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After the LA fires, a camp helped kids find normalcy : NPR

Emory Stumme takes a moment to reflect on a tree swing outside of her new home in La Crescenta-Montrose, Calif.

Morgan Lieberman for NPR

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Morgan Lieberman for NPR

Not long after the Eaton fire displaced her family from their Los Angeles home, 10-year-old Emory Stumme broke down. The tears came during a family dinner, and she struggled to catch her breath.

“You just were like, ‘I can’t pick up this fork, it’s too heavy,’ ” Emory’s mother, Becca, told her, recounting the episode. “You started crying and laughing and crying, and then heaving. I was like, ‘Oh my God, she’s really having a mental break.’ “

The Stumme family poses for a portrait in their backyard of their new home in La Crescenta-Montrose.

Morgan Lieberman for NPR

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Becca Stumme, her husband and their two kids lost their Altadena home in the fire. Emory and her 3-year-old brother’s schools hit pause until they could relocate. When the Eaton and Palisades fires sparked in January — respectively the second- and third-most destructive in California history — familiarity, friend groups and routines were upset for Emory and many of her peers.

The Stumme family’s former home in Altadena, Calif.

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So, when Becca heard about a free day camp that had popped up in northeast LA to help out families displaced by the fires, she signed up her daughter. It was part of a series of free day camps in Southern California organized by Project:Camp, which aims to provide some normalcy for children displaced by disaster.

Counselors and kids join together on the soccer field as the Project:Camp day begins at Camp Bob Waldorf in Glendale, Calif.

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Mikey Latner founded Project:Camp in 2018, inspired by what he saw as a need to help kids cope with their stress when their routines are disrupted. The idea sprung from his work in Houston the year prior with kids displaced by Hurricane Harvey. He said camp counselors are uniquely equipped to care for children in the wake of natural disasters. The camp’s approach, Latner said, is rooted in research showing that adverse childhood experiences are linked to lifelong physical and mental health problems.

“By providing that sense of safety and normalcy at camp, we can help to lower their stress levels, return them to a routine, and only then can they start to create a narrative around what has happened … so that they understand that something has happened and that they’re safe now — to end that uncertainty and fear,” Latner said.

Project:Camp founder Mikey Latner talks to a camper.

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Campers do handstands on the soccer field at Project:Camp in Glendale, Calif.

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With its first camp up and running three days after the Palisades fire ignited on Jan. 7, Project:Camp ended up putting on a total of 10 camps throughout the region, welcoming 5- to 16-year-olds. Many of the camps lasted for two or three weeks.

The program offered typical day camp activities such as arts and crafts, and games like tag. Other activities drew more directly from the camp’s trauma-informed approach. Mental health professionals were on site as volunteers to help address emotional issues that came up for kids.

Campers and counselors make beaded bracelets together at Project:Camp in Glendale, Calif.

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Campers take turns with slingshots at Project:Camp in Glendale, Calif.

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The disruption of routines, community and familiarity by the wildfires have taken a toll on children’s mental health, said Kat O’Malley, an associate marriage and family therapist practicing in the Los Angeles area, who volunteered at the camp. Since the fires, she said, parents have reached out to her seeking therapy for their kids after noticing signs of emotional and physical distress tied to the tragedy. Some kids are experiencing an increase in panic or nightmares, are more prone to separation anxiety and mood swings, while others appear unaffected, according to O’Malley.

“Their sense of safety, stability — that was all rocked,” she said.

For kids who experience a natural disaster, O’Malley said, it helps to find some sense of normalcy to begin the healing process.

Emory Stumme enjoys lunch with her camp group at Project:Camp in Glendale, Calif.

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Becca said Emory’s time at the camp gave her daughter a chance to connect with friends while her school was paused.

“The first day that we picked her up from camp, I was like, ‘Oh this is the old kid again,’ ” Stumme said. “She was able to see her friends and be outside and play and just be a kid and not have to worry about, like, ‘Where are we staying tonight?’ or ‘What clothes do I have?’ “

The Eakin family in their temporary home in El Sereno, Calif.

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Marah Eakin said sending her 6-year-old twins to the camp gave her some much-needed space to process her own feelings and handle “grown-up stuff,” like insurance paperwork.

The Eakin family has been bouncing from one short-term rental to another. The home they had rented in Altadena still stands, about 100 feet outside of the burn scar of the Eaton fire. But, while they work to get their landlord to clean the place of ash and potentially other toxic chemicals, she said it’s unclear if or when they’ll be able to return.

The Eakin family poses for a portrait down the street from their temporary home in El Sereno, Calif.

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When Marah’s kids’ school resumed, not all of their classmates returned, the mother said. “A lot of their friends are scattered to the wind,” she said.

Her daughter Zella misses her stuffed animals that got left behind.

What might seem to some like an insignificant loss is often no small thing to a child struggling to cope with such losses, O’Malley said. Whether it’s stuffed animals or the family pet, the therapist said, kids grieve all kinds of things that might shape their sense of who they are.

Eugene and Zella Eakin play with stuffed animals in their temporary home in El Sereno, Calif.

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“The biggest thing I think that comes up in grief work is when something changes your identity,” she said. “Oh, I have seven guinea pigs, six of them are hairless — that’s my fun fact — and one of my guinea pigs died last month, and I keep going, do I have to say six now instead of seven? It changes the way you introduce yourself, it changes so much about your identity, to have these shifts.”

Children ultimately guide the program at Project:Camp, O’Malley said, while the adults allow them the space to talk through feelings that might arise throughout the day. There are frequent mental wellness checks, during which kids are encouraged to pick a number representing their feelings, in a 1 to 10 range. “”Gratitude circles” invite kids to share what makes them grateful; sometimes they are thankful for the food, or seeing friends. Through exercises like this, the camp’s program can give kids opportunities to have their own story heard, said O’Malley.

Project:Camp counselor Becca Grae and Zella Eakin in Glendale, Calif.

