Free email without sacrificing your privacy Gmail tracks you. Proton doesn’t. Get private email that puts your data — and your privacy — first. Your Boss Will Think You’re an Ecom Genius You’re optimizing for growth. You need ecom tactics that actually work. Not mushy strategies. Go-to-Millions is the ecommerce growth newsletter from Ari Murray, packed with tactical insights, smart creative, and marketing that drives revenue. Every issue is built for operators: clear, punchy, and grounded in what’s working, from product strategy to paid media to conversion lifts. | Rise and shine, RetireHub community! ☀️ Your Wednesday newsletter is here! | Today we’re sharing smart tips on video chat apps compared: which one is right for you?, along with the best deals, fun trivia, and more! |
|
| | | | What We’re Reading | Get these e-book deals before they're gone. | | The Promised Seed: Word Search Bible Study | By: Scripture Seek Press | The story of Jesus doesn't begin in Bethlehem — it begins in Genesis. This large-print word search Bible study opens at God's first promise of a Redeemer and follows it through Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Moses all the way to the manger. 150 puzzles built on actual Scripture, much of it in prophecy-and-fulfillment pairs laid out side by side, with a complete answer key in the back. Nothing to charge or log into — a book, a pen, a kitchen table. | See it on Amazon → |
|
| | Murder, Lies and Chocolate (Death by Chocolate Book 2) | By: Sally Berneathy | A stranger comes to Lindsay’s restaurant, offers to buy her small house for double its value, eats her brownies, and drops dead on the sidewalk out front. Not good for business. Lindsay creates a special dessert called Murdered Man’s Brownies. Sales skyrocket. BONUS! Chocolate recipes included. Poison optional. | Get it for just $0.99 today! |
|
|
|
| Dear Joanne | Your questions, her wisdom — Joanne’s here with thoughtful advice, warm humor, and a listening ear for whatever’s on your mind. | | Here I am, writing my column on Labor Day. Labor Day has always been a strange holiday for me. When I had a typical “9 to 5” job [nod to Dolly Parton – you will be missed], Labor Day meant a three-day weekend. It was a glorious little break from the alarm clock, the commute, the meetings, and that coworker who somehow needed a meeting to discuss the meeting. | Now that I’m retired, Labor Day feels a little different. For starters, every day is a three-day weekend. Actually, every day is Saturday, except when I need to meet my Monday deadline. | I used to think Labor Day was a celebration of the American worker. These days, I prefer to think of it as a celebration of my ability to avoid work whenever humanly possible. (Unless my publisher is reading this, then I work VERY hard writing every single day…). | Of course, retirement doesn’t mean I don’t want to labor. Oh, no. There is plenty of labor in retirement. There’s the labor of deciding whether I’m going to have coffee before breakfast or breakfast before coffee. There’s the labor of searching for my glasses while they are sitting on top of my head. There’s the exhausting physical work of moving from the couch to the recliner because the sunlight has shifted. | And then there’s yard work that needs to be done but I have my limits! Nothing says “retirement” quite like spending an entire morning complaining about how much work the yard needs. | I have also discovered that retirement comes with a powerful new workplace benefit: I can quit any time I want. If I start a project and don’t like it, I can simply walk away. If the garage gets too hot, I’m done. If the Roomba is clogged, the vacuuming can wait until tomorrow. If assembling something requires more than three pieces, I begin questioning whether I really needed it in the first place. | And if someone says, “Since you’re retired, you have plenty of time…” That person is immediately placed on a six-month waiting list. | The beautiful thing about retirement is that you finally get to choose what kind of labor is worth doing. Most days, I labor over phone game apps. Some days, I labor over deciding what to have for lunch. And occasionally, I labor over an important household question such as, “Do we really need to leave the house today?” The answer is usually no. | So, this Labor Day, I’d like to salute all the workers out there. Keep up the good work. Someone has to keep the economy going while the retirees are busy. | As for me, I celebrate Labor Day in the traditional retired-person fashion: I slept in, drank my coffee and prune juice, finished my column, and took the rest of the day off. Because after all these years of working hard, I’ve finally earned the right to be lazy. And believe me, I’m working very hard at it. | How did you celebrate Labor Day this year, I mean how did you work hard this Labor Day weekend? Please email me at [email protected] and tell me how you celebrated the holiday weekend. | Next week: Another year older and another year better! | Have a great week… | Joanne | |
|
