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Are you part of a group that’s planning a get-together with friends and family for a Christmas or Hanukkah party? Party themes have become a thing these days, and it seems everyone is attempting to keep up with the most fun themes.
Over the past few years I’ve been invited to Christmas parties with themes like, come as your favorite Christmas TV or Movie character; another was for a winter wonderland, and even a murder-mystery themed party (for Christmas ??? are you kidding me??).
One of my more well-traveled friends even held a “dress in a costume from another country’s Christmas tradition” themed party. That one was interesting as I learned of many other Christmas traditions from around the world.
Just to name a few, there is a giant lantern festival held in the Philippines the Saturday before Christmas Eve. Beautiful huge lanterns, where competition is fierce for the most elaborate kaleidoscope patterns!
In Sweden they build a giant 42-foot goat built out of straw. Of course, some folks attempt to burn it down and some years they are successful. In Iceland they have the “Yule Lads” who dress up as trolls and they leave small gifts each night in the 13 days leading up to Christmas. Children place a pair of their shoes by their windows and get these small gifts. But… if you are naughty or misbehave, you might get a rotten potato in your shoes! A day of little candles is held in Columbia as folks place small, colored-paper flowers with candles in them to celebrate the Virgin Mary and the immaculate conception. Entire communities and towns follow this Christmas tradition and compete for the most beautiful displays.
So, no matter how you celebrate and enjoy the seasons bounty with family and friends… never forget to remember the reason for the season. Merry Christmas!
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Bring on the Turkey – 2019
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As we approach the November holidays, our thoughts turn to family, home, friends, and…. food! So, what was the first Thanksgiving all about, and …. was there really Turkey?
As much as we can find in historical accounts, the general understanding seems to be that there was no shortage of food at the first Thanksgiving. It took place in 1621 and the Wampanoag Indians were having the feast with the Pilgrims. And yes, it appears that there was turkey at the first Thanksgiving. The menu list included waterfowl, lobster, clams, berries, fruit, ham, and venison! Yes, pumpkins were presented as squash was part of the tribe’s diet, but there is controversy about if the pumpkin was made into pumpkin pie at this point. (We can dream a little I suppose).
Turkey became a popular main course at meals due to its size (because it can feed many people) and the fact that it tasted so good! Preparation also become a large part of the tradition as stuffing the turkey also became a big hit. Stuffing? Now where did that come from? Well, we would have to travel all the way back to Roman times as “farce” (Latin for stuff-ing) has been popular since those ancient times.
The Indians also introduced popcorn to the Pilgrims as a warm treat during the harsh winters. I’m sure this was much to the children’s delight.
Abraham Lincoln declared the first official American Thanksgiving in 1863, but the holiday didn’t become nationally popular until the early 1900s.
So, loosen your belt (you may have to add a notch), and get ready to chow down! For me, it isn’t Thanksgiving without Turkey, stuffing, gravy, and yes…pumpkin pie!
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Money Benefits – 2019
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Rick, a client of ours, was talking to his friend,Mark, and they were discussing their finances and doing some basic comparison on how well they were doing in their retirement funds. Mark was lamenting the 19% loss in his portfolio during the 4th quarter of 2018.
“Yeah, the market was ugly that quarter, but I didn’t get that huge loss like other folks” Rick was happy to announce. “The Market lost 19% but I only had a slight 3% decline. But when the market recovered in January 2019, it was up 8% and was able to catch 7% of the upswing” he added.
Mark was now more curious than before and wanted to know what Rick was doing to protect his nest egg. Rick was ready with a quick response and let his friend know that he had professional planners at American Retirement Advisors that assisted him in building his retirement income plan to protect him against such losses and help him with guaranteed income during his retirement years.
The thing that folks need to understand that when building a plan for your retirement nest egg, you must have a “preservation/distribution model” not an “accumulation model”. A lot of the planning needs to be done with expert and experienced planning partners who will research investments that will mitigate downside losses when the market takes a hit that effect individual investors, but at the same time enjoy the gains as the market turns to recovery.
