Christmas

Is the Stock Market Open on Christmas Day 2016?

December 21, 2016 By Amanda Blankenship 3 Comments

Active traders need to know when the stock market is open and closed. Missing a day that the market is open can significantly impact the value of your stocks. Market openings and closings can be confusing during the holidays, in particular during Christmas week. Are the stock markets open on Christmas Day?

When people refer to the stock market they are generally referring to the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the NASDAQ. The stock market observes most federal holidays just like banks, but not all. The NYSE and NASDAQ follow the same schedule when observing federal holidays. The bond market, also referred to as SIFMA, does not follow the same schedule as the New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ.

Will the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) be open on Christmas Day?

The stock market will be closed on Christmas Day. The stock market is closed on Christmas Day. Because Christmas falls on a Sunday this year the market will also be closed on Saturday, December 24 (Christmas Eve) and Monday, December 26 (the observed Christmas holiday). You will not be able make trades and follow the change in value of your stocks and the New York Stock Exchange index December 24th through December 26th.

Will NASDAQ be open on Christmas Day?

NASDAQ will be closed on Sunday, December 25, 2016. Like the NYSE, NASDAQ will be closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and the day after Christmas. If you trade within the NASDAQ market, you will be able to make trades and monitor changes in value of your stocks on Friday, December 23 and then again on Tuesday, December 27.

Will the bond market be open on Black Friday?

The the bond market will be closed on Christmas Day. The bond market, also known as the SIMFA , will be closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and the day after Christmas. If you are following bonds it is important to keep track of the dates that the bond market may be closed. Bond market closings are not enforced, but merely recommended by SIMFA.

The stock market (NYSE and NASDAQ) is closed each year in observance of the following federal holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Washington’s Birthday, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. When holidays fall on the weekend, like Christmas did, the holiday is recognized on either a Friday or Monday.

The stock market normally closes at 5:00 PM EST, but there are two days during the year that the stock market closes early. Normally on Black Friday and Christmas Eve, the market is only open until 1:00 PM EST.

It is important to note that the NASDAQ follows the same schedule as the New York Stock Exchange. The closing times are in Eastern Standard Time (EST).

If you are an active trader or planning on making trades before the end of 2016, it is very important to keep track of the stock market’s schedule so that you know when the stock market is open and closed. If you do have an urgent trade to make before the holiday, make sure you place your trading order with enough time for it to be executed before the market closes.

Are Banks and Credit Unions Open on Christmas Day 2016?

December 21, 2016 By Alexa Mason 1 Comment

Bank operating hours used to be clear. Banks were open 9-5 Monday to Friday, but banking hours have changed in recent years. Some banks even have branches that open on Sunday. With these new changes, bank and credit union operating hours during the holidays can be confusing. It’s hard to know when businesses like banks and the post office will be open and closed. So, you might be wondering, are banks open on Christmas Day?

Banks

Banks are closed on Christmas Day. Banks will also be closed the day after Christmas this year. Although some banks open on some federal holidays such as Veterans Day, they are normally closed on federal holidays. Christmas Day is a federal holiday that will be observed on Monday, December 26. So, not only will banks be closed on Sunday (as usual) but they will also be closed on Monday, December 26, 2016.

Credit Unions

Credit unions are closed on Christmas Day. Most credit unions follow the same policy as banks and close in observance of federal holidays. Christmas Day is a federal holiday and credit unions will be closed on Christmas Day and the day after (the observed Christmas holiday).

What if you need to bank on Christmas Day?

If you cannot wait and must do your banking on Sunday or Monday, there are some banking options available on the Christmas holiday. Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) and banking apps are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Most banking customers will be able do the majority of their regular banking transactions on Sunday, December 25, 2016 even though the banking centers are closed. Deposits and withdrawals can be made at ATMs. Deposits can also be made via the banking institution’s app. Bill payments can also be made through the bank’s app or online banking.

