journey

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Nestled in the heart of the Pacific Northwest, Spokane, WA, boasts a rich cultural scene, with a variety of museums that cater to diverse interests. From art enthusiasts to history buffs and science lovers, this vibrant city offers an array of museums that captivate and educate visitors. From stepping into a world of creativity and inspiration at the Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture, where art, history, and regional culture converge to uncovering where science comes alive with interactive exhibits and engaging activities at the Mobius Discovery Center, many remarkable museums are sure to fascinate and educate. 

Whether you’re looking to rent an apartment in Spokane on Redfin, purchase a home in the area, or just want to know what it’s like living in Spokane, join us as we embark on a journey through five remarkable museums in Spokane, each offering a unique and enriching experience that will leave you with a deeper appreciation for the art, history, and wonders of this vibrant city.

Downtown Spokane

1. Jundt Art Center & Museum

The Jundt Art Museum, located on the campus of Gonzaga University, showcases an impressive collection of art from various periods and styles. Established in 1995, the museum houses over 5,000 artworks, including paintings, sculptures, ceramics, photographs, and prints. The collection spans a wide range of artistic genres, from European and American masterpieces to contemporary works by renowned regional and international artists. The Jundt Art Museum also hosts temporary exhibitions that explore diverse themes and artistic movements.

2. Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture

The Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture (MAC) is a prominent cultural institution dedicated to preserving and showcasing the art, history, and culture of the Inland Northwest region. Founded in 1916, the museum houses a diverse collection of artifacts, artworks, and archival materials that span various disciplines, including fine art, Native American artifacts, regional history, and natural history. Visitors to the MAC can explore exhibitions that delve into topics such as regional heritage, indigenous cultures, contemporary art, and historical events. This is a must-visit museum in Spokane for locals and tourists alike.

A bing crosby record on a stand

3. Bing Crosby House

The Bing Crosby House is a historical residence located on the campus of Gonzaga University that was the childhood home of the legendary American singer and actor, Bing Crosby. Built in 1913, it’s a modest two-story Craftsman-style home that reflects the architectural style of the time. It provides a glimpse into Crosby’s early years and how he was raised. 

4. Mobius Discovery Center

The Mobius Discovery Center is an interactive science center that offers a hands-on learning experience with a focus on science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM). The center features a variety of exhibits and activities designed to engage and inspire curiosity in science and exploration. Visitors can participate in interactive displays, experiments, and educational programs that cover a wide range of scientific topics. Some exhibits include bottle rockets, electricity, and bridges and various structures. 

Source: redfin.com

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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

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One highlight of the World of Hyatt award program is that it still uses award charts to determine the points you’ll need to redeem for a free night. The World of Hyatt award chart for Hyatt hotels and resorts, as well as participating Small Luxury Hotels of the World and MGM Rewards destinations, has eight categories. Award prices range from 3,500 points for an off-peak Category 1 night to 45,000 points for a peak Category 8 night.

For this article, we selected some of the best Hyatt Category 4 hotels. We’ve chosen properties from various Hyatt hotel brands, ranging from a Hyatt Place to a Park Hyatt. A standard room at these hotels costs 12,000 points on off-peak nights, 15,000 points on standard nights and 18,000 points on peak nights. These hotels are also some of the best Hyatt free night hotels since you can use Category 1-4 promotional awards earned through the World of Hyatt Credit Card as Milestone Rewards and as Brand Explorer awards to book these hotels.

Hyatt Place Panama City Beach / Beachfront

Panama City Beach, Florida, USA

HYATT

Best for: Staying beachfront in Panama City Beach.

Why stay here: With a beachfront pool, beach access and family-friendly rooms, this Hyatt Place is a strong choice for a low-key beach vacation.

Best way to book: Book directly with Hyatt to earn or redeem World of Hyatt points and enjoy any elite benefits.

The oceanfront Hyatt Place Panama City Beach / Beachfront is just a short walk from Panama City Beach’s Pier Park. Ample shopping, activities and restaurants within walking distance make this a compelling location for a family beach vacation.

You can book a 333-square-foot room with a king bed and a sofa bed or a 367-square-foot room with two queen beds and a sofa bed using points or free night certificates. If you want to book a paid rate, the property also offers gulf-view rooms, rooms with kitchenettes and even family-friendly rooms with a king bed, bunk beds and a sofa bed. All rooms include at least a minifridge, but some rooms with kitchenettes have a full-size refrigerator.

The Hyatt Place Panama City Beach / Beachfront charges a daily resort fee of $45.20 from March 1 to Oct. 31 and a daily resort fee of $28.25 during the rest of the year. The resort fee includes parking for up to one vehicle. Plus, this Hyatt Place offers some amenities you wouldn’t typically expect at this brand, including a resort-style pool, lazy river, outdoor games, weekend entertainment and seasonal beach chair service. If you book a free night award — which includes redeeming Hyatt points or using Category 1-4 promotional awards — or you have Hyatt Globalist status and book an eligible rate, you can enjoy waived resort fees.

Daily breakfast at the Breakfast Bar is included in your stay. The Breakfast Bar offers hot and cold items, coffee, milk, juice and tea. You can purchase drinks and snacks poolside from Coconut Charlie’s Pool Bar or beachside from the Beach Bar. If you don’t feel like leaving the hotel for dinner, visit Coconut Charlie’s Beach Bar & Grill for waterfront views, food, drinks and occasional live entertainment. Finally, an on-site market offers a selection of packaged grab-and-go items.

Rates at the Hyatt Place Panama City Beach / Beachfront start at 12,000 points or $198.93 per night, including the $28.25 resort fee.

Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort

Orlando, Florida, USA

MICHAEL STAVARIDIS/HYATT

Best for: A family-friendly golf trip to Orlando.

Why stay here: With a lagoon-style pool with a slide, an award-winning golf course and complimentary shuttle service to Disney and Universal, this resort is a particularly good choice for families.

Best way to book: Book directly with Hyatt to earn or redeem World of Hyatt points and enjoy any elite benefits.

I stayed at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort in Orlando several times almost 20 years ago. What I remember most about the resort is its Grand Cypress Golf Club, with holes designed by Jack Nicklaus. I also remember relaxing at its 800,000-gallon pool as well as its waterfalls, caves and waterslide.

The Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort has 779 rooms, including 46 suites. Rooms are 360 square feet and offer one king bed or two double beds with views toward Orlando, the pool or a lake. Meanwhile, suites start at 702 square feet. You can book standard rooms starting at 12,000 points per night, standard suites starting at 21,000 points per night and premium suites starting at 24,000 points per night.

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Unfortunately, the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort charges a nightly resort fee of $45 plus taxes and fees per room. However, you can avoid this fee if you book a free night award. Plus, Hyatt Globalist members can avoid the fee when booking any eligible rate. You’ll get transportation to and from Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort and Disney Springs as part of the daily resort fee. You’ll also get access to a seven-hole pitch and putt course, a miniature golf course, bike rentals, a rock climbing wall and more.

The Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort offers various dining options. Guests looking for a quick, casual experience will enjoy the grab-and-go market and the On the Rocks poolside restaurant. Meanwhile, guests looking for an upscale experience can book dinner at Four Flamingos, A Richard Blais Florida Kitchen. Lakehouse Restaurant & Bar offers all-day dining, and its sub-restaurant, Lakehouse Sushi Bar, is open for dinner. Finally, you can enjoy afternoon or evening drinks and snacks at The Lobby Bar.

Rates at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort start at 12,000 points or $229.51 per night, including the $50.63 resort fee.

Related: Splash into fun: The 14 best hotel pools in Orlando

Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego

Downtown, San Diego, California, USA

MANCHESTER GRAND HYATT SAN DIEGO/ZACH BENSON/FACEBOOK

Best for: Hyatt loyalists wanting a downtown stay right on the water.

Why stay here: Whether you’re in town for a convention or simply want to explore downtown San Diego, this luxurious Hyatt property is a great use of points.

Best way to book: Book directly with Hyatt to earn and redeem points, or via Chase’s Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection for elitelike perks and on-property credits.

The Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego hosts plenty of conference and convention guests, but it’s also well located for tourists near Seaport Village. Many guests applaud this waterfront hotel for its views, including those from its 40th-floor bar and rooftop pool decks.

Most Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego rooms are 340 square feet with city or bay views and one king bed, two double beds or two queen beds. However, the property also offers several different suite types, starting with a 700-square-foot Signature Suite. You can book standard rooms starting at 12,000 points per night, club rooms starting at 18,000 points per night, standard suites starting at 21,000 points per night and premium suites starting at 24,000 points per night.

The Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego has two outdoor pools: a fourth-floor family pool and a third-floor adults-only pool (that, at the time of writing, was closed). There’s also a 24-hour fitness center.

The hotel charges a destination fee of $39 plus tax per night. Unfortunately, this fee doesn’t offer enough value for most guests. However, you can avoid paying the destination fee if you’re a Hyatt Globalist staying on an eligible rate or if you book a free night award.

You’ll have seven dining options at the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego. One highlight is Sally’s Fish House & Bar, which lets you enjoy sustainable seafood, craft cocktails and California wines at lunch and dinner next to the boardwalk and the San Diego Bay. Another highlight is Top of the Hyatt, a 40th-floor lounge offering cocktails and small plates alongside city and bay views. There’s also a seasonal pool bar and grill. Or you can order something from GrandEats if you want food delivered to your room.

Rates at the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego start at 12,000 points or $262.82 per night, including the $43.88 destination fee.

Related: The best hotels in San Diego

Thompson Chicago

Gold Coast, Chicago, Illinois, USA

THOMPSON CHICAGO/FACEBOOK

Best for: Luxury travelers looking for homey touches and easy access to Lake Michigan running trails and other local venues.

Why stay here: You’re looking for a neighborhood feel to your stay and want easy access to the Loop — without actually staying in the Loop.

Best way to book: Book directly with Hyatt or the hotel website to earn and redeem World of Hyatt points, or through the Chase Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection to enjoy elitelike benefits.

The Thompson Chicago is a boutique hotel located a short walk from the start of the Magnificent Mile. The surrounding neighborhood is great for food and shopping.

You can redeem Hyatt points for a 320-square-foot standard room at the Thompson Chicago with one king or two double beds. If you want to book a paid rate, there are also high-floor rooms, lake-view rooms and various suites. Dogs are welcome at the Thompson Chicago for no additional charge, although you should contact the hotel before your stay for more details.

The Thompson Chicago has a popular lobby bar, Salone Nico, that serves rustic Italian cuisine and drinks. Meanwhile, Nico Osteria offers all-day dining with a focus on Italian seafood. You can also order room service or venture out to sample the many restaurants in the neighborhood.

This property charges a $17 destination fee that provides premium internet, local newspapers and 24-hour fitness club access. There aren’t many other amenities to note at this hotel. You can avoid paying the destination fee if you’re a Hyatt Globalist staying on an eligible rate or if you book a free night award.

Rates at the Thompson Chicago start at 12,000 points or $216.69 per night, including the $17 destination fee.

Related: The 17 best Chicago hotels

Hyatt Regency Seattle

Seattle, Washington, USA

TAGGART COJAN SORENSEN/HYATT

Best for: Tidy, clean rooms in a quiet part of downtown Seattle.

Why stay here: This beautiful hotel with modern rooms is in an excellent location just a block away from the Paramount Theatre and within walking distance of many major attractions.

Best way to book: Book directly with Hyatt to earn or redeem World of Hyatt points and enjoy any elite benefits.

The Hyatt Regency Seattle is in the heart of downtown Seattle. It’s within walking distance of both convention centers and just a short walk from tourist attractions such as Pike Place Market and the Seattle Art Museum. Moreover, the hotel participates in various sustainability initiatives, including donating leftover, untouched food to a local nonprofit.

You can book 320-square-foot standard rooms starting at 12,000 points per night, 500-to-725-square-foot standard suites with a separate living area starting at 21,000 points per night and 735-square-foot (or more) premium suites starting at 24,000 points per night. One of the premium suite types even offers a private fitness space with a Peloton bike, yoga mat and arm weights. All rooms have either one king bed or two queen beds.

The Hyatt Regency Seattle offers the largest hotel meeting venue in the Pacific Northwest, so it understandably caters to conference, wedding and convention travelers. The hotel has a 24-hour fitness center with Technogym equipment and Peloton bikes (although the bikes were temporarily unavailable at the time of writing). You can bring one dog weighing 50 pounds or less if you pay the $50-per-stay pet fee.