There must be a long-term view when building a retirement income plan, not some short, quick and easy, get-rich-quick scheme. Planning, reviewing, and then selecting these vehicles is the key. This is known as doing the homework.
There is also no one-size-fits-all. In the end you need a customized plan that will endure the roller coaster ups and downs of the market. In your younger earning years, you can afford to take chances because you have time to recover. But in retirement years, you have what you have and can’t afford to lose it, because you have no way to recover the principal, unless you go back to work. Yuck!
Mark wasn’t shy about asking for a phone number….for guess who?
So, do you still have accounts scattered all over the place? Is your plan protected for the large swings in the market? Call us, we can help!
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Truly Thankful – 2019
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We are in a period where many Americans simply don’t appreciate what we have. High school and university students being subjected to a total “poor me” mentality, where you can find someone who is offended with just about anything. We hear from the lips of these younger folks that the world is end-ing in months. Or it’s about ‘I’m not making enough money to live like I want to.
Too many people are acting outraged over the most minor things. We must ask, how did we get here?
I’ve been an avid reader of my local daily paper for over 30 years. Now, most days I simply go straight to the comics, sports scores, and Dear Abby. That’s because newspapers are simply full of poor-me stories, or some hate-filled diatribe about one political situation or another. But there is simply no news, just editorial and opinions. When did newspapers stop telling the news? I was unloading a box from storage and the items were wrapped in old newspapers from about 20 years ago. The difference in the content of the paper were incredible! Actual news about things going on the world. And sadly, the TV news shows are no better.
I try every day to be thankful. As I go through my activities, I start every morning being thankful. Thankful for waking up and being healthy enough to go to work. Thankful for having a fulfilling career and great teammates at my office who I enjoy working with. Thankful for my spouse of some 37 years, and a wonderful daughter. Thankful that I can travel, fulfilling some of my boyhood dreams. I am constantly amazed by the opportunities that abound if we merely reach out and grasp them.
Another thing….I am thankful for the small things we take for granted; that I have electricity, I have clean water when I turn on a tap or flush that toilet, and that I can just walk into a grocery store and the selection is incredible. Thankful that I have not only one, but two autos, washer and dryer, and gasp! A dishwasher! What do you take for granted?
During this period of the year when we turn our hearts to being thankful, let’s not forget the small things and the true bounty of this United States of America. And no matter our shortcomings, she is still a truly blessed nation.
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Money Benefits 2019
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Rachael came into our office seeking assistance, regarding when to turn on her Social Security check benefits. She was lamenting that her budget was tight, and she needed extra money now to make her retirement budget work, but at age 65 she was hesitant to turn on her Social Security benefit. She knew her monthly check would be less money than if she waited until her full retirement age of 66. “I hate to miss out on income for the rest of my life by turning on my benefit check early,” she bemoaned.
As we reviewed her options, it came to light that her husband had passed away a few years ago. This aspect of the equation gave her additional options.
“Have you thought about activating your widower benefits?” we asked. She was somewhat taken aback as she had no idea that she was eligible for any widow benefits from Social Security.
You can take your widow benefits now and let your personal Social Security benefit grow until later years, then turn on your personal Social Security check at a larger amount in the future. Each year your Social Security check will grow at approximately 8%, and if you wait until age 70 to switch, your personal Social Security benefit will have grown by approximately 24%. That’s 24% more income for the rest of your life.
There are a few qualifications to this scenario:
• Deceased husband needed to have his 40 credits (less if he was younger).
• The surviving spouse must be at 60 or older for reduced benefits, and Full Retirement Age (FRA) for full survivors’ benefits.
• Spouse cannot have remarried to collect widow/widower benefits.
• There is also a one-time death benefit of $255 so long as the spouse was living with the deceased.
