The best part is often what happens between the major stops, whether that’s a farm stand, a short hike, or a town you hadn’t planned to explore.
Source: 9 East Coast fall road trips where the stops are as good as the scenery | Yahoo
9 East Coast fall road trips where the stops are as good as the scenery Read Post »
There are only a few weeks left in 2026, and while you’ve probably got a lot on your mind, it’s important not to lose track of key year-end retirement planning moves that could make your future a lot more comfortable. Some actions, like maxing out your IRA, can wait until the April tax filing deadline, but for others, you only have until Dec. 31, 2026.
All adults 73 and older must take required minimum distributions (RMDs) from their tax-deferred retirement accounts each year and pay taxes on them. Those who will be 74 or older by the end of the year must complete theirs by Dec. 31, 2026. Seniors who turned 73 this year have until April 1, 2027.
Source: 3 Year-End Retirement Moves to Start Thinking About for 2026 | The Motley Fool
3 Year-End Retirement Moves to Start Thinking About for 2026 Read Post »
Most of the Wranglers are retired and never imagined picking up an instrument could bring this much joy. Davis put it simply: “Whatever your passion is, do it — and it doesn’t matter how many birthdays you have.”
Source: For retirees, picking up a hobby could be the best thing for your mental health | KSL.com
For retirees, picking up a hobby could be the best thing for your mental health Read Post »
Fall is one of the best times of year for birdwatching in Pennsylvania. Hawks, eagles, songbirds, ducks and other species travel through the region as they head toward warmer climates, offering opportunities for both experienced birders and beginners to spot wildlife.
A little patience, curiosity and a few simple changes at home can help people enjoy the experience while making their surroundings safer for birds.
Source: Fall bird migration in Pennsylvania: Where to watch birds and how to protect them | WITF
Fall bird migration in Pennsylvania: Where to watch birds and how to protect them Read Post »
Cooler days call for comfort food. It’s prime time to get in the kitchen and make the most comforting soups and stews, braised and roasted mains, and seasonal desserts.
Source: Hands Down, These Are the Coziest Recipes to Cook This October | Sunset Magazine
Hands Down, These Are the Coziest Recipes to Cook This October Read Post »
Like much of Massachusetts, the Berkshires are deeply rooted in history. Great American names in art and culture—Melville, Hawthorne, Wharton, Rockwell—have called it home, and the creative spirit is truly alive and well here.
I first visited the Berkshires in college to perform at what I can only call a very Western Massachusetts modern dance festival and have had the privilege of visiting the home of dear friends from Boston across many years and seasons since.
Unlike the nearby Hudson Valley (too cool?) or Litchfield County, Connecticut (too tradwife?), where so many New Yorkers decamp from the city, a few days among the rolling hills of the Berkshires has always left me feeling completely reset.
Source: The Berkshires Are All the Best Parts of New England | Condé Nast Traveler
The Berkshires Are All the Best Parts of New England Read Post »
Social Security checks will increase by roughly $76 per month for the average retired worker in 2027, the federal government announced Wednesday.
The payment jump is due to the Social Security Administration’s annual COLA, or cost-of-living adjustment, which has been determined each fall for decades. Next year’s increase is 3.6%, based on inflation data, amounting to a little more than $900 next year.
“The COLA is really one of the only things in most people’s retirement portfolios that is inflation-adjusted,” said Bill Sweeney, senior vice president for government affairs at AARP.
Source: The Social Security COLA for 2027 is set. Here’s what experts say you need to know | PBS News
The Social Security COLA for 2027 is set. Here’s what experts say you need to know Read Post »
Walking is an easy, accessible way to meet your exercise goals. To reap longevity benefits from a daily walk, you can walk either farther or faster, a new study suggests.
The study relied on data from 64,743 adults in the United Kingdom whose average age was 62. All wore wrist activity trackers for a week to monitor their daily step counts and pace. During a follow-up period of about eight years, there were 1,697 deaths in the study group, 502 of those from cardiovascular disease.
To determine each person’s walking pace, researchers averaged steps per minute across the 30 highest-activity minutes of their day, which were not necessarily consecutive.
Source: People who walk more or walk faster live longer, study finds | Harvard Health
People who walk more or walk faster live longer, study finds Read Post »
Mexico City is a colossal, beautifully overwhelming metropolis and an absolute paradise for those who live to eat. Across thousands of restaurants, markets, street stalls, bakeries and fondas, food from every corner of the country converges. So deciding where (and what) to eat can feel daunting.
I’ve spent over a decade writing about Mexico’s food scene, along with popping up on TV shows to talk about it occasionally. My favorite way to navigate it all is still right here on the ground with my food tours. Sidestepping the obvious spots and encouraging travelers to go deeper into the food culture here constantly reminds me of the fascinating nature of how we chilangos eat.
Source: 12 Dishes and Drinks Everyone Should Try in Mexico City | Saveur
12 Dishes and Drinks Everyone Should Try in Mexico City Read Post »
Most people think that planning for a happy retirement is all about numbers. It centers on one question: Do my financial assets — pensions, 401(k)s/IRAs, Social Security, property, the sale of a business, etc. — provide enough income to fund my desired retirement lifestyle?
Ask any retiree, and they’ll likely tell you that’s only half the story. Having enough money to never worry about going broke or paying for medical expenses is important, but money isn’t the only — or even the most important — part of a fulfilling retirement. While you’re reviewing your retirement checklist, it’s also essential to focus on all those things money can’t buy, like these nine happy habits that studies show can improve life satisfaction in retirement.