Andare Kitchen & Bar on the lobby level offers all-day, Italian-inspired dining. The venue offers a vegan menu, a weekday happy hour and a bar that’s open daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. You can also enjoy downtown views alongside steakhouse favorites and wine if you opt for dinner at Daniel’s Broiler on the hotel’s second floor. Check out the Market on the second floor if you want something quick. You can also order room service or check out the neighborhood’s many restaurants outside the hotel.

Rates at the Hyatt Regency Seattle start at 12,000 points or $195.62 per night.

Related: A Hyatt hop through Seattle: Which Hyatt should you choose on your next trip to the Emerald City?

MGM Grand

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

MGM GRAND/MGM

Best for: Travelers looking for a mix of relaxation and action in one place.

Why stay here: There’s an epic lazy river you can float around on all day.

Best way to book: Book directly on the MGM Grand’s website.

The MGM Grand in Las Vegas is well known for its 6 1/2-acre Grand Pool Complex, which features four pools, three whirlpools and a lazy river. There are always great shows at the MGM Grand, which currently hosts Ka by Cirque du Soleil, Jabbawockeez and David Copperfield; of course, there are also slots, table games and poker in the casino. You can also get a spa treatment at the MGM Grand Spa & Salon or hit some balls at the on-site Topgolf.

The MGM Grand has many different accommodation types and categories across its 5,000 rooms and suites. However, you can only book a 350-square-foot studio king room with Hyatt points or free night certificates. Unlike other stays where resort fees are waived if you book a free night award, this policy doesn’t apply at MGM Rewards destinations like the MGM Grand.

Hyatt members can match their status to MGM Rewards. By doing so, Hyatt Explorists and above can get waived resort fees at MGM properties with their matched MGM Rewards Gold status — but only when booking through MGM Rewards (not World of Hyatt). The MGM Grand charges resort fee of $39 plus tax, so you may want to forgo redeeming Hyatt points for your stay and instead book a paid rate through MGM Rewards if you have Gold status or higher. Best of all, you can still earn Hyatt elite-qualifying nights when you book through MGM Rewards.

You’ll find plenty of dining options at the MGM Grand. On the upscale end, MGM Grand offers L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon for French dishes prepared in front of you, Hakkasan Restaurant for Cantonese dishes, Tom Colicchio’s Craftsteak for high-quality cuts from small family farms, and Joël Robuchon for fine French dining. If your dining budget is more modest, there’s also Grand Wok Noodle Bar, Nellie’s Southern Kitchen, Greek Sneek and Emeril’s New Orleans Fish House. Or, you can enjoy the MGM Grand Buffet, Tap Sports Bar or various options in the food court.

Rates at the MGM Grand start at 12,000 points or $114.63 per night, including the $44.22 resort fee.

Related: Why Hyatt elite members should book through MGM when visiting Las Vegas

Andaz Mexico City Condesa

Cuauhtemoc, Mexico City, Mexico

HYATT

Best for: An eclectic stay in the artsy Condesa neighborhood near Parque Mexico.

Why stay here: This chic hotel offers great service, an appealing location, compelling views from the pool and a dog-friendly Wooftop Beer Garden.

Best way to book: Book directly with Hyatt to earn or redeem World of Hyatt points and enjoy any elite benefits.

The Andaz Mexico City Condesa opened in January 2023 with 213 rooms and is already getting good reviews. However, guests note you can sometimes hear music in the rooms at night, so this may not be the best property for you if you’re a light sleeper. The hotel’s neighborhood provides ample dining options and a central location for tourists — just a short walk from Parque Mexico and various art galleries.

Booking a free night award will get you a 344-square-foot standard room with one king bed or two double beds overlooking Insurgentes Avenue or the hotel’s internal patio. If you book a paid rate, you can reserve a city-view room or several suite types, including a 667-square-foot terrace suite with a large private outdoor terrace.

The 17th floor of the hotel offers a rooftop pool with great city views, and the Cabuya Rooftop restaurant and bar. The hotel also offers a 24-hour fitness center, a spa and a beauty salon. You can get teas and coffees at the Derba Matcha Cafe and enjoy a drink in the dog-friendly Wooftop Beer Garden & Canine Club. If you bring your dog for your stay, you’ll need to pay a fee of $100 per pet per room.

Rates at the Andaz Mexico City Condesa start at 12,000 points or $259.02 per night.

Related: Here’s how to quickly stock up on Hyatt points for your next vacation

Alila Fort Bishangarh

Bishangarh Village, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

HYATT

Best for: A luxurious stay in a converted 233-year-old fort.

Why stay here: With a thoughtful design, farm-to-table dining and activities native only to Bishangarh, you won’t regret adding this unique Alila to your India trip.

Best way to book: Book directly with Hyatt to earn or redeem World of Hyatt points and enjoy any elite benefits, or via American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts.

Alila Fort Bishangarh, located between Delhi and Jaipur in India’s Rajasthan, has 59 rooms and suites and is housed in a 233-year-old fort. I used two Category 1-4 promotional awards to stay at this amazing property and can wholeheartedly recommend a stay if you visit Rajasthan.

You can book a 562-square-foot Heritage Room with one king bed or two twin beds starting at 12,000 points per night or an 800-square-foot Grand Suite with one king bed starting at 24,000 points per night. You can also use points plus cash to book a 700-square-foot Royal Suite with one king bed or two twin beds. If you want to book a paid rate, you have all these options plus a 912-square-foot Regal Suite and a 1,054-square-foot Presidential Suite on offer.

There’s plenty to keep you busy at Alila Fort Bishangarh. You’ll find Spa Alila, an infinity pool with compelling views of the fort, a 24-hour fitness center and Play Alila for children. The hotel also offers numerous excursions and experiences, including cooking classes, a guided visit to the Bishangarh Village Market and the opportunity to visit a milk factory.

And you’ll find some impressive dining options on-site — which is good since most guests will eat most, if not all, of their meals on-site. Amarsar is open all day with Indian and international dishes on offer. On select nights, Nazaara is open with local cuisine prepared in traditional Rajput hunter style; it’s a memorable terrace-dining experience that you’ll enjoy if you can handle some Indian spices and aren’t a picky eater. Meanwhile, Haveli is open for poolside meals and drinks throughout the day, and Madhuveni offers cocktails, cigars and tapas in a beautiful, intimate space.

