: Rent. / Enchanted Springs

With a name like Enchanted Springs, there’s a lot to live up to. Luckily for the residents of this East Colorado Springs complex, the fine people behind Enchanted Springs deliver on the promise brought on by the name. Boasting a large fitness center with pool views, this gym gives you plenty of room to work up a sweat and work out those demons.

With a free-weight station, versatile cable machine and machines designed to help rid yourself of the dreaded chicken legs, there’s a lot to do and experience in this gym if you’re the type that’s always looking to expand your workout regimen.

Stay swole in Colorado Springs

Whether you’re a CrossFit junkie, a cardio enthusiast or a dedicated yogi, there are plenty of apartment gyms throughout Colorado Springs that will perfectly meet your workout needs. Start your search with the list above and enjoy the journey toward your new apartment and its beautiful gym.

Featured image source: Rent. / The Residences at Falcon North

Source: rent.com

Apache is functioning normally

Creativity involves generating new and valuable ideas with your imagination, and original thinking. Creative individuals have an ability think outside the box and experiment with new concepts. Unlike the lightning bolt of inspiration, creativity is like a muscle that requires training and development. The good news is if you want to enhance your creative ability, you can learn. Below are some tips to exercise your creative muscles!

1. Keep Learning 

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

Continuous learning is crucial for success regardless of age, profession, or interests. It is essential to keep up with emerging trends and technologies to stay competitive in today’s fast-paced world. But more than that, learning new things gives you a larger pool of ideas and patterns to draw from when you’re trying to be creative.

Stay Curious

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

More learning will also enhance your curiosity, and curiosity is a great fore-runner to creative thinking. Cultivating a curious mind and developing learning as a skill can really improve your creativity. Challenging yourself and seeking out new information will only inspire more growth.

2. Do what You Love

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

When you genuinely enjoy your job, you naturally feel more inspired and enthusiastic about finding creative solutions and generating new ideas. Conversely, a task that you keep procrastinating on will be challenging to approach with a positive and imaginative mindset. But even if you don’t love your job, keeping creativity front-of-mind as one of your goals can help you to be a bit more invested, and unlock that creative-thinking potential you’re hoping for.

Find a Fun Hobby

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

Doing what you love doesn’t just have to be your 9-5! You could choose a hobby that you love and that allows you to be creative, such as playing an instrument, painting, or participating in a sport that keeps you in the present moment. Picking up a new hobby is not just an enjoyable pastime, but taps into the creative boost you get from learning new things and staying curious.

3. Take Breaks

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

While it is possible to improve your creativity by training yourself rather than waiting for inspiration to strike, it’s crucial not to put too much pressure on yourself. If you find yourself sitting at your desk for hours struggling to generate new ideas and solutions, it’s essential to take a break and step away.

Turn your Mind Off

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

Our minds do a lot of processing and thinking even while we sleep; things like storing long-term memories. So even when we just take a break, often our subconscious mind will be working away at a problem we’re trying to solve or an idea you’re trying to unfold. Let your mind do it’s work by taking breaks and letting those thoughts percolate!

4. Exercise

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

Physical exercise is an excellent way to clear your mind when you’re feeling stressed or under pressure. Studies have demonstrated that even a 30-minute session of aerobic activity can enhance brain function and increase creativity. So, if you find yourself in a creative slump, try putting on your running shoes and getting your heart rate up to stimulate your creative juices and get them flowing freely.

5. Get a Change of Scene

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

Changing your environment can help to boost creativity by engaging your brain in new ways and providing fresh perspectives and inspiration. This can be achieved through traveling to new places or making small changes to your everyday surroundings. Changing your environment can also help to prevent creative burnout and break up the monotony of routine.

6. Brainstorm

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

Brainstorming sessions are an effective way to boost creativity. To conduct effective brainstorming sessions, it’s important to set clear goals, create a safe and non-judgmental environment, use visual aids, diversify perspectives, encourage quantity over quality, build on each other’s ideas, and take breaks to recharge.

Learn from Each Other

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

The focus should be on generating as many ideas as possible and building on each other’s ideas to come up with creative and innovative solutions. While each person in the room may only have one or two ideas, when you begin to put them together, ideas link up into actionable plans, or new ideas form from the combination of old ones. So get together with your colleagues and brainstorm for a while!

7. Writing Down your Thoughts

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

Writing is a powerful tool for boosting creativity, as it engages the mind, activates the imagination, and allows for the exploration of new perspectives. Writing can help break out of usual thinking patterns and access the subconscious mind, leading to surprising and creative ideas. Therefore, writing down thoughts and ideas, without overthinking, can unlock hidden insights and generate new ideas.

8. Try New Things

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

Trying new things is an effective way to enhance creativity, and provides several ideas to get started. Some ideas are taking a different route, learning a new skill, engaging with different people, trying a new hobby, and experimenting with surroundings. The passage emphasizes the importance of keeping an open mind when trying new things to promote creativity.

9. Make time for Creativity

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

Often, people wait for inspiration to strike, mistakenly believing that creativity is an innate talent rather than a skill that can be developed with practice. Reframing your perspective on your creative abilities and dedicating time to creative thinking can help you to hone and improve your skills.

Schedule Creative Time

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

If you have a job that requires frequent and substantial creativity, it can be helpful to schedule time in your diary for this purpose. Though scheduling “creative time” may feel odd at first, it can alleviate the pressure of needing a sudden burst of inspiration, which is not a sustainable way of working in the long term.

10. Collaborate with Others

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

Collaborating with colleagues and tapping into your network can provide a valuable source of inspiration for creative projects. If you’re feeling stuck and unable to generate fresh ideas, involving a trusted peer can be an effective way to jumpstart your creativity. 

Multiply your Efforts

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

Brainstorming with others can often spark new thoughts and approaches, particularly when you’ve been grappling with a particular challenge on your own for an extended period. And collaboration is usually more than just the addition of new ideas; it can multiply your ideas, and theirs, into something even bigger than just the sum of two parts. Don’t be afraid to seek out the input of others—it can be the key to unlocking your next big breakthrough.

Creativity is a highly valued skill that requires constant training to improve. By implementing things like continuous learning, writing down your thoughts, and other ideas, you can enhance your ability to think creatively. Remember, creativity is like a muscle—the more you use it, the stronger it becomes. 

These are 10 Things That Completely Destroyed The Love in a Relationship

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

There’s no question that relationships can be confusing, but here are some of the top things to avoid if you want to keep your relationship healthy!

10 Actors and Actresses People Refuse to Watch Ever Again

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

We all have a favorite actor or actress, but most of us have a least-favorite as well. Check out this list of actors and actresses people never want to see performing again!

