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Many people were thrown into financial turmoil at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Previously secure jobs disappeared, and monthly payments went from affordable to impossible overnight. A year later, borrowers are still catching up—and some are struggling to make ends meet. So, if you can’t afford your car payment, what are your options?

We have eight solutions to an unaffordable car loan in this article. Some are easier to implement than others—and some come with long-term credit implications:

  1. Modify Your Auto Loan
  2. Refinance Your Vehicle Loan
  3. Trade in Your Car
  4. Let Someone Else Assume Your Loan
  5. Sell Your Vehicle
  6. Turn the Keys In
  7. Let Your Car Be Repossessed
  8. File for Bankruptcy

1. Modify Your Auto Loan

How can you lower your car payments without refinancing? Before you do anything else, speak to your lender about modifying your auto loan. Call your auto loan company as soon as you can, and tell them about your financial troubles. Ask if they have any relief options for borrowers, including loan modifications.

Many lenders made changes to their modification policies in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Temporary loan forbearance and extension programs, for instance, help borrowers get back on track. 

Perhaps surprisingly, many lenders let borrowers in good standing pause their auto loans for a month once a year. Of course, you’ll have to make an extra payment at the end of your loan term to make up the difference—and you might have a little extra interest to pay.

2. Refinance Your Vehicle Loan

How do you get out of a car loan you can’t afford? The answer might be to refinance your vehicle. If you have a good payment history and a strong credit profile, use it to your advantage. Here are two ways to play the refinancing game:

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Let’s imagine you bought your car for $20,000 two years ago. Your original 60-month auto loan came with a 5.5% interest rate, and your monthly payments are $382.02. Your current loan balance is $12,600.

If you extend your loan by five years, your monthly payments will drop to $241. You’ll have $141 more spending money each month—but you’ll pay more in interest over the life of your loan, plus you’ll have to make payments for a longer time period.

3. Trade in Your Car

If you can’t afford your car payment any more, consider trading in your vehicle. Think about your automotive needs—could you get away with a smaller car, for instance? Do you need a truck, or would it be easier to park a sedan in your driveway? 

Swapping your SUV for a smaller model isn’t just environmentally friendly—it’ll also cost less to run. Switching from a new luxury vehicle to a slightly older regular brand auto, on the other hand, could cut your insurance bill significantly. Either choice will reduce your car payment.

If you do decide to trade in your car, get quotes from several dealerships. Then, negotiate a fair price with your favorite dealership and choose an alternative vehicle. If you’re not upside-down in your current loan—if you don’t owe more than it’s worth—you might even be able to trade upto a newer vehicle with better loan terms.

4. Let Someone Else Assume Your Loan

Some loans and leases are “assumable,” which means that they’re transferable from one party to the next. If you can’t make your loan payments any more but you want to avoid damaging your credit, consider passing the loan, and the vehicle, to someone else. 

Before you agree to pass your car on, talk to your lender. Most lenders have minimum credit and income requirements for buyers—and the person you transfer your vehicle to will need to meet these terms. 

5. Sell Your Vehicle

Do you need a vehicle right now, or can you use public transportation until your finances settle? If buses or trains are an option in your area, consider selling your vehicle privately and using the money to pay off the remainder of your loan. Doing so could help you escape a car payment altogether—plus private sales nearly almost generate more money than dealer trade-ins. 

6. Turn the Keys In

Can you give your car back to the finance company? You sure can! Also called “voluntary repossession” or “voluntary surrender,” walking away from your vehicle is a last-resort option if you can’t refinance or sell your car.

Unfortunately, there are consequences associated with turning in your keys. On the one hand, the repo man won’t pay you a personal visit, which can save embarrassment. On the other, the lender might still try to collect money from you if you owe more than they can get for the vehicle at auction. A voluntary repossession will also show up on your credit report.

If you do decide to turn your keys in, contact your lender and tell them your intentions. Your lender will guide you through the process and let you know when and where to hand over your car.

7. Let Your Car Be Repossessed

The alternative to voluntary surrender is straight repossession. This option is perhaps the most stressful, and it can severely affect your credit. In a nutshell, you simply wait until you’re so behind with payments that your lender decides to repossess the vehicle. Then, your car—and anything you leave inside—is towed away. You might want to consider this as a last option—carefully look at your resources and consider exhausting your other options before you decide.

8. File for Bankruptcy

If you’re in a huge financial hole and you owe a lot of money beyond your car payment, you could consider bankruptcy. Bankruptcy is complicated and can pull your credit down for a decade, so it’s not an option to consider if there are any alternatives open to you. Before proceeding, take a good look at your finances and contact a well-regarded bankruptcy attorney. 

Take Care of Your Finances with Credit.com

Whatever you decide to do, it’s important to keep track of your credit. Sign up with Credit Report Card to view your Experian VantageScore 3.0 and see a helpful credit snapshot, which you can use to create a financial plan.

Source: credit.com

Apache is functioning normally

Apache is functioning normally

Buying a house and getting a mortgage is a big investment– and not only for you.

When you choose a mortgage lender and are approved for your home loan, your lender is agreeing to lend you all funds necessary to cover your home purchase. Because a house is a high-cost purchase, lenders want to guarantee that you’re not a “risky borrower.” Lenders want to know that you’ll be able to make your monthly payments on time and in full.

How do lenders decide whether you’re a risk?

In most cases, mortgage lenders, or their underwriters, to be exact, will take a look at how well you’ve managed debt in the past, and how well you’re managing debt currently.

So, having debt can be a good thing. 

This may seem counterintuitive because if you’re buying a house, you’d want to save as much money as you can. And you probably wouldn’t want your money tied up in other debts, right?

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Yes, saving money is always a good idea. But having some debt before buying your house can actually be an important factor in getting approved for a mortgage.

Why Debt Matters

To see how well you manage your debts, mortgage underwriters will take a detailed look at your credit score/credit history and your debt-to-income ratio (DTI).