Rates at the Alila Fort Bishangarh start at 12,000 points or $206 per night.

Related: The best ways to fly to India with points and miles

Hyatt Regency Paris Etoile

Paris, France

HYATT REGENCY

Best for: Travelers looking to stay just a short walk from historic sights, such as the Arc de Triomphe.

Why stay here: Located between La Defense and the Champs-Elysees, this well-located hotel offers excellent views over Paris (from the city’s highest bar), a Regency Club and small but functional rooms.

Best way to book: Book directly with Hyatt to earn or redeem World of Hyatt points and enjoy any elite benefits.

The Hyatt Regency Paris Etoile in France offers amazing views from its 34-story skyscraper, especially if you snag a room with Eiffel Tower views. Although it’s northwest of the Paris core between La Defense and the Champs-Elysees, it’s just a 20-minute walk to the Arc de Triomphe and a 20-minute journey by metro and foot to the Louvre.

Despite having 995 rooms and suites, finding standard room award availability at this hotel can be difficult. The rooms are small — even for Paris — but 237-square-foot rooms with Regency Club access start at 18,000 points per night. Standard 474-square-foot suites start at 21,000 points per night, and premium 753-square-foot suites start at 24,000 points per night. Award availability is often limited at this hotel, so you may need to book a paid rate to get the room type you want. If you want to ensure your group gets connecting rooms, consider booking a family room.

The Hyatt Regency Paris Etoile doesn’t have too many amenities. Still, it has a 24-hour fitness center and a Regency Club on the 34th floor (for Hyatt Globalist members and those in eligible rooms). You’ll likely want to eat outside the hotel for many of your meals, but you may want to visit the 34th-floor Windo Skybar for views, cocktails and tapas. If you do want to eat on-site, Mayo Restaurant offers daily breakfast and weekday lunch buffets, and the grab-and-go Mayo Market offers quick bites daily from 7 a.m. until 2 a.m.

Rates at the Hyatt Regency Paris Etoile start at 12,000 points or $253.85 per night.

Related: The best hotels in Paris

Park Hyatt Jakarta

Jakarta, Indonesia

HYATT

Best for: City views and that new-hotel vibe in the heart of Jakarta.

Why stay here: Spacious rooms with modern, yet dark, design and a friendly, professional staff make this one of the best luxury hotels in Jakarta.

Best way to book: Book directly with Hyatt to earn or redeem World of Hyatt points and enjoy any elite benefits.

The Park Hyatt Jakarta in Indonesia opened in July 2022 with 220 rooms, including 36 suites. This Park Hyatt is a nine-minute walk from the Stasiun Gondangdia train station and within walking distance of various shopping malls and restaurants.

You can book 613-square-foot standard rooms with a king bed or two twin beds starting at 12,000 points per night. Meanwhile, you can book three standard suite types ranging from 936 to 1,367 square feet starting at 21,000 points per night. You can book premium suites starting at 24,000 points per night. The rooms and suites have Indonesian touches and excellent views, as the rooms start on the 25th floor.

While staying at the Park Hyatt Jakarta, you can enjoy the outdoor pool, a sun deck with city views and a 24-hour fitness center on the 35th floor. The hotel also offers a spa.

The Park Hyatt Jakarta offers several dining outlets. Dining Room serves Indonesian and Italian cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner on the 22nd floor, while Kita Restaurant offers Japanese cuisine for lunch and dinner on the 37th floor. On the 23rd floor, Conservatory offers several multiuse spaces where you can work, relax or socialize while enjoying European cafe-style comfort food and light meals.

If you’re looking for a drink or live music, check out The Bar on the 23rd floor or Kita Bar on the 36th floor.

Rates at the Park Hyatt Jakarta start at 12,000 points or $308.04 per night.

Related: The 23 best Hyatt hotels in the world

Hyatt Regency Tokyo

Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan

HYATT

Best for: This old yet stunning hotel is well connected to Tokyo’s JR trains and metro.

Why stay here: Clean and spacious (albeit slightly dated) rooms and a Regency Club let you rest while the hotel’s location in the middle of Shinjuku lets you explore Tokyo.

Best way to book: Book directly with Hyatt to earn or redeem World of Hyatt points and enjoy any elite benefits.

The Hyatt Regency Tokyo is an older property, but it’s in a solid location, just a five-minute walk from Tokyo’s Shinjuku station. This hotel offers 746 rooms, including 18 suites, across 17 room types. Although it doesn’t offer a pool or onsen, it does have a spa and fitness center with Technogym equipment.

If you want to redeem a Hyatt free night award, you can book a 301-square-foot standard room with one king bed or two twin beds starting at 12,000 points per night. Meanwhile, 376-square-foot Regency Club rooms start at 18,000 points per night, and standard suites start at 21,000 points per night. The Regency Club, available to Hyatt Globalist members and guests staying in club rooms and suites, offers views over Shinjuku Central Park for breakfast, tea service and evening cocktails.

You may want to eat outside the hotel for many meals while visiting Tokyo. If you prefer to eat on-site, the Hyatt Regency Tokyo offers Beijing and Shanghai cuisine for lunch and dinner at Jade Garden, Italian-inspired fares at Caffe and Japanese dishes at three different venues. You can also try fine wines and whiskeys at Eau de Vie or order room service if you want to dine in your room.

Rates at the Hyatt Regency Tokyo start at 12,000 points or $266.07 per night.

Related: The best ways to travel to Japan with points and miles

Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, Tsim Sha Tsui

Kowloon, Hong Kong

HYATT

Best for: A prime location in the heart of Hong Kong, just a short walk from the harbor and two metro stops.

Why stay here: Offering spacious (for Hong Kong) rooms and a Regency Club, this well-located property provides compelling city and harbor views from most rooms.

Best way to book: Book directly with Hyatt to earn or redeem World of Hyatt points and enjoy any elite benefits.

The Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, Tsim Sha Tsui is in the heart of Kowloon next to the Tsim Sha Tsui station. It’s an easy walk from the Star Ferry and Avenue of Stars. Tourists will enjoy its excellent location, as many attractions are easily accessible by foot or public transit.

