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💸55 & UpSides #0028: Property title pirates? | Why stretch? | Tricked into overspending

💸55 & UpSides #0028: Property title pirates? | Why stretch? | Tricked into overspending

Ronnie Mac James
January 8th, 2025

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Good morning 55&UpSiders, - sadly, local TV news is the funniest thing on TV now! These cracked me up.

Let’s jump to the best stories I could track down for you…

Top News

🕙  Title-Pirates Going After Homeowners (Experts Say This Crime’s On The Rise)

🕙  Billionaire Does This Each January (It Takes Guts, Though)

🕙  Dermatologist Says This Is The Ideal Time To Shower Each Day

🕙  Can These Apps Really Help You Keep Your Resolutions?

🕙  Locale Set To Be The Most Visited Country This Year

🕙  Dumb Tire Thief's Big Mistake?

🕙  How To Choose The Best River Cruise

🕙  Must-See Movies Coming Out This Year (New Superman Look “Off” To You?)

🕙  How Much Does A Financial Advisor Cost In 2025?

Like donuts & coffee? See below…

🍩Reply to this email with “donut” for a shot at a Dunkin’ Donuts gift code! Weekly drawing. 🍩

Simple Stretching Can’t Help Much, Right?

Now, the fella in the photo above just needs to get rid of the slouchy sweatpants! Stretching didn’t change his life. But stretching does have nice benefits - besides better range of motion, like…

Improved posture & reduced back pain
Enhanced blood flow
Stress relief
Boosted brain health

See all the details on how an easy thing like stretching can make your days 10% better.

The Feature Story is below. Shows how to avoid tricks that might be hurting your wallet.

Feature Story

Mind Tricks Businesses Use To Make You Spend More

The problem is...

Some businesses use sneaky psychological tricks to make you spend more money
These "Jedi mind tricks" target our subconscious & emotions
It's easy to fall for these tricks without even knowing it

3 resources that can help you

Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth & Happiness - See how choice architecture influences decisions
Thinking, Fast & Slow - Understand the two systems affecting your decision-making
Decoded: The Science Behind Why We Buy - Explore the psychology of decision-making in marketing

Roadblocks

Retailers use strategic store layouts to maximize product exposure
Eye-level placement of expensive products makes them more noticeable
Limited-time offers create a false sense of urgency
No-cost trials & BOGO deals can lead to unnecessary purchases
App notifications & targeted ads constantly tempt us to buy

Upsides & ways to beat roadblocks

Knowing these tricks helps you resist them
Look for products on lower or higher shelves for better deals
Turn off push notifications from shopping apps
Set reminders to cancel free trials
Make a shopping list & stick to it to avoid impulse purchases

Keep reading for Facts & tips on 401ks & pain relief.

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

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

5) Pain study: Green-tinted glasses cut down on test participants’ use of opioids & users felt less anxious (Pain Physician Journal)

4) Study participants giving up alcohol for 30 days led to: 67% experienced higher energy levels, 58% lost weight, & 54% noticed better skin health (AARP, UC Davis, Harmony Ridge Recovery)

3) Seniors 70½+ can transfer up to $100,000 tax-free from IRA to qualified charities (can satisfy RMD requirements)

2) Stretching plays a big role in injury rehabilitation by promoting flexibility, improving blood flow, & repairing muscle

1) There’s a 17% chance the average American will outlive their savings (WSJ)

👊Let’s punch overdrinking in the nose.

Ways to cut back on the booze:

Set clear drinking goals
Keep a drinking journal
Choose no-alcohol days each week
Remove alcohol from your home
Find alternative activities to drinking
Create new rituals around non-alcoholic drinks (brewing specialty teas or fun mocktails)
Schedule early morning workouts to discourage drinking the night before

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Contest: 🍩Reply to this email with “donut” for a shot at a Dunkin’ Donuts gift code!🍩

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

P.S. For new readers. I’m a retired business owner who ran a house painting business for over 38 years. My wife & I have experience dealing with the health decline of our elderly parents since 2017 (Alzheimer’s, falling injuries, & cancer). I started this newsletter to give you information that helps you overcome the challenges we all endure after age 55, with ourselves & aging parents.

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