As Halloween approaches, it’s the perfect time to celebrate with our furry friends by throwing a spooktacular dog Halloween party. This festive occasion not only allows your dog to strut their stuff in style but also brings together fellow pet lovers for a day of fun and camaraderie. From spooky home decor to tasty, dog-friendly snacks, a Halloween party for your pooch is a delightful way to create lasting memories while embracing the spirit of the season.
Whether you’re planning to host a pet-friendly Halloween party in your new home in San Diego, CA, searching for an apartment in Dallas, TX, or looking for a rental in Boise, ID, with this guide, get ready to make this Halloween a howling good time.
1. Bring on the decorations
Stephen and Kelly Newman, owners of pet apparel shop Luv the Paw, share some ideas to help ring in the festivities while keeping your dog out of harm’s way. “Use pet-safe decorations like Halloween-themed pillows, blankets, LED candles, and pet-friendly toys to set the scene,” says Stephen and Kelly.
A few more ideas could be to opt for non-toxic materials like fabric, paper, or untreated wood, and avoid anything with small parts that could be swallowed. Creating pet-safe Halloween decorations is a fun way to celebrate the season while keeping your furry friends safe. With a little creativity, you can create a spooky atmosphere that everyone can enjoy.
2. Bake some homemade treats
Making homemade dog Halloween treats is a delightful way to include them in the festivities. With simple recipes using dog-friendly ingredients, it’s easy to whip up some tasty snacks. For a festive touch, use cookie cutters to create spooky shapes like bones or pumpkins.
“Any space can become a dog’s dream when it comes to the right crew of dog besties trick or treating for dog treats,” shares Shea Russo, VP of marketing at Boss Nation Brands, a pet product company. “It’s so fun to see your dogs happily scurrying around while you watch them enjoy the fruitful (or should I say FRIGHTful) joys that come with the cozy fall vibes of Halloween.”
Make a trick-or-treat station
A trick-or-treat station is a great way to engage with the normal traditions of Halloween while still making it a fun activity for dogs to enjoy. Kiersten Rooney and Sarah Dollar, event producers at LB Events + Design, propose, “Consider making homemade treats such as yogurt and pumpkin bites using silicone molds shaped like ghosts and witch hats. Also, feel free to get creative with a trick-or-treat station that has bags for take-home goodies for humans and pups.”
Encourage pups to “trick” by performing simple commands for their goodies, making it an interactive and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.
Recipe inspiration
Not quite sure where to start with making homemade dog treats? Morgan Kultala, the general manager at Fetch Pet Care, has you covered, “Start by combining 2 ½ cups of whole wheat flour, 2 large eggs, ½ cup of canned pumpkin, 2 tablespoons of pet-safe peanut butter, and ½ teaspoon of salt in a bowl. Once mixed, roll the dough to a thickness of ½ inch and cut out your favorite shapes.”
Kultala continues, “Bake the treats in the oven at 350°F on a baking sheet for about 40 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crunchy. Let them cool before the party begins, and get ready to celebrate with your pup.”
Just be sure to avoid ingredients like chocolate, xylitol, and anything toxic to dogs. Once baked, you can even decorate the treats with yogurt icing for a special Halloween flair that your pup will love.
3. Create a space for dogs to socialize
Creating a dedicated space for dogs to socialize at your Halloween party adds an exciting element for both pets and their owners. Set up an area with plenty of room for pups to mingle, complete with soft surfaces like blankets or pet beds for comfort in case some pups get overwhelmed.
Joel, owner of Paws to Consider, a dog walking service in Jamaica Plain, MA, suggests, “Create a safe, fun space where dogs can socialize while showing off their best doggie costumes, but don’t forget a cozy rest area for the pups to relax. With a little planning, you and your furry guests are sure to have a paw-some time.”
To ensure a safe space for socializing, make sure the area is securely fenced or enclosed to keep any escape artists from wandering off. Additionally, provide water bowls and designated spots for potty breaks to keep everyone comfortable and happy.
4. DIY dog Halloween decor
Halloween decorations can be pricey, so why not make your own with your pet? These unique decorations not only add a personal touch to your Halloween festivities but also showcase your furry friend’s personality.
“Make Howl-o-ween extra spooky by turning up the woof with some dog-friendly activities like creating their own decor,” Lindsey Quinn, doner and public relations coordinator at Oregon Dog Rescue in Portland, OR, recommends. “Pick up some pooch-friendly paint and let your furry friend put their paw print on their very own pumpkin.”
These creative touches will not only enhance your Halloween decor but also create lasting memories that you and your dog can cherish for years to come.
5. Host a costume contest
Hosting a costume contest for dogs is an exciting and adorable way to amp up the fun at your dog Halloween gathering. Joel I. at Abington Dog Care in Abington, MA. encourages pet owners to dress their dogs in creative, comfortable costumes and offer dog treats and prizes for the best-dressed pups.
“Host a pet Halloween costume contest and let your furry friends show off their style. Award the winners with lots of treats,” suggests Jennifer Hellams from Furryland, a mobile pet grooming company. “Don’t forget to capture the adorable moments with your camera to share.”
And the winners are…
Katie Hall Goodman with Best Day Ever LA Events shares her inspiration for the winning category titles, “Let the pets show off their costumes and win fun, pet-themed prizes for categories like ‘Best in Show-lloween’, ‘Creepiest Cutie’, ‘Most Fang-tastic’, and ‘Fur-ocious Fashionista’.”
With prizes for the winners, this event is sure to be a highlight of the celebration, bringing joy and laughter to both pets and their humans.
For pups not fond of costumes
If your pet isn’t into costumes, opt for Halloween-friendly pet accessories and apparel in classic hues like vibrant orange, black, and purple instead. Whether you go for a pumpkin orange dog harness or potion purple dog hoodie, your pet will turn heads in their spooktacular style and be the cutest trick-or-treater on the block.
6. Play pawsome games
At a dog Halloween party, games are a fun and thrilling way to keep the pups engaged and entertained throughout the festivities. Dog-friendly games are fantastic for promoting physical exercise and mental stimulation, helping to keep them healthy. Socializing with other dogs and their owners in a festive environment also enhances their confidence and reduces anxiety, making it a fun and beneficial experience.
Treat under the cup
Jessica Cooper-Keeble at Mutty Trails in Portland, OR, an adventure dog hiking service, shares her idea for a ‘Treat Under the Cup’ game. In this exciting competition, you’ll have a few cups or containers, and under one of them, you hide a tasty dog treat. The dogs take turns sniffing and nudging the cups to find their hidden prize, which encourages their natural foraging instincts and sharpens their problem-solving skills.
Bobbing for bones
Another fantastic idea for a game is shared by event planner Paola Franco, founder of Say I Do Details, “Set up a paw-some ‘Bobbing for Bones’ game with pet-safe toys and treats.”
In ‘Bobbing for Bones’, dogs take the plunge into a kiddie pool filled with water and floating bones or toys. Pups use their noses and paws to retrieve the goodies, making it a fun and interactive way to keep them cool and entertained.
To wrap up the festivities, a fun agility course with Halloween-themed obstacles can get all the furry friends moving and having a howling good time.
7. Have a trick teaching contest
A trick teaching contest is a fantastic way to showcase your dog’s skills and creativity while promoting bonding between pets and their owners.
Debby McMullen, Certified Dog Behavior Consultant and owner of Pawsitive Reactions, recommends, “Consider a trick teaching contest using Halloween-themed cue words to see who learns a new trick fastest.”
This friendly competition encourages both dogs and handlers to work together, boosting confidence and reinforcing positive training methods, all while providing a great opportunity for everyone to share laughs and celebrate their furry friends’ unique talents.
8. Don’t forget a photo op
A photo op at a dog Halloween party adds an extra layer of fun and festivity, allowing pups and their owners to capture memorable moments together. “Keep your guests entertained with a fun photo area with a spooky backdrop and fun props,” suggests Portland, OR local Tristan Worth with The Dog House Doggie Daycare and Wash. “Items made for babies are often the right size, more durable, and often made with nontoxic material (in case your pup has the need to chew).”
A themed backdrop with Halloween decorations, like pumpkins, ghosts, and colorful banners, creates the perfect scene for adorable snapshots. You can even provide props like hats, capes, and silly glasses for an extra dose of charm.
Lisa, travel blogger at Traveling With A Dog, shares, “Throwing a pet-friendly Halloween party is all about spooky vibes and making sure your furry BFFs have just as much fun as you. This can be made with an Insta-worthy photo booth with Halloween props for those #DogMomGoals moments.”
These photos not only celebrate the event but also serve as lasting keepsakes of the fun-filled day with furry friends.
9. Finally, keep the pups safe
While having fun at a dog Halloween party is essential, ensuring the safety of all furry guests is equally important. Prioritizing safety allows everyone to enjoy the festivities worry-free, ensuring that the party is a fun experience for both dogs and their owners.
To keep in mind during planning
“Safety is paramount when planning a dog-friendly event,” reports Christy Caplan, blogger at Wag and Cluck. “Opt for a daytime gathering instead of Halloween night to keep stress levels low and a large, fenced and dog-friendly backyard with a quiet area allows for relaxation.”
Additionally, have a first aid kit on hand for any minor accidents, and make sure all dogs are up-to-date on vaccinations to promote a healthy environment.
Ingredients to keep an eye out for
Common holiday treats, like chocolate, raisins, and certain nuts, are harmful to dogs, so it’s important to keep these out of reach and ensure all snacks are dog-safe.
“Keep all candy, especially chocolate and sugar-free treats containing xylitol, well out of your dog’s reach,” states the team at DJANGO, a small business specializing in dog accessories. “Make sure guests know not to leave their candy and treats unattended and discard any wrappers.”
By staying informed about these hazards, you can create a festive atmosphere without compromising your dogs’ safety.
Set up a quiet area
Brad Pauer, co-founder of The Dog Vacation, an organic pet shampoo bar company, advises, “Focus on creating a safe, festive environment with fun activities, but make sure to designate a quiet area for pets to retreat to if they become overstimulated and always supervise them during the event.”
Setting up a quiet space for dogs to relax during the party is essential for their comfort and well-being. Designate a cozy corner with soft blankets, calming music, and some familiar toys to create a soothing atmosphere. This area allows shy or overwhelmed pups to retreat and recharge away from the festivities, ensuring they don’t feel stressed.
With these precautions, you can foster a joyful and safe atmosphere for every furry guest.
Dog halloween party: Wrapping up the celebration
Hosting a dog Halloween party is a fantastic way to celebrate the season while creating unforgettable memories with your furry friends. From cute costumes to tasty treats and fun games, this festive occasion brings together the joy of Halloween and the love we have for our pets. So, gather your fellow dog owners, embrace the spooky spirit, and let your pups enjoy a day filled with tail-wagging fun. With a little creativity and preparation, you’ll be sure to throw a howling good time that your dog—and their friends—will remember for years to come.
Thanks to high demand and inflation, the cost of home repairs has been on the rise in recent years. In 2023, the average household spent $2,458 on maintenance and $1,667 on emergency repairs, according to Angi’s State of Home Spending Report. The report also found that total spending across home improvement, maintenance, and emergency repairs increased 6% compared to 2022.
The most common home repairs include the usual suspects: electrical, plumbing, HVAC, water damage, and termite damage. Keep reading to learn more about these issues and the cost of repair or replacement, so you can be prepared when reality bites.
Estimated Cost of the Most Common Home Repairs
Low-cost preventive measures — like cleaning your gutters or getting your heating and cooling systems serviced annually — can help keep common home repair costs down. But even with the best preparation, surprises (like a busted pipe or roof leak) happen, and when they do, you can be on the hook for thousands of dollars. Whether you’re a new or longtime homeowner, it’s a good idea to plan for — and budget for — home repairs.
Below is a roundup of the most common home repairs and average costs.
Recommended: How to Pay for Emergency Home Repairs
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Foundation Repair
A number of different issues can occur with foundations, some of which are more serious (aka, costly) than others. Among the most common problems are foundation cracks, which can be caused by house settling or changes in soil pressure around the home. Cracks can lead to water damage or cause the walls in your foundation or home to bow. Foundations can also begin to sink, due to changing weather patterns, nearby tree roots, or erosion.
Since the foundation is the footprint of your home, repairs can be complicated and expensive. According to Angi, foundation repair costs can range anywhere from $2,196 to $7,921.
Average cost of foundation repair: $5,056
Electrical Issues
While there are many home repairs you can safely DIY, electrical issues and wiring are generally best left to professional electricians. Working with live wires can be dangerous and faulty electrical work can be a significant fire hazard. Some signs you may need to call an electrician include:
• Burning smell coming from an outlet
• Buzzing or sizzling noises coming from an outlet
• Flickering lights
• Outlets feel hot to the touch
• You have 2- rather than 3-prong outlets
• Circuit breaker continually trips
• Appliances spark when plugged in
Depending on the length and complexity of the job, the cost of hiring an electrician ranges between $163 and $535. Installing a new outlet can run $200 to $300, for example, while replacing a breaker panel can cost anywhere from $520 to $2,120.
Average cost of electrical repairs: $348
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Roof Repair
Your roof protects your home from the elements, so it’s important to keep it in top condition. If you notice any damage or signs of wear and tear, you’ll want to address them sooner rather than later. This can help prevent small problems from becoming serious and expensive. Signs that your roof may be compromised include broken, cracked, curling, or missing shingles, and any interior signs of water damage (such as dark spots or discoloration on walls or ceiling and/or mold or rotting wood in the attic).
