Dangers of Sugar – June 2022

I'll make this short and "sweet"! No pun intended!

Sugar is dangerous. It's not so much about what you sprinkle on your morning cereal. It's about all the sugar hidden in 68% of our processed foods like fancy store-bought coffee, pasta sauces, bagels, desserts, low-fat yogurt, protein bars, sodas, and alcohol.

Our bodies crave it because of the dopamine "feel-good feeling" reward it triggers in our brain.

Sugar excess causes: weight gain, Type 2 diabetes, increased cancer risks, depression, fatty liver disease, kidney disease, & could lead to impaired memory. Sugar may accelerate the aging of our skin. Yikes!

Symptoms of sugar overload: headaches, irritability, difficulty concentrating, feeling jittery or anxious, feeling shaky, and always hungry.

Sugar disguises: corn syrup, sucrose, fructose, fruit juice, cane juice, dextrose, sorghum, maltose, glucose, beet sugar, etc.
So how much is okay? It should be less than 10% of our daily calories. On a 2,000-calorie diet, that's only 200 calories or 12 teaspoons. Again, yikes!

Reducing our sugar intake: Swap out sodas & energy drinks for water or unsweetened seltzer. Drink coffee black or use Stevia for zero calories. Eat whole fruits instead of smoothies. Use olive oil & vinegar in place of sweet salad dressings. Choose marinades, ketchup, and marinara sauce with zero sugars. Bring on the water daily to flush out excess sugar. Talk to your doctor on your next visit

Information sourced from: WebMD

Hello June – June 2022

Here in AZ, we’ve already had our fill of 100-degree days by now, so it’s just a waiting game for monsoon season to start to get some relief. In the meantime…. What are you going to do this summer?

May I suggest exploring your state? Or visiting ours!

How about a county fair? Some of the more rural County Fairs have awesome rodeos and live-stock competitions. Oh, and the food! Man, oh man, go for the wide selection if nothing else!

How about watercraft? When’s the last time you tubed a local river (the Salt River in AZ is excellent for that) or paddled a canoe on one of the many small lakes around your state? Maybe rent a ski or pontoon boat on a large lake or go big by rafting the Grand Canyon.

Looking for cooler weather? We sure will be here in AZ! Hiking our many trails is sure popular. The Mogollon Rim country is a good day trip, and it’s only about an hour and a half north of Phoenix. Did someone say picnic? Red Rock Canyon in Las Vegas has a large picnic area with tables in a nicely shaded wooded area and more hiking trails.

For Arizonans headed south, the town of Tombstone is very western and campy with its gunfight reenactments, and yes, you can visit Boot Hill! If something quieter suits your desires, head over to the Patagonia area. It is a lovely spot for birders as 100s of bird species migrate through this area yearly on their way south or north.
Like the AZ air up there? Mount Lemmon in Tucson at 9,171 feet or Humphreys Peak in Flagstaff at 12,633 feet might be your answer. Maybe a rental cabin is your ticket to paradise. Lots of choices around Show Low, Sedona, Strawberry, and Pine.

New to Arizona? Perhaps some of these activities might be the answer for you to start summer exploring!

How will you explore your state where you are this summer?

Are you really prepared? – June 2022

Sooooo what if something unexpected happens? What can we expect? That depends.

Most of our clients are already retired, on a fixed but comfortable income, take one or two prescription medications, and are relatively active. What about being prepared with other basic necessities?

Change is the only constant and preparing for unexpected events can bring peace of mind. For example, we discuss wealth preservation tactics for folks retiring at our social security and retirement income workshops. But what about safeguarding tangible essential needs in the event of an emergency?

Having a prepared mindset has become a bit of a hobby for me. When it comes to preserving essential needs, how would I need to prepare?

According to FEMA, 1960 Boy Scout handbook, guides for survivalists and preppers, and folks enjoying off the grid living on YouTube, there are some sustainability basics- Water, food, shelter, sanitation, medication, hygiene, and first aid. Those are the beginnings of a prepared mindset. For instance:

Water. We need it to drink, eat, clean, bathe, and grow plants. Here's a simple test: What would happen to life at home if the water was turned off for an hour. The first thing that comes to mind is that you only have ONE FLUSH of the toilet. Many of us have bottled drinking water on hand, so thirst won't be an issue at the one-hour mark. The bottled drinking water can also cover cooking in that time frame.

Next, let's imagine 24 hours. Hopefully, you have a pool and a bucket to refill the toilet. If not, what then? A case of water bottles is not going to take care of you if that is your sole source of water. What about bathing? Dishes? Solution: Have a month's worth of drinking water and a source of clean water for cleaning and flushing.

