Retiredom – Page 3 – Advice for Senior Living

11 Things Doorbell Cameras Are Doing That Might Make You Regret Installing One

July 24, 2025 by Ron Clendenin

That little electronic eye sees more than you bargained for.

The doorbell camera has quickly become a standard feature of modern home security, a seemingly simple way to see who’s at the door and keep an eye on your packages. Promising peace of mind in a small, convenient package, millions have been installed on front porches across the country. This constant surveillance, however, comes with a host of unintended consequences that are rarely discussed in the product reviews.

What starts as a tool for security can subtly morph into a source of anxiety, neighborhood tension, and privacy headaches you never anticipated.

Scams Like’Pig Butchering’ Unequally Target and Steal From Retired Seniors

July 24, 2025 by Ron Clendenin

This sophisticated scam preys on more than just financial ignorance.

A new and devastatingly effective form of online fraud, known as “pig butchering,” has emerged as a primary threat to the financial security of older Americans. The name comes from the scammer’s process of “fattening up the pig”—building a long-term, often romantic, relationship with a victim before convincing them to invest their life savings into a fraudulent cryptocurrency platform and disappearing.

While anyone can be a target, data from 2025 shows retired seniors are disproportionately victimized due to a specific combination of vulnerabilities that scammers are experts at exploiting.

13 Signs You’re In A Love-Hate Relationship With Your Husband

July 23, 2025 by Barrie Davenport

Navigate the ups and downs of life with a senior husband and uncover the balance between love, frustration, and lasting companionship.

Feeling trapped in a love-hate relationship with your husband? Some days, you’re wrapped in warmth, appreciating the quiet companionship of your senior husband. Other days, every word he says grates on your nerves, and you question how the two of you ended up here. It’s confusing to swing between affection and resentment, between comfort and emotional chaos. Navigating these emotions can leave you feeling conflicted and wondering if the love you once shared is still enough.

Love-hate relationships are more common than you think, especially in long-term partnerships where patterns become deeply ingrained. If your marriage feels like an unpredictable storm with brief patches of peace, you’re not alone. These signs can help you recognize whether you’re stuck in this draining cycle—and give you some clarity about whether it’s worth holding on, or if it’s time to make a change for your own well-being.

13 Regrettable Qualities of a Senior Who Never Grew Out of Their Entitled Ways

July 23, 2025 by Barrie Davenport

A lifetime of entitlement can lead to isolation and regret in later years.

You’ve probably met someone like this—an older person who never managed to let go of that deep-seated belief that the world owes them something. It’s hard to watch, especially because aging can be a time of deeper connection, wisdom, and emotional peace. But entitlement tends to steer people in the opposite direction. Instead of becoming more generous or understanding with age, they grow more demanding, bitter, and disconnected.

Entitled behavior doesn’t just affect the person acting that way—it ripples outward, impacting relationships with friends, family, caregivers, and even strangers. And in the later stages of life, when connection and support matter most, being difficult to deal with can leave someone shockingly alone. Here are 13 regrettable qualities often held by people who never outgrow their entitlement—and how those habits drive people away.

Why Active Seniors Are Flocking to These 20 Incredible Small Towns

July 23, 2025 by Barrie Davenport

Discover the hidden gems offering vibrant lifestyles and endless activities for retirees.

You won’t believe how incredible these small towns are for active seniors like you! If you’re looking for more than just a quiet place to retire—if you’re dreaming of adventure, connection, and purpose—these destinations offer all that and more. From charming walkable streets to breathtaking outdoor escapes, they provide vibrant communities where you’re not just living out your days but thriving in them.

These hidden gems have what so many retirees are looking for: nature, wellness, culture, and belonging. Whether you’re into hiking, painting, paddling, or just chatting over coffee with new friends, these towns offer daily chances to stay physically active and mentally sharp. Retirement isn’t the end—it’s the beginning of a new chapter, and these places are perfect for writing that next adventure.

13 Iconic American Brands Are Dying Because Millennials Just Don’t Care

July 23, 2025 by Barrie Davenport

Young people are walking away from these once-beloved brands, and their absence is sending shockwaves through the market.

Millennials have spoken, and their wallets are making the decisions. Once-iconic brands that ruled shopping malls and dinner tables are now struggling to stay alive. It’s not just about shifting trends—it’s a total lifestyle change.

Priorities have evolved, spending habits have transformed, and what once felt like a necessity is now seen as outdated, overpriced, or completely irrelevant. As younger generations turn their backs, these brands are fading fast. Here are the biggest names that just aren’t cutting it anymore.

12 Real Issues Your Grandchildren Will Face That You Never Saw Coming

July 23, 2025 by Barrie Davenport

You won’t believe the shocking threats the next generation is up against until you see this list.

You thought we had it rough when we were growing up? Between the Cold War drills, walking home without a phone, and limited job options, it seemed like we had our fair share of challenges. But even with all of that, the world we grew up in still felt more stable, more personal, and—believe it or not—simpler in so many ways. The pressures we dealt with, while real, were grounded in slower-moving trends and smaller-scale risks.

Our grandchildren are entering a world where the pace of change is dizzying, and the dangers are more subtle but deeply ingrained. They’re facing problems we never could’ve dreamed of—issues tied to the digital world, environmental collapse, and emotional overload. While we want to believe every generation adapts, what lies ahead for them isn’t just difficult—it’s frightening. Here are 12 terrifying realities they’ll be up against in their lifetime.