Since Racheal was only two months away from turning 66, this scenario would work for her. She was thrilled as it was like finding free money. To find out if this option is available to you as a widower, call us! We can review your personal situation to see if you qualify.
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Getting Hassled 2019
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As you go through life were there occasions where things didn’t always go as planned and when something happened, it sort of annoyed you? Maybe you were feeling hassled, or just plain put out? How you reacted to these situations made you….you!
Ok, now just think about this for a second, because a second is about all it takes to push your memory button to the last bad experience you had that upset your apple cart. Where were you? Who were you with? And exactly what was the incident? Most time it’s easy to remember a bad incident while we have to consciously make an effort to remember the good things that we take for granted.
I recently had a double dose of being hassled as we were visiting Mexico. I was pulled over by the local police. It was broad daylight, I wasn’t speeding, and I thought to myself, OK, be cool, you didn’t do anything wrong. The officer demanded my driver’s license and registration which is the universal greeting from police everywhere. In broken English and my poor Spanish, we communicated, and it appears I was pulled over for not having a license plate on the front of my car. I explained that in Arizona we only get one plate for the rear of the car. The officer didn’t bat an eyelash and simply said, “In Mexico we require both front and rear.” His meaning was clear. He didn’t care what it was in the U.S.A., if I drive my U.S.A. car in Mexico, I need both tags, or they will give me a ticket. He gave us a warning, but I could not help but feel he knew we were tourists and was just giving us a hard time.
A few days later, while coming across the Mexico/U.S.A. border, it was the American police’s turn to hassle us. Seems our Global Entry was registered for air travel, but not land travel. Of course, for this small infraction they took everything out of our car while they ran us through whatever computer system to make sure we weren’t wanted criminals. “OK, you can go,” the officer stated after not finding anything. Of course, I got the privilege of re- loading the car of all our belongings, with no assistance. I felt hassled for nothing.
While driving the rest of the way home, my charming bride of 38 years reminded me that it could have been worse. We had made over a hundred trips in foreign countries and for the most part we’ve never had any trouble. We should be grateful of a safe trip coming home in one piece. It’s funny how a gentle word from your spouse makes you calm. And of course, she was right.
When it comes to the details in your life, don’t be hassled. Going through the planning maze of retirement means choosing your Medicare plan, when to turn on your Social Security check, what to do with retirement money, and getting your Powers of Attorney for health and financial matters in order. Don’t allow yourself to be hassled! One stop at one place to get all the answers to your questions. Call us we can help!
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October Treats ! 2019
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Got your trick or treat candy ready? I mean, whether you are going to eat it yourself or hand it out to kids? (Ha!) It’s that time of year again for fall festivals, Oktoberfest, and Halloween!
Here in Arizona we have plenty of haunted hotels, houses, and other spooky places that really are haunted, or at least some folks claim they are. While I’ve never had a personal experience with a ghost or any other paranormal experience, I, for one, can’t say with 100% clarity that I don’t know if they exist or not!
My daughter is a fun-loving Halloween person and loves all the activities that go with Halloween. Costume parties, haunted house tours, and the ultimate experience -- Disneyland’s Halloween days, where they decorate the entire park for Halloween! We have been on several haunted tours all over the U.S.A. and I can tell you that there are some downright scary stories out there. We had a particularly good tour in Key West and another one in New Orleans that not only visited real haunted houses in the French Quarter, but also the graves of the famous Voodoo Queens and Kings in the graveyards in the old quarter. It did give me the chills, especially with a good storyteller directing the tour! Of course, these tours are given at night to enhance your experience! It’s great fun!
So, pull on a sweater, and head out to one of these cool October nights and enjoy one of the local Halloween haunted houses, maybe a corn-field maze, and get some hot apple cinnamon cider!
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Timely Reflections 2019
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As we hustle and bustle through our lives it seems time just passes quickly, and, before we know it another year has gone by. How we fill our time with our schedules in our daily lives is what makes you…. you!