This Hyatt Regency has 381 guest rooms and suites, each offering views of Victoria Harbour or the city. The least expensive room type — and the one you can book starting at 12,000 points per night — is a 301-square-foot standard room with one king bed or two twin beds. You can also book club rooms starting at 18,000 points per night, standard suites starting at 21,000 points per night and premium suites starting at 24,000 points per night. If you’re looking to book a paid rate, it may be worth shelling out a little more to guarantee a corner room or a view of Victoria Harbour.

You’ll find an 82-foot outdoor heated swimming pool with views over the surrounding neighborhood at the Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, Tsim Sha Tsui. The outdoor pool deck includes a children’s pool, a whirlpool and lounge chairs. Plus, you’ll find a 24-hour fitness center with Technogym equipment on the 10th floor.

There’s plenty of excellent dining in Hong Kong, regardless of your budget. But, if you want to eat at the Hyatt Regency, you’ll find dim sum and barbecued pork at The Chinese Restaurant, an international buffet at Cafe, fine dining cooked tableside at Hugo’s and drinks with nightly live entertainment at Chin Chin Bar. Additionally, eligible guests can enjoy continental breakfast, all-day coffee and tea service, and evening canapes and cocktails at the Regency Club.

Rates at the Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, Tsim Sha Tsui start at 12,000 points or $219.44 per night.

Related: What is World of Hyatt elite status worth?

Andaz Bali

Sanur, Bali, Indonesia

HYATT

Best for: A relaxing holiday that feels authentically Balinese.

Why stay here: Built around mature landscaping in the style of a modern Balinese village, this beachfront resort lets guests relax with an attentive staff and a thoughtful design.

Best way to book: Book directly with Hyatt to earn or redeem World of Hyatt points and enjoy any elite benefits.

Andaz Bali is an attractive beach resort next to the Hyatt Regency Bali on the eastern coast of Bali, Indonesia. Guests love the resort’s landscaping, modern rooms and large pool.

There are 149 rooms, including 20 suites and 22 villas. The standard rooms are 710 square feet and include a living area, floor-to-ceiling windows, garden views and one king bed or two twin beds. But you can also reserve pool-view or ocean-view rooms and private pool villas if you book a paid rate.

There are various types of suites you can book with points or cash. Standard rooms start at 12,000 points per night, standard suites start at 21,000 points per night and premium suites start at 24,000 points per night.

The Andaz Bali is designed to feel like a modern interpretation of a Balinese village. The resort has three swimming pools: ocean-facing Liang for fun, secluded Santhi for relaxation and kid-friendly Alit for families. Andaz Bali also offers a spa with a 24-hour fitness center, sauna, steam room, yoga studio and hydrotherapy pools.

There are ample dining options at the Andaz Bali. The Fisherman’s Club offers light bites, meat and seafood for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. Wok Wok is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner with Indonesian comfort food. Blue Oven is open daily for dinner with Mediterranean favorites, while Fire Fox is open Thursday through Saturday in the evening for Asian steakhouse delights. Deli & Bakery is open daily from noon to 10 p.m. with drinks, cakes, desserts and homemade ice creams.

Rates at the Andaz Bali start at 12,000 points or $256.52 per night.

Related: 5 easy ways to maximize Hyatt award redemptions

Source: thepointsguy.com

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We may primarily focus on airline loyalty programmes and air miles here at TPG but there are a ton of other money-saving loyalty programmes that we also love and help us save money and maximise our travel adventures.

There are dozens of U.K. loyalty schemes out there – of which the Tesco Clubcard and the cross-retailer Nectar card are among the best known.

Both of the above work for travellers who use points and miles, albeit in different ways (their points earned from the loyalty programmes can be converted to Virgin Points and Avios respectively) – but there are other loyalty cards and programmes out there that have similar potential, if sometimes small, benefits for holidaymakers. The key thing to remember is that everything is cumulative, and even the smallest reward can eventually add up.

Here are a handful of loyalty programmes that may be worth signing up for, helping you earn on everyday spending, such as grocery shopping, buying toiletries, or even filling up your car with a tank of petrol.

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Tesco Clubcard

(Photo by Jason Alden/Bloomberg/Getty Images)

Good for: Collecting Virgin Points, earning points on everyday spending, and getting discounts on select items in your weekly food shop
Sign up here: Tesco

Tesco Clubcard is perhaps one of the best-known loyalty schemes in Britain– you can read TPG U.K.’s full guide here.

Though you can no longer transfer Clubcard points into Avios (its partnership with BA ended in early 2021), you can turn £1.50 of Clubcard vouchers into 375 Virgin Points, to boost your Virgin Atlantic Flying Club total. Essentially, you can get 2.5 Virgin points for every one Clubcard point.

So, how do you earn Clubcard points? Once you’ve got the card (or have it attached to your online account), you just do your usual grocery shopping at Tesco, picking up one Clubcard point for every £1 you spend. If you drive, fill up your car with fuel at Tesco and earn one point for every £2 spent. Once you’ve earned a certain amount of points, they’ll be collected into Clubcard vouchers, which you can then transfer into Virgin Points. Simple, really.

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Another benefit for Clubcard holders is that it can help save cash on shopping if they keep an eagle eye out for Clubcard Prices (reductions in prices) and various offers, both in-store and online.

Finally, if you’re keen to rack up even more Clubcard points, there is the Tesco Clubcard Credit Card –a no-fee Mastercard (alas with no signing bonus) that offers points for every transaction over a certain amount. Namely, you’ll get five points per £4 spent at Tesco supermarkets, five points for every £4 spent on fuel at Tesco, plus one point per £8 you spend at other shops and retailers. This is on top of the one point per £1 you’ll get from scanning your card, or shopping online.

Say you spend £100 a week (or £400 a month) at Tesco on your family’s food shopping, that’s 400 points (from your loyalty card) and 500 (from your credit card), totalling 900 Tesco Clubcard points, a £9 voucher or 2,250 Virgin Points per month.

Nectar

Good for: Collecting Avios, earning points on everyday purchases and regular food shopping.
Sign up here: Nectar

If you’re an Avios collector, then it’s definitely worth also getting a Nectar account. If you’re yet to sign up, you can read TPG U.K.’s full guide here.

Similar to the Tescon Clubcard you can earn Nectar points on everyday transactions. 400 Nectar points can be transferred into 250 Avios, meaning your everyday shopping can contribute to your points-funded dream trip. Until 16 November you can also transfer Avios back to Nectar points at this same rate (250 Avios to 400 Nectar points), after this date this conversion rate will change so you need to convert 300 Avios to get 400 Nectar points. The Nectar to Avios conversion however will remain (for now) set at 400 Nectar points for 250 Avios.