Top 10 Worst Human Inventions of All Time

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

Some inventions are world-changing, and some of them, well, they change the world in the wrong ways. Here are some of the worst inventions Redditors could think of.

10 Famous Celebrities Who Look Like They Smell Terrible

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

We’ve all had moments of hygiene faux pas—but these celebrities just look like they don’t take care of themselves at all.

10 Terrible Fads People Are Glad Died Out

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

Every fad has its time in the limelight, but some of them come and go faster than others; and some just need to die out right away. Check out this list of fads of which people were happy to see the last.



About the Author



Dan Williams



Source: financequickfix.com

Apache is functioning normally

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.

I have recently become fascinated by the idea of Billionaire Morning Routines.

The premise is that if you want to be successful in life, then you must wake up at an early hour and dedicate time or energy towards your goals. I am still not sure how this translates into a morning routine for me, but what I do know is:

You don’t need much money to become wealthy.

Your mindset can drastically change the trajectory of your day and life.

Sometimes it can feel like the odds are stacked against you. But there’s always hope.

Personally, I have found success by following this simple morning routine that will help get me through each day and set my path for success.

Successful millionaires have certain habits that can help you be more productive each and every day! While not everyone aspires to be a millionaire, these habits can still be useful for anyone looking to increase their productivity levels.

In this post, we are going to dig into billionaire morning routines and look at some millionaire morning routines as well.

Is a cup of strong coffee enough? Or do you need to layer some more key habits of billionaires on top?

So, if you’re looking for some tips on how to be more productive, following in the footsteps of some successful millionaires is a great place to start!

Remember these are the people making 10 figures…

Billionaire morning routine is a simple yet effective way to start each day. Learn the secrets to take control of your life and become wealthy by following a few simple steps.

What is a Billionaire Morning Routine?

A Billionaire Morning Routine is a set of habits that wealthy individuals use to start their day in order to increase their chances of success. This usually involves waking up early, exercising, eating a healthy breakfast, and spending time on personal development.

These routines are a set of designated activities that can help you stay on track. A millionaire or billionaire morning routine helps you organize your day from the moment you wake up until the time you leave for work. The difference between what you’re doing and a millionaire morning routine is the way you manage your time.

Every day is different for billionaires, but their morning routine should always be prioritized by their lifestyle needs first.

A billionaire morning routine should focus on managing your time in a way that allows for consistency with priorities of lifestyle needs and productivity goals.

Why is a Millionaires Morning Routine or even a Billionaires Important?

Picture of early morning sun streaming in on a billionaires morning routine.

The reason a Millionaire’s Morning Routine is important is that it sets the tone for the rest of the day. If you start your day by working on your goals and taking care of yourself, you’re more likely to have a successful day.

Don’t you want to maximize your time and get the most out of your day?

These are the key benefits of following a billionaires morning routine:

  • Stay focused on the important tasks at hand each morning.
  • Help you better prioritize your time in the morning and throughout your day.
  • Increase your productivity all day long.
  • Reduce the stress you feel each morning.
  • Boost your energy levels throughout the day.

In addition, a millionaire or billionaire’s lifestyle is associated with a number of benefits, including increased happiness, improved focus, and more time to accomplish goals.

There are many reasons why having a billionaires morning routine, or even a millionaires morning routine, is so important.

A millionaire morning routine is empowering because it gives you control over your life–and who doesn’t want that?

Billionaire Morning Routines

Picture of a guy in a suit overlooking a downtown skyline as someone goes through their billionaire morning routines.

There are a lot of different opinions on how to achieve success in life, but one thing is for sure: you have to get up early if you want to be a millionaire.

You have heard the saying, “the early bird gets the worm.”

They use these routines to set themselves up for success and make the most of their time. Plus there are a few key things that all millionaire morning routines have in common.

This allows them to get centered and focus on what they want to achieve.

The billionaires’ morning routines are a good place to start when trying to improve your own routine.

Billionaire morning routines are the first place to start when trying to change your daily habits for the better. These practices provide a foundation that you can build off of as you work towards reaching your goals.

#1 – Wake up early

Wake up early to get more done in the morning.

Go to bed at a reasonable time so you can sleep well and be refreshed for the day.

Here are some tips to make waking up easier:

  • Have a wind-down process before bedtime.
  • Switch off screens an hour or two before you plan to go to bed so you sleep easily when the sun rises at 5 am.
  • Wake up five minutes earlier than you do now and work your way up until you wake up an hour earlier.

Waking up early is a simple change that anyone can make!

To get up early, go to bed earlier. The key to getting up early is going to bed early and having a wind-down routine so you sleep easily when you get into bed.

#2 – Meditate

Meditation can aid in concentration, creativity and reduce stress.

There are a variety of ways to meditate, including sitting quietly and focusing on your breathing.

When it comes to improving productivity, many people think that meditation is a waste of time. However, this could not be further from the truth.

In fact, there are a number of reasons why you should meditate every day:

  • Lowers your stress levels
  • Helps you focus
  • Improves creativity
  • Provides answers to unexpected problems
  • Helps make decision making easier
  • Keeps you less distracted throughout the day.

The hardest part of meditation is getting started, but it’s worth it if you have the discipline to stick with it for even 5 minutes a day or do some other form of relaxation therapy before falling asleep at night.

It doesn’t matter how long you do it, as long as you’re getting the benefits from it.

#3 – Glass of Water

Drinking water in the morning can improve general health and well-being.

Celebrities including Kim Kardashian, Beyoncé, and Cameron Diaz have touted the benefits of drinking water regularly.

Water is essential for life. In fact, our body is composed of about 60% water. We lose water every day through sweating, breathing, and urination, so it’s important to replenish our fluid intake. Drinking a glass of water in the morning can reduce calorie intake and improve mental performance.

Drinking water in the morning can help you stay alert, make you more energetic, and provide the necessary fuel for your brain. It’s important to drink water first thing in the morning because it hydrates quickly and fuels your body. Drinking water is also a great way to hydrate for a long day of work or play later on that day.

#4 – Exercise

The wealthiest people in the world begin their days with some exercise. They choose to perform this activity in the morning so that it doesn’t get forgotten among all their other daily responsibilities.

Richard Branson, a British billionaire, exercises every morning without fail.

Exercising boosts your confidence, has positive effects on your mood, and helps them focus throughout the day.

The key is to find a way to incorporate exercise into your routine each day. Find an exercise that works for you and stick with it.

Wake up early and exercise. Exercise is a great way to start your day off on the right foot. It gets your blood flowing and helps you wake up mentally and physically. Plus, it’s a great way to get in some extra fitness goals for the day!

