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Hello Haines City! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Voter registration concerns, Santa's family luau, and free dinner and movie + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Today’s sponsor, Goldco, is helping folks around Haines City help protect their savings after a remarkable few years for gold and silver. Their free guide explains what's behind the run… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Labor market mixed signals: Florida’s new unemployment claims spiked to 7,133 for the week ending July 11, reversing recent declines, even as June’s jobless rate edged down to 4.7% and five industries added jobs -- check Florida labor trends.
Storm-ready home systems: Rely on a well or septic around Haines City? A free UF/IFAS four-part series will cover maintenance and storm prep in English and Spanish, starting August 25 at 2 pm -- get the full details.
Voter registration concerns rise: A Florida voter discovered their party status changed to non-party-affiliated ahead of the primaries, sparking statewide concern. Florida’s deadline to register or change party will be August 18 -- verify your voter details.
Watch your credit card balance drop. Here's a rare one: this card lets you skip interest charges until nearly 2028, and you won't pay a cent in annual fees to do it. On top of that, every purchase earns at least 1.5% cash back, with some categories as high as 5%. Spend a little early on and there's up to a $200 bonus waiting too -- take a look.*
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
Google your own name and you'll probably find your home address: It's sitting on a people-search site right now, next to your age, your relatives, and your phone number, free for anyone to look up. Aura gets it taken down. It contacts 420+ data brokers on your behalf, uses privacy laws to legally demand deletion, and keeps resending requests so your information doesn't creep back online. No hours of opt-out forms, it runs quietly in the background — remove your data.* Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor Gold posted one of its strongest runs in decades...Silver has been right there with it, and after a few remarkable years both metals have become some of the most talked-about assets for those looking to stay ahead of market volatility. While many are still sitting on the sidelines, others are quietly repositioning. If you’re wondering whether you’re missing something, Goldco has a free guide explaining what’s driving the renewed interest… and how people are approaching precious metals right now. It’s free and worth reading before the next move.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Freshen up your space: If the living room is doing that weird 'college apartment' thing again, Haines Furniture Outlet has sofas, sectionals, beds, dining sets, mattresses, and decor that actually feel like home. Shop local this week, skip the I-4 chaos, and find something comfy enough for Saturday afternoon naps.
Beat the Florida heat: Lake Eva Aquatic Center is your low-stress, high-splash fix when the heat hits and the kids are bouncing off the walls. Swing by this week for an easy swim, let the little ones burn energy, and leave feeling cooler, calmer, and slightly more patient with summer.
Midweek comfort, unlocked: La Olla Del Cafe is that low-key Haines City spot where the plates are generous, the flavors stick with you, and the coffee actually wakes you up. Keep it local this week with comfy Mexican classics and friendly vibes that make getting dinner off your to-do list feel suspiciously easy.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial walk-in-the-door fee to x-rays, surgery, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade →
The upgrades that make your home feel new again start here. You don't need a full remodel to fall back in love with your space. New fixtures, a fresh coat of paint, updated hardware, the small changes that make a room feel different. It's all in Home Depot, so a weekend is all it takes to give a tired room a fresh start. *Shop the refresh →
Once your car passes 50,000 miles, the odds of a big repair climb fast. That's usually right when your factory coverage starts running out. Engine, transmission, electrical, they fail on their own timeline, and the bills run into the thousands. An extended warranty covers them before they hit. You receive a free year of Elite Benefits, plus 30 days to change your mind. *$300 off right now →
A window quote that takes an hour and costs you nothing. No showroom, no sales runaround, no obligation to buy anything. A design consultant comes to you, measures your windows, walks you through the options, and leaves you with an exact price and timeline, that's the whole visit. Keep the quote as long as you like and decide whenever you're ready, or don't. Booking takes about a minute. *Book your free visit →
The fitness trend that doesn't require leaving your living room: Chair yoga is having a moment, and for good reason. It's low-impact, easy on the knees and back, and you do the whole thing seated. No floor, no equipment, no studio. A quick quiz turns it into a personalized plan built around your body and goals, then adjusts as you build the habit. *See your plan → |
Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🧺 Laundry Products Day @ Access Community Center | Wednesday (7/22) at 11:00 AM – Access Community Center is loading you up with free laundry essentials, courtesy of Palm Medical Centers, and the neighbors who never miss a good freebie. Expect detergent, softener, and actual conversation in Haines City, first-come, first-served, one per household, while supplies last.
