Issue 33: The Retirement Buzz

RIDDLE OF THE WEEK

I’m tall when I’m young, and short when I’m old.

(Answer at bottom)

Fall Allergies Are Back — and Often Mistaken for Colds

This time of year, you might think you’ve caught a cold—but it could just be fall allergies. The CDC and American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI) confirm that ragweed pollen and mold spores peak in October, especially during leaf-raking season.

Common allergy symptoms:

• Sneezing

• Mild fatigue

• Nasal congestion

Prevention Tips:

• Change clothes after outdoor work

• Use saline spray and HEPA filters indoors

• Shower before bed to avoid tracking pollen into sleep spaces

Joyce F., 71 – Springfield, IL, thought she had an early flu until her doctor diagnosed seasonal allergic rhinitis caused by mold in her garden mulch. “Now I wear a mask when I work in the yard, and I keep the windows closed during windy days. Huge difference!”

Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) News Coming Soon

The Social Security Administration (SSA) typically announces the next year’s COLA in mid-October. For 2026, economists predict a modest 2.8% increase, following a slightly higher 3.2% rise in 2025 (source: AARP, August 2025).

📌 What You Can Do Now:

• Review your budget

• Update any recurring bills tied to income (insurance, donations, subscriptions)

• Watch for your official COLA letter in early November

Harold S., 76 – Mobile, AL, uses a spreadsheet to track how each COLA adjustment impacts his fixed-income lifestyle. “It’s not just about more money—it's knowing where every dollar is going before it gets there.”

😂 JOKE OF THE WEEK

Why don’t mummies take vacations?

Because they’re afraid they’ll relax and unwind! 😄

Passing Down Traditions Through Family Recipes

More retirees are choosing to pass down their stories—not just in words, but in meals. According to AARP, over 60% of older adults say they want to preserve at least one family recipe as part of their legacy.

Try This:

• Host a multigenerational cooking night

• Record a voice memo while explaining each step

• Write down both the recipe and the story behind it

Maria D., 68 – Albuquerque, NM, taught her grandchildren to make her abuela’s enchiladas—and filmed the process for a private family YouTube channel. “They don’t just get the recipe—they get my voice, my hands, my memories. That’s legacy.”

Pressing Leaves for Fall Art & Memory Boards

Pressed leaves are making a comeback—not just as crafts, but as memory pieces.

Simple Projects:

• Frame your three favorite leaves

• Create fall bookmarks with names and dates

• Make a gratitude board using laminated leaves

Dottie K., 74 – Montpelier, VT, Dottie, a retired school librarian, presses one leaf every fall from the maple tree in her backyard and writes what she’s grateful for on the back. “It’s like an emotional time capsule. I’ve saved 15 years of gratitude that way.”

What the Trees Know — A Fall Meditation Practice

Spiritual leaders and wellness coaches alike recommend looking to trees for wisdom. As they shed leaves to survive winter, they teach us to let go in order to grow.

Reflection Practice:
Spend 5 minutes each morning beneath a tree and ask: “What am I shedding so I can strengthen what matters most?”

Robert L., 78 – Seattle, WA, Every autumn, Robert walks the same path lined with birches and journals one sentence a day under his favorite tree. “It helps me remember that life has seasons—and each one brings its own kind of beauty.”

🧩 RIDDLE ANSWER

🕯️ Answer: A candle

🎖️ MILITARY & HOLIDAY RECOGNITIONS

⚓ U.S. Navy Birthday – October 13

Established in 1775, the Navy is 250 years strong this year. We honor all Navy veterans and their families this week.

📩 Tip: Write a thank-you note to a veteran this week—or ask them to tell their story.

🌎 Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples’ Day – October 14

Many communities now observe Indigenous Peoples’ Day to honor Native cultures and contributions.

🧭 Reflection Prompt: What Native traditions or histories can you learn about this week? Consider visiting a local museum, art exhibit, or online resource.

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