April Fools 2017

[et_pb_section admin_label="Section" fullwidth="on" specialty="off"][et_pb_fullwidth_header admin_label="Fullwidth Header" title="April Fools" background_layout="light" text_orientation="left" header_fullscreen="off" header_scroll_down="off" parallax="off" parallax_method="off" content_orientation="center" image_orientation="center" custom_button_one="off" button_one_letter_spacing="0" button_one_use_icon="default" button_one_icon_placement="right" button_one_on_hover="on" button_one_letter_spacing_hover="0" custom_button_two="off" button_two_letter_spacing="0" button_two_use_icon="default" button_two_icon_placement="right" button_two_on_hover="on" button_two_letter_spacing_hover="0" subhead="April 2017"] [/et_pb_fullwidth_header][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section admin_label="section"][et_pb_row admin_label="row"][et_pb_column type="4_4"][et_pb_text admin_label="Text" background_layout="light" text_orientation="left" use_border_color="off" border_color="#ffffff" border_style="solid" saved_tabs="all"] By David Edge [spacer height="05px"] April is usually the greeting for spring weather, but April is also known for “April Fool’s Day.” There are some who wonder, “How did this day of pranks, jokes, and gags begin?” Well, there are many stories of the origin of this goofy day, which in itself makes for a funny story. [spacer height="03px"] If we look historically, a prank was first written in Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales from 1392. A fox tricks the proud rooster, Chauntecleer, on “syn March bigan thritty dayes and two.” Now we know there are not 32 days in March, so was he thinking April 1^st? This is the first hint of a foolish day. [spacer height="03px"] April 1^st soon became an international day for gags. Whether gags were simple or elaborate, they always end with “April Fools” being shouted at the victim. [spacer height="03px"] Some of the earliest April Fool’s jokes were started in where else, but England! The trick would start with a sealed envelope being given to a trusted friend on an important errand. “Please go to (another trusted friend) and deliver this important message!” Upon arrival to the friend, they opened the envelope only to find the message told them to tell the errand person that this grave matter involves another friend, thus placing the same message in another sealed envelope so that the messenger was still clueless about the message. The errand person might see several friends with the message until someone would finally save him from the important” errand. [spacer height="03px"] Other countries celebrate by placing a paper fish on someone else without them knowing. But, some pranks are truly inspirational. The BBC ran a story about the Swiss having a bumper crop from the spaghetti plants with film showing farmers harvesting spaghetti. The BBC was flooded with calls from people wanting to know how they could get a spaghetti tree! [spacer height="03px"] Burger King ran a commercial touting the left-handed hamburger. Hundreds of customers asked for this burger! Taco Bell announced that it had bought the Liberty Bell and renamed it the Taco Liberty Bell. Outraged Americans called the White House and wanted to know if it was true! The White House press director (who also had a sense of humor) added that they had also sold the Lincoln bedroom to the Ford Motor Company and it would now be called the Ford Lincoln Mercury bedroom. [spacer height="03px"] Of course all of these were later revealed as the hoaxes that they were, and the nation had a good laugh! [/et_pb_text][et_pb_image admin_label="Image" src="https://americanretirementadvisors.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/April-Fools-2.png" show_in_lightbox="off" url_new_window="off" use_overlay="off" animation="left" sticky="off" align="left" max_width="250px" force_fullwidth="off" always_center_on_mobile="on" use_border_color="off" border_color="#ffffff" border_style="solid"] [/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

