While bidding farewell to 2025, many may have free time during these final weeks to address tasks that have been put off for the last 11 months. Whether it’s crunch time for finances, shopping for last-minute Hanukkah gifts, or making plans for New Year’s Eve, Jewish News has compiled a range of ideas for readers to consider as the year winds down.
Finances and Taxes
To prepare for the end-of-year, consider these guidelines when getting your paperwork in order for the last weeks of 2025.
Randy Parrish, Tidewater Jewish Foundation’s vice president and CFO, offers the following:
- Max out retirement contributions. Utilize “catch-up” contributions of an extra $7,500 for ages 50 and above, and new “super catch-up” of $11,250 for ages 60 – 63 if plans allow.
- Withdraw the required minimum distributions (RMDs) from retirement accounts to avoid a tax penalty. If the RMD is not needed, avoid the tax on that income by having the custodian make a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) directly from your retirement account in lieu of the RMD. QCD’s aren’t deductible gifts, but they avoid paying tax on the withdrawal.
- Contribute to a 529 Virginia College Savings plan for a tax deduction or tax credit. Consider a “super-funding” strategy that allows contributing five times the annual gift exclusion per beneficiary account, $95,000 in 2025 (or double that if both spouses contribute).
- Consider a conversion from a traditional retirement account to a ROTH IRA. Dollars converted each year are taxable, but it is often a good strategy when combined with other tax-saving opportunities.
- Remember the importance of charitable giving. Charitable deductions in 2025 may be worth more than in tax year 2026 when a new “floor” based on 0.5% of adjusted gross income excludes a portion of gifts from being deductible.
- Additionally, deductions in 2026 will be capped at a tax savings rate of 35% for high income taxpayers with a 37% marginal tax rate.
- Consider maximizing the value of a 2025 charitable deduction by opening a donor-advised fund (Tidewater Jewish Foundation can help) with several years’ worth of normal annual gifts that can then be recommended as charitable grants from the new fund over
- the next several years. This “bunching” strategy is often followed
- by use of the higher standard deduction in the following years.
- Gifts of appreciated assets like marketable securities continue to be a great strategy by parting with a low-cost asset in exchange for a deduction at the higher market value.
- Review insurance policies and their beneficiaries. Consider donating ownership of excess life insurance policies that may no longer be needed to charity.
- Spend remaining funds in a flexible spending account to avoid any lapse at the end of the plan year.
Fitness and Health
Tom Purcell, Wellness director at Simon Family JCC, offers this advice when trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle in the midst of year-end celebrations.
- Focus on consistency with a schedule you can stick with. When time gets crazy with parties, family, friends, and shopping, shorten your workouts or add activity into your day.
- Park at the far end of a parking lot to achieve more steps in your day.
- Perform bodyweight exercises like squats, lunges, push-ups, dips, and crunches while watching TV.
- Ask your family and friends to go for a walk after dinner.
- Head to the gym in the early hours before your day starts.
- Complete shorter workouts but at a higher intensity based on your ability.
- Write in a journal each day, or place a reminder on your phone calendar, to commit to achieving something healthy on a daily basis. Fifteen minutes each day = 1 hour 45 minutes each week!
Wellness Experiences
Simone Cassidy, a Norfolk native, and her husband, Chris, have started a new business called Vivoro, which delivers holistic, concierge-level, judgment-free careentirely online.
From weight management and longevity to hormonal health, skin vitality, and sexual wellness, Vivoro blends medical expertise with lifestyle coaching so members can make sustainable changes. And…its approach is practical and positive: no kale-only diets or midnight yoga marathons required.
“As we step into the new year, Vivoro is here to walk beside you on your wellness journey — with thoughtful, clinician-led care, modern medications, and real-life support for how you eat, move, sleep, and live,” says Cassidy. “We go beyond ‘quick fixes’ to help you build sustainable, healthy habits that honor your body and your future. Our aspiration is that everyone has access to a personalized plan that meets them exactly where they are and helps them get where they are meant to go.”
For more information, visit vivoro.com.
Family Conversations
While surrounded by family this holiday season, take advantage of this time together to have conversations about end-of-life.
