Brybeck Financial - December 2020

F INANCIAL F O R U M

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STAYING PATIENT This time of the year often reminds me of the ski trips I would take with my family to Vermont. I haven’t skied for a few years, but there was a period of time when we spent nearly every winter on the slopes as a family. I can remember times when we would take carriage rides through the snow or the time our bed and breakfast allowed us to shovel snow off the pond and ice skate. There were only 6 inches of ice between us and the freezing cold water! But I will never forget that trip.

Finding the Positives and New Traditions in 2020

Now that my wife and I have three grandchildren — by the time you read this cover letter, our third grandchild and first granddaughter will have been born! — I already cannot wait to get back to the ski resort and create more family memories. While we have to be patient right now, I know it will all be worth the wait when we can get together on the slopes again. I’m sure many of us are feeling that sense of urgency to get together with our loved ones again. The holidays are a time for gathering, but that may look very different this year. Whether you have a very small gathering or celebrate virtually, it just may not feel the same. If I could offer some perspective, I would encourage you to remember that you are doing what is best for your loved ones and your family. By staying safe and finding new ways to celebrate together while apart, you’re ensuring that you can make more memories with them in the future. I think that’s valuable. It’s safe to say none of us thought this is how we would spend our holidays when this pandemic began in late winter, and while it would be easy to focus on everything that went wrong in 2020, I can’t help but think of what went right . The pandemic has given me an opportunity to sharpen my technology skills. I’ve had no choice but to do so! I’ve had to adapt to continue serving my clients. It’s amazing what we can do with technology these days. I remember as a kid learning about how “phones with video screens” were the future of office calling, and I couldn’t wrap my mind around it. It was inconceivable.

We are dedicated to your financial success. • 1 Here’s to a better, healthier 2021 and plenty of opportunities to gather once again. Stay safe, and Happy New Year! –Brian Irving Lately, I’ve been asking people how they are, and a lot of them say, “Oh, I can’t complain.” I believe that’s a fair assessment. This year hasn’t been the year we all expected, nor has it likely been the best year of our lives. But if we have stayed healthy, have a loving family, and/or have been given new opportunities to grow, we certainly can’t complain. person, but I believe remote meetings will continue to be used well into the future, and I’ve had to adapt the platforms in which I communicate with my clients. This isn’t the direction I thought I would be heading in as we began in 2020, but I’ve been able to learn, adapt, and grow. I’m proud of that. So, as we head into 2021, let’s all focus on the positives. For me, that’s recognizing that I’m healthy, my family is healthy, and we will all be able to gather safely again soon. My business continues to adapt to the changing landscape, and I’ve been able to continue serving each of my clients through digital platforms. That’s quite a lot to be thankful for.

Here we are in 2020 doing just that. Zoom has become the way of the future, and it’s virtually reshaped the way I do business. I will always be a people

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NOT JUST A CORN COB PIPE AND BUTTON NOSE THE SURPRISING HISTORY OF THE SNOWMAN