| | | Together with CreateWriteNow  A free 14-day workbook to build a journaling habit that sticks Most people who try journaling quit in the first week — blank page, no idea what to write, and the notebook goes in a drawer. Mari L. McCarthy has spent two decades teaching therapeutic journaling at CreateWriteNow, and her most popular starting point is a guided 14-day practice built for exactly that problem. Start A Healing Journaling Power Practice Today! gives you a short, specific prompt for each of 14 days, so you sit down already knowing what the page is for. Readers use it to work through a big transition, get a handle on stress, or simply get the loop of thoughts out of their head and onto paper before bed. Right now the workbook is free — head to CreateWriteNow.com and enter code Mari26 at checkout. All it asks of you is a notebook, a pen, and about fifteen quiet minutes. A notebook, a pen, and fifteen minutes a day. |
| On this day in 1776, the Continental Congress formally renamed the union of colonies to the “United States of America,” replacing the earlier title “United Colonies.” This simple yet profound decision marked the birth of a nation and gave shape to its identity as we know it today. |
|
| |
Advertising keeps this newsletter free — thank you for reading. |
| Video Chat Apps Compared: Which One Is Right for You?
Staying connected, face-to-face, from anywhere | In an age where family and friends might live miles—or even continents—apart, video chat apps have become the next best thing to a warm hug. Whether you want to watch your grandchild open a birthday gift, check in on a friend’s garden, or attend a virtual book club, there’s an app out there to help you feel close, no matter the distance. But which one fits your lifestyle and comfort level? | Let’s explore some of the top choices and what sets each apart: | 🟢 Zoom
Originally made for business meetings, Zoom quickly became a go-to for family calls and virtual events. It’s great for large groups, has simple controls, and even allows you to change your background (hello, beach view!). Zoom does require you to download the app and sometimes enter a meeting code—but once you get the hang of it, it’s easy to use. | 🟣 FaceTime
If you use an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, FaceTime is already built in and ready to go. It’s perfect for one-on-one chats or small group calls, and you don’t need to install anything extra. The video and audio quality are excellent, and it’s very user-friendly—but it only works with Apple devices. | 🔵 Skype
A classic choice, Skype works on most devices and offers free video and voice calls. It’s ideal for international conversations and even lets you call phones and landlines for a small fee. Some users say the app feels a bit outdated, but it remains reliable and familiar. | 🟡 Google Meet / Google Duo
If you have a Gmail account, Google Meet is easy to access and simple to use. It’s great for both quick chats and longer catch-ups. Duo, now merged into Meet, is especially popular for one-on-one video calls and works well on both Android and Apple phones. | 🔴 Facebook Messenger Video
Already using Facebook to keep in touch? Then Messenger’s video call feature might be a natural next step. It’s casual, fast, and familiar—plus you can add fun filters if you’re feeling playful. | The Bottom Line:
The best app is the one that feels comfortable and works with the devices you and your loved ones use. Don’t be afraid to try a few and see what sticks—once you find your groove, video chats can be a heartwarming part of your weekly routine. | 📹 Which Video Chat App Do You Use Most Often? | |
|
| From the RetireHub Archives: How Do You Choose Your Prescription Drug Plan? |
|
| | Our latest poll revealed that nearly half of respondents (46%) prefer to stick with their current prescription drug plan unless something major changes—suggesting that familiarity often wins over annual re-evaluation. Meanwhile, 23% take a more proactive approach by comparing Medicare Part D options each year. Others lean on trusted professionals, with 9% relying on their pharmacist or doctor, and 6% using the official Medicare.gov tool. Interestingly, 9% admitted they’re unsure how to choose and could use some guidance—proof that navigating healthcare options can still be confusing. Whether you’re confident or could use a refresher, these results show there’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to peace of mind at the pharmacy counter. | OUR FAVORITE COMMENTS | “We've been staying with the same plan, but we do check each year to be sure it's the best option. So far most of our medications are free, the ones that aren't are very low cost.” “My plan comes automatically with my retirement health plan. Didn't do any medicare advantage plan, stuck with health insurance from employer. Only take a couple of drugs and they are free, no copays.” “I have a very basic plan and just found out I need a very expensive monthly prescription. I'm kind of stuck until I can change plans after October 15th.”