9 Habits for a Happy Retirement Read Post »
In September 2026, Linda and I joined two other couples on Insight Vacations’ Wonders of the American West tour: seven national parks, nine nights, and 2,016 coach miles. We loved the scenery and the company. But changing hotels every one or two days meant living out of a suitcase, and by the end we knew a more settled pace suits us better.
We still enjoy seeing new places. What has changed is how much we want to fit into a day, and how much moving around we’re willing to do to get there. We would rather have a few relaxed experiences than race through a list of sights. We want time to enjoy a destination, linger over lunch, and still have energy for drinks and dinner.
That’s what works for the two of us, not necessarily for you. Some travelers love early starts and full days, and there’s nothing wrong with that. The point is to plan around the way you actually like to travel. Here are the choices that make the difference for us.
Source: How We Pace a Trip After 60
How We Pace a Trip After 60 | Have Time Will Travel Read Post »
Though the bond market feels a bit unpredictable lately with rates on the rise, this shift actually opens up some genuine opportunities for those looking to build a steady path forward.
If you’re curious about where the value is hiding, here are five reasons to take a fresh look at the world of fixed income:
1. Attractive Entry Points After years of historically low rates, current yield levels are significantly more appealing 1. For long-term investors, the higher starting yields provide a more substantial “cushion” against potential price volatility, making the current environment a compelling entry point compared to the last decade 1, 2.
2. Income Generation Potential With yields across various segments of the Treasury and corporate markets reaching levels not seen since 2007, bonds are once again fulfilling their primary role: providing reliable income 2, 3. For investors seeking to offset equity market risk, the interest income generated by today’s bonds offers a tangible return that was largely absent in the low-rate era.
3. Supportive Corporate Fundamentals Despite broader economic “crosswinds,” the corporate bond market remains resilient 4, 5. Recent data shows that investment-grade credit ratings have seen more upgrades than downgrades 4. This suggests that many companies maintain strong balance sheets, providing a layer of security for those holding corporate debt.
4. Diversification in a Volatile World While the bond market has been “jumpy” due to geopolitical tensions and inflation concerns, it remains a critical tool for portfolio diversification 3, 6. As equity markets react to shifting interest rate expectations and economic data, high-quality bonds can act as a stabilizer, helping to manage overall portfolio risk during periods of stock market turbulence 7, 8.
5. Potential for Capital Appreciation The current market is heavily influenced by the Federal Reserve’s interest rate policy 4, 8. If economic growth slows or inflation pressures eventually subside, the Fed may move to reduce rates 4. Should this occur, existing bonds with higher coupons would likely see their market prices rise, offering investors the potential for capital appreciation in addition to regular interest payments.
1 What’s Pushing Long-Term Bond Yields Higher? – PIMCO – https://www.pimco.com/us/en/insights/whats-pushing-long-term-bond-yields-higher
2 Should You Buy Bonds Now? Yes, Here’s Why. – Barron’s – https://www.barrons.com/articles/should-you-buy-bonds-now-3f5c6efa
3 US stocks rise, even as the bond market applies more pressure – Delco Times – https://www.delcotimes.com/2026/08/21/us-financial-markets-bond-market-swings
4 Q3 2025 CORPORATE BOND MARKET OUTLOOK – Breckinridge – https://breckinridge-web.files.svdcdn.com/production/assets/pdfs/q3-2025-corporate-bond-market-outlook.pdf?dm=1764956938
5 Bond market outlook June 2026 – Fidelity – https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/trading-investing/bond-market-outlook
6 Bond-Markets – Financial Post – https://financialpost.com/tag/bond-markets
7 US stocks slip after bond market keeps up pressure and oil prices rise – AP News – https://www.sbsun.com/2026/09/24/us-markets-treasury-yields
8 The Fed meeting is a pivotal moment for the bond market – WLKY – https://www.wlky.com/article/fed-meeting-bond-market-warsh/73744243
Five Things to Like About Today’s Bond Market Read Post »
The U.S. economy grew at a 2.2% annualized rate in the second quarter of 2026, the Commerce Department said in an updated estimate published Wednesday, punching past expectations.
The update reflects upward revisions to investments, driven by private inventory investment and private fixed investment, as well as consumer spending and government spending. The consumer-spending upshift was led by recreation services and vehicles, while higher federal defense spending lifted the government-spending tally.
Source: Second-Quarter GDP Growth Climbs to 2.2% in Third Estimate | Morningstar
Second-Quarter GDP Growth Climbs to 2.2% in Third Estimate | Morningstar Read Post »
If you don’t have a current passport or simply don’t want the extra hassle of international travel, you can still plan a Caribbean beach trip this fall or winter.
For U.S. citizens, there are islands where you can fly, laze on a beach, and swim in warm waters without a passport, because they’re part of the United States. Think: Caribbean vibes, domestic flight.
Here are four island picks to start with, plus
Source: Want Caribbean sun without a passport? Try these 4 islands for a winter getaway
Want Caribbean sun without a passport? Try these 4 islands for a winter getaway Read Post »
I spend my days curating the best kitchen deals, but sometimes our readers know what’s best. With the Prime Big Deal Days sale fast approaching, I scoured the early Amazon deals page for reader-loved favorites, such as the ant traps that were purchased more than 100,000 times last month and the non-toxic sponges that were clicked on thousands of times this summer. Here are the ten absolute best reader-approved early deals,
Source: 10 Best Reader-Loved Deals Already on Sale for October Prime Day
10 Best Reader-Loved Deals Already on Sale for October Prime Day Read Post »
