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  • ☀️55 & UpSides #0030: Bizarre NFL playoff records | Drinkable UV protection? | Tapping into equity?

☀️55 & UpSides #0030: Bizarre NFL playoff records | Drinkable UV protection? | Tapping into equity?

Author

Ronnie Mac James
January 13th, 2025

First time reading? Grab your subscription. This newsletter provides quick news bites (without the nonsense) that matter to folks like me aged 55 & up. Easily unsubscribe above if you got here by accident.
 
Good morning, 55&UpSiders. Don’t worry, this bear’s ok after quite a debacle, but he might need a chiropractor.
 
 
Now, let’s get right into the best stories I could track down for you…
 
 

Top News

 
🕙  The Most Bizarre NFL Playoff Records Of All-Time

🕙  How Early—& How Late—Can You File Your Taxes This Year?

🕙  And You Thought Time Shares Were Awful (This Is Worse)

🕙  Warning Issued Over This 'Pore-Clogging' Skincare Hack

🕙  Revealed: The Income Needed To Join The Top 1% In All 50 States

🕙  Watch: WebMD Expert Advice On Protecting Your Vision As You Age

🕙  Sitting Next To An Empty Middle Seat On A Plane? What Not To Do

🕙  See Where Your State Rank In Legendarily Bad Drivers?

🕙  Remember The Snow Plow Game In 1982?

Like coffee & donuts? See below…
 
 
🍩 Reply to this email with “donut” for a shot at a Dunkin’ Donuts gift code! 🍩
 
 

Fresh Ways To Avoid Sun Damaging Your Skin

 
Fresh Ways To Avoid Sun Damaging Your Skin
 
There are some neat products being invented to help us protect our skin from sun damage. See the list below (some exist already, while others are being tested it seems like).
  • Ingestible liquids or supplements designed to shield the skin from UV damage from within, offering uniform protection without the need for reapplication
  • Smart bands & patches that measure UV exposure & notify users when it's time to apply sunscreen
  • UV neutralizers in clothing
  • Antioxidant-enriched sunscreens that not only block UV rays but also protect against environmental pollutants
  • Inflatable… (see full list with sources)

Today’s Feature Story is next & then unbelievable facts about how long the Rolling Stones have been going strong.
 
 

Feature Story

 

HELOC vs. Home Equity Loans

 

The problem is...

  • You need to tap into your home's equity
  • Choosing between a HELOC & a home equity loan can be confusing
  • Both options have pros & cons that need careful consideration
 

3 resources that can help you

  • Bankrate: Offers comprehensive comparisons
  • Equifax: Provides educational content on home equity products
  • Rocket Mortgage: Offers easy-to-understand breakdowns of options
 

Roadblocks

  • HELOCs have variable interest rates, which can lead to unpredictable payments
  • Home equity loans require immediate repayment in full if the home is sold
  • Both options put your home at risk if you can't make payments
  • You typically need at least 15-20% equity in your home to qualify
  • Closing costs & fees can add up, especially for home equity loans
 

Upsides & ways to beat roadblocks

  • HELOCs offer flexibility - only pay interest on what you use
  • Home equity loans provide fixed rates & predictable payments
  • Both options usually have lower interest rates than credit cards
  • With HELOCs, consider converting to a fixed-rate option if available
  • Both types could offer tax benefits when used for home improvements

Keep reading for Facts & tips on a rockin’ example of longevity & trending collectible items.
 
 

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

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

 
5) The Rolling Stones career earnings: $2.988 billion from 43.583 million tickets sold across 1,693 shows

4) Guiding Light holds the record as the longest-running TV show — 72 years (from 1937 as a radio show & from 1952 on television) totaling 18,262 episodes

3) Loans for an RV or camper can go as long as 20 years to lower monthly payments (Nerd Wallet)

2) Hot trends in collectibles: mid-century modern furniture, comic books, & graphic novels. Undervalued items like romance comics & rare comic book issues are expected to attract more collectors too

1) What year did the Rolling Stones first tour? 1963 in the U.K. (U.S. was 1964)

👊Let’s KO lost collectibles.

I probably have too many collectibles. I’m sure I’ve lost a few over the years that I forgot about, too, or that I sold too cheaply. Let’s see the ways you can hang on to items that might be valuable or more so in a few years:
  • Take inventory of your collectibles & assess condition to identify valuable items
  • Authenticate items through professional appraisers or verified certificates
  • Store collectibles in a cool, dry place with stable temperature & humidity levels, using archival-quality materials to prevent damage
  • Find & maintain official records or certificates of origin to increase value & appeal of your items
  • Don’t rush to sell — wait for the right market conditions that spike the value of your collectibles
 
 
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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.
Ronnie Mac James

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