For three years I’ve had a single goal directing my actions: I wanted to get out of debt. Now that my consumer debt is nearly gone, I’ve spent a lot of time wondering what to do next. I was worried that I’d lose focus, lose direction. That’s not going to be the case. I’ve set three major financial goals for 2008. After I pay off the last of my final loan next Tuesday, I intend to:
Max out my retirement plan for 2007 and 2008.
Pay taxes.
Bolster my savings.
These goals are ambitious, but I think I can achieve them. In fact, I hope to do even more.
Retirement I got a late start on my retirement savings. The box company has been setting aside a pension for me, but I only began my self-directed retirement savings last year. I managed to make the full contribution to my 2006 Roth IRA. I’ve contributed $2,000 so far this year, and intend to max out my plan by the middle of December. In 2008, the contribution limits on Roth IRAs increase to $5,000/year — I hope to invest this amount.
It wasn’t until I started writing Get Rich Slowly that I understood the value of saving for retirement. I’m now convinced that it’s the most important financial move a person can make. Even if you screw up every thing else, if you make regular retirement contributions, you’ll have a safety net at the end of your life.
Taxes Last spring, my accountant asked me how much I expected to make from Get Rich Slowly in 2007. “I don’t know,” I said. “Maybe $2000 a month.” It was a pipe dream, and I knew it. The site was only generating $1000 a month.
“Fine,” he said. “We’ll set up estimated tax payments. Every quarter you’ll mail $1790 to the IRS, and $320 to the Oregon Department of Revenue.” I figured that I’d be overpaying, which would mean I’d get a nice tax refund. To my surprise, however, I’ve earned twice as much as I had hoped. This is a nice problem to have, but it also means that I’ve badly underestimated my tax obligation. I need to come up with about $8,000 by April 15th!
Saving I’m a natural worrier. My upcoming transition to “professional blogger” gives me plenty of things to worry about. I’m making enough to support myself now, but what if my readership declines? What if I lose the muse? To cope with possible problems, I want to build an emergency fund — an enormous emergency fund.
In my dream world, I’d save $20,000 by next winter. Unless my readership doubles overnight, that’s not going to happen. I’ll keep that figure as an eventual target, but I’ll be happy to have saved $5,000 or $10,000 by the end of 2008.
Other goals These aren’t my only financial goals, of course. I still dream of buying a MINI Cooper — but I’m going to save for it. I also want to do some work on the house — paint the exterior, upgrade the electrical system — and to buy a Stickley chair. I’ll regularly set aside small sums of money for each of these things.
Goals are crucial. They facilitate smart choices. When you know that you’re saving for a down payment on a house, it becomes easier to forego a new pair of shoes or the Justin Timberlake concert. It’s amazing the creative ways you can find to save money when you want to buy a new car. And when you finally make the decision to get out of debt, it no longer seems a hardship to shop at thrift stores or to cook at home. You come to recognize these things as a means to an end.
As we approach the new year, set some financial goals. Set a short-term goal, a medium-term goal, and a long-term goal. Make your goals specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timed. If you do this, and if you keep these objectives in mind whenever you face a financial decision, I think you’ll meet with a level of success that will surprise you.
This kit comes with everything you need for your DIY project! It includes a 16 oz. can of paint, three wiping rags, a mixing container, plastic drop cloth, painter’s tape, stir stick, paint brush, and detailed instructions.
Promising review: “I highly recommend this brick paint to anyone wanting a cheap, easy, and amazing upgrade to an outdated fireplace! I googled a quick YouTube video first, then just followed the instruction. It was so easy & I’m in absolute love with the results!!!! It completely transformed & brightened our living room.” —Daniel N Mandy C
Sound the alarm. Alert the people! Apartment 34 dove head first into the realm of DIY this week!! This is a big deal for a self professed DI-buy girl. I’ve tended to take the “lazy” way out, convinced that my creations could never be as good as anything in a store. But with help from my team, I broke out of my comfort zone and I hate to toot the ol’ horn but…, we DIY’d something that turned out so many different forms of amazing, I can hardly believe it!
I must first start with a little confession: things haven’t been as organized around here as we may have led you to believe. From hopping on a plane every week to juggling meetings and projects, let’s just say it’s a miracle I’ve even remembered to eat. Things have been shoved behind closed bathroom doors, crammed into cabinets and buried at the bottom of closets – anything to hide the growing mess.
The office closet has suffered the most. You may remember seeing it here and here, always with the doors tightly closed!! I decided it was time to practice what I preach and get back to basics with a good ol’ clean out and DIY upgrade. Here’s how it went down:
We began with the purge. Everything was cleared out and laid aside to be sorted. Hours of shredding and trips to Goodwill over the weekend and it’s like a breath of fresh air!. We went so far as to take out the closet shelves in order to give it a fresh coat of white paint, immediately making her look a million times better. However, that was just the beginning. Your closet is actually a great place to have a little fun with design. We wanted to really bring some fun personality by adding pattern so we set out on Pinterest looking for inspiration.
We came across this and loved the bold statement a stripe makes. We just decided to take it a step or two further. We sketched out our plan of doing one big 4” stripe surrounded by asymmetrical smaller ones, one 2” and 1”, on either side for a little riff on a sporty look!
Once we had our supplies in hand: ScotchBlue Painter’s Tape, paint, a handful of brushes and measuring tools, we were set! We wanted a subtle color palette so we chose Chalkboard White as our base and Benjamin Moore’s Sail Cloth as our accent with a little gold craft paint thrown in for a glam touch!
We started by finding the middle of the cabinet and marked off every six inches from top to bottom, setting where our big stripe was going to be. Starting from the top, we followed our marks, taping off the middle section. We found it easiest to just use one big piece of ScotchBlue Painters Tape. Trust your eye, if you see your line going a little crooked, double check your measuring and just lift up the tape and rework it. It’s so easy! Then simply paint inside your ScotchBlue Painter’s Tape column.
When the paint is dry to the touch about 30 mins for a single coat, lift up the tape. You’ll have a perfect stripe!
A key to making asymmetrical patterns work is to make sure you’re working with the same spacing on both sides of the middle stripe for balance. So we taped off our most outward stripe of the pattern and worked our way back in towards the middle.
During the creative process we felt like challenging ourselves even more. DIY is all about improvisation, right? So, we strayed from our original sketch a little. Thinking another gold painted stripe would be too heavy, we called an audible and used gold striped Washi tape instead!
We also decided to paint the face of each shelf to give an often overlooked detail a touch of shine and glam! We used Martha Stewart’s Metallics line in gold and really liked the reflective quality it has.
Et voila! There you have it. The perfect backdrop for a beautiful cabinet, closet, wall, dresser…the possibilities of where this look can work are endless.
Here’s a little sneak peek of the finished office supply closet! We’re so excited how the entire project turned out. You’ll just have to stay tuned for the full reveal – we promise it’s coming soon!!
organizational items from The Container Store, Dwell Studio and Muji
And of course we had to do a little happy dance when we were done!!
