Bank of America offers a variety of credit cards requiring at least a 'good' credit score, defined by FICO as 670 and above. Specific cards, like the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card, offer robust rewards and may require higher scores. Applicants must be U.S. residents and of a certain age, with additional requirements for Puerto Rico residents. Bank of America has a two/three/four rule for card approvals within certain time frames. Denied applicants receive an explanation and can request reconsideration. Improving credit scores for future applications involves timely payments and debt reduction. The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card helps build credit history with no annual fee and a minimum $200 security deposit, despite a high APR. Bank of America reports to major credit bureaus, aiding in establishing credit history.

Austen Chu, cofounder of Wristcheck, transformed his passion for luxury watches into a successful resale business. Starting with an Instagram fan page, Chu expanded into a consignment-based company that has consigned over $80 million in watches since its 2020 launch. Wristcheck opened a physical store in Hong Kong in 2021 and raised $8 million in funding led by Gobi Partners in November 2022. The company plans to launch an app and improve its AI for pricing tools, aiming to make the buying and selling process transparent and trustworthy.

Bernadine Swale, a 68-year-old retiree from Denver, has transformed her life by becoming a housesitter, traveling the world, and living in other people's homes for free. She rents out her own house on Airbnb, earning up to $77,000 a year. Swale has housesat in various countries, including Botswana, Japan, and New Zealand. She uses Trusted Housesitters to find places to stay and advises others to be aware of visa requirements. Swale's lifestyle change came after her divorce and retirement from a pharmacy job. She enjoys the freedom and experiences that housesitting offers, despite occasional challenges such as pet emergencies. Swale has made friends through her housesitting adventures and cherishes the independence and opportunities her new life provides.

Jamie Inlow, founder of Be Still Getaways, recounts her journey from working at Appalachian State University to managing over 100 properties through her Airbnb business. Starting with a neighbor's sheep barn in Scottsville, Virginia, she expanded her portfolio by leveraging social media platforms like Facebook Marketplace and Instagram, and by partnering with a local real estate agent. Inlow emphasizes the importance of aesthetics, amenities like hot tubs, and the use of management and pricing software to maximize bookings. Despite challenges like zoning regulations, her business has grown to include a team of seven employees and 50 contractors, with a revenue of $300,000 in the first half of 2022.

In 1999, financier Michael Maxwell purchased a piece of land with a café and four holiday cabins on Lord Howe Island, Australia, after seeing an ad in a newspaper. He and his son Timmy Maxwell, who shared a fondness for the island, decided to make it their permanent residence in 2013 and began renovating the property. They faced challenges such as strict building permits and logistical issues with material deliveries. The Maxwells focused on sustainable development, using solar energy and rainwater, and aligned the villas to offer views of the jungle. They sourced furniture from Denmark and worked with indigenous Australian artists. The property, named Island House, opened in October 2020 with actor Chris Hemsworth as their first guest, which helped in marketing the venture. Island House offers a membership program and is available for rent, with the Maxwells aiming to grow their clientele.

Nenad Popovic, a butler on the six-star luxury cruise Scenic Eclipse, shares his experiences working on the ship that sails to destinations like the Arctic and Antarctica. He describes his journey from a waiter in Serbia to becoming a cruise butler, detailing the training and promotions he underwent. Popovic highlights the luxurious amenities of the Scenic Eclipse, including five restaurants, helicopter pads, and a submarine. He provides 24/7 butler service to guests, organizing excursions and ensuring their comfort. His most memorable moments include witnessing whales in Antarctica and diving in the Arctic submarine. Popovic finds his greatest reward in creating lasting memories for guests.

Yusri Abu Bakar, a former Singapore Air Force pilot now flying Emirates' A380, shares tips for comfortable long-haul flights. He advises syncing with the destination's time zone, being considerate to flight crew, stretching regularly, eating light, staying hydrated, entertaining children with a schedule, and packing noise-canceling headphones and an eye mask. Comfortable clothing and listening to relaxing music or audiobooks can also help with sleep.

The article discusses the concept of 'work gyms,' online platforms where individuals join structured work sessions to enhance productivity while working remotely. Companies like Ultraworking, Caveday, Focusmate, and Momentum Mornings offer services where members work in timed sprints, often using the Pomodoro technique, and maintain accountability by keeping their cameras on. The article explores the psychological benefits of this approach, such as the focus on monotasking and entering a 'flow state.' The author, Claire Turrell, shares her personal experience with Ultraworking, noting the increased focus and sense of community. The piece also includes insights from psychologists and business experts on the effectiveness of work gyms and alternative strategies for achieving productivity.