The easiest ways to collect Nectar are to shop at Sainsbury’s (where many purchases, including fuel, will earn you one Nectar point for every £1 spent), as well as at Sainsbury’s Bank, Esso, Argos, Very, even eBay on eligible items. You can also earn by spending with Booking.com, British Airways, DFDS, Expedia and Nectar Hotels (plus more brands, listed on the Nectar website).

To amplify your Nectar-collecting ability, there’s also the Nectar American Express Credit Card, which has a £0 annual fee in the first year (£25 from year two), offers a bonus of 20,000 Nectar points (when you spend £2,000 in the first three months) and a friend referral bonus of 5,000 Nectar points.

Spending on this card gives you two Nectar points per £1 spent on virtually all purchases, but you’ll earn three points per £1 on purchases at Sainsbury’s, Argos and other Nectar partners — as you can double dip for that third point with your loyalty card. Say you spend £100 a week (or £400 a month) at Sainsbury’s on your family’s shopping, that’s around 4,800 Nectar points or 3,000 Avios earned per month.

Related: The ultimate guide to British Airways Avios

Boots Advantage Card

Good for: Buying travel essentials, earning points on regular purchases
Sign up here: Boots

With Boots Advantage Card, you collect four points for every £1 you spend in shops, online or via their app, meaning you’ll be racking up points every time you pick up toiletries, make-up, skincare or even a Boots meal deal.

Every point is worth 1p, meaning 1,000 points is £10 to spend. They quickly add up, and though you can’t use your points to get money off a purchase (only to wipe out the full amount), they may well come in handy for frequent travellers. Whether you travel by plane or train, you might find yourself in an airport or station Boots picking up some forgotten sunscreen, travel minis, flight socks, travel adapters, eye masks, or a disposable camera to document your trip… the list could go on.

A range of offers and discounts will be available to holders, too, potentially saving you a bit of money in the long run… though only if you aren’t tempted by sales prices, and only buy what you actually need.

Heathrow Rewards

Good for: Collecting Virgin Points, Avios or other airline rewards
Sign up here: Heathrow

In a nutshell: if you spend a lot of time (and money) at London Heathrow Airport (LHR), then you’d be daft not to consider joining Heathrow Rewards.

Generally speaking, you get one point per £1 spent at the airport, as well as one point for every £10 spent at Travelex exchanging money, with a sign-up bonus of 100 points. You’ll even get extra points when you splash out on expensive items from the airport’s designer shops.

You can transfer your points (at a 1:1 rate) to either Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, into Avios points for use with British Airways, as well as Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer and Emirates Skywards, among others. Check out our guide to Heathrow Rewards for the full list.

Related: The best points and miles promotions running right now

Superdrug Health & Beautycard

Good for: Buying travel essentials, earning points on regular purchases
Sign up here: Superdrug

Similarly to Boots’ Advantage Card, Superdrug has its own rewards scheme called the Health & Beautycard, which could be useful for travellers in need of a few essentials such as travel toiletries, skincare products, vitamins, etc.

You’ll earn one point per £1 spent, with 100 points equating to £1 to spend in-store – though crucially you can use your points to pay for part of a purchase if you prefer. You’ll also have the chance to earn extra points as you shop, with periods where quadruple points are on offer, as well as receive various offers and discounts.

BPme Rewards

Good for: Collecting Avios, getting money off travel products such as luggage and tech, and earning points on regular fuel top-ups
Sign up here: BPme Rewards

Previously, petrol station BP’s rewards scheme was linked to Nectar, but it now runs its own programme called BPme Rewards.

Essentially, you can earn every time you top up your vehicle, wash your car or by nipping into a BP garage for a snack – snapping up two points for every one litre of Ultimate fuel, one point for every litre of regular fuel, and one point for every £1 spent in a BP shop or car wash.

So, how does this help holidaymakers? Well, you can convert 40 BPme points into 25 Avios (though note you can’t turn Avios into BPme points), with an upper limit of 30,000 BPme points being turned into Avios per day. An alternative might be saving them up for Amazon or Marks & Spencer gift cards, to be used for big travel-related purchases such as new luggage, camping gear, clothing, cameras or other handy tech.

Related: British Airways is launching a new wine club where you can earn up to 15 Avios for every £1 spent

Airtime Rewards

Good for: Saving money on your phone bill, earning cashback on everyday spending (even at stores without their own loyalty schemes).
Sign up to the app: Airtime Rewards

Airtime Rewards is a bit of an outlier in this list, as though its app rewards you for shopping at around 150 retailers like a traditional loyalty scheme, the reward comes not in point form but as cashback — which can only be used for the specific, immovable purpose of knocking some money off your monthly phone bill.

All you need to do is check if your phone provider will actually let you get the money off your bill (O2, 3, EE, GiffGaff and Vodafone are signed up) and be willing to download the Airtime Rewards app and submit your debit or credit card details, allowing them to track your spending and automatically apply the discount to your account’s wallet when relevant (but P.S. it won’t work for American Express cards).

Retailers signed up to Airtime Rewards offer varying percentages of cashback on your purchases, which could be anything from 1% to as much as 8%. Popular retailers the app lists include Boots (5% back), Argos (2%), Wilko (3%), New Look (2%), Halfords (4%), Currys (1%) and Waterstones (6%). Foodies can get money back from Wagamama, Zizzi, YO! Sushi and Ocado, while people who utilise public transport can get 8% cashback on LNER Trains.

How much you save depends on how often you shop at retailers like these, but it all adds up – and could knock the odd £5 or £10 off your phone bill, perhaps even monthly, meaning more to save for your next getaway. Or to help with any unexpected roaming charges.

Red by Dufry

Good for: Discounts on duty-free shopping, lounge access and even hotels
Sign up for the app here: Red by Dufry

Red by Dufry is the loyalty scheme for duty-free shopping at the airport, earning you points when you buy from Dufry shops – such as WorldDutyFree (which we have in the U.K.), ExpressDutyFree, Nuance (Asia, Europe and North America) and Hudson (U.S. and Canada), though tobacco purchases don’t count. You can use the discount and earn points at airport Michael Kors, Gap, Superdry, and Victoria’s Secret stores, too.