Customers should keep in mind that although they are able to perform banking transactions on Christmas Day, those transactions will not post to their account until the next banking day. Don’t wait until Christmas Day to pay a bill through your online banking that is due on Sunday. Transactions will take longer to process because of the holiday. If a bill payment is scheduled, the bank will not begin processing payment on Sunday. The bank will begin processing payment on the next banking day, which will be Tuesday. Also, depending on your bank’s funds availability policy, a check deposited on Christmas Day may not be available immediately and will not be processed until the next banking day. For example, if your bank makes deposits available the next business day, a check deposited on Christmas Day will not be available on Monday. The funds may not be available until Wednesday.

When are banks and credit unions open during Christmas week?

Business hours for banks and credit unions can be confusing when a holiday falls during the week. Here are the operating hours for most banks and credit unions the week of Christmas.

Monday, December 19 – Open for regular business hours.

Tuesday, December 20 – Open for regular business hours

Wednesday, December 21 – Open for regular business hours

Thursday, December 22 – Open for regular business hours

Friday, December 23 – Open for regular business hours

Saturday, December 24 – Some Saturday business hours, many locations will close early.

Sunday, December 25 – Closed

Monday, December 26 – Many banks and credit unions will be closed

Is the Post Office Open on Christmas Day 2016?

December 21, 2016 By Amanda Blankenship 1 Comment

Christmas is the Post Office’s busiest season. Most people are mailing Christmas cards and packages to their friends and family. The growing popularity of online Christmas shopping has also increased the demand of postal workers’ ability to deliver during the holiday season. In the rush to pick up and send their last-minute packages, many people need to know when the Post Office will be open. Are Post Offices open on Christmas Day?

Are Post Offices Open or Closed on Christmas Day?

Post offices are closed on Christmas Day. The Post Office closes in observance of 10 federal holidays each year. Christmas Day is the final federal holiday that the post office closes in observance of in 2016. Because Christmas falls on a Sunday this year the post office and other federally-run offices will be closed on the day after Christmas (Monday, December 26).

Some Post Office locations will be open on Christmas Eve (Saturday, December 24), but many locations will close at noon. Check with your local post office for operating hours on Christmas Eve.

When Will Mail Be Delivered Christmas Week?

Mail delivery can be confusing when a holiday falls during the week. Here is the mail schedule for the week of Christmas:

Sunday, December 18 – Some post offices may be open. Check with your local post office.

Monday, December 19 – Open. Regular business hours and mail service.

Tuesday, December 20 – Open. Regular business hours and mail service.

Wednesday, December 21 – Open. Regular business hours and mail service.

Thursday, December 22 – Open. Regular business hours and mail service.

Friday, December 23 – Open. Regular business hours and mail service.

Saturday, December 24 – Some locations may be open.

Sunday, December 25 – Closed.

Monday, December 26 – Closed.

Is FedEx Open?

FedEx is closed on December 25th. FedEx is open modified hours on Christmas Eve and closed on Christmas Day. The company will resume regular Saturday service on Monday, December 26.

Is UPS Open?

UPS is closed on Christmas Day. UPS is open on Christmas Eve with normal delivery of ground, air and international shipments.

What If I Need Postal Services on Christmas Day?

If you need postal services on Christmas Day and cannot wait until Tuesday, there are limited services available at your local post office. Customers who rent mailboxes at postal locations will be able to access their post office box as they would on a Sunday. No new mail will be delivered to the mailbox on Christmas Day or the day after Christmas.

Most post offices have automated postage machines in their lobbies where customers can calculate and purchase postage. The lobbies will be open on Christmas Day to purchase postage from the automated postage machines and drop outgoing mail. Outgoing mail will not be picked up from mailboxes on Christmas Day.

There will be no mail delivery to residences or businesses on Christmas Day, except for Priority Mail Express. Priority Mail Express items are delivered by the post office 365 days a year (even on Christmas Day). Not all service areas are eligible for Priority Mail Express delivery on Sundays and holidays, but delivery is available in most major markets.

It’s a good idea to get your packages out early to make sure they arrive on time, but if you need to ship something with delivery on December 25, check with your post office to make sure that Sunday and holiday delivery is available at the destination. If you are ordering online from Target or Walmart, you might want to try their in-store pickup instead of having your purchase shipped.

