Tips on How to Save Money for Christmas

It’s always beneficial to learn tips on how to save money for Christmas. The holiday seasons are always a special time when you might feel tempted to spend beyond your means to buy gifts for your friends and family members. There is always something that you might be tempted to buy regardless of the price.

However, careless spending could cause a huge spike in your credit card bills. So, how can you control your shopping impulse during the Christmas season? Read along to explore easy tips to save money for Christmas.

Financial Plan

Never start your Christmas shopping without first having a sound financial plan. It’s so easy for you to overspend when you’re surrounded by beautiful things. To budget for Christmas, you must save up enough money in advance, make a list of people you want to gift, and set a dollar amount for each gift. It is also helpful for you to create a list of gifts that you’ve already bought in previous years to avoid wasting money.

Shop From Home

You can easily burn a deep hole in your pocket driving around from store to store and failing to keep track of the money you’re spending. If you’re an impulsive shopper, you must consider shopping online from the comfort of your home. Shopping online allows you to save money and time, especially if you have a busy schedule. When you shop on different sites, you can apply discount codes to your purchases while getting quality products. Online shopping also gives you more convenience to compare products and prices to determine the best rates.

Homemade Gifts

Why spend money on expensive gifts when you can easily make them? You can plan ahead of time for your special Christmas holiday by baking pies, cakes, gingerbread cookies, coated nuts, and other tasty snacks that people love to receive. If you enjoy being in the kitchen, you can show off your skills by baking homemade gifts to save money.

Be a Smart Christmas Shopper in 2025

You must always be conscious of your spending. For the big upcoming holiday, you don’t have to feel that you need to buy expensive gifts to make a great impression on the people you love. This guide may help you to have more control over your spending for Christmas!

What Viruses are Going Around Right Now in Adults 2025?

So, what viruses are going around right now in adults 2025?

Norovirus is once again making headlines due to an uptick in outbreaks around the world.

Sometimes called the "winter vomiting bug," norovirus is one of the most common causes of acute gastroenteritis, leading to symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain.

It spreads extremely easily through contaminated food, water, surfaces, or close contact with infected people, making outbreaks in communities, schools, and especially among groups in close quarters, such as hospitals and nursing homes.

Recent studies show that norovirus outbreaks often peak during colder months, contributing to seasonal spikes in illness.

Global surveillance data suggest that, while the global burden of norovirus has remained high for decades, the virus is evolving. For example, research from China found that non-GII.4 genotypes—which means less common strains are increasingly driving outbreaks, potentially shifting the dynamics of epidemic patterns and public health response strategies.

Environmental evidence supports the persistence of norovirus in water systems, highlighting just how resilient the virus is and how outbreaks can be triggered or sustained by contaminated water sources. The virus’s ability to spread through both direct and indirect contact, and its resistance to routine disinfection, are significant factors that add to its high transmission rate and frequent outbreaks, even more so since cases can be infectious before symptoms occur and after symptoms resolve.

A multifaceted public health approach is essential. Current evidence points to the importance of rapid outbreak detection, strict infection control, and thorough cleaning, due to the fact that the virus can survive on surfaces for weeks. Enhanced surveillance and timely response measures can help limit the spread, particularly in high-risk settings (Frontiers in Public Health)

While there is ongoing research into possible vaccines and antiviral treatments, prevention remains focused on personal hygiene, such as frequent handwashing with soap and water (alcohol-based hand sanitizers are less effective), proper food handling, and isolating sick individuals.

In summary, norovirus continues to be a major public health challenge given its rapid spread, genetic diversity, and environmental resilience. Ongoing global surveillance and research are crucial for improving prevention and response, especially as new variants and seasonal trends complicate the picture. Read more at: https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/1/130

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Trailer Blasts Off with Cosmic Adventure and New Characters

Are you a Super Mario Fan? If the answer is yes, you will be excited by this good news!

Nintendo and Illumination have unveiled the first trailer for The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, the highly anticipated sequel to 2023’s blockbuster The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Set to hit theaters in April 2026, the trailer promises a dazzling interstellar journey that expands the Mushroom Kingdom into the far reaches of space.

A Star-Filled Plotline

The trailer opens with a meteor shower cascading over the Mushroom Kingdom, triggering Mario and Luigi’s cosmic quest. The brothers venture beyond their familiar terrain, exploring new worlds inspired by Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Odyssey. One standout location is the Sand Kingdom, a nod to Odyssey’s desert realm.