This post is a collaboration with ScotchBlue™ Painter’s Tape. To join the creative community, visit www.facebook.com/ScotchBlue.All opinions are my own. Thanks for supporting posts that keep Apartment 34 doors open!
original photography for apartment 34 by aubrie pick // styling and art direction by erin hiemstra
Suze Orman set off quite a stir a few months ago in a New York Times interview. Although some folks were all atwitter to find out she was gay, what really had people in the personal finance world talking was the fact that the most successful personal finance writer in the country had the bulk of her $25 million portfolio in conservative municipal bonds, with only about $1 million invested in the stock market.
My buddy Chuck Jaffe, a MarketWatch columnist and not exactly a Suze fan, had a particularly good time that little factoid. Chuck has often criticized Suze’s advice as too conservative, and her lack of personal exposure to the stock market confirmed his suspicions that she was out of touch with the needs of everyday people. “In short,” he thundered, “the person being trusted as everyone’s financial adviser has a portfolio that few people could live with.”
I think Suze should be allowed to invest any way she wants to, but the whole kerfluffle points up an irony of personal finance columnizing: the more successful we pundits are, the less our lives resemble those of the majority of our readers.
I was thinking about that when J.D. asked if I’d be willing to write a little exposé for his site on how well I follow my own advice.
“I always wonder just how personal finance gurus lead their lives,” J.D. wrote in an email. “Do they really follow the advice they give? Are they frugal? Do they put their money in index funds? Do they drive older cars? I think this is a question many people have. I also think it’s one reason they read Get Rich Slowly: I quite clearly do follow my own advice, or try to.”
So do I — mostly. At J.D.’s request, I’m pulling back the curtain a bit to show you where I walk my talk, and where I’m full of (well-meaning) hot air.
In case you’re not familiar with my work: I’m the most-read personal finance columnist on the Web. I write a twice-weekly column for MSN Money and a nationally syndicated newspaper column. I’m also the author of three books about finance:
You can find out more about me, if you want, at asklizweston.com. But in answer to J.D.’s questions:
Am I frugal? Congenitally. Most of the time.
I grew up in a middle-class family with a dad who worked as an electric journeyman at the local power plant and a stay-at-home mom who had the Depression-era baby’s classic aversion to debt. We had a garden, we canned, we rinsed and reused baggies. My mom went back to work to help pay my college tuition, while I worked two to four part-time jobs each semester to make ends meet. I graduated without student loan or credit card debt.
I’ve never been much of a shopper, and was taught to pay credit card balances in full every month. (I have carried credit card debt a couple of times in my life — for cash flow reasons, not because we couldn’t pay the whole bill.) Since my early 20s, when I started working as a daily newspaper reporter, I’ve saved 15% to 20% — and sometimes more — of my income. Most of it goes into retirement funds and the majority of those are invested in stock mutual funds.
But a lot of the things I used to do to save money I now do mostly to save the environment: things like turning off lights, using a programmable thermostat, walking or biking instead of driving the car.
And now that I travel a lot, I’ve developed an appreciation for luxuries that would have been unthinkable in my salad days: things like membership to an airline lounge and occasionally paying for a first-class ticket, when I can’t qualify for an upgrade with frequent flyer miles. Flying coach these days reminds me way too much of riding the Greyhound bus during college, and I’m lucky enough to be able to afford an alternative.
Do I put my money in index funds? Yes. Mostly.
I’m a confirmed believer that people who think they’re going to beat the market probably are deluding themselves. I know I would be; I’m way too busy to monitor individual stocks or actively-managed mutual funds.
But a recent review of our portfolio showed that while most of our money is in broad-market index funds, we’re still hanging on to a few actively-managed funds I bought before I’d become firmly convinced of the futilely of trying to predict market-beaters. Like the cobbler’s children with no shoes, my portfolio’s overdue for a clean-up and rebalancing. Thanks, J.D., for goading me into it.
Do I drive an older car? Oh, boy. Do I.
I’m the proud driver of a 1993 SUV with—ta-da—250,000 miles on it. I inherited it from my husband, who upgraded to a later-model Volvo. (The man actually cares what he drives, unlike me.) I’d eventually like to replace it with a more fuel-efficient car, but at this point I drive so few miles that it doesn’t make sense to replace it. Besides that, I’m oddly curious to see how long the old beast will hold out.
I’ve also learned a lot about money over the years by making mistakes. I bought “retirement property” when I was in my 20s (anybody want 14 acres in Alaska, 80 miles from the nearest road?). After years of railing about the insanity of the dot-com boom, I sunk $2,000 into a tech fund in — get this — March 2000, about a week before the bubble started to burst. And the last time we bought a house, I forgot (yes, forgot) about closing costs, and had to sell off some investments at the last minute to cover closing costs. (Fortunately, the stock market cooperated with me for once — you’re not supposed to keep short-term money, like down payments and closing costs, in stock or stock mutual fund investments lest they take a dive right when you need the money.)
But yeah, overall I’ve followed my own advice. I’ve avoided toxic debt including credit card debt; put a pile away for retirement; and invested a ton of money over the years in fun and experiences. I’ve traveled around the world, earned my pilot’s license, threw some great parties, took two sabbaticals to care for my dying mother, and am in the process of raising a wonderful daughter (who may turn out to be our more expensive experience yet, but is soooo worth it). I firmly believe that managing money well helps you live life well, and that’s the message I hope to communicate to readers — regardless of where they happen to be on the road to financial health.
Who doesn’t love a bad movie? The only thing better than a self-aware terrible movie is a bad movie trying to be good.
There’s a guilty pleasure in knowing that even some of the brightest, most talented filmmakers can flop sometimes. According to an online movie forum, these are the ten biggest flops meant to be a hit.
1. The Lawnmower Man (1992)
Photo Credit: Allied Vision.
It’s jarring to see a movie rated 5.4 on IMDb with Stephen King’s name attached, but one commenter claims the movie was so bad King sued to have his name removed from the film’s involvement.
The film was adapted from one of King’s books and was directed by Brett Leonard. This movie-watcher describes it as “bad, but it’s also strange, unpredictable, and fun.” They also cite that a scene in the movie about a monkey robocop had to be cut from the theatrical release because it was irrelevant to the rest of the film.
2. Who Killed Captain Alex? (2015)
Photo Credit: Ramon Film Productions.
Funnily enough, this terrible movie is rated 7.0 on IMDb because of the sheer amount of ironic 10s. One person jokes, “nothing but a true passion for cinema was poured into that movie.” Another user remarks, “They asked for terrible movies, not peak cinema.” Watching the amateur acting and terrible CGI in the trailer is a trip.
The synopsis of the film is beautifully ridiculous. The Ugandan president orders Captain Alex to defeat the Tiger Mafia but dies trying. Alex’s brother investigates and vows to avenge his brother. I give it a solid 10 out of 10 for the trailer alone.
3. Battlefield Earth (2000)
Photo Credit: Warner Bros.
This film stars John Travolta and Forest Whitaker and is set in the year 3000, where the ruling alien race Psychlos has enslaved humanity. It’s based on the book by L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology.
A connoisseur of terrible movies insists this is the gold standard of unintentionally bad films, calling it the stuff of legends. To encapsulate just how bad they think it is, I leave you with this quote: “I simply couldn’t even fathom what perfect storm of events had to unfold to allow something so aggressively bad to exist on a multi-million dollar scale.”