Food. What do you eat every day? I eat mostly protein and vegetables. I'm not a rice, pasta, bean, or legume guy. Admittedly, the veggies are not my choice. My wife sneaks them in. My point is we eat mostly fresh food. Not canned, jarred, or stored. For short-term sustainability, buy more, buy more. The price is not going down. Every dollar spent on food today is a tremendous savings realized even a month from now. For the long term... Maybe I should learn to embrace more canned and jarred foods. Shelter is easy. Stay home.

Medication. Not so easy. Having a 90-day supply is common, especially for those who mail-order their prescriptions. What if you can't get to the doctor for some reason? Telehealth is an option. Many doctors have transformed their practices to virtual-only. But what about hard-to-get or expensive medications? I'm not talking about insulin, available without a prescription from Walmart for under $30 for years (Yes, there are more costly insulins, but in a survival situation, you can maintain with the old analog insulins if needed*). What about inhalers that are $300 to $500 a refill or cancer medications that are $10,000 to $20,000 per month and getting months of reserve is difficult at best. When talking to your doctor, consider a scenario where you will be out of the country or on a wilderness retreat for months off-grid. *Discuss your options. The point is to have a plan or meds on hand, so you are never without.

Sanitation. What if there was a diesel fuel shortage and trash collection switched from weekly to monthly? Where/how would you manage your trash? Your weekly fill-size trash can would be full. Stock up on some SUPER THICK 5 or 10 mil 55-gallon bags. The two-ply...I mean, twofold reason? First, they would help keep the critters out and the smells in, for a while. And second... for the 'other' sanitation need... if you ran out of water and had to use a makeshift toilet, you will need a few extra trash bags, don't ya think?

Hygiene. It has already hit 100 degrees here. Can we get personal for a moment? How are you going to shower if the gas or electric goes out? Where are you storing water for your shower? Do you have soap that won't melt in the heat or clump in the cold? What about shampoo, deodorant, and antiperspirant? Do you have extra supply? Since we are already getting personal, I guess now is a good time to discuss toilet paper. How many weeks of supply do you have on hand? I am talking about mathematically figuring out what you need if you are stuck at home for a week or a month and can't get to the store or the store doesn't have it. No mincing words -I'm not talking about hoarding. I’m saying be prepared.

First aid. There are multiple scenarios to discuss here, from a basic boo-boo kit for scrapes to trauma kits for more serious injuries. For example, if your family member gets a burn while cooking, takes a fall, stops breathing, seriously cuts themselves, or something even worse happens. DO you have the stuff to stabilize them until professional help arrives? What is an expected wait for the EMT and/or ambulance? What can you do in the meantime?
If you are retired and have time in your day, add a simple preparation list to your living plan. Then, prepare by deciding to be a little more self-reliant. FEMA.gov has a great essential list to get your preparedness juices flowing.

My journey in learning about being prepared has been fascinating, and I am growing! Who knows, your new knowledge could unexpectedly help others. For example, you may join an off-road civilian search and rescue team. Take CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) course. Learn CPR and basic first aid. You never know how and when you can lend a hand to those in need.

Chin up. Life is good. American Retirement (Prepper) Advisor out.

No referrals? -May 2022

Tracy called our office in a panic after being notified that her Medicare Advantage plan did not cover a lab she used. "My plan denied coverage of this $300 lab procedure because they said I didn't get a referral!" She cried. "My Summary of Benefits book plainly states that I don't need referrals," she continued.

We reviewed her plan’s benefits book, and then we explained that her insurance carrier's plan does not generally require a referral to see in-network doctors, but labs, x-rays, and diagnostics, do require a referral. And yes, unless there is a referral, your plan can deny paying the claim.

So we suggested Tracy pursue an appeal. Did one of her doctors request the test? If so, there would be a note in her file at the doctor's office. We explained that she could appeal to the carrier to reconsider paying the bill. She would need to get a copy of the note from the doctor requesting the test and include it in her appeal. Most carriers have a 30–60-day appeal period if they initially deny a claim. So there is an element of time required in the appeal process.

Fortunately, our suggestion worked. Tracy was able to get the note from her doctor that said she needed the test, the appeal process with her insurance plan succeeded, and she got the claim paid! While this type of result doesn't happen in every case, Tracy did the right thing by calling us when she encountered an issue so we could provide possible solutions!

Remember, we're here to help.

Good money management -May2022

Good money management is essential for all ages and stages of life. However, older adults' financial needs, spending, and saving patterns change. The thought of living on a fixed income can be scary.

Financial security and being prepared can come in many forms. At American Retirement Advisors, we assist folks with essential financial topics critical to success in retirement, including ways to ensure folks cash in on tax credits, deductions, and senior discounts. We also detail important ways to prepare for taking Social Security, building a retirement portfolio, and ensuring your estate is in order.