The cost of a roof repair will depend on your home’s location, roofing material, size of your home, and the type of roof. On average, costs run between $391 and $1,901. By contrast, a full roof replacement can run between $5,900 to $12,900. Due to the significant price difference, you would generally only invest in a new roof if the damage to your existing roof is extensive or the roof is near the end of its life.
Average cost of roof repairs: $1,133
Repair or Replace a Water Heater
Due to mineral buildup and the routine breakdown of components, water heaters do not last forever. Depending on how extensive the repairs your water heater requires, you can be on the hook for a new unit entirely. And if you’ve ever taken a cold shower in the middle of winter, you know this is one repair that is essential to your quality of life.
On average, homeowners spend anywhere from $221 to $980 on water heater repairs. Your actual bill will depend on the cost of the part needed for the fix, how much your local water heater professional charges for labor, and the length of the job. Where you live and where the water heater is located in your home can also impact costs.
Average cost of water heater repairs: $600
Water Damage
Water damage is fairly common. It can result from a crack in an old pipe, a leaky roof, an unusually strong storm, or sewage backup. To prevent mold growth and further damage, it’s best to fix the issue and clear out moisture as soon as you spot it.
Water damage restoration can involve replacing wallboard, flooring, and/or ceilings, as well as ensuring that no mold spores are left behind to spread once the repairs are complete. Two important factors influencing price are the square footage affected and the type of water (i.e., whether it’s clean or has been contaminated with potentially harmful substances). The cost of water damage restoration generally ranges between $1,300 and $5,600.
Average cost to fix water damage: $3,300
Replacing Pipes
Replacing older pipes is a common home repair often needed after a home inspection. Common problems include dated construction materials with a known problem in their manufacturing, signs of corrosion, clogs, and leaks. And because pipes run behind walls and underground, repair costs often include patching up interior holes and dug-up yards.
The good news is that not all leaks, burst pipes, and signs of corrosion require replacing large amounts of plumbing. Often, a plumber can replace a small section of the pipe affected by the damage. The cost to install pipes for a repair ranges from $370 to $2,108, though it can run higher if the damaged pipes are difficult to access.
Average cost to install pipes: $1,237
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Septic System Repair
A septic tank contains and filters household wastewater. If it is damaged or not functioning properly, it’s important to deal with the problem quickly — otherwise, you could be dealing with a smelly and costly mess. Sewage backups can occur when the septic tank becomes clogged or full, there’s a problem with devices within the tank, or there’s a blockage in the home’s main drain line leading to the tank.
Depending on the type of repair, tank size, permits, and other factors, the cost of a septic tank repair runs, on average, between $630 and $3,035. A small fix like repairing a septic tank lid could cost less ($150 to $500); but if you need to replace the tank, you could be looking at a bill as high as $9,500.
Average cost to repair a septic system: $1,831
Heating or Air Conditioning Repair
Your home’s HVAC (which stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system plays a key role in keeping your home comfortable to live in. Though there are many different types of HVAC systems, they generally all work by using energy to heat or cool the air to a desired temperature. The system may also add/remove moisture and filter your home’s indoor air.
An HVAC system typically has two main components: a heater (which could be a furnace, boiler, or heat pump) and an air conditioning (AC) unit. The type of system you have and the component that’s broken will significantly influence the cost of repairs. For example, an AC system repair can run anywhere from $450 to $2,000, while a furnace repair tends to run between $130 and $1,200. On average, homeowners spend between $130 and $2,000 on HVAC repairs.
Average cost to fix a heating or air conditioning system: $350
Mold Removal
Mold develops inside homes as a result of moisture and can lead to health problems. Signs that you may have a mold problem include:
• Musty odor in a specific area
• Discoloration on the walls
• Peeling, cracking, or warping of floors or walls
• Leaks or water damage
• Darkening around tile grout
• Worsening of allergy symptoms
While you may be able to remove small amounts of mold yourself (provided you’re certain the mold isn’t toxic), often the best option is to hire a mold remediation professional.
The cost for mold removal will vary widely depending on where it is located in your home. Mold growth in hard-to-reach areas, like drywall or your HVAC system, generally costs more to remediate since it can require more time, materials, and labor. The size of the infestation and the type of mold that is growing also influence costs. On average, mold removal runs between $373 and $7,000.
Average cost of mold removal: $2,362
Termite Damage
The problem with termites is that they literally eat away at your house. They can also eat through your budget: The cost to repair termite damage can range anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000 or even more.
Generally, the longer termites chew on the wooden structure of your home, the more costly the repair will be, so it’s key to recognize — and deal with — any signs of a termite infestation early. If you catch a termite problem early, for example, you may only need to replace a few damaged boards or joists, which can run from $250 to $1,000. If the problem goes on for a while, however, you may need to replace damaged walls, framing, or floors — at a cost of $1,000 to $3,000. Worst-case scenario: Termites do enough damage to your home’s infrastructure (like beams or load-bearing walls) that it becomes structurally unsound. A major termite repair job can run from $3,000 to $10,000-plus.
Average cost to repair termite damage: $3,000
Average Cost of Home Repairs
Trying to predict — and budget for — home repairs can be challenging. However, there are several rules of thumb that can help homeowners:
• The 1% Rule. One common guideline is to set aside approximately 1% of your home’s value annually for home maintenance. So if your home is worth $500,000, you’d want to have $5,000 tucked away in savings to cover general upkeep and repairs for the year.
• The Square Foot Rule. Since a larger home typically costs more to maintain than a smaller one, another formula is to use the square footage of your home to estimate maintenance and repair costs. With this approach, you set aside $1 for every square foot of livable space. So if your home is 2,300 square feet, you would want to have $2,300 in savings earmarked for home repair costs.
• The 10% Rule. With this rule of thumb, you put aside 10% of all your main monthly expenses (such as mortgage, taxes, and insurance) for your monthly home maintenance budget. For example, if your mortgage is $1500/month, taxes are $300/month, and insurance is $150/month (a total of $1950), your budget for home maintenance would be roughly $195 per month or $2,340 a year.
If you don’t have enough savings to cover the cost of a necessary home repair, there are financing options, including home equity lines of credit (HELOC) and credit cards (though this can be an expensive choice).
You can also use a personal loan to cover the cost of home repairs or improvements. Available through banks, credit unions, and online lenders, this type of loan (sometimes called a home improvement loan) typically doesn’t require any type of collateral or home equity. However, you usually need good to excellent credit to qualify.
The Takeaway
It’s tough to predict the cost of home repairs. Different budgeting standards suggest putting aside 1% of your home’s value or $1 per square foot annually. In 2023, the average household spent $2,458 on maintenance costs and $1,667 on emergency repairs. Among the priciest home repairs are major foundation work (up to $7,921), roof replacement (as much as $12,900), and septic tank replacement (which can run $9,500). Even expenses like fixing termite damage or replacing a broken water heater can all but consume your savings.
Think twice before turning to high-interest credit cards. Consider a SoFi personal loan instead. SoFi offers competitive fixed rates and same-day funding. Checking your rate takes just a minute.
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Looking for a vibrant city brimming with unique experiences? Birmingham, AL often surprises visitors with its rich tapestry of culture, history, and innovation. In the heart of the Deep South, this dynamic city offers more than just its storied past—it’s a realm filled with surprising adventures and exciting explorations.
So whether you’re searching for apartments in Birmingham, homes for sale, homes for rent, or just starting to envision life in the city, we’ll give you a sneak peek of just some of the unique things to do in Birmingham, AL.
1. All aboard a tour bus
Rent a party bus tour for game day
Elevate your entire game day experience by turning the event into an all-day celebration. Instead of worrying about parking or navigating traffic, you can focus on enjoying the day with your friends, with the party starting as soon as you step on board. It’s an unforgettable way to build excitement, share in the camaraderie, and keep the energy going long after the game ends.
Turn game day into an unforgettable experience by taking a party bus tour to a college football game with a company like After 6 Tours. Enjoy the pre-game excitement with friends, travel in luxury, and kick off the celebration before the first whistle. Touring through town in the party bus makes the journey as thrilling as the game itself.
Indulge in a food crawl
From classic Southern comfort food to innovative international cuisine, Birmingham is known for its restaurant scene. A food crawl lets you savor a variety of flavors, meet passionate local chefs, and discover the vibrant community that makes Birmingham’s food scene so special. Whether you’re a foodie or just looking for a fun way to spend the day, a food crawl offers a delicious journey through the heart of the city.
Eat.Drink.Ride. is a party bus that stops by the best bites in town without missing a beat. Enjoy a unique culinary adventure with friends while traveling in style as the party bus keeps the fun rolling, ensuring your taste buds have as much fun as you do. It’s a great way to find new local eateries and not worry about parking or getting towed, all while enjoying a luxurious ride in a party bus.
2. Explore underground depths
Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast or simply looking to try something new, Sims Cave Park is a must-see in Birmingham. This guided tour takes you deep into the heart of Birmingham’s underground cave systems, where you’ll crawl and climb through passages, uncovering hidden chambers and ancient rock formations. As you explore the dark caverns, you’ll get up close with the natural beauty of stalactites, stalagmites, and other stunning geological features that have formed over thousands of years. This tour offers a unique opportunity to experience the raw, untouched wilderness beneath the city, making it an unforgettable adventure for anyone looking to connect with nature in an entirely new way.
3. Bike the terrain
Mountain biking is just one of the many unique things to do in Birmingham, AL. The city’s area’s terrain provides everything from scenic, leisurely rides through rolling hills to challenging courses filled with steep climbs, sharp turns, and technical descents. Popular spots like Oak Mountain State Park and Red Mountain Park are well-known for their extensive trail networks, offering miles of paths winding through lush forests and rocky landscapes. For those seeking an adrenaline-pumping adventure, RideBHM, the city’s premier downhill mountain bike park, delivers the perfect blend of speed and skill.
RideBHM features a variety of trails, from beginner-friendly routes to more challenging courses with jumps and technical sections. Situated in the scenic Red Mountain area, RideBHM allows riders to enjoy the natural beauty of Birmingham’s landscape while experiencing the adrenaline rush of downhill biking. In addition to the trails, the park offers bike rentals, lessons, and community events, making it a hub for outdoor adventure in the Birmingham area.
4. Discover a local book nook
If you’re new to Birmingham and a book lover, finding your new go-to bookstore is probably high on your to-do list. Each bookstore has its own character, but Thank You Books is a must-visit. This charming, woman-owned bookstore offers a warm and inviting atmosphere with a diverse selection of new books for every type of reader. From bestsellers, independent press titles, and translated works to poetry, cookbooks, and everything in between, Thank You Books invites visitors and locals alike to spend a cozy afternoon lost amongst their bookshelves.
5. Unwind with wine
Whether you’re up for a relaxed evening sipping unique wines with wood-fired pizza or exploring a trendy wine bar and enjoying delicious small plates and cozy vibe, Birmingham’s wine scene has something for everyone.
Cheers with pizza
Relax with an evening at Red Or White Wine, where you can sip on unique wines and enjoy delicious, freshly-made pizza. Whether you’re catching up with friends or savoring a laid-back date night, the blend of fine wine and woodfired pizza makes for a delightful experience that’s hard to beat. Feeling like taking the wine to go? They’re happy to have a large selection of wines featuring small-production, family-owned producers from all over the world.
Be wooed at a wine bar
If you’re moving to Birmingham, AL, you’ll find downtown is rapidly becoming a hotspot in the food and beverage scene. In this prime location, Aviné Wine Bar is best known for their great cocktails, small plates, and retail wine shop. Between their quiche Lorraine and rosemary poppin’ corn, there’s always something intriguing and enjoyable to discover at Aviné.
Enjoy live music
Cat-n-Bird Winery offers a selection of varietals sourced from vineyards around the world, all meticulously handcrafted on-site. Every Saturday, the winery comes alive with live music, food trucks, and the popular wine slushies that are a must-try. Enjoy a vibrant atmosphere where you can sip on unique wines, savor delicious street food, and soak up the lively tunes.
Explore new flavors
Visiting The Vintage Wine Shoppe for a wine tasting is a delightful experience that immerses you in a world of fine wines. Here, you can sample a curated selection of exquisite wines, each chosen to highlight unique flavors and characteristics. Whether you’re a seasoned wine lover or new to the scene, The Vintage Wine Shoppe provides a refined yet welcoming setting for an unforgettable tasting experience.
6. Work off the wine
After a night of indulgence, hitting the gym or joining a fitness class can be the perfect way to reset. Many fitness studios and workout classes offer fun and engaging ways to work up a sweat while boosting your mood and energy levels.
Twirl into pole fitness
Taking a pole fitness class at Studio Steel is an exhilarating experience that combines strength, flexibility, and creativity. The classes cater to all skill levels, so whether you’re a beginner or an advanced student, you’ll find a challenge that fits your abilities. By the end of each session, you’ll not only have gained confidence but also developed a new appreciation for the artistry and athleticism of the sport. Twirl your way into pole fitness and enjoy working off that night of wine while having a blast.
Get your groove on
If you love to laugh, dance, and have a great time, Jamme’s Crunk Fitness is the Birmingham stop for you. Forget a gym membership—the classes at Jamme’s are so fun that you won’t even notice you’re working off that delicious Southern cooking. Plus, it’s a unique experience in Birmingham that offers a fresh and energetic twist on fitness.
7. Take in live music thrills
If you’re a big music fan, Birmingham, AL will be a great place to call home with its lively music scene. From soulful blues to energetic rock, the city offers an unforgettable experience for every type of music lover. No matter if you’re a local or a visitor, the electric ambiance and diverse sounds of Birmingham promise an evening full of excitement and rhythm.