Subtle Friction That Shows Your Marriage Has Become a Cold, Loveless Arrangement

July 23, 2025 by Barrie Davenport

Know how to recognize if you’ve silently drifted from passionate partners to mere cohabitants.

You might not even notice it happening at first, but over time, your once-vibrant marriage could quietly shift into something far less intimate. What once felt like a passionate bond can slowly turn into a practical arrangement—two people sharing space, managing responsibilities, but emotionally distant. It’s a subtle slide that begins with missed glances and ends with unfamiliar silences, making you feel like you’re living with a roommate rather than your life partner.

If you’ve been feeling a vague sense of dissatisfaction, or wondering where the connection went, it’s worth paying attention. These changes don’t usually come with fireworks—they arrive quietly, masked by routine and distraction. Recognizing the red flags now can help you reverse the drift before it becomes permanent. These 10 warning signs are more than just symptoms—they’re signals urging you to reconnect, repair, and rekindle the bond that once brought you together.

12 Phrases to Defend Yourself with Your Adult Child Without Starting a Fight

July 23, 2025 by Barrie Davenport

Kind yet assertive responses to protect yourself while keeping the peace with your adult child.

Ever feel like you’re constantly tiptoeing around your adult child, unsure of what might set off another emotionally charged exchange? You’re definitely not alone. Many parents find themselves in that uncomfortable space—trying to support and stay connected to their grown children, while also preserving their own emotional well-being. But the truth is, you shouldn’t have to sacrifice your peace or silence your own voice just to keep things from boiling over.

Learning to communicate with empathy and clarity can make all the difference. With the right language, you can express your needs and maintain your boundaries without sparking defensiveness or triggering a full-blown argument. These kind yet firm responses are tools to help you advocate for yourself while still preserving the relationship and keeping the conversation grounded in mutual respect.

The “Good Husband” Myth: 11 Red Flags You’ve Been Ignoring for Decades

July 23, 2025 by Ron Clendenin

The subtle signs of marital neglect that can quietly erode your relationship over decades.

The image of the “good husband” can be deeply reassuring—he goes to work, pays the bills, and doesn’t cheat. But beneath this socially accepted surface, many women endure years of emotional neglect and unspoken frustration. Over time, subtle slights, cold silences, and dismissive behaviors accumulate like sediment in a stream, slowly blocking the flow of connection. What begins as small oversights or personality quirks can evolve into chronic patterns that wear down intimacy, trust, and joy.

These are not always the explosive problems that make headlines or therapy case studies. Instead, they’re the quiet signs that your emotional needs are being overlooked and your voice is being stifled. If left unacknowledged, these behaviors can lead you to question your worth, suppress your true feelings, and lose sight of who you are within your own marriage. If you recognize any of the following signs, it may be time to reassess your relationship and reclaim your emotional space.

If You Had These 13 Things Growing Up, You’re Definitely a Baby Boomer

July 23, 2025 by Barrie Davenport

These nostalgic items defined a generation and prove you grew up in a completely different era.

If you had these, there’s no denying it—you’re a full-fledged Boomer. Growing up in a time before smartphones, streaming, and social media meant we had our own set of must-have items that shaped our daily lives. Some were pure fun, others were necessities, and a few might make you cringe now.

But every single one is a time capsule of a bygone era. So, if these things were part of your world, congratulations—you’re officially vintage!

13 Ridiculous Etiquette Rules Boomers Were Forced to Follow as Teens

July 23, 2025 by Barrie Davenport

Back in the day, these etiquette rules were taken seriously, but now they just seem downright silly.

Teen life in the ‘60s came with a rulebook, and breaking the “proper” etiquette could get you side-eyed by adults in an instant. Growing up back then meant following a long list of social expectations that, looking back, seem more than a little ridiculous.

Boomers were taught to behave a certain way, dress a certain way, and even speak a certain way—all in the name of good manners. Some of these rules are so outdated, they’re almost laughable now.

I’m in My 60s and Hate Myself: 13 Reasons I’m Not Alone

July 23, 2025 by Barrie Davenport

Why self-doubt, regret, and self-criticism as you age are more common than you think.

Ever catch yourself thinking, “I hate who I’ve become”? You’re far from alone—especially if you’ve reached your 60s. This chapter of life tends to stir up an emotional cocktail of regret, self-doubt, and even harsh self-criticism. For many, the pace of change in health, relationships, purpose, and identity hits harder than expected. The quiet space after retirement or after children have grown can leave room for unresolved feelings to echo louder than ever before.

But before you start to spiral, take a breath and remind yourself: countless people your age feel this way too. And there’s nothing inherently broken about you for having these thoughts. In fact, there are deeply human reasons why these emotions surface more frequently at this stage of life. The good news? You can confront and soften them with awareness, compassion, and some honest reflection.

12 Lost Skills Boomers Perfected—And Why Younger Generations Are Struggling

July 23, 2025 by Barrie Davenport

Boomers had these skills down to an art, but today’s world is making them disappear.

There was a time when people knew how to do things—practical, everyday skills that made life smoother, more self-sufficient, and often more meaningful. Boomers grew up mastering these abilities without a second thought, but fast forward a few decades, and many of them are disappearing.

Younger generations, raised in a world of convenience, automation, and endless digital shortcuts, are struggling with tasks that used to be second nature. It’s not their fault—times have changed. But losing these skills comes at a cost. If you’ve ever wondered why some things seem harder now than they used to be, keep reading.