We target crucial aspects of financial planning, from claiming Social Security and retirement benefits to maximizing tax credits and deductions. We help you navigate your financial future, so you don't have to go it alone.
Having a trust, will, and estate plan in place helps protect you and your family from life's unexpected events. Of course, not all of these are needed for everyone, but we can help guide you to what makes sense for you.
If you're in the planning phase or already receiving Social Security, you're in good company! Approximately 65 million Americans receive Social Security payments monthly.

Understanding how Social Security fits into your finances is a powerful way to be prepared. Will Social Security cover all your financial retirement needs? There are several ways to understand how Social Security will fit into your overall financial goals and estimate your benefits. We'll take a closer look and try to make your choices clear. Yes, you do have choices.

According to the Federal Reserve Board's latest Survey of Consumer Finances, the median net worth of Americans aged 55 to 64 is $212,500. Your net worth is calculated by subtracting any liabilities, such as debt, from your assets. Your retirement accounts make up a portion of your assets. They also play a starring role in ensuring you can retire comfortably. Common accounts include 401(k), 403(b), 457(b), Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), Traditional & Roth IRA, and Pensions.

To make the most of these accounts and your retirement savings, we recommend that older adults first take advantage of company matches from their employers. Next, seniors should max out any tax-advantaged accounts, including 401(k)s, IRAs, or HSAs. Then, once you are over 59 and a half, it may make sense to sweep or roll the majority to your own IRA so that you are not confined to the list of mutual funds allowed in the plan and all the baked-in fees. Next, you can keep the 401(k) open to continue to deposit and get any matches. Finally, you can close the 401(k) and roll the rest to your IRA when you retire. Yes, we help folks do all of this too. As well as professionally manage the assets.

Well, that's all for now. Please feel free to call to schedule a no-cost financial assessment with your American Retirement Advisor. We are here to help.

Music Anyone? -May 2022

Do you remember the first time you fell in love with music? How old were you, where were you, who was with you, and what was the type or title of the music? Because whatever it was, it made you…you!
As you think back, it could have been a simple nursery song, or maybe you were in church and had a favorite hymn? Did your parents take you to the opera or symphony? Maybe you just had a favorite radio station and listened to the top 40 all day long. Or you spent your Saturday afternoon at your friend's house playing 45s on the record player.
I'm always amazed that some folks are vehemently opposed to certain types of music. I have friends who wouldn't be caught dead listening to country and western music, while other friends think RAP is not music!
While growing up, my brothers and I were exposed to all types of music either through church or school. We were both active in our church choir (gospel), and throughout our school years, we were exposed to secular music and symphonies, and even participated in school bands.
My interest in music continued with a music scholarship at university, where I studied classical and opera. Then after graduation, I worked for Six Flags in Show Operations and performed in Six Flags’ live Broadway review-type shows. At this point, you could say I'm a pretty well-rounded music lover! My friends are always somewhat amused that there are preset buttons on my car radio, ready to play just about anything when they ride with me. Classical, country, gospel, and rock & roll. But no...I'm not a fan of rap music. Broadway music is probably my favorite music genre, and my favorite opera, "Tales of Hoffman" outshines.
So, thinking back, who or what event introduced you to music? When, where, and what type was your first love? Because your love of music makes you...you!

Prevent Pneumococcal Pneumonia -May 2022

Pneumococcal Pneumonia is caused by bacteria, not a virus. It can be spread through a cough or sneeze causing infection in many parts of the body, including lungs, ears, sinuses, brain & spinal cord, and even the blood.

Symptoms can include fever, cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, stiff neck, joint pains, and chills. While most cases are mild, symptoms should never be ignored. You may try to boost your immune system by eating lots of veggies and fruits, but it may not be enough. As we age, our immune system weakens. So if you have chronic illnesses like diabetes, heart disease, or asthma, your risk may be higher. You cannot get pneumococcal pneumonia from the vaccine because it doesn’t contain live bacteria and you don’t need it every year.

So what can you do? See your doctor to learn about vaccination options right for you. This shot or vaccine is covered by Medicare. Typically there are 2 shots given apart from each other to fight against different strains of the bacteria. See P48 in “2022 Medicare & You.” There are two types of pneumococcal vaccine:

1. CDC recommends PPSV23 for o All adults 65 years or older o People 2 through 64 years old with certain medical conditions o Adults 19 through 64 years old who smoke cigarettes

2. CDC recommends PCV13 for o All children younger than 2 years old o People 2 years or older with certain medical conditions o Adults 65 years or older may discuss with their clinician to receive PCV13 Some groups may need multiple doses or booster shots. Talk with your or your child’s clinician about what is best for your specific situation.

Information sourced from: CDC/Web MD/ American Lung Association

How Much? -May 2022

Up, up, up she goes! As we progress into 2022, everything is getting more and more expensive. As goods continue to be in short demand, there is an impact on the average American family of ever-increasing prices outpacing what we earn and get paid.

