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It’s the end of the year—a time for reflection, relaxation and resolutions. Come 2026, maybe you want to learn a new skill, make the gym a regular part of your routine or spend more time with friends and family. But if you’re planning to set a New Year’s resolution that has to do with your wallet, you’re not alone.

A whopping 97% of Americans age 25 and older with a household income under $100,000 said they have already set or are considering financial resolutions as part of their 2026 resolutions, according to a survey of nearly 1,400 people conducted by Wells Fargo and marketing research firm Ipsos. The top resolutions are saving more money and spending less, but respondents are also resolving to improve their credit scores, pay off debt and start a new side hustle or income stream, reports Current, a consumer fintech banking platform.

Setting a financial resolution is easy. It’s sticking to it that’s hard. But financial advisors say that there are several simple steps you can take now to help give your future self a leg up.

1. Reflect on the last year

In order to make resolutions that you’ll be able to put into practice, you need to start by reflecting on the last year, says Chelsea Ransom-Cooper, a certified financial planner at Zenith Wealth Partners.

Review your spending and transactions. You can either do this with a budgeting app or your mobile banking app, many of which offer money management tools to see what type of items and services get you to swipe your card most often. Note what your biggest spending categories are, and whether anything surprised you.

2. Be realistic

There’s no point identifying milestones you won’t be able to hit, and doing so can be discouraging. For example, if you only saved $1,000 last year, you probably don’t want to say that this year you’re going to save $10,000.

A key part of this step is determining whether you have any significant changes to your income, Ransom-Cooper says. Perhaps you’re expecting a raise at the end of the year or you’re starting a new job with a higher salary after the holidays. If that’s the case, it may make sense to give your savings goal a bump. But if you know you’re also taking on new expenses, like higher rent or medical bills, you’ll want to adjust for those changes as well.

You should also limit the number of goals you set and keep them simple, says Cristian Mundy, a certified financial planner at LifeLine Financial & Wealth Management Group. Don’t write down 10 to 20 goals, but instead stick to three to five, then build from there if you need to add more goals later.

And don’t overcomplicate things. Make sure these are behaviors you can keep up, such as setting aside $20 each week for a future car.

“You’ve got to make it a habit,” Mundy says.

3. Keep your goals top of mind

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Not just a buzzword, “Ozempic face” represents a real concern for some. A bariatric surgeon shares the causes, solutions and expert advice everyone should know

Ozempic, a medication initially developed to treat type 2 diabetes, has garnered considerable attention for its weight loss benefits. But its rapid slimming effects have caused a less welcome result for some: changes to the face that many refer to as “Ozempic face.”

This phenomenon, characterized by a gaunt or hollowed-out appearance, can be a source of anxiety for those undergoing treatment. While it’s essential to acknowledge the cosmetic impact, Andrea Bedrosian, MD, Northwell Health bariatric surgeon, explains that, unlike some of the more concerning side effects of Ozempic, this does not pose a serious health risk — nor is it new.

What is Ozempic face?

Ozempic face is a colloquial term, not a medically recognized condition. It describes the facial changes that can accompany rapid weight loss when using medications like Ozempic or another version of the same drug (generic name semaglutide) FDA-approved for weight-loss treatment. As Dr. Bedrosian explains, “Ozempic will help you lose a lot of weight in a relatively short period of time. And when that happens, a lot of people will see that initial weight loss in their face first.”

This rapid loss of facial fat can lead to sunken cheeks and temples, making the bones of the face appear more prominent.” Additionally, the skin may lose elasticity and sag, accentuating existing wrinkles and fine lines.

Dr. Bedrosian emphasizes that these changes are primarily a consequence of rapid weight loss itself, not a direct side effect of Ozempic. Similar changes can occur with any form of significant weight loss, including bariatric surgery and restrictive diets. “It’s a pretty common thing,” she says. “You’re just hearing about it more because so many more people are on this medication.

Ultimately, it’s just a sign of anybody who’s losing a significant amount of weight in a short period of time.”

Ozempic butt

“Ozempic butt” is another buzzword that has entered the Zeitgeist since Ozempic hit the market in 2017. “It’s not a common complaint we get,” Dr. Bedrosian says, “but certainly, things can get saggy after rapid weight loss.”

You may notice sagging skin more prominently in certain areas with a lot of tissue and fat, like the butt, belly, thighs and face (mainly around the cheeks).

Understanding Ozempic and weight-loss drugs

Ozempic belongs to a class of drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists. These medications mimic a naturally occurring hormone, GLP-1, which regulates blood sugar and appetite. By increasing satiety and reducing hunger, Ozempic helps individuals consume fewer calories, leading to weight loss. Dr. Bedrosian notes that while bariatric surgery remains the gold standard for weight loss, medications like Ozempic and Wegovy, as well as Mounjaro (FDA-approved to trea

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As we trade turkey and cranberry sauce for candy canes and twinkling lights, households across the country are gearing up for another food-centric celebration: Christmas. Using data from 2024, Instacart explored the festive food trends taking center stage on Americans’ dinner tables during the most wonderful time of the year.

Deck the Carts

While every household has its own holiday traditions, one theme stands out: rich red meats are the star of many Christmas spreads. The share of purchases for Ribeye Roasts (+2,238%), Prime Rib (+1,909%), and Tenderloin Roasts (+898%) all surged two days before Christmas compared to the yearly average.

