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Email vs. Text vs. Messaging Apps: When to Use What
Trivia: A qanat — an ancient underground water-transport system — originated in which historical region?
RetireHub
September 16, 2025
Rise and shine, RetireHub community! ☀️ Your Tuesday newsletter is here!
Today we’re sharing smart tips on Email vs. Text vs. Messaging Apps: When to Use What, along with the best deals, fun trivia, and more!
Come time to draw your Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), beware the tax bill that tags along.
You may have considered doing a Roth IRA conversion to reduce taxes triggered by your RMDs and lock in tax-free growth. But, convert too much and you jump a bracket or spike Medicare premiums.
A professional can provide you with personalized tax projections and a strategy. It's simple to get connected with a registered fiduciary advisor on your terms.
Top Deals From Around The Web
We find the best daily online deals so you don’t have to!
📸 36% OFF – Liene 4x6 Portable Photo Printer (Full-Color, Sublimation with Cartridges)
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🍽 20% OFF – Dishwasher Cleaner & Deodorizer Tablets (12-Pack)
Keep your dishwasher fresh and running smoothly with these powerful cleaning tablets. Formulated to remove limescale, grease, and odors, they restore sparkle to your machine and ensure your dishes come out spotless every time.
💡 20% OFF – BestQool Red Light Therapy Device (Near Infrared, Clinical-Grade)
Support muscle recovery, joint health, and relaxation with this at-home red light therapy panel. Featuring multiple wavelengths for deep tissue benefits, it’s a natural, non-invasive way to soothe soreness and promote overall wellness.
What We’re Reading
Get these e-book deals before they’re gone.
 | By: M C Mackay On Balmoral Castle's doorstep, Flora, Heather, Chatty and Morag form a book club. But when a body is dragged from the River Dee, they decide to investigate. When the police warn them off, the would-be detectives have only 48 hours to solve the mystery. As the clock runs down, it emerges that their suspects aren't the only ones with guilty secrets. |
On this day in 1908, General Motors was founded in Flint, Michigan, by William C. Durant. What started as a small holding company for Buick quickly grew into one of the largest automobile manufacturers in the world, shaping the way people traveled and revolutionizing industry with innovations in mass production and design. GM’s creation marked a turning point in both American business and everyday life, as cars became more accessible to families across the country.
Email vs. Text vs. Messaging Apps: When to Use What
Communication today comes in many forms—emails, texts, and messaging apps like WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger. Each has its strengths, and knowing when to use which tool can help you stay connected while keeping things simple and effective.
Email: Best for Formal or Detailed Messages
Email is the go-to for longer, more detailed conversations. It’s perfect for official matters—like sending documents, confirming appointments, or writing to businesses. Emails can also be searched and stored for reference, making them handy for keeping records. Think of email as the digital equivalent of a letter—it’s formal, reliable, and ideal when detail matters.
Text Messages: Best for Quick, Time-Sensitive Notes
Texting shines when you need to get a message across quickly. From reminding a friend about lunch to letting your neighbor know you’ll be late, texts are short, direct, and almost always read right away. Because they’re tied to phone numbers, texts don’t require special apps or internet access—making them a simple choice for most people.
Messaging Apps: Best for Ongoing, Group, or International Chats
Messaging apps like WhatsApp, iMessage, or Facebook Messenger are excellent for ongoing conversations. They allow for group chats, photo sharing, and even video calls—all in one place. They’re also great for staying in touch with family or friends abroad, since most only require Wi-Fi instead of costly international texting fees. Plus, these apps often feel more casual and conversational than email.
How to Decide Which to Use
Email: Use for anything formal, detailed, or when you need a paper trail.
Text: Use for quick, urgent, or one-off messages.
Messaging Apps: Use for casual chats, group communication, or international connections.
By matching the method to the message, you’ll save time, reduce confusion, and stay better connected.
How do you most often communicate with friends and family? |
Yesterday’s Poll Results: When do you think is the best time to consider long-term care insurance?