Wait, they’re not done, “I honestly don’t think it could’ve been any worse if, literally, every person involved was actively trying to sabotage the film.” Quite possibly one of the lowest-rated films on IMDb, with a 2.5 rating.
4. Troll 2 (1990)
Photo Credit: Filmirage.
Troll 2 is a slight upgrade from the last film, at least earning a 2.9 IMDb rating. One individual thinks it gets funnier every time they watch it. The movie’s premise is a vacationing family discovers the town they’ve arrived at has been taken over by human-impersonating goblins who want to eat them.
A second user added more context, explaining the director was not a native English speaker but insisted the lines be spoken just as they were written.
5. Samurai Cop (1991)
Photo Credit: Hollywood Royal Pictures.
Samurai Cop follows the lives of two police detectives who try to stop the Katana, a killer gang trying to lead the drug trade in L.A. The movie is famous for its supposedly fluent Japanese-speaking main character mispronouncing every other character’s name and uttering cringe lines.
When one character asks him what katana means, he responds, “It means Japanese sword.” The flat delivery is fantastic; I highly recommend this terrible gem, rated 4.6 on IMDb.
6. Zardoz (1958)
Photo Credit: Twentieth Century Fox.
Rated 5.8 on IMDb, this X-rated film starring Sean Connery takes place in the late 23rd century. A savage who knows only how to kill is taken in by a bored community of immortals who are tasked with preserving man’s achievements. Someone says Zardoz fits the bill of an awful and amazing film.
Judging by the IMDb reviews, that assessment checks out. As one reviewer describes, it’s an “incredibly profound allegory disguised as a cheesy movie.” The trailer is simultaneously intriguing and disturbing.
7. The Fanatic (2019)
Photo Credit: Daniel Grodnik Productions.
Poor John Travolta — this is the second terrible movie on this list that he stars in. Directed by Fred Durst, this psychological thriller is about a rabid fan who, when cheated out of the opportunity to meet his favorite action hero, resorts to stalking and increasingly sinister methods of getting the star’s attention.
Someone comments this is easily one of the worst movies that weren’t intentionally meant to be terrible because it takes itself so seriously. A commenter named Emily gives it credit purely because everything the movie could have possibly done wrong, it got wrong, which is no easy feat. The Fanatic is rated 4.1 on IMDb.
8. Cats (2019)
Photo Credit: The Really Useful Group.
This film went viral online for supplying the internet with endless amounts of cringe. Despite having a star-studded cast including James Corden, Judi Dench, Taylor Swift, and Jason Derulo, the CGI was bizarre, and the tone was weird.
Cats is based on the famous musical about a tribe of cats called the Jelicles who, every year, select one among them to ascend to the Heaviside Layer — a type of heaven-like rebirth for cats. One person who saw the movie on a date comments the movie was so bad it ended the relationship.
9. Birdemic: Shock and Terror (2010)
Photo Credit: Moviehead Pictures.
There’s some debate over whether this film is intentionally bad, but one commenter insists it’s worse than The Room — the certifiable worst movie of all time. Another clarifies, “The director legitimately thinks he’s the next Hitchcock.”
This movie, directed by James Nguyen, is about a flock of mutated birds descending upon a quiet California town, causing casualties. Two citizens fight back against the birds. The movie is an homage to Hitchcock’s The Birds but with terrible directing and CGI. It stands at a shockingly low 1.7 on IMDb.
10. The Happening (2008)
Photo Credit: Twentieth Century Fox.
This movie singlehandedly destroyed both M Night Shyamalan and Mark Wahlberg’s careers. It’s about a science teacher and his family trying to survive a plague that somehow causes those infected by a plant neurotoxin to commit suicide. Most of the ridiculousness of this movie can be attributed to the awful writing and delivery of the lines.
A final moviegoer recited the famous line, “What? Noooo!” which is uttered by Wahlberg’s character in response to a woman who asks if he’s going to murder her in her sleep — it’s hilarious because the line is supposed to be believable but is delivered more like an SNL skit.
Source: Reddit.
Image Credit: Shutterstock – Denis Makarenko
Who is one actress you can never stand watching, no matter their role? After polling the internet, these were the top-voted actresses that people couldn’t stand watching.
10 Actresses People Despise Watching Regardless of Their Role
These 7 Celebrities are Genuinely Good People
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
We’ve all heard the famous adage that “no publicity is bad publicity,” and while it tends to be accurate, there are certainly exceptions. But what about those few stars who stay out of the limelight and get along without a hint of trouble?
These 7 Celebrities are Genuinely Good People
Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Have you ever known someone and thought you liked them—until you learned about their hobbies? Then you get to know them and then you’re like, “Wow, red flag.” Well, you’re not alone.
These 10 Activities Are an Immediate Red Flag
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
Some celebrities definitely seem to enjoy the limelight and keep working to stay in the public eye. While others quickly move out of the spotlight. Many of these actors and actresses stepped out of the spotlight to live a more private life without constant media pressures.
10 Celebrities That Made the Big Times Then Disappeared Off The Face of the Earth
Image Credit: Troma Entertainment
We’ve all been there – sitting through a movie that we can’t help but cringe at, but somehow it still manages to hold a special place in our hearts.
These 10 Terrible Movies Are Still People’s Favorites
From the Victorian era to modern day homes, these parlor ideas will help you make the most of yours.
Annie Schlechter
Parlor rooms, also known as reception rooms, have existed since the Victorian era. After the early 1800s, parlor rooms became a fixture in middle and upper-class American homes. They are natural gathering places for guests and families to enjoy an entertaining afternoon or evening. Since parlors reflect each family’s personality, much thought goes into furnishings and design. Decor, vintage artwork, grand pianos, and other decorative elements, such as sculptures and vases, are commonplace in today’s parlor rooms.
Although living rooms, sitting rooms, and dens have largely replaced parlors in newly built homes, older homes still have this feature. To help you decorate your own parlor space, interior design experts explain what a parlor is, the history of the space, and how to make the most of yours with modern and timeless elements.
Related: The Hipstoric Home Decor Trend Blends Vintage Pieces with Modern Style
What Is a Parlor?
The word parlor stems from the French word parler, meaning to speak. “A parlor is a classic term for formal living rooms, which are historically sitting rooms featuring fine furniture towards the front of the home,” says Audrey Scheck, principal designer and founder of Audrey Scheck Designs. “Parlors were originally designed as a space to receive and entertain guests. In modern times, we’re seeing these spaces function more as reading rooms and office spaces.”
Because the idea of a receiving room is a bit outdated, they’re often used for other purposes in homes today. “Often these parlor rooms make perfect home offices due to their size and location (close to the house’s entry and away from the clatter of the kitchen),” explains interior designer Molly McGinness. Depending on the needs of your family, parlor rooms can be refashioned to suit any need, making them a versatile ground-floor staple.
The History of Parlors
Parlors date back to medieval monasteries. Monks used the outer rooms—or parlors—to conduct business with laypeople and visitors, while inner rooms were for gathering with members.
Fast-forward to the 18th and 19th centuries, land ownership and trade were the main methods of accumulating wealth. Over time, parlors became public symbols of that wealth, complete with expensive furniture, rare artworks, and other status signifiers. Families would put their best, most impressive items in this room for guests to see.
