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In 1983, President Ronald Reagan signed legislation establishing the third Monday of January as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.1 Dr. King, who is remembered for his powerful oratory and transformative ideas, once said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’”2 To honor Dr. King, many people choose to make this day a day of service. Service work helps others and helping others makes us happier. Time.com wrote, “Experiments show evidence [...]

Bella. Coco. Charlie. Lucy. Max. No matter the name, many pets are considered to be members of the family, providing companionship, protection, and unconditional love. The pet-owner relationship has some powerful benefits, which may explain why pet ownership has been on the rise in the United States and around the world. Thirty years ago, just about one-half of American households owned pets. Last year, almost 70 percent did.1, 2 The prevalence of pets is [...]

It’s only January, but you may want to jumpstart your 2018 taxes since there are a slew of new regulations that may affect you. The Tax Cut and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017 goes into effect this year so make sure you understand how tax reform may affect your 2018 taxes. Take a deep breath and read about some of the ways tax deductions and credits have changed. While the changes may be daunting, [...]

Eat healthier. Get more exercise. Save more money. Those were the top New Year's resolutions for 2018, according to Statista.1 Few people achieved them. One of the reasons so few resolutions become reality is because people tend to think too big. For resolutions to succeed they must be small and easily managed, according to Susan Weinschenk in Psychology Today.1, 2 For instance: If your goal is to eat healthier, commit to having a piece of fruit or a [...]

Holidays can be joyful and a little stressful. Here are a few ways to bring a moment of happiness into your life and the lives of those around you:1 • Take time to call an old friend. • Buy coffee for a stranger. • Briefly chat with your next cashier. • Invite an older neighbor to dinner. • Leave a nice tip for your server. • Sing out loud. Thank you for entrusting us [...]

When the ups and downs of stock markets leave you stressed and wondering whether stocks really will help you pursue your long-term financial goals, there are two things to remember: 1. Historically, over long periods, stocks have tended to move higher. • For instance, at the start of October 1987, the Standard & Poor’s (S&P) 500 Index was valued at 327. On Black Monday, October 19, the Index lost 22 percent in a single [...]

Thanksgiving is a true American holiday. It celebrates generosity and gratitude, and it recognizes the relationships that helped colonists who arrived on the Mayflower in 1620 survive beyond their first winter. History.com explained:1 “Only half of the Mayflower’s original passengers and crew lived to see their first New England spring. In March, the remaining settlers moved ashore, where they received an astonishing visit from an Abenaki Indian who greeted them in English. Several days later, he [...]

There are more than 20 million veterans living across the United States. These men and women fought in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, the Iraq War, the War in Afghanistan, which continues today, and many other wars, operations, interventions, and encounters.1 Our veterans deserve our gratitude for their service and sacrifice. There are many ways to show appreciation. You can:2 • Attend a Veteran’s Day event • Celebrate [...]