CNN Underscored

Alberto Riva, CNN Underscored
Connect with Alberto at alberto.riva@cnn.com.
Alberto Riva is the senior money editor for CNN Underscored, responsible for coverage of credit cards, points and miles, and travel.
A native Milanese, Alberto got his start in journalism covering business and transportation in Italy. He later moved to the US to work for CNN in Atlanta and then made a home in New York, where he has held journalism jobs including producing morning news at Bloomberg Radio and leading Vice News as managing editor. In 2017, he turned his passion for points and miles into a job, becoming the fist managing editor at The Points Guy.
Alberto is fluent in French and Spanish, happy to mangle German, and sometimes even able to find a use for the Latin and classic Greek he studied. He lives in Brooklyn, and when he's not collecting those points and miles, he enjoys skiing, mountaineering, and indulging his love of aviation by flying on as many airlines as he can.

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Health Line

34 minutes ago

• Health Line

What Is the Disney Rash?

So-called 'Disney rash' is a condition known as exercise-induced vasculitis (EIV). You can prevent EIV by staying hydrated and avoiding too much sun exposure. If symptoms occur, wet coverings and anti-itch cream may help. A 'Disney rash' may not be the souvenir you had in mind, but many visitors to Disneyland, Walt Disney World, and other amusement parks find that they get it. The medical name for Disney rash is exercise-induced vasculitis (EIV). This condition is also called golfer's rash, hiker's rash, and golfer's vasculitis. This condition results from a combination of: hot weather sunlight exposure sudden, prolonged periods of walking or exercising outdoors That's why people who spend long days strolling at theme parks may be prone to it. In this article, we take a look at the symptoms, treatment, and prevention strategies. What are the symptoms of Disney rash? Although EIV is often called Disney rash, the condition isn't a true rash. Instead, EIV is a condition in which small blood vessels in the legs are inflamed. Swelling and discoloration can occur on one or both ankles and legs. It often affects the calves or shins, but it may also affect the thighs. EIV can include large red patches, purple or red dots, and raised welts. It may itch, tingle, burn, or sting. It may also cause no physical sensations. EIV is typically confined to exposed skin and doesn't occur under socks or stockings. It's not dangerous or contagious. It usually resolves on its own. You'll typically see it clear up around 10 days after returning home, once you're away from the conditions that brought it on. What's the best way to treat Disney rash? Use cool washcloths or ice packs If you're experiencing this temporary form of vasculitis, using a wet covering, such as a towel, on your legs can help treat it. Keeping your legs cool with ice packs or cold washcloths can also help soothe irritation and reduce swelling. Apply anti-itch cream If your rash is itchy, taking over-the-counter antihistamines or using topical corticosteroids may provide relief. You can also try using witch hazel towelettes or an itch-reducing lotion. Stay hydrated Don't let yourself get dehydrated. Drinking water and other fluids may help alleviate and prevent EIV. Elevate your feet It may be hard to rest while you're out and about on vacation, but try to build in rest breaks with your legs elevated whenever possible. You may be able to do this while someone holds your place in ride lines and during snack or meal breaks. Ducking into air-conditioned kiosks or restrooms with seated areas can also help. Check guest services Disney and other theme parks typically have first aid stations throughout the facility. They may stock anti-itch cooling gel to use on your skin. You can also gear up with some ahead of time. Soak your feet When the day is done, treat yourself to a cooling oatmeal bath. Keeping your legs elevated overnight may also help. How can you prevent Disney rash? Anyone can get Disney rash, but women over age 50 may be most at risk, according to a 2015 article. No matter your age or sex, you can take some steps to help prevent this condition during vacation. Protect your skin from the sun Research from 2016 indicates that keeping your legs and ankles covered with light clothing, such as socks, stockings, or pants, may help. This will reduce your skin's exposure to both direct and reflected sunlight. Anecdotally, some people report that using sunscreen has the same effect. Wear compression clothing Older research from 2006 indicates that people who have already experienced an episode of EIV may be able to prevent future occurrences by wearing compression socks or stockings. Compression leggings and pants are also available. However, more research needs to be done on the effectiveness of compression clothing in preventing EIVs. Massage your legs That same small study suggests manual