Things To Do In SW Florida

The small chapel — with white clapboard siding and bell tower steeple — is like a piece of a picturesque New England town tucked amid the cars, offices and fast-food joints along busy State Road 436.

First built in 1885, the Altamonte Chapel near Forest Avenue in Altamonte Springs is one of the oldest structures in Seminole County. Former presidents Benjamin Harrison and Grover Cleveland attended services in the chapel.

But now its prominent bell — rung countless times by pulling a long rope during weddings and Sunday services over decades  — is on the verge of collapse. The steeple needs to be replaced. And the chapel, showing its age, needs serious renovation, according to its owners.

To maintain the chapel’s historic character, the restoration would require a meticulous and careful process likely to cost tens of thousands of dollars, according to members of the Altamonte Chapel’s Board of Directors.

The group recently started seeking bids from contractors. It also set up a GoFundMe account — titled “Save the Altamonte Chapel Bell” — to raise $50,000 toward the project. read more

By Jeff Ostrowski, Bankrate.com

The conventional wisdom about private mortgage insurance (PMI) has long been that borrowers should try to avoid it. PMI is a requirement for conventional mortgage borrowers who put down less than 20% on a home — and it’s just one more cost squeezing first-time homebuyers.

Yet, in recent years, private mortgage insurers have lowered their rates.

“I am a big fan of mortgage insurance — and it’s kind of a dirty word. When you talk to customers, they don’t tend to like it,” says Emanuel Santa-Donato, senior vice president at Tomo Mortgage. “But if you look at the actual cost of the mortgage insurance relative to being able to put down 3% or 5%, it is quite advantageous. That money could be used elsewhere.”

What is private mortgage insurance (PMI)?

PMI is a requirement for conventional mortgage borrowers who make a down payment of less than 20% on a home. Although the borrower pays for coverage, PMI protects not the borrower, but the lender. Should the borrower default, or stop paying, the loan, the lender receives a payout from the PMI carrier. read more

By Rachel Christian, Bankrate.com

Many people think $2 bills are rare, but in reality, there are millions still in circulation, and they continue to be printed. However, while most $2 bills are only worth their face value, certain ones can fetch thousands of dollars on the collector’s market.

This article will explore which $2 bills are worth the most, why they hold their value and how you can determine if your $2 bill is worth more than your next paycheck.

Which $2 bills are worth the most?

Not all $2 bills are valuable, but certain editions stand out due to their rarity, historical significance or printing errors. But similar to the most valuable coins, it’s extremely unlikely that you would ever come across these bills in your daily life. As you’ll see, bills printed in the 1800s tend to be the most valuable.

1862 and 1869 legal tender notes

The earliest $2 bills, issued in 1862 and 1869, feature a portrait of Alexander Hamilton (who was later replaced by Thomas Jefferson). These notes are highly sought after by collectors thanks to their historical importance and limited availability. read more

Easter isn’t until April, but the hunt is on for eggs.

As a devastating outbreak of bird flu thins chicken populations and market forces drive grocery prices up, the breakfast and baking staple has become pricier and harder to find.

The average price of a dozen eggs has nearly doubled since last year and hit a record high of $4.95 in January, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Price tags are even heftier in some places or if you want jumbo, organic or free-range varieties that have prices that top $6 or even $9 a dozen.

The spike has contributed to an overall rise in grocery prices, which increased half a percent last month, the Labor Department’s consumer price index report released this week found.

Some grocery chains, including Trader Joe’s and Kroger, have placed limits on the amount of eggs shoppers can purchase in an attempt to address the shortage.

Why are egg prices so high?

The primary factor behind the jump in egg prices is an avian flu epidemic, which has led to the deaths of more than 21 million chickens, including 13 million in December alone. read more

A political titan has filed a provocative bill he says will reduce insurance costs in Florida — and the insurance industry doesn’t like his proposals.

One provision would roll back recent restrictions on fees that attorneys can collect when they sue insurers. Another provision would require insurers to publicly disclose their companies’ subsidiaries and affiliates and all of the ways their executives benefit from them.

The proposals are in similar bills filed in the state House and Senate this week. The House bill was filed by Rep. Alex Andrade, R-Pensacola.

The Senate bill was filed by Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Crestview, a longtime heavyweight in Florida politics and father of former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz.

Don Gaetz was reelected to the state Senate last fall after an eight-year absence. Last year, he campaigned on promises to fix an insurance system that has continued to raise costs for homeowners while saving significant money avoiding legal costs.

“Floridians pay far more for property insurance than anyone anywhere else in the nation,” the two lawmakers were quoted in a news release as saying. “Admittedly, Florida is a high-risk market, but we believe there are steps the Legislature can take to improve how rates are set and how individual claims can be processed faster and fairer.” read more