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“When somebody else goes, ‘Oh, this all happened for a reason’ — it’s not for someone else to tell you what your experience was,” she said. “That can be really diminishing. But when you yourself make meaning of an event, that can be very powerful.”

Often, the healing — sharing their feelings, telling their story — happens during the in-between moments, she said.

“You’re like, ‘Does anyone need to share?’ And people are like, ‘No, we want to get to lunch,’ ” O’Malley said. “And then on the way to lunch, somebody goes, ‘Oh wow, this reminds me of my kitchen that had this really beautiful tile in it, and I’m sad that tile’s gone. That was really meaningful to my family — Oh yay, hot dogs!’ “

June 2, 2025
Senate approves 6 priority bills , 19th Congress enters final stretch

MANILA – The Senate approved six key measures on Monday as lawmakers reconvened for the final six session days of the 19th Congress.

Among the measures passed was Senate Bill No. (SBN) 890, or the Government Optimization Act, which empowers the President to streamline the executive branch through a five-year rightsizing program aimed at eliminating redundant functions and improving service delivery.

The bill, principally authored by Senate President Francis Escudero, was passed with 22 affirmative votes and no opposition.

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Escudero said the bill is not meant to downsize the workforce but to optimize it.

“Rightsizing is about streamlining the bureaucracy… upgrading, upskilling, and upscaling personnel to help them fill up much-needed positions and put them on the path toward career advancement,” he said.

Under the measure, a “Committee on Optimizing the Executive Branch” will oversee the implementation of the Government Optimization Program.

It covers all agencies under the Executive branch, excluding constitutional offices, local government units, the Judiciary, and teaching and uniformed personnel.

Also approved was SBN 2805, or the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) Act, which expands the agency’s mandate to regulate on-demand streaming platforms.

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Sponsored by Senator Robinhood Padilla, the bill seeks to ensure that content on digital platforms adheres to Filipino standards of decency and morality, especially to protect minors.

“The MTRCB’s charter was enacted in 1985, long before the streaming era. This bill updates its mandate to reflect the realities of digital media,” Padilla said in a news release.

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Another approved measure, SBN 2965 or the Free Funeral Services Act, provides an “indigent funeral package” to poor families in crisis, including those affected by calamities or disasters.

Authored by Senator Imee Marcos, the bill seeks to provide dignified burial assistance to those who cannot afford basic funeral services.

The Senate also passed SBN 2974, or the Expanded Philippine Science High School (PSHS) System Act, which allows for up to two PSHC campuses per region, except for Metro Manila.

Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, who sponsored the bill, said it would address the growing number of qualified but unadmitted PSHS applicants due to limited slots.

“Since 2022, PSHS has turned away over 5,800 qualified students simply because of a lack of space. This bill will democratize science education access,” Zubiri said.

Also approved was SBN 2960, or the Lifelong Learning Development Framework (LLDF) Act, authored by Senator Joel Villanueva.

The measure institutionalizes a national framework for continuous learning and upskilling for all Filipinos, with a focus on micro-credentials, transferable skills, and alternative learning certifications.

“We can no longer rely solely on what we learned in school. We need to learn continuously to meet the demands of modern life,” Villanueva said.

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Another bill, SBN 2975, or the Revised Animal Welfare Act, was likewise passed to update existing laws on the treatment and protection of animals, though details of the measure were not immediately available during the session.

/gsg

June 2, 2025
Triple-I Blog | Triple-I Brief Highlights Legal System Abuse and Attorney Advertising
The Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I) has released its latest issues brief, Legal System Abuse and Attorney Advertising for Mass Litigation: State of the Risk, which discusses how mass torts, specifically Multidistrict Litigation, and aggressive attorney advertising can in combination fuel the risk of legal system abuse.

Advertising is one of the most common methods companies use to sell their products and services and influence public perceptions. While the issue brief doesn’t argue that general advertising or filing for due process is problematic, it does offer a risk management-based lens for viewing how aggressive attorney advertising campaigns can fuel costs associated with settling claims.

Key Findings
- Legal service providers spent $2.5 billion on 26.9 million ads across the United States.
- Research suggests that legal advertising increases the number of plaintiffs in multidistrict litigation (MDL), which are large lawsuits consisting of multiple civil cases involving one or more common questions of fact but pending in different districts.
- Product liability cases, which accounted for 38 percent of pending MDLs as of August 2023, emerged as the single largest category of MDLs, while other case types have decreased from 2012 to 2022.
- The third-party litigation funding market, with an estimated size of $16 billion, is a likely resource for advertising budgets for mass torts; however, 12 states and two jurisdictions have enacted or are considering disclosure requirements.
Ads for legal services and lawsuits saturate all channels of communication – public billboards, radio and television broadcasts, and social media – dangling the lure of a financial windfall. Legal services marketing isn’t uniquely used for mass litigation cases. Nonetheless, it is overall geared to recruit as many lawsuit filers as possible. Therefore, aggressive advertising for legal services introduces the risk of fueling higher claim costs via problematic litigation.

These advertisements often employ an exaggerated sense of urgency, urging the target audience to take immediate legal action without considering alternative options for resolution. These ads may also often overpromise results by implying guaranteed windfalls (i.e., “We’ll get you your money’’), creating unrealistic expectations for plaintiffs and, thus, potentially impacting the time to settle. Additionally, when ads mention a particular product or brand, attorneys communicate plaintiff-biased information to potential jurors. In essence, a juror may recall seeing a flood of advertisements about the product and think, “Where there’s smoke, there must be fire.”

The brief focuses on MDLs because these are complex, huge, and slow-paced cases that may sometimes involve hundreds, even thousands of individual lawsuits. Therefore, these cases inherently carry the risk of driving up legal costs. Also, the large number of plaintiffs introduces the risk that questionable claims might slip into the lawsuit. For example, a particular product may have indeed caused harm to some, but not all, of the plaintiffs who used it.

