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it’s just about that time of year in New Orleans, when it’s time to boogaloo. The Bayou Boogaloo. features all the things you’d expect at a top New Orleans festival.
You’ll find great food, arts and crafts tents, boat races, and live music and more.
When Is Bayou Boogaloo in New Orleans?
This year, Bayou Boogaloo takes place on May 17-19, 2024.
Where Is the Bayou Boogaloo Held?
The Bayou Boogaloo is held along the banks of the Mississippi River. Because it’s expected to be crowded, you may be able to get in the water for a better view.
Hop on a kayak to make the experience even more enjoyable.
Both Canal Streetcar lines stop on Canal Street at Norman C. Francis Parkway, which is just a short stroll to the foot of Bayou St. John at Lafitte Street. Canal Streetcar: City Park / Museum + Cemeteries Canal Street at Jefferson Davis Parkway.
How much does the Bayou Boogaloo cost? Early bird weekend passes are $20.24.
Bayou Boogaloo Music Lineup:
- GZA and the Phunky Nomads
- Nutty Professor with Chali N2a
- Morning 40 Federation
- Lez Zeppelin
- Afroman
- Quintron and Miss Pussycat
- Suplecs
- IFE and MORE.
See the full music lineup here.
Final Word
Festivals are a way of life in Nola. You can expect to indulge in many foods that New Orleans is known For, including Gumbo, Beignets and more.
Read about things to see and do in New Orleans.
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There are few things that feel better than dressing up in a nice suit and looking good. In the Big Easy, that’s not too hard.
In this article, we’re going to show you where you can buy a suit in New Orleans. We’ll also look at some places where you can buy suits online.
Here’s Where You Can Buy Suits Online And Locally In New Orleans
Suits are not only cosmetically pleasing, but a well-fitting tailored clothing they also can build your confidence.
Indochino
3944 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115 | (504) 584-8982
Rubensteins
102 St Charles Ave, New Orleans, LA 70130 | (504) 581-6666
Brooks Brothers
333 Canal Street Space 1.21A, New Orleans, LA 70130 | (504) 522-4200
Jeff’s Haberdashery
4100 General De Gaulle Dr suite d-1b, New Orleans, LA 70131 | (504) 393-7074
Now let’s take a look at some of the best suits you can find online. The following suits come from Amazon.com.
Kenneth Cole Reaction Slim Fit
Calvin Klein Slim Suit
Men’s 3-Piece Suit
Grey Kenneth Cole Reaction Suit
Slim Fit Button Blazer Jacket And Pants
Final Word
No matter the season, dressing up is a great feeling. In New Orleans, Louisiana, the city is so colorful that you’ll do yourself a favor by always looking the part.
Dressing to impress takes time, effort and money. If you’re someone who wears a suit from time to time, you can appreciate the many places in New Orleans where you can buy nice clothes.
One of the things that makes the place special is the people, which are eager to show you a good time via parties and authentic New Orleans cuisine.
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Homes / lifestyle / Personal Finance / Save Money5 Min Read
With higher prices and stagnate paychecks, many Americans see affordability is a major issue when it comes to buying a home. In a major city like New Orleans, saving up for a home can be difficult.
This article will tell you how to determine how much home you can buy in New Orleans.
There are many affordable homes in large metropolitan cities like New Orleans and others, but it depends on what you’re looking for.
Here’s How Much House You Can Afford In New Orleans (Calculator)
People buy more house than they need for several reasons:
- Bad advice from Realtors
- Keeping up with the Joneses
- Resale purposes
Let’s talk about each of these a little bit before we move into what homes cost in New Orleans:
Bad Advice From Realtors
Real estate agents play a vital role in the homebuying process, but you have to know when they’re in and out of their lane.
A Realtor has no business telling you how much house you can afford. That’s what a lender is for. A Realtor should only advise you on what type of home you want.
Still, many people listen to Realtors who are out to make a buck. Some of them will tell you that you can afford the home by this strategy and that strategy, but the truth is, it may be a bad deal.
