October 2025 Insights Newsletter

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Mark your Calendar

• October 1 - National Pumpkin Spice Day
• October 12 - National Savings Day
• October 13 - Columbus Day (Federal Holiday, market is open)
• October 28 - National First Responder Day
• October 31 - Halloween

National Cybersecurity Awareness Month

Each October, organizations across the United States observe National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM), a campaign led by the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCA). Since its launch in 2004, NCSAM has worked to highlight how everyone — individuals, businesses, and governments — has a role to play in keeping the digital world safe.

This year’s theme is “Building a Cyber Strong America,” focusing especially on strengthening the security of our critical infrastructure and operations of small and medium businesses, along with state, local, tribal, and territorial governments.

Why It’s Important

• Cyber threats keep evolving — Phishing, ransomware, and social engineering continue to be major risks. What worked a few years ago might not be enough now.
• Small and mid-sized businesses are especially at risk, often lacking full in-house cybersecurity teams or robust protection measures.
• Preventive actions are simple yet effective — using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, keeping software updated, and being able to spot scams can drastically reduce risk.

What You Can Do This Month (and Beyond)

Here are practical tips to boost your cybersecurity posture:

1. Use strong, unique passwords — Consider using a password manager to keep track of them securely.
2. Turn on multi-factor authentication (MFA) wherever possible — this adds an extra verification step beyond just your password.
3. Recognize and report phishing & suspicious messages — verify unexpected emails, don’t click dubious links, and always double-check attachments.
4. Keep software & devices updated — updates often include security patches for vulnerabilities.
5. Back up your important data — use cloud backup or an external drive so you’re prepared if you lose files or are hit with ransomware.
6. Secure your home network — change default router passwords, use strong encryption (e.g. WPA2/WPA3), and limit which devices are connected.
7. Educate your friends, family, or colleagues — share tips, share resources, and encourage conversations about safe online practices.

Takeaway

Cybersecurity isn’t just for tech experts — it affects all of us. This October, use the momentum of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month to build safer habits, update weak spots, and help create a more secure online environment for yourself and those around you. Every small action adds up.

Learn More about Cyber Security

How to Start Planning Your Holiday Trip

1. Set Your Budget Early – Factor in flights, lodging, food, activities, and gifts.
2. Book Flights & Hotels ASAP – Prices climb quickly around the holidays; locking in early saves money.
3. Plan Your Itinerary – Research special events, parades, and attractions ahead of time.
4. Pack Smart – Don’t forget layers, holiday outfits, and travel essentials (chargers, meds, travel docs).
5. Reserve Event Tickets – Popular shows, light tours, and holiday attractions often sell out fast.
6. Check Local Tourism Sites – They post updated schedules for holiday festivities.

5 Best U.S. Destinations for Christmas Magic

1. New York City, NY See the Rockefeller Center tree, skate at Bryant Park, and explore the holiday window displays. Tourism site: nycgo.com
2. Leavenworth, WA A Bavarian-style village that turns into a storybook winter wonderland with lights, caroling, and markets. Tourism site: leavenworth.org
3. Asheville, NC Famous for the Biltmore Estate’s over-the-top Christmas decorations, holiday markets, and mountain charm. Tourism site: exploreasheville.com
4. San Antonio, TX The River Walk glows with thousands of lights, plus boat parades, festivals, and warm-weather festivities. Tourism site: visitsanantonio.com
5. Chicago, IL Home to the Christkindlmarket, ice skating at Millennium Park, and spectacular holiday lights at Lincoln Park Zoo. Tourism site: choosechicago.com  

Tip: Whether you’re chasing snowy wonderlands or twinkling lights by the river, planning early ensures you’ll have the best holiday season experience.

Family-Friendly Halloween Events in Houston

• Zoo Boo at the Houston Zoo — Costumes encouraged, trick-or-treat stations, fun pumpkin displays, and family-friendly fall activities. Visit Houston+2Kidventure+2
• Pumpkin Fest at Dewberry Farm — Pumpkin patches, hayrides, farm animals, games, and fall photo ops. Kidventure+1
• Halloween at the BOOseum (Children’s Museum Houston) — Craft stations, interactive exhibits, storytelling, kid-friendly “scary” in the nicest way. Children's Museum Houston
• “Haunted Hues” at Color Factory — An immersive art experience with decorations, photo moments, pumpkin decorating, sweets, lots of visual fun, and not much spook. Visit Houston

Flourless Monster Cookies

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Bake Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 min

Serving: 20 servings

Wet ingredients:

1 cup natural creamy or chunky peanut butter (only peanuts + salt)

2 tablespoon melted butter or ghee (melted coconut oil will also work)

⅔ cup packed brown sugar or coconut sugar (can also reduce to 1/2 cup with good results!)

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Dry ingredients:

1 cup gluten free old fashioned rolled oats

½ teaspoon baking soda

Optional: ½ teaspoon cinnamon

For the mix ins:

¼ cup M&M’s, plus ¼ cup more for topping cookies

¼ cup dark chocolate chips

¼ cup chopped pecans or walnuts

¼ cup unsweetened shredded coconut (not the big flakes)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl mix together the wet ingredients until smooth: peanut butter, melted butter/ghee, brown sugar, eggs and vanilla extract.
3. Next stir in the oats, baking soda and cinnamon. Finally add in all of your mix-ins: M&Ms, dark chocolate chips, nuts and shredded coconut.
4. Use a large cookie scoop to scoop rounded balls of dough onto prepared baking sheet, leaving 2 inches of space between them to spread. Add a few M&Ms on top of each dough ball. If you like fat cookies, do not flatten the dough. If you like thinner cookies, use your hands to gently flatten the tops of the dough before baking.
5. Bake for 10-13 minutes until edges are barely golden brown. Allow cookies to sit on cookie sheet for 5-10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to finish cooling. This is an important step. Enjoy!
   

More information along with nutrition info can be found at Ambitious Kitchen

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