These are in no particular order, just jotted them down over the course of a few days as things popped into my head.
One. Public Media NPR and PBS. Also we have some really great local affiliates in my area, Minnesota Public Radio and Twin Cities Public Television. MPR has three stations - one classical, one for news, and one for current music. I appreciate their news coverage a lot, since the main local newspaper's owner has somewhat of a conservative slant.
I gave extra donations to both MPR and TPT this fall, since all federal funding has been eliminated.
Two. Our local park system It's so nice to have a natural area with walking paths nearby. And in Minneapolis, they showed great foresight in keeping the shores of city lakes as public property. All of their lakes have very popular walking and biking paths. Lots of people like to string them all together with other parkways to do the "Grand Rounds".
Three. Knitting So glad I took this up for a hobby. It's a creativity outlet, a zen activity that soothes me, something to do while watching TV (which helps me not feel guilty about watching TV), and I'd like to think that learning new techniques is helping to keep my brain healthy.
Four. Modern medicine. My dad had atrial fibrillation episodes, and ended up dying of a stroke after one of them 25 years ago. Thanks to having two cardiac ablations and improved meds, mine is mostly under control and I'm hoping to avoid the same fate.
Five. Trader Joe's and Aldi. True confession, I become paralyzed when presented with too many choices. So I really appreciate these two smaller grocery stores where I can be in and out in a flash. Oh, OK, the snacks aisle at TJ's does come close to choice paralysis. I appreciate the low prices at Aldi too, with the way grocery costs have been increasing.
Six. Travel (and being able to afford it) I was kind of "off" on travel for a while but I feel like I've gotten my mojo back. Currently making plans for a trip to Mexico City that will NOT be a group tour, so I need to figure out for myself what I want to see...
Seven. Public Library As a fairly dedicated reader, the library has saved me SO MUCH money. E-books from the library are the ultimate in instant gratification. I've also checked out things like all of the DVD's for Ted Lasso since I didn't want to pay for Apple TV, and opera CD's before my trip to NYC to see opera.
Eight. TSA workers and air traffic controllers I can't believe these folks had to work without pay during the shutdown. Thanks for keeping air travel going.
Nine. Silver Sneakers free gym membership I'm noticing a theme of saving money. Oh well, it helps pay for yarn!!
Ten. The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum I am not as avid a gardener as I used to be so I appreciate them doing lovely displays for me.
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Not all of your things are on my top ten list but several are. Two comments about things your or others have mentioned:
If you are on Medicare and have ANY health issues (or are concerned about them) think long and hard about choosing an Advantage plan. Moving from an Advantage plan to a traditional plan,requires medicalapproval. Any number of things might block your return to a more traditional supplement plan.
HCLIB is a wonderful resource. Don’t forget their access to online resources such as a huge number of newspapers and magazines. Access to Ancestry alone is a great resource. Although Hennepin County library is a public organization, there is nonprofit organization called Friends of the Hennepin County Library. Consider a donation. Their website lays out a lot of what they do.
One addition: With the funding cutbacks, food banks are increasingly important. Second Harvest Heartland is the second largest food bank in the country and is very effective. Consider a donation.
Merry Christmas.
I donate to Second Harvest every year and have volunteered there too.
St. Paul is my home library but I know HCL is great (I used to work for Hennepin County).
Despite the vast selection at stores, I usually stick with what I like. Sometimes I’ll discover something new.
Trader Joe’s is always bringing in seasonal products that are only around for a month or two. I have my regular buys but I always have to try one or two of the specials.
Great list. I thought knitting would make the list.
You know it!
Nice list
I enjoyed the variety in your list — from public media to knitting to travel. I am also grateful for our public library system. I usually leave with 10–12 books at a time. Your nod to the park system and the Arboretum are among my treasures too.
You're making great use of your library!
When I was still working I didn't use it as much because I found the hold system hard to manage (seemed like I'd place several books on hold and they'd all come in at once). The Libby app has greatly improved that because you can put your hold on hold if you're too busy to read it at the moment and then jump back in and be first in line.
Great list. I perked right up at the Silver Sneakers free gym membership. I'll have to check that out near me.
You have to be careful when shopping Medicare plans, apparently not all of the Advantage plans are including that now.
And, there is debate about whether an Advantage plan is the best way to go. They're great when you're healthy, maybe not so great if you develop a serious illness (need pre-authorizations for a lot of services).
@smartasswoman I'm not sure I was going to do an advantage plan to be honest. There were a lot of places here that discontinued their advantage plans. I will have a meeting around next June with a Medicare specialist, so that I don't do anything stupid. I suppose the only sad thing would be to miss applying on time. Outside of that, I can always add/change stuff during open enrollment. I am attending a webinar next week on my current vendor's options for advantage plans, but it looks like it's quite a bit more than I was thinking it would be...certainly more than my mom pays.
My mom has had a Kaiser Advantage plan that's mostly served her well. She didn't need it much until this past couple of years. She'll be 94 on Sunday. (Her sister will be 100 4 days later. We're having a joint party this weekend.) But it's been fairly reasonable cost-wise.
I had to LOL at the Aldi remark for I'm feeling the same way more and more.
I read somewhere that more and more the Advantage plans are doing away with Silver Sneaker benefits. My research so far this year has not yet gotten to the level of granularity, but I'm close. (Good thing too, the clock is ticking.)
You scared me! I had to quick go check the 2026 details for my plan. Whew, Silver Sneakers still included. I did experience a roll-back at my gym last year though, when they decided to limit the hours for Silver Sneaker members to 9:30 am to 3 pm.
@smartasswoman Yeah, I remember you remarking on that time limitation. No news on that SO FAR. But in reality, my (small town municipal) gym seems to be hurting in the competition with the "big guys" (the Y's and Planet Fitness's) of the world.
@CleavageFan4U and over the weekend the news broke that the Blue Cross/Blue Shield Medicare plans in my area have dropped Silver Sneakers coverage. People are quite upset. It does seem short sighted.
@smartasswoman Yeah, it does. But long-term vision seems to be lacking even more than usual of late.
I just checked ... your arboretum is an AHS reciprocal garden. That means I can use my garden membership and visit your garden for free. The thanks keep going!
I think you would really like the arboretum - would love to visit with you sometime!