😊 RetireHub Daily: Staying Social In Retirement

It is Sunday, May 12th, 2024

Dear RetireHub Daily Readers, today’s daily theme is Social Sunday. 

Feeling connected to others is a non-negotiable for us humans, no matter our age. Unfortunately, as we get older, keeping our connections, and making new ones, can feel like a challenge.

But, in this connected world we live in, there’s never been more opportunities to connect with others—and learn new things about ourselves while we’re at it.

So join us every Sunday for tips and guidance to staying social in our senior years.

Happy Mother’s Day from RetireHub!

Deal of the Day

Mother’s Day Sale at Amazon

It may be too late to get a gift delivered in time for Mother’s Day, but Amazon is having a huge Mother’s Day Sale. Find devices for up to 50% off!

• Check out the sale now

RETIREHUB POLL

Maintaining Our Social Lives Up to and Beyond Retirement

Everyone’s social life has ups and downs. But lots of things happen as we age that can change our social lives.

When we retire, we stop seeing colleagues every day. Our kids and grandkids grow up and sometimes move away. We may lose loved ones.

But while all those challenges are hard, there’s no reason to throw in the social towel. Connection helps us live longer, healthier, full lives.

Here are some tips anyone can use to stay social as we age:

• Meet out in the world—do you only see people in each other’s homes/residences? Try meeting out in the world. Take in a show, watch a local sports team, or just grab a coffee somewhere affordable or free, such as a local library.

• Join a club or start your own—do you know someone who plays Euchre each week? Ask if you can join their group, or invite a few folks over to yours. Book clubs, hunting groups, birdwatching … anything that’s interesting to someone can be a club.

• Look up an old friend online—do you ever wonder what happened to someone you used to have a blast with? See if they’re on Facebook and restart a great connection.

• Go back to school—they say “youth is wasted on the young” and that’s true of school, too. There are tons of free programs in person or online, many of which are designed specifically for seniors. Was there something you always wished you’d studied? Why not now, when you have fewer excuses for not doing your homework.

If this sounds like too much hassle, know that loneliness can be as bad for our health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Why not give it a go and see if you enjoy yourself? If not, try something else until you pick up a few new pals you’d be willing to see a couple of times a week.

Yesterday’s Poll Results - How do you plan your travel itinerary?

Most RetireHub Daily readers like to research and plan their trips in advance down to the detail (39%), though over a quarter (26%) prefer to be spontaneous. Nothing wrong with combining a good plan with a little spontaneity!

Thanks to everyone who voted and commented!

Our Favorite Comments:

We love hearing and sharing comments from our polls! While we can’t publish them all, we do read and appreciate every comment.

• “When going someplace I've never been, I start by looking at the itineraries of 7-, 10- and 14-day group tours. I figure they're going to hit the highlights most people are interested in. I pay particular attention if a site is on every tour. Then I modify to take out anything that doesn't particularly interest me, and add in anything that seems to be missing.”

• “[I] don't travel unless you [count] just doing errands around town as travel.”

• “We do all of the above, a combination of things.”

WHAT WE’RE READING

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SENIOR LIVING NEWS

Have Fun Till You’re Done!

Why not make each task a pleasant endeavor?

If you catch yourself with a furrowed brow, gently release the tension and change the image. Deliberately adopt a playful, even humorous attitude – lighten the mood! We all like to be around people who make us laugh. In the burst of laughter, we forget everything else that may be weighing heavily upon us.

It’s about moving through life with a playful attitude, something we actually do have agency over, and taking ourselves less seriously.

• Read the Article

Matching Your Retirement Investing to Your Risk Tolerance

With life expectancies higher than they were when your parents and grandparents retired, chances are, you’ll be enjoying retirement for 20, 30, or even 40 years. Learn how to invest to balance your risk tolerance with your retirement longevity.

Key Takeaways

•In retirement, you’ll live on a combination of Social Security and retirement savings, as well as any pensions you have.

•Although your income will change, your risk tolerance will remain the same. It’s important to adjust that tolerance to match your new situation.

•There are some strategies that can stretch your income while also giving you the flexibility to invest.

• Read the Guide

LONGEVITY TIP OF THE DAY

Volunteer—We know that loneliness is bad for health and longevity. If you struggle to meet new people in retirement, try volunteering. It could be a great way to meet new people who, like you, want to do some good in their community

Slang of the Day

Word: “Feels”

Definition: Often seen online, “feels” sums up a situation where you are moved by something. Can be used on its own. Imagine a picture of a cat with her kittens: the caption can just say “feels”.

Used in a Sentence: “Mother’s Day always gives me all the feels.”

GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY

Dogs in Elementary Schools Making a Big Difference in Academics and Mental Health for Michigan Students

To help reduce anxiety—and open the way for learning—several elementary schools in Michigan have enrolled service dogs as full-time happiness ambassadors—and it is paw-sitively working.

Students are “already seeing a big difference in their academics,” according to a news report from WXMI-TV 17.

…Read More

Teacher Finds ‘Amazing’ Stone Carved With Ancient Celtic Script While Digging in His Garden

A teacher was left stunned after digging up a stone carved with an ancient Celtic script dating back to the 4th Century while weeding in his garden.

It has since emerged the sandstone rock bears an early form of Ogham script from Ireland, dating back around 1,600 years.

• …Read More

RETIREHUB TRIVIA

The capital of Australia really threw everyone yesterday! Congratulations to those who knew that it was Canberra, not Sydney.

Our goal is to grow RetireHub to over 1 million members — with this, we’ll have the leverage to get even better discounts from the likes of Netflix, Amazon, and others.

To help incentivize referrals, we’re giving away 12 months of your favorite streaming service for free! Simply forward this email to a friend (and cc [email protected]) and you’ll be entered into the drawing on May 15th! (Maximum $20/month streaming service).

Each additional friend you send the email to will count as an additional entry (25 person max).