McGinness says that family would not have been allowed to just “hang out” in the parlor. Instead, it was truly reserved for guests. Because parlors are typically located just off the foyer, having one helped keep the other parts of the home truly private.
Ali Harper
Modern Parlor Rooms Are More Multi-Functional
Today, parlors can still be the center of social life in a home, but usually they are less ostentatious. The furniture is more comfortable, and is often situated to facilitate vibrant conversation. Unlike the living room, a modern parlor may still have sturdy upright seats rather than sinking couches for lounging. Also, parlors are typically more low tech than a living or family room, usually without a television as a focal point.
Since they typically connect to the primary entryway, parlors can also serve as a waiting room. It is useful to hold guests in a parlor to avoid ushering them into a dinner or house party that isn’t quite ready. Family portraits may still grace the walls but, these days, notable artwork is usually hung in the interior of the house, where it will be enjoyed more often by the family.
In the modern era, people need multi-functional spaces. A parlor can be a quiet place to take calls, read, or work. Because they are usually close to the front of the house, they are known for good natural light during the day and may double as a yoga or meditation room. And, while not their original purpose, a spacious parlor room may even be repurposed as a guest room, home office, or reading area. The room can be transformed into anything, really.
“I’ve worked on projects where the parlor is turned into a library, a minor living room and a playroom,” McGinness says. “In a recent project of mine, in a contemporary house updated from a colonial, the room that would have been the parlor became a mahjong game room.”
Design Ideas for a Parlor Room
When designing a parlor room, Scheck suggests creating a cozy atmosphere to both welcome guests and build a functional space your family will use. “Think ample seating in an array of textured fabrics with multiple lighting sources (lamps, sconces, etc.) to create a warm ambiance,” she says.
Parlors are also the perfect opportunity to go bold with paint or use patterned wallpaper. “Some of our favorite ways to achieve this is through color drenching the room, utilizing lacquer paint to create shine and depth in the room, or wallpapering the ceiling for an unexpected way to make your parlor pop,” Scheck explains.
Because parlors historically do not have electronics, incorporating built-in speakers into the ceiling can be a classy upgrade. Playing music in the background can help guests set the mood for the social gatherings to follow.
Related: The 10 Best Wallpapers of 2023 to Add Visual Flair to Any Room, According to Our Testing
Laurey Glenn
Is a Parlor Worth It?
If you’re building a new home, chances are that a formal parlor isn’t on the top of your must-have list. Since many families repurpose the existing parlor spaces in older homes, there can be better uses for the square footage in a new build.
But McGinness says the positive features of a parlor shouldn’t be overlooked. “Architecturally, they still exist as we care for older homes, remodel and rework existing spaces for our contemporary lives,” she says. Because parlors rarely have technology, they a blank slate. Maintaining them in their original state can help a home retain its regal and classic charm. On the other hand, remodeling them can make for a DIY project that allows a family to leave their personalized mark on the place.
Whether for frequent or occasional use, parlors are certainly worth having. However, building one where it doesn’t already exist may be less worthwhile.
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Read the original article on Better Homes & Gardens.
DIY’s don’t have to be humongous projects that require tons of planning and take even more time to execute. In fact, a small and quick DIY can prove to be that extra facelift needed to take something from good to gorgeous! Case in point: our 10-minute candle makeover perfect for the level one DIY’er such as ourselves!!
For the holiday scene we created for Martha Stewart Living, the fresh garland on the fireplace was really the centerpiece of the room. It is the focal point after all. We knew we wanted to keep the rest of the vignette relatively clean, so we decided to simply dot pillar candles along the mantel, just for that added dose of ambiance. We picked up super inexpensive gray and white tapers sold individually as well! from CB2. They looked nice at different heights due to the varying antique brass candlesticks and a couple of modern candleholders that we used, but the candles ended up feeling plain. Compared with the rest of the scene they fell a little short on the amazing scale.
So, we went into our growing! craft drawer and pulled out the two magic DIY makeover tools that can instantly upgrade what seems to be anything in the world: metallic craft paint and Washi tape.
Here’s how we created our look:
Step 1: For the sporty chic looking candles, apply washi tape to create stripes, reminiscent of baseball tees or varisty jackets. Wrap your tape towards the top of the candlestick about 1/2 inch to an inch down.
Step 2: For more holiday inspired candles, start your washi tape at an angle at the top of the candle and twirl all the way down, making candy cane like swirls.
Step 3: For the ombre effect, take a copper paint we love this metallic paint that we also used here! and apply a thick coat around the base of the candle.
Step 4: Paint upwards towards the wick until the brush has no more wet paint. Try not to continually add more paint. The key is to apply indiviual long strokes that achieve a really smooth and gradual fade effect. They dry in minutes! Simply start from the opposite end of the candle to create an ombre effect from the wick down.
And voila, you’re done!
This is a seriously quick makeover that you can create, even right before your holiday guests come over. It personalizes ordinary candles and just adds that extra layer of gorge to your holiday decor!
original photography for apartment 34 by Aubrie Pick, original concept & styling by team apartment 34
There are many incremental tasks to complete as you prepare to sell your home, but a successful transaction starts with looking at the big picture. Before you take a single interior photo or begin painting your trim, it’s crucial you take a moment and assess your situation properly. Are you emotionally ready to sell your home? Will you use a real estate agent? Is it a good time for you to sell? Let’s examine the factors that go into answering these questions.
Am I Ready to Sell My Home?
Whether you are sad to leave behind a family home full of memories, or can’t wait to get out and into your new upgrade, selling a home can often be an emotionally charged process. There are many considerations to take into account before you decide to sell, which should be done as dispassionately as possible.
Once you’re confident you truly want to sell, it’s still important to not be overly swayed by the attachment to your home during the selling process. Homeowners should try to contain their emotions as much as possible and treat the process like any other business transaction in order to ensure a smooth and timely sale.
An important way to minimize your feelings as a factor in preparing to sell a home is by trying to see things from a prospective buyer’s point of view:
What types of buyers are likely to be interested in your home and neighborhood (e.g., large families with children, single professionals or retired couples)?
How can I make my home more desirable to them?
What are their long term goals and concerns?
Aligning your property with the needs of your prospective buyers can help you sell it quickly and for a great price. But remember that other people don’t have the same attachment to your home as you do, so a fair market price may be lower than your own perception of its value.
Timing is another factor to consider in order to sell your home successfully and for the most return. If possible, it can be beneficial to list your home during the most popular times of the year for the average homebuyer. Spring and summer are typically the best times to list, but the optimal selling season ultimately depends on your specific housing market. For example, communities popular with retirees in warm states like Florida or Arizona may see more action in the winter. A real estate agent can help you determine your area’s prime selling period, or you can do the research yourself. The same goes for conducting the sales process itself.
Real Estate Agents vs. For Sale by Owner: Which Is Better?
If you have a timing plan and are ready to get your home on the market, one of the first decisions you need to make is whether to go it alone, or use a real estate agent. Both methods have their own pros and cons — Let’s examine each option.
Using a Real Estate Agent to Sell Your Home
Real estate agents take a commission, which can typically be 5 to 6 percent of the sale price of your home. And for the average seller who does not make a living in the real estate industry, the choice to use an agent in exchange for this commission can not only save precious time, but also increase the amount received for the home, making the investment well worth it in many scenarios.