Sign up for the app and you’ll immediately get a Silver card (and QR code), which is scanned at checkout to earn five points per €1 EUR spent and get up to 5% off the price of your purchases. Other potential benefits, such as discounts on airport lounge access, various hotels, restaurants, museums and car rentals, are also worth exploring.

Over time, you can increase your discount. Once you’ve spent €400, you’ll have 2,000 and reach Gold status, giving you up to 7% discount – while spending €1,000 EUR gets you 5,000 points and up to 10% off your shopping with the Platinum card. A big bonus is that if your airport of choice is Heathrow, Dufry has confirmed you can also double dip and earn Heathrow Rewards at the same time as Red points – as well as redeem Heathrow Rewards as WorldDutyFree vouchers.

Related: Virgin Red vs BA Shopping: which one is most worth your time?

Waterstones Plus

Good for: Earning point on book purchases, and getting money off your travel guidebooks and holiday reads
Sign up here: Waterstones

As far as rewards go, Waterstones Plus is relatively low stakes, but when it comes to maximising your travel, every pound saved is worth the effort. Particularly if you’re an avid reader, who can’t survive a long-haul plane journey without (at least) one book to delve into, need the latest holiday read for a day at the beach, or prefer exploring a new destination with a trusty guidebook in hand.

Simply, you get one Plus stamp for every £10 you spent in Waterstones shops, on the website or in its cafés. When you have 10 Plus stamps, you’ve got £10 to spend in-store. You might also get some useful offers. There’s an option for students, too, which offers the same stamps-to-cash scenario but adds a bumper 5% discount on most purchases.

Texaco Star Rewards

Good for: Earning points on regular fuel top-ups, and getting money off travel purchases such as luggage and tech
Sign up here: Texaco Star Rewards

Another rewards scheme for drivers, petrol station Texaco’s offering – called Star Rewards – has another straightforward premise, with one litre of fuel purchased equaling one point. When you have 500 points, you’ve got £5 to spend, either with Texaco or by converting your points into vouchers that can be used with various retailers – plus you get a 200-point sign-up bonus.

Most notably for travellers, Texaco points can be converted into a Love2Shop voucher, which can pay for or be put towards online purchases at Argos, Currys PC World, John Lewis, Marks & Spencer and Sports Direct – potentially saving you money on travel purchases such as luggage, cameras, or even just some new shoes. You can also use a certain value of voucher towards purchases with the National Trust, boosting any U.K. trips you might take.

Costa Club

One for tea drinks and coffee addicts (Photo by Allina Rosanova/Getty Images)

Good for: Coffee lovers who want regular freebies while in transit
Sign up here: Costa Coffee

If you frequently find yourself drawn to the unmistakable mauve exterior of Costa Coffee when at any British train station or airport, then joining Costa Club – the brand’s loyalty scheme – is a no-brainer.

To be fair, there isn’t loads to think about here. When you buy eight (hot or cold) drinks, you’ll get the ninth free, or if you get your beverage in an environmentally-friendly reusable cup, you’ll only need to buy four to get your next freebie. A bonus is a free piece of cake on your birthday, too.

Costs can quickly add up as you wander the airport or while dipping into train station shops to buy snacks for your rail journey, so you might as well make the most of any savings.

Source: thepointsguy.com

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Paying off student loan debt may seem like a small step on your financial path – but for some people, it’s a lengthy journey all on its own. A 2013 survey found that the average borrower took over 20 years to pay back their loans.

If you’d like to become debt free in your 20s, you’ll need a plan that takes into account your personal circumstances and all available repayment options. We’ll help you come up with the best strategy in the article below.

What’s Ahead:

Pros and cons of paying off student loans early

Pros

  • Save on total interest
  • Remove the psychological burden of student loans
  • Make it easier to qualify for other loans

Cons

  • May earn more money by investing extra funds
  • Can delay other financial and personal milestones
  • May miss out on future loan forgiveness opportunities

How to pay off student loans early

Paying off your student loans early is just like paying off any other debt. You’ll need to get your information together so you  know you what you’re dealing with. Then you’ll choose a loan to focus on and start paying them off one a time, paying as much extra as you can.

Two things that can make the pay off go even faster are lowering your interest rate on private loans and increasing your income. Lower interest rates means more money goes to your balance and more income will mean you can make larger payments.

Organize your loans

If you recently graduated and don’t know how to find your student loan information, log onto the Federal Student Aid (FSA) website to locate your federal loans. You will need your FSA ID and password. If you don’t remember your username or are having trouble logging in, contact the FSA at 1-800-433-3243.

The FSA website will only list your federal loans. To find your private student loans, check your official credit report from all three credit bureaus at www.AnnualCreditReport.com. Your credit report should list any private student loans taken out.

Before you start throwing extra money toward your student loans, you should figure out how much you owe. Open a spreadsheet and write down the following information for each loan:

  • Lender name
  • Monthly payment
  • Interest rate
  • Total loan amount
  • Federal or private loan

Having all the information in one place will help you determine the most efficient debt payoff strategy.

Research loan forgiveness options

If you have federal student loans, you may be eligible for several loan repayment and forgiveness programs. Taking advantage of these programs can help you pay less each month while also saving on total interest.

The Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program will cancel any remaining balance after 120 monthly payments while working for an eligible nonprofit or government organization. Borrowers must be on an income-driven repayment plan during that time to qualify for PSLF, so their monthly payments will be lower than normal.

There are also many loan repayment programs geared toward professionals in the healthcare and legal fields. You can have tens of thousands of loans forgiven in exchange for working in an underserved community for a few years.

Choose a loan repayment strategy

If you want to pay off your loans ahead of schedule, you can choose between the debt snowball or debt avalanche method.

The debt snowball method involves paying extra on the loan with the lowest loan balance. Once that loan is paid off, you will add extra money to the loan with the next smallest balance. The debt snowball method has been proven to be more motivating to borrowers.

The debt avalanche method means adding extra to the loan with the highest interest rate. Once you pay off that loan, you will focus on the loan with the next highest interest rate. The avalanche strategy will result in saving the most money on total interest, though it may take you more time to repay individual loan balances.

Refinance private student loans

Borrowers with private student loans may be able to refinance those loans to a lower interest rate, saving them more interest in the long run. Start by comparing your current interest rates to overall market rates. If your rates are higher than what other lenders are offering, it may be time to refinance. Use our student loan refinancing calculator to see how much you could save.