🏈 Haines City Rattlers training @ Ben Graham Park | Wednesday (7/22) at 6:00 PM – There’s free Haines City Rattlers training at Ben Graham Park for kids hunting a football home this fall. Meet the new 12U coach, ask your questions, and maybe let your sofa retire from tackling duty.
🎶 Thursdays @ Central Park (Lake Alfred) | Thursday (7/23) at 10:00 AM – Head to Central Park every Thursday in July for free water fun, the kind that keeps kids giggling and grown-ups from melting. Expect splashing, easy vibes, and a breezy excuse to pretend July in Lake Alfred isn’t a sauna. Simple, local, and blissfully refreshing.
🎬 Friday Flicks @ Central Florida's Welcome Center (Davenport) | Friday (7/24) at 10:00 AM – Friday Flicks is serving up popcorn, comfy seats, and Disney and Pixar crowd-pleasers at the Welcome Center all July. Think easy nostalgia for the grown-ups, happy kids, and blessed air conditioning, no plot twists, just a different movie everyone actually likes each week.
🐾 Adoption Event @ PetSmart (Davenport) | Friday (7/24) at 10:00 AM – Perfect excuse to trade small talk for small paws. A parade of adoptable whiskered charmers, all fully vetted, spayed or neutered, and ready to run your household like a tiny, benevolent dictator. Low drama, high cuddles, lifelong bragging rights.
🎄 Christmas in July - Santa's Family Luau! @ Camp Margaritaville RV Resort & Cabana Cabins Auburndale | Friday (7/24) at 6:00 PM – Christmas in July at Auburndale’s Camp Margaritaville means Santa in sandals, surprise snow, and drinks that taste like vacation. Bring the family for photos, crafts, cookie decorating, a holiday market, and bounce-house energy, then pretend you planned a tropical getaway, budget and nap schedule intact.
🍽 Free "Dinner & Movie" @ Dundee Methodist Church | Saturday (7/25) at 5:00 PM – Monthly free dinner and a movie at the church, no fuss, no ticket prices, just comfort food and a flick with neighbors. Think potluck vibes without the Tupperware, kids welcome, conversation encouraged, and you can be home by a reasonable hour.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Skip credit card interest until nearly 2028You know the feeling: you make your credit card payment, check the balance, and it's barely moved. That's interest quietly eating most of what you pay. Here's a rare chance to stop it. This card lets you skip interest charges until nearly 2028, so for over a year every dollar you pay goes straight to what you owe, not the bank's cut. And you won't pay a cent in annual fees to do it. The rewards are where it gets even better. Every purchase earns you at least 1.5% cash back, with some categories climbing as high as 5%, so the card pays you back on the spending you're already doing. Put a little on it early and there's up to a $200 bonus waiting. Between the break on interest, the cash back, and no annual fee, it's a lot of card for nothing to hold. *Take a look → |
07 — Haines City report Weather forecastToday — High: 95°F — Low: 75°F — Precip: 1%
Sunny, with a high near 95. Heat index values as high as 102. South southeast wind around 8 mph. Later: Isolated showers and thunderstorms between 7pm and 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. Heat index values as high as 100. South southwest wind 2 to 7 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 95°F — Low: 74°F — Precip: 18%
Isolated showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Sunny, with a high near 95. Southwest wind 2 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: Isolated showers and thunderstorms before 8pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 74. Southeast wind 2 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. This house is wildThis 4-bedroom, 2-bath pool home spreads out across more than 4 acres with country charm and room to roam. Zoned for horses and free of HOA hassles, it includes a detached workshop, chicken coops, a private backyard oasis, and sweeping Florida skies with rocket launch views. Dual-zone A/C and high-speed internet add modern ease.
Take a peek inside → |
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