Things To Do In SW Florida

LAKE BUENA VISTA — Disney World’s fire department has a new look.

The Gov. Ron DeSantis-backed tourism oversight district approved Wednesday a rebranding of what was previously known as the Reedy Creek Fire Department.

The agency is now called the District Fire Department. Fire officials unveiled a new logo in January, which received official approval Wednesday from the district’s board.

“It’s a wonderful new name and logo,” said Charbel Barakat, acting board chairman.

The Fire Department was one of the last remnants of the former, decades-long name of the special district. Last year, state lawmakers changed the name from the Reedy Creek Improvement District to the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, part of an overhaul led by DeSantis.

Created in 1967, the 39-square-mile special taxing district provides fire protection, roads and other government services for Disney World and nearby properties. For decades, Disney effectively self-governed the district by electing the board’s five members. Last year, the Florida Legislature upended that arrangement and gave the governor the power to appoint the board members. read more

Katie Kelton | Bankrate.com (TNS)

Perhaps your summers hold fond memories of strolling along the beach, hiking mountains or trying new foods at a destination hundreds of miles from home. If so, are you planning to keep the travel streak going this year? Would you go into debt for it?

A new Bankrate survey found that only about half (53%) of Americans are planning a summer vacation in 2024. Of those who plan to travel this summer, more than 1 in 3 (36%) are willing to go into debt to pay for it.

On the other hand, another half (47%) of Americans plan to skip their summer vacation this year, citing affordability as the main issue (65%).

Some summer travelers plan to take on debt for their vacation

More than one-third (36%) of aspiring summer vacationers said in the survey that they plan to use debt to pay for their travels.

This is par for the course when compared to another March 2024 Bankrate survey that asked Americans whether they’d go into debt to pay for fun this year. In that survey, 27% said they’d be willing to go into debt to travel, 14% to dine out and 13% to attend a live entertainment event this year overall — not just in the summer. read more

By Alana Benson | NerdWallet

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Whether it’s going to bed before midnight, eating broccoli, or dealing with your finances, doing the “right” thing can sometimes feel like a herculean effort.

Similar to an erratic sleep schedule or an aversion to eating green things, there are consequences to delaying wise financial moves. If you avoid creating a budget, putting your bills on autopay or learning how to invest, your financial life may become more stressful.

But knowing something is good for you isn’t always enough to make you do it. Many people have complicated feelings around money, and for good reason. Getting to the bottom of those feelings may be the most effective way to deal with avoidant tendencies.

Uncovering your financial beliefs

To get to the root of your financial anxieties, it may be helpful to learn about your “money scripts,” a term that’s a registered trademark of the Financial Psychology Institute. Money scripts are what financial therapists call the unconscious beliefs we hold about money. Often, these beliefs are rooted in our childhood and continue to shape our financial lives as adults. read more