March Turns Green

[et_pb_section admin_label="Section" fullwidth="on" specialty="off"][et_pb_fullwidth_header admin_label="Fullwidth Header" title="March Turns Green" background_layout="light" text_orientation="left" header_fullscreen="off" header_scroll_down="off" parallax="off" parallax_method="off" content_orientation="center" image_orientation="center" custom_button_one="off" button_one_letter_spacing="0" button_one_use_icon="default" button_one_icon_placement="right" button_one_on_hover="on" button_one_letter_spacing_hover="0" custom_button_two="off" button_two_letter_spacing="0" button_two_use_icon="default" button_two_icon_placement="right" button_two_on_hover="on" button_two_letter_spacing_hover="0" subhead="March 2017"] [/et_pb_fullwidth_header][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section admin_label="section"][et_pb_row admin_label="row"][et_pb_column type="4_4"][et_pb_text admin_label="Text" background_layout="light" text_orientation="left" use_border_color="off" border_color="#ffffff" border_style="solid" saved_tabs="all"] By David Edge [spacer height="03px"] The most popular holiday celebrated in March is Saint Patrick’s Day on the 17th. The Patron Saint of Ireland is honored for bringing Christianity to Ireland around 400 AD. So fast forward a few hundred years to New York City, where in 1762 the first Saint Patrick’s Day Parade was held! You might wonder why the first parade wasn’t held in Ireland. Well, there are approximately 34 million Americans of Irish descent in America, and that is approximately 7 times the population of Ireland. Oh, BTW, you’ll hear the phrase “Erin Go Braugh” probably more than once on St. Paddy’s Day as it means “Ireland Forever”! [spacer height="02px"] Other fun Irish facts; [spacer height="02px"] Ireland has been the land of superstitions as we tend to think of leprechauns, four-leaf clovers, fairies, rainbows with pots of gold at the end, and no one can deny the wearing of the green on this special day unless you want to get pinched! If your nose itches, someone is speaking ill of you, but if your palm itches you’ve got money coming to you. When you find a lucky horseshoe, you nail it to your wall pointing up so that the luck won’t fall out! Don’t break any mirrors because no one wants seven years of bad luck! There are dozens more of these fun, but irrational beliefs. [spacer height="02px"] There are more than one or two auspicious superstitions with Irish folk and another popular belief is Kissing the Blarney Stone for good luck. As the story goes, the King of Blarney Castle in the village of Blarney, Ireland once saved an old woman from drowning and in reward, she cast a good spell on the stone where it still resides today. Kissing the stone is a popular belief that it will bring you good luck. Others say kissing the stone will give you the gift of persuasion and eloquent speech. [spacer height="02px"] You can thank the Irish for popularizing limericks. Irish writer Edward Lear made these little ditties fun and a permanent part of our speech patterns in 1846 when his book “Book of Nonsense” was published. If you decide to try your hand at writing a limerick, remember its five lines of verse, the first two lines rhyme with the fifth line, and the lines are usually humorous. You can visit the fourth largest city of “Limerick” Ireland on your next trip! [spacer height="02px"] So kick up your heels with a little Irish jig and remember to wear some green! [/et_pb_text][et_pb_image admin_label="Image" src="https://americanretirementadvisors.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/St-Patricks-Day-2.jpg" show_in_lightbox="off" url_new_window="off" use_overlay="off" animation="left" sticky="off" align="left" max_width="250px" force_fullwidth="off" always_center_on_mobile="on" use_border_color="off" border_color="#ffffff" border_style="solid"] [/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

