Supporting Seniors Together: A New Way to Help

Help us reach more seniors who need tech guidance

I have some exciting news to share with you, my fellow senior techies. I’m launching a pledging option for TheSeniorTechie, and I want to be completely transparent about what this means and why it matters.

Why Pledge?

Too many of our peers are being left behind in the digital world or, worse, being taken advantage of because they don’t have access to trustworthy tech guidance. The biggest challenge we face isn’t creating good content - it’s making sure seniors who need it can find it.

That’s where pledging comes in. By pledging just $5 per month or $50 per year - the minimum Substack allows - you’re directly helping us reach more seniors who desperately need this information. We’re talking about reaching folks who are struggling with their smartphones, feeling overwhelmed by online security, or missing out on technology that could make their lives easier.

Your subscription helps us:

• Reach more seniors through targeted outreach and promotion

• Share essential tech safety information more widely across communities

• Build a stronger, more visible community of tech-savvy seniors

• Help those who might otherwise fall victim to scams or miss out on helpful tools

When you pledge, you’re not just supporting TheSeniorTechie. You’re helping another senior learn to video chat with their grandchildren, avoid a phishing scam, or finally feel confident using their devices. You’re helping us spread the word to people who don’t even know we exist yet.

You Don’t Need to Pledge

Now, let me be crystal clear: pledging is completely optional. Whether you pledge or not, you’ll continue to get the same quality content, the same helpful information, and the same support you’ve always received. There are no premium articles, no special perks, no exclusive content for subscribers. Everyone gets the best I can provide, period.

I’m not creating a paywall - I’m creating an opportunity for those who want to help other seniors to do so. If pledging isn’t right for you, that’s perfectly fine. Keep reading, keep learning, and keep being part of this community.

What You Get From TheSeniorTechie

Every reader - whether you pledge or not - continues to receive:

• Timely scam alerts like our recent warning about “phantom hacker” scams targeting seniors with fake tech support calls

• Multi-part educational series such as our “AI for Seniors” weekly guide that demystifies artificial intelligence in plain language

• Current news analysis covering everything from Social Security COLA increases to how technology affects your buying power

• Practical how-to guides on using voice assistants, setting up focus modes on your phone, and accessing telemedicine services

• Community resource information like how public libraries now offer free tech help and quiet shopping hours at grocery stores

• Health and safety tips including fall prevention, food recalls affecting seniors, and navigating new driver’s license requirements

• Real-world testing of apps, devices, and features to tell you what actually works for our age group

Why the Minimum Amount?

I deliberately set the subscription at Substack’s lowest possible rate because I know many seniors are on fixed incomes. This isn’t about creating a financial burden - it’s about making it easy for those who want to help actually be able to help. Five dollars a month is less than a cup of coffee, but when we pool our resources together, it becomes powerful enough to reach thousands of seniors who desperately need reliable tech guidance.

How Pledging Works

Here’s the simple part: when you pledge, you’re making a commitment to support TheSeniorTechie once paid subscriptions are officially turned on. You won’t be charged right away. Think of it as raising your hand to say “I’m in!” When I activate paid subscriptions, your payment method will be charged, and you’ll automatically become a supporter. You can cancel your pledge anytime before that happens, no questions asked. Same for paid subscriptions - you can always cancel.

Thanks in advance!