Things To Do In SW Florida

By Amrita Jayakumar | NerdWallet

When you think about changing careers, what comes to mind? A movie montage of quitting your job and finally opening your dream restaurant, or perhaps a childhood vision of you pretending to be an astronaut or rock star?

The economic situation today is challenging, but changing careers is hard even in the best of times. For some, the journey starts with a big step like quitting their job. For others, it can be a series of little steps leading down a new path.

Low pay, a lack of opportunities for advancement, and feeling disrespected at work were the top reasons Americans quit their jobs in 2021, the year of the “great resignation,” according to a Pew Research Center survey released last year. Of those who quit, more than half said they changed their field of work or occupation.

Whether you’re switching industries or exploring a passion you’ve always had, here are some practical tips from career coaches to make your transition easier.

1. Assess your situation

Changing careers looks different if you’re in between jobs versus employed. When you’re living paycheck to paycheck, the idea can feel out of reach, but there are ways to get there. If you’ve just been laid off, “give yourself time to decompress” before making any big decisions, says Carlota Zee, who runs her own eponymous career coaching firm in New York City. You may have to take on a new job fast to stay afloat, but take some time to acknowledge your feelings about losing the old one, she says. read more

Are you considering a home remodel or building a new house? Here are some questions you should ask before you choose a contractor or other licensed professional.

How long have you been in business?

In a community as small as ours, word gets around if you don’t know what you’re doing. In big metropolitan areas, there’s an endless supply of people who need work done and have no idea whether a contractor is any good, but in the Ukiah Valley it’s hard to stay in business for very long doing shoddy or unscrupulous work.

Are you licensed and insured?

A license doesn’t guarantee quality work, but it does increase the chances that your contractor will have the skills to do the job. Be sure your contractor is licensed to do the specific work you need — and that he or she carries both liability and workers’ compensation insurance.

Hiring a licensed and insured professional not only increases the likelihood of quality, but it may also provide financial security if something goes wrong.

Years ago, a local homeowner hired a licensed tree trimming company. Sadly, one of the tree trimmers fell and broke his back. The homeowner felt terrible for the injured man, but relieved that he had chosen a licensed contractor, assuming the tree trimmer’s care would be covered by the company’s insurance. read more

Walt Disney World has announced some additions for Epcot, the hub of activity for Disney100, the celebration of the century mark for Walt Disney Co. These elements kick in Sept. 23, and, in keeping with theme-park trends of 2023, visitors can look for an exclusive popcorn bucket.

Disney unveiled the Mickey balloon premium popcorn bucket, which is a metallic purple tone, on the official Disney Parks Blog on Monday. It will only be available at Epcot, the post says, during Disney100 festivities, which wrap up Dec. 31.

Other Disney100 things to do at Epcot, announced so far, will include:

• A new light show upon Spaceship Earth accompanied by “When You Wish Upon a Star,” which the blog post calls “the Disney100 anthem.”
• A meet-and-greet with Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse decked out in their platinum ensembles in the Imagination pavilion.

• A platinum sculpture of Mickey placed in front of the Disney100 backdrop seen at all four WDW theme parks and Disney Springs. (Farther in background: Spaceship Earth.)
• A mural in the park’s World Celebration neighborhood featuring 100 Disney characters.  This area will have Disney100 banners and platinum decor.

Disney: What’s new to chew at 2023 Epcot Food & Wine fest

Disney parks worldwide have been participating in the Disney100 launch even as Disney World regrouped after its 50th anniversary closed at the end of March. Merchandise, primarily in purple and platinum tones, is for sale at multiple WDW outlets.

Email me at dbevil@orlandosentinel.com. My Threads account is @dbevil. You can subscribe to the Theme Park Rangers newsletter at orlandosentinel.com/newsletters. read more

Bob Haegele | (TNS) Bankrate

A 529 plan is a savings account that can help cover qualifying education expenses. These plans have many advantages, such as portability and favorable tax treatment. A 529 plan allows family members such as parents and grandparents to help contribute to a child’s education.

The average annual in-state tuition cost at a four-year college is $9,678, according to the Education Data Initiative, while out-of-state tuition averages $27,091. Additional costs for things such as books, supplies and food average about $16,000-17,000 per year. With college costs high and only increasing, a 529 plan is more essential than ever.

Here’s how grandparents can use a 529 plan to help grandchildren with education expenses.

Key student debt statistics: What is a 529 plan and how does it work?

A 529 plan is a tax-advantaged account that helps cover the cost of college and other education expenses. The account allows contributors to deposit after-tax money, put it in potentially high-return investments, and withdraw it tax-free if it’s used for qualified education expenses. Plus, some states offer tax deductions for those who contribute to the plans. read more