And what’s Christmas without a little debate? Enter fruitcake: the polarizing dessert that sweeps dessert spreads nationwide. Love it or hate it, purchases of the dense holiday classic jump 986% in the final days before Christmas. Sweet treats and baking staples also fill carts, from Gingerbread Cookies (+790%) to Dried Anise (+438%), the signature spice behind Italian Anisette, Springerle, and Pfeffernüsse cookies.

Instacart

Beefing Up the Holidays

Given Ribeye Roasts’ starring role on the holiday table, Instacart looked at how demand for this prime cut fluctuates throughout the year. In 2024, ribeye purchases spiked on March 31 (Easter), then remained steady until late fall. Starting around Thanksgiving, orders ticked up as some cooks sought to complement their turkey with a hearty red meat option. From mid-December onward, demand soared, peaking right around Christmas Day, with another notable bump around New Year’s Eve.

Instacart

The Great Eggnog Debate

Whether you’re pouring yourself a cool glass or warming a batch for the family, eggnog remains a beloved — if divisive — Christmas classic. With its blend of cinnamon and nutmeg, it’s hard to imagine the holidays without it… even if not everyone agrees it’s delicious.

Love it or leave it, Americans clearly embrace eggnog when December rolls around. The share of orders

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Retail workers make up roughly 10% of the U.S. workforce, yet retail remains one of the lowest-paying industries in the country. As rents have climbed over the past decade, it’s become increasingly difficult for people in these jobs to afford a place to live on their own. Add in economic uncertainty, industry-wide layoffs, and declining seasonal work, and retail workers are getting squeezed from all sides.

This strain shows up clearly in the numbers. Nationwide, the typical retail worker in America earns $34,436 per year—52% less than they would need to afford the typical apartment. To close that gap using wages alone, a retail worker would need to work more than 80 hours per week, which is unrealistic for most people.

In fact, there isn’t a single major metro in the U.S. where the typical retail worker can afford a market-rate rental. The gap is smallest in Cleveland, where workers earn about a third less than they’d need, and largest in New York, where the gap widens to more than 70%. For this analysis, rentals are considered “affordable” if a renter spends no more than 30% of their income on rent.

So, to pinpoint where renting is easiest (and hardest) for retail workers, Redfin Real Estate ranked U.S. cities by how retail wages compare to the income needed to afford the typical apartment.

The 10 most affordable cities for retail workers looking to rent

Redfin Real Estate

Cleveland ranks as the most affordable metro in the country for retail workers, though even there, workers need to earn 33% more to meet the standard affordability benchmark. These are all places with some of the lowest rents in the nation.

“As the cost of living has increased, so have the sacrifices renters must make to afford a place to live,” said Redfin Chief Economist Daryl Fairweather. “Since most retail workers don’t earn enough to afford the typical apartment, many are opting to share rent with a family member or friend, move far away from their job, or live in a very small space.”

It’s worth noting that many retail workers never actually seek out the typical apartment because it’s already out of their price range. Even the top 25% of earners still fall 44% short of the income needed to afford a standard rental.

The 10 least affordable cities for retail workers looking to rent

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The traditional path of working a full-time job until retirement is changing. More people are now exploring creative, flexible ways to earn extra income and build financial freedom on their own terms, especially as holiday expenses approach and a new year brings fresh goals. That’s where freelance side hustles come in. A side hustle is like your own small business you manage alongside your regular part-time or full-time job.

If you’re interested in picking up a side hustle, you have many different options to choose from. Side hustles aren’t one-size-fits-all. The right fit plays to your strengths, works with your schedule, and helps you reach your financial goals, whether you’re saving up for a big purchase or trying to supplement your income. Maybe podcasting or dog walking is your thing. Maybe you’re drawn to tutoring or virtual assistance. No matter if you lean toward in-person work or online opportunities, you have plenty of options to choose from.

Holiday costs can sneak up fast, and planning for the new year starts now. These 20 side hustle ideas can help you bring in extra income and choose a gig that supports your goals. Upwork, an online marketplace for hiring skilled freelancers, shares ideas to help find the best fit for you.

How to choose your freelance side hustle

A July 2025 Bankrate survey found that 27% of U.S. adults currently have a side hustle, and 29% of those with a side gig say they believe they’ll always need one to make ends meet.

Not every freelance side hustle is right for everyone. The best fit depends on your skills, your goals, and how much time and effort you’re able to put in.

Here are some questions to ask yourself to determine if a side hustle is right for you and which paths make the most sense:

• How much time do I have each week? Some side hustles are quick to start (like tutoring or dog walking). Others, like blogging or e-commerce, take longer to build.
• What skills can I monetize? If you already have a marketable skill, such as being a writer, graphic designer, or organizer, look for gigs that pay for those strengths.
• Do I want to work online or in person? Remote-friendly side hustles like virtual assistance or content creation usually offer more flexibility. In-person gigs like pet sitting or delivery often offer faster cash.
• How much money can I invest up front? Some options (like freelancing or tutoring) have low startup costs. Others (like drop-shipping or podcasting) might require equipment, subscriptions, or inventory.
• What’s my goal, extra money or a new career? Short-term gigs help you make money fast. But many side hustles can grow into full-time freelance work if you want to scale up.

If you’re not sure where to start, freelancing platforms can make it easy to test different ideas, build your reputation, and find work that fits y