I’m a pretty typical professional who takes caring for my clients seriously, and I like to say “Yes, I can help”. Assisting thousands of folks every year with their decisions on what Medicare plan to take, when to turn on their Social Security monthly check to get the most benefit, and building their financial plans for retirement makes me a busy person.
Many weeks the advisors in our practice put in 60-70 hours a week with appointments and teaching workshops to help folks. While this schedule can be a bit hectic, it sometimes feels our schedule is running our lives instead of us running our schedule. Does this sound like you? Is your life running you, or are you running your life?
Are the kids or grandkids a major part of your schedule? Babysitting? Shopping? Doctor appointments? What is filling your time while in retirement? Not enough time? Start saying “no” occasionally to make time for you. Too much time? Start filling it by volunteering at local libraries, parks, and other public or religious organizational services. At some point in your life you enjoyed something, so what was it? Playing or singing music? Toy Trains? Cooking? Camping? Horseback rides? Working on cars? Art? Theater? Travel? Rediscover your passion, and it will help you rediscover you!
Point is, the life that you have is the only life you get. What you are doing with it either makes you unhappy or happy. And there’s only one person who can do something about it. YOU! So, get busy!
Take time to do some thinking about what makes you happy then pursue it! Make you, you again!While you’re thinking, put your mind at ease and make sure you have all the answers to your Medicare questions, social security questions, and financial retirement questions. It’s all under one roof, call us… we can help!
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Underage!!! 2019
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Roberto and his wife, Maria, came to meet with us about Medicare. Roberto was going to turn 65 in six months and retire. He wanted to review all his Medicare options. After performing research on his doctors and prescription drugs across all available plans and networks, he narrowed his decision down to two options. We supplied him with the detailed research and outline of coverage on both options that he liked.
He had plenty of time to think about a final plan selection, but…. that wasn’t the issue.Maria was a year younger and on his employer health plan with him and they wanted to know what options she had for medical coverage. Since Roberto was retiring, they would both lose his employer coverage and that would leave Maria without a health plan.
Choices:
1)Roberto could continue to work and keep his employer coveragefor both until Maria turned 65 and is eligible for Medicare plans,then retire.
2)They could search for an Affordable Health Care Act plan.
3)They could research the several “Faith-Based” health plans offeredin their market.
4)They could visit www.123easyhealthcareinsurance.com.
Individual health plans for folks under age 65 vary wildly from county to county. Researching these options months ahead of losing your employer health plan will assist you in making a “fact-based” decision. This will just take some research to select the most appropriate answer for your situation.
Not sure what to do? Just call us, and we will have a certified specialist to help you find the most appropriate individual health plan for you!!!
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Ready or not! Get ready to slide into the major holidays of fall. You’re probably already seeing Halloween decorations for sale in the stores along with large bags of candy. Then there’s Thanks-giving, which seems to get glossed over more and more each year with Christmas advertising starting in September and bombarding us for the next four months. And don’t forget to add Hanukkah into the mix! I already got a Christmas catalog last week. It’s over 100 days away, yet the commercial advertisers seem relentless.
Fall brings football games, cooler weather, jackets and sweaters come out of the closet, and a general positive attitude of impending holidays with family and friend get-togethers. Most of the time we look forward to these events, and, some…not so much. There seems to be that one annoying friend or relative at these festive gatherings that has be the center of attention, almost to an extreme. If you don’t know who that is in your group, it might be you! (Ha-Ha!).
As Americans, we have always been generous with our volunteer time and money, especially during these holidays. Living in New Orleans for a few years in my youth, I learned a word “Lagniappe” pronounced “Lan-yap”. I found it meant “the little extra”. As the holidays approach, ask yourself if there’s a “Lagniappe” that you can give, to help a charity, or maybe it could be the gift of time to a friend or loved one to help them feel included. It can all start with just a small “little extra” from each of us!
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