1. Abbreviating the year 2020 to just 20 may be a time saver, but it could be a costly mistake. A Facebook post from a police department in Maine warns doing so could open the doors to fraud.
Officials say dating documents or checks with "20" makes it easy for scammers to change the date. For example, someone could alter your 20 to say 2019 and claim you're late on payments or not meeting an obligation.
Officials advise writing out the full year 2020.
2. $3 billion. That's how much money goes to waste every year in un-used gift cards.
If you still have a gift card laying around after the holidays, don't let this happen to you. As much as three-percent of money on gift cards is never redeemed; most of the wasted money is on store gift cards.
The cards can be resold if you don't want to use them at a certain store.
3. Embrace the outdoors this winter with some fabulous family ice skating. Bring the family ice skating at Howard Miller Library on South Church Street in Zeeland, Monday through Saturday, and rent ice skates!
It's free to rent skates but an adult must be present with children. If you've got your own, officials say you're more than welcome to bring them.
Learn more at cityofzeeland.com.
4. Pronto pups has announced the dates for its annual winter weekend.
The beloved stand will open up along the Lakeshore in Grand Haven January 17-19 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Normally, the small food stand is only open during the summer months. But their annual winter weekend has become a tradition, offering customers a chance to get their fix in once a year during the winter.
5. The new year is already going to the dogs! The American Kennel Club has officially recognized two new breeds this year.
The first is the "Dogo Argentino" which will join the working group. It resembles a pit bull in facial features, and as the name implies, it comes from Argentina.
The second is a Barbet, which will join the sporting dog group. The shaggy-haired water dog originates from France and is said to be smart, friendly, and extremely loyal.
Both are now considered purebred dogs.
