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December 2025 Insights Newsletter
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Mark your Calendar
- December 2 - Giving Tuesday
- December 5 - International Volunteer Day
- December 24 - Christmas Eve - Market Closes at 1pm Eastern/noon Central
- December 25 - Christmas - Market Closed
- December 26 - Boxing Day
- December 31 - New Year's Eve - Market Closes at 1pm Eastern/noon Central
Charity of the Month
Running for Hope
The Trafigura Run for the House, a key event supporting Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) Greater Houston.
The Mission: RMHC provides a crucial "home away from home" for families with seriously ill children receiving treatment in the Texas Medical Center. This allows families to stay together near their child's hospital at no cost.
The Event:
- What: A USATF-Certified 5K Run/Walk/Roll and a Kids 1K.
- When & Where: Saturday, December 6, 2025, at 8:00 AM CST in Sam Houston Park, Downtown Houston.
- Swag: All participants earn a unique Texas-shaped finisher medal (as pictured!) and an event T-shirt.
- Impact: 100% of the proceeds benefit RMHC Greater Houston.
Lace up to support families when they need it most!
To register or donate, visit the official event page: https://rmhchouston.org/event/run-for-the-house/
Run for a Reason
Join Team RMHC for the Chevron Houston Marathon / Aramco Half Marathon / We Are Houston 5K.
Join our team and help us raise critical funds and awareness while you tackle setting your own on course PR.
Your 2025 Year-End Financial Finish Line
As we enter December, the countdown to December 31st is officially on. Before the year wraps up, now is the perfect time to finalize your financial checklist and make sure you’re taking advantage of every opportunity available for 2025.
Here are the five key money moves to make before the year ends:
Max Out Your Tax-Advantaged Accounts
This is your final window to contribute to your 2025 retirement and health-related accounts. Review your contributions and consider maximizing:
- 401(k): $23,500 (or $31,000 if age 50+)
- IRA: $7,000 (or $8,000 if age 50+)
- HSA: $4,300 individual / $8,550 family (+ $1,000 catch-up if age 55+)
Maximizing these accounts can reduce your taxable income and boost long-term savings.
Tune Up Your Investment Portfolio
Your taxable brokerage accounts may benefit from a year-end review:
- Tax-Loss Harvesting: Realize losses to offset gains — and up to $3,000 of ordinary income.
- Rebalancing: Markets move. Use this time to realign your portfolio with your long-term risk and allocation targets.
A quick tune-up now can improve your tax efficiency and long-term strategy.
Review Your Beneficiaries
A small task with a huge impact. Beneficiary designations on retirement accounts and insurance policies override your will, so it’s essential to check them regularly.
Log in to your accounts and confirm that designations reflect any life changes this year—such as marriage, divorce, births, or losses.
Spend Your FSA Funds
If you participate in a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), remember most plans are “use-it-or-lose-it” by December 31st.
Now is a good time to:
- Check your remaining balance
- Stock up on eligible medical items
- Review your plan for any grace period or rollover options
Check In on Your Advanced & Estate Planning Goals
As the year closes, revisit any long-term strategies:
- Will Review: Does your will still reflect your wishes and circumstances?
- Conversions: Consider whether 2025 is a good year for a Roth conversion or Mega Backdoor Roth depending on your tax situation and 401(k) plan features.
Finish the Year Strong
A little attention now can go a long way toward improving your financial outlook for 2026 and beyond. If you'd like to discuss any of these year-end opportunities, the Verus Financial Group team is here to help support your planning.
Minh's Holiday Candy Bacon
This recipe creates a sweet, savory, and spicy candied bacon with a hint of citrus, perfect for festive serving.
🛒 Shopping List
* Thick-cut bacon
* Brown sugar
* Cayenne pepper
* Orange (Freshly zested orange rind, sprinkled on top.)
* Mason jar (for serving)
🧑🍳 Instructions
* Prepare: Lay out the thick-cut bacon slices.
* Sweeten: Sprinkle brown sugar generously on both sides of the bacon.
