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4 best train travel destinations one should not miss

4 best train travel destinations one should not miss

Even at a time when flights have stolen the limelight, nothing beats the special charm of the slow, savored train journeys through scenic routes. Train travel is highly cost-effective and provides the advantage of enjoying the vacation right from the moment one boards the train. Moreover, the trains offer access to a plethora of breathtaking destinations within the country. Here are some recommended destinations one can consider planning a train travel:

Alaska
Boasting of the highest mountain in North America and being one of the most highly glaciated destinations worldwide, being in Alaska is an elevating experience, literally and figuratively. The state lends itself to those who breathe adventure as well as the ones who would like to enjoy a peaceful vacation away from their daily hustle. The state also hosts a wide range of migratory birds and wildlife species at the Denali National Park. From mountain climbing and canoeing to rafting and kayaking, Alaska has it all. The best way to enjoy this destination in all its glory is to travel via the Alaska Railroad, which runs from Seward to Fairbanks.

Colorado
This diverse state offers everything a travel enthusiast is probably looking for – arid deserts, snow-capped mountains, river canyons, and hot springs. Over the years, it has emerged as an iconic travel destination in the States, with people from across the country and the world flocking to this region. While here, one cannot miss hiking at the Rocky Mountain National Park and driving through Denver, Colorado’s cultural hub. For those interested in skiing and adventure sports, Telluride offers the most enjoyable skiing experience suited to beginners and experts. Planning a visit to Colorado via the scenic Leadville Hillroad would be one of the best ways to visit this state. The Georgetown Loop Railroad and the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad are excellent train travel options.

Oregon
With the Pacific Ocean embellishing its horizons, a trip to Oregon makes for long walks amid breathtaking coastline views, spectacular hiking trails, and a breezy evening by the mighty sea. Portland, Oregon’s largest city, is renowned for its vibrant culture, food, art displays, music, nightlife, and festive celebrations and is a whole different mood for visitors. The city is also easily accessible to some of the best scenic destinations in Oregon, including Mount Hood. The Amtrak Coast Starlight connects Los Angeles to Seattle and halts at Portland, with long stretches of the Pacific coastline.

Arizona
Home to the Grand Canyon, Arizona is a state filled with cultural and historical richness and has a place for all kinds of travelers. One may choose to enjoy stories of the Grand Canyon’s history, enjoy a panoramic view of the Sonoran desert from a hot air balloon in Phoenix, or engage in outdoor adventure sports. There are also several well-known resorts and spas in this state. Three Amtrak routes cover Arizona state and offer incredibly scenic views along the way.

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5 amazing hacks to book flights for cheap

Airfare is generally the most expensive part of a trip. If you’ve tried booking a flight before, you realize how frustrating it is to see the fare rise every time you search for the same flight. Airlines are trying their best to pull money out of our pockets, so we’ve to become smarter too. Here’s how you can find the cheapest flight possible:Go incognitoHave you noticed a fare hike after searching for the same flight a few times? This is not exactly happening because your flight is in demand. While the exact technical details about how this happens are uncertain, experts say that your browser cookies are to blame. So, it’s always recommended to search for and book a flight in your browser’s incognito mode. The incognito window resets your cookies each time you open it and can help you find a flight at a lower price. Having said that, it is still best to avoid searching for the same flight multiple times.The search engine mattersUsing the right search engine is very important to find the cheapest flight to your destination. Although there’s no single flight search engine that can help you get great deals, Skyscanner, Momondo, and Google Flights are the three favorite search engines among travelers right now. That being said, there’s never a guarantee that they are showing you the lowest prices, so you should check out a couple of other websites before booking.Pick the cheapest day to flyYou might have heard people saying that you can save money by flying on a Tuesday or Wednesday, but it’s not a consistent truth, and there is no “cheapest day of the week” to fly out. Instead, if you want to get an idea of which day(s) can be the least expensive to fly, you must get a quick visual of prices for a whole month. Flight search engines like Skyscanner, Kiwi.com, and Google Flights offer tools that can help you identify the cheapest days or months to fly to a particular destination.Choose a budget airlineFlying via budget airlines is a great way to get a really cheap flight. Budget airlines mostly offer significantly lower rates than bigger airlines, but this comes with compromises like less legroom and no free food or drinks and movies. If you’re ready to lose these luxuries to get a cheap flight, budget airlines are an ideal option for you. A word of caution: always read the fine print before booking, and check the location of the airport where the flight lands, as some budget airline flights land on airports further out of town.Subscribes to airlines’ newsletterSometimes, you can find the best deals directly on the airlines' websites. You can access these deals by subscribing to their newsletter and receive promo codes and special offers that help you book a flight for cheap. If you sign up for the newsletters of multiple airlines, you can create a separate email ID or use filters that automatically move emails to a specific folder so that you find them easily.

