Introduction
(Edition 4)
Dear Friends,
At 55, I had a tough wake-up call: my retirement plan was falling short. My budget was stretched thin, and I knew I needed a new game plan.
Many of us forget about old streaming or digital services we don’t even use anymore. CNBC says the average American spends about $1,500 a year on unused subscriptions. Imagine what that could do if it stayed in your savings!
Another quiet spender? Takeout coffee. Three $5 cups a week doesn’t seem like much, but that adds up to about $780 a year. Brewing coffee at home a few times a week can save you hundreds — without giving up your morning treat.
Then there are utilities. Turning your thermostat down by just 2 degrees or switching to LED bulbs can save around $100–$200 a year, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
And don’t forget your insurance. It’s a good idea to compare your car or home policy once a year. Many people save $600 to $1,000 a year just by switching companies or bundling their plans — and some even get extra discounts for being 55+.
How Small Savings Add Up
Target 1 – $3,000 a Year
Per day: $8.22
Per week: $57.69
Per month: $250.00
$250 a month = $3,000 a year
Target 2 – $6,000 a Year
Per day: $16.44
Per week: $115.38
Per month: $500.00
$500 a month = $6,000 a year
Target 3 – $9,000 a Year
Per day: $24.66
Per week: $173.08
Per month: $750.00
$750 a month = $9,000 a year
Target 4 – $12,000 a Year
Per day: $32.88
Per week: $230.77
Per month: $1,000.00
$1,000 a month = $12,000 a year
The heart of The O55 Report is all about helping people — providing ideas, tips, and hacks on how to be financially smarter.
Practical money-saving hacks
Smart catch-up strategies after 55
Creative income and career reinventions
Motivation, health, and lifestyle tips
Plus one new tip each week that saves you money, guaranteed
Featured Articles
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK
On This Day — November 14, 1969
The First Black Woman Elected to Congress
On this day in 1969, the Apollo 12 mission lifted off, becoming the second crewed voyage to the Moon.
Back in those days, the whole household might have gathered around the television, radio, or newspapers — listening for every update, holding our breath, daring to imagine walking on another world.
If you were alive then, maybe you remember talking about it at dinner, or the bright expectations of space travel that seemed right around the corner.
Memory spark: Do you remember where you were, who you were with, or what you felt when “going to the Moon” didn’t seem impossible — just the next big step?
We want this newsletter to feel like it’s ours — not just ours to write, but ours to build together. What would you like us to talk about next?