Find a new favorite band
Enjoying live music is a unique experience that brings music to life with an infectious energy that recordings often can’t capture. To catch an unforgettable evening of electrifying music, Tom Little, Editor at Magic City Bands, has the ideal spots for you.
“Live music is one of Birmingham’s specialties,” shares Little. “You can find great shows all over town, from fresh indie artists at Saturn to huge touring acts at the BJCC or Oak Mountain Amphitheatre, plus a community of talented musicians performing at breweries, bars, and restaurants. They all provide the soundtrack of the city. If you want to participate, you can even jump in on one of the open mic nights occurring throughout the week.”
Immerse yourself in symphony sounds
The Alabama Symphony Orchestra has been an iconic part of Birmingham for over 100 years. You can count on a lineup of classical masterworks that will take your breath away and mesmerizing performances that sync the orchestra with iconic films.
The Alabama Symphony Orchestra hosts world-class soloists and guest artists who showcase their extraordinary talents to expose you to a diverse range of musical styles. Bring your loved ones along to create cherished memories filled with joy, laughter, and, of course, beautiful music. With breathtaking performances held at various concert halls, it’s the perfect way to explore the uniqueness of Birmingham and meet fellow music enthusiasts.
8. Experience ballet magic
Watching a ballet performance is one of the most unique things to do in Birmingham, AL because every show is a little different. Watching ballet is truly mesmerizing because it’s like seeing a beautiful story told through dance. The way dancers move so gracefully and with such precision, combined with the stunning choreography and music, creates an experience that’s both captivating and emotional. There’s something magical about watching them express deep feelings and stories through their bodies—it’s an art form that draws you in and leaves you feeling like you’ve witnessed something truly special.
Find yourself awestruck by the elegance with a trip to The Alabama Ballet, the state’s premiere professional ballet company. Whether you’re a seasoned ballet enthusiast eager to see The Nutcracker or just looking to enjoy a beautiful dance performance, The Alabama Ballet is the perfect choice.
9. Create art with printmaking
PaperWorkers Local is a nonprofit printmaking studio dedicated to fostering creativity through non-toxic printmaking practices. The studio offers a welcoming community workspace with memberships and monthly workshops led by professional artists. Located in Birmingham’s vibrant Lakeview district, it’s just steps away from popular restaurants and bars. Don’t miss the opportunity to explore and embrace your artistic side, and let your creativity flourish in ways you might never have imagined.
10. Cook up culinary skills
Taking a cooking class at Cooking With Culture is a fantastic way to immerse yourself in the unique culinary traditions of Birmingham. Each class offers hands-on experience with authentic recipes and techniques from around the world, guided by passionate instructors.
It’s not just about learning to make authentic Italian dishes like fresh pasta and tiramisu; it’s a deep dive into the rich history and culture that shape these recipes. The classes provide a unique experience that’s both educational and delicious—perfect for anyone looking to truly connect with the city’s diverse culinary scene.
11. Uncover music history treasures
Make sure to check out the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame, located at the historic Carver Theatre. Established in 1978, this vibrant nonprofit celebrates the legacy of Alabama’s jazz legends. As you explore its captivating exhibits, you’ll discover stories and artifacts that bring the rich history of jazz to life. The Hall of Fame also hosts a range of exciting events and concerts, offering an immersive experience that celebrates the artistry and heritage of jazz.
12. Swing into golf fun
Birmingham’s golf courses cater to all skill levels, providing a perfect opportunity to enjoy a day on the links amidst stunning Southern landscapes.
“Every new resident of Birmingham should consider creating a bucket list of nearby golf courses. There are numerous courses to choose from within a 75-mile range,” shares JW Farquhar at Golfholes, a golf course directory site. “However, the Robert Trent Jones Trails are the most popular three courses and are probably on the bucket list of most US golfers.”
Unique things to do in Birmingham, AL: Final thoughts
As you meander through the walkable neighborhoods of Birmingham, AL, you’ll discover a city brimming with distinctive experiences, hidden gems, and endless unique things to do. Whether you’re a local rediscovering your hometown or a visitor seeking something off the beaten path, The Magic City promises memorable moments at every turn. So, the next time you’re looking for an adventure, remember that Birmingham’s unique charm is just waiting to be explored.
Ensuring your home is safe and comfortable for your pet involves more than just providing food and water. A truly pet-friendly home requires thoughtful planning and adjustments to create an environment where your pet can thrive. Whether you are looking at homes for sale in Seattle, already renting an apartment in Boston, or moving to a rental house in Little Rock, here’s a comprehensive guide to pet-proofing your home, covering everything from furniture choices fit for your established dog to safety measures and grooming practices for your new kitten.
The basics: creating space for your pet
First and foremost, your pet needs a space to call their own. “To make your home more pet-friendly, it’s essential to create a safe and comfortable environment for your furry friend. Start by using pet-friendly furniture and flooring that can withstand wear and tear,” shared the team at Purrfect Grooming.
One tip for ensuring that your pet is comfortable is to designate specific areas for your pet in your home. Vânia Boto from 4EveryPet suggests that you “provide a comfortable and secure environment for your pet to relax in, such as a cozy bed, a place to hide when they feel insecure, fresh water, and safe toys. For cats, add scratching areas where they can have fun.” Regular maintenance of your pets’ areas will promote cleanliness and comfort.
Invest in flooring and furniture for a pet-friendly home
Choosing the right materials when furnishing and designing your home can have great benefits for maintaining its integrity when you have pets. “Invest in pet-friendly furniture and flooring that can withstand scratches and stains, such as leather or microfiber couches and tile or laminate floors,” suggests Michael Darville from Burns Court Veterinary Care.
Klarice from Georgia Carpet Industries provided great insights on the best flooring options for pet parents:
Choosing the right flooring can prevent unnecessary wear and tear and is a great solution to aid in creating a pet-friendly home.
Don’t overlook pet-safe decor
Caleb Kidwell, owner of Pet Care for the Palm Beaches, chimed in with some additional tips for pet-safe decor for your home: “Swap out low-hanging drapes for cordless blinds to prevent potential accidents, and consider installing scratch-resistant flooring and stain-resistant fabrics for furniture, which not only protect your home but also reduce the stress of constant cleaning.”
Outfitting your home with pet-safety in mind can be challenging, however Dr. Sarah Wooten suggests that you “Get down on all fours and view your home from your pet’s point of view – you will see the world from a different perspective that may allow you to see hazards that you would otherwise miss.” Furniture and floors aren’t the only things to keep in mind when making your home pet-friendly, be sure to take note of the above advice when renovating and decorating your home for your pets safety!
Welcome to NerdWallet’s Smart Money podcast, where we answer your real-world money questions. In this episode:
Learn how to financially prepare for the costs of pet emergencies with firsthand experiences from pet owners and experts.
How much does emergency pet care cost? How much should you budget for unexpected pet expenses? Hosts Sean Pyles and Ronita Choudhuri-Wade discuss the unpredictable nature of pet emergencies and the importance of financial readiness to help you understand how to effectively manage unexpected veterinary costs. They begin by sharing their personal experiences and discussing the emotional toll of pet emergencies, with tips and tricks on setting up a savings account for pet expenses, considering pet insurance, and understanding the wide range of potential costs involved in emergency care. Vivien, a pet owner from Jersey City, New Jersey, also shares her story of dealing with an unexpected pet emergency.
Then, Dr. Angela Beal, a veterinarian based in Columbus, Ohio, joins Ronita to discuss strategies for financially preparing for pet emergencies. They discuss tactics for setting up a dedicated pet emergency fund, the benefits of pet insurance, and practical steps for emotionally and financially managing unexpected veterinary expenses.
Check out this episode on your favorite podcast platform, including:
NerdWallet stories related to this episode:
Episode transcript
This transcript was generated from podcast audio by an AI tool.
Sean Pyles:
Pets are wonderful. Pets are lovely. Pets are simply the best. But pets can also chew on furniture. They don’t know not to wander into traffic. They eat things that they shouldn’t, and all that can land them somewhere nobody wants to be: the emergency room.
Dr. Angela Beal:
Pet owners could expect to pay a minimum of $2,000, probably more, for an emergency situation. I think setting aside maybe $50 to $100 per month in a savings account and letting that account grow would be a good idea.
Sean Pyles:
Welcome to NerdWallet’s Smart Money podcast. I’m Sean Pyles.
Ronita Choudhuri-Wade:
And I’m Ronita Choudhuri-Wade.
Sean Pyles:
And this is episode three of our nerdy deep dive into the cost of pets. And today, Ronita, we are not all sunshine and rainbows and puppies and kittens; it’s time to talk about what to do when the worst happens to our furry family members.
Ronita Choudhuri-Wade:
This is the thing nobody wants to imagine will happen: the accident, the poisoning, or the sudden turn of health, all the things that land you at the veterinary hospital where you’re at risk of making not only healthcare decisions but financial ones too.
Sean Pyles:
I feel fortunate that in all of my years of pet ownership, I haven’t had to deal with a trip to the emergency vet, at least not yet, and I’m knocking on wood as I’m talking.
Ronita Choudhuri-Wade:
Yeah, I can’t say I’m so lucky. We had to take Mo to one of those 24/7 emergency vets after he ate something. We still have no idea what it was, but he got violently ill. He kept puking, and there was blood, and it was like eight o’clock at night. It was all really scary.
But we took him there, and the vet gave him something for dehydration that he was experiencing and then meds to solve the stomach issue. The visit was about 30 minutes, and the total cost was $666.89. We had a deductible, and then pet insurance covered the rest. It’s one of those things that felt so random within a very normal week, but frankly, you should expect or at least prepare for, because pets are, if nothing else, unpredictable.
Sean Pyles:
They are. Sometimes you get happy tail wags. Sometimes you get a large puddle of puke.
Ronita Choudhuri-Wade:
I appreciate the visual, Sean.
Sean Pyles:
Hey, it is a favorite activity of many cats, Argus included. He has a weekly puke at this point, so that’s always a fun surprise whenever we find it. So for those who are wondering what it might cost to get emergency care for your beloved pets, well, it varies widely depending on the species, your location, and the type of emergency.
It’s really hard to generalize. But WebMD says for a large dog, it can be anywhere from 80 bucks for a simple blood test to $5,000 for emergency surgery. No doubt it’s possible to go well beyond that if it’s some sort of catastrophic emergency like getting hit by a car.
Ronita Choudhuri-Wade:
Yeah, it can be a whole lot of money, which sometimes doesn’t seem fair. You may call it a pet peeve.
Sean Pyles:
I see what you did there, Ronita. Yeah, when pets can cost as much as treating humans, well, I guess that’s why a lot of us consider them irreplaceable family members. And the costs keep going up too. The Bureau of Labor Statistics tracks what we spend on veterinary care, and the price of vet services in urban areas rose 6.4% from June of 2023 to June of this year.
Ronita Choudhuri-Wade:
And that’s some inflation right there.
Sean Pyles:
Certainly is. Earlier this year, USA Today released a report that found 91% of 1,000 dog owners they surveyed said they’d experienced some degree of financial stress in the past year related to the cost of pet care. Sixty-six percent of them said that they’ve cut back on personal spending because of that expense.
Ronita Choudhuri-Wade:
I know I would. So it really is so important to go through the worst-case scenario exercise for a reality check on how you would deal with that kind of unexpected situation. Could you afford it if your pet had a major emergency? How would you deal with it? Do you have a number in your head for what you’re willing to spend? All really critical questions when it comes to care for your furry and scaly family members.
Sean Pyles:
I appreciate the shout-out to Ozzie, the Gecko, who fortunately has not had any emergencies in has 22 years of straight chilling. All right, listeners, we want you to bark and meow at us with your stories about your pets and what it takes to keep them in kibble. What are you sacrificing in your budget to have an animal?
We want to hear any and all pet stories over the course of this series. So to share them, leave us a voicemail or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373. That’s 901-730-N-E-R-D. Or email a voice memo to [email protected]. And if you have audio of your pets, all the better. So Ronita, where do we start today?
Ronita Choudhuri-Wade:
Well, first we’re going to hear from Vivien Schweitzer, a journalist and pianist from Jersey City, New Jersey. She and her partner recently had firsthand experience with a pet emergency, and she’s sharing her story with us. Hey, Vivien, welcome to the Smart Money podcast.
Vivien Schweitzer:
Thank you. Great to be here.
Ronita Choudhuri-Wade:
Today we are talking about something that’s a little bit difficult. It’s pet emergencies, and I know that’s something that you’ve gone through.
Vivien Schweitzer:
So my husband and I had been talking about getting either a cat or a dog for a long time, and a friend of ours said to us, okay, so I have a feral cat who’s just had kittens. Are you serious about getting pets because if so, I have to give away some cats? And this was last summer, so 2023. So we adopted two adorable kittens who were then three months old and brought them home, and they’re called Idris and Deshani.
Ronita Choudhuri-Wade:
Why don’t you tell us what happened to Idris?
Vivien Schweitzer:
We were trying to get them spayed and neutered ASAP. After we did that, the place that we got them spayed and neutered said that Idris had a little hernia, and we needed to get that taken care of immediately. So it wasn’t an emergency in the sense of they’d swallowed a bottle of pills or poison or something like that, but it was something that we needed to fix.
Ronita Choudhuri-Wade:
How old was he again? Three months when this happened?
Vivien Schweitzer:
Yeah, I think about four months when this happened. So he was still pretty small.
Ronita Choudhuri-Wade:
Can you walk us through what happened next?
