The holiday season is mostly behind us. We’ve put away all the gifts, decided which ones we will re-gift next year, and saved any wrapping paper that wasn’t torn to shreds. Any non-perishable food we were gifted—like that dried nut assortment—has gone in the pantry, as have the strange scented bath oils, pill crushers, and a calendar featuring cats in hats we’ll never use. Soon the reality of it all will pop up in our mailbox or email: the bills. Cold, hard numbers that remind you the days of carefree spending are behind you. Now you have to think long and hard about where and how you will spend your money. What follows will not make you rich. It might just help you keep what you have a little longer.   …bwc.

6 Times 

You Should Never Use 

Buy Now, Pay Later, 

Experts Warn

By Kali Coleman & Dana Schulz

BNPL can be a slippery slope, financial experts warn, putting you into a cycle of debt and at risk of potential penalties or interest fees. 

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I have nothing saved 

for retirement 

— what now? 

By Phil Osagie

6 easy steps to help you turn things around

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Financial fraud 

cost older adults 

up to $81.5 billion in 2024,

 FTC estimates —

 more are losing 

at least $100,000

By Sarah O’Brien

Adults age 60 and older are more likely to report losses of $100,000 or more due to financial fraud, according to the Federal 

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Retiring on 

Social Security Alone 

in 2026? 

Here's the Monthly Income 

You May Be Looking At.

By Maurie Backman

 Before you retire, it's important to take a close look at your financial picture and make sure you're truly ready.

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10 High Inflation 

Winter Costs 

Seniors Can Still Control

Understanding which expenses are flexible helps retirees stay financially confident.

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Working 

while collecting 

Social Security:

 The 'slow fade' to retirement

 more people are choosing

By Kerry Hannon

Claiming Social Security while still working isn’t an outlier these days.

A recent report … found that 2 in 5 people combine work and benefits for at least some period of time.

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Senior Citizen 

Banking Behavior 

Statistics 2025:

 Surprising Trends 

You Need to See

By Steven Burnett & Kathleen Kinder

Banking behaviors among senior citizens are shifting noticeably today. As more older adults engage with digital and traditional banking services, their habits reflect both long-standing preferences and evolving demand for convenience.

“Inflation is when you pay fifteen dollars 
for the ten-dollar haircut 
you used to get for five dollars 
when you had hair.’

Frequent Nightmares 
Linked to Faster Aging,
 Early Death, Study Finds

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- The Great Seal of the United States, featuring an unfinished pyramid with an eye at the top, appears on the back of the $1 bill. The pyramid symbolizes strength and durability, while the eye represents divine guidance.

- : Benjamin Franklin is the only non-president featured on U.S. paper currency. His portrait appears on the $100 bill, highlighting his importance as a founding father and inventor.

-  The first U.S. coins were produced in 1793 and included denominations like the cent, half-cent, and dollar. They were made of gold, silver, and copper.

-  Although most U.S. bills are traditionally green, modern bills like the $20 and $50 feature subtle color-shifting inks and background colors to prevent counterfeiting.

-  The highest denomination ever printed was the $100,000 bill, which featured Woodrow Wilson. However, these bills were used only for transactions between Federal Reserve Banks and never circulated among the public.

Seniors learn best when they’re taught the same way that is best for children and younger adults – with active participation, meaningful discussions, and material that feels relevant.

Federal law provides strong protections for Social Security income in many circumstances, there are notable exceptions.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is moving to gut funding for permanent supportive housing – most of whom are older adults and people with disabilities

Certain patterns of behavior that are not so obvious but that help explain why old people tend to be happier than young adults. The sooner you can learn and adopt these rules for good living, the sooner you can enjoy their fruits.

I am a Jew living in the U.S. I say Merry Christmas and mean it. I smile when others say it to me. I do not like the phrase Happy Holidays. It feels like a weak way for big stores to get cash. I value what the day means to those who live by the teachings of the man whose birthday they celebrate. While this is most definitely a Christian holiday, in some ways this time of year often hits Jews harder than most.

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-  In many cultures, Christmas Eve is the night when Santa Claus delivers presents to children around the world, making it a key part of holiday celebrations.

- Christmas Eve has been celebrated since the 4th century, marking the night before Jesus Christ's birth, which is the central reason for the holiday.

-  Different countries have unique traditions for Christmas Eve, such as Norway's candlelight services, Mexico's Posadas processions, and Italy's Midnight Mass.

- Many families gather for a special meal on Christmas Eve, often featuring dishes like ham, seafood, or traditional regional specialties.

-  Attending church services at midnight on Christmas Eve is a common tradition in many Christian communities, symbolizing the arrival of Christ's birth.