Generally, you’ll want to have a high credit score and a low DTI. A high credit score indicates that you manage your debts responsibly. A low DTI indicates that you don’t have too much of your income tied up in paying off those debts.

Let’s take a closer look at both factors:

Your Credit Score

Each factor in your credit score is defined by debt. And to create and increase your credit score, you need to take on debt and manage it responsibly.

Your credit score is usually impacted by the following five factors:

  • Payment history — Your payment track record is the most important factor considered in your credit score. Lenders want to know if you’re a trustworthy borrower. And so, they want to see if you make on-time payments on other debts.
  • Credit utilization (or amounts owed) — Owing money on your credit cards, in particular, is not a bad thing. But, if you’re using too much at one time, underwriters might take that to mean that you’re overextending yourself financially.
  • Length of credit history — A longer credit history is favorable. But if your credit history is limited, you won’t necessarily be disqualified from borrowing money.
  • Credit mix — Underwriters want to see how you manage different types of debt.
  • New credit — If you’ve opened multiple credit accounts at one time, this is a red flag for underwriters because it can suggest that you’re in financial distress.

For a mortgage, you’ll typically need a credit score of at least 620 for a conventional loan. But, it could be best to shoot for a credit score of 700 or above. A higher credit score increases your chances of approval, and also increases the loan amount that you’ll be approved for. But a high credit score could also help you secure a lower mortgage rate, which could save you a significant amount of money over the life of your home loan.

Your Debt-to-Income Ratio (DTI)

Your DTI is a percentage representing how much of your income is put towards paying down debts. Since a mortgage is such a large investment, and your monthly payments could be fairly substantial, underwriters want to make sure that you’ll be able to make those payments. So, the lower your DTI, the better.

In general, a DTI of 36% or lower is ideal. In fact, a DTI above 50% most likely won’t be approved (although there are exceptions).

To calculate your DTI, simply divide your monthly debts by your monthly gross income. If your resulting percentage is higher than 50%, you’ll want to work on paying off some of your debts.

Debt Management Tips

Whether you’d like to reduce your debt before buying a house or just want to maintain a solid credit score by making consistent credit payments, knowing how to manage your debt could help you qualify for a mortgage. And it can also reduce your own stress levels.

The following tips can help you manage debt before buying a house, and could also be helpful once you’ve purchased your dream home and are in the thick of making mortgage payments:

Look at Your Credit Report

Your credit health is an important qualifying factor for a mortgage. So, it can be a good idea to take a look at your credit report to ensure that everything has been reported correctly and that there aren’t any errors. You wouldn’t want your credit score to be negatively impacted because of mistakes in your credit report.

You can order your credit report from any of the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion using annualcreditreport.com. Or you can even get your free credit report card here on Credit.com.

Once you have your credit report it is important to look at the following:

  • Your personal information
  • Your credit accounts
  • Credit inquiries

If you see any errors or inconsistencies anywhere in your credit report, these can be challenged with the credit bureau that created the report.

Consolidate Your Debt

If you find that you’re making payments on various loans and/or credit accounts, it could save you money (and save you from stress) to consolidate your debts into one. This way, you’re only paying interest on one debt instead of multiple. Therefore, you won’t have multiple payments to keep track of.

Related Read: What Is a Debt Consolidation Loan and How Can You Get One?

Don’t Make Drastic Changes to Your Credit

It can be tempting to pay off debts right before applying for a mortgage. However, doing so could actually hurt your credit score. When you pay off a debt, your credit score will actually drop temporarily.

On the flip side, if you’re trying to build credit and try to open multiple credit cards, or take on other debt before applying for a loan, this will also take a hit on your credit score. Not to mention that seeing a lot of change and new debt before applying for a mortgage is a red flag to underwriters. It can indicate you might not be financially prepared to take on a mortgage.

Make a Budget

Whenever a financial discussion is taking place, budgets are bound to come up. While the concept of making a budget might seem obvious and over-shared, it’s a great way to track your expenses and ensure that you’re meeting all your financial expectations and needs. There are a lot of costs involved with buying a house. So, you’ll want to make sure that you can afford them.

In this case, creating a budget can help you map out your current debts and other expenses in relation to your income. This allows you to see what’s happening and adjust as needed. A budget can give you the peace of mind that you’re not overspending, and are still able to meet all your other financial responsibilities.

Build Your Emergency Fund

Building your emergency fund before getting a mortgage may be one of the most important things you can do. You never know what expenses might arise once you purchase your house, and you don’t want all your money tied up in your mortgage payment and other monthly payments if, for example, your roof needs to be repaired or you encounter water damage.

It’s often encouraged to set aside three to six months worth of expenses in an emergency fund.

The Bottom Line

Buying a house is a big purchase, and it can be daunting to think of getting a mortgage if you are trying to pay down student loans, an auto loan, credit cards, etc. To help you save money and save you from stress, work on paying down other debts so you can be confident in your ability to make mortgage payments and enjoy your new home.

However, you don’t need to be debt-free to buy a house. In fact, some well-managed debt can boost your credit score, showing mortgage underwriters that you are a responsible borrower.

That doesn’t mean that you need to dig yourself into a hole of debt that you’ll never crawl out of. By taking the time to create a budget or analyze your credit report, you can see how you’re doing financially and where some changes can be made. Perhaps you could consolidate some of your existing debt, or you could completely pay off some of your debts. 

In the end, you just want to make sure that you’re comfortable taking on a mortgage and can afford to do so. 

Source: credit.com

Apache is functioning normally

Apache is functioning normally

Shares of government mortgage financiers Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac stumbled badly today after a Barron’s report pointed to an impending Treasury bailout.

Barron’s Jonathon Laing said legislation included in the recently passed housing bill would allow a taxpayer-funded recapitalization of the slumping pair, spelling trouble for both shareholders and current management.

Laing believes that by some calculations each of the companies is roughly “$50 billion in the hole,” if their balance sheets were marked to fair value and you factor out stuff like deferred tax assets.

