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.
The Benefits of Having a Pen Pal in Retirement
A pen pal can be a steady source of connection, joy, and purpose — without requiring travel, screens, or constant scheduling. The simple act of writing and receiving a letter creates anticipation, strengthens memory, and brings back the slower, more thoughtful rhythm many people miss in today’s world.
Getting Started
If you’re new to letter writing again, start simple. A pen pal is just a conversation on paper — you don’t have to be “interesting” to be meaningful.
Tips for beginners:
Use a comfortable pen and large-print stationery so writing doesn’t strain the hand or eyes.
Begin with short letters until it becomes a routine.
Share everyday details: what you cooked, what’s blooming in the yard, a small memory from childhood.
Make it easy to reply — include a stamped envelope when possible.
If you don’t already have someone in mind, services like PenPal.me can help match you with another adult who enjoys traditional letter writing.
Going a Little Deeper
Once you feel comfortable, you can make the exchange more personal and meaningful without making it complicated.
Ideas to deepen the experience:
Pick a theme for each month (favorite books, recipes, seasonal traditions, family stories).
Swap small paper-based “extras” — pressed flowers, a quote card, or a copied poem clipped from a magazine.
Keep a small notebook of topics so you never sit down wondering what to say.
Create a “memory exchange,” where you each write about the same prompt (first job, favorite summer, a moment that shaped you).
Pen pals work because they invite reflection, not performance — it’s the relationship, not the writing skill, that matters.
💌 If you found these ideas helpful, forward this newsletter to a friend. You may inspire someone you know to start writing again — and discover a new connection of their own.
On Health
Healthy recipe: Honey and Spiced Pears
Helpful health resource: Lensabl gives your favorite frames a new life by delivering custom lenses straight to your door.
Free fitness class for Seniors Magazine subscribers: Try a senior-friendly personal training session over Zoom or FaceTime—your first class is free. Ongoing sessions are $30 each. Just reply and say “free fitness class.”
On Finances
Useful financial product: Everyday Life helps you plan ahead with simple, affordable life insurance designed to fit your needs and protect your loved ones.
Free retirement tax planning consultation for Seniors Magazine subscribers: Get expert guidance on reducing taxes and keeping more of your retirement income. Your first consultation is free—just reply and say “free tax consult.”
Seniors Magazine’s free helpline is here for you 24/7.
Call or text 1-740-4-SENIOR (1-740-473-6467) anytime—weekdays, weekends, day or night. A real person will answer or return your voicemail/text.
Tip: Save this number in your phone now.
We’ll connect you (free) with trusted experts who help seniors solve everyday challenges, including:
🤝 Loneliness & connection
💡 Finding purpose in retirement
📜 Estate planning (wills, trusts, etc.)
🏘️ Finding 55+, independent, or assisted-living communities
🏥 Choosing health insurance
🧾 Long-term care or final-expense insurance
📈 Investment & retirement planning (portfolio reviews, tax planning, reverse mortgages, annuities, debt management, etc.)
🏃 Senior-friendly fitness over Zoom or FaceTime
📸 Digitizing photos & videos
🛠️ Home remodeling for aging in place
👩⚕️ In-home personal or health care
🌳 Genealogy & family research
✍️ Memoir writing (our favorite!)
🧸 Children’s book writing & illustration
📚 Publishing & book promotion
✈️ Travel planning
Call or text 1-740-4-SENIOR (1-740-473-6467) anytime and tell us what you need. If we miss your call, leave a message—we’ll get back to you. Our help is always free; you only pay if you choose to work with a service provider.
Quick Poll (vote to see the anonymized current results)
Have you moved closer to family in retirement?
On Classes and Connection
Free Introductory Class: “Relax and Paint with Watercolors”
Want to explore your creativity and calm your mind? Learn watercolor techniques that bring your imagination to life.
Your first one-on-one 30-minute session is free, and you’ll leave with a personalized starter project.
After that, ongoing sessions are…
$245 for a package of five (5) one-on-one sessions (45 minutes each, matching your schedule)
Or
$125 for a package of five (5) group sessions (45 minutes each, generally weekly)
Just reply and say “free watercolor session,” and we’ll connect you with a patient, creative teacher who’ll help your art flow naturally.