CREATING THE PERFECT SNOWBALL FIGHT With No Snow at All

Building a snowman is one of the most picturesque winter activities, which is why snowmen have become a wintertime cultural icon. A snowman appeared on the very first postcards, was the subject of some of the earliest photos, and even starred in silent movies. Frosty may be a happy snowman now, but his ancestors have a much more varied — and sometimes dark — history. The Middle Ages Snowmen were a phenomenon in the Middle Ages. They were constructed with deep thought and great skill because, during a time of limited means of expression, snow was a free art supply that literally fell from the sky. These artistic feats were popular winter attractions for well-to-do couples who wanted to get their fix of temporary art. Snowmen were often created by famous artists, including 19-year-old Michelangelo who, in 1494, was commissioned by the ruler of Florence to sculpt a snowman in his mansion’s courtyard. The Miracle of 1511 In Brussels in 1511, during six weeks of subzero temperatures called the Winter of Death, the city was miraculously adorned with hundreds of snowmen. The spectacle told stories on every street corner — some political and some demonstrating anger with the church, many too risque to speak of. For the people of Brussels, this Miracle of 1511 was a defining moment of artistic freedom. But when spring came and the snow thawed, the Belgians were left with damaging floods. The Schenectady Massacre Not all snowmen have an innocent history. In 1690, former Fort Schenectady in upstate New York was home to a remote Dutch settlement, which was under the constant threat of attack. Soldiers guarded the gates at all times because they were frozen open, but during a blizzard, they left a pair of snowmen to protect the gates while they sought shelter. That’s when 200 French Canadian soldiers and Native Americans approached. Naturally, they were unfazed by the snowmen and ruthlessly invaded the settlement. Building a snowman seems like a simple and charming activity, but after learning about its surprising history, you might find those piles of snow seem a little more complicated and a lot more meaningful than before.

An old-fashioned snowball fight is the epitome of winter activities. But if snowfall is lacking or it’s just too cold to venture outside and hurl freezing balls of ice at each other, don’t let it dampen your spirits. You can create and orchestrate your own indoor, snow-free, and entirely safe snowball fight. Make Your Snowballs While craft stores sell large white cotton puffs that look like snowballs, they’re too light to get any good velocity behind them. Instead, make your own “snowballs” with just a few materials in four easy steps: 1. You’ll need a pair of scissors, several pairs of cheap white nylon stockings (one pair can make about 10 snowballs), and a bag of polyester fiberfill, like Poly-Fil, or use the stuffing from a few old stuffed animals you no longer want.

2. Stuff a handful of the filling down into the end of one stocking leg and tie a knot, creating a round “snowball.”

3. Make another knot after the one you just made, leaving a little space between the two knots.

4. Cut between the two knots to snip off a tied-off snowball. Repeat these steps until you have at least a few dozen, but if you’re patient enough to make 100 or more, you’ll have ample supply for a substantial encounter. How to Play There’s really no “right” way to have a snowball fight. It’s often just about who can hit whom the most, but if you want to turn it into a measurable competition, divide your group into two teams and distribute the snowballs evenly between them. Then create boundaries for each team by laying down masking tape across the room. Teams must stay on their side of the line at all times. Set a timer for however long you’d like the fight to go on, and at your signal, teams can start hurling snowballs across the room at one another. When time is up, gather and count the snowballs on each side, and the team with the fewest snowballs is the winner! A crafty indoor snowball fight can be a lot of fun for people of all ages, not just kids. Best of all, the crafting part is something you only have to do once, and then you have a stock of snowballs for every winter to come.

We are dedicated to your financial success. 2 •

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3 GIFT-GIVING TIPS That Won’t Kill Your Savings

Ah, the holidays. It’s a time of sweet treats, family, and giving back — and sometimes giving a little too much. When it comes to the perfect holiday gift, many people spend too much money. The average American spends nearly $1,000 on gifts during the December holidays alone!

list. If you still feel the need to do something for them, send homemade cookies or a handwritten note instead of purchasing something. This limits how much you actually have to spend! Think beyond store-bought or expensive items. Sure, everyone wants this holiday season’s “it” item, but sometimes the best gifts don’t even come wrapped under the tree. Instead, look to your own talents as a clue to what you should give. If you’re a great crafter, create something unique for the people on your list. If you can offer the gift of time, provide a free night of babysitting for your friends with kids or an experience at the local theater. These gifts have a bonus factor: Recipients love the gift when they open it, and they love it when they get to use it! Set a budget — and stick to it. Setting a holiday budget ensures you only spend what you can afford. It also narrows down your search. If you choose to buy your neighbor something, but they aren’t your top priority, set their budget at a lower level, like $25–$50. If you have a sibling who has had a rough year and you’d like to make their holidays a little brighter, bump their budget up. This narrows the focus of what you’re looking for so you don’t stumble into something you can’t afford. Ultimately, it’s the spirit of giving during the holidays that makes them so rewarding. With a little ingenuity, you can be generous and avoid the stress of excess debt come January.