Liana Marasca, advance planning specialist at Altmeyer Funeral Homes & Crematory, suggests having open and honest conversations about personal wishes to ensure that they are honored – including topics such as burial versus cremation or a preferred final resting place. “What better opportunity to take care of this now than to wait for tomorrow when emotions run high, funds may be running low, or our health may prevent us from taking care of matters. The peace of mind this creates is truly the best gift you can give,” Marasca adds.
According to Roger Seay, funeral director and manager of the pre-planning department at H.D. Oliver Funeral Apartments, preplanning relieves families of the burden of having to make several immediate decisions and gives them more time and energy to focus on healing and remembrance.
Looking for a place to celebrate New Year’s Eve?
- Ruth’s Chris invites revelers to cap off 2025 with a stellar fine dining experience and perhaps a glass of wine or handcrafted cocktail. Extended hours on December 31 are 4 – 10:45 pm. Guests can then enjoy the Virginia Beach Ball Drop at the Town Center ‘Last Night on the Town’ festivities right outside the door.
- Hilton Norfolk The Main offers a night of dancing, delicious food, and great company to countdown to 2026. Entertainment across The Main includes the Ballroomwith DJ Hutch, Grain, Gabraham Lincoln, and Brian Sewell. Wristbands and package deals are available.
- At the Cavalier Hotel resorts, celebrate in style across all three hotels: Historic Cavalier Hotel, Marriott Virginia Beach Oceanfront Resort, and Embassy Suites by Hilton. A New Year’s Eve Package includes a one-night stay for two and exclusive access to the Cavalier Resort’s signature New Year’s Eve celebration, The Midnight Lotus Ball, inside The Historic Cavalier Hotel.
New Year’s Resolutions
“The marking of time is a strong pulI to evaluate ourselves. Setting a New Year’s resolution that will actually stick is the challenge,” says Louise B. Lubin, Ph.D., Licensed Clinical Psychologist. She suggests asking the following:
- Who can support and encourage you?
- Go from ‘should’ to ‘want.’ What really matters to you?
- Find your ‘why.’ It’s important to know.
- Switch from ‘what is wrong’ to what you want to achieve.
- Start small.
- Build your motivation. What feels good and enjoyable?
Steve Waranch, Clinical Psychologist and Certified Substance Abuse Counselor, stresses the importance of self-awareness – looking at yourself from a distance. It is a quality of emotional maturity that develops in people over time. It has been called mentalization, mindfulness, and observing ego.
In some individuals, this awareness doesn’t develop very well, and, in others, it develops and is lost, either temporarily or permanently. In making New Year’s resolutions, he suggests “looking at yourself and thinking about making a constructive change.” Self-awareness and self-determination, he says, can be useful.
“Resolutions are essentially wishes people have. You can learn a lot about yourself if you understand what you wish for and why,” Waranch adds.
Marcia Samuels, Psy.D., a Licensed Clinical Psychologist suggests the following: Instead of setting strict New Year’s Resolutions, consider adopting New Year’s Aspirations. “While resolutions often feel rigid—where one misstep can mean failure for the year — aspirations invite us to keep striving, even after setbacks,” Samuels adds. She offers an example: rather than resolving to lose 15 lbs. or go to the gym four times a week, aspire to live a healthier lifestyle. “This broader goal allows for flexibility and growth, letting you adjust your strategies as needed.” By choosing positive, holistic aspirations, you can focus on continuous improvement and well-being throughout the year. Why not reflect on what you truly want to achieve, and set an aspiration that inspires you?
De-clutter
With a few quiet days, this might be a good time to do a little straightening with your surroundings. Pick just one or two items to tackle. That might be all it takes to feel a little lighter.
- Clean out your car.
- Toss old receipts.
- Shred old documents. The IRS recommends keeping records for three years, though
an accountant should be consulted before disposing of any past returns or paperwork. - Donate old clothes.
- Opt for online statements in place of paper mail.
Shopping for a special gift?
Visit a Jewish News advertiser for a unique present or gift certificate. These retailers offer a bit of everything for everyone on your gift list. See their ads in this issue.
- Kitchen Barn
- Gilbert Eyecare
- G Marie Luxuries
- Nunez Fine Jewelers
- Decorum Furniture
- Wahi Rug and Carpet