What you need to know about gift card draining to avoid getting scammed over the holidays. Plus, we attempted the viral Taylor Swift treadmill workout, and all the trends you can expect in 2024 for your home, wardrobe and wellness routine. |
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Unfortunately, scammers don't take time off during the holidays, and a scheme called gift card draining has become a growing concern for consumers. Here's how it goes: someone steals a gift card, copies the card number and security code, and then reseals it. Later, when a customer puts money on the card, the scammer "drains" it of the funds. Weekend TODAY anchor Laura Jarrett recently had it happen to her when she bought Vanilla Visa gift cards and later discovered the balance on them was zero. Here are 4 steps you can take to avoid gift card draining, including buying cards closer to the register or behind it. |
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TODAY fitness contributor Stephanie Mansour put on some red lipstick and attempted the grueling Taylor Swift treadmill challenge to the beat of Swift's biggest songs. The challenge became a trend after Swift told Time magazine that she trained for her "Eras Tour" shows by running on a treadmill while singing her concert's three-hour setlist. Stephanie alternated between fast walking and jogging, depending on the speed of each song. Here's how she did, plus what she liked and what she'd skip next time. |
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Step aside, Barbiecore. We're on to the trends of 2024, including "eclectic grandpa" fashion and "aquatecture." Pinterest just released its annual Pinterest Predicts report featuring trends expected to be everywhere next year, and we've narrowed it down to 20 spanning wellness, beauty and fashion. Before everyone is wearing bows, playing badminton and dressing in cardigan sweaters, you can get a jump on things by shopping them now. |
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Achieve your life and health goals with easy tips. |
That advice from your seventh-grade gym teacher remains relevant: Make sure to stretch! Whether you've been regularly working out with weights or getting a jump on that New Year's resolution to get back in the gym, stretching can be crucial to reducing soreness after your routine. We have 12 upper-body stretches that can improve your flexibility and help stem the negative effects of sitting at a desk all day. See them all here. |
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Allow us to do the meal-planning for you |
Looking for something new to add to your holiday meal rotation? Chef Danny Lee, the owner of a trio of award-winning restaurants in Washington, D.C., stopped by the TODAY kitchen to share his recipe for Galbi-jjim (Korean braised short ribs). His take on the classic Korean dish cuts down on cooking time by using boneless ribs, while carrots and radishes add some crunch. A broth made from ginger, Asian pear, soy sauce and garlic leaves the meat tasty and tender. Get the recipe. |
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A little pick-me-up before you go. |
Preschooler Leila Danai had the perfect comeback to a boy in her class who said he didn't like her "crazy" hair. The 4-year-old, who is one of a few Black children in her school, told the boy, "I like it!", according to a TikTok video posted by her mom. "And I said, 'My mommy made it. And if you don't like it, I'll keep it for myself." Her mother, Mildred Munjanganja, has been working hard to instill self-confidence in little Leila. "My goal is to prepare her to navigate the world around her because I can't always be there to protect her," she told TODAY.com. See the adorable video here. |
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See you tomorrow. |
Written by Scott Stump | Edited by Philip Caulfield Enjoying This is TODAY? Invite a friend to subscribe here. |
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