If so, you’re in luck if you’ll fly with Southwest Airlines within the next couple of weeks. For the 10th consecutive year, the carrier will offer special Shark Week programming on its flights as part of a partnership with Discovery Channel, the network that produces the special.
Beyond the inflight programming, Southwest is also organizing shark-themed pop-ups at airports in Atlanta, Dallas and New York, according to a Southwest spokesperson.
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The airline hosted one of these pop-ups at New York’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA) on Thursday. Marine biologist and Shark Week presenter Dr. Craig O’Connell shared fun facts about sharks and hosted trivia.
During the events, passengers received Shark Week fin hats during boarding. The program’s mascot, known as “Chompie,” made a surprise appearance in Dallas earlier this week.
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Related: The best Southwest Airlines credit card for family travelers
In previous years, Southwest featured shark-themed Boeing 737s and partnered with flight tracking site FlightAware to track these shark-themed jets.
There won’t be a special livery to commemorate the week this year. However, a spokesperson for Southwest said Discovery Channel’s inflight Shark Week programming has been some of the most popular television for the carrier’s customers.
Launched in 1988, Discovery Channel’s Shark Week programming is devoted to all things sharks. The release of the 1975 movie “Jaws” led to misconceptions about sharks. Discovery Channel launched Shark Week programming to educate viewers and quell fears they may have of sharks.
Over the years, programming morphed into a platform for scientists to advocate for one of the Earth’s oldest animals.
Shark Week runs on Discovery Channel from July 23 to July 29.
Related reading:
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
As a resident living fairly close to the Gulf Coast, I’m familiar with evacuating for a hurricane. There’s no way around it — evacuating for a natural disaster is a pain. But, there are things you do to make the process less stressful. Here’s a short list of the things I consider when evacuating.
The most important thing is to have a plan.
Where are you going to go? My wife’s job requires her to be back to work as soon as the storm blows through, which makes it tricky for us to evacuate &madsh; we can’t go too far away. Our evacuation route is decided based on where we think the storm is going to go. For instance, when Hurricane Gustav came in well to our east, we headed west to my sister-in-law’s house. When Hurricane Ike came in to our southwest, we headed north.
During an emergency, your local government will have an evacuation route that they want everyone to follow, but if you leave early enough you can go pretty much wherever you want to go.
The most economical way to evacuate is to stay with friends or family. This is the best way to go because it’s hard to find an empty hotel when everyone else is evacuating. Just be sure you’re a good guest. Don’t overstay your welcome. If you don’t have friends or relatives that you can stay with and you don’t have money for a hotel, consider a shelter.
What are you going to pack? For the most part you need to pack like you’re taking a vacation. If you need to evacuate for a natural disaster or other emergency, consider the following:
Clothes and toiletries. Be prepared to be away from home for at least a week — more likely two.
Important papers. I use one of those portable filing boxes to store our most important papers (insurance information, social security cards, birth certificates, employee benefits information, etc.). (Some of these documents may be stored in a safe deposit box.)
Pets. Don’t forget Fluffy. Be sure and take a bottle of water and some pet food. Also, if you have an outside pet, you might want to give a good scrubbing before you load it into the car. I don’t like traveling with a dirty, smelly dog. Washing the dog is my kids’ job.
Food and water. There’s no need to go overboard but it is a good idea to pack some bottled water and maybe a few canned goods.
Computer. This is easy if you own a laptop. It’s important to be able to go online to check in with your local news station and newspaper for important information.
Road atlas. Never leave home without one.
Money. It’s a good idea to have some cash on hand. I usually take $300, which isn’t a lot but is better than nothing.
Phone numbers to your neighbors. I have the cell phone numbers of most of my neighbors so that we can check in with each other to get status reports. One of my neighbors called me to tell me when our power was back on.
Finally, be sure and check on your older neighbors. Are they evacuating? If you have room, take them with you.
What are you going to do with the things you leave behind? As important as the things you take with you is what you leave behind. Proper preparations can save hassle when you return.
Board up the house. For the first time ever, I boarded up some of the windows of my house. I never did this before because I thought it was too expensive to do. This year I bought six sheet of 1/2-inch plywood and one bag of clips and spent over $114. I then spent an afternoon cutting the pieces to fit my windows and marked each one for storage. When I boarded up for Ike, it only took me a few minutes to secure the boards. [J.D.’s note: Not every disaster requires boarding up, of course.]
Take an inventory of your stuff. My wife went room-by-room and took pictures of everything we owned. Chances are good that you won’t need to use these pictures but you never know. I also have an itemized list of my CD collection.
Unplug all your appliances and electronics. I do leave my answering machine plugged in so that I can check in to see if I have power (if the answering machine doesn’t pick up, I don’t have power).
Pick up loose items in the yard and empty out the shed. One of the biggest problems with hurricanes, tornadoes, and other wind storms is all the debris flying through the air. (And in the case of flooding, there’s plenty of debris in the water.) You can do your part by moving all your patio furniture other loose items into your garage. This is a great job for the kids. Don’t forget that portable basketball goal.
EMPTY THE REFRIGERATOR! For some crazy reason, we didn’t empty our refrigerators for Hurricane Rita. BIG MISTAKE! By the time we got to come back to check out our house, our power had been off a week. I can’t tell you how bad the smell was!
Lock the house. I usually lock the garage doors and unplug the garage door openers.
A little preparation before the disaster can save a lot of headache later.
What about AFTER the emergency? This is a whole topic by itself but I will say that if your area is hit by a hurricane, tornado, or flood, it could be weeks before you get back power and drinkable water. You have to decide if you’re going to go back and rough it or if you are going to stay away.
Because I’m a big wimp, I always opt to stay away. I don’t have a generator and am not really interested in buying one. I realize that not everyone will have the option to stay away if their job requires them to be back as soon as possible.
You may also be interested in reading The Simple Dollar’s recent guide to surviving a natural disaster.
J.D.’s note: Kris and I don’t have any sort of emergency preparedness plan. Oregon isn’t subject to many disasters, but we do have the occasional flood or earthquake. JLP’s experience is a reminder that advance preparation beats future regret.
