December 2024

Our business environment is incredibly dynamic, so the ability to adapt and maintain productivity is paramount. As remote and hybrid work models become increasingly prevalent, professionals are seeking tools that enhance efficiency and flexibility.

With a significant portion of the workforce operating outside traditional office settings, it’s no surprise that remote work is here to stay. This shift underscores the need for versatile tools that support productivity. The Glance Pro portable monitor addresses this need by offering a high-quality, portable display that seamlessly integrates with your workflow and meets the demands of modern business. It’s also on sale for just $395.99 (reg. $499).

The Glance Pro’s vibrant 15.6-inch OLED touchscreen delivers stunning visuals with exceptional color accuracy. Its 100,000:1 contrast ratio ensures deep blacks and bright whites, making it ideal for tasks that require precise visual representation, such as design work or data analysis. The intuitive touchscreen interface allows for effortless navigation, enhancing interactivity during presentations or collaborative sessions.

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It’s no secret that inflation has become a major challenge for the global economy over the past years. It’s giving rise to increased migration and hitting the job market — people are finding it tougher to afford housing as the cost of living keeps going up.

This makes workers leave areas where housing is too expensive, leaving entire regions struggling to keep their workforce. The situation is creating a vicious cycle, especially in some parts of the United States, where unemployment rates have soared because living costs are simply too high.

Related: The US is in a Housing Crisis — Here’s How We Fix It

Inflation and unemployment: The explosive dynamic

Certain parts of the United States are currently experiencing high inflation, where the cost of necessities, specifically housing, is sky-high. Among the most affected states are Florida, Tennessee and South Carolina, with inflation rates between 3.6% and 4% annually. Inflation in these and other states escalates the cost of essential goods and services and diminishes workers’ purchasing power, making certain regions financially untenable to reside in. For instance, 2023 research showed that Florida residents have been “paying premiums on both the housing price side and on the rental price side,” ranging between 5% and 6%.

This jump in prices can be explained by factors such as increased demand from population influx, limited housing supply, and escalating construction costs. Ironically, the resulting high cost of living is prompting numerous residents to relocate to more affordable areas, leading to labor outflow. This trend is mirrored on a national scale, with the number of people moving between states increasing from nearly 7.9 million in 2021 to approximately 8.2 million in 2022, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The dynamic continues to reshape the national labor market, intensifying labor shortages in high-cost states.

Some of the most common implications include reduced workforce availability and an economic slowdown. Due to the withdrawal of skilled workers, workforce availability has decreased and businesses and companies struggle to fill various vacancies. This leads to critical skill shortages and decreased productivity within industries that require specialized skills or training.

This shift also creates a barrier for people looking to migrate to affected states for employment purposes, and employment opportunities diminish in these regions. After all, the housing market crisis not only drives existing residents away — it also prevents unemployed individuals from relocating to areas with better job prospects.

Skyrocketing housing costs and a shortage of affordable accommodations make it financially unfeasible for job seekers to move to regions where employment opportunities are plentiful, and even higher wages don’t compensate for the expenses associated with finding accommodation in a new state. A recent report clearly indicates that the USA is facing an acute shortage of affordable housing for people at all levels of income. This barrier exacerbates unemployment rates.

Meanwhile, local economies in the states with extreme inflation suffer from labor shortages and take a hit that creates a ripple effect on entire communities. Reduced tax revenues lead to cuts in essential public services like education, healthcare and infrastructure maintenance. This decline in public amenities makes the affected regions even less attractive to both residents and potential investors, perpetuating the cycle of economic decline and prompting more people to relocate to other areas.

Related: Here’s How Much You Need to Earn to Buy a House in the US: Report

Addressing the housing crisis: The roles of businesses and local governments

To effectively tackle the challenges posed by inflation and labor outflow, we might have to rely on unorthodox solutions that may seem economically counterintuitive but are essential for revitalizing affected regions. One viable approach to combating this challenge is developing affordable housing options.