#6 – Read a book

Reading can boost cognitive activity in the brain. This means that you’ll be more alert and prepared for whatever challenges the day throws your way!

Also, reading before bed can help calm the mind and prepare the body for sleep.

# 7 – Eat a healthy breakfast

Many successful people have made breakfast a key part of their morning routine.

Starting your day off with a filling meal can help you stay focused, give you more energy, and help you concentrate on the work you need to accomplish later in the day.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and it’s especially important to eat a healthy breakfast. Eating breakfast helps your body and mind function at their best. It can give you energy for the day ahead, help you focus, and provide necessary nutrients for your brain.

There are many different types of healthy breakfasts that you can try. Some people like to have eggs, others prefer yogurt or granola. Kelly Ripa has coffee, yogurt, and granola as a breakfast routine; Barack Obama has eggs, potatoes, and wheat toast. Reese Witherspoon’s go-to green smoothie recipe has been her breakfast routine for the last nine years. Idris Elba keeps it simple with toast during his morning routine.

No matter what you choose to eat for breakfast, make sure you drink plenty of water as well.

On the flip side of the coin is fasting during breakfast and maybe even lunch.

#8 – Plan your day the night before

Plan out your day ahead of time. One of the best ways to ensure that you make the most of your time is by planning out your day ahead of time. This will help keep you organized and focused on what’s important.

Determining when during the day is the best time to tackle your toughest jobs can help reduce stress and increase performance.

Journal your thoughts, plan your day, and focus on what you want in life.

Goals don’t happen unless they are written down and acted upon.

One way to make sure you start your day off on the right foot is by planning your day the night before. This way, you can wake up knowing what you need to do and have a plan in place for how you’re going to get it done.

Reflecting in the evening about what you want for yourself can help solidify your intentions and give them power by writing them down for review each day.

#9 – Plan the day ahead

Others prefer to plan their day in the morning.

Getting out of bed and putting your best foot forward EVERY SINGLE DAY is important for having a successful morning routine.

By planning out your tasks, you will be better prepared to face any challenges that come your way during the day.

To help with this, try creating a morning routine that fosters a healthy mind, body, and spirit. This will get you ready to operate at peak performance.

In order to be successful, you have to know your schedule so you can plan time blocks for specific activities. There are only so many hours in a day – you must make sure they are well spent.

#10 – Create your routine

Creating a routine for your morning will help you accomplish more with your time, starting your day off on the right foot, and it will also give you a chance to start your day off with joy before any hustle or stress begins.

Some of the benefits of a millionaire morning routine include stress-free, accomplished things, and increased levels of happiness.

However, remember that the Millionaire Morning Routine is not the only one out there! You can start your day by hitting the ground running but don’t copy and paste a billionaire’s exact routine. Billionaires set their days apart with goals, so try our goal-setting worksheet to get a head start!

There are many factors to consider when deciding if a millionaire morning routine is for you, such as the goals you want to achieve and your schedule.

However, you need to create a routine that works for you. Below, you will see some samples from billionaires, but at the end of the day, it has to work for you.

When you have something to look forward to at the beginning of each day, it helps reduce stress and makes you happier. It’s also a way to get your day started on the right foot.

What time does the average billionaire wake up?

Picture of a guy with an alarm clock wondering what time does the average billionaire wake up.

There is no average billionaire wake up time because there is no average billionaire.

However, it is well known that most millionaires and top executives wake up early in the morning. Some may be up by 4 am while others start their days between 6-7 am.

This gives them plenty of time to get ready for their day and start working on their goals.

Waking up early is a great way to start your day. You have more time to get things done, and you’re less likely to be stressed out. In addition, it’s a good opportunity to meditate and clear your mind before getting started on your work.

Billionaire Morning Routine Examples

Picture of a private plane and convertible for billionaire morning routine examples.

There’s no one right way to have a successful morning routine, but many millionaires and billionaires have habits that they credit with helping them achieve their goals.

Others include setting priorities for the day and planning ahead.

There are many different morning routines that billionaires follow in order to achieve success. Some of these routines include waking up early, exercising, and reading. Others involve spending time with family and friends or networking.

No matter what a billionaire’s routine may be… the most important thing is that they stick to it and make sure they are taking steps each day to move closer to their goals.

These billionaires have different workdays, but all follow a similar daily routine to keep their minds and bodies in check.

Elon Musk Morning Routine

Elon Musk is a well-known entrepreneur and investor. He is the founder, CEO, and CTO of SpaceX, co-founder of Tesla Motors, and chairman of SolarCity. He also has a keen interest in artificial intelligence.

First of all, sleep for Musk is minimal with him going to bed around 1 am and back working by 7 am.

Musk has a routine that includes 5 minute blocks. In each block, he does one thing that is important to him. This could be making calls, sending emails, or working on a project. By doing this, he is able to focus on one task at a time and avoid distractions.

Musk’s routine also includes planning out how long it will take him to complete tasks throughout the day so that he can be sure not to waste time on tasks that are unnecessary or take too much time. This prevents him from feeling rushed and allows him to focus on the most important tasks. He makes a solid plan for his day in order to prioritize what he needs to accomplish – even though it may not go as he planned.

Kylie Jenner Morning Routine

Picture of Kylie Jenner

Jenner wakes up early which is credited to her mom as setting an example for rising early. This self-made billionaire is not sleeping in at all, especially with her daughter.

The most intensive part of her morning routine is getting herself glammed up for the day. She will not eat breakfast without her makeup on. Workouts? She is known to work out 1-2 times a day depending on her schedule.

Finally, she eats breakfast and starts working on her business.

Waking up early and exercising sets the tone for the rest of her day and allows her to get things done efficiently.

Jack Dorsey Morning Routine

Jack Dorsey is the founder of Twitter and Square. He has a very unique morning routine that some people might find inspiring.

He wakes up at 5:00 am and spends his early hours on personal care.

First, Dorsey starts off by taking an ice bath to shock his system. This supposedly boosts mental confidence, which is necessary for running two major tech companies.

After the ice bath, he spends 60 minutes meditating in silence. This prepares him for his five-mile walk or jog to work. He skips breakfast, which many people find controversial.

He wraps up his day by journaling and reflecting on what went well and what could be improved.

Warren Buffet Morning Routine

Let’s be honest… many people look at Warren Buffet for inspiration and guidance. He is a wealth of knowledge that has lived throughout many of the toughest points in our nation’s history.

Billionaire Warren Buffet reportedly wakes up at 6:45 am and drinks a can of Coke. Then, he heads to the local McDonald’s for breakfast.

Very opposite of what most people would assume. But this morning routine has served Buffet well for years.