Keeping up the Joneses
This is the worse reason to buy a big house: To keep up with your neighbors, friends or other family members.
If you are vain enough to buy a huge home because of someone else’s situation, then you’re the type that will end up with bad credit because you’re paying too much for your home, car and appliances.
Resale Purposes
Some potential home shoppers want to buy a home because they think that appreciation is going to let them double or triple their money (again, bad advice).
That’s not the reason you should buy a home. You should purchase a home because you like it, the way it looks, feels and speaks to your sensibilities.
The resale market is too unpredictable to base such a big purchase on, especially if you’re not a seasoned investor.
So, how much home can you afford? Here’s how to find out:
Multiply Your Annual Income
To find out how much home you can afford, you would multiply your annual income by two or three.
Let’s say you make: $50,000 a year. That means you could afford a home that costs anywhere from $100,000 to $150,000.
Of course, this will be affected by two things:
- Interest rate: The percentage that is paid by borrowers for the money that they borrow.
- Credit score: A three-digit number that indicates to banks and other lenders how likely you are to repay debt.
Here Are 5 Ways To Determine How Much Home You Can Afford
Answer these questions:
- 1. How much is your annual income?
- 2. How much is your downpayment?
- 3. What ZIP code do you want to live in?
- 4. How much are your monthly expenses (food, clothing, mortgage, etc)?
- 5. What is your credit score?
Here’s a mortgage calculator to help you:
How Can I Calculate How Much Home I Can Afford?
https://www.mortgagecalculator.net/embeddable/v2/?size=1
Powered By www.MortgageCalculator.netOther Factors That Determine How Much Home You Can Afford
Another factor that will indicate how much house you can afford is your expense-to-income ratio.
Front-End Ratio
This is how much your monthly expenses are vs. how much income you bring in. Banks like this number, commonly called a “front-end ratio,” to be between 28 and 30%.
Your mortgage lender will look for your mortgage payment and PMI (private mortgage insurance) to all be around 28% of your income.
Debt-To-Income Ratio
You’ll also need to have a relatively low debt-to-income ratio to get the home you want. This means that the amount of debt you’ve borrowed and paying back is not gobbling up most of your income.
Banks like your debt-to-income ratio to be around 36% typically.
Are You A Veteran?
If you have served your country, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers home loans and grants to help you buy, refinance or renovate your home.
For ex-military and their surviving spouses, the VA guarantees part of the loan, meaning they will cover a portion of the loan if you default. Learn more here.
30-Year-Loan Or 15-Year Fixed?
If you have a choice, you may be wondering which is better: A 30-year mortgage or a 15-year mortgage?
The truth is that both have their advantages. A 30-year mortgage would typically mean a lower monthly bill because the payments are spread out over more years.
The bad part is that you’ll pay a lot more in interest over those years.
For a 15-year fixed, the interest rate is lower and you’ll pay off the principal faster.
The bottom line is if you can afford to do a 15-year mortgage, you should!
Are you looking to buy a home in Atlanta? If you’re selling your old home, there are some things you’re going to need right off the bat:
- A fresh coat of paint
- Freshly manicured lawn
- Latest home trends
Once you’re all set in those areas, you’ll be ready for New Orleans’ real estate scene.
Final Word
When it comes to getting a home, you should always make sure that you’re pre-approved for a mortgage before you begin your search.
And before you choose a lender, make sure you read the reviews.
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Homes / lifestyle / Save Money4 Min Read
New Orleans, Louisiana, presents some great opportunity for potential homebuyers who save up for a home, but like much of the country, high prices and mortgage rates will temper the market.
The good news is that the local real estate market is expected to get better in the Greater New Orleans area, as long as you are priced right and have curb appeal.
Although there are still some cheap homes out there, Greater New Orleans home prices rose throughout the previous year and are poised to continue to do so into 2023 although not as greatly.
Will Prices Go Up Or Down In 2024 In New Orleans?