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4 factors to look for in a travel management company

For companies to stay successful perennially, corporate travel is a potent tool. Corporate travel forms an important part of every company's employee experience activities. Businesses need to collaborate with travel management companies (TMC) who handle the process of coming up with destinations, streamlining the travel process, and suggesting ideas for improving employee travel experience and saving on travel spending. Here are some factors to consider when searching for a travel management partner: The products or services not provided by the TMC Travel management companies need to have a well-defined range of products and services to offer their client partners. Businesses need to verify whether these services and features cover the complete set of solutions they need. This can be done by checking out all the services the management company does not provide. Usually, some of the gap areas include corporate deal coverage of auxiliary travel requirements like car rental, train tickets, and travel insurance policies. Additionally, the absence (or availability) of value-added services such as data security, travel risk management, and analytics are also certain factors to check and consider before finalizing a travel management company to become a partner of any business. Compliance with travel guidelines Compliance with certain set travel guidelines is more critical than many businesses believe. In fact, travel guideline compliance is a major challenge companies face when executing corporate travel arrangements. A lack of proper guidelines can drive the travel budget and wreck an organization's balance sheets and bottom lines. Therefore, one thing to consider for businesses is whether a travel management partner is willing to let a dedicated account manager work closely with them to keep travel expenses reined in no matter what the circumstance or destination is. Clear data reporting The dedicated account manager is responsible for compliance with more than travel guidelines. In fact, travel management companies must have a clear and utterly transparent relationship with their clients. Every cost, every term and condition, and every peculiar policy must be disclosed, and information must constantly be relayed regarding any developments surrounding a corporate travel booking or schedule. Businesses will need to check with other companies or users of a travel management company to know how clear their reporting is and how efficiently they deliver their promised services. Easy travel arrangements Travel management companies are responsible for making travel arrangements simple for a company's employees and executives. That is a major requirement while selecting a management company and sticking with it through thick and thin. Travel management companies should not leave companies and their employees struggling to navigate the paperwork connected to a corporate travel plan. Companies must consider things like how easy or difficult it is to use the travel management company's online booking platform custom-made for their client's travel operations. A simple process benefits employees more and makes their experience with their employer more rewarding over the long term.

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The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee – Specs, features, and price

When it comes to off-roading capability and engine power, probably no other SUV can outstand the Jeep Grand Cherokee. The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee is more capable and refined than its predecessors and is available in a wide variety of trim levels. To help you stay informed the next time you are at a Jeep Grand Cherokee sale, here is a list of its specs and features, and where you can find Jeep Grand Cherokee for sale. Performance The Grand Cherokee Limited X, the new trim level to the 2019 model, is powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine that produces a horsepower of 295 and torque of 260 lb-ft. This robust engine offers a comfortable and effortless ride. One of the most impressive features of this SUV is its towing capacity of up to 6,200 lbs. You can also go for the upper trim levels that are powered by the superior V8 engine. The supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine in the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk generates 707 horsepower and 645 lb-ft of torque, which delivers a towing capacity of 7200 lbs. The Grand Cherokee has the slick eight-speed automatic transmission and is available in the four-wheel-drive configuration. Features, technology, and safety All Grand Cherokee models are equipped with the ProTech I package.
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Here’s what you need to know before looking for tire coupons

Unlike other parts of your vehicles, your tires undergo rigorous wear and tear. Depending on the number of miles you drive and other factors, you need to replace them every few years for the safety and optimum performance of your vehicle. While this may cause a dent in your pocket, one of the best ways to shop for tires is using tires coupons. Many big tire brands such as Goodyear, Firestone, and Bridgestone among others, offer tires coupons and promo codes as part of their marketing or customer retention campaigns. You can easily find tires coupons for brands such as Firestone, Bridgestone, and Goodyear on various coupon websites. However, you need to ensure that these websites are authentic and also check the expiration date on these coupons. Moreover, considering the safety concerns related to tires, you should only opt for the best tires from reputable brands like Goodyear. To help you pick the right tire for your vehicle here is a quick read on the benefits of purchasing tires from Goodyear. To find the right Goodyear tire for your vehicle, use the Tire Finder tool on the Goodyear website. Using any of the following three options, you can find the right tires for your vehicle.
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Top trim levels of the 2020 Ram 2500