The right agent will help you with everything from setting the most advantageous selling price, marketing your home (including photography, videos and staging the property to look its best), arranging showings and open houses, negotiating with interested buyers, to helping you choose the right escrow company and getting the transaction closed without any snags. They are also ideally there for you as an ally and asset if any issues or questions arise during the selling process. They understand all of the required paperwork and typically have contacts and other resources that can help you solve nearly any possible problem. They can also strategically provide a buffer between you and potential buyers, and will have the experience and knowledge to ensure that you only invest your time engaging well-qualified buyers.
If you want help locating the perfect agent to sell your home, you can be matched with one in your area through Pennymac Home Connect, a nationwide network of top-producing real estate agents. You may even be able to earn $350 to $9,500 back at closing if you buy or sell a home with an agent you met through the network.*
For Sale by Owner
Real estate agents can be extremely helpful but it is also possible to sell your home on your own, a process commonly known as “for sale by owner.” In order to sell your home yourself, you will need to:
Do your own research in order to come up with a suitable selling price.
Manage all of the marketing, including getting your home on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS).
Show the house and interact with prospective buyers on your own.
Negotiate the sale with the homebuyers and/or the buyer’s real estate agent.
Ensure you have the proper documentation and that you adhere to all of the relevant laws and regulations.
If you are not going to use a real estate agent, it’s still wise to consider hiring some help in the form of a real estate attorney to make sure that the transaction goes smoothly, including setting up a real estate escrow account.
A Checklist for Selling Your Home
Now that you have determined which method you want to use to sell your home, it’s time to get to work. A smooth, successful home sale can be influenced by many factors, some large and some small. Fortunately, you can do many improvements yourself, with time and sweat being your biggest investments. Here are some moves you’ll want to consider in order to get ready to sell your home.
Interior Updates and Curb Appeal Improvements
For interior improvements, consider painting walls in contemporary, neutral colors and upgrading the lighting, even with small investments like additional lamps or upgraded light bulbs.
To boost your home’s “curb appeal” — the first impression and level of attraction prospective buyers feel for your home from the street before they step inside of it — consider making some inexpensive improvements to your home’s exterior and yard such as pressure washing, painting trim, and landscaping additions and touch-ups. Such simple beautification efforts can help improve your chances of attracting the right buyer.
Clean and Stage Your Home
You’ll want to thoroughly clean your home. A muddy hallway, messy garage or dusty bedroom will only reduce its appeal. Keep rooms as orderly and as uncluttered as possible for all showing appointments. Use a storage unit to temporarily house extra or unsightly items if necessary — that old recliner may be quite comfy, but it could be a ratty eyesore as well. Your real estate agent will likely have a professional home stager you can hire to make your home look its most appealing to buyers. And you can always ask a stylish friend to help you with organizing or decor. In either case, a second set of eyes is always helpful.
Provide Numerous High-Quality Photos
The right photos can make or break your listing. Most agents work with professional photographers, or you can hire one on your own. Ask a friend or neighbor for objective input when selecting pictures and don’t be afraid to speak up if you don’t like the photos used in your listing.
Set a Realistic Price
Setting a price for the home you are selling involves getting input from numerous sources. Start by checking area comps, or comparable sales, and get price suggestions from a couple of real estate agents. Consider all of these numbers, and add in the factors that make your home unique — in both positive and negative ways. Don’t use a property tax assessment since that figure is typically much lower than the current market price.
Still not sure how to price your home? Appraisals will determine how much money a lender will lend, so you should get a professional appraisal before listing your home. Appraisals are not inexpensive, but in certain markets and situations they could save you a lot of time, and that easily translates into saved money.
Create a Plan to Accommodate Showings
It’s a bad idea to conduct ad hoc showings. For all intents and purposes, you’re putting on a sales presentation so you should always put your best foot forward. Having a plan means adequately preparing for your customers (i.e. the potential buyers), while also minimizing the chances something could go wrong during the showing. Some important points to consider when scheduling a showing:
How much time does your work schedule and family/personal life allow for?
Do you have pets that you will need to remove from the home?
How much lead time will you need from your agent to ensure that it is in show-ready condition?
If you have small children, how will you manage their needs throughout each showing?
How will you deal with the unexpected, such as last minute viewing appointment changes, prospective buyers that show up early, or inclement weather concerns?
How to Sell Your Home Fast
No one wants to have their house sit on the market forever, but if your move is being influenced by a time-sensitive factor like a job change, a family situation, or financial issues, you may need to sell your house as quickly as possible. Here are our best tips for speeding up the home sale process.
Have your own home inspection: One part of the homebuying process that can drag on for a long time is addressing the findings of the buyer’s home inspection. Before you even list your home, you can hire an inspector yourself. Use their findings to create a to-do list, or factor the cost of repairing any issues into your sale price. This will allow you to start one step ahead of your potential buyers’ negotiations.
Accommodate (but also vet) potential buyers: Offer buyers whatever you can, whether it is showings on short notice or flexibility with their closing date. However, don’t act too much in haste to sell and don’t sign contracts with unqualified buyers. Spending time in limbo with a buyer whose offer might fall through can waste valuable time and miss connections with more qualified buyers.
Spread the word yourself: Ask for help from your friends, family, and other contacts. Share your listing on social media, carry flyers with you at all times and even consider hosting events like an open house party.
Consider offering incentives: Paying all or part of your buyers’ closing costs, a home warranty and flexibility with closing are all ways that you can attract potential buyers.
Consult with a lender: Knowing what financing options are available to potential buyers can help you market your home. For example, are there low down payment options available?
Ensuring a Successful Home Sale
Our final, and perhaps most important, tip for selling your home is to make sure that you prepare mentally and financially for the many possible offers and issues you may encounter. What if you don’t get the price that you want? If you are trying to sell your home fast, what if it sits on the market for a long time? If you can come up with contingency plans for these worst-case scenarios, you will be ready to handle anything that you encounter in the home selling process.
Being prepared is the key to success in the home sale process, from your first showing appointment to the closing of the deal. If you’d like additional insights into selling your current home or buying your next one, consult with a Pennymac Loan Expert today.
*Pennymac Home Connect is offered in partnership with HomeStory Real Estate Services, a licensed real estate broker. HomeStory Real Estate Services is not affiliated with PennyMac Loan Services, LLC, and PennyMac Loan Services, LLC is not responsible for the program provided by HomeStory Real Estate Services. Obtaining a mortgage from PennyMac Loan Services, LLC is optional and not required to participate in the program offered by HomeStory Real Estate Services. The borrower may arrange for financing with any lender.
Qualifying for the reward requires using a real estate agent that participates in HomeStory’s broker to broker agreement to complete the real estate buy and/or sell transaction. You retain the right to negotiate buyer and or seller representation agreements. Upon successful close of the transaction, the Real Estate Agent pays a referral fee to HomeStory Real Estate Services. All Agents have been independently vetted by HomeStory to meet performance expectations required to participate in the program. If you are currently working with a REALTOR®, please disregard this notice. It is not our intention to solicit the offerings of other REALTORS®. A reward is not available where prohibited by state law, including Alaska, Iowa, Louisiana and Missouri. A reduced agent commission may be available for sellers in lieu of the reward in Mississippi, New Jersey, Oklahoma, and Oregon and should be discussed with the agent upon enrollment. No reward will be available for buyers in Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Oregon. A commission credit may be available for buyers in lieu of the reward in New Jersey and must be discussed with the agent upon enrollment and included in a Buyer Agency Agreement with Rebate Provision. Rewards in Kansas and Tennessee are required to be delivered by gift card.