While the scorching mortgage rates that recently topped 7.79% appear to be cooling, don’t expect a plunge back to the paradise of low rates. Forecasts mostly agree: a slight downward creep is likely, but expect most loans to remain above 6%, significantly higher than both historical lows and current rates enjoyed by the vast majority of homeowners.
This means a major shakeup for the 90% of mortgage holders with enviable sub-4% rates is improbable. In fact, two-thirds of home loan owners sit comfortably below the 4% mark, leaving them largely unaffected by the potential decrease.
Prices in New Orleans, Louisiana, are expected to fall on average of 1% based on Zillow data. The rate of appreciation has been above the national average for most of the past 10 years and that is expected to continue over the next 12 months.
What is The Average Price Of A Home In New Orleans?
According to the latest figures on Zillow, the average home price for a home in New Orleans is just under $250,000. In Metairie, the average price is around $256,000, which is up about 10% over the last year.
There will be a glut of inventory of homes for sale in the metro area, and they will likely take longer to get offers and sales. How to afford a home will also be more of a challenge this year as economic factors loom, expert data says.
There will be more homes for sale, homes will likely take longer to sell, and buyers will not face the extreme competition that was commonplace over the past few year.
Will House Prices Be Cheaper This Year?
Home prices in New Orleans are forecast to decline a bit, which will only serve to strengthen an already steady market. Homeowners are looking for affordable properties in the metro area, and New Orleans will continue to modestly shed inventory.
New Orleans, one of the solidly traditional cities when it comes to home sales, is not unlike other large Southern cities in that it is expected to continue to be an in-demand market. That means the forecasted dip in local housing prices is only temporary.
One of the main factors that will influence home prices is the economic landscape of the United States. Namely, the incremental movements by the Federal Reserve to get inflation in check.
While interest rates are ticking upward, the chance that a full-blown recession takes hold in 2023 can’t be entirely discounted. But what such a move will no doubt do is slow down the mortgage industry.
Rising mortgage rates are expected to continue to shed competition among people looking to buy a home. While a buyers market is a possibility in some areas, for Greater New Orleans, it is anticipated that real estate prices will hold up just enough that such a market won’t firmly take hold.
Home shoppers priced out of the market will likely create pressures on the rent market, boosting prices once again.
How Much Mortgage Do I Qualify For?
To find out how much mortgage you qualify for, use this mortgage calculator.
Javascript Mortgage Calculator by MortgageCalculator.orgFinal Word
Contrary to popular belief, the coronavirus pandemic won’t stop housing prices from climbing in New Orleans or anywhere else. In fact, it may be quite the opposite.
The pandemic set off a buying frenzy that will be hard to sustain. As prices continue to level off, make sure you’re pre-approved for a mortgage so that you can take advantage of low rates.
If your finances need work, make sure you try to raise your credit score so you are an attractive homebuyer.
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New Orleans has a rich history with significant contributions from its African-American community, from scientists, doctors, actors, musicians and more.
African-Americans have contributed mightily to the Crescent City’s culture, music, cuisine, and overall identity. From the contributions of enslaved Africans and free people of color to the development of jazz and other musical genres, to the Civil Rights Movement and beyond, Black history is deeply intertwined with the history of New Orleans.
The city’s vibrant Black community has produced numerous influential figures in music, literature, politics, and activism, making it an important center of African American culture in the United States.
Congo Square
Located within Louis Armstrong Park, Congo Square was a gathering place for enslaved and free people of color, where African cultural traditions, including music and dance, were preserved and blended with European influences, laying the foundation for jazz and other musical genres.
Creole Culture
New Orleans is home to a unique Creole culture, which developed among the city’s mixed-race population. Creole cuisine, music, and architecture all bear the influence of African, Native American, and European traditions.
The Haitian Connection
After the Haitian Revolution in the early 19th century, many free people of color from Haiti fled to New Orleans, enriching the city’s culture and contributing to its vibrant Creole community.