Some of the strategies that could alleviate the problem include low-rise construction programs, which are most frequently found in suburban and residential areas. This initiative can be strengthened through other incentives. For example, governments can offer tax incentives or subsidies to developers who build affordable housing within these low-rise projects. Or, by advocating for the construction of budget-friendly residential buildings, families may be granted the opportunity to relocate in search of work.

Another effective strategy is to offer financial incentives directly to job seekers willing to relocate to high-unemployment areas. For example, if a candidate accepts a position in such a region, providing housing subsidies or covering a portion of their housing costs for a set period can make the move more financially feasible.

Of course, local governments play a key role in addressing the housing crisis amplified by inflation. They hold the power to promote affordable housing development through policies like community development programs, tax rebates and zoning revisions.

Instigating public-private partnerships may facilitate the construction of affordable housing options as well. By pooling resources and expertise, government entities and private developers can collaboratively address housing shortages. For example, a city might partner with a private company to convert unused municipal buildings into affordable housing units. The government provides the property or offers zoning incentives, while the developer handles the renovation and management.

Adjusting zoning regulations can further help address housing affordability challenges. Modifying zoning laws to permit higher-density housing construction will help cities encourage the development of more affordable housing options. In particular, changing zoning codes to allow for multi-family units or apartment complexes in areas previously restricted to single-family homes can significantly increase the housing supply.

Finally, state governments can work on enhancing the appeal of their region through community development programs to attract new residents and businesses effectively. Investing in local projects, such as improved public services and recreational facilities, spotlights the area’s potential. Developing community centers or upgrading transportation networks are simple examples. These efforts enrich the living experience for current inhabitants and stimulate economic growth by drawing in fresh talent and investment, which helps mitigate the challenges of inflation and labor outflow.

Naturally, the complex nature of inflation on labor outflow requires a multidimensional approach to fix the challenge. By embracing innovative construction projects, offering incentives and implementing supportive policies, regions struggling with inflation and unemployment can turn things around.

Addressing the housing crisis head-on and strategically building affordable housing can keep current residents happy and draw in new ones, helping to stabilize inflation and kickstart economic growth. Voronkov sums it up with a simple yet insightful thought: start building affordable housing today, and you’ll build a stronger economy tomorrow.

They say great minds think alike — or maybe they land on similar ideas because they are observing the same world all around them. Every year, as my team and I curate the absolute best books of the year, we discover some themes across the 1000-plus submissions we consider.

We call them themes — and they reflect a combination of the cultural zeitgeist of what’s happening in business today and the hot topics on the minds of entrepreneurs and business professionals right now. Among books published this year, we read about the importance of calm and overcoming anxiety, climate solutions, putting generosity first, reevaluating the human condition in an age of AI, the power of quiet leadership and many more. Read on to see the trends we spotted and some of our thoughts on how they might be relevant for you as we head into 2025 and beyond.

Related: 6 Books to Help You Keep Your New Years Resolution

1. Calming anxiety and burnout

After a divisive election year, a rise in anxiety and growing awareness of mental health at work, this year, there has been a slate of books focused on what to do about burnout at work. Some advocated working less, while others focused on productivity hacks. From destressing to conquering anxiety, the idea of calm in work and life became an urgent topic, and this reality was reflected through books aiming to offer desperately needed help.

2. Math mindedness

Can math explain the world? This year, math minds took center stage to offer perspectives on everything from how AI actually works to how it powers the most popular games in the world. Geography, geometry, statistics and even models of thinking got the numbers treatment as this group of books put math back into the spotlight and argued that understanding the world, making new friends and shifting our perspective all come down to better understanding math.

3. Good aging

If longevity exploded in 2023, then this year offers a correction to books focusing on how we live instead of just techniques for living longer. Alongside the longevity topic, many new books this year shifted to offering insights on how to be old successfully. From loving mid-life to living a wonderous life of purpose, the new theme around aging seems to be enjoying the time you have, whether it lasts a century or less.