Pummeling the world with ads can be expensive. Enter the third-party litigation funding (TPLF) market, which, despite tighter capital controls in recent years, grew to $16 billion in 2024, up from $15.2 billion in 2023. TPLF offers discretionary funding to the litigation industry, which can, in turn, use the money to fuel more lawsuits seeking large settlements — a boon for the firms and the funder. The brief outlines how several states and jurisdictions are moving to create transparency around TPLF involvement.

Practices that foster unnecessary or drawn-out litigation are among several hard-to-measure forces that can shift loss ratios for insurers and disrupt forecasts, making cost management more challenging. Ultimately, the cost is passed on to consumers, adversely impacting coverage affordability and availability. Triple-I is committed to advancing conversations with business leaders, government regulators, consumers, and other stakeholders to attack the risk crisis and chart a path forward.

Read the issue brief to find out more about how attorney advertising can contribute to legal system abuse. To join the discussion, register for JIF 2025. Follow our blog to learn more about trends in insurance affordability and availability across the property and casualty market.
June 2, 2025

Index Funds Go Head to Head

If you’re balancing VTI vs. VOO, you’re probably looking at putting money into an index fund. That’s generally going to be a good decision. Index funds allow you to diversify your portfolio even if you don’t have much to invest, and even investment professionals often fail to pick stocks that beat the index performance.

But which of these funds should you choose? Let’s start with the basics.

VTI vs VOO: By the Numbers

	VTI	VOO
Full Name	Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Index Tracked	CRSP U.S. Total Market Index	S&P 500 Index
Assets Under Management*	$318.6 billion	$339.7 billion
Number of Holdings	3839	507
Expense Ratio	0.03%	0.03%
Dividend Yield*	1.54%	1.56%
Issuer	Vanguard	Vanguard

* As of Sept. 2023

Five-Year Performance

Source: Barchat

VTI vs VOO: What’s the Difference?

The most important difference between VTI and VOO is that each fund tracks a different index:

VTI tracks the CRSP U.S. Total Market index. The CRSP U.S. Total Market index is an index of almost 4000 companies headquartered in the US, from mega to micro capitalization. This makes the index a good representation of the entire US stock market, not just the largest companies.
VOO tracks the S&P 500. The S&P 500 is an index of the 500 top largest companies in the US.

These indices and the ETFs that track them are market cap weighted. That means that they give larger companies a heavier weight.

📈 Learn more: Unlock the basics of building wealth with our step-by-step investing guide for beginners.

VTI vs VOO: Sector Exposure

VTI and VOO use slightly different terms to break down their sector exposure.

VTI Sector Breakdown

Sector	Weight
Information Technology	30.20%
Consumer Discretionary	14.40%
Industrials	13.00%
Health Care	12.60%
Financials	10.30%
Consumer Staples	5.10%
Energy	4.60%
Real Estate	2.90%
Utilities	2.70%
Telecommunication	2.20%
Basic Materials	2.00%

VOO Sector Breakdown

Sector	Weight
Technology	28.20%
Health Care	13.20%
Financials	12.40%
Consumer Discretionary	10.60%
Communication Services	8.80%
Industrials	8.40%
Consumer Staples	6.60%
Energy	4.40%
Real Estate	2.50%
Basic Materials	2.50%
Utilities	2.40%

One thing that immediately stands out in these breakdowns is that both VTI and VOO are heavily weighted toward IT (tech & communication) especially VOO, reflecting the current large market capitalization of these sectors in the US stock market.

VTI tracks a larger number of companies from a wider range of corporate sizes. It is weighted more heavily toward the consumer and industrial sectors, which contain more medium and small-size companies. The larger number of holdings and higher variation in the companies’ profiles make it more diversified.
VOO tracks a smaller number of companies with a slightly greater concentration in tech. It gives a higher part to healthcare and financials, which tend to be dominated by large companies (sometimes referred to as Big Banks and Big Pharma).

Neither of these options is fundamentally better or worse. They provide exposure to slightly different sectors of the market, and that can lead to different performance characteristics.

VTI vs VOO: The Similarities

VTI and VOO have a lot in common. They are both extremely large ETFs. Both funds are managed by Vanguard, which has a reputation for providing low-cost funds.

If you’re looking for large, highly liquid funds with credible management, both of these ETFs will pass your screen.

There are also less obvious similarities, explaining the very similar performance charts stemming from three basic facts.

As market cap-weighted indexes, they both give a predominant space to mega-caps worth trillions of dollars, most of them tech companies.
A lot of the performance of the CRSP U.S. Total Market Index is driven by the top largest holdings, which are all part of the S&P 500.
The stock market value of mid and small-cap stocks tends to move in unison with larger-cap stocks.

What does that mean in practice? Let’s look at the ten largest holdings of VTI and VOO.

Top Holdings: VTI vs VOO

The top holdings of both indexes are identical for the first 9th largest holdings, only in a slightly different order. It includes:

Apple Inc.
Microsoft Corp.
Amazon.com Inc.
NVIDIA Corp.
Alphabet Inc. Class A
Alphabet Inc. Class C
Tesla
Facebook Inc. Class A
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. Class B

So the only difference among the top 10 holdings is that VTI contains insurance and healthcare stock UnitedHealth Group while VOO contains oil & gas Exxon Mobil Corp.

The same can be true even if looking at the next 10 holdings for each fund. The list is identical for 9th of them, with a very similar order:

Exxon Mobil Corp or UnitedHealth Group
Eli Lilly & Co.
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Visa Inc. Class A
Johnson & Johnson
Broadcom Inc.
Procter & Gamble Co.
MasterCard Inc Class A
Home Depot

The difference is in the 20th largest holdings: pharmaceutical company Merck & Co Inc. for VTI and energy company Chevron Corp. for VOO.