He noted that Freddie Mac took only a $51 million loss on repurchased mortgage loans in the first quarter, down from $736 in the fourth quarter, as the GSE chose instead to bring bad loans current and worry about them in the future.

Fannie Mae also postponed the buyback of soured loans, avoiding more than $1 billion in second-quarter charge-offs.

Apparently raising capital seems to be out of the question, considering just $300 million of Fannie’s $7.2 billion capital raise from the second quarter is still intact.

Brother Freddie was unable to, or chose not to raise $5.5 billion in capital, with CEO Richard Syron citing reasons such as shareholder dilution for failing to complete such a sale.

Of course, the OFHEO said both were adequately capitalized as recently as June, though the GSE regulator recently lowered the capital surplus requirement for the two mortgage giants.

Here’s how a bailout may go down:

Treasury would install new management and directors at both, curb the GSEs’ sometimes reckless investment and guarantee operations, and liquidate in an orderly fashion the GSEs’ troubled $1.6 billion in on-balance-sheet investments. Then the companies could be resold to the public without their explicit government debt guarantees, or folded into government agencies like Ginnie Mae or the FHA.

Shares of Fannie Mae fell $1.76, or 22.25%, to $6.15, while Freddie slid $1.46, or 24.96%, to $4.39.

(photo: teofilo)

Source: thetruthaboutmortgage.com

Apache is functioning normally

Apache is functioning normally

According to the Lost & Found survey by Pixie, nearly one in four Americans misplace their house or car keys twice a week. Having a spare key is quite handy if you find yourself locked out of your apartment.

Where do you hide a spare key when you live in an apartment?

Hiding a spare key in your car or at a house is typically pretty easy, but knowing where to hide a spare key for an apartment is trickier. After all, there aren’t as many nooks and crannies where a spare key can go. Plus, you want to make it easy to find but not obvious to anyone who might be looking for it. However, with a little creativity, there are some great spots where you can hide a spare key for your apartment.

1. Tuck it in your décor

If you routinely decorate your apartment entrance, this could provide an ideal hiding place for your spare key. For instance, you could tape it inside your door knocker or attach it to your wind chimes. If you change out your décor to reflect the season or holidays and tucked your spare key in a wreath or other item, don’t forget to move it from the old décor and place it in the new.

2. Put it in a fake rock along the walkway

Fake rocks are a great option for hiding a spare key for your apartment. However, you shouldn’t place those fake rocks just anywhere — you don’t want to set one near your doorway because it will look out of place, immediately grabbing the attention of would-be thieves. A better location is the landscaping along the walkway to your building or alongside the building. Placing it on the ground among other rocks or under shrubs will camouflage your container. The goal is to make sure it looks natural wherever you place it.

3. Slip it in a magnetic key box under a staircase

Many people often slip a spare car key into a magnetic key box and hide that box somewhere in their car. You can use this same technique by putting your spare apartment key in a magnetic box and hiding it under a metal staircase. Or, you could attach it to the back of a light along the lighted corridor. Another good spot is on the rear of a metal gutter. Essentially, any magnetic surface will work, but make sure it’s not a spot that others may access often. For instance, don’t put it near electrical boxes that may require routine maintenance.

4. Hide it among your outdoor furniture

If you have a patio that’s easily accessible from the exterior of your apartment, you could hide a spare key on the furniture. Tape it under a chair or under your storage box for cushions. Another option is taping it to the underside of your barbecue grill. If you do, check the adhesive on the tape periodically to make sure it’s still securely taped to the grill. A birdhouse is another good hiding spot. Slip your key in there for when you need it, but make sure it’s easy to get out. Just skip the obvious places like under a potted plant or doormat.

5. Stash it under a balcony or deck

For apartment buildings with balconies or decks, you can stash a key in the nooks and crannies underneath the structures. When placing a spare key, check to make sure it won’t fall out easily or get washed away when it rains. Depending on the structure, you might be able to drive a nail into one of the wood posts and hang the key on it.

6. Leave a spare key with your neighbor

If you have a neighbor you know and trust, ask them to keep a spare key to your apartment. Not only will this be handy if you actually lock yourself out of your apartment, but they can help you out if you need someone to put a delivery in your apartment or check on your pets while you’re gone.

Where not to put a spare key for your apartment

When hiding a spare key for your apartment, skip the obvious spots that a would-be burglar may check. These include under the doormat, in or under a potted plant near the door or along the door jam. Although your apartment key would be out of sight, it likely wouldn’t be out of mind for someone trying to gain access to your apartment.

Also, while a fake wall socket or fake clock with a safe can provide a great hiding place, you need to install them in the wall, meaning you’ll need to cut a hole in the wall to place it. If you want to try this option, make sure you talk to your landlord before you make permanent cuts.

The right spot for the spare key for your apartment

Figuring out where to hide a spare key to your apartment might seem difficult at first, but it might be easier than you think. Take a look around your apartment and building and see what good hiding spots you can find. From a metal staircase to a flowerbed to the lights in your hallway, you’ll be surprised at how many places you can find to hide a spare apartment key.

An experienced freelance writer, Karon Warren has covered home and real estate topics for more than 20 years for such outlets as Curbed Atlanta, Apartment Therapy, RealTrends and HotPads.com. She is a member of the American Society of Journalists & Authors.

Source: rent.com

Apache is functioning normally

Apache is functioning normally

Posted on: September 18, 2023

The Federal Open Market Committee’s next meeting is scheduled for September 19, 2023. A policy update, which will include any rate adjustments, is expected to be announced on September 20. As the next meeting date approaches, all eyes are on the decision-makers at the Federal Reserve.

Let’s explore what experts expect in the coming meeting and what that could mean for home buyers.

