Fall is in full swing, and lately, it has been business as usual for me—which means staying active in the community and hitting the road for a few great events. I recently headed out to Ames for the Iowa State Landlord Convention to stay up-to-date on housing trends, property management, and local regulations. Shortly after that, I took a solo adventure to ICON Iowa (Iowa’s long-running science fiction convention). Whether it’s learning about property policies or geeking out over sci-fi and retro tech, it is always great to get out and connect.

A Quick Reminder: Health Insurance Open Enrollment

Before we dive into the tech updates, I want to remind everyone that we are right in the middle of Open Enrollment for Medicare.

Additionally, if you are not yet 65, it is also Healthcare.gov Open Enrollment. Since I am self-employed, I get my health insurance through the Marketplace. If you are shopping for ACA plans, I highly recommend using the calculator tools provided by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) to easily compare your options. As a quick tip for the Marketplace: the Silver plans that include Cost-Sharing Reductions (CSRs) tend to be the absolute optimal choice for getting the best coverage-to-cost ratio.

Looking Back: Title Fraud & The Zillow Market Report

In my recent fraud prevention classes, we had some fantastic, eye-opening discussions. I wanted to highlight two major things I’ve been researching since that class:

• Protecting Against Title Fraud: We discussed the growing concern of home title fraud, where scammers attempt to forge deeds to take out fraudulent loans against properties. Protecting your hard-earned equity is critical. I highly recommend checking with your local county recorder’s office—many Iowa counties now offer free “Property Fraud Alert” systems that will automatically notify you if any document is recorded under your name or on your property. https://www.linncountyiowa.gov/1860/Property-Fraud-Alert

• The Zillow Rental Report: For those interested in real estate, Zillow’s new market report highlighted some massive shifts. While typical U.S. rent is up, nearly 40% of Zillow rental listings in September offered a concession (like a free month of rent or waived fees) just to get leases signed. It is a rapidly changing market, and staying informed is the best way to protect your investments.

November Feature: The Black Friday Tech Shopping Guide

November is officially Black Friday shopping month! Before the holiday rush begins, here is my quick guide on what to buy, what to skip, and how to snag the best deals:

• Secure Your Privacy (ProtonMail & VPN Deals): Privacy is a huge topic in our classes, and Black Friday is generally the best time of year to invest in your digital security. Look out for steep annual discounts on ProtonMail and ProtonVPN. Using a reliable VPN is one of the best ways to keep your data safe—especially when you are connected to public Wi-Fi at coffee shops or airports. https://proton.me/black-friday

• Streaming Service Annual Deals: Black Friday is the absolute best time of the year to lock in digital subscriptions. Services like Hulu, Peacock, Max, and Paramount+ historically run incredible promotions during the week of Black Friday, often dropping to just $1 or $2 a month for a full year. If you are a cord-cutter, this is the time to sign up or switch.

• Magnetic “Qi2” Power Banks: If you have a newer smartphone (like an iPhone 15 or 16), keep an eye out for “Qi2 Magnetic Power Banks” from brands like Anker, Baseus, or UGREEN. These battery packs snap magnetically right to the back of your phone to charge it without any cords. They are fantastic for traveling or keeping in an emergency kit, and they typically see steep discounts on Amazon this month.

• Streaming Hardware (The Roku Advantage): As we discussed last month, do not buy a brand-new television just because your current “Smart TV” interface is getting sluggish. Slapping a new $30 to $50 Roku Streaming Stick into an HDMI port breathes instant new life into an older television.

• Smartwatches for Safety: If you’ve been thinking about getting an Apple Watch, Google Pixel Watch, or Samsung Galaxy Watch for their automatic fall-detection features, keep an eye on warehouse clubs like Costco or Sam’s Club. They often run the best bundle deals on wearables during the holidays.

• Black Friday info on Reddit on websites

  blackfriday.com CNET

Community Giveaways & Retro Tech

• Free Linux Desktops: I currently have a number of Linux desktop computers that I am giving away for free to anyone who would want one. If you need a basic, secure machine for web browsing or want to tinker with the Linux operating system, let me know!

• Free Plasma TV: Someone recently gave me a Plasma television that I am also looking to give away to a good home. These older screens are still fantastic for watching movies or hooking up classic video games.

• The Story of the Nintendo Wii: Speaking of retro tech, I recently watched a fascinating video breaking down how Nintendo built the Wii. Instead of chasing high-end graphics like Xbox and PlayStation, they intentionally made a weaker console focused on the motion-control remote so that anyone—from kids to grandparents—could instantly play. It is a great look at how prioritizing simplicity over sheer power won the market. You can check out the video here: Nintendo’s Most Over-Engineered Console.

