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Holiday Greeting – Labor Day is an Important Day
Just over 100 years ago, Americans typically worked physically demanding jobs. Adults toiled 12 hours a day, seven days a week for low wages. Americans did not take lunch breaks. They did not get sick days or vacations. They were not protected by safety regulations.1 Children worked, too, in factories and mines. Conditions were harsh and unsafe for all.2 In 1882, the first Labor Day parade was actually a one-day strike. Ten thousand workers [...]
Protect Yourself in a Smart and Connected World
The world is becoming smarter and more connected all the time – and that has serious implications for people who want to protect their personal data and their privacy. If you’ve been enjoying the convenience of smart utilities and appliances, make sure you also take the steps necessary to protect yourself and your loved ones from cyberthreats. Do you know the difference between smart and connected? Many American homes are full of smart devices [...]
10 Tips for Teaching Kids About Money
Kids learn the basics in school–reading, writing and arithmetic. But schools avoid almost any instruction about money. If they do offer a class, it may be an elective in high school, long after habits have been formed. I believe it’s important to start talking about finances early, when kids are young. You can begin to share your values and help them shape their views on money in a culture that places a premium on [...]
Lifestyle Newsletter – A Prescription for Dementia Prevention
A Prescription for Dementia Prevention If you’ve ever played a party game that asks you to make difficult decisions, you may have run into a question like this one: Would you rather enjoy good physical health all of your life or good mental health all of your life? As it turns out, it may be possible to have both. There is no shortage of studies and reports indicating a healthy diet and regular exercise [...]
Traveling Safe and Smart this Summer
Ah . . . the crisp salty air brushes across your cheeks inviting you to rest in a paradise you have worked so hard to get to. As you see the perfect spot for you to rest and you lie down to read your favorite book, suddenly the bugs fly about you and your paradise becomes a place of irritation . . . that is unless you have a plan. While bug spray might dissuade [...]
Life, Liberty, and Tax-Advantaged Investing
Life, Liberty, and Tax-Advantaged Investing Americans are passionate about taxes. We have reason to be. In recent years, Americans have spent more on taxes than on food, clothing, and housing combined.1 The Tax Foundation estimates Americans will pay $3.4 trillion to the federal government and $1.8 trillion to state and local governments in 2019.2 If you believe you’re paying too much tax, selecting investments that emphasize tax-advantaged opportunities could help reduce the amount of taxes you owe. [...]
Holiday Greeting – Collect the Best Recipes for Dads’ Cook Book
Most dads have at least one recipe they like to cook for family and friends. Some have dozens. This year, celebrate Father’s Day by collecting the recipes from the men in your family. Bring a notebook to your next family celebration and get the men in your family to write instructions – ingredients, preparation, cooking methods, and times – for their best recipes. Get the skinny on grandpa’s renowned soup or great grandpa’s delicious [...]
Where There’s a Will, There’s a Plan
Throughout history people have made inheritance choices that are inexplicable to others. In 1926, Harry Houdini left his magical equipment to his brother, his pulled-from-the-hat rabbits to the children of friends, and a series of random words to his wife. The words were a code that would let her know when he was in touch from the afterlife.1 In 1968, Quaker State Refining Corporation heir Eleanor Ritchey left $4.5 million to her dogs. She [...]
Stewarding Our Blessings
Happy Memorial Day! “Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” —Romans 5:7–8 me·mo·ri·al "Created or done to honor a person who has died or to remind people of an event in which many people died." —Merriam Webster Dictionary Here it is again—a [...]
Holiday Greeting – Memorial Day Quiz
Memorial Day is a day of remembrance. It’s the time when we pay our respects to the men and women who died fighting for our country. See what you know about this important holiday by taking our Memorial Day quiz. 1. What did the National Moment of Remembrance Act do? a. Establish the last Monday in May as Memorial Day b. Establish a moment of remembrance at 3:00 p.m. local time on Memorial Day [...]
Holiday Greeting – Moms are Unique
Moms are like snowflakes. No two are exactly alike. So, when you’re thinking about what to give your mom for Mother’s Day, consider a gift that is as unique as she is -- share your memories with her. Here are some prompts to get you started: • My favorite story about my mom… • What I love about my mom… • One important thing my mom taught me… • One inspiring thing my mom [...]
Preserving and Protecting Our Elders
"Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise: If you honor your father and mother, 'things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.'" — Ephesians 6:2-3 (NIV) In today's day and age, honoring the older generation seems to be passé. But honoring the former generation is an incredible blessing to both the former and the future generations. God blesses those who honor their elders. [...]