Could you use some good vibes? Whether you visit the famous vortexes, explore the red rocks, or simply enjoy a hike through nature, there are plenty of things to do in Sedona, Arizona, that will send those positive vibrations your way.
This town is awash in history, natural beauty, and spiritually rich experiences. Plus there are great arts, shopping, and dining. Here, learn about the 10 best things to do in Sedona, Arizona, and how to plan your trip to make the most of your time in the Southwest.
Best Times to Go to Sedona
Sedona can get hot for summer travel, so consider planning your trip for April, May, October, or November when it’s cooler. Bonus: There are flowers to enjoy.
Here are some annual events in Sedona you might want to plan your trip around:
• April: Sedona Yoga Festival
• May: Piano on the Rocks International Festival
• July: Sedona Hummingbird Festival
• September/October: Red Rocks Music Festival
• October: Annual Sedona Rock, Gem & Jewelry Show
• November: Sedona Food Truck Festival
• December: The Festival of Lights
Bad Times to Go to Sedona
Summer can get pretty brutal in Sedona, with temperatures in the high 90s and even 100s June through August. If you’re traveling with pets, consider how the weather will impact them, especially if you go on a long hike in the dry air and high altitude.
Also, early July is monsoon season, so if you’re planning outdoor activities, there’s a chance you won’t be able to enjoy them during this period.
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Average Cost of a Sedona Vacation
If you’re planning a weeklong vacation for two in Sedona, you’ll want to budget for renting a car and paying for a hotel room, activities, and food. On average, you can expect to spend about $3,614 a week for a couple or $2,012 for a solo traveler.
Hotels typically cost between $92 and $421, while vacation rentals often run from $260 to $600 per night, but you may be able to bring the whole gang or family.
Many of the best things to do in Sedona are free, so you won’t break the bank finding activities, but you do have to calculate how much it will cost you to get to and from Arizona. If a plane ticket will be involved, this could be a good moment to sign up for an airline credit card and earn some rewards or discounts.
Also think about whether you’d like to buy trip insurance. You may be covered by credit card travel insurance, or you may want to buy a separate premium to protect your investment in your vacation.
10 Fun Must-Dos in Sedona
If you’re saving your travel fund and thinking about your Arizona adventure, here are the top 10 things to do in Sedona based on recommendations from those who have recently visited, as well as top-rated attractions from travel review sites. There’s something for everyone, whether you are spiritual, sporty, or live to shop.
1. Take a Vortex Tour
Sedona is known for being a vortex hotspot. A vortex is considered to be a concentration of earth energy that you can feel in certain spots and may enhance meditation and self-knowledge. There are hikes like the Airport Mesa Vortex where you can try to feel the vortexes yourself, or you can take a tour.
There are many companies that offer vortex tours, including Sedona Spirit Journeys & Vortex Tours. The advantage of taking a tour with a guide is that they have permission to visit certain sacred sites that you won’t be able to access on your own, and they’re very knowledgeable about the vortexes. A three-hour tour for two people costs $194 each. You can use your plastic and earn some credit card rewards when paying. spiritjourneysofsedona.com/tour-journeys
2. Visit Tlaquepaque Art & Shopping Village
After your vortex tour, get your retail therapy on at the adorable Tlaquepaque Art & Shopping Village. This village is reminiscent of Old Mexico and houses art galleries, boutiques, and restaurants. You might linger till nighttime and enjoy a romantic dinner at René, an upscale French restaurant. tlaq.com/
3. Follow a Wine Trail
A fun thing for couples or groups to do in Sedona (or more precisely, just outside of Sedona) is wine tasting in Verde Valley. Cool off in the shaded patio of Javelina Leap Winery with a tasting flight, or watch Oak Creek gurgle by at Page Springs Cellars over a bottle of New Mexico Pinot Gris and a picnic. visitcottonwoodaz.org/wine-trail.html
4. Go for a Hike
Sedona is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream come true. A fun activity is to hike to see the many uniquely-shaped red rocks, like Snoopy Rock, Cathedral Rock, or Coffee Pot Rock, which looks just like what its name implies.
This amazing landscape will leave you with loads of memories, whether you hike for an hour or a full day. Plus, hiking is a free thing to do in Sedona, which can be a way that families afford to travel.
5. Book a Jeep Tour
Not in the mood to hike? One of the local Jeep tours, like the 60+-year-old Pink Adventure Tours (pinkadventuretours.com/), can get you out into the natural beauty of Sedona that you might not otherwise see. From one of these rugged vehicles, you can better appreciate the cliffs and ravines while (depending on which tour you take) learning about the lives of the indigenous Sinagua people or seeing where Hollywood Westerns were filmed. Prices start at around $79 for adults for a 90-minute tour.
6. Explore a Wild West Town
Just outside of Sedona is the not-to-be-missed Wild West town of Jerome. How can you not visit a place that was called “The Wickedest Town in the West”?
Jerome, perched on the side of a hill, boomed in the late 1800s, thanks to its copper mines, and was a hub for the best and the worst of life back then. Today, you’ll find a historic downtown with cute boutiques, art galleries, and restaurants. Start your morning with an indulgent breakfast at The Clinkscale, followed by a few hours of shopping and exploring. The first Saturday of each month, from 5 pm to 8 pm, there’s the Jerome Art & Wine Walk. jeromechamber.com/
Recommended: How Does Credit Card Travel Insurance Work?
7. Spiritual Reading
Take advantage of Sedona’s plethora of spiritual practitioners by having a tarot card or palm reading, going on a shamanic journey, or having your aura read. You can also have a reiki healing, a sound bath, or learn about transformational breathwork. If you’ve ever been curious about such pursuits, Sedona can be a great place to explore and experience them.
8. Meditate at Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park
Step out of Sedona and into Asia at the Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park. This beautiful park welcomes people of all faiths and is a wonderful place to walk, meditate, or pray. The Stupa, a dome-shaped structure, is 36 feet high and is said to bring visitors happiness and protection. tara.org/amitabha-stupa/
9. Have a Spa Day
A Sedona vacation, by its very nature, demands relaxation. What better way to slow down than to book an individual or couple’s massage at one of Sedona’s many spas?