Warren gets down to business. He explains that most days, he just sits in his office and reads finance-related materials all day – specifically related to company financials, market materials, financial journals, and investor reports.

After leaving the office, Buffet goes home and might pick up fast food from time to time, but typically eats at home later in the day. A little reading before bed around 10 pm.

Oprah Winfrey Morning Routine

Picture of Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey is a famous American talk show host and actress. She wakes up at around 8:00 AM every day, brushes her teeth, lets the dogs out, and then starts her morning routine.

She places importance on reading at least five cards from her 365 Gathered Truths box each morning. More than likely she started with saying any of these money affirmations before she found her fame.

Oprah has a routine that includes a couple of hours spent on spiritual exercises, followed by an hour of low-impact strength-training program. She also spends time with her family and friends before finally starting work in the afternoon.

Jeff Bezos Morning Routine

Jeff Bezos has a very strict daily routine that he follows. He wakes up early (somewhere between 5:00 am -6:30 am) and begins by reading the news. After that, he spends time with family, eats breakfast, and does various activities that are not work-related.

His first business meeting starts at 10 am normally working on Amazon business matters. He has business meetings and visits fulfillment centers in the afternoon, but avoids important decisions late due to fatigue.

Sleep is important to this entrepreneur and goes to bed earlier than most.

What is the most successful morning routine?

The most successful morning routine for many people includes a mix of habits that help them start their day off on the right foot. This may include waking up early, drinking a glass of water, eating a healthy breakfast, and spending some time in prayer or meditation.

In order to be successful, it’s important to have a morning routine that incorporates good habits.

If you struggle with habits, then I highly recommend you read the book Atomic Habits. These habits are easy to incorporate into your own life and will help you accomplish more tasks and live like a billionaire.

How long does the 1 billion dollar morning routine take?

The 1 billion dollar morning routine was created by Jim Kwik, a YouTube creator.

It takes at least one hour to work through his 1 billion dollar morning routine.

Here are the key principles for Jim Kwik’s 1 billion dollar routine (source):

  1. Recall your dreams
  2. Make your bead
  3. Drink water and take supplements
  4. Focus on breathing
  5. Meditate for 15-20 minutes
  6. Move the body for 1-2 minutes
  7. Take a cold shower
  8. Enjoy a cup of tea
  9. Journal
  10. Create 3 lists: to-do list, to-be list, and to-feel list
  11. Read for 20-30 minutes
  12. Make a brain smoothie
  13. Participate in brain training.
  14. Start with the most difficult (and important) task

Self-care, self-love, and setting a vision and direction for the day are essential components of this routine. And don’t forget about hydration! A glass of water is a great way to start your day off on the right foot.

Journaling is another important part of this routine. It allows you to check-in with yourself about your stressors and how to navigate them. Consider implementing a few of these steps into your routine to see how they make you feel.

The 1 billion dollar morning routine may not be feasible for everyone, but some of the steps included are still worth considering (particularly the one about having a plan). Or moving some of the activities to other parts of the day.

What are the habits of a billionaire life?

In order to achieve success in life, it is important to emulate the habits of a billionaire. This may seem daunting at first, but if you take a closer look at what these individuals do on a daily basis, you will find that many of their habits are actually quite attainable.

For example, many billionaires are avid readers and they make sure to read something every day. They also have a strong focus on personal finance and know how to manage their money well. Additionally, they understand the importance of taking care of themselves both physically and mentally. All of these habits are important for anyone looking to achieve success in life!

These types of people are the opposite of I don’t want to work anymore.

What will your productive morning routines look like?

There’s no “right” way to have a productive morning routine – as long as you’re committed to it and conforms to the same principles.

For example, many successful people have different routines but they all commit to following them. This may include things like personal commitment, engagement, team building, and productive motion.

It’s also key to be flexible with your routine so that you can adjust when necessary. For instance, if something comes up or there’s a change in your schedule, you’ll be able to adapt without too much trouble.

The important thing is that you make time for the things that are important to you and that help you achieve your goals.

This might include exercise, breakfast preparation, or “mindful living.”

Whatever it is, make sure it works for you and that you’re actually going to stick with it!

What will go on your Billionaire Morning Routine List?

Most morning routines of millionaires and billionaires weren’t created overnight; they’re crafted over time. Same with buying their mansion.

So don’t worry if you don’t get everything right the first time around–just keep working at it and you’ll see results soon enough!

Get out of bed and put your best foot forward EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.

Each person’s journey to greatness will be unique, but by following the examples set by these successful individuals, you’ll be on your way to achieving anything you want!

Having a millionaire morning routine means that you start your day stress-free. It also helps you achieve your goals. The benefits of the millionaire morning routine vary depending on the schedule and personality of each individual.

But, in general, incorporating a project into your morning routine can help you feel more in control of your life, boost energy levels throughout the day, and make healthier choices.

In fact, check out these millionaire quotes.

The habits of successful millionaires can be applied to any area of your life for increased success.

Finding your own productive morning routine is better than leaving your luck up to left hand itching.

Know someone else that needs this, too? Then, please share!!

Source: moneybliss.org

Apache is functioning normally

The word timeshare is often associated with the same sneaky, slimy vibes that emanate from the backrooms of the car dealership during sales negotiations. They both are thought to involve high-pressure sales tactics, a big loss in value the second the purchase is made and rash decision-making you may regret later.

I don’t dispute those things are often quite true, but my timeshare purchase involved no salespeople, no pressure and (so far) no regrets.

And before you discount me as someone who has no clue what I’m talking about or that’s in denial, I travel on points and miles a lot of the time, am pretty adept at hunting travel deals and used math to decide that this purchase was a good one for us.

Here’s why buying a timeshare made sense for me, even though it absolutely won’t — and shouldn’t — make sense for everyone.

Related: 5 things to know about renting a timeshare

Buying a timeshare that doesn’t call itself a timeshare

We bought two contracts in the Disney Vacation Club, which is Mickey’s version of a timeshare … even though that nine-letter word isn’t one Disney uses on its public branding. But make no mistake, what we bought is indeed a timeshare — or two, to be more accurate.

With the Disney Vacation Club, you purchase a set number of points tied to a specific resort to use each year through the end of the contract. An agreement at a new property, such as the new villas at the Disneyland Hotel, is valid for 50 years, while getting a contract at existing properties usually means a shorter time frame, with some being as short as 19 years, ending in 2042.

