Things To Do In SW Florida

By PAUL WISEMAN, Associated Press Economics Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. wholesale prices fell last month in another sign that inflationary pressures are easing. But President Donald Trump’s trade wars cloud the outlook as new, punishing tariffs are launched by Beijing and Washington.

The producer price index — which tracks inflation before it hits consumers — fell 0.4% from February, first drop since October 2023, the Labor Department said Friday. Compared with a year earlier, producer prices rose 2.7%, down from a 3.2% year-over-year gain in February and much lower than the 3.3% economists had forecast. Gasoline prices fell 11.1% from February and egg prices, which had skyrocketed because of bird flu, plummeted 21.3%.

Excluding volatile food and energy prices, so-called core wholesale inflation fell 0.1% from February, the first drop since July. Compared with a year earlier, core producer prices rose 3.3% and lower than economists had forecast.

The report comes a day after the Labor Department delivered good news on inflation at the consumer level. Its consumer price index rose just 2.4% last month from March 2024, the smallest year-over-year gain since September. Core consumer prices posted the smallest year-over-year increase in nearly four years. read more

By Courtney Frazer, Bankrate.com

Teaching kids about money has taken on new complexity in our digital age. While previous generations learned financial basics through piggy banks and cash allowances, today’s parents are turning to technology to help children understand modern money management and develop a better relationship with the screens they are so often glued to.

Digital budgeting tools now enable kids to experience real-world financial decisions — from setting savings goals to tracking spending — all under parental supervision. These digital tools do more than just track dollars. They create natural and often fun opportunities for families to discuss spending habits, savings goals and smart financial choices.

What to know about family money apps

As digital payments and online banking become the norm, traditional methods of teaching financial literacy need a refresh. Family money apps help bridge this gap, offering several advantages:

• Encourage financial independence: These apps create a safe space for children to practice money management skills while parents maintain oversight. Kids can make real financial decisions — like choosing to save or spend their allowance — building practical knowledge through hands-on experience.
• Build financial literacy: Many apps incorporate learning through interactive features, games and age-appropriate lessons that help children grasp key money concepts naturally.
• Simplify allowance systems: Parents can easily manage allowances, set up chore rewards or help children budget their funds digitally, making the process simpler for both parents and kids.
• Offer learning opportunities: When parents can see their children’s spending patterns in real-time, it creates natural moments to discuss financial choices and guide better decisions.
• Improve relationship with technology:Modern parents are constantly trying to peel their kids away from screens. However, money apps can create an engaging yet educational experience that begins to introduce your child to the idea that screens can be used for more than just video games and movies.

One of the most valuable aspects of these apps is how they turn abstract money concepts into tangible experiences. When children actively participate in decisions about saving, spending or donating their own money, they develop a deeper understanding of financial responsibility. This hands-on approach helps them grasp the real value of money and learn to set meaningful financial goals. read more

Alina Garcia sits next to her husband at a small table in a Pembroke Pines senior center. As they work on their tax forms, Garcia fumes. She has lived in South Florida for over 56 years and says she is furious preparing her taxes as she watches the stock market plunge, hears about potential cuts to Medicaid, learns of disruptive changes to Social Security and sees her cost of living rising.

“I’m so angry my blood pressure keeps rising,” she said.

From community centers in Pembroke Pines to neighborhood coffee shops in Hollywood to the lively pickleball courts of Delray Beach, Florida seniors are voicing strong emotions as they navigate the economic turbulence.

As is happening for older adults around the country, the cuts to federal agencies, the trade wars, and the volatility of the stock market fuel deep worries and fear over how they will manage through retirement when their nest eggs are dwindling.

“Financial uncertainty is definitely a stressor for seniors,” said Francisco Isaza, chief operations officer with 211 Broward, a 24-hour comprehensive helpline. Callers to 211 Broward report financial pressure is affecting their mental health, particularly when coupled with other emotions they’re experiencing, like loneliness or grief over the loss of a spouse or friend. “It can become overwhelming.” read more

By STAN CHOE, Associated Press Business Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks are shaking Friday as President Donald Trump’s trade war with China escalates further and U.S. households get more worried about it. Gold’s price is rising, the U.S. dollar’s value is falling and other financial markets are also swinging in indications of fear about where the U.S. economy will ultimately fit in the world’s.

The S&P 500 was up a modest 0.1% in midday trading, but only after veering repeatedly between earlier gains and losses. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 31 points, or 0.1%, as of 11:45 a.m. Eastern time, and the Nasdaq composite was 0.1% higher. Both also swung earlier, with the Dow going from a loss of nearly 340 points to a gain of 220 and back.

The shaky trading came after China announced Friday that it was boosting its tariffs on U.S. products to 125% in the latest tit-for-tat increase following Trump’s escalations on imports from China.

The repeated U.S. tariff increases “on China has become a numbers game, which has no practical economic significance, and will become a joke in the history of the world economy,” a Finance Ministry spokesman said in a statement announcing the new tariffs. “However, if the US insists on continuing to substantially infringe on China’s interests, China will resolutely counter and fight to the end.” read more

Tickets for this summer’s Destination D23 gathering at Walt Disney World will go on sale Monday.

The three-day event is held by D23, the official Disney fan club, and will include a 1980s/1990s concert, nods to the 25th anniversary of “The Emperor’s New Groove,” a new Disney Archives exhibit and multiple panels and presentations.

Destination D23: A Journey Around the Worlds of Disney will be held Aug. 29-31 at Coronado Springs Resort, a shift from the Contemporary Resort location of previous editions.

“The Walt Disney Archives Presents: Charting the Course, Disney’s Global Stories & Inspirations” exhibit will include items such as Dwayne Johnson’s costume from “Jungle Cruise,” animation models for “The Lion King” and “Mulan” and original puppets from Epcot’s “Tapestry of Nations” parade, which was part of Disney World’s turn-of-the-millennium celebrations.

Disney World: Baby giraffe Tucker takes first look around savanna

On Aug. 30, there will be a “New Groove”-based event called D23 Kuzcotopia Night at Typhoon Lagoon water park with snacks, photo ops and exclusive entertainment. read more