4. Rethinking higher education

As the workplace shifts and the costs of higher education continue to spark debate, a range of books this year offered either a commentary on the higher education experience or a suggestion for a compelling alternative to the traditional four-year college experience. As more young people consider alternative paths to success, the college question is accelerating and will likely spark much more continuing dissent and conversation over the coming year and beyond.

5. Generosity first

Perhaps in response to a world that feels as though it rewards toxicity, several books this year put generosity and the idea of generous leadership front and center. Fostering a friendly team dynamic, maintaining hope instead of becoming cynical and living life by giving more back were all key themes that stood out this year as authors offered a more optimistic prescription for how to live and work that reminded us about the too easily forgotten power of actually caring for one another and why doing it may be the key to prosperity and happiness.

6. Saving humanity

Last year, the big theme with AI-focused books was all about designing AI in more human ways and reducing bias or other potential issues with the technology as it gains widespread adoption. This year, that trend continued, but many books took a decidedly more philosophical turn as they pondered human existence in a world ruled by AI. Will we exist or be necessary? Is our demise inevitable? As we live through a new technology age, these questions have received a renewed sense of urgency and attention as many books have helped reimagine what it will mean to be human in an increasingly automated future.

Related: 5 Books That Paved My Path to Entrepreneurial Success

7. The female lens

For the past several years, there has been a growing number of writers turning their attention to the previously neglected female perspective on many different topics. This year, that feminine lens focused on the history of women on Wall Street, memoirs from female trailblazers like Connie Chung, female-first branding techniques, and the exploration of women’s role in creating the crossword puzzle. Along with offering a gendered correction to decades of male-centered perspectives on history, this new range of books provides the stories of previously neglected female heroines from history who deserve to be remembered.

8. Finding purpose

This year, a big topic for many books focused on finding your passion and purpose. Rather than living a rudderless life, people of all ages are seeing reminders of living a life with purpose and leaving a legacy they can be proud of. Whether it was finding your passion or avoiding despair (seasonal, political, environmental or otherwise), these hopeful books offered to help you rediscover your purpose and to live it more intentionally every day.

9. Climate solutionism

In past years, many books about global warming and climate change both chronicled the problem as well as aimed to offer legislative or advocacy solutions. This year, a new perspective emerged regarding “solutionism.” In other words, many books provided the prescription for us actually to fix some of the human-created global environmental problems. At least this positivity focuses on what to do next instead of dissecting and assigning blame for how we got here.

10. The citizenship imperative

After a contentious election season, several books this past year aimed to help Americans rediscover their democracy and what it means to be citizens. From teaching young people about the latter to explaining topics like migration or free speech to more controversial calls to overhaul and rethink the Constitution itself, the idea that we all need to better understand and perhaps reimagine the fundamental beliefs of our government was a timely and urgent focus of many titles this past year.

11. Quiet leadership

In what might seem like the ultimate irony, several counterintuitive books this year focused on the quieter side of leadership. From embracing silence to increasing cultural intelligence and focusing on the softer side of management, the conclusion seemed to be that the noisier the world gets, the more effective leaders who buck this trend and embrace their quiet side might actually be.

12. The friendship antidote

A year ago, a range of books explored the loneliness epidemic and offered a dire warning of the negative health and emotional effects of isolation. This year, the antidote took the main stage in the form of encouraging people to forge and solidify more friendships. These books offered encouragement, tactics and perhaps most importantly, a reminder that having strong friendships requires investing the time to make them work.

If you’re running a business, capital remains the fuel that keeps the engine running. Yet, for startup founders, traditional funding routes like venture capital or bank loans can often feel like a crowded freeway — full of competition, gatekeepers and compromises.

The savviest founders throughout history have consistently looked beyond the obvious, tapping into alternative forms of capital to not only fund their growth but also gain an edge in their industries. And today, as the crypto market heats up, it’s a reminder that the spirit of financial innovation is as critical as ever.

