Things To Do In SW Florida

By MORIAH BALINGIT

WASHINGTON (AP) — When the children of wealthy households leave the nest, they often benefit from their parents’ largesse in the form of a trust fund. Less affluent peers may receive nothing at all — or even be expected to support their families when they become adults.

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But what if all children, regardless of their family’s circumstances, could get a financial boost when they turn 18?

That’s the idea behind “Trump Accounts,” a lesser-known provision of President Donald Trump’s tax legislation. The bill, signed into law earlier this year, gives $1,000 to every newborn, so long as their parents open an account. That money is invested in the stock market by private firms, and the child can access the funds when they turn 18. The parents of older children can also open accounts, but they won’t get the $1,000 bonus. read more

By STAN CHOE, AP Business Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. stock market held near its records in a quiet day of trading on Thursday, continuing its relatively calm run following weeks of sharp and scary swings.

The S&P 500 inched up by 0.1% and is just 0.5% below its all-time high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 31 points, or 0.1%, and the Nasdaq composite rose 0.2%.

Dollar General helped lead the market and rallied 14% after reporting a stronger profit for the latest quarter than analysts expected. More customers shopped at its stores, and it also squeezed more profit out of each $1 in sales that it made.

Hormel rose 3.8% after likewise reporting a better profit than expected, thanks in part to strength for its Planters nuts and Jennie-O turkey offerings. It also gave a forecasted range for profit in the upcoming year whose midpoint was above analysts’ forecasts.

Salesforce, meanwhile, climbed 3.7% after swinging between gains and losses earlier in the morning. It delivered a better profit for the latest quarter than analysts expected, though its revenue fell just short. read more

It’s a good thing kids are adorable, because they take a lot of effort to keep happy, healthy and fed. They’ll also drain your savings, to the tune of more than $230,000 by the time they turn 17 (that’s according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s data on the cost of raising a child born in 2015).

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  This $12.5M Lake Maitland mansion is built for parties. Big parties.

Anything that saves you money, time and energy as a parent is a godsend. That can include your credit card. Depending on the cards you choose, you could earn valuable cash back, lower the cost and difficulty of travel, and protect your purchases. It’s not quite a personal assistant in your pocket, but your card may already offer some features that will make your life a bit easier. read more

By MATT OTT, AP Business Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. applications for unemployment benefits fell to their lowest level in more than three years during Thanksgiving week, potentially complicating the Federal Reserve’s upcoming decision on interest rates.

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  This $12.5M Lake Maitland mansion is built for parties. Big parties.

The number of Americans applying for jobless benefits for the week ending Nov. 29 fell to 191,000 from the previous week’s 218,000, the Labor Department reported Thursday. That’s the lowest level since September 24, 2022, when claims came in at 189,000. Analysts surveyed by the data provider FactSet had forecast initial claims of 221,000.

Kathy Bostjancic, chief economist at Nationwide, said that unemployment benefit filings are often distorted by the Thanksgiving holiday, which can cause some people who may have lost jobs to delay filing claims. read more

Q: I’m relocating to a new area a few hours away for a job. I plan to stay there for the long term. I’m unsure whether I should buy a new house or rent one. What are your thoughts? —Charles

A: Moving to a new area for a job is an exciting opportunity, but it also involves important decisions, one of the biggest being whether to buy a house or rent one.

Both options have pros and cons, and the best choice depends on your personal situation, finances, and long-term plans.

If you are relocating to an unfamiliar area, renting might be the better initial option. Renting gives you the flexibility to explore the neighborhood, learn about local amenities, and determine the best area for your lifestyle.

It also lets you avoid the commitment of homeownership while settling into your new job and community.

Plus, renting usually requires less upfront cost than buying, which can help if you are still adjusting financially after relocating.

Conversely, buying a home can be a wise move if you are confident you will stay in the area for the long haul. Homeownership offers stability and the opportunity to build equity over time, but if you have to sell quickly, you will be behind due to the up-front costs of buying. read more