Vivien Schweitzer:
So we’d taken them to this amazing place called People For Animals Affordable Veterinary Care For All. And I’d found them in part because I’d called so many vets just to get a quote for the spay and neuter procedure, and no one could tell me how much it would cost or even give a ballpark figure, which I found really odd and surprising because it’s such a routine procedure.
It was surprisingly opaque, almost like the human healthcare system where you just cannot get a ballpark figure for a really basic procedure. So we found this amazing place, and the reason we didn’t take them back to this place is because although they were fantastic and so reasonably priced, because it’s so reasonably priced, there’s a long wait line. So at that point, we just decided to find a private vet that was closer.
Ronita Choudhuri-Wade:
Did he have any symptoms or was there anything going on like that, was he suffering at all, or was it something more preventative?
Vivien Schweitzer:
It was one of those, it’s kind of preventative, but you really need to do it so that the hernia doesn’t explode or something like that. So again, I think it wasn’t an emergency in the type of sense that you’re rushing them to the 24-hour vet because they’ve swallowed something. But it was more the not knowing what would happen if we didn’t. I think it was one of those you need to get this taken care of so nothing worse happens.
Ronita Choudhuri-Wade:
So then what happened next?
Vivien Schweitzer:
I called around a lot of places, and I was just trying to get a ballpark figure, which was really difficult. And then I found this new vet, women-run, and I liked that too. And they gave us a quote upfront with a minimum cost and the maximum cost, which I really appreciated, and they fit him right in. So we ended up taking him there.
Ronita Choudhuri-Wade:
And so what were those minimum and maximum costs you were given?
Vivien Schweitzer:
So the low estimate was $736, and the high estimate was $874, and they broke down the cost in between that as well.
Ronita Choudhuri-Wade:
Talk me through your emotions during this process, what you thought initially as you went through it and then at the end. And we’re guessing that Idris is fine now, right?
Vivien Schweitzer:
Happy to report, he’s totally fine. Well, I actually felt a little bit guilty at first because, as it turned out, if I had taken him to one of the private clinics, when they were doing the pre-op assessment, they probably would’ve seen that he’d had a hernia and then they could have done the hernia at the same time as they’d done the spay procedure.
But as it turned out, he had to go through the spay procedure and go under the anesthetic, and then three weeks later, he had to go under another anesthetic for the hernia operation. So I actually felt a little bit bad that I’d put him through essentially two surgeries within three weeks.
But I think a lot of the communication isn’t great, and these places tell you they need to do an assessment before the spay neuter, but it’s not really communicated why that is. And if someone had said to me we need to do an assessment first and then we’ll be able to tell you how much it is because, for example, it’s very common for kittens to have a hernia. And if that’s the case, we’ll do both.
All it seemed to me, as the person shopping around for a vet, was it was just very confusing and poorly communicated, but I figured that was better than riding it out to see what happened.
Ronita Choudhuri-Wade:
And hopefully, he doesn’t remember any of it now.
Vivien Schweitzer:
Hopefully not. No.
Ronita Choudhuri-Wade:
Since this is the Smart Money podcast, I did want to come back to the financials. So you paid between $700 and $850. How did you manage to cover the costs?
Vivien Schweitzer:
We put it on a credit card.
Ronita Choudhuri-Wade:
And did you have pet insurance? Is that anything you’ve ever considered?
Vivien Schweitzer:
We don’t have it at the moment, and our reasoning is that they’re still so young and that they don’t go outside. I think in a couple of years we’ll probably end up getting pet insurance just because it’s obviously more likely that they’re going to have some issues, but I also realize that in the meantime they could swallow something, so we might change our mind on that and get pet insurance.
Ronita Choudhuri-Wade:
How did you feel about putting it on a credit card? Was it just more of like, okay, this is convenient, let’s put it on there, or were you just thinking ahead of time pet costs are going to go on the card?
Vivien Schweitzer:
We actually just put a lot of stuff on the card anyway, we get points and what have you, and it’s such a fairly big chunk of change, so that tends to go on the credit card. And I think that was also the thing with the spay neuter. I think with two cats, it was going to be like $2,000 to get both of them if we hadn’t found the discount place.
Ronita Choudhuri-Wade:
Yeah. And so was there any other aftercare required? Did they need any medications, anything like that?
Vivien Schweitzer:
Fortunately, they didn’t. I think he just had a few pain meds, but nothing serious.
Ronita Choudhuri-Wade:
Have you made any changes to how you think about paying for pet expenses, emergency or not?
Vivien Schweitzer:
I’ll definitely still put stuff on a credit card, and I would definitely advise any friends who are considering getting pets also to just shop around for a vet who’s willing to be as upfront as possible with the costs, because I think some vets are, like this vet gave us a very detailed budget summary of minimum and maximum, and that made the process a lot less stressful because you’re not going to get hit with the equivalent of a human surprise billing thing.
Ronita Choudhuri-Wade:
Well, that’s wonderful and we’re so happy to hear Idris is perfectly fine now. I’m going to guess he’s a happy cat and not torturing his sister.
Vivien Schweitzer:
Yes, a very happy and very needy but happy cat.
Ronita Choudhuri-Wade:
Well, Vivien, thank you so much for joining us today and sharing a bit about your pets and your experience with paying for an unexpected expense.
Vivien Schweitzer:
Great. Well, thank you so much for having me.
Sean Pyles:
First off, I’m glad to hear that Vivien’s cats are doing okay. Her story really exemplifies how random pet emergency expenses can be. It does seem like they were smart about how they shopped around for their vet care, though. I’m hoping they were able to pay off that credit card balance quickly, ideally before they paid any interest on their debt, because we know how expensive credit card debt can be and how difficult it can be to get out of it once you’re in it.
Ronita Choudhuri-Wade:
Totally. What I thought was interesting, and something I think a lot of us can relate to, is this idea of looking for something slightly cheaper, but that in the end can actually end up costing more. And a lot of it is about knowing.
If she had known about the potential of a hernia issue, I’m sure Vivien would’ve known to go to a vet, but since they didn’t, the kitty had to have another surgery to remove the hernia in addition to the neutering when it all could have been done at once.
Sean Pyles:
Well, clearly, as we’ve already noted, it is just so, so important to at least think about what you would do if the worst happened and you needed to take your pet to the emergency vet. Even better, set aside some money or, as we’ve talked about in the last episode, consider pet insurance.
Ronita Choudhuri-Wade:
Yeah, I will tell you we were really glad to have it when Mo ended up at emergency care. So next, we’re going to hear from Dr. Angela Beal. She’s a veterinarian based in Columbus, Ohio, and has done a lot of writing about pet care and the veterinary industry. We’re going to hear her recommendations for preparing your finances for if and when you need to get emergency care for your furry family member.
Sean Pyles:
That’s coming up in a moment. Stay with us.
Ronita Choudhuri-Wade:
Dr. Beal, thanks so much for joining us today on the Smart Money podcast.
Dr. Angela Beal:
Thanks, Ronita. I’m happy to be here.
Ronita Choudhuri-Wade:
So we’re talking today about emergency pet care, those unexpected expenses that can come up regardless of how well you take care of your fur babies. In your opinion, why is it so crucial for pet owners to be prepared for unexpected veterinary expenses?
Dr. Angela Beal:
Studies have shown that unexpected expenses are a major stress for pet owners, and as little as actually a $250 bill that’s unexpected can result in really difficult decisions for pet owners. So if a pet owner is not financially prepared, they may not be able to choose the best care for their pet. They may have to opt for second, third, fourth-tier care and maybe just the basics. And in worst-case scenarios, a pet may need to be euthanized because the pet owner doesn’t have the funds for their care.
Ronita Choudhuri-Wade:
So Dr. Beal, why do you think it’s so hard to plan for these expenses, and why do you think many people put off putting savings aside or creating a plan?
Dr. Angela Beal:
I think if people have not experienced a pet emergency before, they may not realize how significant that event can be and how stressful it can be. Statistics show though that the majority of pets will experience some sort of emergency during their lifetime, and I think people probably don’t realize just how common pet emergencies are.
These types of things aren’t happy thoughts, so I think we tend to focus on the good things and the good times with our pets. So we may not necessarily want to think about disaster situations, although that kind of thinking and preparation really is important.
Ronita Choudhuri-Wade:
Can you share some common pet emergencies that can result in significant vet bills?
Dr. Angela Beal:
Sure. Toxicity is a big one. Pets like to get into all kinds of things. They may eat something that’s toxic. Certainly, hit-by-car accidents are quite common with both dogs and cats, broken bones and other sorts of trauma. Even a fight, two dogs fight, and you have significant injuries from that.
And then going over to the medical scene, those are traumatic situations, but over on the medical side of things, a lot of diseases, kidney disease, for example, are very silent and don’t cause a lot of clinical signs until it gets really bad, and then all of a sudden, you have a medical emergency on your hands. And at that point, the disease has progressed quite a bit, and treatment is going to be a significant expense.
Ronita Choudhuri-Wade:
If a pet parent doesn’t prepare, how much more difficult does that make the decisions around what care to say yes to?
Dr. Angela Beal:
I think it makes it very difficult. A pet owner who is prepared can focus on their pet and making sure they get the care they need. If a pet owner is not prepared, then their focus shifts to having to decide what diagnostics can I afford, what treatments can I afford? And it all becomes about the money. They’re focused on their pet as a secondary thought, unfortunately, although everyone would much rather be focusing on their pet.
Ronita Choudhuri-Wade:
In our previous episode, our guest talked about economic euthanasia, the idea that you have to let a pet go because you can’t afford to help it. You touched on this earlier as well. What are some practical tips for pet owners to start saving for potential emergency vet care so they don’t face that kind of decision?
Dr. Angela Beal:
I think ideally, the best-case scenario is that you have a pet savings account that you set up yourself. You budget a certain amount every month and put it into a savings account so that money is there and it’s ready if and when you need it. Other options include pet insurance, very similar to human health insurance. And so that can be a nice safety net for people.
And then another option that can even be combined with the other options is having a healthcare credit card. CareCredit is one that’s very popular in the veterinary world. This is a healthcare-specific credit card, and a lot of people will even pair it with pet health insurance. They can cover the initial bill, the credit card, and then be reimbursed by their pet insurance company and turn around and pay off that credit card bill quickly.
Ronita Choudhuri-Wade:
When you talked about the savings account, what would you suggest or what are your tips on how much to save? And we know that age, breed, of course, type of pet can make a difference, but what are your tips for how pet owners should research how much they should put aside?
Dr. Angela Beal:
I think a good place to start would be with actually the pet insurance company websites. A lot of these websites will list costs for certain types of pet emergencies, and that could give you an idea of how much a particular pet emergency would cost.
I would say just off the top of my head that with rising veterinary costs over the last several years, a pet owner could expect to pay a minimum of $2,000, probably more, for an emergency situation. So I think setting aside maybe $50 to $100 per month in a savings account and letting that account grow would be a good idea.
Ronita Choudhuri-Wade:
I know that when Mo ate something strange, again, what it is, we still do not know. I think that vet bill, just that one instance, was close to $1,000 straight away. He didn’t need very much as far as getting better or anything like that. They gave him something to pass through his system, and then he was fine, but it was just straight away a thousand bucks.
Dr. Angela Beal:
Right. And if you’re talking about a situation where a pet requires several days of hospitalization or intensive care, you can see how that bill would increase significantly.
Ronita Choudhuri-Wade:
Absolutely. What would be your advice on how pet owners can put the money aside? Would you suggest putting it in a separate account, like a separate savings account? Any other ways to structure it?
Dr. Angela Beal:
I would suggest that a pet owner has a separate savings account that is earmarked specifically for their pet’s emergency care. That way, the money doesn’t just get lumped in with everything else and potentially spent, and then it’s not there when you need it.
The other thing I would mention is that when we talk about an emergency savings account, I really would earmark that just for emergency situations. So routine veterinary care like vaccines and parasite prevention, things like that, should not come out of this fund. This fund should be specifically set aside for emergencies only.
Ronita Choudhuri-Wade:
Do you know of any financial assistance programs or organizations that can help pet owners with emergency vet bills?
Dr. Angela Beal:
There are a number of organizations that are set up to help pet owners with vet bills, especially emergencies. I will say most of them are fairly small and potentially connected with local shelters and things like that. Most of them require an application process, which can become really challenging and difficult.
If you’re a pet owner and you are in an emergency hospital with your pet right now and your pet needs care fairly quickly, it would be challenging to have to take time to go through that process. I don’t think a lot of them are probably the best option for pet owners. And again, most of them are small organizations and can only help a small number of pet owners.
Ronita Choudhuri-Wade:
What advice do you have for pet owners who are struggling to find room in their budget for emergency savings?
Dr. Angela Beal:
For those pet owners, I would say that whatever they can set aside is better than nothing. They could also consider an accident-only pet insurance policy, which are the cheapest pet insurance policies, and most companies provide them for around $20 per month or maybe a little more, but that’s pretty affordable for most people.
And that type of policy does not typically increase in price with age. So policies that cover illnesses, the cost of those policies increases significantly as pets age and their likelihood of becoming ill increases. But the accident-only policies typically don’t increase with age.
The other one I mentioned, the healthcare credit card, is another option. Obviously, then you’re paying interest, which is not ideal, but it can be an option to help you deal with an emergency situation.
Ronita Choudhuri-Wade:
And while we have spoken a lot about the financial aspect of emergency situations, do you have any advice for how to deal with the emotional side of something happening suddenly and taking your pet to the vet and then dealing with bills?