The only real difference is for the top holdings of VTI to be slightly less of the whole ETF, making space for the smaller holdings of smaller companies.

Which Is Best for You?

Both VTI and VOO are good choices for an investor who is looking for a quality diversified index fund. Both are among the largest and most prominent ETFs in the country, both are highly liquid, and they have very similar track records. They also have the same low fee of 0.03%.

Your choice will be based on what you are looking for in an investment.

VTI is giving some exposure to companies with a smaller market capitalization. This gives a slightly different profile when looking at the sector basis, giving more importance to the industrial and consumer sectors.
VOO is a more aggressive, less diversified fund focused on major tech companies. This gives it greater potential for gains in bull market periods but also opens up the possibility of significant losses in a bear market.

How you see the markets makes a difference: if you think markets are going to keep favoring large caps, then you will prefer an index focused solely on them. If you believe that smaller companies might be able to outperform, you will prefer an index able to rebalance toward them and increase their weight into the index while their market capitalization grows.

If you are weighing VTI vs VOO and you’re having trouble making up your mind, consider allocating a portion of your portfolio to each fund. Keeping several ETFs in your portfolio can provide the best of both worlds.

Legal Disclaimer

None of the writers or contributors of FinMasters are registered investment advisors, brokers/dealers, securities brokers, or financial planners. This article is being provided for informational and educational purposes only and on the condition that it will not form a primary basis for any investment decision.

The views about companies, their securities and funds expressed in this article reflect the personal opinions of the individual writer. They do not represent the opinions of Vertigo Studio SA (publishers of FinMasters) on whether to buy, sell or hold shares of any particular stock.

None of the information in our articles is intended as investment advice, as an offer or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell, or as a recommendation, endorsement, or sponsorship of any security, company, or fund. The information is general in nature and is not specific to you.

Vertigo Studio SA is not responsible and cannot be held liable for any investment decision made by you. Before using any article’s information to make an investment decision, you should seek the advice of a qualified and registered securities professional and undertake your own due diligence.

We did not receive compensation from any companies whose stock is mentioned in this report. No part of the writer’s compensation was, is, or will be directly or indirectly, related to the specific recommendations or views expressed in this article.

June 2, 2025

Disney Fantasy Spain, Italy and France recap

Sharing a full recap of our cruise on the Disney Fantasty from Barcelona to Rome, Pisa (Florence), Genoa (Milan), Bandol (Provence) and back to Barcelona. This is Disney cruise #6 for us (gold, baby!) and was my favorite one so far. For Disney cruise tips and tricks, check out this post.

Hi friends! How are you? I hope that you’re having an amazing morning. We’re here in Sevilla having a great time with our friends and enjoying some chill time after our trip to Barcelona, epic Disney cruise through the Mediterranean, and time in Barcelona following the cruise. I hope that your summer is off to a wonderful start, too!

(Had to use Canva to remove a couple of people from the front of the pic. Kind of worked lol. Link to the dress is here!)

For today’s post, I wanted to share a recap of the cruise! You guys know we loooove Disney cruises – I never thought I’d be a cruise person in general, but here we are – and this was an itinerary I’ve wanted to do for years. I was a blitz through all of my favorite places (so far): Spain, Italty, and France. It was an absolute dream.

Disney Fantasy Spain, Italy and France recap

We booked this trip with some of our closest friends and cruise buddies – I think this was Disney cruise #17 for them. We planned this trip *hoping* the Pilot would be done with airline training – he had to complete training again when he retired from the military and went back to commercial – but unfortunately the timeline didn’t quite work out. Since he’d be gone anyway, we decided to stick with our plans and enjoy a girls’ trip. I think the girls will always remember this solo cruise trip with just the three of us plus some amazing friends.

Disney Fantasy verandah room

We got a verandah room and in the past, we haven’t taken advantage of it as much as we should. This time, I spent a lot of time on the verandah drinking coffee and reading, or late afternoon wine happy hour with Kathryn since their room was right next door.

It was spacious and lovely, and Disney bedding is just an A+ all around. It’s softer and more luxe than most hotel beds. (They use Frette linens, which we ended up buying after our first Disney cruise because we loved them so much.)

(peep the Canopy humidifier in the background – I never travel without it and my eyes and skin are so much happier)

Shows and entertainment

Disney provides incredible Broadway-quality shows and entertainment from musicians, comedians, deck parties with characters and dancers, and movies. During our cruise, they had three Broadway-style shows: Aladdin, Believe, and Frozen. P and I ended up ditching two of them so we could ride the water slide over and over – the pool is EMPTY during the shows and dinner time – but Frozen was incredible. It was the best Elsa I’d ever seen. She absolutely crushed it.

We also got to see the new Lilo and Stitch movie on board the date before it was officially released! We all loved it. It was heartfelt and funny, and I almost cried a few times.

Dining and eating gluten-free on a Disney cruise

From what I hear, Disney is one of the safest cruises if you have food allergies. They take them extremely seriously, and even if you have a sensitivity or intolerance vs an allergy, they treat it like an allergy. We did a gluten-free food tour in Barcelona, and a girl in our group that has Celiac told me that Disney cruises make her feel like she can eat anything she wants, which is a rare treat.

The gf chocolate walnut torte is my favorite Disney cruise dessert:

In the past, I’ve just navigated the menus on my own as they’re clearly marked with gluten-free options. Since P is gf now too, I told them that we both have gluten sensitvities (and was clear that we’re not allergic, mine is for health reasons and P has a severe sensitvity), they went above and beyond.

They had gluten-free WARM rolls at the table each night, and you would just pre-order each night for the following day. They can make any of the *regular* menu options gluten-free with the advance notice.

Kathryn and I had Palo one night and the salmon was perfection:

Indian food at Cabanas buffet is my favorite day:

We also got to have gluten-free Mickey waffles and churro waffles in the morning. Bless it.

