Welcome to the Retirement News Articles for the week of January 15, 2024. It has been a frigid week for much of the country, with some areas still in the freeze as this newsletter is posted. Speaking of cold, it will be interesting to see what happens in the Iowa Republican caucus today.
In addition to this week’s newsletter, I have one additional post that is highlighted after the favorite articles of the week.
My favorite articles for the week are:
- Travel for Seniors: The Safest Airlines to Fly in 2024
- Food, Nutrition and Cooking: Does a Sugar Detox Work? I’m On It and Have Had Some Surprising Results
- Financial Management for Seniors: The Extra Standard Deduction for People Age 65 and Older
I also encourage you to check out my other post for the week as well:
Though I am not the author of these Retirement News Articles, I have searched earnestly for quality content that will prove of value and interest to my subscribers. I hope you enjoy these articles and encourage you to comment on not only the content, but with thoughts on what subjects you would like to see in this weekly compilation.
Please note that you can now subscribe to this weekly edition on the upper right-hand portion of my website (or for those viewing this on a smart phone, it should be at the bottom of the page).
Thank you
Mike
Retirement News Articles – Bonus Story
Today, we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. There is so much more to Dr. King’s legacy than his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech—and so many different ways to honor his memory. This article, from Pocket, has put together some of his most inspiring speeches and letters, as well as tributes and memories from more than 50 years of stories about the premier civil rights icon. In addition, in keeping with his memory, they provide ideas for how to be of service to your community.
Remembering and Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Travel for Seniors
We have all wished our families and friends a “safe flight” as a perfunctory good bye, never really considering whether the flight would be safe or not. Though flight travel is thought to be one of the safest modes of travel available, it is still a stressful event for many. To help alleviate some of these concerns, article one, from Conde Nast, shares the latest airline safety ratings from the aviation site Airline Ratings. Not to discourage anyone, but there were only 3 US airlines in the top 25.
Though many first think of an all-inclusive vacation in a foreign country, this second article, from Travel and Leisure, highlights the top 16 all-inclusive resorts in the US. All-inclusive means that your package encompasses meals, accommodations, and many activities, often even covering the cost of alcoholic beverages as part of the advertised rates. Although private sessions like spa treatments are typically excluded, the advantage lies in the ease of budgeting, as you have a clear understanding of your upfront expenses.
The Safest Airlines to Fly in 2024
16 Best All-inclusive Resorts in the USA
Lifestyle, Health & Welfare for Seniors
It’s 3am and you’re wide awake. Again and again. What is going on? The first article, from Stylist, explains how to tackle this frustrating sleep issue, depending on what time you tend to wake up during the night.
In 2021, the title of the oldest living American was held by Hester Ford, a resident of Charlotte, NC, aged either 115 or 116 (the exact age is uncertain). However, despite her remarkable longevity and defying hospitalization until the age of 108, Ford remained tight-lipped about the secret to her enduring and content life on Earth. In an interview with her local CBS TV station in August of that year, she simply remarked, “I just live right, all I know.”
While Hester Ford may not have divulged the specifics of her longevity, article two does its best to dispel certain misconceptions about living a long and healthy life.
This Is Why You Wake Up at the Same Time Every Single Night
Stop Believing These Longevity Myths to Live a Longer, Healthier, and Happier Life
Food, Nutrition & Cooking
Beginning the journey to become a skilled home cook and delving into the realm of culinary techniques can be a thrilling and fulfilling pursuit. As article one shares, the mastery of foundational cooking methods serves as the gateway to unlocking a spectrum of exciting flavors and building self-confidence in the culinary domain. Covering the basics, such as sautéing, slow roasting, stir-frying, and emulsifying, this article spotlights 30 essential cooking techniques tailored for novice cooks aiming to elevate their culinary expertise.
The writer of article two explains that his doctor wanted to send him to a sugar detox seminar. He had advised a sugar detox for him to lose visceral fat — the internal kind that accumulates around the organs and drives hunger, overeating, weight gain, muscle loss and brain damage.
High sugar intake can also cause a host of other serious diseases, including Alzheimer’s. As you will learn in the article, sugar intake by Americans is at epic proportions, leading to significant health risks for the nation.
Mark Hyman, the medical director of the Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Functional Medicine, has written a book, titled, “The Blood Sugar Solution 10-Day Detox Diet”, which provides a roadmap to escape this tragic epidemic. He says “all calories are not the same”.
30 Cooking Techniques Every Beginner Home Cook Should Know
Does a Sugar Detox Work? I’m On It and Have Had Some Surprising Results
Recreation, Exercise & Hobbies
I admit to being a closet guitar player and was pleased to find this first article, which states that music not only enhances your mood but may also provide a cognitive boost to your brain. Recent research suggests that actively playing music, as opposed to just listening to it, can have a positive impact on cognition, even for individuals displaying signs of dementia.
I may just have to break out that dusty harmonica, though I am not sure I want to subject my family to that. At the risk of offending some, at least it isn’t the drums or bagpipes…
By the year 2050, the United Nations predicts that, for the first time in history, the global population will consist of more individuals over the age of 65 than children aged five and younger. Presently, those aged over 65 constitute approximately 13% of the U.S. population, and this proportion is expected to rise to 18% by the year 2030.
Article two discusses how this growing demographic is not only interested in staying physically fit, but enjoying a more well-rounded retirement life, to include life-long learning and social engagement.
The Creative Habit That Might Ward Off Dementia Symptoms, Even if You Start Later in Life
What’s Trending in Senior Wellness Engagement
Arts, Entertainment, and Reading
The first article, by author Stephen McCauley, shares his story of growing up in a family that didn’t read and yet finding his sanctuary in the local library, an architectural masterpiece designed by renowned American architect H. H. Richardson. Traveling to this local library in his early youth instilled a reverence for public libraries in general. However, the full appreciation for these sanctuaries didn’t come until years later as he entered the Cambridge Library in search of solitude in order to write a manuscript due to a publisher in six weeks. If this has caught your curiosity, read on.
Attending museums is a great activity for seniors. However, it can sometimes prove costly. Certain museums, like The British Museum in London and the 19 Smithsonian museums in Washington, D.C., are consistently free, while others operate on a pay-what-you-wish policy, allowing you to determine your own budget.
However, admission fees are common for many museums. Although the average U.S. museum admission fee is just $7, as per the U.S. Embassy, it’s not uncommon for popular museums to charge $15 or $20 for adults, though they often have a senior discount. Nevertheless, with a bit of foresight and creativity, it’s feasible to explore numerous museums—even those with higher admission fees—for free or at a minimal cost. Article two provides ideas on how to make that happen.
A Sanctuary Made of Books: Stephen McCauley’s Love Letter to Writing in Libraries
How to Enjoy Great Museums for Free
Financial Management for Seniors
Admittedly, article one has been jumping out at me on the screen for months. It has a strong marketing component, but might have some money saving tips that you can use. I will leave it at that.
You may be familiar with the standard deduction, but did you realize that the tax code provides an additional benefit in the form of an extra standard deduction for individuals aged 65 or older?
For qualifying older adult filers, this supplementary deduction is applied in addition to the regular standard deduction, leading to a potential further reduction in taxable income. Consequently, this can enhance the amount of money retained during retirement. Article two provides details about this benefit and who qualifies.
The 6 Dumbest Things We Keep Spending Too Much Money On
The Extra Standard Deduction for People Age 65 and Older