Mortgage Refinancing, Hair Care, and Investment Risk in Retirement

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For many people, the house that once fit perfectly starts to feel different in retirement — the payment, the upkeep, or just the financial picture as a whole. Refinancing can sometimes ease that pressure, but it’s not always the right move. The key is understanding what you gain versus what you give up.

Refinancing can make sense if you’re still carrying a high interest rate from years ago, or if you’d like to lower monthly payments to free up cash for other expenses. Some homeowners choose a shorter loan term to pay off the house faster; others stretch it out to reduce immediate costs. It can also help if you want to remove a co-borrower, consolidate debt, or switch from an adjustable to a fixed rate for peace of mind.

But refinancing isn’t free — closing costs, appraisal fees, and the time left on your current loan all matter. If you plan to stay in the home for only a few more years, the upfront costs might outweigh the savings. You’ll also want to think about how long you expect to remain in the house, your income stability, and whether freeing up cash now aligns with your long-term goals. Sometimes, doing nothing is actually the smartest choice.

If you’d like a clear, personalized look at whether refinancing makes sense for your situation, reply “refinance consult” for a free evaluation — no pressure, just a walkthrough of your numbers and possibilities.

💌 If you found these ideas helpful, forward this newsletter to a friend — many homeowners are surprised by how much their mortgage options change after retirement.

“The Boat Dock”
From the life overview of Leonard H., 80, Duluth, MN. Shared with permission.

The boat dock behind our lake cabin was my sanctuary long before I understood why. In summer, the wood was warm under my bare feet. I can still remember the smell of pine needles and fresh water mingling with the faint tang of fish from the early morning catch. I would sit at the edge of the dock, my legs dangling as I tossed pebbles into the lake and listened to them plunk against the surface.

One evening, my son came with a fishing pole almost as tall as he was. He fumbled with the line, tangled hooks, and an impatient worm while I coached him gently, letting him figure out the rhythm. When a fish finally tugged at the line, my son’s squeal of delight echoed across the water, bouncing off the far shore and through the trees. I laughed so hard that I nearly toppled into the lake.

I sat there with him until the sun slipped behind the pines, painting the sky with pink and gold streaks. The breeze carried the scent of wildflowers, and the water rippled softly beneath our feet. I realized that this dock, which I once thought belonged only to me, was now shared, layered with memory and joy.

Decades later, the dock creaks under my weight. I still go there alone sometimes, listening to the water, feeling the boards beneath me, and imagining laughter bouncing across the lake. Life, as I’ve discovered, settles most beautifully in quiet, shared spaces.

***

The Kyoto National Museum: Masterpieces of Japanese Art
The Kyoto National Museum’s digital archive showcases centuries of Japanese art and design—from delicate ink paintings to ceremonial armor—presented with understated beauty and context. It’s an elegant way to experience traditional aesthetics and craftsmanship from home.

Radio Ambulante
Produced by NPR, Radio Ambulante shares richly told stories from across Latin America. Even if you don’t speak Spanish, its English-translated transcripts and companion podcast El hilo make it easy to follow. These are intimate portraits of people, places, and turning points—narratives that linger.

The Poetry Archive
Founded by Sir Andrew Motion, this collection preserves poets reading their own work—from Seamus Heaney to contemporary voices worldwide. Hearing the cadence and tone adds a depth that reading alone can’t match.

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Between streaming services, magazines, cloud storage, and utility bills, it’s easy for automatic payments to pile up quietly in the background. Knowing where your money goes—and stopping what you no longer use—helps protect both your budget and your peace of mind.

Start with your bank or credit card statements.
Log into your online banking or credit card account and look for repeating charges. Many banks now group these automatically. If yours doesn’t, search for familiar subscription names like Netflix, Spotify, or Amazon Prime.

Use your email search bar.
Type words like “receipt,” “renewal,” or “subscription” into your inbox. This helps you spot services that renew annually or monthly.

Manage subscriptions directly from your device:

Tip: Keep a short list—either on paper or in a notes app—of active subscriptions and renewal dates. Reviewing it once every few months helps prevent surprises.

If you manage multiple accounts or cards, consider an app or service that tracks and organizes your subscriptions automatically.

Additional tips:

Once you know where to look and how to turn off what you don’t use, managing subscriptions becomes a simple habit that saves money month after month.

Cruise deal of the day: 3 Nights Mediterranean Cruise - departing November 30, from $174

Unmissable American gem: Boulder, Colorado, offers sun-drenched strolls under the iconic Flatirons, a relaxed pedestrian downtown, and easy access to scenic outdoor adventures—perfect for seniors looking to mix light activity, culture and nature.

Unscramble the letters to find a famous person, event, or object! Be the first to reply with the correct answer, and we’ll send you a free gift in the mail.

Today’s clue: Variety series that mixed sketches, spoofs, and song.

ARLOC NTREBUT OHSW

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