Check your VA home buying eligibility. Start here (Sep 18th, 2023)

What the experts expect

The CME FedWatch Tool, a tool investors use to predict Fed policy changes, indicates that there is over a 90% chance that the Fed will keep interest rates the same at the meeting later this month. As of September 6, there’s less than a 10% chance the Fed will increase the federal funds rate.

Although this tool is helpful, it’s not a foolproof estimation. In August, Jerome H. Powell, chair of the Federal Reserve, made a speech at the Jackson Hole Symposium. Powell kicked things off by saying, “It is the Fed’s job to bring inflation down to our 2 percent goal, and we will do so. We have tightened policy significantly over the past year. Although inflation has moved down from its peak — a welcome development — it remains too high. We are prepared to raise rates further if appropriate, and intend to hold policy at a restrictive level until we are confident that inflation is moving sustainably down toward our objective.”

It’s impossible to know what will ultimately come out of the FOMC meeting. But many expect rates to stand where they are.

Could mortgage rates fall?

Mortgage interest rates have been on the rise since March 2022. Until that point, American home buyers were enjoying historically low interest rates on home loans. But that all changed when interest rates started climbing.

Since March 2022, mortgage interest rates have increased dramatically. From an average of 3.76% on 30-year fixed-rate loans in March 2022, rates are currently sitting at 7.18% for the same loan type. Rising rates mean more expensive loan options for prospective homeowners. In some households, higher interest rates have put a home purchase out of reach.

If the Federal Reserve pauses its ongoing battle against inflation, interest rates will remain steady at the upcoming meeting. For potential home buyers, this pause will allow mortgage rates to remain where they are for now. The interest rate stability could be a game-changer for anyone looking to buy a home.

Beyond holding rates steady, some experts foresee a pause in interest rate hikes, leading to a drop in home loan interest rates. More stability in the market could allow lenders to offer slightly lower rates for home buyers.

Check your VA mortgage rates. Start here (Sep 18th, 2023)

What this means for you

If you are looking to take out a loan of any kind, a pause on interest rate hikes is a welcome reprieve. At the very least, you won’t face any higher interest rates. But in the best-case scenario, you can take advantage of the market’s temporary stability to lock in a slightly lower interest rate.

For anyone looking to purchase a home, a pause in rate hikes could be the signal that the cooling housing market has been waiting for. Any dip in mortgage rates could reignite the hot market conditions that persisted throughout 2021.

If you want to make a mortgage move, by either purchasing a new house or refinancing your current mortgage loan, a pause on interest rate hikes might be the appropriate time to act on your plans.

Future rate hikes

If the Federal Reserve doesn’t increase interest rates at the upcoming meeting, it will mark a big change. We’ve been seeing rates climb for over a year. A pause to higher rates would be a welcome reprieve.

Of course, we can only wait to see what the Fed will do at the next meeting. But even if interest rate hikes are paused for this meeting, it’s possible rate hikes will continue at the next meeting. After all, Powell’s recent speech made it clear that taming inflation is still the top priority for the Federal Reserve.

If you are planning to take out a home loan in the near future, keeping an eye on the changing interest rate market could make a big difference. A higher interest rate could eat into your home purchase budget, which means locking in the lowest possible rate is critical.

Check your VA home buying eligibility. Start here (Sep 18th, 2023)

Source: militaryvaloan.com

Apache is functioning normally

Apache is functioning normally

Gracie Speer | Cartoonist

By Emma Weidmann | Arts and Life Editor

Living in a residence hall or apartment can make it hard to decorate. There’s minimal space, and you probably bought everything from Target — which makes it easy to coordinate colors but difficult to create a space that doesn’t look like “dorm central” threw up all over it.

Here are some of the best and worst design choices we make in college. If you find yourself guilty of some of these, it’s OK. We all make mistakes sometimes.

First, we have maybe the worst offender of all: navy blue sheets. Navy blue sheets aren’t so bad on their own, but it’s really the Megan Fox poster covering up the hole a gym bro punched in the wall that makes it a crime against interior design. Here’s an easy fix: Find a different color of sheets. Better yet, go ahead and buy a second set of sheets altogether. Navy blue and white stripes are a good middle ground — still simple, but just a step above.

Speaking of simple yet a step above, a nice area rug elevates your space faster than your grades dropped as a freshman. Make sure you choose the right size rug for your room so that it doesn’t disappear under the lofted bed you’ve fallen out of a few times, but also doesn’t take up the entire floor.

Next, we have two that go together like ramen and your $2 plastic bowl: LED strip lights and fake vines. If you have these, I want to quickly remind you to check your email to see if your SHEIN order has shipped yet. If not, that’s OK. It just gives you more time to film another thirst trap for your TikTok while you wait.

Chances are, if you have fake vines hanging behind your bed collecting dust and critters, you might have a tapestry on your wall as well. I’m not judging — I think tapestries make a great backdrop for reading your horoscope and going online shopping for another evil eye necklace. But here is what is written in the stars for you, Leo: It’s time for better wall art.

Not to worry. You can up your wall art game at very little cost. Start by framing the posters that are already on your wall to add a put-together touch to the room. Stock up on Command strips and make sure you secure those posters to the wall really well, unless you want to find yourself being smacked in the face by a flying picture of Harry Styles at 2 a.m.

At the end of the day, decorating your space is all about making your dorm room or apartment your home away from home. Buy what you want, hang what you want, but whatever you do, remember to sweep your floors every once in a while.

Source: baylorlariat.com

Apache is functioning normally

Nestled along the Emerald Coast, this picturesque beachside city is not only famed for its stunning beaches and clear turquoise waters but also for its diverse and delectable dining scene. From fresh-off-the-boat seafood joints to upscale eateries offering gourmet experiences, Destin has something to satisfy every taste bud. So whether you’ve just moved to a new home in Destin or you’re a long-time local, check out some of the must-try restaurants in Destin, FL.