Port adventures and excursions

I went a liiiiittle overzealous with the port adventures because they were such gorgeous locations. You can’t be in Pisa and not get off the boat, ya know? They were long excursions the first two days (around 10 hours) but the girls were troopers.

Here’s what we did:

Rome on your own

This was everything. You hopped on a bus for about a 2-hour ride to Rome, they dropped you off to enjoy your life for 5 hours, you ride the bus back.

By “enjoy your life,” for us this meant eating an epic Italian lunch and shopping the rest of the time.

The gluten-free pizza at La Soffitta Renovatio was everything I could have wished for.

We enjoyed the sights, stopped for a late afternoon espresso and dessert, and we were very content.

Pisa and Florence with guided walking tour

We were able to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Cathedral, Baptistery and Camposanto. It was sprinkling a little, but still beautiful. It was also the same day as the Giro D’Italia time trial, so we were able to see the cyclists getting ready to begin.

After that, we went to Florence where we skipped the guided walking tour and opted for an entirely GF meal at Mama Eat, more shopping, visiting the Basilica of Santa Croce, and watching an opera street performance in the square.

Crispy bites with Nutella:

We HAVE to go back to Florence and explore more of Tuscany.

Genoa Aquarium

For Genoa, we opted for a shorter excursion to visit the aquarium, which was one of the most impressive aquariums that we’ve visited. Fun fact: they use water from the ocean that’s filtered and optimized for pH balance, so the fish have beautiful clean water each day. We all enjoyed this one; short and sweet.

Bandol on your own

For Bandol, we enjoyed a beach day in this quaint and lovely beach town. The girls had crepes, we grabbed snacks from a market, and we sat on beach towels while the girls collected seashells and played in the water.

On the ship, we did the usual shenanigans. The girls played the detective game,

we did family karaoke each night, a couple of trivia/games, Bingo, lounged at the pool, and enjoyed the fabulous dining and entertainment. We also had chill time in the room and I got in a few workouts at the gym.

Even though the cruise was 7 nights, it went by way too quickly!! We spent a few nights in Barcelona – I’ll have a post up with some Barcelona adventures soon- and then made our way down to Sevilla.

So, tell me, friends: are you a cruise person or not so much? We LOVE Disney cruises but haven’t tried any other cruise lines.

Hope you have an amazing day and I’ll see you soon!

xo

Gina

More:

Disney Wonder Baja cruise

Disney Magic Bahamas and Castaway Cay

Disney Wonder Alaska cruise

Disney Dream Italy and Greece Mediterranean cruise

Disney Wish Castaway Cay and Bahamas cruise

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June 2, 2025
Mother-Daughter HBCU Grads Say Its ‘Never Too Late’ For School

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

June 1, 2025

The duo sought inspiration from each other to keep going and obtain their degrees.

A mother-daughter duo turned HBCU graduates are letting others know about their shared purpose of education.

Angela Jones and Jordyn Jones are the latest graduates of Southern University and A&M College. However, their walks across the stage showcase a different journey, one that symbolizes their homegrown resilience and determination to reach this academic goal.

“It wasn’t just about walking across the stage,” Jordyn said, according to HBCU Gameday. “It was about walking in purpose — together.”

The two did not initially plan to always graduate at the same time. The elder Jones had already earned her Bachelor’s degree nearly three decades ago. Despite the gap, Angela sought to prove that the dream had only deferred.

“I always felt there was more I wanted to achieve academically,” she said. “I wanted to prove to myself and to my daughter that it’s never too late to pursue higher education.”

While she did not have to return for another diploma alongside her daughter, their journeys lined up for the Jones’ women to support one another through midterms and beyond.

“Supporting each other through school at the same time was a blessing,” Jordyn said. “We leaned on each other during tough assignments and moments of doubt. Whether it was a word of encouragement, a prayer or just knowing we weren’t alone, we kept each other going.”

In fact, it was her daughter’s matriculation through undergrad that inspired Angela to enroll back in. What she did not expect, however, was for the younger Jones to then find that drive from her.

“Her determination inspired me to keep going, even when things felt impossible,” explained Jordyn. “She taught me that with the right mindset and faith, you can overcome anything.”

This faith and familial support led to both of them accomplishing this feat, doing so together as they forge a new legacy.

This milestone means everything for our family,” expressed Angela. “It represents generational growth, breaking barriers and proving that dreams can be achieved no matter the circumstances. Growth doesn’t stop at any age. Your goals are still valid, no matter how much time has passed.”

Now, the Joneses are celebrating their double achievement as educated Black women with HBCU degrees. The mother-daughter duo hope to inspire other families to obtain an education if they feel called back to class.

RELATED CONTENT: Black Students Are Keeping Graduation Traditions Alive Even As DEI Crackdown Limits The Festivities

June 1, 2025
New York bill aims to streamline provider authorizations in workers’ comp

A new bill introduced in the New York State Senate proposes to streamline oversight of podiatrists, chiropractors, and psychologists who treat injured workers under the state’s workers’ compensation system.

Senate Bill 8240, sponsored by Senator Ramos at the request of the Workers’ Compensation Board, was introduced on May 27, 2025, during the 2025-2026 legislative session. The legislation aims to amend the workers’ compensation law by removing what it calls “parallel processes” for the authorization of certain healthcare providers.

The bill proposes the repeal of existing statutory provisions that establish separate practice committees for podiatry, chiropractic, and psychology. These committees currently advise on rules and review matters related to provider participation. Under the bill, that responsibility would rest solely with the chair of the Workers’ Compensation Board.

In particular, the bill repeals subdivisions and paragraphs relating to the podiatry practice committee (§13-k), the chiropractic practice committee (§13-l), and the psychology practice committee (§13-m). Provisions detailing committee composition, compensation, and restrictions on member employment are also removed.