Related: 6 Alternatives to Venture Capital You Need to Consider

Lessons from the past: Ford and Dell

Let’s rewind to the early days of entrepreneurship when competition was thin and the rules were less defined. Consider the story of Henry Ford. Before Ford revolutionized the automobile industry, he was backed not by conventional financiers but by a group of local Detroit investors who believed in his vision. These were not Wall Street titans; they were ordinary people willing to take a calculated risk on a man with an extraordinary idea. Ford’s ability to bootstrap with alternative funding not only allowed him to sidestep the constraints of traditional capital but also gave him the freedom to innovate at his own pace. The result? The assembly line, the Model T and an empire that changed the world.

Fast-forward to the tech boom of the 1990s, and you’ll find another example of alternative capital in the form of corporate partnerships and strategic alliances. Dell Computers, for instance, struck deals with suppliers to secure inventory without upfront cash payments, effectively turning supply chain relationships into a form of working capital. This kind of creative financing wasn’t just resourceful; it was revolutionary, enabling Dell to scale rapidly without being beholden to traditional lenders.

Modern moves: Crypto and Michael Saylor’s Bitcoin play

Today, we’re seeing a resurgence of this mindset, particularly in the crypto space. One of the most notable examples is Michael Saylor and MicroStrategy. Saylor’s strategy of acquiring Bitcoin and leveraging it as a treasury asset isn’t just a bold financial move — it’s a statement about the evolving nature of capital. By converting traditional dollars into Bitcoin, MicroStrategy has turned its balance sheet into a dynamic, appreciating asset. This has not only provided a hedge against inflation but also positioned the company as a pioneer in the intersection of technology and finance. For startup founders, Saylor’s approach is a wake-up call: The tools and strategies for securing capital are no longer confined to the old playbook.

Related: What Every Entrepreneur Needs to Know About Raising Capital

Building your playbook for alternative capital

But why should founders care about alternative forms of capital in the first place? The answer lies in agility and differentiation. Traditional funding routes often come with strings attached — equity dilution, rigid repayment terms or strategic compromises. Alternative capital, on the other hand, offers flexibility. It’s about finding untapped resources, whether that’s through crypto, crowdfunding, revenue-based financing or strategic partnerships, and turning them into a competitive advantage.

In the crypto world, we see a similar dynamic with token sales and Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs). While the ICO craze of 2017 was fraught with speculation, the underlying concept remains powerful. By issuing tokens, startups can raise funds while creating an ecosystem where early supporters have a stake in the project’s success. This model aligns incentives in a way that traditional equity or debt financing simply can’t. It’s no coincidence that Web3 projects like Bored Ape Yacht Club and Pudgy Penguins have leveraged this approach to scale rapidly while fostering vibrant, engaged communities.

But alternative capital isn’t without its challenges. The crypto market, for instance, is notoriously volatile. Timing is everything. Just as Saylor’s Bitcoin strategy has paid off during bullish cycles, it’s also exposed MicroStrategy to significant scrutiny during downturns.

Similar to traditional venture capital raises, this requires careful planning and execution. A failed campaign can do more harm than good, damaging a brand’s credibility. For founders, the key is to approach alternative capital with the same rigor and due diligence as any other funding strategy.

Another consideration is regulatory compliance. The landscape for alternative capital, particularly in crypto, is still evolving. Founders must stay informed about legal requirements, whether they’re issuing tokens, raising funds through a DAO or exploring revenue-based financing models. Ignoring these details can lead to costly setbacks, undermining the very agility that alternative capital is supposed to provide.

So, what does this all mean for today’s startup founders? It means embracing a mindset of financial creativity. It means looking at capital not as a static resource but as a dynamic tool that can be shaped, leveraged and optimized. It means asking questions like: Can we tokenize our product to raise funds? Can we turn customer pre-orders into a financing mechanism? Can we partner with suppliers or other businesses to create mutually beneficial financial arrangements?

