Creating a Weekly “Nothing Planned” Block, Aspirin and Heart Attack Prevention, and Private Placement Life Insurance as a Tax Strategy

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As schedules loosen later in life, time can paradoxically feel both open and crowded. Appointments, errands, and obligations spread out — yet truly unclaimed time becomes rare. A weekly “nothing planned” block restores balance by protecting a small stretch of time with no agenda at all.

The success of this block depends on placement. Pick a time when interruptions are least likely — for many people, that’s a weekday afternoon or a weekend morning. Two to three hours is ideal. Shorter can feel rushed; longer can feel vague. Write it on the calendar as clearly as you would an appointment.

“Nothing planned” doesn’t mean doing nothing — it means that nothing is decided in advance. You might read, nap, sort photos, sit outside, or simply let the time pass. The key rule is this: you don’t assign the activity ahead of time. Choice happens in the moment, based on energy and mood.

It’s tempting to treat open time as unfinished business. When you catch yourself thinking, I could run errands during that time, stop and rethink. The value of this block is that it remains open. Protecting it requires saying no to efficiency in favor of restoration.

Over time, patterns emerge. You may notice that you always reach for a book, always step outside, or always end up resting. These instincts offer useful information about what nourishes you — far more than a planned activity list ever could.

This block isn’t something you earn only if you’re productive on the other days of the week. It’s a stabilizer that makes the rest of the week feel more manageable. Knowing that unstructured time is coming often reduces the pressure to rush through everything else.

Unscheduled time restores autonomy. It reminds you that not every hour needs purpose to have value. In a life once shaped by schedules, deadlines and responsibilities, this quiet freedom can feel both wondrously unfamiliar and deeply reassuring.

“The Bus Stop Without a Bench”
From the life overview of Harold T., 79, Eugene, OR. Shared with permission.

The bus stop at the corner of Willamette and 18th never had a bench. There was just a sign on a pole and a narrow strip of concrete, where people learned how long five minutes could feel when they were waiting. Most mornings on my way to work, I would just stand there, shifting my weight and watching my breath fog in the air before disappearing.

I remember a woman who waited with me a few times a week, although we never exchanged names. Every day, she wore the same brown coat and clutched her purse tightly against her ribs, as if she feared it might drift away otherwise. Sometimes we nodded at each other, and other times we didn’t. Mostly, we just stood there, two people temporarily aligned by overlapping schedules that neither of us controlled.

One winter morning, the sidewalk glittered like broken glass after a night of freezing rain. The woman slipped a little before catching herself. Then she released a laugh, quick and surprised, like she had lost her restraint for a moment and felt embarrassed afterward. I laughed, too, feeling relieved. For a moment, we chatted about the weather and how the city kept promising to install a bench where we stood every day. However, the bus arrived before either of us could finish our conversation.

Years later, long after I stopped taking that route, I walked past the bus stop and saw that a bench had finally been added. It was metal, painted green, and already scratched. No one was sitting on it.

I just kept walking. Sometimes, the waits in our lives belong only to those who remained standing when there was nothing to lean on.

***

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When a storm knocks out the lights or an unexpected emergency disrupts your routine, it’s easy to feel unsettled. In those moments, simple technology—especially the device already in your pocket—can help you stay informed, reach family, and make calm decisions. With a small amount of preparation ahead of time, your phone can become a reliable safety tool rather than a source of stress.

Keep your phone charged. Get in the habit of plugging it in before storms. Consider a backup battery like an Anker Power Bank so you can recharge even if the power is out for hours.

Turn on emergency alerts. On iPhone, go to Settings > Notifications > scroll to Government Alerts. On Android, go to Settings > Safety & Emergency. These alerts from FEMA or local authorities can warn you about severe weather or evacuation orders.

Download one reliable weather app. The Weather Channel and AccuWeather both provide live radar and storm tracking. For broader emergencies, the FEMA app offers shelter locations and preparedness tips.

Keep important numbers saved and written down. If your phone battery runs low, you may not have time to search for contacts.

Use text instead of calling. Text messages often go through when networks are overloaded.

If you have Wi-Fi at home, consider a battery backup (UPS) from APC to keep your modem and router running for a short time during an outage.

Enable Wi-Fi Calling with your carrier. If cellular service is weak, you may still be able to make calls over your internet connection.

Set up a shared location feature with a trusted family member using Apple’s Find My or Google’s Location Sharing. In an evacuation or emergency, someone can see where you are without repeated phone calls.

Finally, keep a small emergency kit near your charging cables: flashlight, spare batteries, printed medication list, and a fully charged phone. Technology is most helpful when it supports clear thinking and steady preparation. A few simple settings today can make a meaningful difference when you need reassurance, information, or connection most.

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