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| | | Quote of the Day | | "Ubirajara jubatus" â A newly-discovered dinosaur from 110 million years ago. All the Rosses of the world are in awe. | | |
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The Story Bitcoin is back, bébé. What is this, 2017? You'd think. The cryptocurrency (read: digital currency) started back in 2009. But unlike other currencies, it's decentralized. Meaning, it's not controlled by banks or the government. You can buy it, sell it, trade it, or even mine it. Transactions happen through a peer-to-peer network. Its value is volatile and can change from hundreds to thousands of dollars in a matter of a week. Three years ago, the currency nearly reached a $20,000 record. A year later, it fell to just a few thousand dollars. Now, bitcoin's surging again. Tell me more. Yesterday, the value of one bitcoin rose above $20,000 for the first time ever. And today, it hit a new high of more than $23,000. The pandemic may have something to do with those new records. In times of uncertainty, some people look for different ways to store their money (could be in gold or silver or...bitcoin) and investors look for different assets. In areas like Africa and Venezuela, cryptocurrencies have served as a silver lining â reportedly helping locals avoid going through a banking system or government with high inflation in order to run their businesses. In Iran, cryptocurrencies may have allowed people to bypass US sanctions. Amid the pandemic, bitcoin has benefitted in part from low interest rates. One analyst says bitcoin's value could reach $55,000 by the end of next year. Should I get some? Should I sell? If only we knew. Bitcoin is still pretty new, and it hasn't done as well as more traditional forms of investing (think: stocks and bonds) â unless you hopped on before the 2017 surge. Some businesses have been accepting bitcoin for years (hi, Overstock.com, Expedia, Square, and more). And experts think other cryptocurrencies (Litecoin, Ethereum) could continue to become more mainstream. But while some crypto fans may think its new price tag proves it's legit, financial advisors say people need to understand the risks (little to no regulation, hacking). theSkimm There's still a lot we don't know about the long-term value of bitcoin and cryptocurrency. But amid a struggling economy, digital currencies have been looking more attractive.
Psst...if the stock market's more your speed, we break down how to start investing in four steps. | | |
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What's saying 'not ok, Google'... Texas. Yesterday, the state filed an antitrust lawsuit against the tech giant for allegedly using its "monopolistic power." Rawr. State AG Ken Paxton (R) â who seems to be everywhere these days â claims that Google's been squashing competition to control the online advertising market and reap the profits. He's taking the "Goliath" to court and warning it not to "mess with Texas." And Paxton won't be a Lone Star on this one: nine other states joined the suit. Google called the claims meritless, saying 'sorry not sorry' for its "state-of-the-art" ad tech services. It's not the only antitrust lawsuit Google's facing â the Justice Dept filed one in October. And bipartisan AGs are looking to add another suit against the company. Aw, Sheets.
...Oh and speaking of legal challenges, Massachusetts regulators filed a complaint against popular stock trading app Robinhood. They claim it's failing to protect customers â violating state laws and regulations.
PS: GV (formerly Google Ventures) is a minority investor in theSkimm. | | |
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What's got a little extra sumpm' sumpm'... The Pfizer vaccine. Yesterday, the FDA gave health care workers the green light to use leftovers they find in vials of Pfizer-BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine. Since the distribution of the vaccine earlier this week, pharmacists have noticed that vials contained more than five doses. And some have been able to squeeze out a sixth or seventh dose. Manufacturers reportedly overfill vials to safeguard against spills or other waste. But the extra doses set off confusion among health care workers about what to do with the leftovers. Without clear guidance, some of the extras were thrown away. Now, the FDA's saying every obtainable dose counts "given the public health emergency." But it's warning health care workers not to pool leftovers from multiple vials to create a full dose. The new guidance has the potential to expand the US's limited vaccine supply by up to 40%. And came as the country has reported new records in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. Developments abroad: Today, France's presidential palace said President Emmanuel Macron tested positive for the coronavirus. Officials say the 42-year-old president was showing symptoms, and will now isolate for seven days while continuing to work. | | |
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Where people are getting closure⦠France. Yesterday, a court convicted the accomplices of the men who attacked the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo. Following the publication of controversial cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad, two Islamist assailants entered the magazine's Paris offices in 2015 and gunned down 12 people. Their accomplice later killed a policewoman and four others at a kosher supermarket. The three attackers were killed in confrontations with police. And al-Qaeda took credit for the attack. Now, 14 people have been found guilty on charges ranging from membership of a criminal network to complicity in the attacks. Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo said "justice was served." | | |
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What's hitting a home run... MLB. Yesterday, it said it's elevating seven Negro Leagues to major league status. From 1920 to 1948, Black players were barred from joining the segregated National and American Leagues so they played in a separate league. It dissolved a year after Jackie Robinson became MLB's first Black player for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Now, 100 years after the Negro Leagues' establishment, MLB's "correcting a longtime oversight in the game's history." And it'll add records and statistics of over 3,400 players to the record books. The move's being applauded by historians and those with ties to the league. | | |
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| Yours Truly, Lady Whistledown | | |
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| | | Netï¬ix is about to drop Shondaland's "Bridgerton," a witty period drama about finding love in the London marriage market in 1813. And we invited the narrator, Lady Whistledown (voiced by Julie Andrews), to this century to share some advice. See what she has to say here. Preview coming in 3,2,1â¦
It has come to this author's attention that December is a most popular time of year to become betrothed in the twenty-first century. However, some have a clearer path to the altar than others. A suggestion, dear reader, if one believes they have found a love match who is not eager to wed: send a clear signal. And look for any indication they are a rake, or â as it has come to be known â a player. Such people have no place in one's life. Read on.
