How to Make Your Entryway Work for You, A Diet Change That May Support Healthy Aging, and Choosing Between a Will and a Trust

You're receiving this because you signed up on our website. Want to unsubscribe? Just reply to this email with the words “no thanks.”

First-time reader? Join {{active_subscriber_count}} other seniors for free.

History (Non-Fiction): 1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus by Charles C. Mann – This eye-opening history explores the rich civilizations, innovations, and cultures that flourished in the Americas before Columbus arrived.

Memoir: The Last American Man by Elizabeth Gilbert – A chronicle of the unconventional life of a modern-day frontiersman devoted to living close to nature.

Self-Help: The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer – An exploration of how quieting the mind and letting go of limiting thoughts can lead to lasting inner freedom.

Romance: Dear Emmie Blue by Lia Louis – A lifelong friendship is tested when one woman must choose between holding onto the past and embracing new love.

Check a few boxes, and we’ll match you with trusted options and initial consultations—many completely free—across insurance, housing, travel, finances, and more. It takes about five minutes, and you’re not committing to anything—just seeing what can save you time and energy.

The entryway is one of the hardest-working parts of any home. It's where people arrive, leave, drop things, look for things, and amass small piles of items they intend to deal with later.

Yet, because it's usually passed through rather than lingered in, it can easily become a source of daily frustration. Thankfully, a few thoughtful adjustments can transform an entryway from chaotic to supportive.

Many entryway frustrations come from the same question being asked repeatedly: "Where did I put that?"

Keys, sunglasses, umbrellas, shopping bags, dog leashes, and mail often migrate around the house unless they have a designated place to live. A simple tray, basket, wall hook, or small shelf near the door can make everyday departures noticeably smoother. The goal isn't perfection—it's reducing the amount of searching required before leaving the house.

Homes work more smoothly when incoming items have somewhere to go.

Consider creating a dedicated place for

Without a system, these things frequently end up on dining tables, kitchen counters, or nearby chairs. Even minor additions, such as a small basket or corner shelf, can prevent clutter from spreading beyond the entryway.

Shoes are one of the most common sources of entryway congestion. Rather than trying to store every pair at the front door, many people find it helpful to keep only the most frequently worn shoes there—slippers or sneakers might sit near the door, while heels or dress-up shoes might be stored in a closet for special occasions.

Additionally, it can be helpful to add furniture to accommodate your shoes. A simple bench, shoe tray, or low shelf can help keep the area organized while making it easier to put shoes on and take them off comfortably. The fewer scattered obstacles near the door, the easier the space feels to use.

Entryways often suffer from poor lighting because people spend relatively little time there. Yet good lighting makes a significant difference when finding keys, reading mail, tying shoes, or welcoming visitors.

A brighter bulb, a nearby lamp, or more sunlight near the door can instantly make the space feel more inviting and functional.

Many people organize their entryway around leaving the house, but returning home matters just as much.

Ask yourself the following questions:

Designing the space around real habits rather than strictly aesthetics usually produces more comfortable results.

That being said, while practicality matters, atmosphere is important too. A favorite photograph, a small plant, a seasonal wreath, or a piece of artwork can make the entryway feel more intentional and homey.

Since it's the first space you see when returning home, even a small touch of personality can change the feeling of arrival.

The entryway is a place most people use multiple times every day, yet it so frequently gets neglected when it comes to planning a space. Small improvements there can eliminate dozens of tiny frustrations and create a smoother start and finish to everyday routines.

Your story is one of your greatest gifts. LastingMind.ai is an affordable service that helps you preserve your memories, wisdom, and family history so future generations can learn from the moments that shaped your life.

Download LastingMind today and start preserving your story.

Need help getting started? Email [email protected].

We're looking for seniors who are embracing life with enthusiasm, purpose, and adventure. Whether you're traveling the world, starting a business, volunteering, pursuing a passion, learning new skills, or simply making the most of every day, we'd love to hear your story.

Think that might be you?

Email [email protected] with a photo and a short bio. We may feature you in an upcoming edition of Seniors Magazine.

The discount: Burger King’s Senior Discount

What it gives you: Participating locations offer senior discounts, often for customers age 55+. The exact offer varies by restaurant.

How to claim it: Ask about the senior discount before ordering, as participation and eligibility vary by location.

Waiting for the Microwave to Finish
From the life overview of Paul H., 74, Madison, Wisconsin. Shared with permission.

I used to stop the microwave with one second remaining.

It wasn't a conscious decision. My hand simply learned the timing. As the display counted down, I'd open the door just before the beep, convinced I was saving myself from an unnecessary noise and perhaps a fraction of a second besides.

For years, I considered this perfectly sensible.

Then one afternoon I noticed how automatic it had become. I wasn't avoiding the beep because it bothered me. I was interrupting the process because I'd always interrupted the process.

So I let it finish.

The timer reached zero. The microwave beeped. I opened the door.

Nothing remarkable happened.