What remains is the requirement that the chair prepare and establish fee schedules for podiatric, chiropractic, and psychological care. The bill maintains that provider associations—such as the New York State Podiatric Medical Association, the New York State Chiropractic Association, and the New York State Psychological Association—may still be asked to submit reports recommending appropriate remuneration for services rendered. These recommendations would be considered alongside views from other interested parties.

The bill also amends sections of the law to reflect gender-neutral language and updates terminology, such as replacing “workmen’s compensation” with “workers’ compensation.”

The proposed changes do not affect injured employees’ right to choose authorized providers, nor do they alter the conditions under which care must be escalated to a physician. It also keeps intact the employer’s liability for fees according to the Board’s established schedules.

The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

June 1, 2025
Which Ones Are the Best? – GrowthRapidly
A small loan, like a $50 loan, sometimes is all we need for a quick emergency. For example, we might need $50 to fill up our gas tank or to simply to buy food. But you might be asking yourself, “what apps can give me an instant $50 loan?” If that’s the case then, you have come to the right place.

An instant loan is a short term borrowing designed to help you access cash quickly.

Instant loans are different than payday loans, because instant loans are widely available online, while payday loans are typically only available through physical storefront locations.

Using $50 instant loan apps can be safe. However, you need to take some precautions, including making sure the app is reputable.

Here are some 8 popular $50 instant loan apps:
1. Brigit
2. MoneyLion
3. Earnin
4. Dave
5. Chime
6. Varo
7. PayActiv
8. Branch
It is worth noting that these instant loan apps may offer more than $50. For example, you will find that some $50 loan instant app offers up to $50, while other instant loan apps offers anywhere between $250 to $1000. It is important to carefully review terms and conditions, fees and interest rates before taking out a loan.

What Are Instant Loan Apps?

Before we dig any further on the best $50 instant loan apps, it is better to know the meaning of instant loan apps.

Instant loan apps are mobile applications that allow users to apply for and receive personal loans quickly and easily, typically within a matter of minutes. These apps use technology to automate the loan application process, which reduces the time and paperwork required for traditional loan applications. They also use algorithms to determine the loan amount, interest rate, and loan terms, which are based on the user’s credit score and other financial data.

How to choose the best $50 instant loan apps?

When choosing the best instant loan apps for a $50 loan, consider the following factors:
1. Reputation: Check the app’s ratings and reviews to ensure it has a good reputation for providing fair and transparent loans.
2. Interest Rates: Compare interest rates and fees to ensure you are getting the best deal.
3. Eligibility Criteria: Make sure you meet the app’s eligibility criteria, such as minimum credit score, income, and age requirements.
4. Loan Amount and Repayment Terms: Consider the maximum loan amount you can receive and the repayment terms, including the length of the loan and the due date.
5. Speed: Make sure the app can provide you with the funds you need quickly, within the time frame you need it.
6. Customer Service: Ensure the app has good customer service, including accessible and responsive support, in case you have any questions or need help with your loan.
7. Security: Check if the app has proper security measures in place to protect your personal and financial information.
It’s important to carefully review all the terms and conditions before accepting a loan to ensure that it meets your needs and that you can comfortably repay the loan in full and on time.

Brigit

The first of the best $50 instant loan apps on our list is Brigit. Brigit is a financial technology company that offers an instant loan app. It provides short-term loans to individuals to help cover unexpected expenses or cash flow gaps between paychecks. The app uses a user’s bank transaction data to assess their ability to repay a loan and provides funds in as little as one business day. Brigit’s loans are meant to be a more accessible alternative to payday loans and traditional credit options.

MoneyLion

MoneyLion is a financial wellness platform that offers an instant loan app for $50 as part of its suite of financial products. The app provides personal loans to help users cover unexpected expenses or take advantage of financial opportunities. Loans are offered with competitive interest rates and flexible repayment terms, and funds can be deposited into the user’s bank account as soon as the next business day. MoneyLion also offers other financial tools and services, such as a robo-advisor, credit monitoring, and cashback rewards, aimed at helping users achieve financial wellness.

Earnin

Earnin is a financial technology company that offers an instant loan app. The app provides short-term loans to individuals, allowing them to access their earned wages before their regular payday. Earnin’s app tracks the user’s work hours and allows them to cash out a portion of their earned wages when they need it, with no fees or interest charged. The company’s mission is to provide access to fair and transparent financial services and to help people take control of their financial lives.

Dave

Dave is a financial technology company that also offers a $50 instant loan app. The app provides short-term loans to help users avoid expensive overdraft fees and get through to their next paycheck. Dave also offers other financial tools and services, such as a budgeting app, savings tools, and overdraft protection, aimed at helping users take control of their finances. The company’s mission is to help people avoid financial stress and live better lives.

Chime

Chime is a technology-driven financial services company that offers a mobile banking app. The app provides a spending account, a debit card, and access to a network of fee-free ATMs. Chime also offers features like early direct deposit, automatic savings, and cash back rewards, aimed at helping users manage their money more easily and make the most of their financial resources. Chime’s mission is to use technology to make banking more accessible, affordable, and simple for everyone.

Chime does not currently offer a $50 instant loan app. However, the company does offer a feature called “SpotMe” which is a type of overdraft protection that allows qualifying Chime account holders to overdraft their account up to $100. This feature is intended to help users avoid costly overdraft fees and keep their account in good standing.

Varo

Varo is a digital banking platform that offers an instant loan app as part of its suite of financial products. The app provides personal loans to help users cover unexpected expenses or take advantage of financial opportunities. Loans are offered with competitive interest rates and flexible repayment terms, and funds can be deposited into the user’s bank account as soon as the next business day. Varo also offers other financial tools and services, such as a high-yield savings account, a budgeting app, and cash back rewards, aimed at helping users achieve financial wellness.

PayActiv

PayActiv is a financial technology company that offers an instant loan app. The app provides access to earned wages before payday, allowing users to avoid costly overdraft fees, payday loans, and other financial stressors. PayActiv integrates with an employer’s payroll system to allow employees to access their earned wages as they work, with no fees or interest charged. The company’s mission is to provide access to fair and transparent financial services and to help people take control of their financial lives.

