Things To Do In SW Florida

Petco, the San Diego-based pet goods and pet care retailer, is turning a new leaf by focusing on the other half of the pet equation: humans.

“For the first time ever, Petco is launching ‘My Human,’ a category for the two-legged customers who boldly embrace the pet-obsessed lifestyle,” the company announced.

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These hundreds of items include clothing, throw pillows, planters, games and other “cheeky, giftable finds,” a news release said.

The “In My Cat Mom Era” T-shirt pays homage to both Taylor Swift and felinity. A slouchy sloth planter is one easy way to bring a sloth into your home, because those pets are illegal in California without a special permit. read more

By ALEX VEIGA, AP Business Writer

MCLEAN, Va. (AP) — The average rate on a 30-year U.S. mortgage fell this week to its lowest level in nearly 10 months, giving prospective homebuyers a sorely needed boost in purchasing power that could help inject life into a stagnant housing market.

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The long-term rate fell to 6.58% from 6.63% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. A year ago, the rate averaged 6.49%.

Borrowing costs on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages, popular with homeowners refinancing their home loans, also fell. The average rate dropped to 5.71% from 5.75% last week. A year ago, it was 5.66%, Freddie Mac said. read more

Chapter 7

Central Florida individuals and businesses that have filed for liquidation under Chapter 7 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code include:

Rigdon, Alexander & Rigdon LLP, 125 Tangerine Ave., Merritt Island. Filed: Aug. 5. Assets: Not available. Liabilities: Not available. Major creditors: Not available. Creditors meeting: Not available.

First Premier Management Holdings LLC, 224 N. Hollywood Ave., Daytona Beach. Filed: Aug. 7. Assets: $1,000,001-$10 million. Liabilities: $1,000,001-$10 million. Major creditors: Not available. Creditors meeting: Sept. 25.

Chapter 11

Central Florida individuals and businesses that have filed for reorganization and protection from creditors under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code include:

IPG Franchising Inc., 800 Celebration Ave., Unit 202A, Celebration. Filed: Aug. 8. Assets: $0-$50,000. Liabilities: $1,000,001-$10 million. Major creditors: Key Properties Solution LLC, Longboat Key, $420,000; IJP Ventures LLC, Haines City, $250,000; EOS LLC, Tampa, $162,168. Creditors meeting: Not available. read more

By STAN CHOE, Associated Press Business Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — Most stocks are falling on Wall Street Thursday after a disappointing report said inflation was worse last month at the U.S. wholesale level than economists expected.

Three out of every four stocks in the S&P 500 index dropped, though gains for some influential Big Tech companies helped mask the losses. The index at the heart of many 401(k) accounts edged down by 0.1% from its all-time high set the day before.

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The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 79 points, or 0.2%, as of 10:20 a.m. Eastern time, while the Nasdaq composite was shaving less than 0.1% off its record set the day before. read more

Danielle Labotka of Morningstar

Why do so many of us struggle to save?

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Saving for the future can be difficult because of a cognitive bias known as hyperbolic discounting: our tendency to place greater weight on immediate satisfaction, even if focusing on the long term will have a greater payoff. This bias is why, when you get a raise, you may consider getting a new car—incurring a higher monthly payment—instead of sacking away more money each month for retirement and perhaps getting to retire several years earlier.

Feeling stressed about finances can also get you off track with your savings. While some people respond to financial stress by saving more, others respond by spending more in order to regain feelings of control. read more