Civil Rights Movement
New Orleans played a significant role in the Civil Rights Movement. The city was the site of several key events, including the 1960 New Orleans school desegregation crisis and the founding of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Notable Figures
New Orleans has been home to many notable Black figures, including jazz musicians like Louis Armstrong, Sidney Bechet, and Jelly Roll Morton, as well as civil rights leaders like A.P. Tureaud and Oretha Castle Haley.
Mardi Gras Indians
The Mardi Gras Indian tradition, where African American communities in New Orleans create elaborate costumes and parade through the streets during Mardi Gras, is a vibrant expression of cultural pride and heritage.
These are just a few examples of the rich Black history in New Orleans, which has contributed significantly to the city’s unique cultural identity.
Final Word
The black experience has defined a part of New Orleans’ culture for sure. from the innovation of jazz to the city’s diverse bar scene, from historic cocktail bars to trendy craft beer spots. listening to lie music is a popular nighttime activity, especially in areas like the French Quarter and the Warehouse District.
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Baton Rouge, like any city, has a range of apartment options with varying prices. The cost of apartments in Baton Rouge can depend on factors such as location, size, amenities, and the overall rental market.
If you’re looking for an apartment, you can definitely find what you need in Baton Rouge.
In this article, we’ll show you the most budget-friendly apartments we’ve found in the area.
Does Baton Rouge Have Cheap Apartments?
Baton Rouge has some of the cheapest rental rates for one-bedroom apartments in the nation. If you have a roommate or a family, that’s where things can get expensive.
Make sure before you sign the lease, you get the amenities you want such as a pool, washer and dryer and a garage for your car.
Here Are The Best Cheap Apartments In Baton Rouge
Let’s go over some prices for the cheapest one-bedroom apartments in Baton Rouge. We’ve included real-world reviews from Google so you can see what tenants who live there have to say about the places.
Savoy Plaza
600 Wooddale Drive, Baton Rouge, La. 70806
Bedrooms Price 1 Bedroom $675 2 Bedroom $1,140 3 Bedroom $2,265 The Sterling
3135 Highland Rd, Baton Rouge, La. 70802
Bedrooms Price 1 Bedroom $495 3 Bedroom $695 Eden Point
11528 Old Hammond Hwy, Baton Rouge, La. 70816
Bedrooms Price 1 Bedroom $625 2 Bedroom $645 Greenview East
1251 N. Ardenwood Dr. Baton Rouge, La. 70806
Bedrooms Price 1 Bedroom $649 2 Bedroom $699 The Retreat At Brightside
2000 Brightside Dr, Baton Rouge, LA 70820
Bedrooms Price Studio Apartment $425 1-bedroom $450-$500 2-bedroom $545-$570 3-bedroom $924 Gaslite Apartments In Tigerland
4606 Ya Tittle Ave, Baton Rouge, LA 70820
Bedrooms Price Studio Apartment $545 1-bedroom $625 2-bedroom $800 3-bedroom $995 Final Word
Finding an affordable apartment is not easy. Before you pay the lease, see if you can negotiate a cheaper rate.
Baton Rouge has a lot of things going for it. As the capital of Louisiana, the city has a high profile in the Southeast. It also has some of the cheapest apartments for a city its size.
If you’re tired of renting, it may be time for you to get a home. Here are the steps you need.
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Dining / lifestyle / Where To Eat4 Min Read
If you’re visiting New Orleans and looking for a place to eat, it’s hard to stay away from the tourist areas, which are pretty much scattered around downtown. But you may be wondering what do the locals eat?
New Orleans folk go to some of the same eateries that the tourists do, but not as frequent and not during the busy times. With that said, there are also some spots in the city that visitors will simply never know about — and that’s a good thing.
This article will show you some of the best places that local residents love to eat at in New Orleans.
Bennachin
1212 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70116 | (504) 522-1230
Here’s what one customer says about Bennachin: “Amazing West African food. We got the Akara black eyed pea fritters to start, and also got the iced hibiscus tea. Then we split the Kone Ni Makondo, which is black-eyed peas in tomato and onion stew served with fried plantains and coconut rice; and Bennachin, which is Jollof rice with spinach. Everything we ate was absolutely incredibly delicious. The restaurant also had a really cool atmosphere and our server was super nice. All in all a perfect experience.”