Free Shipping Day: How You Can Benefit

December 16, 2016 By Amanda Blankenship 4 Comments

Today is free shipping day, a day where most online shoppers are getting their last-minute shopping items. “Free Shipping Day” is a day where online shoppers can take advantage of free shipping and other perks. While many online shoppers have come to expect free shipping during the holiday season, today is a little bit different.

Over 1,000 retailers are participating in today’s “free shipping” event. Retailers, like Wal-Mart are waiving their cost minimums for free shipping. Normally, you have to spend at least $50 to qualify for free shipping. However, “free shipping day” provides free shipping no matter how much you spend. Each of the retailers are guaranteeing delivery by Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve), but “free shipping day” may just be another trap.

“Free shipping day” won’t be the first (or last) time that you’ll ever be able to receive free shipping on an item. The following companies are offering free shipping in different capacities throughout the holidays:

Best Buy – no minimum purchase necessary to receive free shipping throughout the holidays. Also, get free gift cards with hundreds of purchases.
Target – no minimum purchase to receive free shipping. Also, $10 off purchases of $50 (and up) and $25 off $100 (and up).
Microsoft Store – no necessary minimum purchase to get free shipping. Get a $100 gift card with purchase of HTC Vive or Oculus Rift.
HP – no minimum purchase necessary for free shipping. Get up to 50% off most items.
Under Armour – you won’t need to make a minimum purchase to get free shipping and you can also get 25% off most items at Under Armour.
Overstock – Overstock is a popular site for Christmas shopping and through the season you won’t have to pay for shipping (not just on Free Shipping Day). Also, receive up to 70% off your purchase.

Amazon Prime members are offered free shipping all year round as well. Prime members last day for two-day shipping (to be delivered on Christmas Eve) is Dec. 22. Keep in mind, Prime member’s shipping isn’t exactly “free,” members must pay $99 per year for the Prime membership.

Look out for “Free Shipping Day” Deals

Some stores who are participating in “free shipping day” may also be offering some additional perks. Of course, free shipping is already saving you about $10, but some retailers are offering an additional percentage off site-wide. You may even see 30 and 50 percent off site-wide, copying some Cyber Monday deals.

Because “free shipping” has become commonplace, many retailers have had to step up and try something new to attract people to their “free shipping day” deals. Many of them are dropping their minimum purchase requirement, and some are not placing a minimum purchase requirement at all.

Retailers who are participating in the “free shipping day” event may also be offering some deals on the hotter items of the season like technology, gadgets and the more popular toys of the year.

Free shipping day is a day that online shoppers can get a good deal. If you don’t have time to go into the store, don’t worry, free shipping day offers some great deals along with the benefit of not having to pay for shipping. Make sure you have a list of things you would like to buy before you login to start your online shopping spree, make notes of places offering special deals today and check those places first.

Top 5 Ways To Save At Christmas

December 2, 2016 By Alexa Mason 1 Comment

Tips for Keeping Christmas Affordable Yet Beautiful

The Christmas season is rapidly approaching. Can you have a wonderful holiday while keeping your expenses down? Of course, you can. All it takes is willpower – and a plan.

If you are having trouble making a plan, feel free to use the following five ideas as a starting point.