One of the best pickup trucks in the business, the 2020 Ram 2500 is loaded with a suite of features that make it one of the most desired pickup trucks today. To offer the ultimate driving pleasure, the Dodge has features divided into various trims that can suit every buyers’ budget. As a result, the Dodge Ram 2500 is now available in six trims and 29 configurations. This article elaborates on the special features offered by each trim—right from its engine specifications to interiors and much more. Read on. Tradesman The powertrain consists of a 6.4-liter V-8 gasoline engine with eight-speed automatic transmission. It is also available with a 6.7 Cummins turbo diesel. The 4×4 model features manual shifting with an on-the-fly transfer case for all old-school drivers. The pickup truck also comes with electronic stability control and automatic quad halogen headlights. Power Wagon It has the same chassis as the Tradesman, except, instead of the 6.7-liter Cummins turbo diesel, it has an 8HP75 with eight-speed transmission. This engine is suitable for light commercial vehicles (LCV). It also has LED projector headlamps. The Power Wagon comes with hill descent control for better stability and control when descending down a mountain range.
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Pros and cons of automated investing

Automated investing services, or Robo advisors, have become ubiquitous in the present times. Many financial service companies now have their own automated investing services. There’s no doubt that the introduction of Robo advisors has made investing an accessible financial option to many. However, automated investing has some disadvantages as well. So, before you decide to opt for the best automated investing service, have a look at its pros and cons. Pros of using Robo advisors Low fee Low management fees are one of the biggest advantages of opting for a Robo advisor. Big names in the finance industry such as Charles Schwab Corp.’s Intelligent Portfolios offer Robo advisors for free, while some financial institutes such as Betterment and Wealthfront charge a low 0.25% as a management fee. High-quality investment portfolios Algorithms used in some of the best automated investing services such as the ones provided by Betterment are backed by Nobel prize-winning investment models. These models are created to offer the greatest return on investment for the smallest risks. Access to a financial advisor Many traditional financial services companies now use Robo advisors to select assets for their client’s investment portfolios. This allows them to offer their clients financial advisers that can help them with taxes, loans, and any kind of financing or investment.

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4 tips that can help you pick the right investment advisor

4 tips that can help you pick the right investment advisor

An investment advisor can be a game-changer. A capable advisor can help solve most of your financial issues and give you the best investment advice so that you can turn market situations to your favor. But, finding the right investment advisor is not easy. Here are a few things you need to keep in mind while looking for the best investment advisor. Know what type of service you need First, you need to decide what kind of financial assistance you need. Do you need help picking investments? Or are you seeking advice on real estate, retirement, or insurance needs? Asking yourself these questions will help determine the type of investment advisor you are looking for. Nowadays, many people use a robo-advisor, which is as competent as a human investment advisor. A robo-advisor is great for investment management and other basic investments. But if you want substantial transformation in your money-situation, a human advisor is the viable option. Choose a fee-only advisor If you’ve decided to pick a human advisor, the next step is to choose the type of advisor: commission-based, fee-based, or fee-only. If you’re planning something big financially, you must pick a fee-only advisor. Such advisors work for and get paid by other clients like you, so they always act in their clients’ best interest.
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Handy tips for retirement-focused investments

Handy tips for retirement-focused investments

With pension plans becoming more and more obsolete, retirement-focused investments have come to the fore in the past few years. Besides helping you fund your future, these valuable assets also provide incredible gains, and in some cases, constant income till the end of life. Since investing for retirement—and planning it—can prove to be challenging, we have put together a list of tips that may be helpful in the process. Assess your options Multiple investment vehicles are ideal for long-term gains and can return a sizable amount by the time you retire. Mutual funds, stocks, bonds, exchange-traded funds, cash investments, annuities, and dividend reinvestment plans (DRIPs) are also good sources of high returns, although they depend on investor characteristics and risk aptitude. Saving money in certain tax-advantaged accounts such as 401(k), individual retirement accounts (IRA), and brokerage accounts is also an option. Start early and young No one is ever too young to invest. It’s a healthy habit that can earn serious money in the long term, with even the smallest of investments capable of making a difference a few years down the line. Starting early gives your money time to grow and lets you accumulate more compound interest over a period of time.
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4 popular credit cards for college students

