RH Digest — December 21st
"The Front Page for Retirement"
📗 e-Book Deals of the Day
Becoming Crone (The Crone Wars Book 1)
By: Lydia M. Hawke
On Claire’s 60th birthday, she learns that she is destined to save the world. But first she has to find her reading glasses, unlock the mystery of a house in the woods that only she can see, and go toe-to-toe with a cranky gargoyle. As far as retirement plans go, this was NOT what she had in mind!
Get it now for $0.99 on Kindle!
RetireHub’s Holiday Giveaway — Win A Free Cruise!
Happy Holidays from RetireHub!
To celebrate — we’re giving away a free cruise ($900 value) on December 31st. If you want to pack your bags and ship out on the open sea, all you need to do is signup to be a RetireHub Premium member!
In addition to getting an entry into the Free Cruise Giveaway, you’ll also receive:
Premium only quizzes and games
Free courses for financial planning, health & wellness, and more
The knowledge that you’re supporting the largest online community of 50+ year old Americans
…and exclusive deals and savings
All this for less than $5/mo.
Regardless of if you become an RH Premium member or not, we wish you and yours the happiest of holidays.
📺 Watch This Tonight: The Great Flood
🌊 When Survival Meets Science and Human Heart
The Great Flood is a bold new Korean sci-fi disaster film from director Kim Byung-woo, now streaming on Netflix and already stirring conversations with its high-stakes mix of emotion, action, and imagination. Starring Kim Da-mi as An-na, a scientist caught in a catastrophic global flood, and Park Hae-soo as her determined companion, the story begins as a desperate struggle to escape rising waters in a submerged apartment building — a gripping test of courage, love, and survival against overwhelming odds.
As The Great Flood unfolds, the narrative weaves intense disaster sequences with unexpected sci-fi twists that challenge expectations, turning what might feel like a straightforward survival tale into something more layered and thought-provoking. With stunning visuals, emotional performances, and a blend of suspense and drama, it’s a film that invites you to feel both the fear of losing it all and the profound strength found in protecting what matters most.
Now Streaming on Netflix.
🎵 Listen In: Bleachers — Merry Christmas, Please Don’t Call (On The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon)
🎄 Holiday Heart + Big ’80s‑Inspired Pop Hooks
Bleachers brought a warm, bittersweet slice of holiday energy to The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon with their performance of “Merry Christmas, Please Don’t Call.” Jack Antonoff’s knack for blending ’80s‑tinged pop with sincere storytelling shines here: the song wraps festive cheer around a real‑world feeling—the sometimes awkward, sometime tender wish for connection during the holidays, even when calling up someone old is exactly what you shouldn’t do.
On Fallon’s stage, the band’s spirited yet vulnerable delivery makes this holiday tune feel like both a sing‑along and a moment of honest reflection—perfect for anyone who loves their seasonal music with a bit of heart, humor, and unforgettable melody.
🌞 The Bright Side
🧶 How a Handmade Tree Wove a Community Together
A stunning Christmas tree entirely crafted from crochet isn’t just a festive decoration — it’s a celebration of connection, creativity, and shared purpose. In Goa, India, 25 women from The Crochet Collective joined forces to revive a traditional craft and offer an eco‑friendly alternative to plastic holiday décor by making more than a thousand hand‑crocheted squares and assembling them into a towering, beautiful tree inside the Museum of Goa.
What makes this project truly special is the story behind it: the group first met over Zoom during the pandemic, and none of the participants had met in person before they began crocheting. Over weeks of work, laughter, shared cups of tea, and conversations about life and memories, they built not only the tree but a sense of community that would have been impossible alone. With help from a local engineer who donated the metal frame and logistics, the unpredictable mix of colors and textures — coming from repurposed yarn and personal collections — became a glowing symbol of collaboration, sustainability, and the unexpected beauty that arises when people come together.
If this inspires you, it’s a wonderful reminder that sometimes the most meaningful holiday displays aren’t store-bought — they’re stitched with time, warmth, and the shared hands of many.
🕰️ Back in the Day
🎸 A Country Classic with a Little Fire in Its Soul
When Marty Robbins stepped onto The Marty Robbins Show in 1969 and performed “Devil Woman” live, he delivered a rendition brimming with storytelling swagger and smooth, evocative vocals. The song — with its haunting melody and lyrics about temptation, heartache, and that unforgettable “devil woman” — became one of Robbins’ most enduring hits, and this performance captures exactly why: his rich voice carries every twist and turn of the narrative with warmth, grit, and a kind of charming confidence only he could bring.
Watching it today feels like settling into a cozy living room concert — the guitar twang, the steady rhythm, and Robbins’ soulful delivery all remind us how timeless country music can be when it’s rooted in real feeling and unmistakable presence.
🍽 Recipe of the Day: 🍊 Cranberry–Orange Bread Pudding with Vanilla Drizzle
Soft, custardy, and brightened with citrus zest — a warm winter treat that feels like breakfast and dessert.
Serves: 4-6
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
Ingredients
For the Bread Pudding:
4 cups day-old bread, cubed (brioche, challah, or French bread work beautifully)
1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
Zest of 1 orange
1 ½ cups milk (or half-and-half for extra richness)
2 large eggs
⅓ cup sugar
2 tablespoons melted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
Pinch of salt
For the Vanilla Drizzle:
½ cup powdered sugar
1–2 tablespoons milk or cream
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F and lightly butter a small baking dish.
Spread the bread cubes evenly in the dish, then sprinkle cranberries and orange zest over the top.
In a bowl, whisk together milk, eggs, sugar, melted butter, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
Pour the mixture evenly over the bread, gently pressing down so everything gets nicely soaked.
Bake uncovered for 40–45 minutes, until puffed, golden, and set in the center.
While it bakes, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla to make the drizzle.
Drizzle over the warm bread pudding just before serving.
❤️ Why You’ll Love It: The tart pop of cranberries and bright orange zest balance perfectly with the cozy, custardy pudding, while the vanilla drizzle adds just the right touch of sweetness. It’s a comforting dessert that feels festive, nostalgic, and special—perfect for chilly afternoons or holiday evenings.
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- Jay
Got suggestions of what you’d wanna read about? Let us know in the comments!
— The RetireHub Team