Looking Ahead: Closing Out the “-ber” Months

As we head into Thanksgiving and gear up to close out 2026, I am incredibly thankful for all the great community conversations we’ve had this year. I plan to keep these monthly newsletters going as a regular touchpoint for practical tech tips and local updates.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this newsletter! Just hit reply to let me know if you want to claim one of the desktops or the TV, or tell me which tech topics you’d like to see covered as we head into the new year.

Warmly,

CJ Flynn

Technically Easier

technicallyeasier.com

September was an incredibly busy month! I recently attended the Iowa League of Cities Annual Conference in Bettendorf at the Isle Casino Hotel. It was my very first time attending, and I had a great time connecting with other municipal leaders and bringing fresh ideas back to our community.

Looking Back: Fall Prevention, Smartwatches & The “Poor Man’s Life Alert”

Earlier this month, we had a fantastic discussion at our Smartwatches & Fall Detection workshop. We broke down the differences between modern wearables and traditional Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS):

• The “Poor Man’s Life Alert” Setup: If you live alone and want peace of mind without a pricey monthly subscription, I highly recommend pairing the free Snug Safety App with a MedicAlert membership. This is the exact system I set up for myself so I have a daily check-in to confirm I am okay.

• MedicAlert’s Ecosystem: For about $50 a year, MedicAlert keeps your comprehensive medical records on file for first responders. You can use everything from a smart tag on your keychain to a QR code sticker right on your door.

• Residential Knox Boxes: We also discussed installing a residential Knox box. This is a secure lockbox that holds a spare house key, allowing local fire departments and EMS to get into your home quickly during an emergency without having to break your door down. https://www.knoxbox.com/category-knox-homeboxes

• Smartwatches: For automatic fall detection, modern wearables have come a long way. We looked at the Apple Watch, the Google Pixel Watch, the Samsung Galaxy Watch, and other Android smartwatch options that can automatically call 911 and text your emergency contacts if you take a hard fall.

Upcoming October Classes: Scam Prevention & Credit Protection

October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and we are tackling the biggest topic in digital safety: Protecting Your Identity, Credit, and Hard-Earned Money.

OCT Class Topic

In our upcoming safety workshops, we will cover actionable steps you can take right away:

• The Power of the Credit Freeze: Why freezing your credit files with the major bureaus is your most effective, free defense against identity theft.

Free credit report

https://www.annualcreditreport.com/

Equifax:

www.equifax.com/freeze

Experian:

http://www.experian.com/freeze

Transunion:

https://www.transunion.com/freeze

• Opting Out of Junk Mail: How to use official registries to stop pre-approved credit card offers and cut down on physical clutter and fraud risk.

https://www.optoutprescreen.com/

https://www.dmachoice.org/

• Spotting Modern Scams: Practical rules for recognizing fake bank fraud alerts, pop-up tech support warnings, and high-pressure phone impostors.

Kirkwood Continuing Education Pop-Up Sessions

We also have our hands-on fall series running at the Kirkwood Linn County Regional Center (1770 E Boyson Rd, Hiawatha):

• Android Basics: October 6, 2026 | 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

• Android Level 2: October 13, 2026 | 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

• Cord Cutting: October 13, 2026 | 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM

To register, call Kirkwood Continuing Education at (319) 398-1022 or view details online at technicallyeasier.com/classes-offered.

A Quick Note on Kirkwood & Our Community

As an alumnus and a current instructor, I’ve seen firsthand how much Kirkwood Community College does for our area. On November 3, voters across the region will be voting on an $88 million bond referendum to modernize Kirkwood’s training facilities for high-demand careers (like nurses, paramedics, agriculture, and skilled trades).

I don’t usually talk about ballot measures, but I view this as a direct investment in the people who keep our community running. The estimated tax impact is less than 1amonth(9.35/year) per $100,000 of assessed property value. If you want to learn more about the specific projects and what it means for the region before election day, you can check out all the details at www.kirkwood.edu/bond2026

Tech Tidbit: The Dream of the Home Theater PC vs. The Roku

Back in high school, I was obsessed with the idea of a Home Theater PC (HTPC). I always wanted to build what I would call a “TiVo on steroids”—a dedicated computer hooked up to the living room television with infinite access to movies, web browsing, and emulators.

