Anne Goldberg: The Senior Behind the Ultimate Smartphone Guide

At 73, Anne Goldberg isn’t just teaching technology she’s redefining what aging looks like. With her new book, Take This Phone and Shove It! A Frustrated Senior’s Guide to Smartphones, Anne delivers what many call the ultimate guide to smartphones written by a senior, for seniors.

When it comes to technology, frustration is universal but for seniors, it can be overwhelming. That’s why Anne wrote her book: to turn that frustration into confidence. “The goal,” she says, “is to get seniors to go from wanting to shove their phones to loving them.”

From Frustration to Empowerment

Before writing her book, Anne’s journey began with a single spark. In 2013, while between jobs, she received six ‘out-of-the-blue’ phone calls in ten days from older adults saying they heard she helped seniors with their smartphones - even though she had never advertised herself as doing that.

“At the sixth call, she said, ‘Thank you. I now know what I’m supposed to do!” Anne recalls. From that moment, her business was born, not from a business plan, but from purpose.

Making Tech Click

Anne’s teaching method is built on empathy and clarity. She replaces jargon with metaphors that make sense to her students, for example, explaining that Contacts is what Boomers used to call their Address Book and a modem is really a type of antenna.

Her approach turns confusion into comprehension. “For the first time, I understand my phone,” one student told her; a statement that captures what Anne calls “the joy of seeing them ‘get it’”. She knows that when seniors learn to navigate their devices, they gain more than technical skill. They gain independence, connection, and confidence.

“Don’t be defined by how old you are.” Anne says, “Technology is here to stay and age should not be a barrier to learning.”  Her book reflects that philosophy, blending patience, humor, and practical insight into an easy-to-follow roadmap for seniors ready to embrace technology.

Take This Phone and Shove It! — A Senior’s Guide by a Senior

Published in 2025, Take This Phone and Shove It! captures over a decade of teaching experience in an approachable, laugh-out-loud format that feels like learning from a friend rather than a manual.

The title itself is part frustration, part fun and resonates with anyone who’s ever wanted to throw their phone across the room. But for Anne, it’s about transformation: turning “shove it” moments into “love it” moments.

The book walks readers through smartphone basics with step-by-step visuals, metaphors, and motivational encouragement. Beyond teaching, it carries a deeper message: you’re never too old to learn something new.

Living the Message

Anne’s story is not just about teaching technology, it’s about challenging assumptions about aging. At 73, she continues to prove that life doesn’t have to slow down because of age.

Her trademarked mantra, “Old Enough to Have a Past and Young Enough to Have a Future®,” captures her life philosophy, a call to action for seniors to stay curious, active, and engaged in every stage of life.

“We are not done yet,” Anne says with conviction. “There’s more to do, to be, and to enjoy even in our 80s, 90s and beyond.”

A Community of Savvy Seniors

Through Savvy Senior Tech LLC, Anne continues to build a growing community of Savvy Seniors who share success stories of their digital wins from FaceTiming grandchildren to mastering online shopping in her online community, Young Enough to Have a Future.

“That’s what I’m most proud of,” Anne says. “Helping seniors to know that they are old enough to have a past and young enough to have a future™ and that learning smartphones is an important part of maintaining cognitive health and wellbeing.”

Start Your Journey to Tech Confidence

If you or someone you love is struggling with smartphone frustration, Anne Goldberg’s book, Take This Phone and Shove It!, A Frustrated Senior’s Guide to Smartphones is your starting point. Her approachable teaching style and empowering message make technology not just usable but enjoyable.

Visit TakeThisPhoneAndShoveIt.com to learn more, sign up for classes, and order your copy of Take This Phone and Shove It!. Start your journey toward digital confidence and a renewed sense of what’s possible at any age.

Links:

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