It looks like many of you (30%) feel the mid-50s is the sweet spot for thinking about long-term care insurance—when premiums are lower and health is usually in good shape. Quite a few (25%) shared that you’re still figuring it out, which makes sense—this is a big decision and not one-size-fits-all. Others lean toward the early 60s (21%) or even the late 60s and beyond (19%), showing that timing really depends on each person’s comfort level and circumstances. Just a handful (3%) had different ideas altogether. Wherever you are in the process, it’s clear we’re all working through the same questions together.
TOP COMMENTS
“At 68, I'm past the time I should have gotten it. Living paycheck to paycheck, it was considered, but other expenses took priority. I just have to hope I remain in good health until death.”
“I'm 74 and on a fixed income; too late for me. It should be addressed when people are much younger.”
“Never. It is not a good investment.”
Trust Yourself Again: Claiming Confidence in the Everyday
Trusting yourself after 60 isn’t just a feel-good idea—it’s a cornerstone for living with peace, purpose, and joy. Rather than waiting for life to give you assurance, this approach encourages leaning on the wisdom and experience you’ve gathered over the years, letting your instincts and values guide your choices.
Self-trust isn’t about perfection. It grows through small, everyday actions: keeping promises to yourself, listening to your intuition, and forgiving yourself when things don’t go perfectly. Even modest wins—standing up for your needs, saying no when necessary, or making a choice that feels right—add layers to your confidence and inner clarity.
Building trust also means being selective with others. You don’t need to give everyone access to your heart, but choosing relationships that lift you, affirm your authentic self, and support your wellbeing makes it easier to trust both yourself and the people around you.
Finally, trust extends to life’s journey itself. Change, uncertainty, and surprises are inevitable, but approaching them with faith in your ability to navigate them turns anxiety into courage. Even when the map is unclear, self-trust allows you to meet challenges with confidence, explore new opportunities, and embrace joy wherever it arises.
In short, trusting yourself is not the absence of doubt—it’s the steady assurance that, with your experience, insight, and values, you can navigate life’s twists and turns with grace. This mindset transforms everyday decisions into acts of empowerment, creating a sense of calm and possibility in the later chapters of life.
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Slang Phrase of the Day
Phrase: Snug Signal
Meaning: A “snug signal” is a subtle cue or sign—often physical or situational—that lets someone know it’s time to get comfortable, settle in, or pay attention to personal safety or well-being. It can refer to anything from adjusting a blanket, fastening a seatbelt, or noticing a cozy environment that invites relaxation.
In a sentence: "As I sat down in my favorite armchair and wrapped myself in a warm throw, it was my snug signal that it was finally time to relax and enjoy a good book."
Good News of the Day
Chewy the Shih Tzu Finds Forever Home with 75 Senior Hearts
Chewy, a 7-year-old Shih Tzu, was found wandering the streets of Austin, Texas, his fur matted and overgrown. With no tags and no owner in sight, he was taken in by The Philomena, an assisted-living center in Kyle, Texas. Despite efforts to contact his previous owners, they declined to reclaim him, leaving Chewy in need of a new home.
Recognizing his gentle nature and good behavior, the staff at The Philomena decided to adopt him collectively. Now, Chewy is a beloved member of the community, participating in activities and providing comfort to residents, especially those with dementia. His presence has brought joy and companionship to the seniors, proving that sometimes, a community's love can transform a life.
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RetireHub Trivia
Want more trivia? Play our “Nostalgia Trivia Game” on our site! We add fresh questions daily, so there’s always something new to test your knowledge.
Not into trivia? No worries! We’ve got plenty of other fun games to enjoy, like:
Which instrument was invented and patented in 1846 by Belgian maker Adolphe Sax? |
Louis and Auguste Lumière are credited with developing the Cinématographe and holding the world’s first commercial movie screening in which year? |
A qanat — an ancient underground water-transport system — originated in which historical region? |
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