Monday Night Finance- Volume 136

Published
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15 Old-School Skills That Make Money in the Digital Age

Are you in the market for a new job but still remember a time when you had to call your friends on a landline? If so, you might feel a little intimidated when looking at the job market. Technology has come a long way since the Y2K worries, and with the rise in artificial intelligence over the past few years, you might feel like your old-school skills don’t quite fit anymore. The truth is, many traditional talents, such as writing, speaking clearly, or being super organized are actually more valuable than ever. With technology constantly evolving, it’s the timeless, human-centered abilities that help people stand out, connect with others, and build lasting success in today’s online world.

The digital world overflows with information, but finding the right details can be tricky. Your ability to research effectively – think competitor analysis or market trends – is a valuable asset for any online business.

~Josh Hasting, Invested Wallet

If you need a pep-talk about your skills, you might enjoy this article by Josh Hasting. It highlights how classic skills like storytelling, communication, problem-solving, and even patience can become money-making assets when paired with today’s digital tools. Whether it’s crafting compelling blog posts, managing virtual teams, or mastering time management for online gigs, these skills are the secret sauce behind many digital success stories. The key takeaway? You don’t need to reinvent yourself to thrive online. Instead, you just need to repurpose what you already know. Dive into the full article to see how your strengths can shine in the digital world.

9 Senior Citizen Discounts That Quietly Vanished This Year

Senior discounts have been around for decades, emerging in the mid-20th century as a gesture of respect and gratitude toward older adults. Whether it was a discounted cup of coffee, lower-priced bus fare, or 10% off on Tuesdays, these small savings helped seniors stretch their fixed incomes a little further. At the time it was seen as smart business. These discounts helped seniors feel recognized by the businesses and helped to build brand loyalty. Unfortunately, for some seniors, these perks aren’t just recognition but actually necessary to make ends meet. Now, many seniors are finding themselves facing rising costs without the modest discounts they once counted on.

On their own, each of these discount losses might seem small. A few dollars here, a waived fee there. But taken together, they add up to real erosion in financial security, especially for seniors living on fixed incomes, pensions, or Social Security.

~Riley Schnepf, SavingAdvice.com

In this article, Riley Schnepf details a growing, under-the-radar trend of companies removing senior discounts. The article spotlights a range of businesses and services such as airlines, restaurants, retailers, and even utilities that have quietly scaled back or eliminated senior deals altogether. Often, these changes happen without much public notice, leaving older adults to discover the new prices only at the register or on their monthly bills. Schnepf emphasizes that while each individual discount might seem small, losing several of them at once creates a meaningful hit to financial stability, especially for those living on fixed incomes. Beyond the dollars and cents, there’s also an emotional impact. Shocked seniors are left feeling overlooked and undervalued. The message is clear: these changes deserve attention. It’s more important than ever to stay informed, speak up, and advocate for the recognition and respect seniors have earned.

9 Steps to Recover Financially from a Budget Breakdown

Do you ever have money guilt? Perhaps you’ve been diligently working at repaying your debt and then an emergency happens that pushes you off track? Perhaps that emergency snowballs into a bigger budget shortfall. Maybe you think, “if I have to break the budget anyway, what’s one more UberEats purchase?” If that’s the case, you’re not alone. At some point, most of us have looked at our bank account and thought, “Wait—how did it get this bad?” Whether it was one big unexpected expense or a series of small splurges, falling off your budget can feel overwhelming. But here’s the good news: a financial setback doesn’t have to be the end of your story. In fact,it can actually be the beginning of a smarter, more empowered one.

Recovery isn’t a one-and-done event—it’s a journey. Checking in with your budget regularly ensures you’re moving in the right direction and allows you to make adjustments before small issues become big problems.

~Our Debt Free Family

This article from Our Debt Free Family, walks you through a practical, encouraging plan to regain control of your finances. It starts with facing the numbers and understanding what went wrong. (Need help understanding your numbers? Try CountAbout!) The article then shifts into rebuilding by focusing on essentials, trimming unnecessary costs, and even trying a no-spend challenge. It also emphasizes boosting your income with side hustles and rebuilding your emergency fund little by little. The key takeaway? You should focus on progress over perfection. With regular check-ins, small wins, and smart adjustments, you can bounce back stronger and build a budget that truly supports your life.