Meanwhile, Bowser—now miniaturized and confined to a tiny version of his castle—is up to his usual mischief. He’s painted a provocative portrait of himself and Princess Peach, sparking Mario’s fury and setting the tone for a quirky, high-stakes showdown.

Get Ready for New Faces, Familiar Voices:

Returning voice actors for The Super Mario Galaxy Movie include:

Chris Pratt as Mario

Charlie Day as Luigi

Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach

Jack Black as Bowser

Keegan-Michael Key as Toad

Kevin Michael Richardson as Kamek

Joining the cast are:

Brie Larson as Princess Rosalina, the cosmic guardian

Benny Safdie as Bowser Jr., who pilots the menacing Megaleg contraption

Rosalina’s introduction is a fan-favorite moment, bringing elegance and mystery to the galactic storyline. Her pursuit by Bowser Jr. adds tension and depth to the plot.

Direction and Style

Directors Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, who helmed the first film, return to guide this sequel. The trailer’s animation style retains the vibrant, playful aesthetic of its predecessor while embracing the grandeur of space exploration. Star Festivals, floating planetoids, and gravity-defying action sequences evoke the charm of the original Wii game.

What’s Next?

With its blend of nostalgic references, new characters, and cosmic scale, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is poised to be another box office hit. Fans can expect humor, heart, and high-flying adventure when the film launches in April 2026.

How Do I Build an Emergency Fund?

How do I build an emergency fund? This is a common question that you need to think about if you're serious about saving money for a rainy day. When an issue occurs, you can experience high levels of stress if you're unable to come up with the money you need for your emergency. An emergency fund comes in handy when you're dealing with a job loss, medical expenses, business expenses, home repair costs, and other unexpected expenses.

According to financial advisers, a good rule of thumb is to have at least three to six months' worth of living expenses in your emergency fund. The amount of money you save also depends on your lifestyle, monthly income, and dependents in your family.

Here's how to build an emergency fund.

Get a Side Gig

It's impossible to save money if you're living from paycheck to paycheck. You will need a side gig to earn extra income to make it easier for you to start building your emergency fund. Some simple side jobs that you should consider may include selling your stuff online, renting extra space, pet sitting, and online tutoring.

Don't Overspend

How often do you spend beyond your means? It's critical to not overspend when your goal is to save for a rainy day. You might have a bad shopping habit of buying things you don't actually need each week. Focus on meeting your basic needs. These may include paying rent, food, utilities, transportation, and other necessities. Train yourself to stop overspending by making a list of essential items you need and establishing a budget.

Save On Utilities

Pay close attention to the amount of money you spend each month on utilities. You could be spending too much money on gas, electricity, and heat. Being energy efficient is a simple way for you to save money on the bills you pay. Consider using energy-efficient light bulbs, replacing old appliances, turning off lights when they are not in use, and sealing air leaks around your doors and windows.

Consider these tips to build an emergency fund. Emergencies can happen at any time. So, consider these tips to help you feel more financially secure and prepared to deal with emergencies that could come your way.

Will SNAP Run Out of Money November 1?

SNAP Benefits Halted November 1 Amid Government Shutdown, Leaving Millions at Risk

As of November 1, 2025, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the nation’s largest anti-hunger initiative will officially run out of funding due to the ongoing federal government shutdown. This marks an unprecedented disruption in a program that has supported low-income Americans since the Great Depression.

What Happened?

The shutdown, which began October 1 over disputes surrounding Affordable Care Act subsidies, has now entered its second month. With no resolution in sight. USDA announced that there will be no SNAP benefits for the month of November. SNAP provides monthly food assistance to nearly 42 million Americans, including seniors, families with children, and people with disabilities. Benefits are typically distributed via Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards, which will not be refilled this month

Economic Fallout

The suspension of SNAP payments is expected to ripple through the economy. Retailers like Walmart, which receives roughly 24% of SNAP shoppers’ total spending, could lose up to $2 billion in November alone. Rumors of store closures and restricted access have circulated online, though Walmart has not confirmed any such plans.

State-Level Impact

Because SNAP is federally funded but administered by states, local agencies are scrambling to respond. Food banks may experience a surge in demand. Some states are also exploring emergency measures, but without federal support, options are limited.

