Travel Insurance Decisions, Understanding Biological Age, and Why Some Retirees Hold Tight to Their Wealth

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Travel insurance can be extremely useful for older adults, but only when it matches the type of trip you’re taking and the risks you want covered. The goal is not to buy the most expensive policy — it’s to understand what situations actually call for insurance and when it’s safe to skip it.

Travel insurance is most important when a trip is expensive, prepaid, or difficult to reschedule. If you’re booking a cruise, a guided tour, or an international flight with strict cancellation rules, insurance can protect you financially if you get sick before or during the trip. Medical coverage is especially valuable for international travel, since Medicare generally does not cover care outside the United States. A good policy can pay for hospital visits, emergency medical evacuation, or medications if something unexpected happens abroad. Insurance is also helpful if you have chronic health conditions, are traveling during hurricane season, or are visiting remote areas with limited medical facilities. Finally, if you’re checking bags or carrying mobility equipment, baggage coverage can help replace items that are lost or delayed.

If your trip is inexpensive or fully refundable, travel insurance often isn’t necessary. Short domestic trips — especially those you can cancel without penalty — usually don’t require coverage. Your credit card may already offer basic protections, such as trip delay reimbursement or lost luggage coverage, so it’s worth checking your card benefits before buying anything. You may also skip insurance if you’re driving rather than flying, staying with family or friends, or taking a trip you’d be comfortable rescheduling without significant costs. The key is to weigh the prepaid amount, your health needs, and how difficult it would be to change plans.

💌 If you found these ideas helpful, forward this newsletter to a friend. Smart planning makes travel safer — and far less stressful — for everyone.

“The Bike with the Wobbly Wheel”
From the life overview of Carolyn J., 82, Athens, OH. Shared with permission.

The first bike I ever bought with my own money was a beat-up blue Schwinn, which cost me fifteen dollars at a yard sale. The back wheel had a wobble that you could notice from across the street, and the seat would squeak if I so much as breathed on it. Still, I rode that thing everywhere during my sophomore year of college—down the long hill to campus, past the bakery that smelled of warm bread and cinnamon, and across the old bridge where the river moved slowly and appeared green in the spring light.

One morning when I was rushing to make an early class, I felt the wheel of the bike catch onto something beneath me. Before I could react, the bike lurched sideways, and I skidded along the brick path, palms burning and my notebook flying from my basket. A guy who was walking his dog jogged over, trying not to laugh as he asked if I was alive. I must’ve looked ridiculous, sprawled out with my skirt twisted and my hair full of leaves. He helped me gather my things—my pencil case had rolled into a patch of clover—and he righted the bike with a gentle pat on the handlebars, like he was consoling an old friend.

When I finally rode off, my hands were stinging, and the wheel was wobbling worse than ever. However, I found myself grinning. There was something oddly freeing about it all—the scrape of the bricks, the warm pull of embarrassment, and the unexpected kindness of a stranger who didn’t make me feel worse about my fall. It reminded me that while growing up rarely happens gracefully, it does happen—inch by inch, wobble by wobble.

***

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The Cornell Lab of Ornithology Bird Cam Network
These live nature cameras offer a calm window into bird life around the world, from nesting albatrosses in Hawaii to hummingbirds in California. The streams are steady, quiet, and easy to watch for just a few minutes at a time. It’s a peaceful way to feel connected to the natural world, especially on days when you want something gentle and grounding.

NGA Artle
NGA Artle is a daily art-identification puzzle created by the National Gallery of Art. Each day presents a short sequence of artworks that guides you toward identifying the featured artist. It’s a gentle, satisfying mental exercise that also introduces you to paintings, drawings, and sculptures you may not have encountered before.

The Buddhist Digital Resource Center
This online library holds thousands of preserved Buddhist texts, art scans, and rare manuscripts from across the Himalayan world. Even a short visit offers a quiet look at teachings, stories, and cultural traditions that have shaped generations. The site is free to explore and easy to browse at your own pace.

This daily section is brought to you by MemoirGhostwriting.com, experts in capturing life stories for loved ones and/or the public. We can meet any budget. (Does your story deserve to be told?)

Take a few minutes to jot down your thoughts. Even a few sentences are a memory preserved for loved ones.

Pinterest is one of the easiest places to find new craft projects, holiday decorations, knitting patterns, quilting inspiration, and simple DIY solutions for the home. Think of it as a visual library: you browse pictures, save the ideas you like, and return to them whenever you’re ready to make something.

Start by creating a free account at Pinterest. In the search bar, type exactly what you’re looking for—such as “easy quilting patterns,” “beginner watercolor projects,” or “DIY holiday wreath.” Pinterest will show you a grid of images; each one links to instructions or a tutorial.

When you see something you want to remember, click Save, then choose or create a board such as “Knitting Projects,” “Crafts for Grandkids,” or “Home Ideas.” Boards work like folders, making it easy to stay organized. You can also follow crafting creators you enjoy. For example, Michaels Stores shares many step-by-step projects.

A helpful tip: if a project looks complicated, click through to the original website before saving it. This helps you see whether the instructions match your comfort level.

If you like keeping things tidy, create sections within your boards (e.g., “Knitting – Beginner,” “Knitting – Gifts,” “Knitting – Techniques”). You can also use filters to narrow results. After searching, select Videos to see tutorials, All Pins for the widest range, or Shop if you want to buy materials directly from trusted retailers.

For long-term planning, try creating secret boards, which only you can see—useful for gift ideas or projects you’re not ready to share.

And if you’re comfortable with apps, install the Pinterest browser button for Chrome. This lets you save ideas from anywhere on the internet directly to your boards with one click.

Pinterest can be as simple or as detailed as you want it to be, and once you get the hang of it, it becomes a powerful inspiration tool for every kind of maker.

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Unmissable American gem: Sandpoint, Idaho is a serene mountain-lake town where visitors can unwind by the vast and shimmering Lake Pend Oreille, stroll charming downtown streets, explore local art galleries, and enjoy both lake-side relaxation and alpine adventures at Schweitzer Mountain Resort — all wrapped up in a friendly, nature-loving community vibe.

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: 3-D puzzle that challenged you to align colors.

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