Dr. Angela Beal:
Going along with what we’ve talked about, I think again, being financially prepared can take a huge burden off of pet owners. When the pet owner is stuck thinking about how on earth they’re going to pay for this emergency care, that’s incredibly stressful on top of the stress of worrying about your pet and how they’re going to handle the emergency.
So if you can take away that piece, if you can be financially prepared and not have the stress of worrying about how you’re going to pay for that, I think that would help pet owners tremendously.
Ronita Choudhuri-Wade:
Any final thoughts for our listeners on how they can prepare both emotionally and financially for the possibility of their pet needing emergency care?
Dr. Angela Beal:
I think proactively providing excellent care throughout your pet’s life. I realize we’re talking about if we have an emergency, but trying to prevent emergencies before they happen, of course, is always better. So just keeping on top of your pet’s care, making sure they see their vet annually, at least, for checkups and wellness care like vaccines and parasite preventives that can help them avoid emergency situations, is certainly the best situation.
And then on top of that, I think having a good support system in place and maybe even a plan, and no one wants to think about what will I do in an emergency, but just having a plan in mind about how you will take care of that emergency if it happens, know where your local emergency hospital is and know their phone number and how to get your pet there if an emergency arises, so you are not scrambling in those moments any more than would be expected.
Ronita Choudhuri-Wade:
Dr. Beal, thanks so much for joining us today on Smart Money podcast. This is incredibly helpful.
Dr. Angela Beal:
Thank you for having me.
Ronita Choudhuri-Wade:
You know, Sean, I took away a lot of advice from talking to Dr. Beal, and it got me thinking about how important it is to know your options and resources, especially before Mo randomly starts puking on the floor.
Sean Pyles:
Ronita Choudhuri-Wade:
I remember we were frantically Googling that evening, and if we had known where the emergency vet was beforehand, we could have saved time and maybe even had more of a choice of where we could take him, on top of knowing how to exactly pay for the upcoming bill.
Sean Pyles:
Yeah. If listeners take away just one thing from this episode, it should be Dr. Beal’s point about just having some plan, any kind of plan, for a pet emergency. Even setting aside $10 a week into a high yield savings account would put you in a better place than burying your head in your cozy companion’s fur and ignoring the possibility of a crisis. And as Vivien’s story makes clear, this is important no matter the age of your pet.
Ronita Choudhuri-Wade:
So Sean, we’ve spent this episode talking about something that, as we said earlier, nobody really wants to think or talk about, which is their pet having some sort of emergency, but there’s another aspect of pet ownership that is even more difficult.
Sean Pyles:
Yeah, I think I know where you’re going with this. End-of-life issues for our pets are incredibly emotional and hard to deal with, and they can involve a lot of discussions about money. What are we willing to spend to extend their lives even just one more day?
Ronita Choudhuri-Wade:
Honestly, it’s something I don’t even want to think about. Mo is my best friend, and he’s with me here all day. How do you put a price on the life of a pet? That is just pure agony. I know it’s coming one day; I just don’t even want to think about it.
In our next and final episode, we are going to talk about those decisions, how we make them, how we afford them, and how to know what’s best for our animals. And I’ll hope not to cry.
Dr. Fiona McCord:
So what I want and what I want a client to see is that they have a pet who experiences the best possible quality of life for as long as possible. But when that quality falls lower, then we make the right decisions to make sure they get to leave this earth in the arms of their owner or eating a cheeseburger.
Sean Pyles:
For now, that’s all we have for this episode. Do you have a money question of your own? Turn to the Nerds and call or text us your questions at 901-730-6373. That’s 901-730-N-E-R-D. You can also email us at [email protected]. And remember, you can follow the show on your favorite podcast app, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and iHeartRadio to automatically download new episodes.
Ronita Choudhuri-Wade:
This episode was produced by Tess Vigeland. Sean helped with editing. Kim Lowe helped with fact-checking, and a big thank you to NerdWallet’s editors for all their help.
Sean Pyles:
Here’s our brief disclaimer. We are not financial or investment advisors. This nerdy info is provided for general educational and entertainment purposes and may not apply to your specific circumstances.
Ronita Choudhuri-Wade:
And with that said, until next time, turn to the Nerds.
I got active on Twitter over the past year and change and to my surprise (not sure why it’s surprising really), encountered lots of housing bears on the platform.
Many were/still are convinced that the next housing crash is right around the corner.
The reasons vary, whether it’s an Airbnbust, a high share of investor purchases, high mortgage rates, a lack of affordability, low home sales volume, rising inventory, etc. etc.
And the reasons seem to change as each year goes on, all without a housing crash…
So, now that we’re halfway through 2024, the obvious next question is will the housing market crash in 2025? Next year’s got to be the year, right?
But First, What Is a Housing Crash?
The phrase “housing crash” is a subjective one, with no real clear definition agreed to by all.
For some, it’s 2008 all over again. Cascading home price declines nationwide, millions of mortgage defaults, short sales, foreclosures, and so on.
For others, it might just be a sizable decline in home prices. But how much? And where?
Are we talking about national home prices or regional prices? A certain metro, state, or the nation at large?
Personally, I don’t think it’s a crash simply because home prices go down. Though it is a pretty uncommon occurrence to see nominal (non-inflation adjusted) prices fall.
Over the past few years, we’ve already experienced so-called home price corrections, where prices fell by 10%.
In 2022, we were apparently in a housing correction, defined as a drop in price of 10% or more, but not more than 20%.
Ostensibly, this means a drop of 20%+ is something much worse, perhaps a true housing crash.
But you have to look at the associated damage. If home prices fall 20% and there aren’t many distressed sales, is it still a crash?
Some might argue that there’s simply no other outcome if prices fall that much. And maybe they’d be right. The point is a crash needs to have major consequences.
If Homeowner Joe sells his home for $500,000 instead of $600,000, it’s not necessarily a disaster if he bought it for $300,000 a few years earlier.
He’s not happy about it, obviously, but it’s not a problem if he can still sell via traditional channels and even bank a tidy profit.
Of course, this means others who had to sell wouldn’t be so lucky, since their purchase price would likely be higher.
Still, this hinges on a major decline in prices, which historically is uncommon outside of the Global Financial Crisis (GFC).
Stop Comparing Now to 2008
One thing I see a lot is housing bears comparing today to 2008. It seems to be the go-to move in the doomer playbook.
I get it, it’s the most recent example and thus feels the most relevant. But if you weren’t there, and didn’t live it, you simply can’t understand it.
And if you weren’t, it’s hard to distinguish that time from now. But if you were, it’s clear as day.
There are myriad differences, even though they’re quick to mock those who say “this time is different.”
I could go on all day about it, but it’s best to focus on some main points.
At the moment, housing affordability is poor thanks to a combination of high home prices and equally high mortgage rates, as seen in the chart above from ICE.
Despite a big rise in prices over the past decade, the high mortgage rates have done little to slow down the party.
Yes, the rate of home price appreciation has slowed, but given the fact that mortgage rates rose from sub-3% to 8% in less than two years, you’d expect a lot worse.
It’s just that there’s really no correlation between home prices and mortgage rates. They can go up together, down together, or move in opposite directions.
Now, proponents of a housing crash often point to buying conditions right now. It’s a horrible time to buy a house from a payment-to-income perspective. I don’t necessarily disagree (it’s very expensive).
But that completely ignores the existing homeowner pool. And by doing so, it’s a totally different thesis.
You can say it’s a bad time to buy but that the average homeowner is in great shape. These statements can coexist, even though everyone wants you to take one side or the other.
Look at the Entire Homeowner Universe
To put this perspective, consider the many millions of existing homeowners coupled with prospective home buyers.
Your average homeowner today has a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage set somewhere between 2-4%.
In addition, most purchased their properties prior to 2022, when home prices were a lot lower.
So your typical homeowner has a rock-bottom interest rate and a relatively small loan amount, collectively a very attractive monthly payment.
To make matters even better for the foundation of the housing market, which is existing homeowners, most have very low loan-to-value ratios (LTVs).
They’ve also got boring old 30-year fixed-rate loans, not option ARMs or some other crazy loan program that wasn’t sustainable, as we found out quickly in 2008.
These homeowners also haven’t tapped their equity nearly as much as homeowners did in the early 2000s, despite home equity being at record high levels (see above).
This is partially because banks and mortgage lenders are a lot stricter today. And partially because of mortgage rate lock-in. They don’t want to give up their low mortgage rate.
In other words, the low mortgage rate not only makes their payment cheap, it also deters taking on more debt! And more of each payment pays down principal. So these loans (and their borrowers) become less and less risky.
Some have turned to home equity loans and HELOCs, but again, these loans are much more restrictive, typically maxing out at 80% combined loan-to-value (CLTV).
In 2006, your typical homeowner did a cash-out refinance to 100% CLTV (no equity left!) while new home buyers were coming in with zero down payment as home prices hit record highs.
Take a moment to think about that. If that’s not bad enough, consider the mortgage underwriting at that time. Stated income, no doc, you name it.
So you had virtually all homeowners fully levered along with a complete lack of sound underwriting.
Slumping Home Sales in the Face of Poor Affordability Is Actually Healthy
That brings us to home sales, which have slumped since the high mortgage rates took hold. This is normal because reduced affordability leads to fewer transactions.
The worry is when this happens supply could outpace demand, resulting in home price declines.
Instead, we’ve seen low demand meet low supply in most metros, resulting in rising home prices, albeit at a slower clip.
While housing bears might argue that falling volume signals a crash, it’s really just evidence that it’s hard to afford a home today.
And the same shenanigans seen in the early 2000s to stretch into a home you can’t afford don’t fly anymore. You actually need to be properly qualified for a mortgage in 2024!
If lenders had the same risk tolerance they had back in 2006, the home sales would keep flowing in spite of 7-8% mortgage rates. And prices would move ever higher.
That spike in home sales in the early 2000s, seen in the chart above from Trading Economics, shouldn’t have happened. Fortunately, it’s not happening now.
At the same time, existing homeowners would be pulling cash out in droves, adding even more risk to an already risky housing market.
Instead, sales have slowed and prices have moderated in many markets. Meanwhile, existing owners are sitting tight and paying down their boring 30-year fixed mortgages.
And with any luck, we’ll see more balance between buyers and sellers in the housing market in 2025 and beyond.
More for-sale inventory at prices people can afford, without a crash due to toxic financing like what we saw in the prior cycle.
Before creating this site, I worked as an account executive for a wholesale mortgage lender in Los Angeles. My hands-on experience in the early 2000s inspired me to begin writing about mortgages 18 years ago to help prospective (and existing) home buyers better navigate the home loan process. Follow me on Twitter for hot takes.
IMARC Group has recently released a new research study titled “In Vitro Diagnostics Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2024-2032”, offers a detailed analysis of the market drivers, segmentation, growth opportunities, trends, and competitive landscape to understand the current and future market scenarios.
The global home decor market size reached US$ 749.0 Billion in 2023. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach US$ 1,087.5 Billion by 2032, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 4.1% during 2024-2032. The market is experiencing stable growth driven by the increasing focus on health and wellness, rising preferences for personalized and aesthetically pleasing interior designs, and integration of smart technology in decor products to provide enhanced experiences to individuals.
Global Home Decor Market Trends:
The rising influence of current fashion and design trends in home decor is positively impacting the market growth. Along with this, the burgeoning integration of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) in the shopping process to enhance the shopping experience by allowing consumers to visualize products in their own spaces before purchase is acting as a growth-inducing factor. Apart from this, the increasing awareness of wellness, boosting the use of biophilic design principles that integrate natural elements into indoor spaces to enhance mental and emotional well-being, is creating a positive outlook for the market growth.
Request to Get the Sample Report: https://www.imarcgroup.com/home-decorative-materials-market/requestsample
Factors Affecting the Growth of the Home Decor Industry:
Changing Consumer Lifestyle and Preferences:
The changing consumer lifestyle as societal norms, economic conditions, and cultural shifts evolve, is one of the major factors boosting the market growth. Moreover, the rising adoption of remote work and flexible schedules, leading to increased demand for home office setups and ergonomic furniture is acting as a growth-inducing factor. Additionally, the growing preference for functional and aesthetically pleasing decor solutions that complement the home workspaces is fueling the market growth. Furthermore, the rising urbanization and compact living spaces, boosting the demand for multifunctional and space-saving furniture and decor, is contributing to the market growth.
Rapid Technological Advancements:
The rapid technological advancements and innovation that drive continuous evolution, thereby influencing product design, manufacturing processes, distribution channels, and consumer experiences, is enhancing the market growth. in line with this, the burgeoning integration of the Internet of Things (IoT) devices and smart home systems that revolutionize the way consumers interact with their living spaces, is propelling the market growth. Smart lighting systems, automated window treatments, and voice-controlled assistants enhance convenience and functionality while contributing to energy efficiency and environmental sustainability. Furthermore, the rising advancements in manufacturing technologies such as three-dimensional (3D) printing and automated production processes that enable greater design flexibility and customization in home decor products, is catalyzing the market growth.
Growing Focus on Environmental Sustainability and Ethical Consumerism:
The increasing awareness of environmental issues, coupled with a growing preference for ethically sourced and sustainable products, is positively impacting the market growth. in line with this, the heightened mindfulness among consumers of the environmental impact of their purchases, prompting them to seek home decor products made from renewable resources, recycled materials, and non-toxic substances, is acting as a growth-inducing factor. Moreover, the rising adoption of ethical sourcing and fair-trade practices as these have become important considerations for consumers when choosing home decor items, is promoting the market growth. Furthermore, the rising preference among consumers who are looking for home decor items that are durable, repairable, and recyclable at the end of their use, is providing a thrust to the market growth.