1. Don’t Overspend on Gifts – Easier said than done, you say? Not necessarily. You can keep your gift expenses down by making a budget, shopping early, shopping online for deals, and using any coupons or discounts available. If you really want to ensure that you do not overspend, leave the credit cards at home and pay in cash. It is best if you can get the whole family to agree to keep gift expenses down. Some families draw names so each member does not feel obligated to buy gifts for everyone else. Finally, consider making your gifts instead of buying them. Keepsakes such as knitted clothing or handcrafted art will not only save money but may well become family treasures.
2. Keep Decorations Simple –You do not need a massive tree, or even a real tree, to retain the Christmas spirit. Go with a smaller or artificial tree, stick with simple ornaments, and avoid disposable items such as tinsel. Lights are fine, but there is no need to overdo it and light up (or potentially brownout) the neighborhood. A few simple strings of newer and more energy efficient lights will keep energy costs down. You don’t have to keep them on 24/7, either. After the Christmas holiday, you can check at hobby, craft, and big-box stores for clearance decorations that you can store for next year’s use. You might be able to save on future gifts at the same time. However, stay away from the clearance candy aisle or you will spend (and eat) more than you should.
3. Save on Travel – If you are traveling by air over the holidays, keep a watch on prices and buy your ticket as early as you reasonably can. Airlines are packed over the holidays and prices can spiral for the few remaining seats. Consider nearby airports within reasonable driving distance – you may be able to find a good enough deal to cover rental car expenses and the extra time involved. Drivers may be at the mercy of local gas prices, but you can save a little gas money by making sure tires are properly inflated, driving at the speed limit, and avoiding side trips. If you have to, consider holding your Christmas holiday gathering early or late to allow travelers to arrive when airfares are a bit more reasonable.
4. Keep Christmas Dinner Modest – Christmas dinners can be as bad as Thanksgiving for wasting food. If you want a ham or turkey, shop early for good deals and keep the size to a minimum, or have a plan for the leftovers to avoid waste. Minimize side dishes, or ask others to bring side dishes potluck-style to increase the variety while spreading out the expense.
5. Avoid Impulse Buying – Impulse buying can easily get out of control. Stick to the budget you already made, and keep track of your spending so you can verify you are on a budget. If you slip, keep the receipt in case you decide to return the item.

These and other simple tips can help you have a wonderful holiday without worrying about holiday debt. You can then focus on what is really important – your loved ones and the joyous time that you get to spend with them.

This article was provided by our partners at moneytips.com. You may also like these:

The Every Kid in the Park Initiative Will Give Fourth Graders a Free Christmas Tree

November 30, 2016 By Amanda Blankenship 1 Comment

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If your family is in need of a Christmas tree and you have a fourth grader you can get a free Christmas Tree form the National Park Service this year.

From now until Christmas Eve you can get a free Christmas tree from a U.S. national park. As a part of the Every Kid in the Park Initiative, the National Park Service will be giving fourth graders a chance to get a free Christmas tree from a national park this Christmas season.

The Every Kid in a Park Initiative

The Every Kid in a Park Initiative is the National Park Service’s attempt at getting more children into the national parks and interested in getting outside and experiencing nature. The program targets a rather impressionable group of kids: fourth graders. Each year fourth graders throughout the United States are able to sign up for the program, which gives the child and their family free access to all U.S. national parks. Each child and their family get free access to hundreds of parks, lands, and waters for the entire year.

Additionally, fourth-grade teachers can also get a voucher for the year so that they can experience the national parks along with their students. They can take field trips or simply talk to their students about what you can do at the national park.

How to Get a Free Christmas Tree

Giving away a free year of access to national parks isn’t the only thing the Every Kid in a Park Initiative does. Each year the program also gives fourth graders a chance to get a free Christmas tree.

Fourth graders and their families can get a free Christmas tree from one of the 17 national forests in the U.S. Forest Service’s Eastern Region. The program lasts through December 24 and gives each fourth grader a free voucher for a permit. The permit, which gives them permission to harvest a Christmas tree from the national park, is given to them and they are given instructions are which trees they are allowed to harvest and where they can get them from. You can print a voucher from the Every Kid in a Park website.

If you don’t have a fourth grader but would still like to get a Christmas tree from a national park you can purchase one of these permits and cut a tree from the park yourself. However, there are still plenty of other ways to get a free Christmas tree this year as well.

Other Ways to Get a Free Christmas Tree

Having a fourth grader isn’t the only way you can get a free Christmas tree this holiday season. There are multiple local programs that will assist you in decorating for the holiday if you are in need. The Christmas Tree Project helps families in need throughout the United States to get a Christmas tree and other decorations for the holiday. Military families can also receive free Christmas trees through the Christmas Spirit Foundation.

If you have heard of any other ways to get a free Christmas tree, please leave us a comment. Otherwise, please rate it 5 stars below or share this article on social media!

Photo: JOHNNY LAI