Or you might try something different by experiencing a sweat lodge at Sedona’s New Day Spa, or pick the Time for Two package at Amara Spa.
10. Get Arty
Sedona draws (pun intended) artists from all around the world, who yearn to capture its famous red rocks and endless vistas. See exhibits at the Sedona Arts Center, which features 100 local and regional artists. You can also purchase jewelry, art, and photography made by the artists, and, if you’re an artist yourself, there are workshops and classes you can participate in. sedonaartscenter.org/
The Takeaway
Sedona offers nature, healing, and spirituality, as well as the chance to unwind from your busy life. The problem is: You won’t want to return home! Whether you are looking for an active getaway or something more relaxing, you’ll find it among the beautiful red rocks, along with great cultural attractions, shopping, and dining.
Whether you want to travel more or get a better ROI for your travel dollar, SoFi can help. SoFi Travel is a new service exclusively for SoFi members that lets you budget, plan, and book your next trip in a convenient one-stop shop. SoFi takes the guessing game out of how much you can afford for that honeymoon, family vacation, or quick getaway — and we help you save too.
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FAQ
How long should I spend in Sedona?
You can see and do a lot in just three to five days in Sedona, including hiking to the famous red rocks, getting a massage or spiritual reading, shopping, and enjoying great cuisine.
What are some hikes in Sedona?
There are hikes for every level of expertise, including the Airport Mesa Vortex, Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock Climb, and Fay Canyon.
Can I find a vortex by myself in Sedona?
There are trails that you can hike to find vortexes in Sedona like the Airport Mesa Vortex, though taking a guided tour may help you discover vortexes in protected areas you can’t visit on your own.
Photo credit: iStock/bboserup
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Offers came quickly for an adobe house in Driftwood, TX. The uniquely beautiful space is listed for $1.37 million and pending sale.
“You don’t see a lot of Santa Fe-style homes in the Texas Hill Country and that, paired with all of the landscaping, it’s an outstanding property,” says listing agent Nayeli Cutler, with Twelve Rivers Realty.
Cutler notes that the original owners built the 2,106-square-foot, Southwest-style house in 1988 with the help of New Mexico architect Mike Fischer, in hopes of enticing their daughter to move back to Texas from Santa Fe.
“They thought she moved there for the architecture,” Cutler explains. “So they built her a home to try and woo her back, but it didn’t work out.”
More than five acres
The two-bedroom, two-bath property has had a few owners, and this is the second time Cutler is selling it. She previously represented the home in 2009, when it last changed hands.
“The current owners have improved the landscape,” she says, adding they acquired a back parcel of land to bring it to its current 5.7-acre size. The property has agricultural and wildlife exemptions, including one for beekeeping, which is a boon for owners.
“When you own land in Texas, having these exemptions on your property saves you thousands of dollars in property taxes,” Cutler says.
Southwest style
With its three kiva fireplaces, tiled floors, stained glass, and wood-beamed ceilings, the house indeed looks like it belongs in New Mexico—the space abounds with the hallmarks of Southwest-style.
Another appealing attribute is the home’s indoor-outdoor connection.
“It has two courtyards and lots of windows that look out into those courtyards,” Cutler says.
Hollywood comes calling
In 2008, the house caught the eye of the production crew filming the HBO movie, “Temple Grandin.” Much of the 2010 biopic starring Claire Danes was filmed in Austin, as a stand-in for an Arizona ranch.
This house “was her aunt’s house in the movie,” Cutler says. “They approached the owner at the time to see if they would be able to film there. And they actually put in all of those corrals for the movie.”
The property is just outside of Austin, about 30 minutes to downtown, and right across the street from the breweries and wineries of the Hill Country area.
“It’s truly very unique,” Cutler notes. “I call it country life with city convenience. You are surrounded by so many small towns that you can visit in a day trip, but you’re so central, and it’s just outside of the Austin fray.”
Guest set-up
A restored, 1967 trailer in the back of the house can be used as guest quarters. Both the trailer and the wood-burning hot tub convey with the sale.
“It is just a fun place for your guests to kind of have a glamping vacation when they come and visit you,” Cutler says, noting that it’s tucked away from the main house to allow for some privacy.
The unusual property clearly stood out to buyers. After just a few days on the market, there were offers on the table.
“We priced it very aggressively in order to get the most traction possible and for it to move quickly,” Cutler says.
With record low unemployment and a reasonable cost of living, Ohio packs plenty of amenities for residents. But if you live in Ohio, the large number of FDIC-insured banks can make it tough to choose just one. To help, we’ve pulled together a list of local, national, online, and regional banks operating in the state.
10 Best Banks in Ohio
The best checking accounts in Ohio offer the amenities you need, while also reducing fees. Most banks offer features like mobile check deposits and ATM access, but in-person customer service and access to branches can also make a difference. All the banks listed below are worth considering for their low-fee banking services, whether you’re in Cleveland, Columbus, or one of the many other great Ohio cities.
1. KeyBank
If you’re looking for an Ohio bank that provides a personal banking experience, KeyBank might have everything you need. The standard checking account comes without fees or balance requirements.
The best APY comes with its money market savings account option, which pays up to 5.00% APY. The bank operates branches and ATMs throughout Ohio, and you’ll get expanded ATM access at Allpoint ATMs nationwide.
Fees:
No monthly fees
$20 fee for overdrafts
Balance requirements:
$10 opening deposit required
No minimum daily balance
ATMs:
Fee-free at KeyBank ATMs
Fee-free at Allpoint ATMs nationwide
$3 fee for out-of-network ATM transactions
Interest on balance:
Up to 5.00% APY on money market savings accounts
Up to 4.74% APY on CDs
Additional perks:
2. Huntington National Bank
Huntington National Bank has branches throughout the Midwest, but its headquarters is in Columbus. That gives the bank a strong presence throughout the state, with a bank branch in Columbus, Cleveland, and the Akron areas.
Huntington Bank has a fee-free checking account that even waives fees on overdrafts up to $50. But one of the biggest selling points for Huntington Bank is its interest rates. The 0.06% APY on savings accounts and 5.13% APY on CDs is better than average, particularly for traditional banks.