The two smaller contracts we bought are for Disney’s Aulani resort in Hawaii (expiring in 2062) and the Polynesian Village Resort at Walt Disney World (expiring in 2066), for a total of 155 annual points in the Disney Vacation Club program. While you have priority booking 11 months from the date of travel at your home resort where you “own,” you can use the points within seven months of travel at any Disney Vacation Club resort with availability — with some caveats that we’ll mostly leave for this guide we have on how the Disney Vacation Club works.

Disney’s Aulani. SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY

Both of our contacts were purchased on the resale market, which means we are paying significantly less than what Disney would want for a direct DVC membership. A downside of buying resale is you can only pick through existing contracts instead of crafting exactly what you might want to design from scratch. You also don’t get some of the discounts and perks that come from owning at least 150 DVC points directly from Disney (such as access to the DVC lounges in the parks and being eligible for some less expensive annual pass types).

Sign up for our daily newsletter

I’ll get more into the numbers below, but we have a long track record of taking a variety of Disney vacations year after year, so I feel pretty confident that will continue for the foreseeable future. And I know what we often spend to stay at Disney resorts, which makes the math against the price to own easier. And there is a bustling market for renting DVC points that very much has my attention.

Related: How to rent Disney Vacation Club points to save money on Disney stays

Why now was the time to buy

While I’ve had a mild curiosity about becoming a Disney Vacation Club member for a few years — and have rented DVC points numerous times — there are a few reasons now was the time to purchase.

Disney has the first right of refusal to buy back all of its Disney Vacation Club contract resales. Once the buyer and the seller agree on a price, Disney then has 30 days to buy the contract back at that price itself, thus taking it away from its intended buyer. And historically, Disney really would exercise that right some of the time, especially on contracts where prices were low.

For example, according to the DVC Resale Market, a site that lists some DVC contracts for sale, by March 2022, Disney had already exercised its buy-back clause on 244 contracts that company had helped to sell by March that year. In contrast, by March this year, that buy-back number for the year was just four — and all of those were from January, with none shown since then.

With almost no Disney buybacks happening in the last few months, some contracts are selling at cheaper prices than historically was possible. With prices trending down, inventory trending up and Mickey not swooping in to buy back the best deals at a normal clip, now was the time for us to buy.

The math behind my timeshare purchase

Before I share our numbers, let me emphasize one more time that this isn’t for everyone — it’s not even right for most Disney aficionados. Smaller contracts also cost more per point than larger contracts, so you can get better deals on a per-point basis if you are willing to buy more points. We wanted to minimize risk by staying small, so we paid a bit more per point as a result. Here’s how it broke down for us.

For our Polynesian Village contract, we bought 55 points for $156 per point at a total cost (with dues, closing costs, etc.) of just over $9,300. For our Aulani contract, we bought 100 points for $108.50 per point for an all-in cost of just over $12,600. And yes, it is totally normal for some resorts to cost much more than others, as you see with our Aulani and Polynesian purchases. This is due to the cost of annual dues at each property, the desirability of booking further in advance at that property and the number of years left on the contract.

1 of 3

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY

So for about $22,000, we now have 155 Disney Vacation Club points to use each year until the contracts expire. That cost may sound nuts by itself. But remember that at current rates, we also will owe $914 per year for dues on our Aulani points and $437.25 for our Polynesian points, and those numbers will likely only increase over time. So that means $1,351.25 per year just to own the points based on this year’s prices.

But here’s why it’s not as crazy as it likely initially sounds.

Right now, it is very realistic to rent your DVC points out for stays as an individual at $20 per point, with some getting higher or lower amounts. If we rented all 155 points out at that $20 rate in a year, that would mean getting $3,100, which way more than covers the dues. In fact, using current rates to rent out points and for dues (knowing both will likely increase as the years go by), we’d recoup the cost we spent to buy the contracts if we did that for 13 of the 39 years we will own both contracts — including covering the cost of the dues in the years we fully rent the points out.

Now, I’m not saying that’s my plan, but that’s the math. For those curious, per the terms, you can expressly rent out points, but not in a pattern that constitutes a commercial enterprise.

So now let’s talk about math when using the points, which we absolutely will do.

You can use the points to stay at Disney resorts starting at just 7 points per night at Deluxe resorts such as Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. By owning 155 per year, we have the opportunity to cover numerous nights at Disney with the points we now own if we are strategic about how and when we cash them in. But for now, let’s be extra conservative and say our stays in studio villas will average 20 points a night. With that math, we get between seven and eight nights a year out of our points.

1 of 3

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY

If, for the 39 years that we own both contracts, we used all the points ourselves and got an average of 7.75 nights at high-end Disney resorts from our points using a 20-point per-night average, that’s a total of 302 hotel nights (not even counting the additional four years of stays on our Polynesian points).

Not counting annual dues, that comes to a “cost” of $72.85 per resort night from the all-in original purchase price. Using today’s cost of dues, then counting annual dues, that cost jumps to paying $247.35 per night. This amount will go up, but likely so will the average cost of hotel stays booked directly, so using today’s dollars for both should give an apples-to-apples idea of the cost.

That’s not a cheap nightly rate for a hotel, but if you take a look at the going nightly rate for a night at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Aulani Resort, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and other spots we like to stay, rates are often $500-$700. And compared to that, $247.35 per night starts to look more like a deal. And remember, this was using a conservative average nightly points rate compared to where nightly points rates start, so the more nights we redeem for lower points, the lower the average rate we are “paying” per night.

When you then factor in that there are other options for the points in the years that you may not want to go to Disney, such as gifting family and friends or even renting them out a stay, the math — for us — starts to look less and less outrageous.

Related: These are the best hotels at Disney World

A renovated Grand Floridian DVC studio. SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY

What happens if we don’t want it anymore — or die?

If it turns out that eventually, we don’t want to own one or both of these Disney Vacation Club memberships anymore before the deeds expire, we can put them up for resale.

The good news is we bought at resale prices, so while no one knows what the future market is for these contracts, hopefully, we’d be able to get out of the memberships without getting too upside down since we didn’t pay retail. So far, someone has always been willing to buy a DVC membership as long as the price is right, so it’s not a question currently of if you could sell, but for how much.

But if no one bought them, we’d continue to be on the hook for the dues until we could offload them somehow. This is one reason we kept our purchase on the smaller side.

Since my husband and I are both on the deeds, if one of us dies while the deed is active, the other of us keeps on trucking with it. If we both die before the time is up on the deeds, then they become a piece of deeded real estate subjected to your will(s), those getting your inheritance, the probate process, etc.

Once our kids are adults, we could also add them to the deed(s) if it seems Disney is going to continue to be a part of their lives. Some people approach these purchases with a trust in mind as the owner. Naturally, there are implications to all of the proceeding options that would need to be worked out with lawyers and the like, so don’t take my word too seriously on any of that, but know that there are some implications of owning a deeded timeshare beyond just the cost to own.

