Magical May on the Gulf Coast! There is something to do for everyone this month!
- Charlsie Pecoraro
- Apr 30
- 8 min read
May is magical along the Gulf Coast. You may be traveling to New Orleans for the second weekend of Jazz Fest or gearing up for a family member's graduation at a local high school or distant college. I'm kicking off the month with a short respite to Louisiana for some great music, excellent food and wonderful company. I'll share some marvelous May options for you to enjoy with friends and family.
This is the second weekend of the annual New Orleans Jazz Fest. Imagine being able to see legends like Santana, Irma Thomas, Pearl Jam, Dumpstaphunk, Lenny Kravitz, Trombone Shorty and hundreds of others over the course of one weekend. The musical entertainment kicks off on Thursday, May 1st and wraps up on Sunday, May 4th.
If you decide to make the trip to NOLA, be sure to check out some of the best food on the coast. Parkway Tavern is still serving some of the tastiest po-boys around and of course, Cafe du Monde is a must do if you are in town. Grab a bag of beignets for me!
Planning to stay closer to home? Belligrath Gardens has an inaugural event that opened mid-April. The Gulf Coast Chinese Lantern Festival transforms the lovely gardens into breathtaking displays of lights and artistry. This is a night time event from 5PM - 10PM, Thursday - Sunday and it will be open for Memorial Day. Tickets are best purchased online (you save $8 per ticket). Click here to buy yours. This is a great gift for Mother's Day (hint, hint). Good news, this will continue until June 15th at Belligrath.
Cinco de Mayo falls on Monday this year and local Mexican restaurants are gearing up for a Sunday/Monday to remember. Since 1862 celebrations have centered around the Mexican-American culture. In the 1980's it became a fantastic "excuse" for friends and family to gather and enjoy some of the finest cuisine on the planet. Did you know that the beer sales generated on Cinco de Mayo rival that of the "Big Game" in football? Now is the time to figure out where you'll have your favorite tacos, fajitas and perhaps a margarita or two! Consider supporting the locally owned restaurants along the Coast. They appreciate your loyalty.
Making a memory on Mother's Day is easy on the coast. We've got sugary, white beaches to visit, fantastic dining options including fabulous brunches, or perhaps a backyard BBQ or seafood boil is in the works. Whatever you end up doing, may all mothers and grandmothers have an incredible day. Please note Redbar Espresso will be serving Sunday brunch!
More May events:
LODA Artwalk Celebrates National Scavenger Hunt Day, Friday, May 9th, Mobile 6-9PM
Saturday, May 3rd is the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, so get your hats ready, ladies for 5:57PM start. Click here for my Derby Pie recipe given to me by a Derby fan!
Mobile Boat Show, May 9-11th at the Mobile Civic Center
Food Truck Festival at Mobile Museum of Art, May 29th.
Memorial Day Weekend is May 23 - 26th and is a busy time on the beach and waterways!
Richard Lindsey's "Real World" Personal Strategy Note 4 Financially Smart Ways to Use Your Tax Refund“The obsession with instant gratification blinds us from our long-term potential.” – Mike Dooley
The average tax refund for the 2024 tax year is around 3,186 dollars. If you find yourself getting a refund in that ballpark this year, you’ve got a rare gift – a bit of financial breathing room. The key now is what you do with it.
Because the reality is, a tax refund isn’t a windfall. It’s your own money – a year-long, interest-free loan you gave Uncle Sam.
But now that it’s back in your hands, you have a choice: You can spend it on something momentarily gratifying … or you can use it to reinforce your financial foundation.
And no, this doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy some of it. The goal is to avoid lifestyle inflation – that subtle pressure to start spending more just because you can. I’ve got a few ideas on smarter ways you can put this money to work…
#1: Knock down your debt. Your high-interest debt (credit cards, personal loans, even private student loans) acts like financial quicksand. Because they typically carry non-deductible interest, you’re not getting any tax benefit from the cost of borrowing. And your tax refund could offer a way to start climbing out.
Focus first on credit cards. Anything with double-digit interest is a fire you want to put out fast. Once that’s handled — or at least dented — move to other debt with rates above 6 percent (the point where your money would likely earn a better guaranteed return by paying off debt rather than investing).
You may not have enough to eliminate your balance, but even a partial payoff will reduce the interest compounding against you every month.
#2: Strengthen your safety net. At all times, you should have 3–6 months’ worth of living expenses in a dedicated fund. If you’re in a dual-income household or you have a really stable job, three months might suffice. But if you're self-employed, have a single-income household, or have fluctuating income, you’ll want to lean toward the six-month end.
Because a leaky roof, a trip to urgent care, or even a car repair doesn’t wait until your budget’s ready. And the mess you’re in will only get messier if your only fallback is a high-interest credit card or personal loan (or worse, tapping a retirement account early, triggering early withdrawal penalties and tax consequences).
Set aside some of your tax refund in a high-yield savings account. Look for options earning north of 4 percent APY (to help your savings keep pace with inflation).
