The Best Gadgets for Retirement

Similar to many retiries, we like to travel between the northern summer home and the southern winter home. We returned to a smelly freezer full of spoiled food due to a power outage while we were away. We purchased a plug in device, connected to a cell phone app, that would notify us if the freezer was not receiving power. It had been a real peace of mind for about 5 years, until the company informed us that they no longer support these devices. We are searching for an alternative. Does anyone else no how to remedy this issue?

Caps, we don't snowbird, but over the years have experienced several failures (power, compresser) that caused complete freezer loss or threatened it. I can't really help other than to suggest what you are likely doing -- try to draw down freezer contents before you leave. But my question is, other than knowing you had a problem, what benefit did that alarm truly provide other than avoiding a smelly freezer? In our case, twice the freezer contents were still a total loss after long power failures even though we were in the home. When the compresser died recently in a new freezer, we managed to save most of the food, but still had major inconvenience and had to buy another new freezer. ( The first manufacturer did refund the freezer cost under warrenty.) If you are south, are you going to return home ( and at what cost?) just to try to save a few hundred or thousand dollars of food ( despite any weather issues) while totally disrupting your southern activities.? Or perhaps you plan to call someone at home for help -- and what can they really do? Quite likely you have good responses, but you also may want to consider installing a small, automatic self-starting generator sufficient to keep your fridge/ freezer going. Considering the overall costs associated with a freezer loss, a generator may be cost efficient
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As RichPB mentions, standby generators to power just a few appliances like refrigerators, etc., are available and cost around $2,000. https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/electrical/best-whole-house-generators/

Snowbirds and others who live here fulltime but travel extensively all hire a local Home Watch person within the community to check on their homes. Can be done weekly, monthly, or whatever. Cost very reasonable. If a power outage in the community, most home watch personnel will automatically check the homes they care for...

I find Apple Air Pods unnecessary. I can do the same thing with my hearing aids. LOL!

We have a neighborhood friend that comes every 8-10 days to water my plants and check on things, however she forgot to check the freezer , hence the problem. Which is why we found that great i-socket device. I wish a new company would sell a similar product. We do have a generator, however would require someone to connect it. I guess it would have helped had we not had the freezer plugged into the GFR outlet, as the other outlets regained power after the outage. Totally our ignorance! I hope this helps others.

Editor's Comment. These power notification devices have come a long way. I remember one I had that was connected to a red light bulb and thermometer - if the heat went off in the winter the red light would be a sign to a helpful neighbor before the pipes froze! Here is an Amazon link to a lot of interesting (and inexpensive) power notification devices.

My ebike has been a great purchase, 2000 miles of riding it during the last 2 years. No way I could have done that with my old pedal bike.

Editor Comment: That's what I hear all the time from ebike owners. You can ride so much farther and see so many more things with one of them. One is on my list! Just be careful charging it - follow manufacturer's instructions to avoid potential fire risk.

I am going to purchase some AirTags and put them on my wallet and keys. So tired of misplacing and then hunting down these essential items.

How about a Partner that does not tell how to live your Life!!

We’re not gadgets, Bill! But they’re making a lot of progress with robotics, betcha they’ll roll out a wife version within the next ten years…?

Editor comment. Maybe a husband version too?