Bottom line

Should any rational person spend $22,000 buying timeshares on the resale market — and still be on the hook for over $1,000 in annual dues for the next several decades for Disney resort stays? Maybe not. Probably not.

But on the other hand, after running the numbers many times and looking at our track record of vacations spanning more than the last decade, it started to feel absurd not to give this a try. And if it all goes south, then future me will hope that there’s someone out there like current me that thinks this is worth giving a try.

Related reading:

Source: thepointsguy.com

Apache is functioning normally

Have you ever heard somebody’s job title and wondered what it is they even do all day? Some jobs just seem useless, either to outside observers, or even to the people hired to work them. Some jobs are crucial to the organization; others are average, and some jobs may be just an accessory or unnecessary. Here are 17 jobs people hesitate to admit they find completely useless. Is your job here? Continue reading and let us know in the comments!

1. Sorting Files

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

One person shared, “My very first job. I’m a toxicologist and was hired by a very big private laboratory. My main job was to sort and redirect case files depending on the time at which the results came out. THE DOCUMENTS WERE SENT TO ME IN EXCEL. I was getting paid to just click sort by date descendingly.”

Another user replied, “I had to do something similar to this when I was doing summer help at a steel factory. They paid me $14 an hour to sit there for eight hours and just move files to different folders and rename them. Sometimes I would pull weeds and paint walls, but that was about it.”

Sorting Files

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

Another added, “Working for a big company, one of the top 20 in the world, I am realising how bad people are with basic computer tasks… like really bad!”

2. Teachers who Don’t Teach

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

“My math teacher who tells me to log in to Pearson and then disappears,” one person stated.

“I dropped a university class this term because the week 3 assignment said to ‘look up how to do this on Google, Stackexchange, or ChatGPT.’ I’m not paying 1400 dollars to be taught by an AI chat bot, [lol],” another one shared.

“As a teacher myself, trust me, these are the kinds of colleagues we can’t stand,” one Redditor added.

3. Management Consultant

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

One person stated, “Mine. I’m a management consultant and while I have quite a bit of industry knowledge and experience, my clients either have the same knowledge or they aren’t willing to accept change. Often times my firm gets paid a lot of money to make very little difference strategically and/or operationally. Where we do add value is in implementing enterprise-wide software solutions. Why do I stay? The money is pretty good given the futility.”

“I heard from an acquaintance of mine who is a management consultant that most of the time people just want to hear their ideas out of someone else’s mouth and will pay you to do it so that their peers will be more amenable to the idea,” another user replied.

One commenter added, “Nothing like a bunch of 20 somethings telling a bunch of C-Suit executives how to run a business.”

4. Pet Psychic

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

One user said, “Our Golden Retriever was getting joint therapy (shoulder injury, worked with a vet, dog did swimming three days a week in a heated pool where he could exercise without putting weight on the joint, also did some exercises, is now fine. The place also did laser therapy and acupuncture for dogs.) Someone said something about ‘Hudson’ which is our dog’s name only they were talking to another dog. ‘Oh,’ they said, ‘That’s the dog psychic’s dog.’ Apparently you could find out what your dog was thinking. I know what my dog is thinking. Most of the time he either wants what I’m eating or he wants me to throw the ball.”

Another Redditor replied, “My cousin is a ‘pet psychic.’ She’s got quite the following on IG, a fancy website, and even a podcast. She claims to receive telepathic messages from your furry friends. She can even talk to reptiles and horses now! And she’s not horsing around, apparently each species requires a specific training. I’m not sure if she’s delusional or just scamming people, but either way, she’s making a lot of $$$.”

5. Elevator Attendant

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

One person shared, “I’m so old I remember when they had these in department stores. Whilst shopping with my grandma one day we got in an elevator and the attendant asked if we wanted the second floor. My grandma replies, ‘Why yes, how did you know?’ He says, ‘Ma’am, there’s only two floors, and we’re currently on the first one.’”

“They’re from an era of manually operated elevators. You used to have to close the doors manually then use a lever to control the elevator and stop it just right at the floor you wanted. It was tricky and very dangerous if you got it wrong, so you had an elevator operator whose job it was to run the elevator,” the second one replied.

6. Telemarketers

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

“Telemarketers, I don’t know a single person who has actually purchased something from a telemarketer. Maybe it’s something the older generation does but everyone hates them and immediately hangs up on them around me,” one person stated.

“I worked as a telemarketer for State Farm when I got out of high school, and in 8 months I had one person actually let me give her a quote. It was my aunt,” another Redditor replied.

One commenter added, “I remember when I was 12 I told this random telemarketer to get a life because at that point we were getting like 5-10 calls a day. She called me back and cussed me out. To this day, I think it’s so funny.”

7. Sign Spinners

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

Sign spinners, or sign twirlers, are people who hold a sign and stand on the street to get attention and possibly a customer for the business that hired them.

“The job only exists because the businesses want to put a sign there, but it’s cheaper or the only legal option to hire a person to hold the sign and stand there,” one person shared.

“That was my job for one summer in college. I got to hang out outside and listen to music all day. But I always thought it was weird that they were paying some guy $15/hr to do the job of a stick and a piece of duct tape,” another commenter replied.

One Redditor added, “I had a job like that except I didn’t even have to hold the sign. They said I could just lean it against the front of the store and stand next to it.”

8. Paparazzi

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

Everybody knows what the paparazzi jobs are doing—stalking people, taking pictures of them, and making money.

“You know why paparazzi make a ton of money and keep doing what they are doing? Because people keep buying their photos to put in magazines that people keep buying. Stop buying the magazines and watching the shows that feature their photos, and the paparazzi will go away. Easy peasy,” one person said.

Another commenter replied, “Scum of the earth.”

One user added, “They’re just filling a demand. I blame and judge those that consume the media they produce.”

9. Bathroom Attendants

One person said, “I don’t need somebody in there pulling paper towels out of the dispenser just to hand it to me and compel me to tip them.” The second one replied, “I never saw this until I was visiting Ireland a few years back, and man, was it annoying. It’s bad enough there’s a guy standing at the sinks watching you have a leak, but then he wants a euro or two for handing you a towel to dry your hands.”

Another commenter said, “They’re essentially bathroom security guards. They prevent people from doing drugs and having sex in the bathroom.”

10. Patent Trolls

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

One user said, “People that apply for Patents. And then just hold onto them forever with no intent of making the thing. And then when somebody does make the thing, ho-boy, you owe me money because I own the rights to that thing! It’s one of those weird ‘Do nothing and hope to eventually get a big payout’ jobs, like Domain Squatters.”