HomeStory will issue the reward using the payment option you select and will be sent to the client enrolled in the program within 45 days of HomeStory Real Estate Services receipt of settlement statements and any other documentation reasonably required to calculate the applicable reward amount. Real estate agent fees and commissions still apply. Short sale transactions do not qualify for the reward. Depending on state regulations highlighted above, reward amount is based on sale price of the home purchased and/or sold and cannot exceed $9,500 per buy or sell transaction. Employer-sponsored relocations may preclude participation in the reward program offering. PennyMac Loan Services, LLC is not responsible for the reward. The reward is valid for 18 months from the date of enrollment. After 18 months, you must re-enroll to be eligible for a reward. Offer subject to change or cancellation without notice.
PennyMac Loan Services, LLC ( Lender NMLS 35953 ) does not perform any activity that is or could be construed as unlicensed real estate activity, and PennyMac Loan Services, LLC is not licensed as a real estate broker. Agents of PennyMac Loan Services, LLC are not authorized to perform real estate activity.
PennyMac Loan Services, LLC loans subject to credit approval. Offer subject to change or cancellation without notice.
The trademarks, logos and names of other companies, products and services are the property of their respective owners.
Qatar Airways is one of the world’s most premium airlines, with an excellent business-class product and great lounges at its hub in Doha, Qatar’s Hamad International Airport (DOH). The airline has a huge route network as well, with routes to major U.S. airports like Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD), Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and Philadelphia International Airport (PHL).
The Oneworld member has its own loyalty program called Qatar Airways Privilege Club and uses the popular points currency Avios. With this loyalty program, you can earn and redeem miles when flying Qatar Airways and its Oneworld partners. Plus, it has three elite status levels that give frequent flyers special privileges like entry to lounges and access to preferred seating.
New to the carrier’s Privilege Club? You’re in the right place. Here is everything you need to know about the program.
What are Avios?
ZACH HONIG/THE POINTS GUY
Avios is the points currency used by the following loyalty programs:
Avios can be transferred between any of these programs at a ratio of 1:1, so each Avios is theoretically worth the same in each program. However, there are different ways in which Avios can be redeemed in each program, meaning the savvy reader can achieve different values depending on which program they are used in … and how.
This guide focuses on Avios earned and redeemed through the Qatar Airways Privilege Club program.
Elite status
Qatar Airways has three elite status tiers beyond the entry-level Burgundy level: Silver, Gold and Platinum. You can qualify for these tiers by earning a certain number of Qpoints by flying with Qatar Airways and its partners. To view how many Qpoints you’ll earn with each flight, use the Qatar Airways’ My Calculator.
Below is a look at how many Qpoints you’ll need to qualify for each tier. You must earn these within a single 12-month period. Once you’ve qualified for Silver, you can upgrade by earning a higher number of points within 12 months of earning Silver. This is considered your “renewal date.”
Tier
Qpoints required
Silver
150
Gold
300
Platinum
600
Interestingly enough, fewer Qpoints are required to renew your elite status. You can either earn a smaller number of Qpoints in 12 months or a higher number in 24 months — each calculated from your renewal date.
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Tier
Qpoints required (12 months from renewal date)
Qpoints required (24 months from renewal date)
Silver
135
270
Gold
270
540
Platinum
540
1,080
If you fail to meet renewal requirements, you’ll drop to the tier you did qualify for.
Additionally, you must earn at least 20% of your Qpoints on flights marketed or operated by Qatar Airways to qualify. Alternatively, you can fly four Qatar Airways segments on 12-month renewals or eight Qatar Airways segments on 24-month renewals to meet this requirement.
Elite status benefits
Silver (Oneworld Ruby) is Qatar’s lowest elite status tier and includes the following benefits:
Discounted seat reservation
50% bonus Avios
Family member bonus
Lounge access (no guests)
Two guest lounge passes
Free checked baggage
Priority boarding and check-in
Personalized bag tags
Priority wait-listing
Oneworld Ruby status
Gold status (Oneworld Sapphire) includes all Silver benefits, plus the following perks:
Preferred seating
Guaranteed economy awards
75% bonus Avios
5% discount on redemptions
Lounge access (one guest)
Four guest lounge passes
Priority baggage handling
Extra baggage
Priority phone support
Al Maha Gold Service
Qatar’s top-tier Platinum elite status is the equivalent of the valuable Oneworld Emerald status. This tier includes all Gold status benefits, plus the following perks:
100% bonus Avios
Lounge access (two guests)
Five guest lounge passes
Read more: Your complete guide to Oneworld alliance benefits
How to earn Avios with Qatar Airways Privilege Club
THE POINTS GUY
Citi ThankYou Rewards
The easiest way for U.S. travelers to earn Qatar Avios is by transferring Citi ThankYou Rewards points to Privilege Club. Points transfer to Qatar Avios at a 1:1 ratio, though transfers usually take around two days to process.
You can earn Citi ThankYou Rewards with the Citi Premier® Card (see rates and fees). Note that if you’re still holding on to the Citi Prestige® Card, which is no longer open to new applicants, you also have the full transfer benefits.
That said, like Chase Ultimate Rewards, you can combine your Citi ThankYou Rewards points into a single account for select products, allowing you to effectively “convert” your fixed-value earnings from cards like the Citi Rewards+® Card (see rates and fees) and the Citi® Double Cash Card (see rates and fees) into fully transferable ThankYou rewards.
The information for the Citi Prestige has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Transfer from other Avios programs
You can also transfer Avios from British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Plus or Aer Lingus AerClub at a 1:1 rate in any direction.
The following cards all currently offer strong welcome bonuses that you could easily convert to Avios in these three programs (and then convert to Privilege Club):
American Express® Gold Card: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first six months of account opening. Terms apply.
The Platinum Card® from American Express: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Check to see if you’re targeted for a 125,000-point welcome offer through CardMatch (offer subject to change at any time). Terms apply.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card (see rates and fees): Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (see rates and fees): Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Chase Sapphire Reserve: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Ink Business Preferred Credit Card: Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
You can also purchase Avios, which are often on sale.
Transfer from Marriott Bonvoy
Alternatively, you can transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to Qatar Airways Privilege Club at a 3:1 ratio. As an added perk, you’ll get a 5,000-mile bonus when you transfer 60,000 points. This means transferring 60,000 points nets you 25,000 Privilege Club Avios, a nice chunk of miles.
Earn Avios by flying Qatar Airways
You can also earn Avios when taking paid Qatar-operated flights around the world. The number of Avios you earn depends on your cabin and ticketed fare class. Qatar Airways Privilege Club still awards Avios based on the distance flown, but bear in mind that most discounted fare classes will earn at a much lower rate than higher-tier fares.
Here’s a table that details how you’ll accrue Avios on Qatar flights.
QATARAIRWAYS.COM
To see information for a specific itinerary, you can use Qatar’s online calculator.