Branch

Branch is a financial technology company that offers an instant loan app for $50. The app provides short-term loans to individuals, helping them cover unexpected expenses or make ends meet until their next paycheck. Branch uses data science and machine learning to assess credit risk and provide loans within minutes, with competitive interest rates and flexible repayment terms. The company’s mission is to provide access to fair and transparent financial services and to help people take control of their financial lives.

How to get approved for the best $50 Instant Loan Apps?

To increase your chances of getting approved for a $50 instant loan from an app, consider the following tips:
1. Meet eligibility criteria: Make sure you meet the app’s minimum age, income, and credit score requirements.
2. Keep your finances organized: Make sure you have a stable source of income and keep your finances organized to demonstrate your ability to repay the loan.
3. Be transparent: Provide accurate and complete information when filling out the loan application.
4. Have a good payment history: A history of on-time payments can help increase your chances of being approved.
5. Check your credit report: Review your credit report to ensure there are no errors and to get an idea of your credit standing.
6. Be honest: Be honest about your financial situation and explain any potential challenges you may have repaying the loan.
Remember, different apps have different loan requirements and criteria for approval, so make sure to carefully review each app’s terms and conditions before applying. It’s also a good idea to shop around and compare multiple instant loan apps to find the best option for your needs.

Is it safe to use instant loan apps?

Using $50 instant loan apps can be safe if you take certain precautions. Here are some tips to help you stay safe:
1. Use reputable apps: Make sure to only use instant loan apps that have a good reputation and are regulated by the appropriate financial authorities.
2. Read the terms and conditions: Carefully review the terms and conditions of the loan, including the interest rate, repayment terms, and any fees or charges, to ensure that you fully understand the loan and can afford to repay it.
3. Protect your personal information: Make sure to only provide personal and financial information over a secure, encrypted connection and be wary of phishing scams or other forms of identity theft.
4. Repay on time: Make sure to repay the loan on time to avoid late fees, interest charges, and potential damage to your credit score.
5. Seek help if you have trouble: If you have trouble repaying the loan, reach out to the app’s customer service or a financial advisor for help.
Remember, using instant loan apps is a form of borrowing and should be approached with caution and responsibility. Make sure to only borrow what you can afford to repay and to understand the full terms and conditions of the loan before accepting it.

In conclusion, a $50 instant loan app is a mobile application that provides borrowers with access to small, short-term loans of $50 or less. These loans are designed to be quick and convenient, allowing borrowers to apply for and receive the loan funds within a matter of minutes or hours. The loans are usually unsecured, meaning they don’t require collateral, and are repaid on the borrower’s next payday or within a few weeks.

Instant loan apps use technology to streamline the loan application process, making it easier for borrowers to access funds when they need them. However, as with any loan, it’s important to understand the terms and conditions of the loan, including the interest rate, repayment terms, and any fees, to ensure that you fully understand the loan and can afford to repay it.

Work With the Right Financial Advisor

You can talk to a financial advisor who can review your finances and help you reach your goals (whether it is making more money, paying off debt, investing, buying a house, planning for retirement, saving, etc). Find one who meets your needs with SmartAsset’s free financial advisor matching service. You answer a few questions and they match you with up to three financial advisors in your area. So, if you want help developing a plan to reach your financial goals, get started now.
June 1, 2025
How to Make Rest Feel Productive (So You Actually Do It)
If you’ve ever found yourself feeling guilty for sitting still, mentally rehearsing your to-do list in bed instead of sleeping, or choosing another workout over taking a rest day, you’re not alone.

For many busy women, rest can feel like wasting time. Like pressing pause. Like falling behind. Like if you were stronger, smarter, better you wouldn’t need to rest because you could just push through.

But it’s a trap. One many women gets stuck in.

Because here’s the truth: rest isn’t a break from the work—it is the work.

Your nervous system, muscles, creativity, and emotional regulation depend on it. They don’t weaken because you rest—they get stronger through rest. Rest is resilience.

Learning how to rest intentionally – and in a way that actually feels good – is one of the most powerful performance tools you can master.

Let’s reframe rest so it doesn’t feel lazy, pointless, or unproductive.

Why Rest Feels Uncomfortable Right Now

We live in a hustle culture that celebrates constant productivity, glorifies never slowing down, and normalizes burnout.

Many high-performing women tie their self-worth to what they accomplish and their ability to “do it all.” Anything that doesn’t look like productive action feels … wrong.

But just like your muscles grow in the rest between workouts, your mental and emotional strength are built during recovery, not in the grind.

When rest triggers guilt, it’s often because your brain is wired to equate “doing” with “value.”

That’s why we need to focus on addressing your mindset around rest—so it feels safe, satisfying, and useful.

The Nervous System Needs Downtime

Your body has two primary nervous system states: sympathetic (go mode) and parasympathetic (rest mode).

Modern life has many of us spending the majority of their day in go mode. They’re answering emails, pushing through workouts, juggling responsibilities without taking a moment to shift into rest mode. Even if you love being busy, your body still needs recovery.

Here’s the part many people miss: your go mode gets more productive if you shift out of it into rest mode every now and then.

When you intentionally activate your rest mode through true rest, you boost:
- Creativity and decision-making
- Emotional regulation
- Digestion and hormone health
- Muscle repair and immune function
- Sleep quality and stress resilience
Reframe Rest as a Performance Tool

Instead of thinking of rest as a break from productivity, think of it as a productivity booster. It’s your high-achieving performance-enhancing strategy.

To make rest feel productive, build in low-stimulation resets that signal safety to your nervous system without overwhelming your brain and activating go mode.

