The issue of how much to tip doormen is usually brought up when the holiday season is around the corner. A majority of apartment tenants go through the motions and give a tip while others question the practice, saying that doormen already get tips as they perform their duties throughout the year.
The practice continues as people rationalize that it’s not so much an extra thank you for service provided during the year, but rather to ensure the same level or better service in the coming year.
In New York City, tips given to doormen range from $20 to $100. A lot of factors go into how much exactly one should give his doorman.
Out of all the different variables, you need to assess whether you are living in an expensive apartment, how big the complex is, what level of service is given by the doorman, if they are friendly, and how many doormen there are to tip. If you are new, the best idea would be to ask a neighbor how much is appropriate.
In other apartments, the management companies or cooperative boards offer guidelines or suggestions. Their participation towards holiday tipping can range from merely providing a roster of the building’s staff to suggesting a specific amount for each staff. Some people prefer this since it will keep their holiday tipping expenses more manageable.
Some complexes are very organized and will ask for contributions from all the tenants, which is then dispersed accordingly to all the relevant people. Again, many people like this as it is an easy and fair way to tip.
Some residents may want to be more personal than this and will give an actual gift as well as money, maybe food or a bottle of wine. Usually, when you tip, you should feel good about it.
As long as you know what an acceptable tip is within your building, you will be able to tip hassle free. Make sure you give it to them in person, and in efficient packaging.
This writer has been publishing commentary on doorman buildings for the previous six years. Moreover, the author likes blogging about NYC real estate subjects, including apartments in NoHo along with Little Italy condos.
Filed under Personal Finance by Alan Peterson
Compare exchange rates at banks and currency conversion centers with prepaid travel cards and you will see prepaid cards are the better option. Banks and exchange bureaus charge fees of 2% with an additional three pound transaction fee for conversions. You do not have to worry about such high fees with prepaid travel cards.
There are many different vendors offering prepaid travel cards with either the Visa or Mastercard logo. You have your choice of what type of card you would like to load. Some prepaid cards come only with the option to withdraw cash from ATMs. There are over one million ATMs in over than 160 countries that will accept these cards. Your cash will always be readily available.
Prepaid travel cards are preloaded with money that you plan to spend while travelling abroad. You determine the amount and how and where you want to spend your funds. If there are remaining funds on the card you have two options. If you are a frequent traveller of your particular destination, then you can leave the funds on the card. Your other option would be to withdraw the money. Your funds are never lost if you do not use the balance.
There are other prepaid travel cards that can be used as regular credit or debit cards. You can shop, pay for goods and service and hotels worldwide. They can also be used to withdraw cash from ATMs in more than 160 countries. These cards are also pre loaded with a certain amount of funds that you determine. From a financial aspect, they are a great way for you to control spending.
Currency travel cards are a secure option to banks and currency exchange bureaus. You have the added protection against fraud and identity theft. Travel cards are not like bank debit cards, they are not linked to your personal checking or savings account. So if there is ever unauthorized activity on your account, you can rest assured that your checking or savings accounts will remain unharmed.
Customer service is always available if your card is ever lost or stolen. A hold will be placed on your account preventing any further funds from being withdrawn. They are also insured, therefore any stolen funds would be replaced. And like all credit and debit cards, these pre paid card has associated PINs that you assign, making your funds even more secure.
Prepaid cards offer security, convenience and a more affordable option than banks and currency exchange bureaus. Compare exchange rates They give you the flexibility to spend your money how you want without the added costs of transaction fees. You ultimately get the best currency rates since you can secure foreign currency exchange rates in advance of your visit. This will save you an additional 5 to 8% on conversion rates.
Are you now thinking about getting yourself a prepaid mastercard? Consider going here when you buy dollars to look at the brilliant rates on foreign currency you could get.
Filed under Personal Finance by Joan Evans
November 7, 2009
Enjoy The Good Things In Life By Arranging A Remortgage, Secured Loan Or Homeowner Loan.
Secured loans otherwise known as homeowner loans can be used for almost any purpose as can remortgages. These two types of secured homeowner loans can be used for almost any purpose.Their uses can be from anything such as the buying of a car or caravan to any kind of home improvement up to debt consolidation, school fees or even for the purchase of a holiday whether at home or abroad.
However secured loans , remortgages and homeowner loans can be used for very much less serious reasons such as a holiday combined with a visit to a film festival for example.
By taking out a secured homeowner loan or a remortgage you will not have to economize on the quality of holiday.
Saunter through Central Park hand in hand with your partner and try to rekindle the romance that seemed to be lost in the hustle and bustle of your day to day life in the UK and kick the red and gold Autumn leaves that gather at your feet.
New York is home to wonderful restaurants which offer food from every corner of the globe. So whether Chinese is your food of choice or Indian is more to your taste there is sure to be a restaurant to suit you. Italian restaurants abound in the Big Apple, and as there is big Italian population most of these are owned by people from the old country and as such they are in general very good.
Stop at Luigi’s, go in and feel the cosy and friendly ambience and enjoy your suppli with Neapolitan sauce, followed by a delicious juicy steak a la Fiorentina all washed down with an excellent bottle of Chianti or the increasing popular Italian wine, Pinot Grigio. There is no need to compromise on the cost of your meal as your secured homeowner loan funds are covering the cost and the repayments spread over the next few years are very affordable. Therefore splash out and order a chilled bottle of Dom Perignon Champagne which makes a delicious accompaniment to the zabaglione, followed by the cheese board with the Grana Padana, Peccorino, etc.
After dinner roam the streets and enjoy the ambience of this most vibrant of cities, and window shop or better still go in and treat yourself to some designer clothing. Remember you are in the home of DKNY.If you like the theatre or simply want to go to a show for the first time, there is no better place to do this than on Broadway. This Broadway show can complete a perfect day.
Life really does become more enjoyable with a little help by way of a remortgage, homeowner loan or secured loan.
Want to find out more about secured loans, then visit Champion Finance’s site on how to choose the best secured loan for your needs.
categories: remortgages,homeowner loans,secured loans,theatre,holidays,travel,loans,property,rel estate,refinancing
Filed under Loans by Liz Moir