However, reality rarely matched the dream. When I finally set one up for my own personal use using a Mac Mini, it was just a constant stream of software updates and honestly, a massive pain to navigate from the couch. (You can read my full nostalgic deep dive on this over on the blog: LINK

While the idea of an HTPC is still fun for tinkerers, the Roku has completely dominated that space for good reason. It is probably the closest modern option to that ultimate “TiVo on steroids” experience. Instead of dealing with loud cooling fans, a bulky computer, and frustrating keyboard-and-mouse remotes, a Roku delivers a far superior, energy-efficient experience:

1. Unbeatable Efficiency: A Roku sips a fraction of the electricity of a full PC and turns on instantly.

2. Purpose-Built Control: The remote is optimized specifically for a television interface, making it infinitely easier to use than trying to navigate desktop icons.

3. Longevity Over Smart TVs: Built-in “Smart TV” interfaces get incredibly sluggish after a few years. Slapping a cheap Roku into an HDMI port keeps your television snappy and extends its life for a fraction of the cost.

Looking Ahead: November Tech Shopping & Black Friday Deals

As we head deeper into the fall, stay vigilant against scams, consider freezing your credit files, and reach out if you have any questions or want to see a specific topic covered next month!

Looking just past October, November is Black Friday shopping month, and I will be putting together a comprehensive tech shopping guide. We will break down exactly what is worth buying and what to skip—covering everything from steep streaming service discounts to streaming hardware like Roku players, smart home essentials, and more. Stay tuned for that so you can snag the best holiday tech deals without overspending.

Warmly,

CJ Flynn

Technically Easier

technicallyeasier.com

Thank you to Hiawatha City Council member, CJ Flynn, for telling me about the event. Today he is wearing his other hat as CEO of Technically Easier, helping older Iowans tackle technology. Link to Arts post with more pics and info about the Expo.

On a personal note, I also reached a major milestone this month: I officially graduated from physical therapy! Huge shoutout to Josh and the incredible team for their patient guidance and encouragement. Rebuilding mobility and balance was hard work, but it was a great reminder of just how vital fall prevention and staying active are as we age—which leads right into what we have planned next.

Upcoming Fall Classes

Mark Your Calendars: Smartwatches, Fall Detection & Kirkwood Pop-Ups

While September is a bit quieter on the big expo circuit, we have practical hands-on classes starting up:

• FREE Smartwatches & Fall Detection (September 14): Exploring how modern wearables compare to traditional medical alert buttons (PERS). We’ll break down automatic fall detection, GPS location tracking, emergency dispatch features, and how to pick the right safety setup for your lifestyle.

  Time & Location

  It will be at 1:30 to 3pm or so on 9-14-26

  location is First Presbyterian Church 310 5th St SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401

The above program is sponsored by https://www.bridgeseniorcenter.org/

• Kirkwood Pop-Up Tech Classes: Kirkwood Community College is offering focused continuing education sessions this fall, covering everything from cord cutting to our practical Android phone series. You can secure a seat online or by calling Kirkwood Continuing Education at (319) 398-1022.

• Android Basics: 10/06/26 | 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

• Android Part 2: 10/13/26 | 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

• Cord Cutting: 10/13/26 | 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM

Location for all of the above Kirkwood classes is the

Linn County Regional Center 1770 E Boyson Road, Hiawatha, IA 52233

Full details and future class listings are always available

https://www.technicallyeasier.com/classes-offered

• Retro Tech Corner: The 50-Inch Monster of 1997

Before 65-inch 4K flat panels were sold at warehouse clubs for $350, the undisputed king of living room luxury was the Rear-Projection CRT.

A buddy recently dug up the original manual and warranty card for his Hitachi 50SBX70B, delivered brand-new on October 28, 1997. Inside these massive cabinets sat three individual red, green, and blue projection tubes aiming up at a giant internal mirror to project a 50-inch picture onto the screen. They weighed close to 200 pounds, had to be carefully converged so colors wouldn’t bleed, and lost half their brightness if you weren’t sitting directly dead-center.

While classic 20-inch to 27-inch direct-view glass CRTs are seeing a massive revival for retro video gaming, these giant projection behemoths are an incredible reminder of just how far home entertainment has come in 30 years.

This was an interesting video about What Happened to the World’s Largest Tube TV?

Looking Ahead: Welcoming the “-ber” Months

As we welcome the start of the “-ber” months and roll toward the end of the year, I’m excited to keep these monthly newsletters going. My goal moving forward is to make this a regular touchpoint covering where I’ve been, where I’ll be speaking in the month ahead, and handy tech tips to make your digital life easier.