Key Companies:
Ashley Furniture Industries Inc. Duresta Upholstery Ltd. Forbo Holding AG Hanssem Co. Ltd. Herman Miller Inc. Inter IKEA Systems B.V. Kimball International Inc. (HNI Corporation) Koninklijke Philips N.V. Mannington Mills Inc. Mohawk Industries Inc. Samson Holding Ltd. Shaw Industries Group Inc. (Berkshire Hathaway Inc.) Sophia Home Springs Window Fashions Suofeiya Home Collection Co. Ltd.
Home Decor Market Report Segmentation:
By Product Type:
Home Furniture Home Textiles Flooring Wall Decor Lighting Others
Home furniture represents the largest segment by product type due to the increasing demand for functional and stylish furniture pieces that cater to diverse consumer preferences and lifestyles.
By Distribution Channel:
Home Decor Stores Supermarkets and Hypermarkets Online Store Gift Shops Others
Home decor stores account for the majority of the market share because they offer a wide range of curated decor items, personalized shopping experiences, and expert advice.
Regional Insights:
North America Europe Asia Pacific Middle East and Africa Latin America
North America leads the market owing to factors such as high disposable income levels, a strong housing market, and a culture that values interior design and home improvement.
Speak to An Analyst: https://www.imarcgroup.com/request?type=report&id=1122&flag=C
Key Highlights of the Report:
Market Performance (2018-2023) Market Outlook (2024-2032) Market Trends Market Drivers and Success Factors Impact of COVID-19 Value Chain Analysis Comprehensive mapping of the competitive landscape
If you need specific information that is not currently within the scope of the report, we will provide it to you as a part of the customization.
IMARC Group is a leading market research company that offers management strategy and market research worldwide. We partner with clients in all sectors and regions to identify their highest-value opportunities, address their most critical challenges, and transform their businesses.
IMARC’s information products include major market, scientific, economic and technological developments for business leaders in pharmaceutical, industrial, and high technology organizations. Market forecasts and industry analysis for biotechnology, advanced materials, pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, travel and tourism, nanotechnology and novel processing methods are at the top of the company’s expertise.
Each week, Alexa is rounding up the buzziest fashion drops, hotel openings, restaurant debuts and celeb-studded cultural happenings in NYC.
It’s our curated guide to the very best things to see, shop, taste and experience around the city.
What’s making our luxury list this week?
A celebrity favorite home furnishings shop opens a New York outpost, Lele Sadoughi gets inspired by art and a beloved British brand crosses the pond.
Art meets accessories with designer Lele Sadoughi’s recently unveiled collaboration with The Metropolitan Museum of Art, inspired by six of the museum’s best-loved artists. Caitlyn Gaurano
Over the years, accessories designer Lele Sadoughi has partnered with SJP by Sarah Jessica Parker, J.Crew and Swarovski.
But she says she’s “always done a lot of painting, drawing and collage work,” so her latest collab — with The Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC — seems spot-on.
Sadoughi chose six artists from the Met’s collection — Paul Cézanne, Edgar Degas, Gustav Klimt, Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Vincent Van Gogh — and “interpreted masterpieces into wearable, three-dimensional art.”
The new collection (which launched yesterday) includes almost three dozen pieces, ranging from the designer’s iconic headbands and hair accessories to earrings, belts and bags.
From $55 at Lele Sadoughi and The Met Store.
Me And Em
Italian watchmaker Panerai is introducing the new Luminor Dieci Giorni timepiece — just in time for Father’s Day. Courtesy of Panerai
Giovanni Panerai opened his first shop and watchmaking school in Florence, Italy, in 1860.
In the ensuing years, the company supplied the Italian Royal Navy with various instruments, including diving watches, which debuted in the 1930s and ’40s. Luminor, the brand’s first watch for the “civilian market,” was introduced in 1993.
Many of Panerai’s styles, including this new Luminor Dieci Giorni, have not veered far from the originals. But there have, of course, been technological improvements, innovations and evolutions, following the whims of fashion.
This latest edition — released in time for Father’s Day and water resistant to 100 meters — has a 10-day power reserve, noted in Italian as “10 Giorni.”
It also boasts a very on-trend navy blue face and alligator leather strap. Snap it up.
Luminor Dieci Giorni watch, $15,200 at Panerai
Seven days a week, Sundays offers luxury nail treatments using non-toxic products. Courtesy of Sundays
After a bit of a hibernation, Sundays has finally reopened in Hudson Yards, in a much easier to find space on the third floor, next to Pandora (as opposed to a random corner near restrooms).
Not familiar?
Billed as a “non-toxic nail studio,” Sundays offers manis and pedis using products that are vegan and cruelty free in a space that seems designed for relaxation.
The new Hudson Yards studio includes a treatment room (the company is developing a menu of specialized body and face treatments) and offers a new Red Light manicure, which adds 10 minutes of “soothing light therapy” to drying time.
20 Hudson Yards, 500 W. 33rd St.; Dear Sundays
Beloved L.A. export Nickey Kehoe has brought its gorgeous furniture, designs and vintage curations to a new NYC location. Courtesy of Nickey Kehoe
For many lovers of design, no trip to Los Angeles would be complete without a stop at Nickey Kehoe.
The shop on Beverly Boulevard, in an area just east of The Grove, opened 16 years ago, following on the success of Todd Nickey and Amy Kehoe’s design firm (named to the AD100 last year).
Over the years it’s developed an extremely loyal following on both coasts, and earlier this month the company opened a New York City outpost, on two floors of a historic brownstone on the same street where Jackson Pollock once lived.
The location is apropos, as the duo behind the interior design firm (which celebratates its 20th anniversary this year) originally met in NYC in the ’90s.
Everything in the new space ascribes to their description “lovers of simplicity without fear of flair” in layers of vintage and new furniture, lighting, textiles and objects.
In the world of interior design, earthy colors have long been celebrated for their ability to create spaces that feel warm, grounded, and inviting. Inspired by the hues found in nature, such as rich browns, warm beiges, and lush greens, earthy color palettes can transform your home into a tranquil retreat. So whether you’re looking at homes for sale in Fort Worth, TX, already renting a home in Dallas, TX, or looking for your first apartment in Denver, CO, this guide explores various earth-tone décor ideas to help you infuse natural beauty into your living spaces.
Disclaimer: For those living in rental properties or apartments, please ensure that any significant changes to your living space are approved by your landlord and do not violate your lease agreement. Always check with your property management before making alterations to avoid any potential issues.
Understanding Earthy Colors
Earthy colors are derived from natural elements such as soil, stones, trees, and plants. These hues include:
Browns: From deep chocolate to light taupe, browns are versatile and can add depth and coziness.
Greens: Olive, sage, and moss greens bring a refreshing and calming presence.
Beiges and tans: Neutral and understated, these shades serve as perfect backdrops.
Terracotta and rust: These warm, reddish-brown hues evoke the essence of sunbaked clay and add a vibrant touch.
Grays: Soft grays mimic the look of stone and rock, providing a cool, balanced counterpoint to warmer tones.
“When working with color, the goal is always to find balance and harmony,” Kerry, personal color harmony expert with Indigo Tones, shares. “Earth tones tend to be muted and an overall harmonious look would be achieved in using them by avoiding pops of color and keeping the contrast low. It’s best to use soft or weathered textured fabrics mixed in the same color family and in a middle range between dark and light.”
Earthy color décor ideas around the home
Earthy décor ideas revolve around tones and textures that emulate the natural world, bringing a sense of the outdoors inside your home. “Look to the creatures or places that move you to inspire your design,” Lynne Niehaus recommends. “Ask yourself how it makes you feel.”
Using all five senses, analyze every color and detail then bring them into your space on a larger scale,” Niehaus shares. “Whether it’s the velvety smoothness of a petal of a favorite flower, the crisp contrast striping of a hawk’s tail, or the granular, purply-brown intrigue and sparkle of the wet sand as the water retreats to the sea; these sensory details replicate the harmony that nature provides.”
1. Embrace raw materials
“Introduce reclaimed wood furniture pieces to add character and history to your interiors,” Raihana Fardous with Interior Harbor recommends. “The imperfections and unique grains of reclaimed wood tell a story and connect your space to nature.” Complement these with chocolate-brown textiles and beige accents for a sophisticated and comforting look.
“Other raw materials like jute or sisal make for great rugs to ground the space, offering both texture and warmth. Pair these with woven baskets for storage, which add a touch of rustic charm and practicality,” Fardous continues.
2. Layer tones and textures.
“Earth tones don’t have to be boring and drab. The key to nailing a statement-making earth-tone look in your home design is introducing pops of color, texture, and nature,” Aisha Beau Johnson explains. “While camel, brown, or beige may be the base colors for furniture, you can capture the eye by including bold neutrals like terracotta, dusty pink, French blue, or Bordeaux to the other elements of the room. Knitted or waffle textured throws also add more warmth and contrast, while utilizing plants to bring in nature can add to the serenity of the space.” This layering effect adds visual interest and creates a harmonious, serene atmosphere.
Gracie Friedman seconds this sentiment, adding that earthy touches can create a standout space. “As a lover of neutrals in bright and airy spaces, I like layering and mixing in earthy decor to anchor the space. Adding natural wood elements, rustic vases, rich browns, greens, grays, and faux greenery such as olive tree branches or eucalyptus to space are simple ways to make a room feel earthy and organic. Keeping the “big stuff” (like furniture) more neutral allows you to easily swap different earthy elements like pillows, vases, and throw blankets.”
3. Add greenery
As Friedman mentioned above, incorporating green through accent pieces such as throw pillows, rugs, or artwork is a great way to work in earth-like tones and textures. Sage green armchairs, olive-hued vases, or potted plants can inject a sense of nature, making any room feel more alive and vibrant. Greenery not only adds color but also enhances the organic feel of the space.
If you don’t have much of a green thumb, lean into green shades. “If you, like me, can’t for the life of you maintain a houseplant for more than a few days, I suggest opting for earthy tones in your home to bring in some natural vibes,” shares Teresa Maria. “I’ve recently discovered kitchens with sage green used either on walls or the cupboards. Any shade of darker green is so pleasing to the eye and brings a sense of calm to any space.”
4. Introduce terracotta accents
Terracotta elements, such as tiles, pots, and décor items, bring warmth and a touch of rustic charm. Use them to add a Mediterranean flair to your home. Pair terracotta with wooden furniture and open shelving to display ceramics or decorative items, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere.
5. Feature natural stone or clay
A backsplash or an accent wall made from natural stone, like slate, limestone, or travertine, can become a focal point in your space. These materials add texture and depth, anchoring the room and creating a grounded, earthy feel.
Atulya K Bingham, author of Mud Ball, Dirt Witch and more, recommends utilizing clay. “Clay plastering interiors completely transforms the atmosphere of a dwelling, both literally and figuratively,” Bingham shares. “Using local mud to create gorgeous interior renders is my go-to method for bringing nature right into my home and onto my walls. The result is walls that are warmer to touch, softer to look at, completely non-toxic, and a talking point to boot.”
6. Use cozy textiles
Incorporate earthy colors through bedding and textiles. A duvet cover in a warm beige or soft taupe, paired with pillows and throws in complementary shades, creates a restful and inviting atmosphere. Choose natural fabrics like linen, cotton, and wool for added comfort and warmth.
7. Maintain an earth-inspired palette
Stepping away from a cool-toned palette is recommended by Jessica McBride with Plank & Tile. “When it comes to the widely popular “earthy” aesthetic, there are numerous ways in which one can embody the essence of the outdoors within their home,” McBride notes. “Stepping away from a cool-toned color palette, and instead, incorporating accents of greens, muted browns, and orange tones through plants, rugs, pillows, wallpaper, and art is a great place to start. Additionally, to further elevate this theme, we love the look of mixed textures like rugged leather, wood, and stone.”
“When choosing an earthy color palette for your interior space, draw inspiration from a favorite vacation destination or setting,” Rose Benedict with Rose Benedict Design suggests for those unsure where to start. “With this approach, your color choices will feel even more personal, and as a bonus, your vacation photos will blend in beautifully. For example, if you’re in love with the warmth of the desert, then an array of tans, clays, and terracotta accents would be perfect for you.”
8. Incorporate natural scents
Enhance the earthy atmosphere by adding natural scents through essential oils or diffusers with fragrances like eucalyptus, lavender, or cedarwood. These scents not only refresh your home but also create a calming and inviting environment.
Your earthy sanctuary awaits
By embracing earthy color décor, you can create a home that feels grounded, welcoming, and in harmony with the natural world. Whether you’re redecorating a single room or your entire home, these ideas will help you bring the beauty and serenity of nature indoors.
Victor Ciardelli beamed as his mortgage company, Chicago-based Guaranteed Rate, launched a “financial wellness” and “personal well-being” app last fall before a live audience in Times Square with wellness celebrity Deepak Chopra.
“Something we are passionate about at Guaranteed Rate is caring about people and their overall well-being,” Ciardelli said in a video of the event posted online. “We wanted to make sure that we did something to help people in their general stress and alleviate pain.”
But in the days following the launch of the app, which offers home loan applications and other financial services alongside yoga classes and nutrition advice, Ciardelli wasn’t happy. Yelling at executive leadership on company calls, he referred to his employees as “failures,” complained that the team did not show him from a particular camera angle and said “Marketing is a f−−−ing disaster,” according to two executives who were on the calls.