Earn Avios with program partners
KYLE OLSEN/THE POINTS GUY
You can also earn Qatar Avios for flights on any of the following Oneworld airlines:
Alaska Airlines
American Airlines
British Airways
Cathay Pacific
Finnair
Iberia, including Iberia Express and Air Nostrum
Japan Airlines
Malaysia Airlines
Qantas, including QantasLink and Jetconnect
Royal Air Maroc
Royal Jordanian Airlines
S7 Airlines (currently suspended)
SriLankan Airlines
Privilege Club also partners with the following airlines outside of Oneworld:
These flights follow a similar earning scheme to Qatar Airways, but you can use the aforementioned calculator for more details.
Redeeming Qatar Airways Privilege Club Avios
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
Booking Qatar Airways flights with miles
Qatar Airways has what is widely considered one of the world’s best business-class products with its award-winning Qsuite product. Even the carrier’s economy product is a solid option. Here are the prices for popular one-way itineraries per person on any date (there is no peak or off-peak pricing).
New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to DOH in business class
70,000 + $73.35
JFK to DOH in economy
35,000 + $62.35
JFK to Delhi, India’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) in business class
80,000 + $201.50
JFK to DEL in economy
40,000 + $131.50
JFK to Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) in business class
95,000 + $202.90
JFK to BKK in economy
47,500 + $132.90
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Dubai International Airport (DXB) in economy
37,500 + $132.90
Edinburgh Airport (EDI) to Tokyo’s Narita International Airport (NRT) in business class
80,000 + $440.42
Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) to Bali, Indonesia’s Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) in economy
40,000 + $175.49
Availability can be limited, especially in premium cabins, so the further in advance you can book, the more likely you are to find one or more seats on the dates you need.
Upgrading Qatar Airways flights with miles
You can also use your Qatar miles to upgrade paid flights operated by the airline. Like award tickets, you must use the airline’s calculator to find the cost of upgrading a specific flight based on your route and fare class.
For example, you can upgrade the cheapest economy class ticket from the East Coast to Doha to a business-class seat for 55,000 miles one-way. This isn’t much cheaper than booking an award ticket, so we recommend steering clear of these unless you have booked an extremely cheap cash fare.
QATARAIRWAYS.COM
Additionally, you need to find available upgrade space in order to upgrade your ticket. You can do this by calling the airline or attempting to upgrade a ticket online.
Booking partner flights with miles
Earlier this year, Qatar lowered the award prices for many partner-operated flights, bringing them in line with other Avios currencies. Here’s the award chart for all Privilege Club partner redemptions, including Oneworld and other carriers:
Distance (miles)
Economy class (Avios)
Premium economy (Avios)
Business class (Avios)
First class (Avios)
0-650
6,000
9,000
12,500
24,000
651-1,151
9,000
12,500
16,500
33,000
1,152-2,000
11,000
16,500
22,000
44,000
2,001-3,000
13,000
25,250
38,750
51,500
3,001-4,000
20,750
41,250
62,000
82,500
4,001-5,500
25,750
51,500
77,250
103,000
5,501-6,500
31,000
62,000
92,750
123,750
6,501-7,000
36,250
72,250
108,250
144,250
7,001-plus
51,500
103,000
154,500
206,000
The award chart closely resembles British Airways’ partner award chart, meaning both programs have the same sweet spots:
Short-haul redemptions on American Airlines or Alaska Airlines start from just 6,000 Avios each way with no peak or off-peak pricing.
American Airlines regularly flies internationally configured wide-body aircraft on domestic routes, including 777s and 787s. For example, American’s flagship 777-300ER operates some flights between JFK and Miami International Airport (MIA), a 1,089-mile journey. You could book a business-class award on this flight for only 16,500 Avios, which is a great deal.
Fly from major West Coast cities to the Hawaiian Islands for just 13,000 Avios on American Airlines or Alaska Airlines.
Unfortunately, ticketing these awards is challenging. Unless you’re redeeming your Qatar Avios for an American Airlines or a British Airways flight, you won’t be able to book your partner redemption on Qatar’s website. To redeem your Qatar Avios on a partner flight, you can call Qatar Airways Privilege Club at 800-988-6128. Know, though, that the call center is only open during working hours on weekdays.
You can also see flight partner schedules by selecting “book award ticket” on Qatar’s website. You can then submit a request to book a partner flight, and a Qatar agent will process your reservation if there’s award space. We don’t recommend this option since award space can rapidly change. Instead, we suggest transferring Avios to British Airways so you have more partner flight options you can book online.
Related: The best ways to redeem British Airways Avios
Other redemption options
You can also use your Qatar Avios for merchandise, duty-free items, hotel stays and more. We generally recommend staying away from these types of redemptions, as they’ll almost always give you less value than a free flight, often dropping the value to half a cent per mile (or less).
Bottom line
Qatar Airways has fabulous products on the ground and in the air. If you have never flown long-haul business class, you can’t go wrong with the world-famous Qsuites to Doha and beyond.
While the program previously flew under the radar due to some uncompetitive pricing and complex booking options, adopting the already popular Avios currency in 2022 has opened up new ways to easily earn and redeem Avios in the program. The ability to easily transfer Avios between four different airline loyalty programs makes the program much more attractive, especially as Privilege Club now has the same short-haul sweet spots that are so popular when redeeming Avios through the British Airways Executive Club program.
A message from our partner: Your miles are now worth at least 15% more with the new Delta Vacations. Click here to learn more about redeeming miles for your next getaway.
Since Delta eliminated its award charts in 2015, the SkyMiles program has become notably more unpredictable and, at times, outrageously expensive. With business-class flights on long-haul routes often priced at over 450,000 SkyMiles, it’s understandable to feel like your SkyMiles balance holds little value.
But if you have a stockpile of Delta miles, they are far from worthless. There are still excellent redemptions available, particularly during the carrier’s award sales.
So, let’s explore some strategies for maximizing the value of your Delta SkyMiles.
Redeem on Delta flights
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
You can use your Delta SkyMiles to book Delta, Delta Connection and Delta Shuttle flights. Since Delta uses dynamic pricing, award rates can vary significantly. For example, in November, one-way main cabin award rates from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) range between 16,000 and 49,000 miles.
DELTA.COM
Even though Thanksgiving travel skews award prices over these dates, significant price volatility is normal. If you want to maximize your SkyMiles, flexibility is important.
Taxes and fees are generally reasonable on Delta tickets. Expect to pay $5.60 per person in taxes and fees on most domestic tickets and international tickets departing the U.S. However, Delta adds carrier-imposed surcharges on many awards that start outside the U.S., most notably those originating in Europe.
Keep an eye out for SkyMiles deals
A great option for redeeming Delta miles is taking advantage of SkyMiles deals. These deals typically apply to specific city pairs, so it may be necessary to book positioning flights to fully maximize these promotions.
Last year, Delta offered a flash sale with round-trip flights for just 5,000 SkyMiles. The airline recently offered round-trip airfare to Auckland Airport (AKL) from most major U.S. airports for just 37,400 SkyMiles round-trip.
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If you have no immediate use for your SkyMiles, you may be best off saving them for the next big SkyMiles deal. Just be sure to keep an eye on Delta’s SkyMiles deals page.
