Issue 38: The Retirement Buzz

Gratitude, Grit, and Grounding Before the Holiday Rush

Author

Retirement Dreammaker
November 23, 2025

In partnership with

RIDDLE OF THE WEEK

The more you take away from me, the bigger I get. What am I?

(Answer at the bottom!)

Flu Season Update: Early Strain Dominating Northern States

Flu activity is picking up earlier than expected in 2025, especially across the Midwest and Northeast, with Influenza A (H1N1) leading the surge.

The CDC strongly recommends the high-dose flu vaccine for adults over 65, especially those with:

  • Diabetes

  • Chronic respiratory conditions like COPD or asthma

  • Heart disease

Even if you’re vaccinated:

  • Wash hands regularly

  • Mask in crowded indoor settings

  • Stay home if feeling unwell

💬 “I didn’t wait this year,” says Ruth W., 74, a retired teacher from Michigan. “Last winter, the flu wiped me out. Now I’m protected and cautious—not scared.”

✔️ Verified by: CDC FluView, November 2025 update

Don’t Forget This Deadline: Charitable Contributions for Tax Benefits

To deduct charitable gifts on your 2025 taxes, all donations—whether cash or goods—must be completed by December 31.

If you're over 70½, consider a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) directly from your IRA. It can:

  • Satisfy your RMD

  • Lower taxable income

  • Support a cause you care about

💬 “I use QCDs to support our local food bank every year,” says Calvin B., 77. “It’s good for the community and my tax return.”

📌 Tip: Ask your tax preparer if a donor-advised fund fits your legacy plans.

✔️ Verified by: IRS Charitable Contributions Guide, 2025 tax guidance

😂 JOKE OF THE WEEK

Why did the cranberry turn red?

Because it saw the turkey dressing! 🦃

The holidays don’t erase conflict—but planning helps reduce emotional surprises.

Try these strategies before the big day:

  • Set expectations ahead of time

  • Skip debates—embrace storytelling

  • Focus on shared memories over opinions

💬 “Our family brings out photos instead of politics,” says Joanne C., 69, from Georgia. “We argue less and laugh more.”

📌 Gentle reminder: You can take a walk. You can change the subject. You can step outside for peace.

✔️ Inspired by: APA Family Holiday Stress Report, insights on family dynamics

Pre-Thanksgiving Baking: The Return of the Heirloom Recipe

This week, kitchens become time machines. Retirees everywhere are reviving:

  • Grandma’s molasses cookies

  • Cornbread in cast-iron pans

  • Eastern European babka or sweet rolls

Tip: Record a voice memo or short video while you bake. Talk about where the recipe came from. These are the stories your family will keep.

💬 “I still use my mom’s measuring cup,” says Sylvia T., 75. “It’s cracked, faded—but full of memory.”

✔️ Cultural Insight: The rise of culinary storytelling and intergenerational recipe preservation
(National Museum of American History: Food History Projects)

The Quiet Before the Chaos: Savoring Ordinary November Days

This is your last full week before holiday momentum builds. Use it. Protect it. Savor it.

Try:

  • A 15-minute walk with no music

  • Saying no to one unnecessary task

  • Lighting a candle with a one-word intention

💬 “I spend this week cleaning my mind, not just my house,” says Emilio V., 71. “Stillness is strength.”

📌 Ritual Prompt: What’s one thing you can do slower this week, on purpose?

✔️ Backed by: Harvard Health – The Benefits of Slowing Down

🧩 RIDDLE ANSWER

A hole.

🎖️ MILITARY & HOLIDAY RECOGNITIONS

🇺🇸 Nov 21 – National Guard Birthday (1636)

The National Guard began in 1636 in Massachusetts, making it the oldest military organization in the U.S. It serves both state and federal missions, responding to everything from combat zones to hurricanes.

📌 Consider this: Write a note to a local National Guard unit. A small thank-you goes a long way.

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