Another commenter stated, “There should be a law that makes the patent public domain if the owner doesn’t actually use it. It would probably accelerate the progress of humanity by a big factor.”

11. Shop Security

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

One person said, “Shop security—in most cases, they can’t legally do anything but just watch.”

Another user replied, “Depends on the type of security they invest in. Security guards who stand at the door all day in a uniform—yes you’re right, in most cases, they’re used as a deterrent. However, store detectives go undercover and try to blend in with other customers (in their own clothes, browsing stock and carrying a basket/trolley) so that they go unnoticed. Those people are allowed to tackle shoplifters and actually do something about it.”

One commenter said, “Security is used primarily for insurance and tax reasons. You have to show that your actively trying to prevent and deter theft and accidents.”

12. Car Dealerships

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

“Just let me buy a car from the factory. Your job is to get me to pay as much as possible. So useless and so annoying,” one person said.

“It’s an ancient law that mandated dealerships so you’d have a guaranteed mechanic to work on it. Obsolete since auto shops are a thing,” another user replied.

“Car salespeople, realtors, stock brokers. They are pure middlemen who produce nothing for society other than putting cash in their own pocket,” another added.

13. Health Insurance Operators

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

One person said, “While it’s a billion-dollar industry, health insurance. Literally, they exist to prevent you from cashing out on what you paid into. They have little to no medical knowledge, make everything more expensive, and exist solely as a useless middleman to make themselves rich.”

Another person shared, “Exactly. They just refused to cover my medication that they suggested several years ago to replace another medication that they did not want to cover at the time. This time they didn’t even offer a replacement, just refused to cover my meds without any explanation. It’s an absurd world where the insurance company makes decisions on my healthcare instead of my doctor.”

14. Homeopath

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

“I’ll do you one better, a few weeks I saw an ad for a homeopathic veterinary doctor. I feel bad for the animals unfortunate enough to find themselves as patients,” one person shared.

“Ugh. Literally the only possible benefit homeopathy could have due to the placebo effect. Pets ain’t even benefiting from that,” the second replied.

15. Reiki Healer

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

One person stated, “I knew a lady, very nice and caring, but off the wall hippie, who would charge people to hold her hand over them and transmit ‘healing energy.’ She also offered long-distance reiki where she promised to send you healing energy from her couch and would even set appointments to do just that.”

Another user added, “The funny thing is anyone can just open a Reiki clinic and call themselves an expert/shaman. If you go to school for it you’re just another victim of the grift.”

16. Middle Management

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

“Most middle management positions. Their job is literally to take things from above and send them below, and to have someone to shift blame to.” one person expressed.

“Don’t forget all the useless meetings that they organize. I bet redundant managers everywhere were really sweating for their jobs when everyone was WFH,” another one added.

 Another commenter said, “You clearly have no idea what management does. Or worked on a team that was poorly managed.”

17. Hedge Fund Managers

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

One Reddit user said, “They produce no goods or services that actually make the world a better place. They are gamblers and leeches on society.”

Another user replied, “I’m convinced that half the time, even the news articles about stocks are [intentionally] misleading in order to get uninformed people to bet against the winning play.”

Original Reddit Thread here.

Here are 10 of The Most Beautiful Songs People Have Ever Heard

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

What’s your favorite song of all time? Check out this article with ten of people’s favorite songs of all time.

10 Movies People Said were Awful that are Actually Great

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

Have you ever been warned away from a terrible movie only to discover that you really love it? Check out this list of movies people said were terrible, but turned out to be fantastic!

10 Actors People Never Believed would Become as Big as they Did

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

Have you ever been surprised at an actor or actress’s success? Us too: check out this article of celebrities we never thought would get this popular.

10 Celebrities People Automatically Assume will make a Movie Great

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

Who’s your favorite celebrity? Would you watch anything they’re cast in? Check out this compilation of Redditors’ favorite actors!

10 Best One-Note Actors of All Time

Image Credit: Shutterstock – Tinseltown

Can you think of any actors or actresses who were great, and then weren’t? Here’s our top list of one-hit wonders, all in one place!



About the Author



Source: financequickfix.com

Apache is functioning normally

Imagine the freedom to never worry about money. Some dopes think that means having so much of the green stuff that you could never spend it all. But bad money management has put many a Richie Rich in the poor house. No, I’m talking about the kind of freedom that comes from being in control of your dough. I’m talking about a budget.

I know budgets aren’t romantic. And for all those people who feel they’re entitled to buy whatever they want, whenever they want it, a budget can seem like kryptonite. But you can choose to continue to see a budget as a major pain in the butt, or you can choose to see it as a useful tool that helps you spend your money on the things that are most important to you.

By Any Other Name…
Once upon a time to try and get away from the stigma the word “budget” carried, I took to calling them “spending plans.” But you know what? It wasn’t the word people hated — it was the discipline, the work, the focus required to pre-determine how much you were going to spend, and then spend no more.

Regardless of whether you call it a spending plan or a budget, the point of the exercise is to decide how you’ll spend your money. Having a plan gives you the freedom to enjoy yourself because you don’t have to worry about how you’ll pay the bill when it comes in. You’ll know, right from the start, whether you can afford the purchase you’re contemplating or not. And if you really, really want it, you can decide what you’re prepared to give up to get it, whatever it may be.

Note: This sort of decision-making is what conscious spending is all about. Your regular expenses are mapped by a budget. When something unusual comes up, you can make the decision: Do I pull money from the grocery or gas or garden budget? Or do I wait to save for the new thing?

Have you ever made a large cash withdrawal from a banking machine only to wonder a few days later where all the money went? Think for a moment: Where did the last $100 you spent go? Stop for a minute and write it down. Chances are you can account for most of it, but there may be five, ten, or twenty dollars missing from your list.

Why You Should Track Your Spending
What does it cost you to live each month? Some people under-estimate their expenses because they forget the things that don’t occur every month.

  • Did you include your gym costs even though you pay them once a year?
  • How about your house or car insurance?
  • Did you include the cost of your haircuts, your contact lenses, or your vacation?
  • Do you pay someone to shovel your snow, clean your windows and carpets or do your taxes?
  • What about your vet bills, the flowers for your garden or patio, your best-friend’s birthday present?

Some people under-estimate their expenses because they actually don’t know how much they’re spending on things like take-out, clothes, and coffee. Over and over when I show folks how much money they’re spending on the non-essentials of life, they’re gob-smacked. Well, the only way to make a budget that will work is to know what you have been spending so you get some sense of what you’re going to have to change.

