FRIDAY
SEPTEMBER 18, 2026


7 Things
Everyone Needs
to Get Rid Of
After 75
Turning 75 can be a good time to take a fresh look at what you’ve accumulated—not just in your home, but in your daily life. Some things that once seemed important may no longer serve a purpose, while others can create unnecessary clutter, stress, or expense. Here are seven things worth considering getting rid of after 75, so you can make room for what matters most.
Social Security is facing a serious financial problem, and millions of Americans are wondering what it means for their retirement income. If Congress does nothing, the program’s trust funds are projected to be depleted in 2034, potentially resulting in reduced benefits. But the impact won’t be the same everywhere. This story takes a state-by-state look at how Social Security’s looming financial shortfall could affect retirees and future beneficiaries.
For the second year in a row, about 10 million older Americans are living in poverty. For people who have spent decades working, saving and contributing to Social Security, that is a troubling reality. Rising housing, food, healthcare and other everyday costs can make it difficult for older adults to make ends meet. This story looks at the numbers and what they tell us about poverty among America’s seniors.
Dementia can affect memory, thinking and everyday life, but lifestyle changes may help some people manage symptoms and maintain their independence. Simple steps involving physical activity, sleep, diet, social connections and mental stimulation can make a difference in overall well-being. This story looks at practical lifestyle changes that may help people living with dementia and those who care for them.
Walmart is known for low prices and convenience, but that doesn’t mean every product there is the best deal. Some items may cost less upfront but offer lower quality, smaller quantities, or better value elsewhere. Here are six things you may want to think twice about buying at Walmart.

If You Do This
at Restaurants,
You’re Overpaying
Every Time
Read more...
***
25 Common
Nursing Home Problems
& How to Resolve Them
Read more...
***
Can I Delay
Medicare Part B
if I Work Past 65?
Read more...
***
Romance scammers
targeting older adults
Read more...

“If you talk to a man in a language
he understands, that goes to his head.
If you talk to him in his language,
that goes to his heart.”
― Nelson Mandela
_________________________

WAS THERE EVER
A TOWER OF BABEL?
Yes—possibly, but there is no archaeological proof of the biblical Tower of Babel.The Bible describes a huge tower built in the land of Shinar, usually associated with ancient Mesopotamia. Many historians and archaeologists believe the story may have been inspired by the ziggurats—massive stepped temple towers built in ancient cities such as Babylon.One leading candidate is "Etemenanki", a enormous ziggurat dedicated to the Babylonian god Marduk. Ancient Babylonian records confirm that it existed, although the tower described in Genesis cannot be definitively identified with it.So, a real giant tower probably stood in Babylon—but whether it was the Tower of Babel described in the Bible remains uncertain.

Check out our
WEEKEND EDITION
Saturday and Sunday
Sept. 19-20
-----
Next Daily edition
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2026
©2026 Bruce Cooper
-30-

Comments Box Below
THURSDAY
SEPTEMBER 17 2026


Uber Updates
Senior Accounts
So Older Adults Can
Manage Rides
on Their Own
Uber has updated its Senior Accounts to make the app easier for older adults to use independently. The new features are designed to simplify booking and managing rides, while still allowing family members or caregivers to provide support when needed. The goal is to give seniors greater control and confidence when getting around.
Research suggests that one of the simplest ways to lower your risk of dementia may be regular physical activity. Exercise can improve blood flow to the brain, support heart health, and help control conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes, all of which are linked to dementia risk. The takeaway is simple: staying active as you age may help protect both your body and your brain.
Inheritance taxes can take a bite out of what you leave behind, but most people won’t owe federal estate tax because the exemption is very high. Depending on where you live, however, state estate or inheritance taxes may apply. Common ways to reduce potential taxes include making gifts during your lifetime, using trusts, and carefully planning how assets such as homes, investments, and retirement accounts are passed to heirs. Good estate planning can help protect more of your assets for the people you want to receive them.
Medicare can be confusing, and small mistakes can sometimes cost you money or limit your coverage. Common mistakes include missing enrollment deadlines, choosing a plan without comparing costs and coverage, overlooking prescription-drug coverage, failing to review your plan each year, and not understanding what Medicare does—and doesn’t—cover. Taking time to review your options and make changes when needed can help you avoid unnecessary expenses and coverage problems.
Arthritis can make everyday activities more difficult, from walking and climbing stairs to simply opening a jar. But understanding the condition, knowing how to manage its symptoms, and making healthy lifestyle choices can help. Here’s a look at arthritis, ways to combat its effects, and practical tips for coping with it.

