Introduce Yourself

👋Hi everyone! I'm Jamie, and I live in Indiana with my amazing hubby, our 2 beautiful daughters, and our 5 ornery kitty cat fur-babies. I've been pretty active on AARP, primarily AARP Rewards for several years now, but somehow I guess I never realized this community was here!I am extremely passionate about all things mental health awareness, caring, compassion, advocacy and kindness. I've had some health issues that have kept me on the couch for a few years now, so I've tried to make the most of that time and have done A LOT OF RESEARCH on a lot of different things...especially ways to earn extra money, easily, from home by participating in different rewards programs (like AARP Rewards), couponing, etc. It keeps me busy, and I have learned SO MUCH!! My hubby loves the way I'm able to save our family so much money and bring in a little extra on the side as well! 😃 It makes me feel like I'm doing something important, like I am helping provide for our family, instead of just sittin

If you expect change in what is happening in your communities, state and country, don't rest upon your laurels. Become active in your local politics, political party and engage with your elected officials..

I have sent the following to each of my congressional delegation:Senator Lankford; Last, I recall, I sent you an email regarding the Social Security Trust Fund. I have yet to hear from you regarding my inquiry. Again, I am asking that Congress (both house and senate) repay funds that have been "borrowed" (stolen) to make the trust fund solvent. Also, I request that you author legislation to put a lock box on the SSTF to keep congress from using it to make up shortfalls in the budget. Social Security funds are not for congress to "tap" into to fund government. It is money that we senior citizens paid into from our paychecks all our working lives. It is not an entitlement, to be taken away from those of us that have earned it. Respectfully: Darrell Gilbert

Back in 2013, my eldest, a daughter, chose to not have any contact with me. I never understood why until lately. I will not go into details. I have attempted to reconnect with her over the years, but have been rebuffed. Have any of you had similar family situations? She will be 49 this December and I will be 76 in February. Given my age, there is not much time left to reconcile. Is there any Hope? I certainly don't think so.

Hi,My Name is Darrell Gilbert. I am 75 years old and live in Sand Springs, OK. I am a former city councilor in the city of Tulsa, OK and a former State Representative in the Oklahoma legislature. I served in the legislature for 12 years and term limited out in 2008. I am currently active with the Osage County Democratic Party, serving as the affirmative action representative. I am constantly striving to make sure that our rights as Seniors are understood by our elected officials; locally and nationally. I hope that each of you are contacting your elected officials locally and nationally to ensure that we are not forgotten.

Hello all, My name is Matthew. I am 24 years old and I just joined AARP this month. I really enjoy the videos and challenges. I am learning and thinking a lot about my physical, mental, and financial health these days. I travel a lot. In the past few years, I have lived in Los Angeles, Austin, Little Rock, and abroad in Turkey. I am planning on going on a months-long road trip very soon that will take me from Little Rock to New England and everywhere in between. My other hobbies include exercising & yoga, volunteering, urbanism & cities, museums, and reading. My current job is doing food delivery. Previously, I worked at a mall, as a street cleaner, and sold luxury accessories online.  A consequence of my lifestyle is that I do feel lonely often. I would like to start participating in some of these forums. If anyone wants to talk or be pen-pals (I love to send letters and postcards), feel free to message. Something that I learned from AARP articles is that i

I cannot afford much at my age which is almost 67 and it seems life has changed people no one seems to care I have been asking for anyone to lend an ear or even shoot an email no discussion needed. No responses.  Only about their own lives and how great they are doing.  I am ashamed, feel defeated and terrified to move out of state with very low financial resources. I have tried looking at driving and shipping clothing, shipping car and clothing but then i need to get there also and no one to pick me up i will be staying in a motel and praying for a job.