Fees:
No monthly fees
$15 (waived up to $50)
Balance requirements:
No minimum deposit to open
No minimum balance requirement
ATMs:
Fee-free at more than 1,700 ATMs nationwide
$3.50 out-of-network ATM fee
Interest on balance:
Up to 0.06% APY on savings accounts
Up to 5.13% APY on CDs
Up to 4.18% APY on money market accounts
Additional perks:
Standby Cash serves as an automatic line of credit
Early access to paycheck with direct deposit
3. Chime
Chime is an online banking platform open to consumers throughout the U.S. Ohio residents looking for banking services will get all the basic amenities through Chime’s app. You get mobile check deposit, funds transfers, and a Visa debit card. Like many other online banking options, Chime also gives you cash access through partnerships with ATM providers and retailers nationwide.
Fees:
No fees
No fees for overdrafts
Balance requirements:
No opening deposit required
No minimum daily balance
ATMs:
Fee-free at 60,000+ ATMs nationwide
$2.50 fee for out-of-network ATM transactions
Interest on balance:
2.00% APY on savings accounts
Additional perks:
4. Wright Patt Credit Union
Credit unions have competitive rates and perks, but they also come with membership requirements. Wright Patt Credit Union is open to anyone who lives, works, worships, or attends school in 20 Ohio counties.
You’ll have fee-free ATM access at WPCU ATMs throughout Southwest and Central Ohio, as well as through CO-OP ATMs nationwide. But one of the biggest selling points is WPCU’s interest rates. Currently, they’re paying 7.00% APY on the first $1,000 in your savings account.
Fees:
No monthly service fees
$9 fees for overdrafts
Balance requirements:
No opening deposit required
No minimum daily balance
ATMs:
Fee-free at WPCU ATMs
Fee-free at CO-OP ATMs nationwide
No fee for out-of-network ATM transactions
Interest on balance:
Up to 7.00% APY on savings accounts
Up to 4.85% APY on CDs
3.30% APY on money market accounts
Additional perks:
WPCU Sunshine Community Fund supports local nonprofits
Competitive rates on personal loans
5. Chase Bank
Chase is a national bank with locations across Ohio. The Chase Total Checking Account comes with a $12 monthly fee. However, Chase waives it if you have direct deposits of $500 or more each month, keep at least a $1,500 daily balance, or maintain a $5,000 minimum balance across all your Chase accounts.
For younger costumers, take a look at the Chase Student Checking Account, which is designed for students between the ages of 18 and 24.
Fees:
$12 monthly fee (waived with requirements)
$34 overdraft fee
Balance requirements:
No minimum deposit to open
No minimum daily balance
ATMs:
Fee-free at 16,000+ Chase Bank ATMs
$3-$5 out-of-network ATM fee
Interest on balance:
0.01% APY on savings accounts
Up to 3.75% APY on CDs
Additional perks:
$100 checking account bonus
Credit cards offer bonuses and general rewards
6. Woodforest National Bank
Woodforest National Bank is a community bank with branches in Ohio, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.
The basic checking account comes with a $6.95 fee, but Woodforest waives it with monthly direct deposit or a daily balance of at least $100.
Fees:
$6.95 monthly maintenance fee (waived with requirements)
$32 overdraft fee
Balance requirements:
$25 deposit to open
No minimum daily balance
ATMs:
Fee-free at Woodforest National Bank ATMs
$2.50 out-of-network ATM fee
Interest on balance:
Up to 0.50% APY on savings account balances
Up to 4.60% APY on CDs
Additional perks:
7. Fifth Third Bank
Headquartered in Cincinnati, Fifth Third Bank is one of the top regional banks in Ohio. You’ll get fee-free ATM access not only at Fifth Third ATMs but also at more than 40,000 partner ATMs nationwide. Fifth Third Momentum Checking comes with no monthly maintenance fees, and you can avoid overdraft fees by depositing enough money to cover the overage by midnight the next business day.
Fees:
No monthly service fees
$37 overdraft fee
Balance requirements:
No deposit to open
No minimum daily balance
ATMs:
Fee-free at 1,500+ Fifth Third Bank ATMs
Fee-free at 40,000+ partner ATMs nationwide
$3 out-of-network ATM fee
Interest on balance:
0.01% APY on savings account balances
Up to 4.75% APY on CDs
Additional perks:
Early access to your paycheck
Extra business day to resolve overdrafts
8. GO2bank
If you haven’t checked into online banks lately, you might have missed how far they’ve come. Not only are their interest rates and fees competitive with most traditional banks, they also offer features that make it easy to skip the bank branch experience. GO2bank offers nationwide access to cash at Allpoint ATMs, as well as cash deposits at more than 90,000 retailers.
Fees:
$5 monthly maintenance fee (waived with requirements)
$15 overdraft fee
Balance requirements:
No deposit to open
No minimum daily balance
ATMs:
Fee-free at Allpoint ATMs nationwide
$3 out-of-network ATM fee
Interest on balance:
4.50% APY on savings account balances
Additional perks:
Up to 7% cash back on gift card purchases
Deposit cash at 90,000+ retailers nationwide
9. Quontic Bank
Another online banking option is Quontic Bank, which began as a community bank in New York City in 2009. Quontic has a wider range of cash withdrawal options than most banks, thanks to partnerships with Allpoint, MoneyPass, and Citibank. But one feature that sets this bank apart is its mortgage loan program.
Quontic has been designated by the U.S. Treasury as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), which allows it to issue loans to borrowers who fall outside the requirements for a conventional home loan.
Fees:
No monthly fee
No fees for overdrafts
Balance requirements:
$100 opening deposit
No minimum daily balance
ATMs:
Fee-free at Allpoint ATMs nationwide
Fee-free at MoneyPass ATMs
Fee-free at SUM Program ATMs
Fee-free at select Citibank ATMs
Interest on balance:
Up to 1.10% APY on checking account balances
4.25% APY on savings accounts
Up to 5.15% APY on CDs
Up to 4.75% APY on money markets
Additional perks:
CDFI lending makes mortgage loans available to a wider range of applicants
Free contactless Quontic ring wearable with new checking account
10. Civista Bank
Local banks have plenty to offer, including a competitive annual percentage yield and personalized customer service. Civista Bank has branches in Northern, Northwestern, Central, and Southwestern Ohio, as well as Southeastern Indiana and Northern Kentucky. If you travel often, though, be aware that fee-free ATM transactions are limited to the service area.