Related: You Don’t Need Venture Capital Anymore — Here Are 4 Funding Alternatives

Looking forward

Ultimately, the goal isn’t just to raise money; it’s to raise smart money. Alternative capital allows founders to maintain control, build community and innovate without the constraints of traditional funding. Whether you’re inspired by Ford’s local investors, Dell’s supply chain ingenuity or Saylor’s Bitcoin playbook, the lesson is the same: The future belongs to those who dare to think differently about capital.

When competition is fierce and the pace of innovation is relentless, alternative capital isn’t just an option; it’s a necessity. Founders who master this art will not only survive but thrive, turning financial creativity into their ultimate competitive advantage.

As a new year approaches, so does the chance to make meaningful resolutions. If you choose to learn a new language, you could build stronger client relationships, expand into new markets, and communicate more effectively while you travel. Just like any new goal, the tricky part is sticking with it, but Babbel can help.

This beloved language-learning app has hundreds of 5-star reviews for helping learners stay motivated while they study up to 14 new languages. During our end-of-year sale, you can get lifetime access for only $130 (reg. $500) instead of paying monthly.

New Year, new language skills

We know that picking up a second language (or third) can be intimidating. That’s what makes Babbel such a “worth-it” purchase—lessons only take 10 minutes each, so you don’t have to feel pressure to learn a ton at once.

You’ll also be learning real-life topics you can put to use immediately, whether it’s interacting with local Spanish speakers in your community or some French on your European getaway next summer. Babbel teaches you how to introduce yourself, speak about family, and the business stuff, too.

The hardest part about setting a New Year’s resolution is keeping it, so Babbel has a “learning streak.” Its count goes up every day, and the idea is to come back for a lesson or personalized review session every day so you don’t break it. Are you up for the challenge?

There’s only one week left to get our unbeatable price on a Babbel lifetime subscription: $130 (reg. $599). You won’t find a better deal anywhere else online.

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Is it possible to make decent money in a low-stress job? Do low-stress jobs even exist?

If you’re looking to reduce stress next year, a job change might be on your mind. Resume Genius recently released a report that examined the top jobs deemed “low-stress” yet still “high-paying” for 2025. The resume company used data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and career site O*NET Online to compile its “2025 Low-Stress, High-Paying Jobs” report.

“Heading into 2025, prioritizing mental health in the workplace is essential for job seekers to feel more at ease,” said Eva Chan, a career expert at Resume Genius. “With remote work and hybrid setups becoming the norm, work-life boundaries are increasingly blurred. Our report on low-stress, high-paying jobs shows you don’t have to sacrifice a competitive salary to achieve a healthier work-life balance. With the right role, it’s possible to thrive both financially and mentally.”

It’s important to note that all of the top 10 require at least a Bachelor’s degree, and school is not stress-free. Plus, people who actually work in these jobs might disagree about how stressful their jobs are (and how much they get paid).

To create the report, researchers filtered out high-stress jobs using O*NET’s “stress tolerance” database and then cross-referenced job titles using BLS’s Occupational Outlook Handbook data with at least the national median salary of $48,060 and demonstrated “faster-than-average growth.”

Here’s the list, according to the data:

1. Water resource specialist

• Median annual salary: $157,740

• Number of jobs (2023): 86,300

• Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 8%

• Degree needed: Bachelor’s degree

2. Astronomer

• Median annual salary: $149,530

• Number of jobs (2023): 23,500

• Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 7%

• Degree needed: Doctoral or professional degree

3. Actuary

• Median annual salary: $120,000

• Number of jobs (2023): 30,200

• Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 23%

• Degree needed: Bachelor’s degree

4. Environmental economist

• Median annual salary: $115,730

• Number of jobs (2023): 17,500

• Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 5%

• Degree needed: Master’s degree

5. Mathematician

• Median annual salary: $104,860

• Number of jobs (2023): 34,800

• Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 11%

• Degree needed: Master’s degree

6. Computer systems analyst

• Median annual salary: $103,800

• Number of jobs (2023): 527,200

• Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 11%

• Degree needed: Bachelor’s degree

7. Fuel cell engineer

• Median annual salary: $99,510

• Number of jobs (2023): 291,900

• Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 11%

• Degree needed: Bachelor’s degree

8. Remote sensing scientist and technologist

• Median annual salary: $92,580

• Number of jobs (2023): 26,000

• Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 5%

• Degree needed: Bachelor’s degree

9. Geographer

• Median annual salary: $90,880

• Number of jobs (2023): 1600

• Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 3%

• Degree needed: Bachelor’s degree

10. Transportation planner

• Number of jobs (2023): 45,200

• Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 4%

• Degree needed: Master’s degree

Read the full report and see five more “low-stress” jobs, here.

Startups worldwide want to improve their reputations, meet partners and investors and scale their business. Innovative ideas come from every corner of the globe, which makes entrepreneurship open to anyone — no matter their background, gender, race or experience. However, depending on a startup founder’s location, it might be difficult to get the right level of visibility and connections to expand their business successfully.

I believe that Silicon Valley, the birthplace of innovation, remains a critical center of entrepreneurship. One way to access Silicon Valley — including stakeholders that can help a startup grow — is to participate in startup competitions.

Related: This Low-Cost, Low-Effort Growth Strategy Could Transform Your Company Into an Innovation Powerhouse

History of Silicon Valley

Silicon Valley, a term originally used by Electronic News in 1971, started with the invention of the semiconductor. It’s in the South Bay of California and is now known as the center of technology innovation. San Jose is the region’s largest city; the presence of highly regarded universities in the area — such as Stanford University — provides a strong foundation of research and development.

Since many famous startups and technology companies started in Silicon Valley, it is also the home to Venture Capital (VC). Investors are critical to a startup’s success, and it is important for founders to make connections with VC firms. Major technology companies are based here — including Intel, Nvidia, Apple, Alphabet, Meta, Cisco and Netflix, among others.

Silicon Valley is unique due to its culture of innovation, which encourages risk-taking and even failure. Startup founders, corporate executives and investors understand the importance of exploring new ideas, even if they do not all succeed. This culture is perfect for entrepreneurs who want to be innovative in a supportive environment.

As a result of the success of such companies, Silicon Valley is a wealthy region. In fact, Silicon Valley Indicators show that in 2022, the region’s median household income was over $149,000 — higher than even San Francisco. It’s also the home of well-known unicorns, defined as startups valued at over $1 billion. These include Open AI, SpaceX, Zoom, Miro and Anthropic. It’s helpful for startups to be well-connected in Silicon Valley since this provides access to potential investors, partners, customers and employees — all of whom can help propel them to success.

How startup competitions help entrepreneurs

Participating in startup competitions has several benefits for entrepreneurs. At the competitions, startups will pitch their business ideas to investors, which can help them not only strengthen their pitch but also win cash prizes and/or investments. Competitions also provide critical networking opportunities to other ecosystem members. Entrepreneurs typically learn a great deal from fellow entrepreneurs, participating investors and corporate executives who are participating.

Startup competitions give entrepreneurs visibility, which is important for their personal reputations and their company’s. Pitches are typically done on-stage in front of a large audience; the audience will be even larger if the competition is broadcast virtually. High-profile journalists normally attend startup competitions, which gives founders the opportunity to interview and be part of published articles — spreading their visibility further.

Related: How a Seasoned Silicon Valley Veteran Keeps Innovation at the Forefront of Business

Startup competitions in Silicon Valley

Based on my experience, several competitions in Silicon Valley come to mind that will benefit entrepreneurs. Startup Grind is a well-known conference that gives startups the opportunity to pitch their ideas, gather feedback and set up meetings with investors. The Startup World Cup (SWC), started by Pegasus Tech Ventures — a well-regarded VC firm — hosts about 100 regional competitions around the world. SWC is recognized by Google and ChatGPT as the largest startup competition in the world. It culminates in a Grand Finale during which the grand prize winner receives a $1 million investment. TechCrunch Disrupt is another popular conference that gives entrepreneurs a chance to pitch their ideas and network with startup ecosystem members.

