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- The GrayVine Newsletter Thursday 01.01.2026
The GrayVine Newsletter Thursday 01.01.2026

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Thursday Edition - January 9, 2026
Good morning Member
Welcome to 2026, GrayViners! The calendar has turned, everything ahead is full of possibilities, and I hope you're already easing into the year at your own pace. At moments like this, I often think about my favorite quote: "Trust in the magic of new beginnings." It's a simple mantra that helps me stay grounded, open and gives me the courage to face new challenges that come my way. What about you? What’s your mantra for the new year? I’d love to know!
Maddie — Newsletter Writer
Editor's Picks
Here are 7 surprising Social Security changes coming in 2026 that you need to know about.
The results are in. These are the best cities in the United States of America to retire in 2026. Are you already living in one of these cities?
We hear it every year: New Year, New You. But here’s the science behind sticking to your New Year’s goals long after January.
Not sure what to set as your new year’s resolution? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. Here’s 10 resolution ideas curated specifically for our GrayViners!
These four simple money tasks are popular for a reason: They can save you money, especially at this time of the year.
It’s time to reset, GrayViners: Here’s 5 things it’s time to get rid of.
Planning on traveling this year? Please make sure you avoid these 8 destinations. It’s just not worth the risk.
Not feeling all that jolly this holiday season? That’s okay. Here’s six tips to help you increase your happiness (even if it’s just a little bit!).
This one is for our green thumbs! After winter, here’s exactly how you can restore your gorgeous garden.
On the topic of green thumbs, are you making this common mistake with your water during winter? It’s one to avoid, members.
According to the experts, if you have a ceiling fan it should be on this specific setting in the winter months. Is yours spinning in the right direction?
Perhaps you want to do a little home refresh in 2026? If you do, here are the must-knows before you get to work.
Amazon Prime members: See what you could get, no strings attached
If you spend a good amount on Amazon, this card could easily be worth $100s in cash back every year. And — even better — you could get approved extremely fast. If approved, you’ll receive an insanely valuable welcome bonus deposited straight into your Amazon account, ready to use immediately.
You also don’t have to jump through any hoops to get this bonus. No extra work or special spending requirements. Get approved, and it’s yours.
This might be one of the most powerful cash back cards available, especially considering how much most people spend on Amazon each month. It gives you the chance to earn cash back on the purchases you’re already making, turning your routine shopping into something that actually pays you back.
If you shop at Amazon or Whole Foods, this card could help you earn meaningful cash back on every purchase you make. But this offer won’t last forever — and if you’re an Amazon Prime member, this card is as close to a no-brainer as it gets.
Amazon Prime members: See what you could get, no strings attached
Today’s Trivia
What was the first year that the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree was put up?
A. 1949
B. 1941
C. 1933
D. 1931
Recipe Of The Day
Delicious, affordable and easy to make pancakes!
It’s the beginning of a brand new year, so why not kick-start the year with something new? If you have a recipe you’d like to share, please post it on our forum here!
Ingredients
6 large eggs
1 cup milk (240 ml)
1 cup all-purpose flour (120 g)
Dash salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (5 ml)
5 Tablespoons butter (70 g)
Today's (Grand)Dad Joke
Are you big on New Year’s resolutions? You might not be after this joke! If you have a joke to kick-start your year with, why don’t you share it with us here?
Picture Of The Day
TIME’s Top 100 Photos of 2025
One of my personal favorite pastimes at the beginning of every year is to look at TIME’s top 100 photos of the previous year. Why? Because often they reflect the most resilient people in the harshest of times, that hope and love conquers, and it’s a great way to reflect on the year that was. From images that will move you to tears to images that will make you think deeply about the world that we live in. One of the top 100 images was the image above. Humanoid robots competed in the 100m finals on day three of the 2025 World Humanoid Robot Games. Have an image you’d like to share? Post it on our forum here!
On This Day In History - January 9, 2026
1776 - George Washington raised the Grand Union Flag.
2002 - Euro currency officially replaced the US dollar in Europe.
What else happened on this day throughout history? Find out here!
Word Of The Day
Dot
Today’s Word of The Day is a little different. We look at the ‘Most Useful’ ‘Word of the Year’ 20 years ago. It was 1996, and the word was dot. Dot, used instead of “period” in e-mail and URL addresses… It is crazy what can change in just 20 years, isn’t it? Who knows what word of the year 2026 will bring!

















