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Smartphone Settings That Make Life Easier
Trivia: What is the name of the world’s deepest ocean trench?
RetireHub
February 17, 2026
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On this day in 1933, Newsweek magazine published its very first issue, launching what would become one of the most well-known news publications in the United States for decades. In its early years, the magazine helped readers make sense of world events during a time of major change, including the Great Depression and the years leading up to World War II. It’s a reminder of how long Americans have turned to weekly journalism to stay connected to what’s happening beyond their own communities.
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Smartphone Settings That Make Life Easier
Smartphones can feel overwhelming at times, but the good news is that many simple settings can make your phone easier, safer, and more comfortable to use. With just a few small adjustments, your smartphone can become a much more helpful everyday companion.
Make Text Bigger and Clearer
One of the easiest improvements is increasing your font size. If reading messages or emails feels difficult, you can adjust your text settings so everything appears larger. Most phones also offer “bold text” or “high contrast” options, which can reduce eye strain and make screens easier to read.
Turn On Voice Assistance
Voice features like Siri (iPhone) or Google Assistant (Android) can be incredibly useful. You can ask your phone to call someone, set reminders, check the weather, or even send a text — all without typing. This is especially helpful when your hands are busy or if small keyboards are frustrating.
Use Emergency and Medical Features
Many smartphones include emergency tools that are worth setting up. You can add emergency contacts, medical information, and enable SOS calling with a button shortcut. These features can give both you and your loved ones extra peace of mind.
Reduce Unwanted Notifications
Too many alerts can feel stressful. Thankfully, you can choose which apps are allowed to send notifications. Turning off unnecessary pop-ups helps keep your phone calmer and easier to manage, while still allowing important calls or messages through.
Enable “Do Not Disturb” or Focus Modes
If you want quiet time, “Do Not Disturb” is a wonderful setting. You can schedule it during naps, evenings, or appointments, while still allowing calls from close family members.
Make the Screen Easier to Navigate
Phones also offer accessibility tools like screen magnifiers, zoom functions, and larger buttons. Some devices even allow you to simplify the home screen layout, making apps easier to find.
Protect Yourself with Safety Settings
Turning on automatic updates, using Face ID or fingerprint unlock, and enabling scam call blocking can help keep your phone more secure. A few safety steps go a long way in today’s digital world.
Your smartphone should work for you — not the other way around. With a little customizing, it can become a simpler, friendlier tool that supports your daily life.
Which smartphone setting would help you most? |
Yesterday’s Poll Results: Which financial challenge feels most important to you right now?
These results show that for many readers, the biggest financial priority right now is staying on budget in retirement, with over a third saying it’s their top concern. Healthcare and long-term care planning also ranked high, reminding us how important it is to prepare for rising costs as we age. A significant number of respondents are also focused on updating estate and legal plans, showing that peace of mind often comes from having the practical details in place. Overall, this poll highlights how retirement finances aren’t just about saving — they’re about feeling secure, supported, and ready for whatever comes next.
TOP COMMENTS
“All of these are extremely important to me. The one I lack in is healthcare because it is so expensive.”
“We’ve been fortunate that the market has kept pace with our spending but that won’t always be the case. Time to buckle down!”
“We have 3 of these to focus on presently. Staying on budget, planning for healthcare/long term care costs and updating our estate/legal plans. We have our final expenses set up and paid for (waiting on the headstone), but that's all.”
“Meeting and working with a financial advisor in 2024 (before the election) was probably one of the best thing we did post-retirement. Before I retired, I saved a lot of money through my company's 401K. Planning with a financial advisor, helped us move the money to Roth IRAs and annuities to protect our assets and, since we all know that taxes do not go down, save us from taking a financial hit later in life. Actually, our investments have been doing very well, with the first twelve months return with him at on average 12%. ”
“All that’s on your list concerns me. We turn 75 this year and need to get ahead of things.”
When Your Doctor Dismisses You — and How to Reclaim Your Voice
Many patients know the frustration of bringing a health concern to their doctor, only to be brushed off with comments like “that’s just part of aging” or “there’s no evidence for that”, which can leave you feeling dismissed, doubting yourself, or unsure what to do next. The article explains why this happens — often due to short appointment times and medical training focused on certain types of evidence — and offers practical strategies to respond with clarity, stay grounded, and advocate for deeper investigation when your experience doesn’t match the explanation you’re given. It also encourages partnering with healthcare providers who listen, preparing questions before visits, regulating your emotional reaction when you’re dismissed, and trusting your own body knowledge as you seek the right care.
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Slang Phrase of the Day
Phrase: Zip-zoom
Meaning: A playful expression that means moving quickly, feeling energetic, or doing something with a burst of speed and enthusiasm.
In a sentence: “Once the grandkids arrived, the house went from quiet to full zip-zoom excitement, and suddenly I was right in the middle of the fun!”
Good News of the Day
Wild Highland Stag Curiously Approaches Hiker’s Camera in Rare Wildlife Moment
In the Scottish Highlands, a hiker and travel‑vlogger captured a truly magical wildlife encounter when a wild red deer stag calmly walked up to his camera and even breathed against the lens, causing it to fog up before wandering off again. The unexpected moment — shared on social media — surprised and delighted the man, who said it felt special to witness such calm, curious behavior from a majestic creature in nature. The video offers a rare and peaceful reminder of the beauty and unpredictability of wildlife when humans simply observe quietly.
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