#1: Donut Hole Bakery Café

Cuisine Type: Donut Shop, Café
Location: 635 Harbor Blvd, Destin, FL 32541
Website: Donut Hole Bakery Cafe

Known for its delicious assortment of donuts and charming café atmosphere, Donut Hole Bakery Café is a favorite spot for locals and tourists alike. In addition to their classic glazed donuts, the Donut Hole offers unique flavors such as maple bacon, red velvet, and blueberry cake. Alongside their donuts, they also serve a variety of breakfast items, sandwiches, and coffee.

#2: Harbor Docks

Cuisine Type: Sushi Restaurant, Seafood Restaurant
Location: 538 Harbor Blvd, Destin, FL 32541
Website: Harbor Docks

Harbor Docks is a popular sushi and seafood restaurant located in Destin that offers a wide variety of options including sashimi, nigiri, sushi rolls, and traditional seafood favorites like shrimp, oysters, and crab. The restaurant has a laid-back and casual atmosphere, perfect for enjoying a meal with friends or family. With its waterfront location, Harbor Docks provides beautiful views of the harbor while you dine.

#3: Pepito’s Mexican Restaurant

Cuisine Type: Mexican Restaurant
Location: 36112 Emerald Coast Pkwy, Destin, FL 32541
Website: Pepito’s Mexican Restaurant

Another popular restaurant in Destin, FL is Pepito’s Mexican Restaurant. You can find a variety of Mexican favorites on the menu, including tacos, enchiladas, and fajitas.

#4: Marina Cafe

Cuisine Type: Sushi Restaurant, Steakhouse
Location: 404 Harbor Blvd, Destin, FL 32541
Website: Marina Cafe

Marina Cafe is a unique combination of a sushi restaurant and steakhouse, offering an eclectic menu that caters to all palates. From fresh and flavorful sushi rolls to succulent steaks cooked to perfection, Marina Cafe has something for everyone.

#5: Louisiana Lagniappe

Cuisine Type: Cajun and Creole Restaurant, Seafood Restaurant
Location: 775 Gulf Shore Dr, Destin, FL 32541
Website: Louisiana Lagniappe

From gumbo to jambalaya, guests can enjoy a variety of authentic Cajun and Creole dishes at Louisiana Lagniappe.

#6: Boshamps Seafood & Oyster House

Cuisine Type: Cajun and Creole Restaurant, Seafood Restaurant
Location: 414 Harbor Blvd, Destin, FL 32541
Website: Boshamps Seafood & Oyster House

Boshamps Seafood & Oyster House is a beloved restaurant located in Destin, FL. Specializing in Cajun and Creole cuisine, as well as mouthwatering seafood dishes, this restaurant offers a unique dining experience. From their fresh oysters to their Cajun-spiced shrimp, Boshamps offers a variety of flavorful dishes that will satisfy any seafood lover.

#7: Red Rooster Café

Cuisine Type: Breakfast Joint, American Restaurant
Location: 385 Harbor Blvd Ste 102, Destin, FL 32541
Website: Red Rooster Café

If you’re in search of a great breakfast spot in Destin, add Red Rooster Café to your list. The café offers a wide variety of breakfast dishes, from traditional pancakes and omelets to unique creations like their famous stuffed french toast. The cozy atmosphere and friendly staff make it a perfect place to start your day in Destin.

#8: Buck’s Smokehouse

Cuisine Type: BBQ Joint
Location: 303 Harbor Blvd, Destin, FL 32541
Website: Buck’s Smokehouse

Buck’s Smokehouse is a renowned BBQ joint located in Destin, FL. With a rustic and inviting atmosphere, the restaurant offers a wide variety of smoky and flavorful dishes. From their perfectly smoked ribs to their mouthwatering pulled pork, Buck’s Smokehouse guarantees a memorable dining experience. Don’t forget to try their famous homemade BBQ sauce, a perfect companion to their tasty fare.

#9: Boathouse Oyster Bar

Cuisine Type: Seafood Restaurant
Location: 288 Harbor Blvd, Destin, FL 32541
Website: Boathouse Oyster Bar

From oysters on the half shell to shrimp po’ boys, Boathouse Oyster Bar is a great casual restaurant in Destin to enjoy a delicious meal with a waterfront view.

#10: Burrito del Sol

Cuisine Type: Mexican Restaurant
Location: 517 Harbor Blvd, Destin, FL 32541
Website: Burrito del Sol

Burrito del Sol is a favorite Mexican restaurant among Destin locals. Known for their delicious burritos, tacos, and other specialties, Burrito del Sol offers tasty, classic Mexican dishes.

#11: Brotula’s Seafood House & Steamer

Cuisine Type: Bar, Seafood Restaurant
Location: 210 Harbor Blvd, Destin, FL 32541
Website: Brotula’s Seafood House & Steamer

Brotula’s Seafood House & Steamer is another popular bar and seafood restaurant located in Destin, FL. They offer a wide variety of fresh seafood dishes, including their famous seafood boils and steamed shellfish. With a beautiful waterfront location, Brotula’s provides a relaxed and casual atmosphere, perfect for enjoying delicious seafood while taking in the scenic views of the harbor.

#12: Dewey Destin Harborside

Cuisine Type: Seafood Restaurant
Location: 202 Harbor Blvd, Destin, FL 32541
Website: Dewey Destin Harborside

Last but not least is Dewey Destin Harborside. Known for its fresh catch and traditional seafood dishes, this restaurant offers a wide variety of options on its menu with a casual and laid-back atmosphere.

Source: redfin.com

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Nearly $100 billion in option arms are expected to reset in the next two years, with more than half early recasts, a new report released today by Fitch Ratings revealed.

Fitch expects about $29 billion to recast to significantly higher monthly mortgage payments in 2009 and another $67 billion to follow that in 2010.

While some of the loans may be naturally recasting after their initial teaser rate expires, $53 billion of the loans will be doing so because they reached their negative amortization cap, typically set at 110-115 percent of the original loan amount.

An early recast usually takes place if the borrower chooses to make only the minimum payment option each month, which is generally a one percent payment, a deep discount to the fully indexed rate.