Fees:
No monthly fee
$37 overdraft fee
Balance requirements:
$50 opening deposit
No minimum daily balance
ATMs:
Fee-free at Civista ATMs nationwide
$4.50 fee for out-of-network ATM transactions
Interest on balance:
Rates not publicly disclosed
Additional perks:
Bottom Line
With so many Ohio banks, the options can be overwhelming. It can help to narrow down the features you need. From personalized banking services to help with investment accounts, choosing a bank account is a personal decision. Compare rates and features between financial institutions until you find the right bank to meet your needs.
Whether looking for summertime adventures or a winter escape, hitting the beach is a great way to make incredible memories.
Because of their popularity and ease of booking flights, two destinations stand out among vacationers: Hawaii and the Bahamas. However, when comparing the Bahamas to Hawaii, there are many differences that you need to know.
The main differences between the Bahamas versus Hawaii are the need for a passport and distance. Hawaii is part of the United States, while the Bahamas is not. West Coast travelers often prefer Hawaii, while the Bahamas is easier to get to from the East Coast.
Let’s see what sets these two paradise locations apart.
How to get to Hawaii vs. the Bahamas
Most major domestic airlines offer flights to these popular destinations. However, one option may be much closer and easier, depending on where you live. You may also have to contend with airline routes and time zones that will affect flight options.
Flights to Hawaii
If you live on the West Coast, deciding between vacationing in the Bahamas versus Hawaii may be easy. Hawaii and the Bahamas are about the same distance from California, but the flight options to Hawaii may make it much more desirable.
With Southwest Airlines entering the market, many airlines lowered their cash prices to compete. Southwest offers flights starting at $124 each way from Los Angeles.
Once in Hawaii, you can easily hop between the islands with cheap flights on Hawaiian Airlines, Southwest Airlines and others. Southwest offers flights starting at just $39 each way.
Flights to the Bahamas
Flying to the Bahamas is harder for West Coast residents but much easier for those living on the East Coast. There are many flight deals and the cost is much less versus Hawaii.
Award flights to the Bahamas start at just 10,000 miles in Economy or 20,000 miles in First Class on American Airlines. This makes the Bahamas and other Caribbean destinations a popular winter escape.
The downside of the Bahamas is that you need a passport to get there. It is more difficult to arrange a last-minute vacation if you don’t have a passport because passport applications can take several months to process.
Where to stay for your Bahamas vs. Hawaii vacation
When weighing the Bahamas versus Hawaii, choosing between hotels might be difficult because there are many fantastic options. Depending on the length of your stay, the cost of your accommodations may be greater than the cost of the flight. However, you can save a lot of money on your vacation using hotel points. Let’s look at some popular choices.
Hotels in Hawaii
There are six major Hawaiian islands, each with its own unique attractions and experiences. Hotel options vary based on which island you choose. However, most major hotel brands are available on each of these islands.
In Honolulu, for example, you can book any of these hotels using points:
Hyatt Centric Waikiki Beach — from 15,000 World of Hyatt points (or use a Hyatt credit card annual free night certificate).
Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort — from 70,000 Hilton Honors points.
The Laylow, Autograph Collection — from 58,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.
Holiday Inn Express Waikiki — from 34,000 points (or use an IHG credit card annual free night certificate).
Hotels in the Bahamas
There are fewer options for redeeming hotel points in the Bahamas versus Hawaii. The major tourist destination in the Bahamas is Nassau. This is also where you’ll find popular hotels where you can redeem points.
Atlantis — several buildings available, with rates starting at 44,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.
Grand Hyatt Baha Mar — from 21,000 World of Hyatt points.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Nassau — from 32,000 points (or use an IHG credit card annual free night certificate).
Hilton at Resorts World Bimini — from 60,000 points per night.
The best time to visit Hawaii vs. the Bahamas
Travel dates can help you decide between Hawaii versus the Bahamas. These islands are similar distances from the equator, so their weather and seasons are similar. However, there are some significant differences.
Hawaii weather and terrain
Although Hawaii offers primarily tropical weather, its terrain offers multiple climate options. Hawaii features numerous mountains formed by volcanoes, some almost 14,000 feet tall. Its lush landscape and natural canopies also provide an escape from the tropical heat.
On average, Hawaiian temperatures only vary about six degrees throughout the year. The range from a low in the mid-70s during the winter to a peak in the low-80s in September. However, the tallest mountain peaks experience significant weather events, including temperatures in the 90s, winter blizzards and thunderstorms.
Hawaii is rarely affected by hurricanes in the Pacific Ocean. It rains an average of 25 to 30 inches annually, with the heaviest rains occurring from October to April.
Weather in the Bahamas
Located in the Caribbean, the Bahamas has fairly consistent weather throughout the year. Its peak temperatures of the upper-80s occur from early June to early October. Winter temperatures drop to highs in the upper-70s. January is the coldest month of the year, with lows of 70 degrees and highs of 79.
It doesn’t rain that often in the Bahamas. October is its rainiest month, with an average of seven days of rain, while December is the driest, with just two days of rain.
The Bahamas faces extreme seasonality with its humidity. From June to October, the humidity can be described as “oppressive” or “miserable,” affecting how much you enjoy your vacation. However, spending time in the pool or ocean can minimize the impact.
The Bahamas vs. Hawaii honeymoon destination
Both destinations have natural beauty, gorgeous beaches and amazing hotels. It’s no wonder that many couples consider the Bahamas versus Hawaii for their honeymoon celebration. Whether you want to explore the island or relax on the beach, each destination is ideal for a honeymoon.