SoLo Funds, a fintech marketplace for peer-to-peer lending, was co-founded by Rodney Williams and Travis Holoway to address the need for emergency funds for those on tight budgets. The platform allows users to borrow up to $1,000 with the option to tip the lender and SoLo Funds. Launched in 2017, the company has raised $1.2 million in a pre-seed round and $10 million in a Series A round by February 2021, with investors including ACME Capital and Impact America. SoLo Funds, now a registered B Corp with over 100 employees, has won several awards, including the Visa Everywhere Initiative award.

Sarah Huff generates an average monthly income of $5,000 by renting out baby gear such as cribs, strollers, and toys to traveling families in Los Angeles through BabyQuip. She became a provider after a positive personal experience with the company in Santa Fe. Despite now working at BabyQuip's corporate office, she continues to run her rental business, which has allowed her and her husband to purchase their first home. Huff's story highlights the flexibility and financial benefits of her side gig.

Dahlia Melnick, an 18-year-old babysitter, shares her experiences working for families vacationing in the Hamptons. She charges $25 to $45 per hour and caters to up to three children, taking a 25% service fee through Teen Hamptons. Melnick describes her daily routine, which includes beach trips and managing children's activities, and contrasts it with her previous job as a restaurant hostess. She emphasizes the importance of being alert and engaged while babysitting, despite the common misconception that it's an easy job. Melnick also enjoys the social life in the Hamptons when not working.

A successful Depop reseller recounts their journey from selling personal vintage items to opening a physical storefront in NYC, leveraging TikTok to grow their customer base. With a background in photography and media, the reseller initially worked part-time at Depop's retail space in New York City before deciding to focus on their own store, Rogue. Utilizing social media, particularly TikTok, they attracted a significant following, which translated into physical sales and the eventual opening of a brick-and-mortar shop. The store has hosted various events and pop-ups, attracting a diverse clientele, including celebrities like Post Malone. The business continues to expand with plans for a Rogue clothing line and a podcast.

The Reef Company, supported by IBM and Microsoft, aims to construct 2500 artificial reefs over the next decade to combat climate change by restoring coral reef ecosystems. The company plans to deploy its first reefs by December 2022 and is seeking additional corporate funding to assist in carbon footprint offsetting.

Patrick Smith, a commercial-airline pilot with 30 years of experience, describes the current travel chaos as the worst he's ever seen, with unprecedented lines at airports and a staffing issue across the industry. Airlines have been canceling flights and reducing schedules to manage the situation. Smith notes that the airline-training department is backlogged, making it difficult to retrain pilots quickly. Despite the challenges, he remains passionate about flying and advises travelers to be patient.

Irma Go and her husband Art Thepsoparn discovered three dilapidated stilt houses on the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok during a boat trip in 2015. Captivated by their beauty and history, they decided to purchase and preserve the properties, which were originally built in 1910. After a five-year renovation, they transformed the houses into a luxurious villa named Siri Sala, maintaining the spirit of the original structures. The villa, now featuring five bedrooms, a library, a game room, a saltwater pool, and a garden, is available for rent at 3600 euros per night. The renovation project was inspired by Thai craftsmanship and aimed to respect the cultural heritage while adapting to modern living standards.

Rebecca Newenham, after an eight-year career break, chose not to return to the corporate world and became a virtual assistant, founding Get Ahead. She expanded her business into a franchise, now with 50 virtual assistants across the UK and Spain, and even sold a franchise in Australia. Newenham's business offers a range of services, including social media and Zoom-facilitation, and has adapted to the virtual shift during the pandemic. She emphasizes the importance of flexible working and enjoys empowering others through her brand.

Matthew Mawtus, manager of the Michelin-starred London restaurant Hide, advises on proper etiquette to gain the favor of waitstaff in exclusive dining establishments. Tips include not changing tables without consulting the staff, deciding who will pay before the bill arrives, consulting a sommelier when choosing wine, addressing complaints directly to the manager rather than online, informing the restaurant of dietary restrictions in advance, and engaging with companions instead of using phones during the meal.