If you have multiple private loans with high interest rates, you may be able to refinance all of those loans into one loan with the same lender. This will also simplify repayment.

Borrowers with federal student loans should think twice before refinancing, as those loans will then be converted into private loans. Once you refinance federal loans, you will lose all the perks and benefits like income-driven repayment plans, loan forgiveness programs and long deferment and forbearance options. It’s best to leave federal loans as they are.

If you need to refinance your private student loans here’s our list the best companies for student loan refinancing.

When making extra student loan payments, it’s important to ensure that these funds are being diverted correctly. Some lenders will take the extra funds and apply it to the next monthly payment instead of adding it to the principal.

Contact the lender and ask them how to ensure your extra payment will go toward the principal. Then, double check each month to verify that your payment has been applied correctly.

Find ways to earn more money

If you can’t afford to pay extra on your loans and want to, it’s time to evaluate your budget. But as inflation continues to plague regular Americans, cutting expenses may not be enough. Getting a side hustle or increasing your salary may be the only way to funnel more money toward your loans.

Here are some ideas for how to make extra money.

What about Biden’s student loan forgiveness program?

As of early this year, there is a new plan being discussed for those on income driven paymen plans. With this new plan, payments for undergrad would be set at 5% of your discretionary income (this is government speak for “take home pay minus a small amount for basic living expenses”) and after you’ve made payments for 20 years any remaining balance is forgiven.

Graduate loan payments would be 10% of discretionary income and those who borrowed less than $12,000 would only have to make payments for 10 years before forgiveness would set in.

Summary

Paying off your student loans early may seem like the best financial decision you can make – but don’t do it at the expense of your other life goals. For example, if you want to buy a house, you will have to save for a down payment. If you want to quit your job and become self-employed, you may need some start-up funds.

Also, don’t forget to invest for retirement while paying off your loans. The power of compound interest means you can reap huge rewards when you start investing early. You should also have a substantial emergency fund in place before you pay extra on your loans. This will prevent you from having to take on more debt if something unexpected happens.

Related

Source: moneyunder30.com

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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

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If you’re considering moving to Columbus or already finding yourself drawn to the charm of this vibrant city, it’s essential to dive into its rich tapestry of history and culture. While searching for apartments in Columbus or homes in the city, it’s equally important to familiarize yourself with the fascinating and fun facts that make this Ohio gem a truly remarkable place. From its captivating past to its thriving present, Columbus is a city that offers a delightful blend of surprises and intriguing details. So, let’s embark on a journey of exploration and uncover the captivating fun facts that make Columbus a captivating destination for residents and newcomers alike.

columbus skyline

1. Columbus is the birthplace of the iconic Oreo cookie

Did you know that Columbus, Ohio holds a delicious claim to fame? This vibrant city is the birthplace of the beloved Oreo cookie. Back in 1912, the National Biscuit Company (now known as Nabisco) opened its first Oreo factory in Columbus, forever linking the city to this iconic treat. So, the next time you indulge in an Oreo, remember that it all started right here in Columbus!

2. Columbus is home to the largest science museum in Ohio

Columbus is a hub for innovation and knowledge, and the city proudly hosts COSI (Center of Science and Industry), the largest science museum in Ohio. COSI is a haven for curious minds of all ages, offering interactive exhibits, engaging demonstrations, and captivating shows that bring science, technology, and creativity to life.

3. The city has an impressive literary legacy

Columbus boasts a rich literary heritage, having been home to several renowned authors. Notably, James Thurber, an acclaimed American humorist and cartoonist, was born in Columbus in 1894. His witty and insightful works continue to captivate readers worldwide. Moreover, Columbus annually hosts the Ohioana Book Festival, celebrating the literary talent of Ohio and fostering a love for books and reading.

leaves on a buckeye tree

4. Ohio’s state tree, the buckeye, can be found throughout Columbus

Columbus is the capital of Ohio, which is also known as the “Buckeye State” after its official tree, the buckeye. These beautiful trees are found throughout the city, with their distinctive nuts serving as a symbol of Ohio pride. In fact, the term “buckeyes” is commonly used to refer to Ohio State University sports teams, demonstrating the deep connection between the city and its iconic tree.

5. The vibrant German Village neighborhood is one of the highlights of Columbus

One of Columbus’ most charming neighborhoods is the German Village. Founded in the 19th century by German immigrants, this historic district retains its old-world charm with its brick-lined streets, enchanting architecture, and delightful gardens. The German Village offers a rich cultural experience, with its traditional festivals, authentic German cuisine, and friendly community spirit.

6. Columbus is an art lover’s paradise

Columbus is a haven for art enthusiasts, hosting a diverse and thriving arts scene. The city is home to the Columbus Museum of Art, which showcases an impressive collection of American and European art. Additionally, the annual Columbus Arts Festival attracts artists from all over the country, transforming the downtown area into a vibrant tapestry of creativity.

wendy's sign

7. Wendy’s was founded in Columbus

Fast food aficionados will be delighted to know that Columbus is the birthplace of the famous Wendy’s restaurant chain. Established in 1969 by Dave Thomas, the first Wendy’s opened its doors in this lively city. Today, Wendy’s has become a global fast-food giant, but its roots remain deeply tied to Columbus, where it all began.

8. The Ohio State University, a powerhouse in college sports, is located in Columbus

When it comes to college sports, Columbus takes center stage with The Ohio State University. The Buckeyes have a storied athletic program and a passionate fan base. The iconic Ohio Stadium, also known as “The Horseshoe,” is a must-visit for any sports enthusiast, offering an electrifying atmosphere during football games that is truly unmatched.

9. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is located here

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is a gem that brings joy to millions of visitors every year. This world-renowned institution is dedicated to conservation, education, and animal welfare. With its wide array of exhibits and diverse animal species, including the legendary gorilla named Colo, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is an unforgettable experience for all ages.

10. Columbus is known for its vibrant and inclusive LGBTQ+ community

Columbus has gained recognition for its dynamic and inclusive LGBTQ+ community. The city proudly hosts one of the most significant Pride parades in the Midwest, drawing individuals from diverse backgrounds to commemorate the values of diversity and equality. With its progressive environment, Columbus nurtures an atmosphere of acceptance and inclusivity, creating a welcoming haven for all who visit.

Source: redfin.com