Despite Ciardelli’s public remarks on the importance of personal well-being, many former employees told the Tribune they experienced or witnessed persistent verbal abuse and a misogynistic environment while working at Guaranteed Rate. As part of a Tribune investigation, reporters interviewed nearly 80 former employees and reviewed court records, internal company emails, written exit interviews and text messages.
Many of the former staff members who spoke with the Tribune described Ciardelli, the company’s president, CEO and founder, as a boss who was quick to berate, swear at and demean employees.
“Every person that works directly under Mr. Ciardelli is terrified of his potential anger outbursts,” one former assistant wrote to human resources after she was let go from the company a couple of years ago, according to an email reviewed by the Tribune.
Some former employees who spoke with the Tribune said they were driven to seek mental health care because of the work environment at the company; one former worker said she contacted a suicide hotline last year.
Multiple women who used to work at Guaranteed Rate, meanwhile, described working in a sexualized atmosphere where some male loan officers and managers made sexually explicit remarks to female employees, hit on them in the office or at work events, and commented inappropriately on their appearance — even, in one case, encouraging a woman to use her looks to help close a loan.
In February, a woman who used to work as a loan officer at Guaranteed Rate filed a lawsuit against two high-producing loan officers at the company, alleging sexual harassment and gender discrimination. Her complaint alleges one of the male loan officers sexually harassed her at a corporate event, that the other loan officer pressured her not to report the incident to human resources, and that for the remainder of her employment the man who made the remark used “gender-based and demeaning slurs to refer to” her and other women at the company.
Other former employees said they did not bring their complaints to human resources because they thought Ciardelli or other executives and managers meddled in the department’s business and might retaliate, with at least two former employees saying they’d observed how company leaders protected certain staff members. Others said they did complain but felt the department didn’t take the information seriously.
In response to a detailed list of questions from the Tribune, Ciardelli and Guaranteed Rate vehemently denied all of these allegations, describing the company as a positive workplace environment where women in particular are supported. The firm went to remarkable lengths to dispute the allegations, including sending the results of a worker satisfaction survey it conducted and forwarding more than 80 testimonials from current and former employees. Among them were five of Ciardelli’s current or former assistants, as well as numerous male and female executives praising his leadership and support.
The company also retained an outside law firm that, even before receiving the reporters’ list of questions, threatened to sue the newspaper for defamation.
Guaranteed Rate, whose corporate headquarters is in Chicago’s North Center neighborhood, has grown tremendously since its founding in 2000 to become one of the largest mortgage lenders in the country based on loan volume, according to industry news and data provider Inside Mortgage Finance. Its name has adorned the White Sox stadium since 2016, and as recently as 2018, Guaranteed Rate was named a Chicago Tribune Top Workplace — a distinction based on surveys conducted by an outside company, with no input from editorial staff on the selection.
Guaranteed Rate CEO Victor Ciardelli prepares to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at a White Sox home game in August 2016. The ballpark would be renamed after his company later that year. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Jason Scott, a former top-producing loan officer and director of VA lending, which provides home loans to military veterans and active-duty service members, at Guaranteed Rate said his earlier years at the company — when lower mortgage rates fueled industry growth — were positive. But Ciardelli’s outbursts and verbal abuse of employees grew more noticeable, he said, when rising interest rates started to erode those gains, especially after the boom years of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I think crazy success just brings out who the real people are,” said Scott, who reported to Ciardelli in his director role and now works for CrossCountry Mortgage, a competitor of Guaranteed Rate. “What did you sacrifice to get there? Did you sacrifice your soul or your core values?”
Many other former employees who spoke with the Tribune did so on the condition they would not be named in this story, saying they feared Guaranteed Rate would sue them. Guaranteed Rate has filed lawsuits against former employees to claw back signing bonuses; it also has sued competitor New American Funding and former employees who have hired former Guaranteed Rate workers, accusing them of unlawful poaching.
Ciardelli declined to be interviewed without his attorney for this story. In response to written questions provided by the Tribune, he and the company suggested the criticism of Guaranteed Rate came from disgruntled employees who could not succeed in a demanding work environment within a challenging industry, or from people who now work for a competitor and therefore would benefit from disparaging the company.
“We hold ourselves and our team members to an incredibly high standard and are not apologetic about that,” Ciardelli said in his written responses, sent through the outside law firm retained to handle communications with the Tribune. “We also recognize … that to achieve great success, one must embrace a full ownership for their actions, both successful and otherwise to achieve growth and most important optimally serve our customers. We promote a transparent culture that supports all our team members toward that goal and welcome constructive criticism. As a result, we are not for everyone.”
Ciardelli specifically denied berating staff, yelling at executives after the app launch or ever calling employees “stupid” or “failures.” He quoted the company’s chief operating officer, Nik Athanasiou, as saying: “I have worked with Victor for 15 years. No one is in more meetings with him than me. I do not ever recall an instance where Victor was abusive toward another employee.”
Ciardelli also pointed to the company’s anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policies and said neither he nor any other executive interfered with human resources.
In response to questions from the Tribune about women’s complaints, including being subjected to sexually explicit comments and working in a “boys club” atmosphere, Ciardelli wrote that such allegations are “simply not true.” The company “has not, does not, and would not objectify women or put them in uncomfortable personal or professional situations,” he wrote.
Ciardelli also highlighted the large number of female loan officers working at the company, their professional success and the testimonials from female employees. When the Tribune asked to speak with four of those women, only one — Rola Gurrieri, the company’s New Jersey-based chief fulfillment officer — agreed to be interviewed without outside counsel or management present.
Regarding the lawsuit filed by former Guaranteed Rate loan officer Megan McDermott, the company told the Tribune it had “found no evidence supporting Ms. McDermott’s allegations of sexual harassment or gender discrimination” after conducting a “comprehensive investigation.”
Guaranteed Rate also sent a general statement detailing the company’s business philosophy, which includes a “fierce commitment to excellence.” Employees who do not “meet our core values or our quality standards” find it challenging to maintain job satisfaction at the company, it said.
“Many of these employees walk away not feeling good about the company which is a natural emotion when faced with a reality that their standards and the company standards are not aligned,” the statement said.
But many of the former employees who spoke with the Tribune described a cutthroat work culture they said could be frightening and upsetting, with several attributing that culture to Ciardelli’s laser focus on making money and growing Guaranteed Rate.
A sign is installed at the White Sox stadium in October 2016 to proclaim its new name: Guaranteed Rate Field. (Zbigniew Bzdak/Chicago Tribune)
The former assistant who emailed human resources asked not to be identified in this story, fearing it might jeopardize her current job or trigger retaliation from Ciardelli. In that email, the woman wrote that she was “constantly on edge and terrified to have an interaction with Mr. Ciardelli” and that she had “consoled each assistant on his team that endured the wrath of Mr. Ciardelli’s behavior.”
“I hope that my experience will open your eyes,” she wrote.
Flying too close to the sun
In an interview with the Tribune in 2014, Ciardelli made plain his ambition to grow the company.
“If you can’t handle it, you shouldn’t be here,” Ciardelli said. “Instead of feeling like, oh, we care about people’s feelings and all that, it’s all about results.”
In the same article, Ciardelli said he worked constructively with his employees when issues arose at work. “There’s no drama involved; there’s no yelling,” he said. “Let’s fix the issue and move on.”
But multiple former executives and employees told the Tribune Ciardelli regularly yelled at and verbally attacked executives and other employees in person and on company calls, sometimes in front of hundreds of people, with the calls following the app launch just one example.
Some former and current employees told the Tribune they tried to avoid Ciardelli because they were scared of his temper.
Scott, the former director of VA lending who worked at Guaranteed Rate from 2017 until he resigned in 2022, splitting his time between offices in Hawaii and Colorado, called Ciardelli a “bully.”
Scott told the Tribune that, during one call, Ciardelli took an executive “to the woodshed and just eviscerated him verbally,” saying things such as “I can’t believe you are this stupid.”
“(Victor) throws the grenade and then he leaves the room,” not giving people a chance to explain or talk through the issue, Scott said.
At the time of Ciardelli’s 2014 Tribune interview, Guaranteed Rate had 2,500 employees nationally, 1,050 of whom were based in Chicago, according to Tribune archives.
The company grew to employ 9,708 people nationwide at its peak in 2021, Guaranteed Rate told the Tribune in May. Part of the company’s growth stemmed from its acquisitions of other mortgage companies: Manhattan Mortgage and Superior Mortgage in 2012 and Stearns Lending in 2021.
Victor Ciardelli, shown in 2014 at Guaranteed Rate’s headquarters, told the Tribune that year that he had ambitious plans for the company and “if you can’t handle it, you shouldn’t be here.” (Abel Uribe/Chicago Tribune)
Guaranteed Rate also partners on mortgage services with some of the largest real estate companies in the country. Including the people working in those partnerships, Guaranteed Rate had 14,264 employees at its height in 2021.
Like other mortgage companies, Guaranteed Rate has suffered a significant decline in business over the last two years, stemming from mortgage rates that have more than doubled from their record lows during the pandemic.
As mortgage rates soared in 2022 and 2023, the firm implemented thousands of layoffs, with only 3,871 workers remaining as of April, or 5,756 among all its companies, excluding contractors, as of May, according to the company.
Yet Ciardelli’s volatile behavior predated the stressful times in the housing market, according to some people who worked for Guaranteed Rate. Many people who “fly too close to the sun” — a metaphor some employees used to describe working directly with Ciardelli — eventually leave, they said.
People who work in personal and executive assistant roles for Ciardelli rarely last long in their jobs, with many leaving after less than a year, former employees said. Some referred to Ciardelli’s assistant position as a “revolving door,” and the LinkedIn profiles of multiple former assistants show short stints with the company.
More than two dozen executives and senior loan officers have left the company over the last decade, with a significant exodus occurring in the past two years. Multiple former executives and loan officers — including Scott — told the Tribune they left because of Ciardelli’s verbal outbursts and what many described as a workplace where they felt bullying and misogyny were tolerated. Most now work for competitors.
Ciardelli and other executives sometimes would disparage people who left the company, according to Scott.
“I would be like ‘Guys, did anybody ever think about reaching out to them before they left and having an exit interview with them?’” Scott said. “You are talking about a person that was a top producer here that you loved them as long as they produced, and now that they leave, they are an enemy? … They are leaving for a reason.”
In Ciardelli’s written responses to Tribune questions, he said allegations of a toxic work environment or bullying on his part are “not aligned with Guaranteed Rate or my leadership.” He said neither he nor other executives have disparaged former employees when they left the company.
In response to a question about assistant turnover, Ciardelli wrote that he has worked closely with five “primary” assistants since 2000. “As is the case with any demanding support roles, there has been some turnover with secondary and tertiary assistants, but nothing that is abnormal or unexpected,” he wrote.
One testimonial sent to the Tribune was from Melissa Czaszwicz, who said she worked for Ciardelli as an executive assistant in the early 2000s. She wrote that she had a positive experience working closely with Ciardelli, who she said was especially supportive when she had children.
“Never did I witness anything inappropriate or out of line,” said Czaszwicz, who still works at Guaranteed Rate.
‘Mental health has suffered’
Some former employees who spoke with the Tribune said they were driven to seek mental health support during and after their time at the company because of the negative work environment they experienced at Guaranteed Rate.
Most of those who shared their experiences worked for an executive who has a close working relationship with Ciardelli. Former workers said this executive also verbally abused staff and was prone to volatile mood swings.
One told the Tribune she texted and called a suicide hotline last year while working at the company because of verbal abuse from the executive; she shared the texts she sent with the Tribune.
In her resignation email, sent to the executive and to the human resources department last year, she wrote: “My mental health has rapidly declined due to the way I have been treated and spoken to in the last couple of months.”
Another employee from the same team wrote in a 2019 resignation letter sent to the executive, human resources, Ciardelli and others that his “mental health has suffered.”
Founded in 2000, Guaranteed Rate grew to become one of the largest mortgage lenders in the country but has suffered a decline in business as mortgage rates have soared in the last two years. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
In the resignation email and in an interview with the Tribune, the former employee said his boss gave him the runaround when he asked for time off to attend his mother’s chemotherapy appointments and complained to other employees about his requests.
Other employees discouraged him from requesting leave directly from human resources, warning him he would be fired if he went around the executive, according to the email.
Alyssa Ortiz, another former employee, said working with this executive was like being in an “abusive” relationship, being yelled at one minute and being invited for drinks the next.
“Everyone has gotten … chewed out and left crying,” said Ortiz, who worked for Guaranteed Rate from 2017 to 2019.
Ortiz told the Tribune that human resources and Ciardelli had been notified of this executive’s verbal mistreatment of employees but did nothing. She and about a dozen other former employees told the Tribune they felt Ciardelli protected this executive because of their working relationship.
In a written exit interview from 2020, one employee from the same department described how the executive would discuss former employees’ exit interviews with current employees.
“This created a fear for us to go to HR for anything moving forward,” the employee wrote.
Ciardelli said the company was not aware of any incident in which an executive read former employees’ exit interviews aloud; he said Guaranteed Rate “would never support this practice.”
Dozens of employees have left the executive’s department since 2017, according to interviews with former workers and LinkedIn profiles. The executive has since been promoted, the executive’s LinkedIn profile and the company’s website show.
In 2018, the head of human resources at the time took away the HR representative working with the executive’s department because of “risks” the executive posed to the company, according to an email reviewed by the Tribune.
“I can’t in good conscience keep allowing (the executive) to drag other employee (sic) into … schemes,” the former HR head wrote. “And by schemes I mean risky bull−−−−.” The department would have no assigned human resources representative after that, according to the email.
