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Group Messaging: Staying Connected with Family

Trivia: Which continent has no native bee species?

Rise and shine, RetireHub community! ☀️ Your Tuesday newsletter is here!

Today we’re sharing smart tips on Group Messaging: Staying Connected with Family, along with the best deals, fun trivia, and more!

Top Deals From Around The Web

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What We’re Reading

Get these e-book deals before they’re gone.

By: Rachael Bloome

Widowed and weary, Abigail Preston escapes to her late husband’s secret beach house in Blessings Bay, only to find rugged caretaker Logan Mathews already living there. Both seeking solitude from their pain, they agree to avoid Christmas—and each other—but the town’s warmth and a young boy’s kindness begin to melt their defenses. In this tender holiday romance, love, healing, and the magic of community show two broken hearts the way home again.

On this day in 1886, The Statue of Liberty was officially dedicated in New York Harbor! A gift from France to the United States, Lady Liberty became an enduring symbol of freedom, hope, and friendship between nations. Her torch was first lit 139 years ago today—welcoming millions of immigrants arriving by sea with the promise of a new beginning.

Group Messaging: Staying Connected with Family

In today’s busy world, it’s easy for families to scatter across time zones, cities, and daily routines. Yet, even when miles apart, one of the simplest ways to stay close is right in our pockets: the humble group message. Whether it’s a text thread, WhatsApp group, or iMessage chain, these digital circles have become the new family living rooms—where we share everything from baby photos to bad jokes to “who’s bringing the pie” on Thanksgiving.

At its heart, group messaging is about connection. It bridges generations—grandparents who once mailed birthday cards can now send a quick “Love you!” with a heart emoji. Siblings who live across the country can keep up with each other’s daily lives, sharing snippets that might otherwise be lost in the rush of the week. Even quiet relatives often open up in group chats, finding it easier to type than talk on the phone.

Of course, with all this togetherness comes a few quirks. Every family has a “GIF person” who replies to everything with a dancing cat, a “quiet observer” who never comments but always reads, and a “group leader” who renames the chat every few weeks (“Family Central,” “Holiday Planning,” “The Breakfast Club,” etc.). Some chats hum along daily, while others spring to life only for big events or updates.

Group messaging also helps families coordinate life more smoothly. Planning reunions, sharing health updates, or even deciding what movie to stream for a virtual family night can all happen in one place. And for those who may not be tech-savvy, the beauty is in the simplicity—most messaging apps are free, intuitive, and available across phones and tablets.

Still, it’s worth setting gentle boundaries. Muting notifications at night, pausing long threads, or keeping sensitive topics in smaller conversations can make the chat feel like a comfort zone instead of an obligation. After all, the goal isn’t to be constantly “on,” but to create a sense of presence and belonging—those tiny moments of laughter or reassurance that remind us we’re part of something bigger.

So next time your phone pings with a family photo, an inside joke, or a “Did you see this?” meme, take a moment to smile. That little buzz might just be love in digital form.

How would you describe your family’s group chat?

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Yesterday’s Poll Results: Have you ever used a Health Savings Account (HSA)?

Looks like opinions on Health Savings Accounts are all over the map! About 39% of readers say they use an HSA and love the flexibility, while 14% have one but aren’t totally sure how it works. Another 14% are curious to learn more, and 27% say they don’t think an HSA is the right fit for them. A small 6% chose “other,” often mentioning their insurance doesn’t qualify or that they prefer a different setup. In short, HSAs are popular—but a little confusing for many—and there’s definitely room for more clarity around how to make them work best.

TOP COMMENTS

  • “I’m on Medicare so it’s not needed.”

  • “We are on social security, with my wife having a very small pension, so we don't have any extra money to invest in an HSA. We are paying for extra dental insurance, because of very little coverage with Medicare and Humana.”

  • “I used to have one when my kids were little. Once they got older, I stopped using it. Now that I'm retired, I'll think about it.”

  • “Highly recommend it!”

  • “When I found out about it I wasn't eligible. I had to settle for a flex plan.”

  • “I spent so much time on the phone and sending the receipts it wasn’t worth it.”

Rebuilding Trust and Rediscovering Yourself After Divorce in Your 60s

The end of a long marriage in your 60s can leave deep emotional marks, often shaking your sense of security and self-trust. Yet this stage can also become a powerful turning point—a chance to rediscover confidence and build a new kind of faith in yourself and others. Healing begins by recognizing that trust doesn’t vanish forever; it simply needs to be rebuilt, piece by piece, through gratitude and connection. By focusing on the people, pets, and daily routines that remain steady in your life, you begin to restore your sense of safety and belonging. Over time, those small acts of appreciation and reflection help transform pain into perspective, opening space for renewed relationships and a peaceful trust in your own resilience.

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Slang Phrase of the Day

Phrase: Sus

Meaning: Short for “suspicious” or “suspect,” this modern slang term is often used to describe someone or something that seems a little off, untrustworthy, or not quite right.

In a sentence: “When my grandson said he ‘accidentally’ ate the last slice of pie, I told him that sounded a little sus to me.”

Good News of the Day

Small-Town Comeback: How One Former Ref Turned An Illinois Mill Town Around

After the closure of its steel mill—once the heart of the community—and the shuttering of its only grocery store and school, the town of Venice, Illinois faced steep decline. Ed Hightower, a former NCAA basketball referee turned investor, stepped in and pledged $3.5 million toward a new grocery store project that will bring fresh food and renewed hope to residents. With state funds, a new school already opened, and upcoming clinic and housing projects in the works, Venice may finally see a revival rooted in both infrastructure and community care.

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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:

In the “Miracle on Ice” at the 1980 Winter Olympics, the U.S. men’s hockey team defeated which nation?

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Which continent has no native bee species?

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Which language is official in the greatest number of countries worldwide?

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