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Amy Downing writes about reinvention, everyday technology, and the evolving seasons of life after 50. She is the creator of Friends Over 50, where she shares practical ideas, personal reflections, and simple tools that help women navigate midlife with curiosity and confidence. Learn more at friendsover50.com.

Latest Posts By Amy Downing

1 week ago

The Friendships We Notice and Those We Don’t

A table of women laughing before the senior center program. A group photo from the church retreat. Smiling faces in the park district newsletter after Bunco night. It’s easy to look at moments like these and conclude that everyone else has found the friendships you’ve been searching for. Those moments are real. But they’re only one expression of friendship…

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1 month ago

My Digital Footprint – What I Learned About My Online Identity

As I prepared to write this article, I googled myself multiple times. Each search turned up something different. Several months ago, I had requested removal from the Zoom.info database and hadn’t thought much about it since. My initial search showed mostly expected results – my website, my LinkedIn profile, and social media links from a local organization I volunteer for. But then I dug deeper…

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3 months ago

How to Use Venmo, Zelle, and Cash App Safely

The stories about scams tied to mobile payment apps are enough to make anyone hesitate. They did for me. I’m usually quick to try new tech, but this was one area where I held back. That changed when our youngest son moved into his college apartment. I needed a simple way to send him money each month. That’s when I finally agreed…

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4 months ago

Digital Spring Cleaning for Your Phone and Computer

Forget the closets for a minute. The best spring cleaning you can do this year starts with the device in your pocket. No heavy lifting, no dust, and you can do it from the couch. Spend an intentional 30 minutes and run through my list of what to clean up on your phone…

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5 months ago

The Simple Browser Tool That Made Choosing My Next Book Easy Again

I spent much of last year in a reading rut, and I couldn’t understand why. It seems like book recommendations are everywhere; podcasts, Facebook posts, and the viral ‘bookstgrammers’ I like to follow have no shortage of suggestions for me. At first I thought…

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6 months ago

Taking Pressure OFF Your Eyes – or How to Use Voice-to-Text

Picture this: your thumbs are cramped, your wrists ache, and your eyes are tired from squinting at the tiny screen. It’s a familiar scene for anyone who spends too much time texting or dealing with digital devices. I was tired of the eyestrain I got from typing texts. That’s why I can’t gatekeep…

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7 months ago

Hidden Smartphone Settings That Make Life Easier

Your smartphone, whether brand-new or a few years old, contains features designed to make your daily life easier. You just need to know what these features are called…

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