Cafe Maspero
601 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70130 | (504) 523-6250
Here’s what one patron says about Cafe Maspero: “We planned to walk to Central Grocery for a late lunch of a muffaletta but came across Café Maspero and decided to try it. I’m so glad we did! We ordered drinks (Hurricane for hubby and a bourbon/sprite for me) and the muffaletta, which comes with fries, to share. Our server was very attentive and answered questions. Food came out quickly, was very hot, and oh so delicious! There was plenty to share for lunch, and we hope to come back and try more options from menu before we leave town. Highly recommend!”
Déjà Vu Restaurant & Bar
400 Dauphine St, New Orleans, LA 70112 | (504) 523-1931
Here’s what one patron says about Déjà Vu Restaurant & Bar: “Chill environment, fun and witty staff, food was great. Actually had some gumbo there that was better than others I tried in the area. And the 24/7hours are the best part!!!
Patios
6078 Laurel St, New Orleans, LA 70118 | (504) 895-9441
Here’s what one customer says about Patios: “The service was decent though a bit lacking for the cost. Great venue and overall great experience.”
M&J Soul Food Restaurant
9301 Lake Forest Blvd #107, New Orleans, LA 70127 | (504) 304-2703
Here’s what one reviewer says about M&J Soul Food. “Best chitterlings, clean and plenty. Well worth the price.”
Sneaky Pickle & Bar Brine
3200 Burgundy St, New Orleans, LA 70117 | (504) 218-5651
Here’s what one customer says about the Sneaky Pickle & Bar Brine. “One of the best vegan-friendly restaurants in the city, now in a big beautiful space! While the menu items are all great, it’s the specials that have me coming back all the time.”
Li’l Dizzy’s Cafe
1500 Esplanade Ave, New Orleans, LA 70116 | (504) 766-8687
Here’s what one customer says about Li’l Dizzy’s Cafe: “The owner himself greeted us at the door and seated us. A welcoming, friendly gentleman informed us of their brunch buffet, which consisted of fried chicken, smothered chops, traditional red beans n rice and many more of the foods specific to New Orleans menus.
But we were in the mood for breakfast and Kelsey, our server, was one of the nicest people I’ve met during my time here. She helped make our dining experience one of the most memorable moments in New Orleans.”Saint John
1117 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70116 | (504) 581-8120
Here’s what one customer says about Saint John: “Mind blowing and mouth watering brunch experience. Pic of Oyster Sardou. I’m honored to have been the first to try this dish on there first opening for brunch. Thank you Chef.”
Final Word
New Orleans is one of those cities that have very special eateries in just about every area. It really does depend on what you have a taste for.
New Orleans continues to be under COVID restrictions, but you can still dine inside the restaurants, if that is your desire.
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New Orleans is a city that needs little reason to celebrate and Easter is no different. You can enjoy a great meal in the Crescent City for Easter. Don’t know where to go? Keep reading.
Easter 2024: Where To Eat In New Orleans
This article will show you some of the best places to visit and the top restaurants to eat at during your visit to New Orleans for Easter.
Where To Eat In New Orleans For Easter
Now let’s get into some great places to eat in New Orleans right now.
Brennan’s
417 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70130 | (504) 525-9711
Here’s what one reviewer says about Brennan’s: “Design of the restaurant is really good. Service was decent. However I did not like the food. Whether that was my fried rabbit particularly or the oil they use, I just stayed hungry.”
Cochon Restaurant
930 Tchoupitoulas St suite a, New Orleans, LA 70130 | (504) 588-2123
Here’s what one reviewer says about Cochon: “Our experience at Cochon was pleasant. Service was quick and food was delicious. Drinks are also well crafted. The oysters on garlic chili oil was a winner. The alligator was different. If you don’t mind eating alligator then it’s probably good. Just not for me.”