In correspondence with the Tribune, Guaranteed Rate described the company as a positive workplace where abuse and harassment are not tolerated and where complaints to human resources are taken seriously.
“We are not perfect by any means, but we do work hard to listen to our employees and make sure they feel supported,” a company spokesperson wrote in an email to the Tribune in April. “Most of all, we have no tolerance for any form of bullying, harassment or mistreatment. It is not who we are or who we want to be.”
Some of the employee testimonials provided by Guaranteed Rate expressed similar sentiments. For example, Mohamed Tawy, a branch manager and senior loan officer who has been with Guaranteed Rate for three years, wrote that the culture at the company is the best he has experienced in his 15-year career.
In an interview with the Tribune, Tawy said: “As a top producer … and I’m also a minority myself, I haven’t felt anything or seen anything that makes this company in any way negative for anybody that’s different. … I’ve seen here all that matters is that you do a good job, your production is good and that you follow the protocols and the rules, and I’ve seen people succeed with that more than any company I’ve been with.”
The Guaranteed Rate spokesperson also shared the results of an employee experience survey conducted in February. According to the company, the average rating for the culture at Guaranteed Rate was 8.49 out of 10, with nearly 75% of 3,745 employees responding. Those ratings were based on employees’ stated level of comfort providing feedback and/or concerns, how much they felt supported by the company in maintaining a healthy work-life balance and their sense of Guaranteed Rate’s commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion.
The email from the spokesperson said the company received “a countless number of positive comments and appreciation for their leaders, teams and our overall culture.”
In response to Tribune questions, Guaranteed Rate said in May that the survey was anonymous and it was analyzed by its “employee experience team.” The company did not provide the Tribune with a complete set of responses from the survey, but it volunteered that employees used the word “toxic” to make a negative comment about Guaranteed Rate in only 14 of the more than 5,000 written responses provided to three open-ended survey questions.
‘Mortified and disgusted’
Megan McDermott, a single mother of three, met her supervisor at Guaranteed Rate, Jon Lamkin, in person for the first time at a corporate event in December 2015, according to the lawsuit she filed in February.
When Lamkin heard the age of her oldest child, the suit alleges, he said: “You should have known better than to let some guy’s d−−− c−−− inside you.”
According to her lawsuit, McDermott reported the comment to Joseph Moschella, a regional manager and senior loan officer at Guaranteed Rate who was responsible for McDermott’s region while she worked at the company. Moschella, the suit alleges, “pressured” her not to make a formal complaint of sexual harassment to human resources.
McDermott told the Tribune she was “mortified and disgusted” after Lamkin made the comment.
“The irony here is that Jon should have known better than to treat an employee the way he did rather than telling me I should have known better to become a single mother at 20 years old,” McDermott said, “which is vile. … He set the tone the first day I met him of the power Joe and Jon had over my career.”
Megan McDermott, shown in March in New Jersey, has filed a lawsuit alleging she was “subjected to a sexual and gender-based hostile work environment” at Guaranteed Rate and did not receive the same opportunities, treatment and pay as male loan officers. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
As McDermott went on to become a top-producing loan officer for Guaranteed Rate in New Jersey, her suit alleges Lamkin subjected her to abuse by “regularly screaming at her and using gender-based and demeaning slurs to refer to” her and other women at the company.
Her lawsuit alleges she was “subjected to a sexual and gender-based hostile work environment” by Guaranteed Rate, Lamkin and Moschella. Her suit also alleges McDermott did not receive the same opportunities, treatment and pay as male loan officers, which some other female loan officers told the Tribune reflected their own experiences as well.
McDermott did not lodge a complaint after Lamkin’s comment because she “believed she would be retaliated against” if she did so, the suit states. When she did report to HR around 2019 that Lamkin had engaged in “abusive behavior,” the department “failed to do anything to investigate or curtail Defendant Lamkin’s behavior,” the complaint alleges.
“Joe encouraged me not to go to HR because of the damage it would do to Jon’s career,” McDermott said. “Ultimately, all that they were worried about was Jon, his reputation and his career versus reporting inappropriate behavior.”
Guaranteed Rate told the Tribune in its May response that Lamkin’s comment was “nothing more than a single off-color joke,” that McDermott accepted an apology from Lamkin and that Moschella “encouraged” McDermott to contact human resources if she was “still upset.”
The company said it “could not find any record of Ms. McDermott making any form of complaint to the company’s human resources department in 2019, either verbally or in writing.”
McDermott told the Tribune she helped build Guaranteed Rate’s business in north Jersey from the ground up and said she loved the work until she found out she was not being treated equally as a woman.
“I believe management did not want to see me succeed, didn’t take me seriously and made decisions that negatively affected me and my children financially,” said McDermott, who now works for CrossCountry Mortgage, a competitor. “I ultimately left GR because I could no longer work in an environment where I was not valued and leadership felt that they could exploit me.”
Moschella and Lamkin are still employed at Guaranteed Rate. They did not respond to a Tribune request for comment. Guaranteed Rate told the Tribune in May that it had investigated McDermott’s allegations of sexual harassment and gender discrimination and found that “there is no evidence that Mr. Lamkin or anyone else at Guaranteed Rate ever created a hostile work environment for women.”
Guaranteed Rate also said in a statement that it complies with state and federal equal pay laws. The company said an “outside law firm” had reviewed its 2023 pay data and found it compliant with state equal pay laws.
In his written responses, Ciardelli highlighted the high percentage of female loan officers at the company in comparison to its competitors and said “our women originators thrive more than at any mortgage company in the industry.”
Employee statements provided through Guaranteed Rate’s attorneys included testimonials from dozens of women. Some noted the existence of the company’s employee resource group for women, GROW, while others cited the presence of women in leadership roles throughout the company.
“In addition to my professional growth I’ve experienced, I am equally grateful for the respect and dignity with which I have been treated as a woman in the workplace,” Jaime Kinman, a senior loan officer, said in her statement. “In an industry where gender biases still exist, I have never once felt marginalized or overlooked because of my gender.”
Gurrieri, the company’s chief fulfillment officer, said in an interview with the Tribune that she “never one time” experienced misogyny at the company.
“I got promoted when I’m six months pregnant,” she said. “That’s unheard of.”
Gurrieri, who has worked for Guaranteed Rate for more than six years, described Ciardelli’s leadership style as “extremely passionate.”
“There’s never been a day where I ever felt disrespected or not appreciated,” she said.
According to a former top executive who reported to Ciardelli for many years and a former human resources employee, a handful of loan officers at Guaranteed Rate were known sexual harassers, making women feel uncomfortable with inappropriate touching and unwanted advances in work settings.
But that behavior was rarely addressed, the former workers believed, because the men were friends with Ciardelli or were high-producing loan officers — each responsible for bringing in tens of millions of dollars in loan volume. Some of these loan officers still work at Guaranteed Rate.
Ciardelli called these allegations “simply not true” and said they were contradicted by the employee testimonials provided through the company’s attorney.
“They are also inconsistent with the recollections and experiences of multiple former HR professionals,” Ciardelli wrote.
A ‘sex-driven’ culture
In interviews with the Tribune, multiple former employees described a “boys club” atmosphere at Guaranteed Rate; Scott, the former director of VA lending, said there was “a lot of misogyny.”
Jessica Moreno, a former Chicago employee who started at Guaranteed Rate at age 23, said she was the first in her family to get a corporate job. Within a year of starting her job, she said, she was paying the mortgage on her family home.
But in her department, Moreno said she experienced a “sex-driven” culture.
“All the guys were just like, tongues on the floor,” said Moreno, who worked for the company for about four years starting in 2014. Her workplace was “like a men’s locker room, and women were in it,” she said.
Jessica Moreno, shown in April in Arizona, worked for Guaranteed Rate for about four years starting in 2014. She said male co-workers and managers hit on her and made comments on her appearance. It was “like a men’s locker room, and women were in it,” she said. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Male co-workers and managers would hit on her and make comments on her appearance, calling her pretty, Moreno said. Comments made at Christmas parties or happy hours could be crasser, she said.
“You’ll get, ‘Oh, I’ve always wanted to f−−− you,’” she said.
Moreno said she once overheard a male manager describe a woman who had interviewed for a job as a “fox.” Another time, she said, a manager invited a female massage therapist to the office; Moreno remembers male co-workers commenting on the therapist’s body, too.
Soon after she’d started at Guaranteed Rate, Moreno said, she met with HR to make a complaint about a manager who swore at and belittled her. The HR representative brushed off her concerns in that meeting, she said.
“After that, I felt so discouraged to never even speak up again,” Moreno said.
Moreno ended up leaving her position before taking a job working for a Guaranteed Rate loan officer; she said she was terminated after clashing with the loan officer’s assistant.
Some female former employees of Guaranteed Rate said they understood looks to be a currency within the company.
One former Chicago employee said a manager encouraged her to text a selfie to a client after hearing the client flirt with her over the phone and say he’d be inclined to speed up the loan process if he knew what she looked like.
The employee said she sent the selfie, and the manager then pushed her to go along with the client’s harassment until the loan closed, she said.
After receiving the photo, the client responded, “As pretty as you are I can’t believe some man hasn’t run off with you just howling away,” in a text reviewed by the Tribune. Later on, after sending her forms, the client texted her: “You said I would get another pic when I sent you the forms so?”
The employee said another manager in her division would frequently flirt with her and comment on her appearance. He once texted her to “stop losing weight damn it” and another time texted her that she “broke (his) concentration,” according to texts reviewed by the Tribune.
Another former Chicago employee remembered a manager telling her, while she was pregnant with her first child, “Whatever you do, don’t get a C-section — you’ll never wear a bikini again.” The employee went out on maternity leave days later. She said she did end up needing a C-section and remembers the manager’s comment echoing in her head as she was wheeled back for surgery. Two people the woman told about the incident at the time corroborated her account in interviews with the Tribune.
Several former employees in the marketing department, including two men, told the Tribune Ciardelli made comments about workers’ ages. One employee got Botox and fillers after Ciardelli told employees they were “too old” and likened the marketing department to his “grandmother’s mortgage company,” according to former marketing department employees.
In his written responses, Ciardelli said “Guaranteed Rate is committed to fostering an environment that promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. We maintain a comprehensive set of employment policies aimed at providing a work environment free of unlawful harassment and discrimination, where all employees treat one another with dignity and respect.”
Guaranteed Rate’s corporate headquarters is in Chicago’s North Center neighborhood in a building with a rooftop gathering space. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
A spokesperson said in the April 1 email sharing the employee survey results that the company had launched “even more initiatives to ensure we have a positive work environment,” including anti-harassment training, training for the human resources team “to take proper and appropriate steps and best practices for investigating and responding to employee complaints” and reminders to employees on how to report harassment or abuse.
“Our executive team has emphasized to Human Resources that all complaints should be investigated, and any form of harassment and misconduct should be dealt with swiftly – and all managers and employees who are not acting in accordance with our values be rooted out of our organization,” the spokesperson wrote.
In the company’s May responses, it said these initiatives were launched in 2023 and were to “expand and enhance” the existing training program.
All Guaranteed Rate employees must complete “harassment and discrimination prevention training” upon being hired and on an annual basis thereafter, according to the company’s May response. The company said Guaranteed Rate has an “anti-retaliation” policy that prohibits retaliation against employees who report alleged harassment or discrimination or participate in an investigation into the conduct. The company also noted it has an ethics hotline through which employees can make anonymous complaints.
“We respect and treat all employees equally no matter their sex, color, or creed,” Ciardelli wrote.
In the last 10 years, Guaranteed Rate has not settled any lawsuits involving claims of a hostile work environment, according to the company. Guaranteed Rate’s response stated that within that time frame, the company settled six claims involving allegations of a hostile work environment, including arbitration cases as well as claims filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and state and local agencies. The majority of those claims were brought by male employees, and one was resolved in Guaranteed Rate’s favor, the company said.
Guaranteed Rate employees are asked to sign mandatory arbitration agreements when they are hired, but sexual harassment claims and claims filed with the EEOC and similar state agencies are not subject to arbitration, according to Guaranteed Rate’s May responses.
‘Positive thinking’
Publicly, Ciardelli presents himself as a champion of a positive work environment — an image the company has encouraged employees to promote.
In an email sent in February by a company executive and obtained by the Tribune, employees were encouraged to share a Forbes article featuring Ciardelli; the email provided step-by-step instructions for posting it on social media.
The story, published Feb. 7, was titled “Guaranteed Rate Founder Is All In On ‘Positive Thinking’ This 2024” and described his leadership style as “Chicken Soup for the Mortgage Industry.”
“I communicate the power of positivity and gratitude to everybody around me: employees, friends, family members, everyone,” Ciardelli was quoted as saying.
Less than 24 hours after it went live, the article disappeared from the Forbes website. The site provided no explanation, but one former Guaranteed Rate employee told the Tribune former workers had written to the author about factual inaccuracies.
On Feb. 8, a Guaranteed Rate executive sent another email encouraging employees — again with step-by-step instructions — to delete any social media posts linking to the article.
“We are working with Forbes to resolve and will let you know when it will be reinstated,” the email said. “We apologize for the inconvenience, and we will send out a new link as soon as it’s available.”
The Forbes contributor declined to comment for this story. Forbes told the Tribune the article was taken down because it did not adhere to the company’s “editorial guidelines” and did not respond to further questions.
The article has yet to be republished, but Guaranteed Rate still wants people to read it. The company shared it in a PDF on its LinkedIn page.