4 popular credit cards for college students

A good credit score is essential as it can be a criterion for lucrative job prospects or renting an apartment. Moreover, a good credit score is an uncompromisable necessity while applying for a loan that has terms and conditions that favor you. To ensure that you have a good credit score, it is better to start building it young and early. One of the easiest ways to do so is by applying for a student credit card from prominent credit cards companies. Now, there are several credit cards companies that offer lucrative credit cards, making choosing the right one confusing. To help you narrow down your choices, here are some of the best credit cards companies that offer student credit cards. Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students: One of the biggest credit card companies in the country Bank of America offers a slew of benefits with its student credit card. With each dollar spent using this card, students can earn 1.5 points. This applies to purchases without any caps. The points can be redeemed as discounts on hotels, flights, rental cars, and vacation packages. There are no restrictions or blackout dates applicable for availing these discounts. With no foreign transaction fee or annual fee, the card allows one to earn nearly 25,000 points on spending about $1000 in the first 90 days.
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What you must know about guaranteed business loans

What you must know about guaranteed business loans

If you’re looking for funding your small business with a loan, you’ll most likely come across the term “guaranteed business loans.” People often misunderstand this term as business loans that are guaranteed to be approved. But, this is not what guaranteed business loans means. To clarify the confusion, let’s understand what the term actually means, and discuss the most popular types of guaranteed business loans. What are guaranteed business loans? In simple terms, guaranteed business loans in the world of small business loans refer to loans that are secured or backed by a guarantee. The guarantee can be in the form of collateral, deposit, or an agreement. This essentially means that the lender is guaranteed to receive their money back even if the borrower fails to pay. When we talk about guaranteed business loans, we refer to loans with a personal guarantee or, more commonly, loans guaranteed by the small business administration (SBA). Let’s take a look at both these types. Personally guaranteed business loans As you understand from the term “personal,” when you make a personal guarantee on a business loan, you essentially agree to sell your assets to pay off the loan, if your business is unable to do so.
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5 mistakes to avoid when investing in a high dividend ETF

5 mistakes to avoid when investing in a high dividend ETF

Exchange-traded funds (ETF) have been gaining popularity in the investment sector for some time now. Along with mutual funds, they have been one of the most preferred investment options among investors. With investors having pumped in billions of dollars in ETFs by now, these funds sure seem like a lucrative investment avenue. However, financial experts suggest treading this path carefully so as to avoid unforeseeable losses. Here are a few mistakes that you can avoid while investing in high dividend ETFs: Overlooking long-term investment Looking at long-term goals is the golden rule when it comes to any type of investment. However, seasoned investors invest in ETFs on a short-term basis through a type of trading called intraday trade. This type of trading allows the investors to buy and sell stocks and other investments on the same day. However, if not thought out carefully, investing in high dividend ETFs through intraday trading can result in lower returns and higher trading costs. Buying an ETF simply based on its name This is one of the most common mistakes people make when investing in high dividend ETFs. Investors may think that an ETF’s name provides an insight into its investment reach, i.e., whether the ETF has local or/and global investors.
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How to qualify for a reverse mortgage

How to qualify for a reverse mortgage

A reverse mortgage provides the elderly access to equity in their homes and supplements their income. With its flexible repayment option, it gives homeowners more control over their money. However, the government has laid out strict rules and guidelines concerning reverse mortgage eligibility criteria. So, if you’re considering a reverse mortgage, read on to know the reverse mortgage eligibility criteria and the types of reverse mortgages. Reverse mortgage eligibility criteria The first criterion for a reverse mortgage is that the primary homeowner must be at least 62 years of age. If your spouse is under the age of 62, you might still be eligible if you meet other reverse mortgage eligibility criteria. If you’re not 62 or older than 62, then you won’t qualify for a reverse mortgage even if you satisfy the criteria mentioned below. You must be the primary resident of the home you’re seeking a reverse mortgage for. Note that vacation homes or rental properties do not qualify. You must either entirely own the house or have at least 50% equity in it. If you have any mortgage balance remaining while applying for a reverse mortgage, you must be in a financial position to pay off that balance.
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