#3: Look at the horizon. Only after you’ve addressed your high-interest debt and built up a safety net should you look into investing in your future. You need a sturdy foundation under your feet before you move forward.
If you’ve got a workplace retirement plan, check to see if you’re maxing out your employer match. And if you’re already on track there, look into an IRA (traditional or Roth, depending on your tax bracket and future plans). Getting compounding interest over time on your side is what’s important here.
Or, if you’re looking to dip your toe into the broader market, consider low-cost index funds that track broad market indices like the S&P 500. They offer built-in diversification and historically solid returns (around 7–10 percent over decades).
Just remember: Any investments held outside tax-advantaged accounts (like an IRA or 401(k)) may be subject to capital gains tax when you sell them. And, dividends can be taxed annually depending on the type.
If you’ve got kids, think about starting or contributing to a 529 plan. Every dollar you put in now is one less you’ll have to borrow later — and qualified withdrawals are tax-free.
#4: Invest in your home. Your home is more than a roof over your head – it’s one of the most significant capital assets most people ever own. Maybe not one that earns dividends, but one that certainly retains and can appreciate in value. Especially in a stable or growing real estate market.
Focus on putting your tax refund toward preventative maintenance improvements that help 1) extend the lifespan of your home’s core systems, 2) prevent expensive emergencies (like water damage or a failed heating unit), and 3) up your home's curb appeal. These are the main things that translate to higher resale value.
Also worth noting: If your home improvements are an energy-efficient upgrade — like adding insulation or replacing HVAC with a qualifying energy-efficient unit — you could qualify for the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit. As of 2025, you can claim 30 percent of the cost of the upgrades (with certain annual limits based on the improvement type).
Lindsey & Waldo
251-633-4070
This recipe is an ode to my Mom (happy heavenly Mother's Day) and a concoction that my husband, a remarkable cook, came up with. Stuffed flounder was a favorite around our house when I was growing up. We'd have it whenever we visited my cousins in Bayou La Batre. We would stay out on Dauphin Island for a week or two and eat our weight in seafood, including Mom's stuffed flounder. This recipe is SO EASY to make, yet it tastes like you spent hours putting it together. Click here and learn to make this one for your friends and family. Enjoy and thanks for cooking with me.
Big Announcement for Jessica Zoltek! She is now offering Major Medical for folks under age 65. Perfect for self-employed or small groups!
Boss Partners Making a Difference
Alan Bottoms, founder of Alan & Company, a business coaching organization, leads by example. He is the current President of the Bay Area BNI Chapter. Under his guidance, the group is approaching pre-Covid numbers in membership, adding three new ones this week!
Alan is a record setting real estate agent, selling exclusively for DR Horton. He is passionate about making home ownership a reality for people along the coast.
In his spare time, you'll find him gardening or volunteering for various charities. No target goal rattles him and through shear determination and excitement, he has raised thousands for local needs. 850-261-5353.
Jennifer Walley-Clark is your AFLAC Insurance connection. The company has been around for decades, however many of you may not be aware of its expanded portfolio.
Perhaps you need dental and vision coverage. Jennifer can help with that. Of course, cancer coverage and other plans are still available.
Jennifer works with businesses to offer additional insurance coverage to employees. Benefits certainly help companies retain their valued staff and AFLAC is a great option.
Why not reach out to her this week and find out how she can assist you in bulking up benefits?Give her a call at 251-599-5212. She is a licensed insurance agent serving Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi. As a reminder, if you have AFLAC coverage you may be entitled to an annual wellness benefit. Have you filed yours? Ask Jennifer for help, she'll be happy to guide you.
Many of you will recognize Dr. Mike Bucknell as the founder of Liberation Chiropractic Clinic in West Mobile. What you may not know is that he is also the owner of Redbar Espresso & Market on Old Shell Road. I caught up with him this week and confirmed that Redbar will be open for Sunday brunch on Mother's Day. If you haven't been to this spacious and welcoming restaurant, that would be a great day to try it out. Treat mom to homemade pancakes, a delicious omelette or perhaps a specialty crumpet. There is something for everyone on the menu. In case you are wondering, they do have a full bar and will be offering mimosas.
Located at 7681 Old Shell Road, just a block off of Schillinger. Dine in, drive thru, take away and patio dining available 7 days a week.
I've had the privilege of working with Lisa Underwood Harkey for years and noted a big growth spurt for her company, AlaCoast Insurance, in the past several months. She opened her insurance agency with nothing more than a dream and confidence. She has built a thriving enterprise over the past decade. Recently she hired more staff to meet the demands of her company.
She is pleased to offer a lucrative career opportunity to ambitious individuals looking for a positive work environment. Her mentorship does not go unnoticed by those who work with her.
The motto of AlaCoast is that they insure everything under the sun. Home, auto, RV, boat, business and more can be covered by her agency. She works with numerous companies and can find the best plan for your investment. 251-661-4410.
Enjoy your May and thank you for supporting the local businesses that I work with! ~ Charlsie
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