I look forward to seeing and working with many of you in our upcoming classes! Next month, we’ll be diving deep into scam protection and digital safety—sharing practical strategies to identify modern phone and email fraud, spot AI-driven scams, and keep your personal accounts secure.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this newsletter! Reach out to let me know what you think, or tell me which tech topics and questions you’d like to see covered next.

Warmly,

CJ Flynn

I am looking forward to a huge turnout, and I really hope you can pop over and join us. Here is everything you need to know:

📅 Save The Date: The Senior Expo

• Day: Wednesday, August 12th

• Time: 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM

• Location: Kirkwood Community College: Linn County Regional Center

• Address: 1770 E Boyson Road, Hiawatha, IA 52233

• More Info: crelderly.org/senior-expo

Hello everyone,

I am incredibly excited to invite you to an event I’ve been looking forward to all year. I always say this: the Senior Expo is the Super Bowl for senior citizen service providers. Between the amazing number of seniors that come out, the incredible amount of free stuff given away, and just the overall energetic vibe, it truly is a can’t-miss day for the community.

I am especially proud to be deeply involved in this year’s Expo. I have been serving on the programming committee to help bring it all together, and Technically Easier will be there in full force. I am thrilled to be a food sponsor for the event, and I will be setting up a booth where you can come by, grab some info, and say hello.

Even better, I am honored to be one of the four presenters leading a breakout session! My session will be entirely focused on tech—breaking down confusing topics, answering your questions, and sharing practical tips to make your devices work for you.

If you are planning to attend, please let me know in the comments. Be sure to track down my booth and chat.

This summer has been moving fast, and I have a lot of exciting updates, new community events, and a quick tech breakdown to share with you.

🎉 Recap: Ageless Insights

A huge thank you to everyone who came out to the Ageless Insights event on July 2nd! It was a fantastic time, and it is officially going to be an annual tradition. I’ll be posting some pictures and video from the event down below shortly so you can check out how it went. Looking forward to doing an event like this again next year :)

https://agelessinsightsia.com/past-events/ See a video of my event and all other events they have had at the above link.

📅 Class Updates & New Free Tech Sessions

It has been a busy couple of months in the classroom, and the schedule is only

growing:

Upcoming Tech Classes at Kirkwood

I’m looking forward to getting back into the classroom. If you want to learn how to get more out of your devices or simplify your digital life, check out my upcoming continuing education workshops through Kirkwood Community College:

• Android Basics: We will cover the essentials of getting the most out of your Android smartphone. Many different times and locations that this class is offered.

• Cord Cutting: Tuesday, August 25, 2026 at 5:30 PM. A practical guide to ditching traditional cable and navigating the world of modern streaming services.

• https://www.technicallyeasier.com/classes-offered has full dates times and links to register for the classes with Kirkwood.

• Last Month (MyChart): We had a great turnout for the MyChart class, where we focused strictly on how to confidently use and navigate the portal to manage your medical records and appointments.

• This Month (AI): If you are curious about Artificial Intelligence and how it actually impacts your day-to-day life, I am running a class on AI this month. July 30th @130PM Tech Advice - AI for 55+ Local and more info https://www.bridgeseniorcenter.org/contact

• Upcoming Bridge Class: I will be hosting another Tech class at the the bridge on August 17th at 1:30 PM.

• A Forum on Aging: I will be participating in Session 1 of “A FORUM ON AGING: Resources for your Journey”. It takes place on Thursday, August 27th from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM in the Community Room at the Marion Public Library. Doors open at 4:30 PM. My business, Technically Easier, will be part of the expert panel, discussing resources available for seniors in the corridor alongside other great local organizations. There will be a drawing for door prizes during the session, and refreshments will be provided!

  

🚨 NEW: Free Public Tech Help (Starting in September)

I am incredibly excited to announce that starting the 3rd Wednesday of the month in September, I will be hosting a free, open-to-the-public tech help session. If you are familiar with the drop-in tech help I do at the Hiawatha Public Library, this will be a very similar format. Bring your devices, bring your questions, and we will get things sorted out.

Senior Expo 2026!

Save The Date: The Senior Expo

• Day: Wednesday, August 12th

• Time: 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM

• Location: Kirkwood Community College: Linn County Regional Center

• Address: 1770 E Boyson Road, Hiawatha, IA 52233

• More Info: crelderly.org/senior-expo

🚌 Catching the Bus to the State Fair

It wouldn’t be August in Iowa without the State Fair! This year, I am taking the bus down to Des Moines to cover my volunteer shifts at the Harper Telephone Museum. Taking the bus is a fantastic way to avoid the parking headache and just enjoy the ride. If you are heading to the fair, be sure to stop by the museum and say hello!

