Wanna travel this weekend?

"The only thing we have to fear is...fear itself." - Franklin D. Roosevelt

Presidents’ Day Travel: Thinking of going somewhere this Presidents’ Day? You’re not alone. Many Americans are making plans for a fun four-day weekend.

Wondering where to go yourself? Obviously, budget plays into things so if money is a little tight right now, going somewhere local could be the best bet for a fun weekend reset. But if you have a little time and know how to flex your frugal travel powers, here are some other ideas.

• Northeast Travel. In the Northeast, Boston offers historical sites like the Freedom Trail and the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.

  

• Midwest Travel. Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, provides a picturesque setting for skiing and outdoor activities, while Boyne Mountain Resort in Michigan offers winter sports and indoor entertainment.

  

• South Travel. Springfield, Illinois, rich in Lincoln history, and Atlanta, Georgia, home to the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum, offer insights into presidential legacies.

• West Travel. Nashville, Tennessee, blends music culture with presidential history at sites like Andrew Jackson's Hermitage and the James K. Polk ancestral home in Columbia.

These are just a few of the many fun ideas of where you can go either near or far to have a fun Presidents Day weekend.

Education: The Shapiro administration is rolling out something special: the 2024 Parent Pathways Grant, packing a whopping $1.6 million punch to help out our beloved undergrads with kiddos. 

Picture this: eligible institutions are getting a boost to spruce up scholarships, lend a hand with tuition, jazz up programming, and even jazzier childcare facilities. It's all part of Shapiro's grand plan to make higher education a bit less steep and a lot more accessible for Pennsylvania residents.

In the city of Pittsburgh, where college costs sometimes tower higher than the skyline, these grants are like a beacon of hope for families and students eyeing schools like the University of Pittsburgh. This initiative is laser-focused on easing the financial squeeze for those balancing parenthood and textbooks.

According to the Institute of Women’s Policy Research, a fair chunk of college students are juggling parenting duties while hitting the books. And guess what? Nearly half of them hit a bump in the road and don't quite cross the graduation finish line.

That's where the Parent Pathways Grant Program swoops in, offering a lifeline in the form of tuition help, emergency funds, and all-around support services.

But hey, the clock's ticking! Eligible institutions have until March 12 to throw their hats in the ring for this grant bonanza. Who knows? We might just see a surge in parent-friendly programs, fancier childcare digs, and more scholarships than you can shake a diploma at.

💸 Investments Worth Watching 

Sustainability is probably a topic at your dinner table more and more these days. Searching for sustainable products and brands to support is a win-win all around.

Enter ettitude, a sustainable lifestyle brand aiming to offer high-quality products made from sustainable resources.

They jumped on the bandwagon back in 2014 but they’ve managed to raise over $1.7 million in funding to keep the ball rolling on their products.

💪 What they do: ettitude is a DTC sustainable lifestyle brand offering modern bedding, bath, and sleepwear products.

📅 Founded: 2014

🤑 Funding:  $1.7 million

🎧 Get Rec’d: Podcast Edition

Why Won’t You Date Me?

Buckle up, folks, because the dating rollercoaster is about to take you on a wild ride! Have you ever been ghosted by your crush, left wondering what went wrong? Or maybe you've fallen victim to the classic Tinder catfish? Fear not, because "Why Won't You Date Me?" is here to spill the tea and offer some much-needed comic relief.

Meet Nicole Byer, your trusty guide through the murky waters of modern romance. As a self-proclaimed perpetual singleton, Nicole knows a thing or two about the ups and downs of dating life. Each week, she brings together a motley crew of comedians, friends, and even ex-flings to dish out their juiciest dating tales.

From cringe-worthy first dates that make you want to crawl under the table to jaw-dropping hookup stories that will leave you speechless, nothing is off-limits on this unfiltered podcast. Get ready to laugh, cringe, and maybe even shed a tear as Nicole and her guests lay bare the trials and tribulations of navigating the crazy world of love and lust.

So, grab your headphones and prepare to dive headfirst into the hilarious, sometimes heart-wrenching world of dating with "Why Won't You Date Me?" Because let's face it, we could all use a little comedic relief when it comes to matters of the heart.

😋 MMM, Yummy! 

What’s for dinner? We hear that question at least once a day but instead of trying to whip something up last minute, plan ahead with a few of these ideas for your dinners this week.

• Shortcut Chicken Enchiladas

• Italian Chicken Sheet Pan Supper

• Lemon and Herb Roast Chicken and Vegetables

• Spicy Pork Noodle Bowl