RH Digest — December 22nd
"The Front Page for Retirement"
📗 e-Book Deals of the Day
By: C.A. Phipps
In the middle of a high-stakes Manhattan baking competition, baker Maddie Flynn witnesses a murder that lands right at her feet—and quickly realizes it’s no accident. As tensions rise, a tangled web of rivalries, a mysterious kidnapping, and escalating threats pull Maddie deeper into a case that doesn’t add up. With danger closing in and even her sharp-sensed Maine Coon on edge, Maddie must uncover the truth before the killer serves her up next.
Get it now for FREE 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: Spinal Tap II: The End Continues
The legendary rock mockumentary returns—turning the amps back up, forty-one years later.
Spinal Tap II: The End Continues is the 2025 mockumentary comedy sequel to the beloved cult classic This Is Spinal Tap (1984), directed by Rob Reiner and co‑written with stars Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, and Harry Shearer. Forty‑one years after the original, the film reunites the fictional British heavy metal band Spinal Tap as Nigel Tufnel, David St. Hubbins, and Derek Smalls come together for what’s billed as one final concert, with documentarian Marty Di Bergi once again in tow to capture their antics and songwriting struggles.
The movie blends nostalgia with fresh absurdity, pitting the aging rockers against new challenges and self‑reflection while featuring humorous set pieces and celebrity cameos from music icons such as Paul McCartney and Elton John. Although critics note it doesn’t quite hit the comedic heights of the original, many fans appreciate its playful tribute to the band’s legacy and the dry, affectionate humor that defined Spinal Tap’s world.
Released in theaters on September 12, 2025, Spinal Tap II: The End Continues revisits familiar satire of rock culture while aging gracefully (or as gracefully as Spinal Tap ever does), offering longtime fans a chance to turn the amps back up—even if it doesn’t always go past eleven.
Now Streaming on HBO MAX.
🎧 Listen In: Cher — Run Rudolph Run on SNL
A holiday classic gets a diva‑powered sparkle on live TV!
When Cher returned to Saturday Night Live on the December 20, 2025 season finale, she didn’t just walk back onto the Studio 8H stage — she sashayed into it. At 79, the pop icon brought festive energy and rock‑and‑roll flair to a spirited cover of “Run Rudolph Run,” the Chuck Berry holiday staple, performed with The Roots and a trio of backup singers as faux snow fluttered down around her. It was a joyful mash‑up of classic Christmas cheer and Cher’s signature showmanship — equal parts nostalgia and pure stage presence.
Dressed in commanding holiday attire and backed by a full band, Cher’s rendition felt like a celebration of both the season and her enduring place in pop culture. Whether you were humming along, tapping your foot, or just grinning at the sheer joy of it all, it was a reminder that a great song — and a great performer — can keep the spirit bright on live television.
😆 Elf on a Shelf Support Group
Even elves need to vent after a long holiday season!
On the latest Saturday Night Live, Ariana Grande took us straight to the North Pole… for therapy. But not for humans—oh no—this was an Elf on a Shelf Support Group. Tiny elves, perched in every impossible spot imaginable, gathered to spill the tinsel on their secret lives. Twisted into awkward poses, dodging curious cats, and forced to watch little kids’ holiday mischief unfold without a peep—these pint-sized toy heroes had stories that would make even Santa raise an eyebrow.
Ariana herself played the ever-glam Twinkle Butter, leading the session with sass, empathy, and just enough exasperation to make you feel for every elf you’ve ever spotted on a bookshelf. Between confessions of holiday trauma and the occasional glitter-fueled meltdown, the sketch was pure festive absurdity—and a reminder that even tiny toys deserve a little therapy after surviving the chaos of December.
By the end, you couldn’t help but laugh, nod, and maybe glance at your own Shelf elf with a new kind of respect. Who knew that holiday magic came with such a side of sass and elf-sized venting?
📻 Flashback Files
A gentle classic from a BBC treasure, where raw emotion meets ’80s live magic.
Watching Todd Rundgren deliver “It Wouldn’t Have Made Any Difference” on BBC’s Old Grey Whistle Test in 1982 feels like discovering a secret songbook tucked behind the greatest hits. The performance captures Todd’s gift for crafting a timeless, heartfelt ballad — a tune built on thoughtful lyrics and memorable melody that first appeared on his acclaimed 1972 Something/Anything? album and has long been cherished by fans for its wistful take on love and loss.
On that Whistle Test stage in London, Rundgren’s voice and guitar feel immediate and intimate, resonating with the audience in a way only live TV magic can. It’s a wonderful snapshot of an artist who could be powerfully pop one moment and beautifully reflective the next — a reminder of both his versatility and the emotional depth behind one of his most enduring songs.
Whether you knew the song from its original era or you’re hearing this performance for the first time, it’s one of those musical moments that wouldn’t have made any difference… except that, of course, it absolutely does.
Recipe of the Day: Cinnamon-Spiced Sweet Potato Bisque
Silky smooth and lightly sweet, with ginger and nutmeg to warm you from the inside out.
Serves: 4–6
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil or unsalted butter
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated (optional but adds warmth)
2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed (about 3 cups)
2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
1 cup canned coconut milk or heavy cream
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon ground allspice (optional)
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1–2 teaspoons maple syrup or honey (optional, for sweetness)
Fresh parsley or chives for garnish
Instructions
Prepare the aromatics: Heat olive oil or butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and ginger, cooking 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
Cook the vegetables: Add sweet potatoes and carrots, then sprinkle in cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. Stir to coat and cook 1–2 minutes to lightly toast the spices.
Simmer: Pour in the broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for 20–25 minutes, until vegetables are tender.
Blend the soup: Remove from heat and puree until smooth using an immersion blender or in batches in a regular blender (careful—hot liquids!).
Finish the bisque: Stir in coconut milk or cream. Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and optional maple syrup or honey. Warm gently over low heat, but do not boil.
Serve: Ladle into bowls and garnish with parsley or chives. Optionally sprinkle a little extra cinnamon on top.
Serving Suggestions: Perfect with crusty bread, a green salad, or a swirl of coconut cream for an elegant touch.
❤️ Why You’ll Love It: Creamy, comforting, and lightly spiced, this bisque is both cozy and sophisticated—sweet potatoes meet warm cinnamon and nutmeg in a silky, nourishing bowl.
A QUICK ASK: First off, thank you for reading RetireHub every day. It fills our cup that so many thousands of people get joy from our little publication.
As you know, good content costs money. In order to continue supporting ourselves and to continue delivering the content you enjoy every day, we need to pay our writers. If you can, we ask you to subscribe to our paid account (for $5/month - less than a cup of coffee!) below.
If you choose to purchase a paid subscription, please know you’re supporting not only our publication, but tens of thousands of other 50+ year old Americans that get joy, entertainment, financial tips, and more from RetireHub every single day.
If you don’t join the paid plan (or can’t), no worries at all. We know times are tough. Thank you for being a part of our tiny, joyful part of the Internet.
- Jay
Got suggestions of what you’d wanna read about? Let us know in the comments!
— The RetireHub Team