lymphatic drainage massage could be of benefit as well. This gentle massaging technique is geared toward draining lymph (fluid) out of the legs and increasing blood flow in both deep and superficial leg veins. Here's how to do it. Drink water and go light on salt Drink lots of fluids and avoid eating salty food. This will help prevent the swelling associated with EIV. Wear moisture-wicking clothing If it's hot and sunny, protect your legs from sun exposure by covering them with light-colored fabric or sunscreen. If it's humid, try wearing moisture-wicking socks for added comfort. Covering your skin will help prevent further irritation. What does Disney rash look like? Here are some photos of Disney rash (exercise-induced vasculitis). What else could it be? In addition to EIV, here are some other rashes and skin irritations that may occur while you're on vacation: Heat rash (prickly heat). Heat rash can affect adults or children. It occurs in hot, humid weather and results from skin-on-skin or fabric-on-skin chafing. Urticaria. This condition is earmarked by hives brought about by raised body temperature. It can occur if you exercise strenuously or sweat profusely. Sunburn and sun poisoning. Too much sun exposure can cause sunburn or sun poisoning to occur. Also known as sun allergy, this condition can result in a painful, itchy red rash and blisters. You can avoid it by using sunscreen or covering your skin with UV-protective fabric. Contact dermatitis (allergy). While on vacation, you might be exposed to environmental irritants you're sensitive to or allergic to. These can include hotel soaps and shampoos and the detergent used to wash your bedding. When to contact a doctor Disney rash generally clears up independently, but you might need to see a doctor for more severe cases. A doctor can help you manage Disney rash if it: is very Itchy or painful lasts longer than 2 weeks returns with other forms of exercise A doctor might run tests to confirm that Disney rash is causing your symptoms. You'll likely be tested for allergies and other skin conditions with similar symptoms. After Disney rash is diagnosed, you could be prescribed an antihistamine or a topical corticosteroid cream to help manage your rash. Tips for staying cool and comfortable while on vacation Disney rash may not be the only tourist-related malady you experience while on vacation. Here are some other vacation-related conditions and their fixes. Preventing aching feet and legs People claim to clock in anywhere from 5 to 11 miles per day at theme parks like Disney. That amount of walking is bound to take its toll on feet and legs. Wearing well-fitting, comfortable shoes is a good way to ensure that your feet can handle the challenge. Make sure you choose footwear that allows your feet to breathe and provides ample support. Choose footwear that's appropriate for hiking in hot weather, and your feet, legs, and back will all be in better shape at the end of the day. Flip-flops and flimsy sandals may not be your best bet. But they're handy to keep with you for a quick change at the very end of the day. Avoiding sunburn Wear sunscreen, whether the sun is bright or you're walking around on a cloudy or hazy day. A hat and sunglasses can help protect your face and eyes. Also, consider opting for light-colored sun-protective clothing. If you do get a sunburn, treat it with home remedies, such as aloe vera, oatmeal baths, or cool compresses. If your sunburn is blistered or severe, check in with your hotel doctor or stop by a theme park first aid station for treatment. Staying cool It can be hard to escape from heat and humidity at a theme park, but there are ways to stay cool on the go. Consider the following: Carry a battery-operated or paper handheld fan. You can also find battery-operated fans that attach to strollers or can clip onto wheelchairs. Use a personal, handheld water mister on your face, wrists, and the back of your neck for an instant cooldown. Keep drinks in a small cooler with an ice pack or frozen bottle of water. Wear a cooling bandana with activated polymers around your forehead or neck. Wear a cooling vest. These usually use evaporative cooling or come with a cold-pack system. Wear moisture-wicking fabrics to keep skin comfortable and dry. The most important thing is to drink plenty of water or other hydrating drinks. They can be cold or not. Staying hydrated helps your body do what it does best to keep you cool: sweat. Takeaway It may be vacation, but a day at a theme park can be grueling, even if you're in excellent physical condition. At the end of the day, try to build in some quiet time when you can rest and recharge. Getting a great night's sleep will also help rejuvenate you for the next day's fun. Drink lots of fluids, and avoid having too many dehydrating substances like alcohol and caffeine. If you develop a Disney rash, plan to take a cool bath or shower, followed by an application of skin-cooling gel or ointment. Remember to elevate your feet.