| | New Chapter, Same You: Embracing Life’s Next Transition with Curiosity and Choices | Stepping away from full-time work isn't an end—it’s simply the next turn in the road, one full of possibility rather than finality. Many of us have weathered monumental life transitions—young adulthood, careers, empty nests, and more—and this next one can be shaped with intention rather than expectation. Instead of aging into narrow ideas of decline, we’re encouraged to see our 60s and beyond as a time of energy, choice, and reinvention. | Rather than rushing toward traditional markers like “golden years” or “third act,” the article invites you to pause and ask yourself, “I am at the point in my life when…”, then let your honest answer guide what comes next. Because your role now doesn’t need to fit a story written by others—it can be one that you author. In truth, this may be one of the most liberating chapters yet: time to explore, create, and let meaningful desires—those little butterflies inside—take the lead. | READ MORE | |
|
| Follow us on Social Media! | Join an online community thriving in retirement! Find us on: | | Every day we post retirement tips, highlights from our newsletter so you can comment and discuss in the community, and some fun retirement-themed motivation! | |
|
| Slang Phrase of the Day | Phrase: Soul Sip | Meaning: A soul sip is that first, slow, meaningful drink—of tea, coffee, cocoa, or anything comforting—that feels like it reaches deeper than your throat. It’s not just about taste; it’s about the warmth, the pause, and the quiet joy of being present. A moment when your body relaxes and your spirit exhales. | In a sentence: “Every morning, I take a soul sip of my favorite chamomile blend before the world wakes up—it’s my little ritual of peace, and it reminds me I’m still here, still me.” | |
|
| Good News of the Day | FDA Immediately Approves Drug That’s Doubling Lifespan for Late Pancreatic Cancer Patients | Pancreatic cancer has long been a death sentence, and a rapid one at that, but a new two-a-day pill has seen patients live twice as long even after chemotherapy fails. “Surviving” cancer refers to living more than 5 years post-diagnosis. Under that criteria, just 3% of patients survive pancreatic cancer, which usually requires particularly grueling […] | READ MORE | |
|
| | Your next book, read to you | Audiobooks turn a long walk, a drive, or an evening in the garden into reading time. Audible's 30-day free trial lets you try it with a full audiobook — and you can cancel anytime, no strings. | | |
|
| Other Publications We Like | Check out these other email newsletters we think you’ll enjoy! | | |
|
| | 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 country has the longest coastline in the world? | | Who was the first woman to fly solo around the world (completed in 1964)? | |
|
| In the United States, what color were STOP signs before 1954? | | A QUICK ASK: First off, thank you for reading RetireHub every day. It fills our cup that so many thousands of people get joy from our little publication. | As you know, good content costs money. In order to continue supporting ourselves and to continue delivering the content you enjoy every day, we need to pay our writers. If you can, we ask you to subscribe to our paid account (for $5/month - less than a cup of coffee!) below. | If you choose to purchase a paid subscription, please know you’re supporting not only our publication, but tens of thousands of other 50+ year old Americans that get joy, entertainment, financial tips, and more from RetireHub every single day. | If you don’t join the paid plan (or can’t), no worries at all. We know times are tough. Thank you for being a part of our tiny, joyful part of the Internet. | - Jay | → Support Our Writing ← |
|
| **RetireHub may receive affiliate compensation for links clicked within this newsletter. | ***RetireHub may share poll results with advertisers. |
|
| |
|
| 🏆 Best Poll Reply of the Week | After you vote in today’s poll, tell us why in the comment box. Every week our editors pick the best written reply, and the winner gets a $25 Amazon gift card. We’ll email the winner directly and may share the winning reply (first name and last initial only) in a future issue. | No purchase necessary. US residents 18+. Official rules. | |
|
|
|
|