Valentines Day

[et_pb_section admin_label="Section" fullwidth="on" specialty="off"][et_pb_fullwidth_header admin_label="Fullwidth Header" title="Happy Valentine's Day" background_layout="light" text_orientation="left" header_fullscreen="off" header_scroll_down="off" parallax="off" parallax_method="off" content_orientation="center" image_orientation="center" custom_button_one="off" button_one_letter_spacing="0" button_one_use_icon="default" button_one_icon_placement="right" button_one_on_hover="on" button_one_letter_spacing_hover="0" custom_button_two="off" button_two_letter_spacing="0" button_two_use_icon="default" button_two_icon_placement="right" button_two_on_hover="on" button_two_letter_spacing_hover="0" subhead="February 2017"] [/et_pb_fullwidth_header][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section admin_label="section"][et_pb_row admin_label="row"][et_pb_column type="4_4"][et_pb_text admin_label="Text" background_layout="light" text_orientation="left" use_border_color="off" border_color="#ffffff" border_style="solid" saved_tabs="all"] By David S Edge [spacer height="03px"] For all you lovers out there, February can mean one thing; heart-shaped candy boxes and roses for a loved one, and cards, cards, cards! Don’t forget Cupid with his quiver of arrows! [spacer height="03px"] Remember when we were kids and gave out hand-made valentines to our classmates? Who got what, from who? Who is going to be this one’s boyfriend or girlfriend? Candy and cooties! Then there was the little sing-song rhyme, “Jane and Jim sittin’ in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G, first comes love, then comes”…well…you remember. [spacer height="03px"] Valentine’s Day actually started back in Greece with Cupid. He was the son of Venus and Mars who fell madly in love with a mortal maid, by the name of Psyche. Now old mamma Venus was insanely jealous of Psyche’s beauty and ordered Cupid to punish her. Instead, Cupid fell in love and married her! [spacer height="03px"] There is a whole story of how they separated and got back together after a long list of tasks to prove their love ordered by Venus, including a trip to the underworld, but in the end…they lived happily ever after. Venus even made Psyche a goddess so she could live with them in the heavens. Concerning the events surrounding the date of Valentine’s Day, ancient Romans had a festival of fertility that was usually held February 13-15. As Christianity became popular, Pope Gelasius I renamed the holiday Feast Day and declared the holiday be moved to February 14^th where it is still held today. [spacer height="03px"] The added romance came along during the Elizabethan era featuring the sonnets and plays of Shakespeare and the like. The commercialization of the holiday didn’t begin until 1913, when Valentines’ Day cards were introduced by who else…Hallmark! [spacer height="03px"] So, hug your sweetie, send a card, have an extra piece of candy, and hopefully you’re the recipient of someone’s affections. No one special in your life? Then be bold and make the first move! Nothing ventured, nothing gained. [spacer height="03px"] Happy Valentine’s Day! [/et_pb_text][et_pb_image admin_label="Image" src="https://americanretirementadvisors.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/FeaturedStory_Feb2017.png" show_in_lightbox="off" url_new_window="off" use_overlay="off" animation="left" sticky="off" align="left" max_width="250px" force_fullwidth="off" always_center_on_mobile="on" use_border_color="off" border_color="#ffffff" border_style="solid"] [/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