Because the climate is more reliable throughout the year, Hawaii may be a better honeymoon destination than the Bahamas. Many weddings occur over the summer, peak hurricane season in the Atlantic. You wouldn’t want the stress of a hurricane impacting your honeymoon.
Winter is a much better time to visit the Caribbean if that matches your wedding planning.
Hawaii vs. the Bahamas: Which is the better choice?
Choosing between the Bahamas versus Hawaii is a tough choice for many travelers. While both islands offer many appealing features, your decision is often based on where you live and if you have a passport.
Hawaii is a U.S. state which does not require a passport for travel, while you must have a passport to visit the Bahamas. Traveling to Hawaii is much easier from the West Coast, and many East Coast travelers can get to the Bahamas easily.
Hawaii offers more hotel redemption options and multiple climates among its numerous islands versus the Bahamas. The U.S. dollar is the primary currency, and amenities such as roads, restaurants and hospitals are up to U.S. standards.
The Bahamas has its currency, but prices are pegged to the U.S. dollar, so prices are the same in both currencies. While the Bahamas has many modern conveniences, you may not have the same choices for dining, attractions or medical needs during your visit.
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At some point, many city dwellers realize they’ve had enough of the tiny, exorbitantly priced apartments, the noise and gridlock, the angry drivers, and the packed sidewalks. They find themselves longing for a simpler life—perhaps even putting down roots in small-town America, where they’re not always in a rush and a walk through town is sure to include at least a few friendly faces.
As you’ve probably heard, small- and medium-sized communities, farther from the country’s historic coastal population centers, have had quite a housing renaissance in the past few years. While mortgage rates were near zero and workers had more flexibility to work remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic, many descended on pretty, tranquil, formerly affordable, smaller towns—and that caused some prices to skyrocket.
But here’s the news: It’s not too late to trade in big-city bustle for small-town serenity without busting your budget. The Realtor.com® data team found America’s most affordably priced, small towns that also have lots to offer residents. These aren’t just nice places with low-priced real estate. These are places where you might actually love to live.
“I drive down the street and see 10 people I know,” says Kelsey Janssen, a Realtor® and associate broker at Coldwell Banker Town & Country Realty of Kearney, NE, one of the top spots on our list. “Even people who don’t know you wave here.”
Janssen says she has clients who have come from California, or neighboring Colorado, and they’re blown away by how friendly everyone is—on top of how much more affordable the homes are.
Some of these smaller communities have carved a niche for themselves, whether it’s live music, like in Branson, MO, or the old-world German charm of New Ulm, MN. Each has a different flavor.
To find these desirable small towns, the Realtor.com data team looked at real estate in every U.S. “micropolitan area,” the collection of counties with a population between 10,000 and 50,000. (With the surrounding areas included, a micropolitan area can technically have a population as large as 200,000, but we’re focusing on the core town within.) Then we pulled together U.S. Census Bureau data detailing the dining, entertainment, recreation, and quality-of-life business establishments in the area, and calculated their rate per 100,000 residents. We ranked the towns using an equal combination of those categories, as well as home list prices.
We limited our list to places where the median list price per square foot is less than 150% of the national average, and we selected only the highest-ranking micropolitan area in any given state, to ensure geographic diversity.
Here’s our list of the most affordable small towns with big quality of life.
Median list price: $159,250
Our No. 1 affordable small town with lots of big-city appeal is Cortland. The residents of the town in central New York have quick access to some larger cities, sitting about 35 minutes north of Ithaca and 45 minutes south of Syracuse. And the median list price is just about one-third of the national median in May. You get a lot for your money here.
Cortland, which has a history dating to the late 18th century, is surrounded by tree-covered hills, which transform into a patchwork of orange, gold, and crimson in the fall, which sets the mood for the annual Great Cortland Pumpkin Festival.
“The community events are just wonderful here,” says Jason Hage, a local real estate broker at Hage Real Estate.
“You’ve got the Pumpkin Festival and also the Homer Fireman Field Days. We have two or three parades a year,” he adds. “Every Wednesday night from June through August, we have Music on the Green at the Homer elementary school. It’s such a cool thing to be able to hang out there with your neighbors and check out live music.”
Cortland, like any good small town, has a Main Street dotted with restaurants, bars, coffee shops, vintage boutiques, and tattoo parlors. Other local attractions that boost Cortland’s small-town bona fides include the Cortland Repertory Theatre, offering up a range of performances, and The 1890 House Museum, where residents can learn about the town’s history and architecture.
For the more adventurous Cortlanders, Greek Peak Mountain Resort is where to go for downhill skiing and snowboarding, as well as snowshoeing and cross-country skiing—and it’s only 15 minutes outside of town.
Median list price: $384,450
Located in the heart of the Midwest, Kearney is about 2.5 hours west of Omaha and 2.5 hours east of the Colorado state line.
Kearney (rhymes with “Barney”) began as a historic Army outpost, founded in 1848, along the Oregon Trail. It became an important stop for those wagons driving west during the expansion of the U.S.
Now, “it’s just one of the best places to live,” says Realtor Janssen,
She tries to tell people moving to Kearney not to be alarmed when people they don’t recognize wave at them, she says. “That’s just how friendly people here are.”
There are hiking and biking trails, parks, golf courses, and white water rafting on the Platte River bordering Kearney to the south. There are also affordable homes for sale.
A three-bedroom home on the edge of Harmon Park, just a few minutes from downtown Kearney, is listed for $189,000.
Median list price: $320,000
Branson is a lake lover’s dream. It snagged one of the top spots of the Realtor.com annual list of the nation’s most affordable lake towns for four of the past five years. The town is located in the southern Ozarks, just a little north of the Arkansas border.
The area is known for its mountainous terrain and the large bodies of water nearby, Table Rock Lake and Lake Taneycomo. The lakes were created by the sort of dams that came to typify this section of the country in the 20th century. Lake Taneycomo came first with Powersite Dam in 1913, and the much larger Table Rock Lake Dam was constructed in the 1950s.
Branson ranks the highest among all our towns in the Census Bureau’s “amusement, gambling, and recreation” industries, as the town has become a hub for tourism and live music.
