"Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right." - Oprah Winfrey

December stands out as the perfect time to buy restaurant gift cards, with enticing promotions amplifying their value for both givers and recipients.

Restaurants like Panera Bread and IHOP are offering bonus cards with qualifying purchases — from Panera’s $10 bonus with every $50 card to IHOP’s $5 extra for a $25 card, making holiday spending go further.

These bonuses are an easy way to stretch your budget while treating friends and family, or even rewarding yourself with future meals.

Local favorites such as Beef 'N Bottle in Charlotte add a community touch, offering a $30 bonus on $100 gift card purchases and supporting neighborhood businesses.

Gift cards suit every budget, ensuring no recipient is left out.

Take advantage of these seasonal deals to enjoy extra value and spread holiday cheer at the table.

Elivingtoday.com

Nearly 48% of those enrolled in retirement plans are struggling with credit card debt, according to a recent J.P. Morgan Asset Management study.

This financial pressure often leads individuals to borrow from their own retirement accounts—risking their long-term security.

The data, drawn from over 12 million people in 16,000 defined contribution plans, reveals that high credit card balances can sharply reduce contributions and lower total savings.

For older savers, this impact may decrease retirement readiness by as much as 40%.

External financial challenges, like mounting credit card bills, don’t just hurt savings—they reshape retirement outcomes entirely.

Spending also drops by over 30% from age 60 to 85, yet most retirees face sharp year-to-year changes.

Boosting contributions by only one percent starting at age 25 could cover nine years of Medicare expenses later in life.

This research urges local residents to manage debt wisely and adapt savings plans for genuine financial security.

🎄 LONG ISLAND Things to Do 
 (Dec 26–Jan 1)

🎄 Family-Friendly Activities

🎉 Bayville Winter Wonderland

Holiday park transformed into a wintry amusement spot with lights, rides, ice skating, and family New Year’s Eve countdowns (early options around 8 PM).

🐠 Long Island Aquarium – Fishes & Wishes New Year’s Eve Party (Dec. 31)

A festive evening with food, dancing, animal encounters, and a New Year’s midnight or early toast. Perfect for families or date night.

👶 Noon Year’s Eve & Kid-Friendly Countdowns

Several spots host early New Year countdowns ideal for kids:

• Long Island Children’s Museum (Garden City) – noon countdown events.
  
  

• Long Island Explorium (Port Jefferson) – crafts & celebrations leading up to noon.
  
  💡 Tip: Many local libraries and children’s museums offer daily holiday crafts and activities between Christmas and New Year

In 2026, heightened economic uncertainty is pushing more Americans to purchase annuities and life insurance products, seeking reliable ways to protect their finances.

Retirees are shifting away from high-risk investments in favor of fixed and indexed annuities, which guarantee stable monthly income and offer protection against market swings.

New figures reveal that U.S. annuity sales hit $223 billion in early 2025, up 3% from the previous year. Registered Index-Linked Annuities in particular surged, growing 20% in the second quarter as people seek both growth and security.

Younger adults are also more aware of the need for financial planning, increasingly choosing term life insurance for affordable coverage amid rising family and medical expenses.

Families are having crucial multigenerational conversations about safeguarding loved ones from unexpected costs, driving a proactive approach to financial stability.

• Here’s the weather outlook for Long Island, NY from Friday, December 26, 2025 through Thursday, January 1, 2026 
  
  

  Friday, Dec 26, 2025
  🌨️ Light snow late with cloudy skies. Temps chilly — highs in the mid-20s°F and lows near 10°F. Snow accumulation possible late in the day.
  
  

  Saturday, Dec 27, 2025
  🌧️ Light snow early then overcast — highs around low 30s°F and lows near low 20s°F.
   

  Sunday, Dec 28, 2025
  ☁️ Cloudy with mixed light precipitation (rain/snow mix possible). Temps around low 40s°F / mid-50s. 
  
  

  Monday, Dec 29, 2025
  ❄️ Snow later with colder conditions — highs in mid-20s°F and lows around upper teens°F. 

  
  Tuesday, Dec 30, 2025
  🌨️ Snow likely again, cold and overcast. Highs near high 20s°F, lows near 20°F. 

  
  Wednesday, Dec 31, 2025
  🌨️ Light snow with decreasing cloudiness — highs near high 20s°F / lows around low 20s°F. 

  
  Thursday, Jan 1, 2026
  ☁️ Overcast with light snow/ice mix possible late — highs around upper 20s°F to low 30s°F, lows in the mid-teens°F.

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