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Welcome to another issue of Retire & RISE.
Where we turn tech fear into tech confidence, share simple tools that make life easier, and celebrate late bloomers who refuse to be left behind. 🎄✨
Know someone who swears “I’m just not good with technology”… but secretly wants to prove themselves wrong? Forward this email to them!
In today’s issue:
● The “set it and forget it” trick that gives you more calm in January than coffee ever could
● Two beginner-friendly automations that clean your inbox and your contacts (quietly!)
● One small homework assignment that builds big confidence before the year ends
Set It and Forget It (Safely): The Easiest Tech Win You Can Give Yourself Before January
💡 A Thought-Shifting Opener
Most people think “automation” means fancy robots, tech wizards, or giving up control.
But real automation, the kind I use and teach, is more like putting labels on your file folders.
You set it up once…
It helps you every day…
And you are still the boss.
The truth?
The safest way to reduce digital stress is to let a tiny piece of technology do one tiny routine job for you.
Today I’ll show you how to take that first step - the safe way.
📖 A Story: The Day I Missed My Own Dentist Appointment
Years ago, before I knew better, I used to keep everything in my inbox.
Bills. Recipes. Travel confirmations. Pictures of my kids.
And one very important email reminder from my dentist.
Guess which one got buried?
I spent that whole day irritated at myself, not because of the missed appointment, but because I knew it didn’t have to happen. My inbox looked like a junk drawer… and I kept blaming myself for not “being organized enough.”
Then one afternoon, a friend showed me Gmail filters.
In two minutes, she taught me how to automatically highlight important messages.
It felt like discovering sliced bread.
And more importantly?
It made me feel like maybe, just maybe, I wasn’t too old to learn this stuff.
That’s what I want for you today: a small win that changes everything.
.
⚙️ Tactical Application: Three Simple Wins You Can Set Up Today
These steps use free Google tools. No downloads, no risk, no complicated setup.
Just small actions that give you back clarity (and sanity).
1️⃣ Create One Simple Gmail Filter
Think of this like sorting mail into the right cubby so you never lose the important stuff.
Here’s a starter filter that helps almost everyone:
⭐ Highlight Emails from Family
Open Gmail.
In the search bar, type your family member’s name or email.
Click Search → then Create Filter (it’s small—bottom right of the search box).
Choose: Star it ⭐ or Apply label → Family.
Click Create Filter.
Now those messages can’t hide from you.
Other optional beginner filters:
● Move newsletters into a Read Later folder
● Tag emails from doctors or banks as Important
● Auto-label receipts or order confirmations
Every filter you set = less hunting, fewer mistakes.
2️⃣ Clean Up Your Contacts (10 minutes, tops)
Google Contacts has a built-in “tidy up” button. Bless whoever invented it.
Open: contacts.google.com
🔧 Do this:
On the left, click Fix & Manage (or Merge & Fix).
Google shows you duplicate or outdated contacts.
Click Merge for each pair it suggests.
Add simple labels like:
● Family
● Doctors
● Money
● Important
Suddenly your digital address book actually… makes sense.
Emotional benefit:
No more “Who is this?” moments.
No more fear of messaging the wrong Susan.
Just a clean, clear list you feel confident using.
3️⃣ Your Homework: Schedule One Email for January
This is the confidence builder. The “aha” moment.
The tiny win that makes you think: Okay… I can do this.
🗓️ To Schedule an Email
Open Gmail and click Compose.
Write anything — even a note to yourself:
“Look at me, using automation.”Click the tiny down-arrow next to Send.
Choose Schedule Send.
Pick any date in January 2025.
You just used automation.
Safely. Easily. Successfully.
That one action — two minutes, tops — is how tech confidence begins.
🧭 Intelligent Elevation: Why This Matters (More Than You Think)
Small automations are not about being “techy.”
They are about protecting your time, attention, and sanity.
Every filter you set:
→ reduces clutter
Every contact you clean:
→ reduces confusion
Every scheduled message:
→ increases confidence
You are not teaching a robot to run your life.
You are creating systems that make your life easier especially future-you in January who will appreciate the calm.
If we want to grow side income, use AI tools, or stay sharp online…
this is where it starts: tiny, safe, controlled steps that build trust in yourself.
Confidence doesn’t shout.
It accumulates.
Keeping Retire & RISE free.
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Stay ahead of the curve with these top strategies AI helped develop for marketers, built for real-world results.
💬 Closing Insight
You do not need to master automation.
You just need one win that shows you you are capable of more than you think.
Let this be the week you surprise yourself.
🔁 Quote to Remember
“Set it once… thank yourself all year.”
📣 Programming Note
Starting December 30th, Retire & RISE moves to three issues a week - Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
More stories. More simple tech wins. More ways to grow your online income without burning out.
I am excited for what we’re going to build together.
🧠 Summary of the Big Idea
One tiny piece of automation, like scheduling one email for January, can unlock big confidence for the new year.
Your Homework
👉 Schedule one automated email for January.
When you’re done, reply and tell me what you wrote. I’d love to hear it.
Please let me know if you found this issue helpful.
See you at the bank. 💰
Bob
Missed a previous issue? You can catch up any time at https://retireandrise.beehiiv.com.
Each newsletter is archived there for easy reading and sharing.
I also have reviews to profitable products there as well.
Check it out.
🏦 See You at the Bank Picks
💬 Real tools. Real results. No hype.
These are the exact programs and tools I personally use that keep producing real commissions - month after month.
I’m not chasing the latest “shiny object” anymore, just sticking with what works for everyday people who want honest online income.
💵 My Go-To Income Builders
1️⃣ OLSP System - My $7 starter turned into over $3,500 (and counting).
2️⃣ AI Cash Machines - A simple AI setup for daily commissions.
3️⃣ GotBackup - A legit data-protection service that pays monthly.
4️⃣ LeadsLeap - A must have for every internet marketer.
If you decide to try one of these, let me know if I can help and how it goes.
Your story might become the next See You at the Bank success I share here.
🔁 Hashtags
#TechConfidence #RetireeSideHustles #DigitalDeclutter #GmailFilters #AIForBeginners #OrganizeYourLife #SeniorTechTips #WorkFromHomeRetirees #NewYearNewSkills #EmailAutomation #SeeYouAtTheBank
