Help for Texas winter storm victims

President Biden has declared a state of emergency in Texas, where freezing temperatures and a week of winter storms have left millions of people without electricity, heat, and clean water. Want to help? CNN put together a great list of resources and organizations working on the ground to save lives.

Geek's Number Talk: Strong Finish/Hot Start

The tables below reflect market statistics and values for Q4 2020. It’s no surprise that we saw a hot finish to 2020 as final quarter numbers are often starkly different from stats for the full year. It’s also not unusual for more expensive markets to have softer supply and demand statistics — such as higher average days on the market and lower percentages of listings accepting offers within the period — though this is certainly not always the case.

Food for Thought: Celebrating Culture

Every culture has its own traditions for celebrating a new year, and more often than not, these traditions center around food. Here’s a list of popular Lunar New Year treats and the fortunes they symbolize:

• Steamed fish bring an increase in prosperity

• Dumplings and spring rolls lead to wealth

• Tangyuan rice balls signify family and togetherness

• Fruit like tangerines, oranges, and pomelos are considered good fortune

• Round and golden fruit typically symbolize fullness and wealth

• Niangao rice cakes will lead to a higher income or higher position at work

• And longevity noodles signal happiness and, you guessed it, longevity

Some of our favorite foods around this time of year come from Vietnamese kitchens. Here’s a handy guide:

• Bánh chưng: Square shaped sticky rice cake

• Bánh tét: Cylindrical steamed sticky rice cake

• Thịt kho tàu: Braised pork with eggs

• ‘Mứt: Dried candied fruits

• Canh bóng: Vegetable soup with pork skin

• Thịt Gà: Boiled chicken

• Mâm Ngũ Quả: Five-fruit tray

We wish you a very Happy (and full) Lunar New Year!

News You Can Use: First-Time Buying Power

According to a new survey from realtor.com, 47% of first-time homebuyers in 2020 said the most important factor in their decision was their personal finances, and more than two-thirds (68%) were surprised by what they could afford — more or less. Read more from Forbes.