Watch the premiere of "Bridgerton" December 25, only on Netflix. One would be rather foolish to miss it. |
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| You don't need a lot of money to do good this season. Giving your time, skills, gently-used items, and even your plasma (especially if you've recovered from COVID-19) can make a big impact. We Skimm'd more ways to be charitable on a budget here.
PS: Want more money how-tos like this one? Sign up to get the Skimm Money newsletter in your inbox every Friday. |
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| Here are our favorite picks to help you take a break todayâ¦
1. Our most-loved self-care products of the year. When life hands you 2020, take care of yourself. With a sleep mask, shower sponge, and a pair of cozy fleece overalls. TLC, here you come.
2. Appliances, crafts, furniture, and gadgets shipped free.â Walmart has SO many gifts. Like, so many. And if you become a Walmart+ member, you'll never pay a shipping fee. No matter how much (or little) you're spending. Start your trial.*
3. A guide to new Trader Joe's products. PSA: there's two kinds of black truffle-related things on this list. Run, don't walk people. Run, don't walk.
PS: Want more? Sign up to get weekly recs in your inbox. | | *PS: This is a sponsored post.
â Excludes oversized & freight items. |
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| For when you're a master gift-buying procrastinator... Relatable. You can get all your last minute gifts at Old Navy. (Think: PJs, scarves, sweaters, festive masks etc.) Then pick them up in store or with contactless curbside pickup. It's holiday magic.*
For when you're looking for a promotion... Elaine Welteroth has some tips. She's got a lot of "firsts" on her résumé â from being the first Black beauty director at Condé Nast to being the youngest editor-in-chief in the publisher's history. On this week's episode of 'Skimm'd from The Couch', sponsored by Goldman Sachs, Elaine told us she hit those milestones by being intentional about everything she did. From the emails she sent to who she sought out as mentors. Listen here.*
For when you're reflecting after an overwhelming year... Give your brain a break, and talk to a licensed therapist via this online platform. So you can start 2021 happier and healthier. Psst...Skimm'rs get $180 off with code SKIMM180. Check it out.* | | *PS: This is a sponsored post. |
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| In times like these, community matters more than ever. Let us know how you (or someone you know) is making an impact by helping others.
Soupper cool...Laura L (NJ). She started a free, volunteer-run service to match folks requesting holiday meals with neighbors who want to prepare and deliver meals. The service also takes donations. Dine into it.
G's for giving...Jen Shank (PA). She started "Giving Fridays'' at Radnor Elementary School three years ago. The goal is to collect and deliver non-perishable food items for the local Wayne Food Pantry every week. Learn more.
(Some) Birthdays...Ian Davie (UK), Arnota Cornelius (OH), Marika Meertens (CO), Ginger Van Nest (LA), Mary Stuart King (SC), Emily Johnson (NV), James Foy (NY), Ashlee Korlach (VA), Cheryl Susman (IL), Kelsie O'Reilly (PA), Luanna Ragland (KS), Madelyn Collins (KS), Nikki Kaul (DC), Ronit Elshtein Miglietta (CT), Grace McRae (MA)
*Paging all members of theSkimm. Reach out here for a chance to be featured. |
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| Skimm HQ enjoyed a fancy night dining in. Share theSkimm with your friend who orders a dirty martini to go. | | | | | | Or use this referral link theskimm.com/?r=98d063bf |
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| Skimmâd by Maria del Carmen Corpus, Mariza Smajlaj, Niven McCall-Mazza, Clem Robineau, and Julie Shain |
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