And so it begins

[et_pb_section admin_label="Section" fullwidth="on" specialty="off" transparent_background="on" allow_player_pause="off" inner_shadow="off" parallax="off" parallax_method="off" custom_padding_last_edited="off|" padding_mobile="off" make_fullwidth="off" use_custom_width="off" width_unit="on" make_equal="off" use_custom_gutter="off"][et_pb_fullwidth_header admin_label="Fullwidth Header" title="And So it Begins" background_layout="light" text_orientation="left" header_fullscreen="off" header_scroll_down="off" parallax="off" parallax_method="off" content_orientation="center" image_orientation="center" custom_button_one="off" button_one_letter_spacing="0" button_one_use_icon="default" button_one_icon_placement="right" button_one_on_hover="on" button_one_letter_spacing_hover="0" custom_button_two="off" button_two_letter_spacing="0" button_two_use_icon="default" button_two_icon_placement="right" button_two_on_hover="on" button_two_letter_spacing_hover="0" subhead="Dec 2016"] [/et_pb_fullwidth_header][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section admin_label="section"][et_pb_row admin_label="row"][et_pb_column type="4_4"][et_pb_text admin_label="Text" background_layout="light" text_orientation="left" use_border_color="off" border_color="#ffffff" border_style="solid"] For the first time since Andrew Jackson, we have elected a business person, not a career politician. As my friend that owns a pizza shop says, “I still get up in the morning and go off to work.” For most of us life will be the same. So what do we have to look forward to? What does the future hold? [spacer height="5px"] I wish for opportunity and prosperity for all people, America, and the rest of the world. [spacer height="5px"] I wish for jobs for those that want to work hard for themselves and their families. [spacer height="10px"] I wish for healthcare for all Americans at a reasonable cost, and the ability to see all providers. Medicare has provided amazing levels of quality and service for many years. The “not so” Affordable Care Act was a step in the right direction, but poorly implemented. The results for the insurance companies was devastating, because the government failed to reimburse for the enormous losses. I hope it is fixed in 2017. [spacer height="5px"] I wish for less regulation and less burden on small business. Small business employs more people in America than the mega corporations. Small business is the American Economy, not Wall Street, not the oil companies, not the media companies, not Hollywood. It is made up of companies that employ less than 100 people. These little American dreams are the coffee shops, insurance agencies, local ad agencies, massage therapists, and hair dressers. It’s the private duty nurses and doctors and dentists in private practice. It’s the rural mail person and Fed Ex ground delivery people. The Uber and Lyft drivers. It’s you and me. [spacer height="10px"] I wish for a reasonable tax assessment. Reasonable for everyone, not just the poor or wealthy. “47% of Americans do not pay income tax.” Remember those words? While accurate, it’s not a complete statement. Those on Social Security only, don’t pay taxes. Those on State assistance only, don’t pay taxes. Kids in school don’t pay taxes. Folks working for American companies living outside of the US don’t pay taxes. Many illegal folks do pay taxes, they just use someone else’s social security number. Warren Buffet openly states he pays too little in taxes, but less than .05% of Americans have his income. [spacer height="5px"] I look forward to a great future for my family, my wonderful clients, and the great country we call the United States of America! [spacer height="5px"] If we don’t like the new President, we can certainly use a phrase he coined, “YOU’RE FIRED.” [/et_pb_text][et_pb_image admin_label="Image" src="https://americanretirementadvisors.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/FeatureStory_December2016.png" show_in_lightbox="off" url_new_window="off" use_overlay="off" animation="left" sticky="off" align="left" max_width="150px" force_fullwidth="off" always_center_on_mobile="on" use_border_color="off" border_color="#ffffff" border_style="solid"] [/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

A Pet Trust?

[et_pb_section fullwidth="on" specialty="off" admin_label="Section"][et_pb_fullwidth_header admin_label="Fullwidth Header" title="A Pet Trust?" background_layout="light" text_orientation="left" header_fullscreen="off" header_scroll_down="off" parallax="off" parallax_method="off" logo_image_url="https://americanretirementadvisors.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/pawprint.png" content_orientation="center" image_orientation="center" custom_button_one="off" button_one_letter_spacing="0" button_one_use_icon="default" button_one_icon_placement="right" button_one_on_hover="on" button_one_letter_spacing_hover="0" custom_button_two="off" button_two_letter_spacing="0" button_two_use_icon="default" button_two_icon_placement="right" button_two_on_hover="on" button_two_letter_spacing_hover="0"] [/et_pb_fullwidth_header][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fullwidth="off" specialty="off" admin_label="Section"][et_pb_row admin_label="Row"][et_pb_column type="1_4"][et_pb_text admin_label="Text" background_layout="light" text_orientation="left" use_border_color="off" border_color="#ffffff" border_style="solid"]

By David Edge [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="3_4"][et_pb_text admin_label="Text" background_layout="light" text_orientation="left" use_border_color="off" border_color="#ffffff" border_style="solid"]

Sometimes we have a furry friend that we want taken care of if something happens to us. Many of these pets have become close family members and we want their welfare cared for, after we’re gone.You can have a Pet Trust just as a stand-alone, or incorporate the Pet Trust as part of your overall Trust. There is a short list of considerations:

1) First of all, who do you want to select to look after your pet? This should be someone who is already familiar with your pet and your pet knows and trusts. This will help with the transition when and if your pet needs a new caregiver.

2) Keep in mind that the trustee of your Trust does not have to be the designated person to take care of your pet. You can have a trustee and a custodian for the pet.

3) You can have your pet in a current Trust or named in your Trust after you pass.