The Dutton Family Theater, Clay Cooper Theatre, and Presley’s Country Jubilee all offer something for music lovers in the area. But crime is higher in the area than in the other small towns, according to AreaVibes.
Buyers here can enjoy lower home prices, as properties in the Branson area are priced about 25% below the national median. This two-bedroom, one-bathroom house is for sale at $145,000.
Median list price: $257,450
Sandusky is another popular lake town that made it on our list. Perched on the edge of Lake Erie, about midway between Toledo to the west and Cleveland to the east, the town has plenty of restaurants and bars downtown and along the thriving waterfront.
One of the most popular attractions is the iconic Cedar Point Amusement Park, which sits on a peninsula that juts into Lake Erie, offering unparalleled views from the top of the park’s 16 world-class roller coasters. In fact, Cedar Point is known around these parts as “The Roller Coaster Capital of the World.”
History buffs can soak up exhibits on shipbuilding, shipwrecks, and pirates at the Maritime Museum of Sandusky.
Homes in Sandusky are about 35% less expensive than the national median. Buyers can check out this three-bedroom, two-bathroom for $210,000.
Median list price: $127,425
Of all of the places on our list, Galesburg is the cheapest, with prices 70% below the national average. That’s after about a 25% appreciation compared with before the pandemic, without any real slump in prices over the past year of mortgage interest rate hikes.
This small town is located in the western part of the state, about an hour south of Davenport, IA.
The town has a rich history, having been established in 1837 by abolitionists from New York. It’s named after George Washington Gale, a Presbyterian minister who helped lead the local anti-slavery movement and aided in the escape of fugitive slaves, and it became a stop on the Underground Railroad.
While crime here is higher than the national average, the local economy is relatively diverse, with BNSF Railway, Knox College (also established by Gale), and the local OSF HealthCare hospital topping the list of the area’s main employers.
Buyers can snag a three-bedroom, one-bathroom ranch for just under $80,000. Or they can “splurge” on a three-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom home on the market for $185,000.
Median list price: $287,900
In the northeast corner of South Dakota, Aberdeen is known for its prairie landscape, dotted with parks, lakes, and creeks. The Mina Lake Recreation Area is where locals can find boating, fishing, and camping opportunities.
There are plenty more perks. Aberdeen is home to Northern State University, a small public university, and Presentation College, a private Catholic college. On the northern edge of Aberdeen is Wylie Park, which has “Storybook Land,” a theme park based on storybooks and fairy tales. There’s also Wylie Lake, a minigolf course, bumper boats, and go-karts.
Plus, real estate here costs about half the national average. This three-bedroom, two-bathroom ranch is listed at about $240,000.
Median list price: $280,000
In 2022, Rutland ranked high on our list of great ski towns with homes regular people can afford. It’s just 25 minutes from one of the largest ski resorts on the East Coast: Killington, known as the “Beast of the East.” But homes are about half of what they cost in Killington, VT, at the base of the resort.
Rutland has lots more to offer as well. In the warmer months of the year, the Green Mountains to the east and the Taconic Mountains to the west offer an abundance of hiking and biking trails. The town has a quaint Main Street, dotted with shops and restaurants.
And as this town, like many in the upper Northeast, turns from deep green to burnt umber and red in the fall, Rutlanders can attend the nation’s longest-running Halloween parade (that’s what the locals maintain).
Rutland homes are priced about 35% below the national average, so buyers can still find deals. This three-bedroom, one-bathroom house is for sale for $215,000.
Median list price: $202,450
Iron Mountain is no stranger to our most affordable small towns list. Located on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and straddling the Wisconsin border, this is our northernmost affordable small town. Homes here cost about 40% less than the national average per square foot.
The area ranks the highest for museums and historical sites, a reflection of the area’s history of mining. Iron Mountain was established during the mining boom of the late 19th century.
Residents can soak up the history at the local Mining Museum, located at the Chapin Mine Steam Pump Engine, a national historic site dubbed “The Cornish Pump.” At 60 feet tall, it’s the largest reciprocating steam-driven engine built in the U.S., created to keep water out of the mines below.
The town is also a regional center for outdoor tourism, including hunting, fishing, and skiing. The Pine Mountain Ski & Golf Resort is located on the northern edge of Iron Mountain, with a small downhill ski mountain and the relatively well-known Pine Mountain Ski Jump, which hosts International Ski Federation competitions.
Median list price: $267,400
Sitting in the Minnesota River Valley, about 90 miles southwest of the Twin Cities, New Ulm is the smallest of any place on our list and one of the most distinct.
New Ulm was founded by German immigrants in 1854, and the German heritage is unavoidable. Classically German half-timbered “Fachwerk” architecture can still be found across the town. New Ulm’s downtown gets a full transformation for Christmas, and the town’s Oktoberfest is a destination for anyone looking for an authentic experience. There’s even a 45-foot glockenspiel, whose chimes can be heard throughout the town during the day, and which is adorned with a rotating stage with figurines depicting characters from the town’s history.
Flandrau State Park, on the southern edge of New Ulm, is where the town’s residents can go for swimming, camping, hiking, or just lounging on the beach.
This century-old, two-bedroom, 1.5-bathroom house has been updated and is on the market for about $215,000.
Median list price: $559,000
Last on our list—and with the most expensive real estate—is Taos. Housing prices here are about 40% more than the national average per square foot, but the area’s museums, historic sites, as well as a devotion to arts and culture earn it a spot on our list.
This small town is rich with Native American culture and Spanish colonial history. The Pueblo de Taos, about a mile north of the modern town, is an ancient dwelling of the Puebloan people who inhabited it for hundreds of years before colonists arrived. It’s estimated to have been built between A.D. 1000 and A.D. 1400, and it’s designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
More recently, Taos has become synonymous with high-desert tourism, recreation, and leisure.
Taos sits at almost 7,000 feet elevation, at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, where residents and tourists can quickly access hiking and biking trails in the summer and snow sports in the winter. It has become one of the Southwest’s outdoor activity hot spots, year-round.
“People have known us for the skiing and the snowshoeing,” says Ryan Trujillo, an associate broker at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices in Taos. “But now it’s also whitewater rafting, kayaking, and other water sports.”