Prestigious universities near Silicon Valley provide not only centers of research and development; they also host well-regarded business plan competitions. The Haas School at the University of California Berkeley is home to the BerkeleyHaas Entrepreneurship Program. The program, well-regarded by the academic and technology communities, hosts the University of California Startup Accelerator, the Venture Capital Investment Competition and the Hult Prize Competition. Meanwhile, Stanford University in Palo Alto is home to the Business Association of Stanford Entrepreneurial Students (BASES), which aims to enable entrepreneurship at the university. Its annual Challenge attracts more than 250 startups from around the globe to compete for cash prizes.

Advice for entrepreneurs

When speaking to startup founders in all regions of the world, I typically advise them to tap into the strength of Silicon Valley. This region, historically the center of technology innovation, remains critical due to its strong startup ecosystem. Many startups, corporations, VCs and media are based there. Even if a startup is based elsewhere, it’s smart to tap into the power and network of Silicon Valley by participating in startup competitions.

This enables founders to refine their pitch, gather valuable feedback, increase visibility and network with potential partners, suppliers, customers and investors. This effort is well worth the time and expense, given its potential to expand a startup’s presence and scale it rapidly. Doing so will help bring its innovative ideas forward to benefit the world.

Related: 5 Ways Startups Can Increase Their Visibility

Despite trying to be prepared and holiday shopping early, the question of what’s open and what’s closed during Christmas inevitably always comes up. From needing last-minute gifts to home-cooked meals gone awry, it’s important to know where you can turn in times of a kitchen mishap or broken present.

This year, the holidays fall midweek, and many businesses appear to be staying open on Christmas Eve (Tuesday, December 24) and closing on Christmas Day (Wednesday, December 25) — though check with your local stores before heading out.

Here’s what’s open and closed this Christmas holiday.

Shopping

Both Target and Walmart are open on Christmas Eve (until 8 p.m. and 6 p.m., respectively) and closed on Christmas Day.

Macy’s and Kohl’s are open on Christmas Eve until 7 p.m. and closed on Christmas Day. Nordstrom, meanwhile, will have “limited hours” on Christmas Eve and close on the 25th.

Home improvement stores Home Depot and Lowe’s are open on Christmas Eve (until 5 p.m. and 6 p.m., respectively) and closed on Christmas Day.

Grocery stores

Like retail stores, many grocers are open (some with modified hours, some with regular hours) on Christmas Eve and closed on Christmas Day, including Albertsons-owned stores, Kroger-owned stores, Aldi, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe’s.

All Publix stores close at 7 p.m. on Christmas Eve and will be closed on Christmas Day, December 25, the company said.

Wegmans stores will close at 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve and close on Christmas Day.

However, for those in a pinch, select Albertsons, Safeway, ACME, and Vons stores will be open on Christmas Day with adjusted hours, so check with your local location.

Post Office and Shipping

USPS local locations are open on December 24 and regular mail will be delivered, the agency says. On Christmas Day, post offices are closed and regular mail will not be delivered. However, Priority Express Mail will still be delivered on the 25th.

UPS and FedEx stores and deliveries will not be operating on Christmas Day.

Banks and stock markets

Most banks will be closed on Christmas Day and close early on Christmas Eve, though ATMs should be functional. The midweek holidays affect stock markets as well—both the New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ are closed on Christmas Day.

Pharmacies

Pharmacies are a little different—especially Walgreens, which will be open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with normal business hours. The company’s 24-hour pharmacies will remain open, even on Christmas, but non-24-hour locations (pharmacy only) will close on Christmas Day.

CVS will also be open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but the company says some stores will have reduced hours, so check with your local shop.

Rite Aid, meanwhile, will be open on the 24th and close on the 25th.