4) As long as your Trust is in order, you need not file with any court. The court will only get involved if someone of interest requests the Court intervention.

5) You will be the sole person to decide how much money to set aside for the care of your pet. No minimum or maximum is required.

6) Yes, you can name a charity to look after your pet if need be. An organization such as your local Humane Society chapter or some other charity can look after the pet. This is a consideration if you think there will be a conflict of interest with the trustee, in that they might skimp on the care in order to keep more money for the Trust beneficiaries.

7) You will want to be specific about the budgeting of the care of your pet. Things such as food, veterinary care, a safe environment, and even pain management or a Do Not Resuscitate (DOR) for your pet.

Costs for providing a Trust for your pet can vary and/or be included in your original Trust expense. Call Trudy to make your appointment TODAY at 602-281-3898! Some things are too important to put off.

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Health Tip Of The Month

Breast Cancer Awareness Month [spacer height="20px"] About 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer at some point in their life. Breast Cancer Awareness month is an annual international health campaign organized to spread awareness about the disease and raise funds for research into its cause, diagnosis, prevention, and a cure. [spacer height="20px"] Surprising statistics about breast cancer: [spacer height="20px"]

The most significant risk factors for breast cancer are being female as well as aging. An estimated 95% of all breast cancers in the US are in women 40 and older.[spacer height="20px"]
Since 1990, the number of breast cancer deaths has been declining due to better screening, early detection, increased awareness, and new treatment options.[spacer height="20px"]
Breast cancer is more common in developed countries rather than undeveloped countries.[spacer height="20px"]
The United States has the most recorded cases of breast cancer in the world.[spacer height="20px"]
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among American women, right behind skin cancer.[spacer height="20px"]
The first operation to ever use anesthesia was a breast cancer surgery.[spacer height="20px"]
The youngest known survivor of breast cancer was barely three years old.[spacer height="20px"]
It’s been estimated that if every woman over the age of 50 had a proper mammogram every year, breast cancer deaths would decrease in this age group by a potential 25% or more![spacer height="20px"]
More than 40,000 people every year in the United States will die from breast cancer.[spacer height="20px"]
Breast cancer is often refered to as the “Nuns Disease” due to the high incidence of Nuns affected by breast cancer.[spacer height="20px"]
This is a strong correlation between an increase in weight and the diagnosis of breast cancer. Especially individuals who gained weight after adolescence or after menopause.[spacer height="20px"]

Click here for the full version of the October newsletter.

Five Can’t-Miss Events in Arizona This Halloween

Salt River Fields Halloween Balloon Spooktakular (Scottsdale, AZ)

This annual festival is catered towards kids with trick or treating, carnival games, fireworks, and live music. What makes this festival really special? Over twenty hot air balloons will be on display! In addition to the magnificent balloons there will be 4,000 pounds of candy given out. You can find more information and ticket sales at www.srfballoonfestivals.com.

Nightmare On Main (Mesa, AZ)

This event is an Art Walk that includes live entertainment, costume contests, and a haunted basement tour. This event is safe and fun for the whole family. Everyone is encouraged to dress up! Find out more at www.2ndfridaynightout.com.

Dine Among The Dead (Phoenix, AZ)

Get ready for an evening filled with spooky entertainment. Dine by candlelight on the patio of the old Pioneer & Military Memorial Park Cemetary. Enjoy a cemetery walk that features reenactors in period dress. It is also encouraged that guests dress in Victorian, Edwardian, or Steampunk costumes! Learn more at www.azhistcemeteries.org.

Halloween at Hogwarts (Phoenix, AZ)

The phoenix Symphony Orchestra performs seasonal selections and memorable music from the Harry Potter films. Guests are encouraged to wear Harry Potter costumes and enjoy the pre-concert halloween activities throughout the hall. Read more about this activity and purchase tickets at www.phoenixsymphony.org. Tickets sold out last year so get em’ early!