To add insult to injury, home price depreciation will put the negative amortization borrower in an even greater hole, surely making many ponder simply walking away.

The only saving grace is the fact that the MTA, the index tied to many of these loans, is just 2.855 percent, down about two percent from a year earlier.

When combined with a standard margin of say 2.50 percent, the fully indexed rate sits below six percent, though Fitch estimates the average payment increase on recasting loans to be 63 percent, or an average increase of $1,053 a month.

“The combined impact of payment shock, negative amortization, declining home prices and restricted availability of mortgage credit may leave many option ARMs’ borrowers unwilling to continue paying their mortgage,” said U.S. RMBS group head Huxley Somerville.

“Also, because of their use as an affordability product, option ARM defaults will likely spread into higher priced neighborhoods, as many borrowers leveraged the very low minimum monthly payment to buy more expensive homes.”

Fitch sees the 90-day plus delinquency rate of 2004-2007 vintage option arm loans more than doubling the current delinquency rate, which ranges between 10 and 24 percent.

(photo: orse)

Source: thetruthaboutmortgage.com

Apache is functioning normally

Which continuity error or plot hole in a movie always sticks out in your mind? After someone polled the internet, here are twenty-five top-voted films that stuck out.

1. The Butterfly Effect (2004)

Image Credit: New Line Cinema

“In The Butterfly Effect, it’s repeatedly shown that when Ashton Kutcher goes back in time and changes something, he is the only one who is aware of the changes, as he is then propelled back to the new future he created from that aberration.”

“So, for example, when he blows off his arms, he wakes up in the future and is shocked to be limbless, but all his roommates are like, ‘duh dude, of course, you have no arms.’ However, Kutcher is in prison at one point and attempts to make another prisoner believe his powers.”

The Butterfly Effect Prison Error

Image Credit: New Line Cinema

“So he travels back in time, stabs his hands, and returns to prison. Despite minor changes having the potential to create new timelines, he’s right back in prison, and the prisoner recognizes the new scars, which goes against all the logic the movie showed.”

2. Mean Girls (2004)

Image Credit: Paramount Pictures

“In Mean Girls, when Cady comes home from the Halloween party, and Janis and Damian are watching a movie, and they get scared by her costume, the popcorn in the bowl goes flying everywhere, then the camera cuts back to them, and the popcorn bowl is full again,” another shared. 

3. Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)

Image Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

A Harry Potter fan asked, “Why don’t Fred and George Weasley see Peter Pettigrew on Ron’s shoulder on the Maurader’s Map while they’re at Hogwarts before his third year?” “If we’re gonna start in on Harry Potter, we’re gonna be here awhile,” joked another. 

4. Remember The Titans (2000)

Image Credit: Buena Vista Pictures Distribution

“In Remember the Titans, there’s a montage scene of football highlights where a Titan’s Corner Back intercepts the ball and continues running in the same direction as the receiver was,” someone pointed out. 

5. Wonder Woman (2017)

Image Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

All Ares had to do in Wonder Woman to win was nothing. His goal was to enlist Diana to his side by showing that humans are inherently evil and beyond redemption. But, of course, she would’ve come to that conclusion if he didn’t show up saying, “I influenced them.” 

“Furthermore, Wonder Woman can kill him. But he can teleport and shapeshift, so the only way for her to ever reach him would be for him to present himself, which he does, and then gets destroyed.”

“It’s stupid. The villain could’ve won by staying home, eating a bowl of cereal, and walking outside. And this villain is the literal god of war but has no sense of any tactic ever.”

6. A Quiet Place (2018)

Image Credit: Paramount Pictures

Someone asked, “If the creatures in A Quiet Place are blind and hunt via hearing, then why is their hearing threshold only slightly better than a human’s whenever someone is two feet away from them? Can they not hear heartbeats? Breathing? Fear-induced bowel movements?”

7. Ant-Man (2015)

Image Credit: Marvel/Disney

“Ant-Man,” one replied. “Do the things that shrink keep their density or not? Paul Rudd is shrunk down and still packs the punching power of a grown man in tiny size, but a tank can be shrunk down and carried on a key chain?”

8. Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999)

Image Credit: 20th Century Fox

“My standout Star Wars continuity error is when young Anakin activates C-3PO while he’s still a build-in-progress. Anakin goes to plug in the C-3PO eye, picking up the eye part with one hand and installing the eye using his opposite hand in the next cut,” one Star Wars fan declared. 

9. Batman Returns (1992)

Image Credit: Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

“Batman Returns. Bruce rips his mask off, and his eye makeup is gone,” someone noted. “I like that Matt Reeves fixed this in the new The Batman,” another volunteered. 

10. Superman Returns (2006)

Image Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

“The entire conflict of Superman Returns,” shared one. “Lex Luthor brilliantly creates an entire island made of kryptonite. Superman can’t stop him there! But five rent-a-cops in a dingy could,” shared one disgruntled fan. 

11. Monsters University (2013)

Image Credit: Disney/Pixar

“Monsters Inc. Mike: You have always been jealous of me since the fourth grade. Next movie, they meet while in college,” said one. Another agreed, “It has always bothered me!”

12. Gremlins (1984)

Image Credit: Warner Bros.

“I just watched the original Gremlins,” confessed one. “They realize they can’t get wet but are all running around in the snow the entire movie—also, the bar scene where they’re all drinking beer, and it gets splashed around a lot.”

“It’s not meant to be a serious movie. But the whole first 30 minutes is setting the rules. Then, like 3/4 of the film, they make no difference after Stripe falls into the pool and multiplies like crazy.”

13. The Dark Knight (2008)

Image Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

“I want to make it clear I LOVE the movie, and this doesn’t affect my enjoyment of it at all besides a ‘well huh’ every time I watch it. However, the dinner party scene in The Dark Knight, just ending after Bruce catches Rachel, has always stuck out to me,” shared one.