Yahoo

35 minutes ago

• Yahoo

Mastercard (MA) Falters on Stablecoins Passage in Senate

We recently published a list of 10 Stocks Take A Shocking Nosedive. Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) is one of the worst-performing stocks on Thursday. Mastercard fell by 5.39 percent on Wednesday to end at $538.73 apiece as investors sold off positions on expectations that the Senate's passage of the stablecoins bill would pose a threat to its business. Stablecoins are a type of currency designed to maintain a 1:1 ratio with the US dollar and is widely used by cryptocurrency traders to move funds between tokens. Under the administration of President Donald Trump, Stablecoins gained momentum as an alternative payments method, emerging as a potential competitor to traditional payments companies, including Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA). A woman using a payment terminal at the checkout of a store showing payment products and solutions. In the first quarter of the year, Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) saw its net income rise to $3.3 billion, higher by 10 percent than the $3 billion registered in the same period last year. Revenues also grew by 15.87 percent to $7.3 billion from $6.3 billion year-on-year. While we acknowledge the potential of MA as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an extremely cheap AI stock that is also a major beneficiary of Trump tariffs and onshoring, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 20 Best AI Stocks To Buy Now and 30 Best Stocks to Buy Now According to Billionaires. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data

Yahoo

37 minutes ago

• Yahoo

Want to delay RMDs? Check out qualified longevity annuity contracts

Once you hit age 73, IRS rules say you must start taking required minimum distributions (RMDs) from your traditional retirement accounts — even if you don't need the cash and would rather let it grow. These forced withdrawals can trigger unwanted taxes and potentially even bump you into a higher tax bracket. But if you're looking for a legal way to delay some of those RMD headaches, a qualified longevity annuity contract, or QLAC, is one way to do it. Think of a qualified longevity annuity as a way to buy time before RMDs begin with your retirement money — while earmarking guaranteed income for later in life. QLACs were born out of a rule change from the U.S. Treasury. In 2014, they issued regulations allowing specific types of deferred income annuities — QLACs — to be held inside qualified retirement accounts, such as IRAs and 401(k)s. A QLAC is a deferred income annuity you buy with retirement savings and payouts from the insurer begin between age 75 and 85. It's essentially longevity insurance, designed to provide steady income when you're older and more likely to need it. Once you fund a QLAC, those dollars are removed from your retirement plan balance for RMD purposes. That means you can delay taking distributions on that portion of your savings until the annuity starts paying out, no later than age 85. QLACs come with some strict rules you should be aware of when considering one. Funding limits: You can allocate up to $210,000 to a QLAC in 2025, and this figure is generally increased each year for inflation. Payout timeline: Payments must start no later than age 85. You can choose to begin receiving income earlier, but you can't defer past that point. Only income or fixed annuities: Under the law, a QLAC cannot be a variable annuity or fixed index annuity, both of which are considered more complex and riskier options for consumers. Irrevocability: Once you buy a QLAC, you can't access the principal again. It's illiquid and doesn't have a cash surrender value. Death benefit rules: Most QLACs offer a 'return of premium' death benefit instead, which means any unused portion of your original investment is paid out to beneficiaries if you pass away before receiving it all. However, this feature usually reduces your monthly payout. An alternative option is life-only payouts with no refund, giving you higher income while you're alive, but no payout to heirs if you die early. The size of your QLAC payments depends on how much you put into the contract and how many years the money has to grow before payouts begin. The longer you wait to start receiving income — up to age 85 — the larger those payments will typically be. Get matched: Find a financial advisor who can help you maximize your investments When you purchase a qualified longevity annuity contract with money from a traditional IRA or other eligible retirement plan, the amount you invest is excluded from RMD calculations. You don't have to take withdrawals from those dollars starting at age 73 because, under the revised IRS definition, the QLAC itself satisfies the RMD rules. Even though the income payments from a QLAC can be deferred as late as age 85, they are still considered compliant under RMD regulations. That's a big win if you're trying to delay taxable income and avoid unnecessary withdrawals. Because the total balance of your IRA or other qualified account is reduced by the amount you put in your QLAC, RMDs on your other retirement accounts will be smaller, and your taxable income will likely be lower. That can work in your favor, potentially keeping you in a lower tax bracket during retirement. You can buy a QLAC through a direct, tax-free transfer from your retirement account, and it's not counted as a taxable distribution. However while the annuity's investment growth is tax-deferred — just like the retirement account it came from — you will owe income tax eventually once payouts begin. Because you're not required to invest the full $210,000 QLAC cap all at once, you can get creative with how you structure your income. For example, you might buy one QLAC at age 70 with an income start date of 80, then purchase another at age 72 that begins paying out at 85. This staggered approach can help you fine-tune your cash flow in retirement while maintaining flexibility with the rest of your portfolio. Ultimately, QLACs don't eliminate RMDs — but they can carve out a chunk of your retirement savings and delay when Uncle Sam gets his cut. As appealing as QLACs might sound, they're not a perfect fit for everyone. Loss of control: One of the biggest trade-offs is the loss of control over your money. Once you purchase a QLAC, the funds are locked up. You can't tap that money in an emergency or reallocate it to other investments later. The annuity becomes an irrevocable contract with an insurance company, and there's no liquidity. Life expectancy: Another risk is longevity itself. If you don't live long enough to reach the annuity's start date — or only live a few years beyond it — you may get little or nothing out of the contract. No additional tax break: Some critics also argue that QLACs don't offer any new tax advantages. Retirement accounts like IRAs and 401(k)s already offer tax-deferred growth. A QLAC doesn't change that — it only punts a portion of the tax bill further down the road. Other tax strategies: If your goal is to manage your future tax bills, other strategies like Roth conversions or charitable distributions might offer more flexibility without tying up funds for years or even decades. Finally, QLACs simply don't make sense for everyone. If you're in poor health, have a shorter life expectancy, or want to spend your money more freely in the early years of retirement, deferring income until 85 may not align with your goals. QLACs are built for people playing the long game. If that's not you, your money is probably better utilized elsewhere. If you're in your 60s and want to delay RMDs, a QLAC is one way to do that. It defers taxes and provides a stream of guaranteed payments later in life — all while playing by the IRS rule book. QLACs aren't for everyone, but they're one of the few tools that let you legally delay your RMDs. Just be sure you're comfortable locking up the money — and you're prepared for the tax bill once RMDs finally begin. Learn more: Planning to retire in 10 years? Do these 6 things first Editorial Disclaimer: All investors are advised to conduct their own independent research into investment strategies before making an investment decision. In addition, investors are advised that past investment product performance is no guarantee of future price appreciation. Sign in to access your portfolio