When booking airfare online, most people think of the popular online aggregation sites. You know the ones: They have the fancy commercials, catchy jingles, and washed-up celebrity pitchmen. While those sites aren’t inherently bad, there are a few well-documented problems with relying solely on these larger engines:
Many of the aggregation sites neglect to include smaller, budget carriers.
Larger airline companies may temporarily exclude or intentionally block these aggregation sites from fares.
Short-term specials or incentive sales aren’t usually aggregated either. They’re often only found by visiting the individual sites of the carriers.
Obviously, there isn’t just one website capable of giving you the best deal every time. I wish it were that easy.
Many larger carriers make a significant amount of money off of the loyalty factor — meaning those individuals and companies who choose to fly the same airline every time for whatever reason. Because of this, they’re not necessarily in a rush to make all their fare data open and available for the world to dissect.
In most cases, the cheapest fare will be found using a combination of sites depending on your specific travel plans. Here are some lesser-known websites you can add to your bag of tricks when searching for the lowest airfare available.
SkyScanner.net
SkyScanner is a traditional aggregation site. But it actively differentiates (and brands) itself, by including a wider variety of budget options than most larger sites of the same type.
Another helpful feature of SkyScanner is the ability to search for a whole month or even a whole year with just the click of a button. For example, you can choose December 2009 as your departure date and easily compare data for different days. If your travel plans are flexible, this is a convenient benefit.
In addition, you don’t have to specify a specific airport, but rather just a city. Many other websites allow you to search flexible dates and close airports, but I haven’t found any that make it as easy as SkyScanner. This convenience, and its access to some small budget sites, give it the nod of the larger sites in our book.
WhichBudget.com
WhichBudget is popular in international-traveling circles, and for good reason. Rather than pulling specific pricing information for flights, WhichBudget simply allows you to find budget airlines that fly a specific route.
For example, to plan our upcoming trip to Thailand, Courtney and I used WhichBudget to find budget airlines that flew various potential routes — Christchurch, NZ to Bangkok, Thailand for one. This is the type of flight that might not show up in the larger airfare search sites.
This service is especially valuable for places that play host to a variety of smaller, budget airlines, such as Europe and Southeast Asia.
BudgetFlightFinder.com
BudgetFlightFinder is an alternative site to WhichBudget. We’ve only been turned onto it recently, but I’m starting to favor it. Once again, it allows you to find budget airlines that fly a specific route.
Sometimes it’s good to check multiple sites for information like this. For example, on a sample flight path of LAX to IND, WhichBudget shows only Southwest as a budget option. BudgetFlightFinder displays Frontier as the only option for the same path.
Once you’ve uncovered a budget carrier that flies your specific route, you can go to the individual website and double check the actual prices.
SeatGuru.com
SeatGuru is a unique site that contains the specific layouts of over 700+ different planes from various airlines. How is this useful information to you?
Well for each type of aircraft, they label the different seats as “good” (green), “some drawback” (yellow), or “bad” (red).
For example, because of the layout of the hull a specific row may have a considerable amount of extra legroom. Conversely, some rows may be a tighter fit or be close to the engines or infant seating. SeatGuru will show you in full color what to look out for.
They even break down where to find power outlets, overhead television locations, and, of course, bathrooms.
This may not directly save you time or money, but it can add value. Next time an agent asks you for your seating preference, you can tell them, “I’ll take 12E, since it has a little extra leg room, a good view of a television, and nice accessibility to the exit after we land!”
Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Credit Card is offering a signup bonus of up to 120,000 points:
Earn 60,000 points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from your account opening.
Plus, earn an additional 60,000 points after you spend $15,000 on purchases in the first 9 months.
Offer Ends 8/28/23.
Card Details
Our Verdict
This comes with a high spend requirement to get the full bonus. I still consider it a nice offer for the large bonus and the fact that you’ll meet the 135,000 Companion Pass requirement with a single credit card signup. Though The Companion Pass timing isn’t great. It still can be an attractive deal, especially given that it’s available via referral links as well which is useful for someone in 2-player mode.
We’ll add this to our list of Best Credit Card Signup Bonuses. Before applying check out these 26 Things Everybody Should Know About Chase Credit Cards.
Travelers are hoping for a calmer day Monday after severe storms wreaked havoc on Sunday flight schedules.
As rain washed over the East Coast, causing flash floods in some areas, more than 2,000 flights were canceled and more than 8,000 were delayed Sunday, according to flight-tracking site FlightAware. The New York-area airports led in total cancellations and delays.
United Airlines and JetBlue were some of the major airlines that experienced the most disruptions. United reported 871 delays and 254 cancellations; JetBlue had 430 delays and 223 cancellations Sunday.
However, as of Monday morning, disruptions were moderating.
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The U.S. has had more than 1,600 delays and 466 cancellations as of Monday morning, according to FlightAware. While United and JetBlue still experienced the most delays and cancellations among the major U.S. carriers, their numbers had dropped considerably. As of 11 a.m. EDT on Monday morning, United reported 170 delays and 75 cancellations while JetBlue reported 209 delays and 56 cancellations.
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Staffing shortages within the Federal Aviation Administration and United cascaded into a week rife with travel disruptions ahead of July 4. However, this set of delays and cancellations seemed to be tied to a potent weather system that spawned a line of storms that stretched from New England to the Southeast, blocking flight paths from the major East Coast airports.
Parts of the Northeast, including New York, are still on flood watch as of Monday morning. New York’s Hudson Valley region was hit particularly hard by the storms, bearing up to 8 inches of rain in certain areas, according to the National Weather Service. The flooding turned deadly, with Orange County, New York, reporting at least one death, according to The New York Times.
The severe weather also disrupted much of Amtrak’s operations in New York. Amtrak canceled its Adirondack and Maple Leaf lines — both routes traverse heavily through the Hudson Valley region. Amtrak also curtailed its Ethan Allen and Empire routes, having them start or end in Albany, New York, as the region still grappled with floods.
Several airlines — including United, American, Southwest and JetBlue — also offered travel waivers to passengers flying out of airports affected by the storms.