Try:
- Structured white space: Block out non-negotiable downtime in your calendar. Treat it like a meeting with yourself. Use this to get into nature, meet with a friend if that feels nourishing, or doing something just for fun. (Naps included!)
- Sensory resets: Somatic (body-based) practices such as shaking, legs up on the wall, body scans, or gentle yoga help regulate your nervous system and shift you into rest mode.
- Low-input joy: Reading a good Romantasy book, snuggling your dog, sipping tea without a podcast, or walking without your phone. These moments are powerful.
Bonus: give your rest a name. Call it your “integration session” or “mental recovery moments”—whatever helps your high-achiever brain respect the pause.

Let’s Clear Up the Confusion: What’s Actually Restful?

Not all forms of rest are created equal. Let’s take a closer look at some common activities and figure out if they’re truly restful, or if they’re just a sneaky way to keep you stimulated and in go mode without real recovery.

Binge-watching TV: Sometimes Restful

If you’re truly relaxed and tuning in for a low-stress, feel-good experience, it could help you unwind. (Think: Friends marathon). But if you’re still reaching for your phone, or using other “numbing” coping mechanisms like uncontrolled snacking, that’s a sign that your nervous system is still feeling dysregulated and NOT in rest mode. Choose wisely! And binge watching TV when you should be sleeping is sacrificing the true rest your body needs—don’t do that.

Scrolling Your Phone: Nope

Scrolling through Instagram, checking emails, or endlessly refreshing Twitter—all of these can seem like “down time.” But in reality, they’re keeping your brain locked in a constant stimulation loop, which is keeping you in the stress cycle and go mode.

Stillness & Breathing: YES!

Now we’re talking. One of the simplest (and most effective) ways to reset your nervous system is to lie or sit still and focus on your breath. Deep, conscious breathing signals to your body that it’s time to relax. This practice not only calms your mind but also recharges your energy. Breath = PRESENCE and VITALITY.

Foam Rolling, Gentle Movement, or Stretching: YES!

These activities are low-intensity but incredibly beneficial as they help your body release tension, increase blood flow, and support muscle recovery. These practices can enhance your mobility and flexibility, which in turn helps you perform better when you’re back to your normal activities.

Doing Nothing on Purpose: YES!

It might seem counterintuitive but doing nothing on purpose is one of the best ways to rest. It doesn’t have to be a long, drawn-out session of “doing nothing.” Even a few minutes of sitting on your porch without a distraction can signal to your brain that it’s okay to relax. This act of purposeful inaction helps you briefly unplug and reset both mentally and physically, preparing you to come back with more energy, focus, and creativity.

Rest is Fuel

Rest is not the opposite of productivity—it’s the fuel behind it.

When you treat rest like a tool for physical recovery, mental clarity, emotional stability, and sustainable success, you stop fighting it. You start craving it.

The more you honor rest, the better you perform in the gym, in your work, and in life. Not because you’re doing less — but because you’re doing it all from a place of grounded, focused, charged-up energy.

So, which “performance-enhancing” rest strategy will you choose first? – Alex
June 1, 2025
This $200 MacBook Air Handles Your Hustle Without Complaints

Disclosure: Our goal is to feature products and services that we think you’ll find interesting and useful. If you purchase them, Entrepreneur may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners.

One thing to keep in mind when getting a laptop to support your professional needs is that not every job needs the latest M-series MacBook. If your goal is reliable performance, decent battery life, and that always-satisfying Apple experience—without obliterating your tech budget—this refurbished Apple MacBook Air 13.3″ (from 2017) might be exactly what you’re looking for.

At just $199.97, it’s a compelling option for entrepreneurs, frequent flyers, remote teams, or anyone needing a no-fuss, high-functioning laptop. Whether you’re outfitting new hires, building a small remote team, or just need a travel-friendly workhorse for flights and coworking spaces, this deal checks all the right boxes.

Powered by a 1.8GHz Intel Core i5 processor with 128GB SSD and Intel HD Graphics 6000, this MacBook Air can easily handle productivity apps, video calls, and browser-based work. The 13.3-inch Retina display (1440×900) gives you enough screen real estate for spreadsheets, docs, or Netflix—no judgment here.

And with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and a 12-hour battery, you’ve got the flexibility to work wherever you find a signal and a seat.

A business-savvy no-brainer

Sure, it’s not the newest model, but at this price, it’s a smart choice for businesses that are looking to scale or support remote productivity without buying into another $1,000 machine. It’s also ideal as a reliable secondary laptop for traveling professionals who’d rather not risk their $2,000 daily driver at airport security. It’s been cleaned and inspected, and arrives with the possibility of some light scratching or minor blemishes.

All in all, it’s a legit Apple laptop with great performance, for just $200. You’ll get what you need, save what you don’t, and maybe even impress a client or two with how resourcefully you roll.

Get a top-quality refurbished Apple MacBook Air for just $199.97 (reg. $999) with free shipping when you order through July 20.

Apple MacBook Air 13.3″ (2017) 1.8GHz i5 8GB RAM 128GB SSD Silver (Refurbished)

See Deal

StackSocial prices subject to change.

One thing to keep in mind when getting a laptop to support your professional needs is that not every job needs the latest M-series MacBook. If your goal is reliable performance, decent battery life, and that always-satisfying Apple experience—without obliterating your tech budget—this refurbished Apple MacBook Air 13.3″ (from 2017) might be exactly what you’re looking for.

At just $199.97, it’s a compelling option for entrepreneurs, frequent flyers, remote teams, or anyone needing a no-fuss, high-functioning laptop. Whether you’re outfitting new hires, building a small remote team, or just need a travel-friendly workhorse for flights and coworking spaces, this deal checks all the right boxes.

Powered by a 1.8GHz Intel Core i5 processor with 128GB SSD and Intel HD Graphics 6000, this MacBook Air can easily handle productivity apps, video calls, and browser-based work. The 13.3-inch Retina display (1440×900) gives you enough screen real estate for spreadsheets, docs, or Netflix—no judgment here.

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June 1, 2025