Everyday products seem to rise in cost overnight. So what to do about it? With no predictable end in sight of increasing prices, particularly on food, it might make sense to cut down on the convenience of buying prepared food and tackle making things yourself! For instance, how about baking your bread or cakes & cookies instead! For example, a bag of flour and sugar are still reasonably priced. And you can turn this into a fun activity for the whole family!

When I was growing up, our mom taught us how to make many items at home that we now buy at the grocery store. Birthday cakes, cookies, bread, and even candy were all made from scratch and never purchased at a store. Instead of buying soda pop, we enjoyed gallons of homemade iced tea and lemonade. And everyone in our neighborhood had a vegetable garden to grow salads at home!

Now you might be feeling like this is a task too big to take on. Maybe you think you're not a good cook and lack confident skills in the kitchen? Well, it's time to change all that! And if you can get your spouse and family to assist, it makes it more fun and enjoyable! Assign tasks to each person and make an assembly line (this works well when making and decorating cookies). The thing is, most young people can't even boil an egg! So, now's the time to teach your youngsters a thing or two!

So, pull out those cookbooks, make a list of ingredients, and get cookin'! Oh, by the way, I work all day and still go home and cook dinner from scratch most nights, and I’d enjoy hearing what you got cookin’ too! You may surprise yourself with how rewarding and delicious a freshly cooked meal tastes!

Small stuff or big picture -May 2022

“Don't sweat the small stuff.” That's what folks have said to make us feel better when we’re overwhelmed. I have heard it too, and I get it. But in talking to Nancy, who runs our financial department, she says SHE is ALL about the small stuff. That is a true statement because she is responsible for folks who manage our client's
life-long savings. The details always count!

For you and me, the 'big picture' items should be what we reflect on daily. Things like our family, our health, and our wealth's health might be at the top of our minds and deserve more frequent check-ins.

The family check-in:

The Youngers... How are your kids, the grands, and the great grands? Have you shared a "Hello" with extended family this week? If they watch the news (I mean... broadcast opinions and entertainment with a bias based on some event, not actually news...), they could be a little freaked out about the conflict in Europe. So a calming call just to say you were thinking about them is always welcome.

The Olders... They may need a little more attention. Different attention. Perhaps a call every couple of days. Depression is a big deal with olders. Sometimes, they catch the lonesome bug when they lose friends and don't make new ones. Even worse, if they shelter in place because they watch the same television broadcasts every day or health fears keep them isolated. I think it's up to us to reach out. Not the other way around. Just a quick call to let them know you care makes all the difference in the world.

Health checks:
As for health, Oh my. Health is a tough one. Our diet in America defies guidelines and standards. We have for generations eaten stuff we know we shouldn't and conditioned our taste buds to crave the wrong things. But you can conquer those cravings with conscious efforts My wife has made considerable conscious changes since the beginning of the year by eating healthy and it shows! She looks amazing. (Yes, I told her so.) I am glad she is cooking healthy, so I can keep a check on my health too. She makes dinner, and I wash the dishes. I'm still hitting the gym in the morning before work. Tip: Nothing like a trainer you gotta pay (whether you show up or not) to keep you exercising.

As for the wealth, we let Nancy and her team take care of that. They love the details. Which just makes one less thing for you and me to worry about.

What you need to protect your assets – 2022

We talk a lot about how to make money safely in our monthly financial tip. This month, I'd like to talk about what you need to protect your assets outside of what we do for you. Here at American Retirement Advisors, we exceed every required safeguard of your personal information. But I am guessing that you don't at home. Most folks don't do enough to safeguard their most precious asset - their identity. You probably have some protection on your credit cards. You may even have mortgage insurance. But do you have overall blanket protection that will cover all of that and more? Things like even your social media accounts. Your investment properties may not have a mortgage on them. Has your Social Security number been used without your consent? What about the passwords you use on hundreds of different online sites?

Well, there is a type of insurance that can protect against bad guys stealing your identity and spending all your money, and stealing your property. It's nothing that we sell here. But it is something that you should be aware of. If you're like me, you've heard advertisements for safeguarding products on television and radio. I enrolled in one of these plans a couple of years ago for myself and my wife.

I went online and reviewed all the top sellers at www.identityprotectionreview.com. This website does a pretty good comparative analysis of the main players. interestingly, one of the biggest advertisers came in fourth on the list, LifeLock. While I am not endorsing any companies, I went with number two on the list,
Identity Guard. It was a little less expensive than the number one rated product, and the only thing that I saw that it had that Identity Guard didn't have was anti-virus and Wi-Fi security. I already have those things with my Internet service provider, so I don't need them included. I did, however, pay a little bit more to have my real estate titles monitored. Number one on the list is a company called Aura. Both plans come with $1,000,000 identity theft insurance. With everything online, I feel that this is a must-have in this day and age. You need to select an identity plan that fits your needs.