What’s Next?

Unless Congress reaches a funding agreement, SNAP recipients will remain without benefits indefinitely. The USDA has contingency plans, but the Trump administration has opted not to tap into reserve funding. If you're affected by the SNAP suspension, local food banks, community centers, and state assistance programs may offer temporary relief. Stay informed through your state’s Department of Human Services and trusted news outlets.

Personal Training Career Paths

Pursuing a career in the personal training arena requires certification or a college degree. Whether you’re now starting out in the fitness arena or you’re on the fence about what career path you should take, these personal training career options can help simplify your decision making process. Boot Camp Instructor As a boot camp instructor in the fitness industry, you’ll be required to supervise and guide students during an intense workout session.

Instead of working out in a gym, students will undergo a series of exercises in the outdoors. For you to carry out such training, you must be equipped with planning skills and possess a high level of alertness and creativity. With your planning skills and alertness, you’ll be able to improvise and create new ways of executing certain exercises if challenges were to emerge during your classes. Having such challenges would allow you to use your creativity for developing alternate workout routines that cater to the different performance levels of your students.

To become a boot camp instructor, you must gain instruction in one or more areas of fitness training. Once you’ve accomplished this feat, you can proceed with getting certification for CPR and first aid. From there, you can move onto acquiring your fitness training certification. Those who have already been certified can enroll in special courses to advance their training in the field. Fitness Instructor Help clients achieve their health and fitness goals as a fitness instructor. You’ll work one-on-one with your clients teaching classes such as weight-training, aerobics, or pilates. While a degree is not a requirement for becoming a fitness instructor, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that applicants with a bachelor’s degree in exercise science, physical education, and physical fitness were given preference over those who didn’t hold a degree. If you prefer to skip the degree requirements and work for yourself, there are many training programs that will equip you with the skills to venture into the field on your own. One way of doing so is through group exercise programs.

If you interested in providing aerobics training, you can enroll in an aerobics class. Once you’ve acquired the adequate amount of training, you can move into starting your own personal training sessions. If you’d like to provide yoga and Pilates training, you must complete specialized instructor training programs in both areas. Topics covered in the yoga instructor training program include yoga positions and yoga meditations, while the Pilates instructor training program feature modified Pilates and Pilates mat training. Both programs also provide exercise guidelines and tips for instructing students. Fitness Consultant If you’ve ever wanted to work with celebrities, pursuing a career as a fitness consultant may land you such an opportunity.

The main focus of a fitness consultant is in the areas of exercise technique and exercise science. Besides being able to perform what you know, you must be capable of teaching or designing special programs for people with diabetes or high blood pressure, pregnant women, or those recovering from injuries. One of the requirements for a fitness consultant at a gym is knowledge of the fitness equipment. As you advance through the ranks, you must acquire the relevant certification or a college degree in exercise physiology. You also have the option of getting certified and pursuing a college degree. About the author: James Miller is a personal trainer with over 10 years of experience in the field.

The Best Medical Alert Devices for Seniors

What is the best gift to give an elderly in your home? In the case of an emergency, the best medical alert devices for seniors will help to save the life of someone that has fallen or needs medical assistance.

The Best Medical Alert Devices for Seniors - Benefits

These essential medical devices prevent the suffering or panic of a senior citizen. An elderly person is vulnerable to all types of accidents and other physical conditions. According to statistics, at least one third of seniors ages 65 and older are prone to accidents that occur within the home. Even with a telephone or mobile, it is not guaranteed that a senior will be able to get to the phone in time to call for help. It is necessary for family members of a senior to be assured that during stress and traumatic events, help will be on the way.

The best medical alert devices for seniors are imperative if you live alone and give you the convenience to call for immediate help. The alert system is easy to use, comfortable to wear, and is required to be worn on the individual at all times. This is an efficient equipment that will not lose power even during a power outage. An individual can feel safe and protected wearing a medical alert device that allows them to live independently. With this equipment, seniors will not feel they are completely alone.

Medical alert devices for seniors can be easily accessed by the push of a button that sends a signal to the base station. With this easy action, the emergency service is dispatched to provide prompt assistance. Once the device is placed around the neck, it can be used easily and effectively. Family members and friends can have a better peace of mind knowing that a senior will get the best care. When there is a situation of life and death, having a medical alert device will make a great difference in the care of senior citizens.