“There’s no explanation or follow-up, the scene ends, and the Joker somehow gets out of the Wayne building, and Bruce doesn’t try to catch him despite being on the ground while they’re all upstairs.”

14. The Karate Kid

Image Credit: Columbia Pictures

“The Karate Kid wins the match with a kick to the face when kicks to the face get you disqualified,” stated one. A few people argued about the rule not being relevant to the third Karate Kid film before one said, “Daniel is the true bully. Watch Cobra Kai.”

15. King Kong (1976)

Image Credit: Paramount Pictures

“An old one: Why did the natives build a big door for King Kong to get through? And why couldn’t he climb over the wall anyway? He climbed the f***kin’ Empire State Building!” one user exclaimed. 

16. Beauty and The Beast (1991)

Image Credit: Buena Vista Pictures Distribution

“Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. In the opening sequence, the Beast rips his portrait to shreds with his claws from the upper left corner to the bottom right. Later in the movie, when Belle discovers the picture, it’s torn from the bottom left to the upper right corner,” another reported. 

17. Back to The Future (1985)

Image Credit: Universal Pictures

One user noted, “Back to the Future is a great movie, but in the final scene, Doc comes back and says quick Marty, you need to go with me now into the future. It’s your kids. Why does he have to hurry? It’s a Time Machine!”

18. The Goonies (1985)

Image Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

In The Goonies, when the Fratellis are kidnapping Chunk, the driver starts singing, and you can still hear him in the next shot. But his reflection in the side mirror is just still. First continuity error I noticed as a kid, and it sticks with me,” one answered.

19. The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

Image Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

“In the climactic fight scene towards the end of The Dark Knight Rises, after Batman has freed the Gotham Police force from the sewers and they go to confront Bane’s thugs.”

“Despite both opposing groups being armed, and there is at least some exchange of gunfire at the beginning, both sides quickly seem to forget that they possess firearms and instead engage in a ma-ive hand-to-hand brawl,” one user confirmed. 

20. Double Jeopardy (1999)

Image Credit: Paramount Pictures

“The entire premise of the Ashley Judd movie Double Jeopardy has always bothered me,” shared one. “It says that if you’re wrongly convicted of killing someone who faked his death, you can kill them for real after you get paroled and not face any legal consequences.

“It’s one big hole for a plot. The person who told her that was a former lawyer, and her parole officer (another former lawyer and law professor) didn’t correct her and even helped her hunt down her ex-husband.”

Double Jeopardy Cellmates

Image Credit: Paramount Pictures

“Any lawyer would know it was BS, and I would have thought that even a regular person would instinctively know that there’s no legal loophole that will let you hunt someone down and kill them in cold blood.”

21. Jura-ic Park (1993)

Image Credit: Universal Pictures

“The elevation change in the T-Rex paddock in Jura-ic Park. No matter what the defenders say, that gap in the electric fence was not wide enough to warrant two ma-ively different elevations. The 100ft drop was ridiculous,” one suggested. 

22. Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)

Image Credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

A Marvel fan asked, “If Thor could share his powers like in Thor: Love of and Thunder with others, then why didn’t he do that in Avengers: Endgame?’ Another answered, “He can’t. But Zeus’ lightning bolt let him do that.” However, many argued that it wasn’t explained in the film. 

23. Top Gun: Maverick (2022)

Image Credit: Paramount Pictures

“Top Gun: Maverick,” one stated. “There is no way anyone survives a crash at Mach 10. But I still love the movie.” Another argued, “Top Gun: Maverick is Star Wars with fighter jets.” Finally, a third added, “Star Wars is Dambusters with spaceships and no awkwardly named dogs.”

24. How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003)

Image Credit: Paramount Pictures

“How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days,” one asked. “Why didn’t she make the article up once she started falling in love with Matthew McCaughey? I know there’s journalistic integrity and stuff, but she didn’t have to keep torturing the guy. When she was at his parent’s, playing cards with his whole family was an excellent time to pull back on it.”

25. Forrest Gump (1994)

Image Credit: Paramount Pictures

Finally, someone noted, “Forrest Gump. When Forrest realized that little Forrest was his son was one of the most emotional moments in the film, AND THAT IRON IN THE BACK KEEPS SWITCHING POSITIONS!!! I can’t ever unsee it now. And you won’t either. You’re welcome.”

Source: Reddit.

These 11 Movies Are So Bad You’ll Wish You Could Unsee Them

Photo Credit: Lightstorm Entertainment / TSG Entertainment II

The movies we love best are a combination of excellent characters, plots, stories and cinematography. But if these factors can make great movies, they can also make terrible movies—the ones that make people cringe, the ones we swear they’ll never watch again.

These 11 Movies Are So Bad You’ll Wish You Could Unsee Them

10 Celebrities Who Are Universally Disliked

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

People will always have preferences and something to say about celebrities. What you might love may not be the same for others. Whether it’s about their past behaviors, legal issues, or feuds with other celebrities, here is a list of celebrities people just cannot stand.

10 Celebrities Who Are Universally Disliked

11 Vampire Movies That Will Leave You Yearning for More

Photo Credit: Columbia Pictures

Sometimes, we just love to watch a favorite vampire movie, one of the ones that never gets old. It piques our imagination with the unknown story of two teenagers fighting for their love, the incredible and creepy scenes, and the bloodsucking cla-ics.

11 Vampire Movies That Will Leave You Yearning for More

25 Extraordinary Sequels and Remakes That Outshine the Originals

Image Credit: Rosebud Releasing Corporation

Every once in a while, a movie sequel or remake surpa-es the original film. After polling the internet, “Name a single movie where the sequel or remake was better than the original?” Here are the top-voted responses.

25 Extraordinary Sequels and Remakes That Outshine the Originals

25 Blockbuster Films With Behind-The-Scenes Turmoil Unknown to the Public

Image Credit: 20th Century Fox

Several big movies with significant nightmare productions have some seriously delicious tea. After a recent poll on the internet, here are twenty-five films with disasters that made filming difficult.

