Things To Do In SW Florida

By Akiya Dillon, Las Vegas Review-Journal (TNS)

LAS VEGAS — Some budget airlines charge extra fees when you book a flight online. However, when you book in person, these charges are waived.

So, if you want to save money, go to the airline’s ticket counter at the airport and speak with an associate who can waive these fees when you book your trip in person. All you need is an ID, where you wish to fly, and when.

Though this tip can yield savings of nearly $50 on round-trip flights, it also comes with some stipulations, including limited counter hours for some airlines.

Here’s a look at the online booking fees that a few of the nation’s discount airlines charge:

Sun Country Airlines

Once you reach the checkout page while purchasing a flight on suncountry.com, you may notice something called the “Passenger Interface Charge” in the price breakdown. The charge was first introduced in April 2022, and though it may take on various names, it is common among low-cost airlines, said a spokesperson for Sun Country Airlines. read more

SeaWorld Orlando again is giving away beer to theme-park guests. But there are limits and it’s for a limited time.

Park visitors over age 21 can get one 7-ounce beer per day. The draft will be available daily at Waterway Grill Patio, located beyond the Infinity Falls attraction, from 11 a.m. until one hour before park close. (SeaWorld’s closing time varies from 6 p.m. to 8 pm. during this promotion.) The free-beer deal runs through Jan. 31.

Complimentary beer has been an on-and-off thing for SeaWorld, dating back to the days when the park was owned by Anheuser-Busch, an era that ended in 2008.

SeaWorld has a couple of continuing happy hours. At the park’s Flamecraft Bar, it’s buy one draft beer or cocktail and the second one is $5 from the time that park opens until 4 p.m., daily except Saturday. On Wednesdays, Glacier Bar and Water Bars have a similar deal from 1 p.m. until park close. That deal ends March 14.

For more information, go to seaworldorlando.com.

dbevil@orlandosentinel.com read more

By Karen Bennett, Bankrate.com (TNS)

Navigating the world of personal finance is daunting for anyone, but it’s a particularly pressing concern for members of Generation Z as they begin their careers and become financially independent. Adult Gen Zers, aged between 18 and 27, are grappling with new financial challenges at a time of expensive college costs, a competitive job market and sticky inflation, which reached a 40-year-high in 2022 and remains elevated on items such as food and shelter.

The effects of these financial concerns seep into Gen Z’s well-being, too. According to Bankrate’s money and mental health survey, nearly half of Gen Z respondents say that money negatively affects their mental health, at least occasionally.

Here’s a breakdown of how members of Gen Z approach money, what factors influence their approach and what advice others have for those of this generation.

Key financial insights on Gen Z

• Among Gen Z members, 47% say that money has a negative impact on their mental health. (Bankrate money and mental health survey)
• A significant 40% say they’re either slightly behind or significantly behind on their retirement savings. (Bankrate retirement savings survey)
• Across generations, Gen Z workers are the most likely (28%) to say they don’t know how much they’ll need for retirement. (Bankrate retirement savings survey)
• Nearly two-thirds (64%) of Gen Zers recently said they were likely to search for a new job in the next 12 months. (Bankrate job seeker survey)

Sources of financial stress for Gen Z

As Gen Z enters adulthood and works toward becoming financially independent, they often take on big money-related challenges and responsibilities, such as: read more

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER — A SpaceX mission set to lift off overnight marks a first for Firefly Aerospace under NASA’s plans to build up American companies to support its lunar goals.

A Falcon 9 targeting a 1:11 a.m, liftoff Wednesday from KSC’s Launch Pad 39-A is carrying the Cedar Park, Texas-based company’s Blue Ghost lunar lander, making its first mission under NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program.

Firefly’s Blue Ghost is actually flying up with a second commercial company’s moonbound payload, the lunar lander Resilience with a rover named Tenacious for Japanese company ispace, which is following up a failed moon landing attempt in 2022.

Space Launch Delta 45’s weather squadron forecasts a 90% chance for good launch conditions, which falls to 60% in the event of a 24-hour delay, although booster recovery weather could be a concern both days. The first-stage booster for the mission is making its fifth flight and will attempt a recovery landing downrange on the droneship Just Read the Instructions stationed in the Atlantic. read more