* Flavor: Sprinkle cayenne pepper on the top side, then zest an orange directly over the bacon.
* Bake: Bake in an oven preheated to 375°F until the bacon is crispy and the sugar is caramelized.
* Cool: Once cooked, allow the bacon to cool completely on the pan. This is crucial for the sugar coating to harden, preventing it from sticking.
* Serve: Once separated, serve the candy bacon pieces displayed in a mason jar and garnish with an orange twist for an elegant holiday presentation.
Baked-Alaska Tree
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 hours
Serving: 8-10 servings
Ingredients
- 9 ounces chocolate-wafer cookies, such as Famous
- 1 ⅓ cups sugar
- 1 stick unsalted butter, melted
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 3 pints chocolate ice cream, softened
- 2 pints peppermint ice cream, softened
- 4 large egg whites
- ½ teaspoon cream of tartar
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Directions
- Open a standard manila file folder. Roll it into a cone with an 8-inch diameter; tape to seal. Cut off excess to make a flat base with a 7 1/2-inch diameter. Roll a similar-size piece of parchment; fit inside cone. Place cone in a pot, tip down (to hold it upright). Pulse wafers in a food processor with 1/3 cup sugar; add butter and salt and pulse to moisten crumbs.
- Spread chocolate ice cream into cone in a 1-inch-thick layer (leaving center hollow). Freeze 15 minutes. Fill with peppermint ice cream. Pat 1 1/2 cups crumbs evenly on top. Freeze upright, point-down in pot, at least 8 hours and up to 3 days. Invert on a serving plate; remove mold and parchment. Let stand until slightly softened, 5 minutes. Pat remaining crumbs over outside of cone. Return to freezer.
- Whisk egg whites and remaining 1 cup sugar in the heatproof bowl of a stand mixer and place over a pot of simmering water. Whisk constantly until sugar dissolves and egg whites are warm to the touch, about 3 1/2 minutes. Place bowl in stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment and whip, starting on low speed and gradually increasing to medium-high, until egg whites are foamy. Add cream of tartar and continue to whip until stiff, glossy peaks form. Fold in cornstarch and vanilla. Transfer to a pastry bag fitted with a large round tip (such as Ateco #806)
- Starting at bottom of tree, and holding tip perpendicular to it, pipe upward, dragging meringue into teardrop shapes for a snowy effect. Lightly brown meringue with a kitchen torch. To serve, cut a piece from tip to base, then slice crosswise. (Cake can be made up to 3 days ahead; freeze it whole before piping on meringue.)
More information and food substitutions, visit Martha Stewart
Top 5 Budget-Friendly December Destinations
Planning a December getaway? These destinations offer great experiences without breaking the bank:
1. Thailand
- Why it’s a bargain: Affordable food, lodging, and transportation.
- Perks: Warm, dry weather; stunning beaches; vibrant culture and markets.
2. Mexico (Yucatán & Oaxaca)
- Why it’s a bargain: Lower-cost accommodations and meals, especially outside resort-heavy areas.
- Perks: Rich culture, beaches, Mayan ruins, and festive December events.
3. Cambodia
- Why it’s a bargain: Very low daily costs for food, lodging, and attractions.
- Perks: Explore Angkor Wat and other historic temples during the comfortable dry season.
4. Guatemala
- Why it’s a bargain: Inexpensive accommodations, food, and activities.
- Perks: Volcanoes, Mayan ruins, colonial towns, and natural beauty.
5. Egypt
- Why it’s a bargain: Cooler winter weather and fewer crowds.
- Perks: Iconic historical sites like the pyramids, Nile cruises, and vibrant local culture.
💡 Travel Tips:
- Book early for December holidays to secure the best deals.
- Consider traveling early December to avoid peak Christmas/New Year prices.
- Use budget airlines, local transportation, and affordable lodging for maximum savings.
🎧 Catch Up on the OnlyFinance Podcast
Missed an episode? Now’s the perfect time to tune in and get up to speed on all our latest conversations, insights, and tips.
📲 Listen anytime —
https://www.onlyfinancepodcast.com/
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