Trouble Losing Weight
as You Get Older?
It’s not Impossible
Read more...
^^^^
6 Grocery Habits
That Are Draining
Your Wallet
Read more...
^^^^
Soft Hiking:
The Walk in the Woods
Made for Seniors
Read more...
^^^^
The Role of
Senior Centers
in Promoting
Active Aging
Read more…

"In the devil's theology,
the important thing is to be
absolutely right and to prove
that everybody else is
absolutely wrong."
Thomas Merton
_________________

The "Devils Advocate" Is Real
The term “devil’s advocate” is a familiar label for someone who argues a position they don’t agree with just to make a point, but its origins are more literal than you might expect. In 1587, Pope Sixtus V established the position of promotor fidei (meaning “promoter ofthe faith”), popularly known as advocatus diaboli, or devil’s advocate, as part of the process of beatification or canonization — aka becoming a saint. The devil’s advocate was the church’s skeptic, picking apart stories of reported “miracles” to argue against someone’s sainthood. The advocate had to be present for any part of the sainthood process to be considered valid.

Next Daily edition
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2026
©2026 Bruce Cooper
-----
Check out our
WEEKEND EDITION
Saturday and Sunday
Sept. 19-20
-30-

Turning 75 can be a good time to take a fresh look at what you’ve accumulated—not just in your home, but in your daily life. Some things that once seemed important may no longer serve a purpose, while others can create unnecessary clutter, stress, or expense. Here are seven things worth considering getting rid of after 75, so you can make room for what matters most.
Social Security is facing a serious financial problem, and millions of Americans are wondering what it means for their retirement income. If Congress does nothing, the program’s trust funds are projected to be depleted in 2034, potentially resulting in reduced benefits. But the impact won’t be the same everywhere. This story takes a state-by-state look at how Social Security’s looming financial shortfall could affect retirees and future beneficiaries.
For the second year in a row, about 10 million older Americans are living in poverty. For people who have spent decades working, saving and contributing to Social Security, that is a troubling reality. Rising housing, food, healthcare and other everyday costs can make it difficult for older adults to make ends meet. This story looks at the numbers and what they tell us about poverty among America’s seniors.
Dementia can affect memory, thinking and everyday life, but lifestyle changes may help some people manage symptoms and maintain their independence. Simple steps involving physical activity, sleep, diet, social connections and mental stimulation can make a difference in overall well-being. This story looks at practical lifestyle changes that may help people living with dementia and those who care for them.
Walmart is known for low prices and convenience, but that doesn’t mean every product there is the best deal. Some items may cost less upfront but offer lower quality, smaller quantities, or better value elsewhere. Here are six things you may want to think twice about buying at Walmart.
Uber has updated its Senior Accounts to make the app easier for older adults to use independently. The new features are designed to simplify booking and managing rides, while still allowing family members or caregivers to provide support when needed. The goal is to give seniors greater control and confidence when getting around.
Research suggests that one of the simplest ways to lower your risk of dementia may be regular physical activity. Exercise can improve blood flow to the brain, support heart health, and help control conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes, all of which are linked to dementia risk. The takeaway is simple: staying active as you age may help protect both your body and your brain.
Inheritance taxes can take a bite out of what you leave behind, but most people won’t owe federal estate tax because the exemption is very high. Depending on where you live, however, state estate or inheritance taxes may apply. Common ways to reduce potential taxes include making gifts during your lifetime, using trusts, and carefully planning how assets such as homes, investments, and retirement accounts are passed to heirs. Good estate planning can help protect more of your assets for the people you want to receive them.
Medicare can be confusing, and small mistakes can sometimes cost you money or limit your coverage. Common mistakes include missing enrollment deadlines, choosing a plan without comparing costs and coverage, overlooking prescription-drug coverage, failing to review your plan each year, and not understanding what Medicare does—and doesn’t—cover. Taking time to review your options and make changes when needed can help you avoid unnecessary expenses and coverage problems.
Arthritis can make everyday activities more difficult, from walking and climbing stairs to simply opening a jar. But understanding the condition, knowing how to manage its symptoms, and making healthy lifestyle choices can help. Here’s a look at arthritis, ways to combat its effects, and practical tips for coping with it.
the faith”), popularly known as advocatus diaboli, or devil’s advocate, as part of the process of beatification or canonization — aka becoming a saint. The devil’s advocate was the church’s skeptic, picking apart stories of reported “miracles” to argue against someone’s sainthood. The advocate had to be present for any part of the sainthood process to be considered valid.