Nothing Compares to the Iowa State Fair- Hiawatha Bus Trip 2026 LINK $45 for the trip.

📧 The “Big Three” Email Options

Let’s talk about email. Most people set up an inbox years ago and never look back, but you have choices. Depending on how much you value privacy versus convenience, here is a quick breakdown of the three main options you should consider:

• Gmail: The undisputed heavyweight. It is incredibly convenient, ties seamlessly into Google Docs, Drive, and Android devices, and has excellent spam filtering. The trade-off is that Google scans your data to serve targeted ads.

  http://gmail.com/

• Proton Mail: The privacy-first powerhouse. Based in Switzerland, Proton uses end-to-end encryption, meaning not even the company can read your emails. It is fantastic for keeping your personal communications secure, though it takes a little adjusting if you are used to the Google ecosystem. https://proton.me/mail

• Tuta Mail: (Formerly Tutanota). Another excellent, highly secure alternative. Like Proton, it offers end-to-end encryption and a strict zero-tracking policy. It is open-source, fast, and has a very straightforward interface if you want maximum privacy without any extra clutter. https://tuta.com/

Have you ever considered switching away from Gmail, or does the convenience keep you locked in? Let me know in the comments!

As I officially hit the mid-thirties mark, I’ve been reflecting on how this past year has shaped my views on public service, free speech, and the wild, rewarding journey of being 100% self-employed.

1. From the Sidelines to the Dais

If you had told me a few years ago that I’d be sitting on the Hiawatha City Council, I would have been skeptical. But after being sworn in last November, the perspective shift has been profound.

Serving on council isn’t about grand political posturing; it’s about the granular details of how a community actually functions. It’s a lesson in transparency and a daily reminder of the weight of Free Speech. In local government, protecting the right to speak means actively listening to ideas you agree with and, more importantly, those you don’t. True civic duty requires the courage to speak up and the discipline to listen.

2. Going All-In: The Power of Print and the Local Media

The biggest personal shift of this past year was leaving the corporate structure of a W2 job to go all-in on Technically Easier. Transitioning to full self-employment is both liberating and terrifying, but the community response has been incredible.

Recently, I had the honor of being featured in two great places. Midwest Marketing LINK featured my business in a wonderful blog post, and I was also featured in the Sunday print edition of the Cedar Rapids Gazette LINK.

I quickly learned a valuable marketing lesson: never underestimate the power of physical print. Turns out, a lot of senior citizens still love reading the Sunday newspaper. That single print feature brought in about three dozen new customers the very next Monday, and the referrals haven’t stopped since.

3. Finding My Voice (and some comedy) in Advocacy

A huge focus of my business is bridging the digital divide for older adults, and this year has brought some incredible opportunities to connect with leaders in that space:

• Cedar Rapids Elderly Consortium: After about two years of networking and waiting for a slot, I finally got the chance to speak in front of this amazing group. It went incredibly well—several people told me I was practically a comedian with how I communicate tech concepts. More importantly, it gave me a deeper understanding of my own “why.” I walked away with new individual clients and invitations from local institutions to host monthly recurring classes at their facilities.

• The Corridor Conference on Aging: I recently hosted a booth at their inaugural event. It was great to connect with folks—I already knew about a fourth of the attendees! A lot of them were actually surprised and disappointed that I wasn’t on the main stage, so I’m happy to share that I’ll be back next year as a featured technology presenter. https://www.kirkwood.edu/programs/community/corridor-conference-on-aging

• The Bridge Senior Center: I’m proud to serve on their Board of Directors and teach monthly classes there. Because they had a major event landing right on my 35th birthday, I decided to bring the celebration to them and host my birthday party right at the center.

  https://www.bridgeseniorcenter.org/

• Looking Ahead: I’ve also joined the programming committee for the upcoming Horizons Our Place Senior Center and look forward to building out tech curriculum for when they open their doors in about a year.

4. The Horizon: Building a Sustainable Future

Everything is culminating this August, as I am serving on the planning committee for the upcoming Senior Expo happening August 12th at the Linn County Regional Center right here in Hiawatha. https://www.crelderly.org/senior-expo

Looking back at the path to 35, I feel incredibly blessed by the life-enriching people and opportunities that have come my way. Whether I’m teaching my regular continuing education classes at Kirkwood, helping someone solve a frustrating tablet issue in their living room, or voting on city ordinances, it all feeds into the same goal: building a sustainable, long-term business that is deeply, mutually beneficial for me and the community I call home.

Thanks to everyone who has trusted me with their technology, their votes, and their support. Here’s to making 35 the most impactful year yet.