Market Performance: March 13, 2024.

US stocks were a mixed bag on Wednesday with the S&P 500's (^GSPC) record-setting run hitting pause as several tech giants saw their stocks retreat.

The S&P 500 was off about 0.2%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) rose 0.1%. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) led the losses, falling more than 0.5% after tech led Tuesday's rally. High-flying Nvidia (NVDA) fell more than 1%, while Tesla (TSLA) fell over 4.5% after a Wells Fargo downgrade and sales warning.

Stocks had gained Tuesday, with the S&P 500 hitting a new record amid continued optimism that the Federal Reserve will start to cut interest rates within months despite February's hotter-than-estimated reading on core consumer inflation.

Spring Break Vacation Dupes: Ideas to Beat the Crowds

According to the online travel agency Expedia, travelers in 2024 will check into rentals with pickleball courts, voyage to places where their favorite TV series are set, and visit “destination dupes” — vacation spots that duplicate the features of well-traveled attractions but draw fewer crowds and offer more savings.

Although the notion of alternatives isn’t new, dupe mania is rooted in recent overtourism. “People have been flocking to popular destinations in record numbers, which is driving an uptick in travelers who are seeking less crowded and less obvious alternatives to these popular vacation spots that still offer all the charm,” says Melanie Fish, head of Expedia Group Brands public relations.

Nearly 60 percent of travelers surveyed by the market research firm Future Partners agreed with the finding that dupes will grow.

“Even more than the lower price, a dupe holds out the promise of a great experience,” says Arnie Weissmann, the editor in chief of Travel Weekly, a travel business publication. “Chief among the risks that can ruin a trip are your fellow travelers — other travelers are competitors for the same resources you’re looking for, from an upgraded room to a good table at a fine restaurant.”

Consider the following five destination dupes to help you make the most of spring break.

Ways to make money from your language skills

Proficient in another language? Nice, you're already ahead of the game. Time to take our ideas, go forth and make some money.

There are loads of ways language skills can pay off. But, if you're yet to master a second lingo, or feel a bit out of practice, don't be shy about catching up – we recommend trying out language learning apps.

These are the best language apps you can use free of charge:

Duolingo offers around 40 languages, including French, German, Spanish and Portuguese, with structured courses covering everything from basic vocab to advanced grammar.

Memrise has 23 languages to learn on the app, from Korean to Yoruba. They use a mix of official Memrise courses as well as those compiled by community members.

There are ways to get your conversation practice in for free, usually by swapping a language you know with someone who speaks the language you want to learn. If you want to get paid for talking, you need an angle.

Advertise your strengths – If you're a native speaker or have teaching experience, tell people

Go niche – Think essentials for business travellers, medical vocab, technical terms and phrases for students or sports fans

Use your accent – Regional differences can be the most challenging aspect of a language, so if you've got an accent, make the most of it.

Create language resources: Teaching doesn't have to be about real-time interaction – there's also demand for language learning resources, from textbooks and quizzes to stories and podcasts.

Make language videos on YouTube or a language blog: Settling into a new country can be a tall ask for any international student or expat. Once you throw in linguistic hurdles like slang, cultural references and accents, it's a minefield – which is where native speakers like you come in.

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