25 Blockbuster Films With Behind-The-Scenes Turmoil Unknown to the Public



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Apache is functioning normally

Homemade scented candles: where creativity meets illumination.

It’s almost fall, which means it’s generally the best time for candles and coffee. When the first cooler breeze hits, our minds turn to all things vanilla, spice and woodsy scents. And then shortly after, we get to the holidays, when we want to smell fir, cloves and spiced berry fragrances. Unfortunately, a candle craving can get expensive, with many larger candles coming in at almost $50 each.

Rather than trade your life’s savings for a nice-smelling apartment, you can do some scented candle making on your own. Here’s how to make scented candles and fill your home with the scents of the season so you can save some money and customize each candle to your liking.

Materials you’ll need for homemade scented candles

Here are the supplies to buy for your scented candle making, some of which you may already have on hand:

  • Candle wax of your choice:
    • Soy wax flakes
    • Paraffin wax
    • A blend of the two
  • Containers for each candle (mason jars, tins, etc.)
  • Candle wicks (available at most craft stores or online)
  • Wick trimmer or scissors
  • Stirring utensil (wooden spoon or stir stick)
  • Hot glue gun, superglue or glue dots
  • Fragrance oils or essential oils
  • Dye (optional for colored candles)
  • Candy thermometer
  • Pot or saucepan
  • Glass bowl or pitcher
  • Labels or decorations

Making your own DIY scented candles at home

Once you’ve gathered your supplies, it’s time to start candle-making! The process is pretty easy, but it can get messy — especially if it’s your first time making candles. Wear an apron or clothing you don’t mind ruining and avoid using the melted wax on carpet or other surfaces that could be harmed by the wax.

1. Attach and center your wick

Start out by selecting your candle containers of choice, whether that be empty candle jars, mason jars or multipurpose jars. Make sure the container has been thoroughly washed and is completely dry. Place a dab of your glue of choice in the bottom center of the container and press the bottom of a wick into the glue. If you’re using a wider container, you have the option to do multiple wicks so that your candle will burn evenly instead of tunneling.

Cut a piece of masking tape that is long enough to fit across the top of your candle container. Using scissors, cut a hole in the middle of the tape, then pull the top of the wick through the hole. Secure the tape across the top of the candle container. You can also use a pencil to wrap the wick around and hold it up. This should keep the wick standing straight so it doesn’t fall into the wax at an odd angle and ruin the candle’s burn pattern.

2. Melt the wax

Now it’s time to melt your wax for your homemade candles. Start by filling your pot or saucepan about halfway with water, then bring it to a boil by putting it over high heat on the stove. Put your wax into the glass bowl or pitcher, then put it over the boiling water. This will form a double boiler and ensure that your wax doesn’t get too hot or burn away.

The amount of wax you’ll use will really depend on how many candles you’re making — it’s easy to simply eyeball the amount you use and maybe add a little extra to ensure you have enough. The good news is that if you end up melting too much, the wax will harden and be reusable to melt again.

To ensure your candle wax is melted enough, put the candy thermometer in the wax as it heats and bring it to about 180 degrees Fahrenheit. Once it reaches that temperature, remove the wax from the heat.

3. Add fragrance

Let the wax cool down to about 140 degrees Fahrenheit. This can vary on timing, so you can leave it alone and check back every few minutes. Once it’s reached 140 degrees Fahrenheit, you can add your fragrance of choice.

The general rule is to add one ounce of fragrance oil for every pound of wax you melt. However, you’re welcome to add less than that if you like weaker scents or more than that if you want a stronger-scented candle.

If using essential oils, you may need to add even more than that since they are typically a little weaker. Feel free to get creative and mix different essential oils to develop your own unique scent. Crafting your favorite scents is easy with these combinations.

4. Pour the wax and add decorations

You’re one step closer to your finished candle! Now, once you’ve added your fragrance, you’ll simply pour the wax into the containers you prepared beforehand. Pour it out slowly, or else it can create air bubbles in the new containers and make the top of the candle look bumpy.

For those who want to make their candle personalized, add a name for your candle with a label, or sprinkle in some dried flowers, glitter or even sprinkles for a fun decorative touch. Do this before the candle dries so it stays intact and doesn’t fall out.

5. Let it cool, trim your wick and enjoy!

Once you pour your scented candle, make sure to let it cool before you light it! Leave it for at least 24 hours to ensure it cools and sets completely. Then, trim your wick, light your candle and enjoy the soft scent as it fills your apartment.

Is making scented candles profitable?

Consider crafting more than one candle either for your own apartment or as gifts or you can also sell them! Because the wax and fragrance oils are relatively affordable, as long as you sell your candles for more than the cost of materials and factor in how much time you spend making the candles, you can sell your scented candles for a nice profit.

Must-read candle safety tips

  • Ensure you trim the wick each time before lighting your homemade candle — you’ll want it about one-fourth of an inch above the wax. If the wick is too long, it can create a large flame and the wick will get too hot and start to spark and pop.
  • Never leave your lit homemade candle unattended. It’s best if you can see the candle while it burns just in case the flame gets too big, it tips over or it catches on something nearby, like curtains.
  • When burning your homemade candles, be as safe as possible to avoid catching anything on fire or burning yourself.

Homemade scented candles made easy

Making scented candles is an easy and fun way to make your own personalized scents. While it may seem easier to buy a premade candle, seeing the fruits of your labor makes crafting a homemade scented candle a worthwhile endeavor. Start making your own candles for your apartment and invent your own delightful scents!

Wesley is a Charlotte-based writer with a degree in Mass Communication from the University of South Carolina. Her background includes 6 years in non-profit communication and 4 years in editorial writing. She’s passionate about traveling, volunteering, cooking and drinking her morning iced coffee. When she’s not writing, you can find her relaxing with family or exploring Charlotte with her friends.

Source: rent.com