I used to cringe at being called ‘grandpa’ but now it’s ok 😀Four grandchildren make a life a delight. My oldest is seven.  Retirement is getting closer, but work is still a requirement.  One of the reasons I joined is to get better ideas on how to remotely care for my aging mom. She lives 1000 miles away and wants to stay put.  We enjoy phone conversations and I fly up less than I’d like to admit.  We looked into buying a home with an ADU up in her area so we could stay (in the ADU) for longer periods of time, but real-estate in the area makes that less doable.  I wrote a daily call service to check in on mom once in the morning and once at night, and that helps.  But I do worry a bit on the inevitable transition of managing her living space, medical routine, finances/taxes, and the help that does some of that for her.  Honestly it was hard for me to understand why a parent would not want to live near her kids/grands/ and gre

I am recently retired and still getting used to being at home all day.  I tried to get a part time job but no success. I would love to chat and get to know people from all over the country.  Maybe you can give me some advice on retirement loneliness!  Rebecca 

hey I’m Jeff, I’m new to the site and the community. I’m 52 divorced and like most people these days I have anxiety. My anxiety came up 5 years ago with passing of my sister. I could tell I wasn’t myself something was up with my mind and body.  Mental health has come A LONG way in the last 5 years, Back then it was several doctors playing a guessing game with me as to what was going on. I got divorced in my mid 40’s. Online dating is ridiculous.sorry for blabbering  

Hi, Im currently in VA. In 2026, I'll be looking for a kindred spirit/roomate. I am disabled but Things I enjoy and is a way of lifeGardening, cooking/baking from scratch, reading, crochet, make herbal infusions,, tea blends, studying herbs. Burning incense, sage, sweet grassMy spirituality is earth/indigenous based.I love coffee, farm markets. Thrifting, music.Love dogs, horses, birds. Will share with another female.

It has been more than a decade since I was last active on AARP Community. During my absence I managed to stay busy; occupied with my sons and their family, attending book clubs, writing reviews, posting commentary on news journals, and I also began painting with acrylics. During ten of those years, I lived in a senior community where I enjoyed the amenities and socializing with other seniors from diverse backgrounds. Then, five years ago, my sons pressured me to move to be closer to them. Although my new home is in a very nice building, the amenities and activities are for the majority of residents who are gen x and millennial professionals. I am among only a handful of seniors who reside here.  I no longer travel as often, and I have very little social interaction with anyone, except when family visits.  As such, I spend too much time alone. Granted, I have always been an avid  reader, also I continue to paint.  Feeling isolated, I recall how much I enjoyed th

Hello all,I’m Bill, 68, lately retired from a life in mechanical engineering and settled in Southern California. Most days you’ll find me tinkering with a black 1965 Corvette Stingray that still sports its original 327, although the carburetor wheezes almost as loudly as I did before I beat colon cancer a few years back. I juggle the car project with visits from three grown kids and four lively grandkids, so progress comes in short spurts. My goal is a reliable Sunday cruiser, not a museum queen. If you have any patient advice on mid-year Corvette wiring or those fickle vacuum headlights, I would sure appreciate it.Looking forward to the conversation.Bill

Hi, My name is Kay,  heterosexual female,  I live in Philly suburbs,  serial mover; Catskill Mountains,  Norfolk,  Brooklyn  to name a few.  I like reading, art, jazz, cooking,  beaches, travel,  horror movies,  twilight zone, foodie, picnics, zoo, family and friends.  Just looking to correspond,  share experiences and meet new people on a platonic vibe.  I am an entrepreneur,  nurse and realtor. I would love to meet you!

Hi,I'm a retired teacher.Interested in developing online friendship.Let's chat and see what we have in common. 

As a caregiver myself for my mother who passed recently, I've faced the daunting personal and financial consequences of extended care.  This experience inspired me to become a Certified Long Term Care Specialist and write a book on this important topic. I'm putting the finishing touches on this new book designed to help families plan ahead for extended care needs. Your input will help us select a title and subtitle that truly resonate with readers like you. The survey takes just a few minutes.  As a thank you, you’ll receive a complimentary digital copy of the book. Plus,10 respondents will be randomly selected to receive a free hard copy, shipped directly to your door and we’ll make a $3 donation to the Alzheimer’s Association on your behalf.  Click or cut and paste the following link to post your opinion: https://forms.gle/M2VeYQv1jzALHbTB7 Thank you, Zach Ottwww.NavigateLTC.com  

My name is Kay.   I live in Pennsylvania near the Poconos,  from Philly suburbs.  Nurse, Realtor, Notary,  Entrepreneur looking for pen pals.  I am God fear woman who loves meeting new people, reading,  art, real estate,  family and my Deen or religion. Please be respectful, down to earth and kind-hearted. 