Guided Ghost Tours at Hermosa Inn (Paradise Valley, AZ)

This halloween activity is for the older kids who may not spook easily or even a just for you and your significant other. Guests purchase the Hermosa Hauntings package wich buys you a two-night stay at the hotel, Zombie cocktails upon arrival, as well as a guided ghost tour of the property. If you’re brave and up for a little adventure, this one’s for you!! Read more about spiritual encounters at this inn at www.hermosainn.com.

Why Am I Me? Political Involvement?

[spacer height="20px"] Republican, Democrat, Independent, Libertarian? Or just maybe you are part of the silent non-voting majority? [spacer height="20px"] Where and how did you learn about politics? We of course observed our parents growing up discussing local politics and possibly a Governor’s race or two. Possibly even a Presidential race? [spacer height="20px"] I remember “I like Ike” as a youngster and then the Kennedy years. Of course the heightened tragedy of Kennedy’s assassination and the funeral was watched by school children on large black and white TV’s while crowded into libraries and lunchrooms. The event was a very impactful moment and heightened all school children’s political awareness. As a school age child I do remember the impact made by Kennedy about the great space race and NASA. [spacer height="20px"] But at our home we rarely discussed politics as we were much more absorbed in our daily demands of school, ball practice, band, church, etc. etc. Nixon was the first president I actually followed with any regularity from 1969 to 1974 as I was in high school civics class and later at the university where there was a lot of anti-war activity against “the man.” For many people my age at the time we were far more interested in our rock music, concerts, etc. I have to admit some of the best classic rock came from that period of time. [spacer height="20px"] I did have my first taste of success with politics when I ran for my high school class Vice President and won. Looking back it seems small but it did give me an interest to keep in touch with the bigger picture of the U.S. political scene. [spacer height="20px"] Where did you get your political awareness? Was it from parents, school, a college or university professor? Or did you just develop an interest all on your own? Ever work for a candidate for an election? Did you never attain political awareness at all? Some folks never do, as they stay focused on their daily lives of their family and careers, and take the attitude, “it is what it is and I can’t change it.” [spacer height="20px"] It’s almost a sense of hopelessness or simply not caring. What people don’t understand is that one person can make a difference! [spacer height="20px"] I have made it a point to vote in every election since I was 18 years old. I didn’t get to vote the first time I was eligible because Gerald Ford was placed into office of the Presidency due to Nixon resigning. So the first Presidential election I participated in was the Carter vs. Ford election. It was unfortunate that Ford had to clean up the mess after the Nixon years and it seemed like the American public wanted to be rid of the entire thing along with anyone who had something to do with it. Ford was the first President to give a Presidential pardon (Nixon) and the first President to visit Japan. He was also the first President who survived two assassination attempts, both by women! [spacer height="20px"] How you developed your political awareness is what makes you part of who you are and why you, are you. [spacer height="20px"] What we all need to understand is that politics also can make a huge difference in our income. Some politics increase our taxes for more free stuff to the underprivileged masses. While other politics keep making the wealthy continue to pay more, even after they retire! Currently the top 10% pay 70% of all taxes collected! While the other 90% pay only 30% of all taxes in the U.S.A. [spacer height="20px"] Make sure you’re not overpaying your fair share and also insure that your retirement funds can keep supporting you even after taxes and downturns in the market. You have what you have and can’t afford to lose or gamble at this point in your life! [spacer height="20px"] Give us a call! We know a team of folks that will review your current situation and recommend a safe haven for a politically correct retirement! [spacer height="10px"]

Click here for the full version of the October newsletter.

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David S. Edge

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V.P. High School Class of 1973

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Healthcare & Retirement Planning Professional

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Utilizing fact-based decision making to protect your retirement lifestyle!

Tune In Now to Channel 3 to See ARA on Your Life A-Z!!

Don’t miss American Retirement Advisors’ TV segment on Your Life A-Z, on Channel 3! Tune in at 10:15 A.M. for Medicare tips, advice, and information about free workshops.