One of the best ways to gain a perspective on your spending habits is to keep a log of everything you spend, each time you do a transaction. The idea is to figure out where you’re spending all those dimes that seem to go missing each month. It’s also about learning more about yourself and where your place your priorities. This isn’t about shame, blame, or deprivation. You don’t have to change anything you don’t want to change. But you should at least know. With a spending log, you’ll have a clear picture of what you’re getting for your money.

When you do all your money management in your head, it’s very easy to forget things — sometimes important things — that will have an impact on your overall financial life. You’re always guessing how much you have left. And you shouldn’t really be surprised when your account is overdrawn. After all, if you don’t know how much you have, how can you know how much you can spend?

If you don’t believe you can find the time to maintain your budget — collecting receipts, entering details onto your budget, adding it all up and balancing it out — think about the time you have to spend solving the problems that arise from not taking care of the details. And think about all the money you waste on overdraft fees, interest costs, and ATM transactions. You’ll have to decide whether you’d rather live life peacefully, or continue waking to the specter of financial worry rattling his chains at the foot of your bed.

Source: getrichslowly.org

Apache is functioning normally

Nothing says summer quite like the first day at the pool. The sun is beaming down, the air is hot and the water is sparkling and blue. You can almost feel yourself taking the plunge and emerging from the crisp water feeling refreshed and energized.

You don’t need to be a member of a fancy club to enjoy the perks of swimming pools. In fact, you can have access to the pool every day (or as weather permits) if your apartment complex has a pool on-site.

If this piques your interest, here are some additional benefits to consider when hunting for apartments with pools. Soon, you could be sitting poolside in the comfort of your own home. You’re just a lease away. With that, let’s dive into the perks of apartments with pools.

11 reasons to consider apartments with pools

If having a pool on-site isn’t an immediate dealbreaker, then it’s our job to convince you that apartments with pools are the best. Here’s why.

1. Opportunities to socialize

When you live in an apartment, the apartment itself might be too small to host larger parties or social gatherings. However, when you have a community pool, you instantly have access to more space to throw a party poolside. Apartments with pools provide you with built-in opportunities to throw a summer barbecue, a birthday party or an apartment neighborhood social.

Alternatively, if you don’t want to host, you can mix and mingle with fellow swimmers at the pool and meet new friends within your own community.

2. Low-impact exercise close by

Swimming is a great exercise for people to consider. It’s low-impact, which means it isn’t strenuous on your joints but you are sure to burn calories and stay fit. Swim a few laps and call this your form of exercise for the day!

3. Save money on gym memberships

If you don’t have a pool at your apartment, you may need to purchase a gym membership to have access to a lap pool. However, when you look for apartments with pools, you immediately have access to the pool so you can start exercising in this low-impact, high-result manner. Think of it this way — apartments with pools are like automatic gym memberships.

4. It’s a reprieve from the heat

Summer is hot. And there is nothing like cannonballing into the pool to cool off. When your apartment comes with a pool, you can take a dip every day to cool down and enjoy the heat in a more comfortable fashion.

5. An inexpensive way to entertain friends

Life is expensive, even for many high earners. Sometimes, going out for dinner and drinks or catching a movie is just too expensive on a regular basis.

That’s when apartments with pools come in handy. When your apartment is equipped with a pool, you can invite your friends over for free, or at a relatively low cost. Keep in mind that some apartment complexes charge for a day pass, but that will vary by apartment.

Either way, it’s an inexpensive way to entertain friends on a budget. Plus, it’s always a crowd-pleaser so you won’t have to argue about where to eat or which movie to see.

6. Great place to take a break

Are you feeling cramped in your apartment and need out? Well, take 30 minutes to swim laps or read a book by the pool to get out of your space. And, if you work from home, spend your lunch break swimming or catching up with emails in the shade of an umbrella.

7. Indoor pools can be used all year long

If you’re lucky enough to find a place with an indoor pool, you can enjoy it year-round. Likewise, if you live in a city with 365 days of sun, you have access to entertainment all year long.

8. Enjoy the outside

We don’t go outside enough and apartments with pools provide the perfect excuse to get outside and enjoy the sun. When you have a pool as an apartment amenity, it’s a great way to ensure you stay active and get outside.

9. Keep your kids entertained

Summer break can be long for parents. Why not take the kids to the pool several days a week this summer? Apartments with pools are a great way to keep kids (and parents!) entertained during the dog days of summer.

10. You don’t need to travel to stay entertained

Summer vacations can be expensive and if you have kids, you mostly want to be by water anyway. So, when have an apartment with a pool, it’s like you’re on vacation all summer long but at a fraction of the cost!

11. Meet new friends

Community gathering centers, like an on-site pool, are a great way to meet your neighbors and make new friends. If you’re new to an apartment or city, you can socialize with fellow swimmers, start conversations and make new friends. Soon enough you’ll be scheduling regular pool dates with your new bestie.

Things to consider when looking for apartments with pools

Are you convinced you need to find apartments with pools for your next home? Well, we do need to outline some other things to consider before you sign the lease.

Apartments with pools cost more

Pools are an added luxury and so you’ll pay more to have that amenity. The cost can vary. Sometimes, it’s included in your rent and other times it’s an additional fee or annual purchase you can add on. While the benefits of a pool are vast, you do pay more to have access. Keep this in mind when budgeting and when you’re searching for apartments with pools.

Apartments with pools may be in higher demand

If you live in a city that is notoriously hot — think Phoenix or Orlando— pools are in higher demand. So, it may be more difficult to even find an available apartment with a pool. Likewise, families who are looking for apartments may be more inclined to find a place with a pool, so this can impact the market.

Pools can be dangerous

While swimming is a blast, it also can be dangerous. When you rent an apartment with a pool, you need to understand that there is inherent risk when you live near water, especially if you have young children. Be sure to understand these risks and take proper precautions before finding apartments with pools.

How to stay safe when poolside

Staying safe when swimming is the number one priority. When you live near a pool, you must be vigilant about practicing pool safety, especially if you have children. Here are some of the most critical things to think about to stay safe when living near a pool.

  • Always keep an eye on your children, even if they know how to swim
  • Never let children go unsupervised by the pool
  • Wear flotation devices if you don’t know how to swim
  • Don’t swim if you’re drowsy or under the influence
  • Wear sunscreen
  • Don’t dive into shallow water
  • Sign your kids up for swimming lessons

Pools are fun but can be dangerous so stay on your guard if your apartment complex has a pool.

Find your perfect next apartment with a pool

Now that you know some of the pros and cons of renting an apartment with a pool, you can begin your apartment search in any state and filter by amenity to ensure this feature is included. Happy swimming and house hunting!