Issue 41: The Retirement Buzz

RIDDLE OF THE WEEK

Q: You use me between your head and your toes, the more I work, the thinner I grow

(Answer at the bottom!)

Snow Safety for Seniors: Preventing Winter Slips & Breaks

Falls rise sharply in early December, especially in snowbelt states. Wet porches, sloped driveways, and black ice make everyday errands dangerous.

Doctors recommend:

• Slip-on cleats like YakTrax

• Walk poles or canes with ice tips

• Pre-salting steps and driveways

• Walking during daylight only for better visibility

💬 “I took one bad fall two years ago—now I don’t go out without my ice grippers and walking stick,” says Harold L., 78, from Minnesota. “You don’t bounce back the same at this age.”

🔍 Source:

• CDC – Older Adult Falls

• National Institute on Aging – Winter Safety

Don’t Let Gift-Giving Bust Your Budget

Mid-December is prime overspending territory. Retirees often stretch fixed incomes for kids and grandkids—but it adds up.

Smart Spending Tips:

• 1 thoughtful gift per person

• Use cashback apps like Rakuten or Capital One Shopping

• Give experiences instead of stuff

• Set a firm holiday envelope budget

💬 “My daughter and I agreed on a ‘homemade or heartfelt’ rule this year. It’s a relief—and it brought out the best in us,” says Denise K., 74, from Colorado.

🔍 Source:

• National Retail Federation Holiday Spending Survey 2025

• AARP – Holiday Budgeting for Retirees

😂 JOKE OF THE WEEK

What do you call a snowman with a six-pack?

An abdominal snowman! ❄️💪

The Power of a ‘Holiday Letter’—Even to One Person

Forget mass email updates. A single personal letter can shift a relationship, heal an old wound, or spark joy.

Try writing:

• A memory you shared

• A thank-you you never said

• A “just because” note with warmth or humor

💬 “I wrote a letter to my brother after 10 years of silence. We’re not best friends now—but we’re talking. That’s more than enough,” shares Wendell M., 80, from Texas.

🔍 Source:

• APA – Expressive Writing and Mental Health

• Harvard Health – Benefits of Letter Writing

Cookie Swaps & Family Recipes: December’s Tastiest Tradition

Cookie exchanges are making a big comeback. Beyond sweet treats, they’re preserving family traditions—and memories.

Ways to Participate:

• Host a swap with neighbors or grandkids

• Attach recipe cards with family stories

• Photograph and archive each year’s “cookie cast”

💬 “My daughter and I recreated my mom’s pecan tassies. I hadn’t tasted them in 40 years. The smell took me back to her kitchen instantly,” says Nora S., 76, from Ohio.

🔍 Source:

• Smithsonian Folklife – Food and Memory

• Southern Living – Cookie Swaps & Tradition

Rekindling Wonder in the Ordinary

You don’t need a sermon to feel sacred. Sometimes, stillness is enough.

Try this ritual:

• Light a candle

• Sit quietly for 2 minutes

• Ask: What is life teaching me right now?

💬 “Every morning I sit with my tea and one question. That silence is where I remember who I am,” says Ruth D., 83, from Oregon.

🔍 Source:

• Greater Good Science Center – Awe and Everyday Wonder

• Harvard – The Spiritual Benefits of Stillness

🧩 RIDDLE ANSWER

🔍 Answer: 🧼 A bar of soap.

🎖️ MILITARY & HOLIDAY RECOGNITIONS

📅 December 13: National Guard Birthday (1636)

Founded in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, the National Guard is the oldest military organization in the U.S. Still active in both combat and disaster relief, it remains a vital part of national defense.

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