Chain Restaurants

Many McDonald’s and IHOPs will be open, while Chick-fil-A and Chipotle are closed. Check your local locations before heading out.

Shaquille O’Neal is a busy man. The four-time NBA champion is a broadcaster, a partner in multiple franchises, an investor, a philanthropist, and an educator. And all of those pieces come together in his latest project, The Grind, a three-episode YouTube series that features entrepreneurial students of the online teaching platform Campus competing for $60,000 in prize money.

“We wanted to give these kids and young adults a chance to pitch,” Shaq told Entrepreneur for an upcoming episode of the How Success Happens podcast. “We wanted to see grit, resilience, determination, and belief, and they came up with some great ideas. It was great to see.”

Related: Shaquille O’Neal Used an Unconventional Strategy to Start His Chicken Restaurant — Here’s Why It Worked

The show was filmed at Campus investor Joe Lonsdale‘s home in Austin, and Shaq was joined by judges Jennifer Hyman (CEO of Rent the Runway) and Poppy Thorpe (Snapchat board member) to help make the big money decision.

While the spirit of the show is about nurturing new ideas and encouraging talent, it was not all lovey-dovey. The students were put through a competitive admissions process to get on the show, and throughout the three-part series, they went through intensive workshops and rigorous pitch practice sessions.

Shaq routinely advised competitors to calm their nerves when it came time to ask for funding. “ I was speaking from experience,” Shaq explains. “When you come into somebody’s world and want to borrow their money, you have to be confident. You gotta speak to the experts and know the ins and outs of your business. I do my due diligence so I can really understand what I’m asking for. You don’t want to go into a meeting with Jeff Bezos and just ask for a hundred million dollars. You want Jeff to understand your business and what you will do with that money. You want him to believe in you.”

The entire season is up now — binge to find out who walks away with a life-changing investment!

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KFC is shaking up the fast-food landscape by announcing its new chicken tenders-focused concept, Saucy. The chain, long known for its Original Recipe fried chicken, is making a strategic pivot to cater to the growing demand for customizable, sauce-heavy meals. With this move, KFC aims to capture a slice of the fast-food market while reinforcing its position as a leader in chicken innovation.

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“Everyone is obsessed with sauce – more is more,” KFC’s chief new concept officer, Christophe Poirier, told Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN). “With Saucy, we’ve taken KFC’s famous Original Recipe and amplified it with a brand-new concept that lets consumers play with flavor.”

Saucy features chicken tenders and 11 sauces — with flavors including Chimichurri Ranch, Jalapeño Pesto Ranch, Spicy Mango Chutney and Sweet Teriyaki, NRN reported. The first location is scheduled to open in Orlando, Florida, on January 10, 2025, making it the debut hub for what the brand describes as a “flavor-forward dining destination.”

Saucy joins a wave of similar experiments by major players in the quick-service restaurant (QSR) space. Taco Bell has its Cantinas concept, focusing on elevated menu items and urban-style locations, as well as a new coffee concept, Live Más Café. Meanwhile, McDonald’s has been testing a spinoff beverage concept, CosMc’s, targeting suburban diners with nostalgic branding and unique menu offerings.

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These moves highlight a broader trend in the QSR industry: the pursuit of niche concepts that differentiate brands in an increasingly crowded market. By honing in on specific consumer preferences — like KFC’s focus on saucy chicken tenders — brands hope to build loyalty and capture market share in untapped segments.

This approach could be particularly lucrative for KFC. The chicken tenders segment has been growing steadily, with sauces and customization key drivers of consumer satisfaction, Food & Wine recently reported. KFC’s deep brand equity and proven innovation ability — seen in past hits like its chicken sandwich and plant-based nuggets — position the chain to succeed with this venture. If the Orlando location proves successful, it could pave the way for a broader rollout, further cementing KFC’s place as a frontrunner in chicken-focused fast food.

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Read More: Nation’s Restaurant News