Commander’s Palace
1403 Washington Ave, New Orleans, LA 70130 | (504) 899-8221
Here’s what one customer says about Commander’s Palace: “Commander’s Palace was a lovely dining experience- the ambiance was great, our waiter had a dynamite personality, and we had fun having an excuse to dress up! I forget the details but I believe the sourcing of the meat was local/organic if they possibly could which I thought was nice. Also, the bread pudding was delicious!”
Doris Metropolitan New Orleans
620 Chartres St, New Orleans, LA 70130 | : (504) 267-3500
Here’s what one customer says about Doris: “This place was incredible. The service was excellent. The food was… I swear I died and am presently a ghost. The desert was so so so rich, but so incredibly good.
Absolutely hit this place up if you are looking to dine high quality.”Final Word
New Orleans is known as a party city, but a celebratory city is a much more accurate word. Easter and other holidays are great excuses to do what we do best in the Big Easy: Party hearty,
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Grocery prices are sky-high right now and there’s not much we can do about them. However, when it comes to our spending habits, there are quite a few things we can do to tighten our financial belts while grocery shopping.
Overall, food prices have jumped nearly 10% over the past year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
How To Save On Your Groceries
Here are some of ways you can cut down on your grocery bill.
Eat Inside More
Along with your groceries going up, restaurants are raising their prices as well. Instead of going out to eat as much, see if you can cut down and eat at home more often.
My girlfriend who is a graduate student at Xavier University in New Orleans actually cut down on dining out by relegating one weekend night for restaurant food. Over a two-month span, she saved $300! It can change your life!
Learn some recipes so that you can save more of your cash. Follow this delicious gumbo recipe.
Sign Up For Amazon Prime
Amazon Prime costs $139 a year, but it can save you money on food items that you love. If you have a Whole Foods in your area, you can get a discount on quality items if you’re a Prime member.
You can also save on bulk items that can be shipped to you in two days or less in some cases.
Have you tried it? If not, you can sign up for Amazon Prime at Amazon.com/Prime.
Clip Coupons
I know what you’re thinking: Clipping coupons is so 1990s, but they continue to be a way you can save on foods you love.
Grab the weekly ads from your favorite grocery store and cut out all the food items that you like that are on sale. You can also use online coupons from Coupons.com.
Shop At Discount Stores
Stay away from the Whole Foods grocery aisles if you’re not an Amazon Prime member! Shop instead at discount grocery stores like Save-A-Lot, Aldi and Lidl, where you can find cheaper items.
Buy Generic Brands
One way you can keep more money in your pocket is to buy generic brands rather than the big name brands that are well known.
Make a list of the name-brand items you love then do a Google search for “[name-brand item] alternatives” and see what comes up. You might find a new favorite brand!
Final Word
Although we see the increases in certain foods, we know that our paychecks aren’t increasing at the same rate. That’s why it makes sense to see how we can cut down on our grocery bills.
Not only will our budgets be healthier, but we could actually lose some pounds.
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It’s never easy to just walk into the gym and start working out. You have to work yourself up to that point. As a beginner, exercise may be a process, and that’s OK.
In many cases, what you need is a basic understanding of how the equipment works. You can get seriously injured if you lift weights and other equipment and don’t know how to use them properly.
In this article, we’ll show you how to use gym equipment the right way. I’ve pulled some videos from Instagram to show you how to use gym equipment effectively and safety.
How To Use Gym Equipment The Right Way
Deciding on which part of the body you want to exercise is what determines what gym equipment you need. Let’s take a look at some equipment and how to use it.
Jump Rope
View this post on InstagramAb Pullups
View this post on InstagramBuy Some Free Weights
You might want to think about investing in some free weights to build muscle and tone along with your workouts. Here are some free weight options from Amazon:Resistance Bands
View this post on InstagramStability Ball
View this post on InstagramPilates
View this post on InstagramFinal Word
Being a beginner doesn’t mean you should skimp on safety when it comes to working out. If you need to hire a professional trainer, that is an option you should look into.
Don’t forget that you can add weight to get more resistance no matter what exercise you do.
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