I am 71 years old and as with most seniors, politics is a vital and important topic. When will AARP restart a Politics and Current Events forum where seniors can discuss important political issues? We had a Politics & Current Events forum here for years and AARP eliminated it. Why? Such important issues should not be ignored, and seniors should be given a forum to discuss them in. Does anyone else agree with this? What about it, AARP, will a political forum ever be reinstated for us seniors? If not, why not?

  “It’s implied “ my daughter-in-law replied. I had just remarked that I had not received a Thank You note for the gift I had brought to a shower a few weeks earlier. I wondered if  it would be implied that I meant to buy a gift if I’d shown up with an empty gift bag! Notes  are not the only acknowledgements that are going away…not even a nod if you open a door or let someone with one avocado  and a candy bar go ahead of you in line at the grocery store. What have your experiences been with what I consider to be common courtesy?I guess I just need to remember my daughter-in-law”s last words on the subject. “Our  generation is just not hung up on formalities” she noted and ended with “By the way You’re  Welcome!”      . 

I am grateful he is safe. I am the only mother he knows....but I still feel so cheated. I'm only 47. I raised my children and I only had a year to myself. The toll it has taken on my life is immense. My relationship I have which was fun and new has now become chores and meals, schedules and freedom restrictions. My son is useless to help. I can't help but resent my son very, very much for laying this on me. I am lonely, my love life is ruined. We now fight in front of the child, this is so very wrong but he is a mean nasty tempered man. Now I'm stuck because I don't have a car (broke down and junked)of my own,  fiance sells cars but will not give me nor sell me one we live 20 miles from anything. I am verbally assaulted daily. moral of the story is, be very very careful whom you trust. Now I'm stuck, homeless without this nightmare relationship and I do have some savings but not much. Any advice? Does anyone have a place I can move into with  my grandchild. I am desperat

     Spoiler (Highlight to read)Don't know where to turn.Don't know where to turn.I am raising a troubled 11 almost 12 year old most disrespectful grandchild.  It's too much.  I have spent years giving up my freedom and peace in exchange for constant aggravation disrespect laziness entitled unruly just all around difficult and out of control troubled grandchild.  This kid needs a 2 parent home that will hold her to take responsibility for actions and provide the discipline that she needs.  I don't know where to turn. We have already been in counseling, therapist, psychiatrist, medications....it's all just futile.  My life is miserable. It kills me to think of actually driving her to some foster care place but I also don't know what to do with this overwhelming bad situation. I make too much to qualify for any help. CPS was never involved.  I spent about $15k several years ago n got custody but it has turned into something that

For the first time, I'm checking out this forum. Because I am carless and impoverished, I have few friends and I am profoundly lonely. A person who is kind and compassionate is me. I have a great adult daughter whom I hardly see, and I am a talented writer who loves animals. I also love to read.I do not like drama and I do not cause poblems. I simply need a buddy at this time; my roommate is a living, breathing nightmare; he is an alcoholic and gaslighter (I just learned what this means). Much obliged for taking the time to read my post!

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Just saying hi and happy to be here 🙂

Hello I am new to this online community.Is there a book club?  I am a new author.  My book is coming to Amazon by the end of this month. I would love reviews by the community.Title: "Life After Death" Resilience, Identity, and Revelations During Grief and After Loss This book is about how I death with life's losses: career transitions, relationship loss, and loss of loved ones.I talk about resilience with daily affirmations, travel, spiritual disciplines, and reflections. If you are feeling a loss of identity with retirement, downsizing of corporations, divorce, becoming a single parent, and/or loss of your family of origin. This is a very inexpensive way to learn about reinventing yourself. Potentially starting your own bookclub with this book. There are so many people looking for answers these days.  Learn "to be" not just "doing or keeping busy" Let me know if you are open to reading my book!  That would make my day!Shirley@AksumLiterarySociet