1.)     Today, the national average gas price is expected to drop below the $3.28 a gallon we were paying on January 1st, which is good news for everyone traveling for the holidays.    According to government statistics, the average price for a gallon of gas this year was $3.63, 10 cents above last year’s record price.    The average driver spent about $2,700 on gasoline this year, but things will be better next year.       Barring unexpected events, such as hurricanes or a Middle East war, experts predict the average price next year will be $3.43, which would be the lowest price since 2010, when gas averaged $2.78 a gallon

2.)     Santa will be leaving the North Pole one week from tonight.   It used to be cool to track him on the Internet, but not any more.    This year, you can follow Santa on his trip around the world on your smart device.    Before Christmas Eve, visit NoradSanta.org and click on Track Santa.   That will take you to direct links to apps for Windows, Android and Apple smartphones and gadgets.

3.)     If you fly on Southwest Airlines, you might be getting a free drink on your next flight.      On August 1, 2010, Southwest Airlines Business Select stopped allowing these passengers to carry over their unused free drink vouchers to future flights.     More than two years and one class-action settlement later, Southwest is having to buy a lot of rounds.    The policy has not changed, but Southwest must give all those fliers new vouchers to use on their next flight.   It’s estimated the airline will give out around 5.8 million vouchers, which translates to $29 million in free drinks.