Save at least 15% with select Delta credit cards
If you have an eligible Delta credit card, you can save 15% on Delta-operated award flights when you use your miles and pay the taxes and fees with the card. This can be a great option to reduce the price you pay on Delta award tickets — and a major reason to open (and keep) a Delta card in your wallet.
Read more: Best Delta credit cards
Rebook when prices drop (or cancel when your plans change)
Once you’ve used your miles on a Delta flight, be sure to keep your eyes on the award rates. As long as you’re not on a basic economy ticket, Delta offers the ability to rebook flights when prices drop, and you’ll receive the mileage difference back in your account. You should even be able to do this right from the Delta App.
And if your plans change, you should be able to cancel your flight for a full refund of both the miles and the taxes and fees — again, unless you’re on a basic economy ticket.
Related: Complete guide to changing and canceling award tickets
Redeem on partner flights
Air France is a partner of Delta. ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
Delta is a member of the SkyTeam alliance and has three non-alliance airline partners. This gives you more flexibility to redeem your SkyMiles on various airlines and routes across the globe. Here is the complete list of Delta’s airline partners:
SkyTeam partners
Aerolinas Argentinas
Aeromexico
Air Europa
Air France
China Airlines
China Eastern Airlines
Czech Airlines
Delta Air Lines
Garuda Indonesia
ITA Airways
Kenya Airways
KLM
Korean Air
Middle East Airlines
Saudia
Tarom
Vietnam Airlines
Virgin Atlantic
Xiamen Air
Non-alliance partners
Cape Air
Hawaiian Airlines
WestJet
Although there are no online award charts, partner awards generally have a specific price range. For example, one-way business-class airfare from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Mexico City International Airport (MEX) ranges between 42,000 and 44,000 miles.
DELTA.COM
Another great option is WestJet-operated flights from the U.S. to Canada. Round-trip award tickets in economy class still clock in at 25,000 miles plus ~$60 in taxes and fees, and availability is relatively widespread, especially when you book in advance.
DELTA.COM
These flights routinely cost more than $500, giving you a redemption value of more than 2 cents per miles.
Delta also has some appealing non-U.S. partner sweet spots.
For example, Dubai International Airport (DXB) to Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) on Air France business class generally costs around 42,500 miles plus 120 United Arab Emirates Dirham (around $32). In comparison, Tokyo’s Narita International Airport (NRT) or Haneda Airport (HND) to Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) costs 35,000 miles plus up to 6,910 Japanese Yen (around $50) for a connecting business-class Korean Air or China Airlines flight.
1 of 2
DELTA.COM
Delta can increase these rates at any time, and they have done so on multiple occasions. To obtain the current award price, you will need to contact Delta directly or search the website.
While Delta has tried to improve its website to display partner awards, it may still have limitations, particularly when booking mixed-cabin itineraries. The website often prioritizes Delta-operated flights, which may not be ideal if you have specific flight requirements. We recommend searching for flights segment by segment and being prepared to call Delta if the website doesn’t offer the desired trip options.
Related: The best websites for searching SkyTeam award availability
Redeem for upgrades
You can redeem your SkyMiles for upgrades to Delta One. ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
You can also use your SkyMiles for upgrades to a higher class of service. If you have a confirmed Delta-marketed and operated flight, you should have the option to pay cash or use miles to upgrade your flight directly on Delta’s website.
If you redeem your miles for an upgrade using this method, you’ll generally get around 1 cent per mile, which is lower than our 1.41 cent valuation of Delta SkyMiles. This could be a viable option if you have a surplus of SkyMiles and no immediate plans for their use. However, we generally recommend prioritizing award flight redemptions, as discussed in previous sections.
You can also use Delta miles to upgrade specific flights operated by Air France, KLM, Virgin Atlantic or Aeromexico. This option is subject to fare class requirements and is available only on select routes each partner operates. For more details, please refer to Delta’s “upgrade with miles” page.
You’ll also want to make sure there’s upgrade inventory available. Fortunately, all four partner airlines mentioned above publish business-class award inventory on ExpertFlyer (owned by TPG’s parent company, Red Ventures), allowing easy searching and setting up alerts if the desired seats are unavailable when you book your flight.
Related: All the tips and tricks you need to use Delta Upgrade Certificates
Redeem for Delta Vacations
You can sometimes maximize SkyMiles redemptions at luxury hotels through Delta Vacations. DAN HAM/WALDORF ASTORIA ORLANDO/FACEBOOK
Delta Vacations recently enhanced redemption rates for SkyMiles members looking to use their rewards for vacations. You’ll get at least 1.15 cents when you use your miles to cover a Delta Vacation.
In practice, however, you can occasionally find better redemption rates.
A two-day escape from Los Angeles to Hawaii with lodging at the Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikiki Beach costs $1,797.90. Alternatively, you can redeem 143,832 SkyMiles to book this vacation (a 1.25-cent redemption rate).
DELTA.COM
In this example, Delta also includes a round-trip transfer from the airport to the hotel, whether you pay with miles or cash.
Related: Delta Vacations enhances earning rates and redemption value for SkyMiles members
How to earn Delta miles quickly
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
You’ll need to have SkyMiles to take advantage of the redemptions mentioned above. Fortunately, there are several ways to increase your balance. One of the simplest ways to earn Delta miles is by using Delta’s cobranded American Express credit cards (terms apply). Here are some of the current welcome offers available for these cards:
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card: Earn 65,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card in your first six months of card membership. Offer ends Aug. 2, 2023. The card has a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99 (see rates and fees).
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: Earn 85,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new card in your first six months of card membership. Offer ends Aug. 2, 2023. The card has a $250 annual fee (see rates and fees).
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: Earn 85,000 bonus miles after you spend $6,000 in purchases on your new card in your first six months of card membership. Offer ends Aug. 2, 2023. The card has a $550 annual fee (see rates and fees).
Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card: Earn 70,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 in purchases on your new card in your first three months of card membership. Aug. 2, 2023. The card has a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then a $99 annual fee (see rates and fees).
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card: 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new card in your first three months of card membership. Aug. 2, 2023. The card has a $250 annual fee (see rates and fees).
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card: Earn 100,000 bonus miles after you spend $6,000 in purchases on your new card in your first three months of card membership. Aug. 2, 2023. The card has a $550 annual fee (see rates and fees).
Remember that any of these cards include access to the TakeOff 15 benefit, which will save you at least 15% on Delta-operated award flights.
You can also transfer American Express Membership Rewards points from cards like the American Express® Gold Card and The Platinum Card® from American Express to Delta SkyMiles at a 1:1 ratio. However, you’ll be subject to an excise tax offset fee. And Marriott Bonvoy points transfer to Delta SkyMiles at a 3:1 ratio.
Related: Points of View: Which credit card should you use for Delta Air Lines flights?
Bottom line
Although the value of Delta SkyMiles has decreased in recent years, there are still excellent deals to be found. While the program has been moving toward a redemption value of 1 cent per mile, you can still surpass that, especially with SkyMiles deals and Delta Vacations.
Additional reporting by Ethan Steinberg.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Gold Card, click here. For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card, click here. For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card, click here. For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Gold Business Card, click here. For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card, click here. For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business Card, click here.