Since then, I've found myself leaving those final seconds alone. The machine completes what it was designed to do and announces that it has done so. Only then do I retrieve whatever I've warmed.

It's a tiny change, almost laughably small.

But it made me wonder how many little races I had invented over the years. Beating the microwave. Catching the light before it turned red. Hurrying to answer a phone before the next ring. Winning competitions no one else knew were taking place.

I still move quickly when there's a reason to.

I just no longer feel the need to outrun a kitchen appliance.

It has never been keeping score.

***

Do you want to record your beliefs and hopes for future generations?
Have Your Legacy Letter Written

The Getty Research Portal
This free online library provides access to thousands of digitized books on art, architecture, archaeology, and cultural history from museums and research institutions around the world. Whether you're interested in Renaissance painting or historic gardens, the collection rewards slow browsing and curious minds. It's a wonderful way to spend time learning from beautifully preserved publications.

The Cincinnati Art Museum – Digital Collection
Explore more than 100,000 works of art spanning 6,000 years of history through this searchable online collection. Detailed images and thoughtful descriptions make it easy to discover everything from ancient artifacts to contemporary paintings at your own pace. It's a relaxing way to enjoy one of America's outstanding art collections from home.

Beware of bank scam using spoofed phone numbers, US-based callers

This daily section is brought to you by MemoirGhostwriting.com, experts in capturing life stories for loved ones and/or the public.

Take a few minutes to jot down your thoughts. Even a few sentences are a memory preserved for loved ones. Some people begin by writing on their own—or even using AI tools—but many eventually decide they’d rather simply talk and have their story shaped into something lasting. That’s where we come in.

Do you want to ensure your story, values, and family history aren't lost?

Listening to music from different cultures is one of the easiest ways to experience the world without leaving home. Every country has its own musical traditions, instruments, rhythms, and styles, offering a window into its history and way of life. Whether you're discovering Irish folk songs, Brazilian samba, Indian classical music, or West African drumming, exploring world music can introduce you to sounds you may never have heard before.

If you're not sure where to begin, let experts do the searching for you. Smithsonian Folkways Recordings is a nonprofit record label that preserves traditional and contemporary music from cultures around the globe. You'll find thousands of recordings, artist stories, and educational resources covering everything from Appalachian ballads to Mongolian throat singing.

Another excellent resource is NPR Music's Tiny Desk Concerts, which regularly features musicians from many different countries and musical traditions in intimate live performances.

Many public radio stations stream their programming online for free. BBC Sounds offers a wide variety of music programs, while Radio Garden lets you spin a virtual globe and listen live to thousands of radio stations from nearly every country in the world.

Pick a country you've always wanted to visit and spend an evening exploring its music. Search for traditional and contemporary artists, then read a little about the history behind the music. Resources like UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage explain the origins and cultural significance of many musical traditions, helping you appreciate what you're hearing on a deeper level.

As you discover new artists and styles, keep a notebook of your favorites. Write down songs you'd like to hear again, instruments that caught your attention, or countries whose music surprised you. Over time, you'll build your own personal world music collection.

Exploring music from around the world isn't about becoming an expert. It's about satisfying your curiosity, broadening your horizons, and enjoying the incredible variety of sounds that people have created across cultures and generations.

When you download an app, where you get it matters. Official app stores, such as the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, review apps before they are made available and continue checking for harmful behavior. While no system is perfect, these stores are much safer than downloading apps from random websites or links sent in emails or text messages.

Official app stores also make it easier to see helpful information before installing an app. Check the app's ratings, read recent reviews, and look at the name of the developer. Be cautious if an app has very few downloads, poor reviews, or a name that closely resembles a well-known app.

Another benefit is automatic updates. App stores regularly provide security updates that fix bugs and protect your device from newly discovered threats. Keeping your apps updated is one of the simplest ways to stay safer online.

If someone tells you to download an app from a website instead of your device's official app store, treat that as a warning sign. Taking an extra minute to verify where an app comes from can help protect your personal information and your device.

Cruise deal of the day: 3 Nights Mexico Cruise - departing October 1, from $333

Unmissable American gem: Cape Carteret, North Carolina is a peaceful coastal community on North Carolina’s Crystal Coast known for its easy access to beaches, boating, and scenic waterfront beauty that make it an ideal destination for a relaxing seaside escape.

Looking for travel planning help? Fill out this form.

Unscramble the letters to find a famous person, event, or object. Think you know it? Reply with your answer and show off your brainpower.

Today’s clue: Spy series with self-destructing messages.

NOMISSI MELBISSOPI

Help a life story get told, earn thousands: Refer someone to MemoirGhostwriting.com and earn 12% of what they spend, or a 16% donation to your favorite nonprofit. Find out more here.

Explore flexible sales opportunities: CommissionOnly.com gives you access to flexible part-time, work-from-home commission-only roles you can apply to. Find out more here.

Disclaimer: Some links in this newsletter are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through them, Seniors Magazine may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. The content of the newsletter is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as financial, legal, or health advice. We may also share polling responses with advertisers to help keep this newsletter free.