*Prices are subject to change but are accurate on the date of original posting.
Capture Your Life Story: Today’s Daily Prompt
This daily section is brought to you by MemoirGhostwriting.com, experts in capturing life stories for posterity. The team offers ethical wills/legacy letters to guided interviews to full-length memoirs. Call 1-888-MEMGHOST for more information.
What’s a story about one of your children or grandchildren that you cherish?
Take a few minutes to jot down your thoughts. Even a few sentences are a memory preserved for loved ones.
Tip 1: If speaking is easier than writing, use Wispr Flow.
Tip 2: Back up your writing often. The easiest way? Send yourself an email. The best way, use a backup program like Carbonite.
Tip 3: Writing is just half the challenge. Need help with the rest? Just reply to this message and say one of the following:
“digitize photos” if you’d like help transferring your old photos and videos to digital format
“photo repair” if you’d like help restoring or fixing damaged photos
“genealogy help” if you’d like help uncovering your family history
“memoir help” if you’d like someone to handle everything for you, start to finish
We’ll connect you with someone who can assist you.
On Tech for Seniors
The Best Smartwatches for Tracking Health and Steps
A smartwatch can make it easier to stay active by automatically counting your steps, reminding you to move, and giving a gentle look at your overall heart health. The biggest difference between models is how simple they are to use, so choosing the right one comes down to comfort and confidence level.
For Beginners Who Want “Set It and Forget It”
If you want something that tracks walking and heart rate without feeling complicated, look for:
A large, bright screen (easier on the eyes)
A long battery life (less charging to remember)
Simple daily goals like step counts or “move reminders”
Good beginner-friendly choices:
Helpful tips for first-time users:
Turn on “always-on display” only if needed — it drains the battery faster.
Use the watch’s built-in reminders to stand up or stretch so you don’t have to open an app or track anything manually.
Set the text size to large on day one — it makes everything feel easier.
For Seniors Who Already Feel Comfortable With Smartphones
These models give deeper wellness insights — like heart-rate trends, sleep patterns, and stress levels — without needing any extra gadgets.
Smart choices for deeper tracking:
Bonus advanced tips:
If you go on the same walk daily, turn on auto-workout detection and the watch will track your walk and steps automatically.
If you want to share health information with your doctor later, both watches can export heart rate and sleep history, which is often more useful than trying to remember it later on.
The “best” watch isn’t the most advanced one — it’s the one you’ll actually wear every day, because consistency matters far more than features.
Need (1) tech troubleshooting help or (2) ongoing tech lessons via FaceTime or Zoom? Just reply to this message and say “tech help” or “tech lessons,” and we’ll connect you with someone who can assist you.
On Travel for Seniors
Cruise deal of the day: 3 Nights Southern Europe Cruise - departing January 23, from $185
Unmissable American gem: Cape Cod, Massachusetts offers seniors a relaxing coastal escape with charming seaside villages, fresh seafood, easy-to-navigate boardwalks, and gentle ocean breezes perfect for slow travel and scenic day trips.
Need help planning a senior-friendly trip or cruise? Reply to this email with “travel help” and we’ll connect you with a travel agent who specializes in senior travel.
Style Over Sixty
ZESICA Open Front Knit Cardigan | $49.99
Get it hereZeagoo Chiffon Long Sleeve Blouse | $26.99
Get it hereWrangler Classic Denim Button-Down Shirt | $32.17
Get it here
Unscramble
Brought to you by CogniFit, brain-training games for seniors
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: Office upgrade that replaced clattering manual keys.
LECIERCT PRETWYITER
Seniors Magazine LIVE: Online Talks for Seniors
We’re thinking of launching Seniors Magazine LIVE, a twice-monthly online event where experts and inspiring guests share advice, stories, and tips—from travel and wellness to purpose and creativity.
Interested in joining Seniors Magazine LIVE—our new twice-monthly video event with inspiring guests on senior travel, wellness, and purpose? Upcoming speakers include a Nobel Peace Prize winner and a Supreme Court litigator.
Want to Earn in Retirement?
Help a life story get told, earn thousands: Refer someone to MemoirGhostwriting.com and earn 12% of what they spend. 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.
