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  • 🆓55 & UpSides #0017: Medicare perks? | Trains over planes | Putting off your will?

🆓55 & UpSides #0017: Medicare perks? | Trains over planes | Putting off your will?

Author

Ronnie Mac James
December 11th, 2024

First time reading? Get your free subscription here. This newsletter’s goal is the extinction of information overload for folks like me who are aged 55 & up. Easily unsubscribe below if you got here by some freak interwebs mishap.
 
Morning 55&UpSiders - check out what historical figures would look like today - Honest Abe’s a sharp-dressed fella.
Here’s what I’m covering for you today in a flash…
  • Curated topics affecting us & Good News stories
  • Today’s Poll (cruises)
  • Quick visual breakdown about What Medicare Benefits Are Free
  • Feature Story: Traveling By Train
  • Face The Facts (& do something about ’em)
  • 🍩Reply to this email with “donut” for a chance to win a Dunkin Donuts gift code!
  • Word of the day is “Kerfuffle” - see the meaning here
 
 

Curated Countdown

 
🕙  Plant Hacker Creates Flowers Never Seen (Or Smelled) Before

🕘  7 Superfoods That Can Lower Your Blood Pressure

🕗  These $25 Flights Deals End This Friday, Dec. 13th (Amazon Prime)

🕖  On The Edge With Prediabetes? Watch This

🕕  Are You Middle Class? Income Ranking Update

🕔  4 Ways To Give A Child A Wealthy Future (Audio)

🕓  Video: Myths About Gen Z (AKA Grandchildren)

🕒  Watch Harold, 63 - Show Off 3 Keys To Mobility & Muscle

🕑  Video: What’s Monkey Laundering & How Dirty A Business Is It?

🕐  Rare 10 Commandments Tablet Up For Auction (115 Pounds!)
 
 

🛳️Poll: How many cruises have you been on?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

 
 

What Medicare Benefits Are Free?

 
Free things from medicare
 
See 8 more free medical services you might be missing out on. Uncle Sam wastes a lot of our tax money. So, shouldn’t we use the services the government actually provides?
 
 

Feature Story

 

Traveling By Train

 
Ever considered traveling by train instead of putting up with today’s airlines' sky-high prices & hassles?
 

The problem is...

  • Airports are packed like rush hour traffic
  • Airplane seats feel like they're shrinking
  • Luggage rules are stricter than a crazy HOA board
  • Airplane food? Not exactly home cooking
  • Flights play the "hurry up & wait" game too much
 

5 resources you can use

 

Roadblocks

  • Trains don't go everywhere planes do (yet)
  • Trips take a bit longer than flying
  • Tickets can be pricey on certain routes
  • Trains don't run as often as buses or planes
 

Upsides & ways to beat roadblocks

  • Seats you can actually relax in
  • Views that beat looking at clouds
  • Getting on board is a breeze
  • You can stretch your legs when you want
  • Sleep in a real bed on long trips
  • Bring friends for group discounts
 

Takeaways

  • Trains beat planes for comfort
  • Lots of senior discounts to make trips more affordable
  • Plan ahead & be flexible to avoid hiccups
  • Meet new folks & enjoy the scenery along the way
  • For shorter trips, trains are often the smart choice
 
 

Face The Facts (then punch ’em in the nose)

Know the facts so you can overcome or take advantage of them.

 
5)  The average American household using digital coupons saves $1,465 annually (6.4% of their average household spending)

4)  Travelers aged 60 & older accounted for 36.93% of all travelers last year

3)  In 2023, about 22.06% of all flights had some kind of delay — highest percentage since 2014 (Dallas Express)

2)  77% of folks with over $1M in net worth have an estate plan (or will) vs. 36% of those with less than $1M

1)  57% of coupon users prefer digital coupons over paper (Finmasters)

👊Let’s punch procrastination in the nose.

Ways to stop putting off setting up a will or estate plan:
  • Pick a date to finish your estate plan & stick to it
  • List everything you own to get a good picture of your assets
  • Create a system to track your progress & stay organized
  • Think about what could go wrong if you don't have a will
  • Have those tough talks with family about your wishes sooner versus later
  • Learn why estate planning matters, even if you're not rich
 
 
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🆓Contest: Reply to this email with “donut” for a chance to win a Dunkin Donuts gift code!🍩

The upside’s always worth looking for,
Ronnie Mac James
Ronnie Mac James

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