Low buy, big impact: How I cut spending and stress
If you’re anything like me, your social media feeds were full of people doing low-buy or no-buy challenges at the beginning of the year. They were sick of overconsuming, so they set rules for themselves to spend much less — or nothing at all — on nonessential expenses.
The CFPB drops its enforcement lawsuits against Capital One, Rocket Homes and more
NEW YORK (AP) — The Consumer Finance Protection Bureau has dropped several enforcement actions against companies like Capital One and Rocket Homes, just weeks under new leadership and turmoil at the agency caused by orders from Trump administration.
In voluntary dismissals filed on Thursday, the CFPB dropped lawsuits it had brought against Capital One, Rocket Homes, Vanderbilt Mortgage and Finance, owned by Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway, and more.
Those suits were all filed under the agency’s previous director, Rohit Chopra, who President Donald Trump fired just weeks ago. The CPFB has since plunged into turmoil — with the White House later ordering it to halt nearly work, closing its headquarters and firing scores of its workers.
How to buy an annuity: Get passive income for life
By James Royal, Ph.D., Bankrate.com
An annuity offers a stream of cash flow and the safety that you won’t outlive your income during retirement. Annuities are a popular retirement strategy, and you can buy them from an insurance company with a variety of features, depending on your specific financial needs and goals.
Here’s how to purchase an annuity and get passive income for life.
How to purchase an annuity: A step-by-step guide
Annuities are highly specialized products that offer a range of potential benefits but annuities are complex and difficult to get out of if you change your mind. So, the best place to begin is to evaluate your own financial needs.
1. Evaluate your financial goals
An annuity provides cash flow over an extended period of time, potentially for life. It also offers various tax advantages that can help you defer taxes on the investment. You’ll need to understand how that fits into your financial circumstances and whether an annuity is a good investment for you.
—What is your budget likely to be in retirement?
—Will you need to fill a gap in your budget with the passive income of an annuity?
People on the move
Engineering
Dorian Maness was promoted to senior project manager at Matern Professional Engineering, Maitland.
Law
Adam J. Wicker has joined ShuffieldLowman as an attorney in the form’s Orlando office.
Public relations
Gisselle Garcia was hired as a senior public relations strategist at Curley & Pynn Public Relations Management, Orlando.
Real estate
Blake Hattaway has joined NAI Realvest, Orlando, as a sales associate.
Erica Atterbury was appointed as an associate at CrossMarc Services LLC, Winter Park.
Other
Bahíyyah Maroon was appointed vice president of mission impact at Goodwill Industries of Central Florida.
Submit professional appointments, management-level promotions and significant awards for individuals, along with photos as .jpg attachments, to peopleonmove@orlandosentinel.com.
Could Lake County use bond money to save Long and Scott Farms?
A Lake County Commissioner tried to push a plan this week to save Long and Scott Farms from development, but Commission Chair Leslie Campione shut the discussion down.
Still, Commissioner Anthony Sabatini made it clear in the commission’s Tuesday meeting that he wants the county to use public funds to preserve working farms. Lake County voters approved the $50 million Lake Forever bond referendum last November by 80%, but the funding won’t be available until 2026.
GrowhSpotter first reported that the Scott family, which has farmed in Zellwood since the 1960s, applied in December to change their land use classification and zoning to allow for the development of an active adult community with an 18-hole golf course and other recreational amenities.
Long and Scott farm near Zellwood is being groomed for golf community
“So not talking about zoning, not talking about comp plan amendments,” Sabatini said. “But right now, we’re basically a crisis in this county because the county’s failed miserably for decades to protect certain elements of the community that I think give it a sense of identity and purpose and meaning.”