Great post. I find that volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, doing home repairs, with a group of retired guys helps keep the stark economic divide right in front of me while at the same time doing a little to help the situation.
Of course if your trusted person lives nearby it's much easier. They just need access to your phone and the PIN for the phone to bypass the face-ID. With the phone open they can use the authentication code app to get the 2-factor codes as needed. I've also shared the master password for my password manager with my son, which he keeps in his password manager. I also have a shared Google doc with instructions about accounts, bill-paying process, where to locate important items, etc. that I update periodically. Hopefully that'll do it.
On watching the Tour de France...and other bike races...I find it better to watch the highlights on YouTube the following day. Perhaps you can see a race in person near where you live this summer. That's always exciting.
I've also found that news can be addicting and mentally unhealthy. Recently it's reminded me of my behavior during the early days of COVID. Last week I deleted the news apps from my phone which has helped to keep my news reading to maybe once or twice a day.
Interesting. I agree that late adoption of tech is best unless it's for security purposes (e.g., passkeys, 2fa, etc.) I've avoided IoT, partly for security reasons and partly for not needing it. I can't imagine why I would need remote access to things in my home. Wi-Fi7 - what would I need the extra bandwidth or lower latency for---gaming? Currently use less than 100mbs internet and everything works fine. I just don't have the use case for more network.
I use passkeys whenever available and so far very few problems. I save them in 1Password which I've used for about 2 years. Passkeys are more convenient and safer but they're most convenient when using the phone rather than web. Still plenty of places use 2-factor and they almost all allow the use of an authenticator app for the 2nd factor rather than email or text. I expect the shift to passkeys will take several years but will continue since passwords alone are so weak and many people can't handle 2-factor.
Comments
Great post. I find that volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, doing home repairs, with a group of retired guys helps keep the stark economic divide right in front of me while at the same time doing a little to help the situation.
Post: Bearing Witness: Retirement From the Wrong Side of the Divide
Link to comment from November 28, 2025
Of course if your trusted person lives nearby it's much easier. They just need access to your phone and the PIN for the phone to bypass the face-ID. With the phone open they can use the authentication code app to get the 2-factor codes as needed. I've also shared the master password for my password manager with my son, which he keeps in his password manager. I also have a shared Google doc with instructions about accounts, bill-paying process, where to locate important items, etc. that I update periodically. Hopefully that'll do it.
Post: Dealing with Financial Affairs for Someone Else…..
Link to comment from November 15, 2025
I figured out SSB is "social security benefit", but don't know what JLC is. From context it sounds like someone's initials.
Post: Not Staying the Course
Link to comment from September 21, 2025
On watching the Tour de France...and other bike races...I find it better to watch the highlights on YouTube the following day. Perhaps you can see a race in person near where you live this summer. That's always exciting.
Post: Tasting Retirement
Link to comment from April 28, 2025
I've also found that news can be addicting and mentally unhealthy. Recently it's reminded me of my behavior during the early days of COVID. Last week I deleted the news apps from my phone which has helped to keep my news reading to maybe once or twice a day.
Post: Lesson Five From Taking Care of a 102 yo in Her Last Year of Life- Politics and the News Has the Potential to Ruin Relationships
Link to comment from April 20, 2025
Middle class, yes, but everybody is above average.
Post: Are you wealthy or just rich?
Link to comment from December 21, 2024
Interesting. I agree that late adoption of tech is best unless it's for security purposes (e.g., passkeys, 2fa, etc.) I've avoided IoT, partly for security reasons and partly for not needing it. I can't imagine why I would need remote access to things in my home. Wi-Fi7 - what would I need the extra bandwidth or lower latency for---gaming? Currently use less than 100mbs internet and everything works fine. I just don't have the use case for more network.
Post: Wi-Fi 7: Hit Snooze by David Powell
Link to comment from December 4, 2024
I think living near family and friends trumps living in a lower-cost or beautiful-weather place.
Post: The quest for a comfortable retirement. RDQ
Link to comment from December 1, 2024
I use passkeys whenever available and so far very few problems. I save them in 1Password which I've used for about 2 years. Passkeys are more convenient and safer but they're most convenient when using the phone rather than web. Still plenty of places use 2-factor and they almost all allow the use of an authenticator app for the 2nd factor rather than email or text. I expect the shift to passkeys will take several years but will continue since passwords alone are so weak and many people can't handle 2-factor.
Post: Passkeys, Anyone?
Link to comment from December 1, 2024
I've never understood why insurance companies can't infer that you're a good driver from the fact that you've only had two claims in 50 years.
Post: My Big Brother
Link to comment from November 6, 2024