Things To Do In SW Florida

By Kimberly Palmer | NerdWallet

Sometimes, climbing out of a money rut starts with a pep talk — to yourself.

“I like affirmations and speaking out loud,” says Giovanna Gonzalez, a financial educator and author of “Cultura & Cash.” Her favorite affirmations are statements like, “I am not a reflection of my money mistakes,” “I can improve my financial situation,” and “My finances are within my control.”

If you find yourself repeating frustrating money patterns, such as overspending or struggling to pay off debt, that kind of attitude shift can help get you on a different path, Gonzalez says. “Mindset is so important, and sometimes we end up being very hard on ourselves for making bad money choices. If we don’t forgive ourselves, it can be a barrier to doing better.”

Financial experts also recommend using the following methods to climb out of a money rut:

Pick an exciting goal

Sometimes, our money goals can inspire us to think bigger and more creatively about our financial lives. Elaine King, a certified financial planner and founder of the firm Family and Money Matters in Miami, says she finds people often need a “money motivation” or an exciting goal to inspire them to adopt better financial habits. read more

Parking is at a premium at the International Space Station, but NASA and SpaceX cleared out one spot as a cargo Dragon spacecraft completed its trip home with a splashdown off the Florida coast early Tuesday.

NASA still needs to shift the remaining Dragon spacecraft from its spot to clear the path for next week’s launch of Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner.

The cargo Dragon from the CRS-30 resupply mission that arrived in March was attached to the ISS for more than 36 days. It returned for a 1:38 a.m. splashdown off Tampa, carrying more than 4,100 pounds of science experiments and other supplies back to Earth.

It departed the ISS Harmony module, which has two docking ports, on Sunday.

But now NASA wants the four members of Crew-8 to perform valet duties. They will climb aboard the Crew Dragon Endeavour that remains docked at Harmony’s forward port, and fly it around and redock to the open port, called the zenith port.

NASA’s Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt and Jeanette Epps along with Roscosmos’ Alexander Grebenkin will take the short road trip at 7:45 a.m. Thursday and be back attached to the ISS at 8:28 a.m. read more

Employees at five Disney Springs restaurants announced Monday they are working with union organizers, speaking out about what they consider to be unfair wages and poor working conditions.

Workers at nonunion restaurants operated by the Patina Restaurant Group said they make less than unionized Disney employees doing the same jobs just a two-minute walk away.

The unionization push involves more than 300 restaurant workers at Morimoto Asia, The Edison, Maria and Enzo’s, Enzo’s Hideaway and Pizza Ponte. Those eateries are in the Disney Springs entertainment complex but are run by a third-party restaurant chain, not The Walt Disney Co.

Patina Restaurant Group is owned by Delaware North, one of the largest privately owned hospitality and entertainment companies in the world.

“There is a second-class of restaurant workers at Delaware North restaurants at Disney Springs. … Many of them make lower wages than peers at Disney,” said Jeremy Haicken, president of Unite Here Local 737, which represents 18,000 food, beverage and housekeeping workers at Disney World. “Many of them say they are considered part-time in the Delaware North system, even though they report working four, five, six or more days a week.” read more

By Elizabeth Renter | NerdWallet

High school graduates — and their parents — have a lot on their minds this spring, not the least of which is paying for college. Amid financial aid delays stretching months beyond what’s typical, some students are feeling pressured to make college decisions without even knowing how much they’ll be required to pay.

Still, one thing is clear: Students funding their college career with student loans could be paying for years to come. And if a student depends on loans to cover every year of their undergraduate career, they could end up owing about $37,000 when they graduate.

Tuition and fees continue to decrease

If there is good news for new college students, it’s that growth in the cost of higher education has slowed and even decreased modestly in recent years. The money spent on tuition and fees at public, four-year institutions goes further now than 10 years ago and has fallen 9.8% in just the past three years, according to data from The College Board.

However, this drop doesn’t mean higher education is affordable. On average, full-time undergraduates took out about $6,990 in student loans in the 2020-21 school year, the last year for which that data is available from the National Center for Education Statistics. Based on that figure, and a modest assumed growth rate, a NerdWallet analysis estimates a student depending wholly on loans could amass about $36,700 in student loan debt in a five-year bachelor’s degree pursuit. read more

Cirque du Soleil is adding a behind-the-scenes tour for “Drawn to Life,” the theatrical production at Disney Springs. The new “Page to Stage Signature Experience” will include exclusive access before and after select shows.

Participants will receive a backstage tour, an artist meet-and-greet, premium show seating, a “Drawn to Life” gift bag, a souvenir popcorn bucket, personalized check-in and other benefits. There will be a limit of nine guests per experience.

The post-performance tour will include an under-the-stage tour and looks at the show’s costumes and props.

“By showcasing the work of our talented artists and skilled technical team, attendees will gain a special insight into the magic that brings this collaboration between Cirque du Soleil and Disney animation to life,” Kevin Hargrove, company manager of “Drawn to Life,” said in a news release.

Disney sets August start date for Epcot Food & Wine fest

“Page to Stage” will be offered after the second performance on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays starting May 4. “Drawn to Life” is performed Wednesdays through Saturdays at 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. read more