Things To Do In SW Florida

By STAN CHOE, AP Business Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks are edging back from record levels on Friday, led by drops for technology companies, but Wall Street is still heading toward the finish of another winning week.

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The S&P 500 slipped 0.4% from the all-time high it set the day before, though it remains on track for its fourth winning week in the last five. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 52 points, or 0.1%, after flirting in the morning with its own record, which was set in December. The Nasdaq composite was down 0.6%, as of 11:45 a.m. Eastern time. read more

By Lauren Schwahn, NerdWallet

A six-figure salary used to be the benchmark of wealth and success. But now, it’s not uncommon for high earners to feel financially stretched.

That raises the question: What does it actually take to be rich? We asked a few six-figure earners to share their thoughts.

“Rich” is subjective

For many high earners, being rich isn’t about hitting some magic number, driving a flashy car or buying a mansion. It’s about living the lifestyle you want without giving money a second thought.

Rob Bacharach, a certified financial planner near Charlotte, North Carolina, says being rich means having the freedom to spend without incurring debt. Wealth traditionally comes from building assets, he says, but having the time to do as you please while still covering your bills can make you rich, too.

A high income doesn’t always guarantee those circumstances.

“I work with a few young surgeons. They are mid-30s, they make over $1 million per year, they live in large houses, but their net worth is negative $1 million between mortgages and student loans,” Bacharach says. “These individuals are not rich.” read more

By ANNE D’INNOCENZIO, AP Retail Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — Shoppers spent at a healthy pace in July, particularly at the nation’s auto dealerships, even as President Donald Trump’s tariffs start to take a toll on jobs and lead to some price increases.

But the figures also underscore anxiety among Americans: all the uncertainty around the expansive duties appears to be pushing them to step up their purchases of furniture and other items ahead of the expected price increases, analysts said.

Retail sales rose a solid 0.5% last month from the previous month, and June spending was stronger than expected, according to the Commerce Department’s report released Friday. June’s retail sales were revised upward to 0.9% from the original 0.6% increase, the agency said. The pace in July matched economists’ estimates.

The increases followed two consecutive months of spending declines in April and May.

Excluding auto sales, which have been volatile since Trump imposed tariffs on many foreign-made cares, retail sales rose 0.3% in July. read more

In honor of National Roller Coaster Day, celebrated annually on Aug. 16, here’s an updated list of the roller coasters currently running in greater Orlando. This year, aficionados have seen the new Epic Universe theme park deliver four new smooth rides to the lineup, but Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit at Universal Studios Florida marks its last day of ups and downs on Sunday.

This list is arranged in order of appearance. The Roller Coaster Database is a primary source for the opening dates. Originally, the list was for Orange and Osceola counties, but Polk County is in the mix so as to include Legoland Florida Resort.

It’s fun to look at the historic flurries of coasters, such as the Hulk-Rock ‘n’ Roller-Kraken era. Orlando might be in a golden age right now. The area has had a coaster debut every year since 2016, with the exception of the COVID-19 blip of 2020. And now we have the Epic effect on top of all that.

When a coaster has been revamped without removal, the list has the current name but its original debut there. read more

By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER

WASHINGTON (AP) — One major question will be front and center for Federal Reserve policymakers as they prepare for an annual conference in Jackson, Wyoming next week and a crucial policy meeting in September: Which is a bigger problem for the economy right now, stubborn inflation or slower hiring?

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• 
  Wall Street is coasting toward the finish of a record-setting week

• 
  What does it mean to be rich? We asked 3 people

• 
  Retail sales rise 0.5% in July as some shoppers step up purchases ahead of tariffs

• 
  National Roller Coaster Day: Orlando list, first to freshest

• 
  Warren Buffett’s company reveals new investments in Nucor, homebuilders Lennar and DR Horton

Weak job gains since April have pushed some officials toward supporting a cut in the Fed’s key rate as soon as next month, but speeches and comments by other Fed policymakers show that inflation is still a concern.

That could make the Fed’s ultimate move at its September 16-17 meeting a close call. There will be another jobs report and another inflation report before then, and both will likely heavily influence the decision of whether to cut or not. The uncertainty also means that Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s speech next Friday in Jackson will be closely watched for any clues about next steps. read more