It’s possible to cut back and make it to January without major debt. Here’s how.

Check your list — twice! The list is going to be your secret weapon to tackling the holidays with your savings still intact. Start by writing down the name of every person you’d like to get a gift for. Now, with the exception of your immediate family members, narrow the names down to your top five — top 10 if you’re really popular. Now, place the names of the people who didn’t make the cut into a second

NOT YOUR GRANDMA’S FRUITCAKE

TAKE A BREAK

Ingredients

inch above each side to form “handles.” 2. In a small bowl, mix baking soda and sour cream. 3. In a second bowl, combine fruit, nuts, and 1/4 cup flour. 4. In a third bowl, beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Add egg, zest, and sour cream mixture. Then, add remaining flour and salt. Mix, then add fruit mixture. 5. Pour batter into lined pan. Fill up a separate loaf pan halfway with water. Bake both pans in oven for 1 1/2–2 hours or until a skewer leaves the cake clean. 6. Use “handles” to remove cake from pan and cool completely on a rack before serving.

• • • • • • • • • •

1 tsp baking soda 1 cup sour cream

3 1/2 cups mixed dried fruit of your choice, chopped 1 cup nuts of your choice, chopped 2 cups all-purpose flour, divided

1 stick butter 1 cup sugar

1 egg, room temperature

Zest of 1 orange

1 tsp salt

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325 F. Line a 9x5- inch loaf pan with greased baking paper. Ensure the piece running the length of the pan stands 1

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We are dedicated to your financial success. • 3

8 CAMPUS DRIVE, STE 105 PARSIPPANY, NJ 07054 973.335.9444 WWW.BRYBECK.COM Securities and advisory services offered through Triad Advisors, LLC Member FINRA / SIPC Brybeck Financial and Triad Advisors, LLC are not affiliated.

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

INSIDE

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Reflecting on the Past Year and How We’ve Grown

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Craft a Snow-Free Indoor Snowball Fight The Surprising History of the Snowman 3 Fool-Proof Ways to Pay for the Holidays Without Going Broke Not Your Grandma’s Fruitcake Winter Road Trip Essentials You Didn’t Know You Needed

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A DRIVER’S GUIDE TO SAFE HOLIDAY TRAVELS Winter Road Trip Essentials You Didn’t Know You Needed

On Sept. 24, 2019, more than 2.5 million people passed through TSA checkpoints at airports across America. On the same date this year, those terminals saw just 826,316 travelers — a nearly 70% drop. Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Americans have been thinking twice about air travel, and this holiday, millions of would-be flyers will set out on road trips instead. Road tripping is a great way to avoid contact with a lot of people, but it can also be dangerous, especially in winter weather. Fortunately, you can take several steps to keep your family safe. Getting your car checked before you go, for example, can save you a lot of hassle on the road, as can investing in a set of snow tires. It’s also smart to take precautions such as letting a friend or family member know your route, predicted arrival time, and where you plan to stop for gas along the way. Apart from that, one of the best things you can do is pack an emergency kit. AAA sells premade kits through outlets like Amazon, and you can find a basic kit with things like jumper cables, ponchos, rope, batteries, pliers, zip ties, and a first-aid kit at pretty much any Walmart or sporting goods store. You could even save a life by adding a few more essentials to your kit, like a blanket, snacks, and an extra cellphone charger.

At this point, you’re almost a safety black belt. But to take your kit to the next level for winter driving, there are three more little-known items you should stash in your trunk: a shovel, a bag of sand or cat litter, and an extra bottle of windshield wiper fluid. If you get stuck in a snowbank, the shovel will help you dig your way out without risking frostbitten fingers. The sand or cat litter will boost your traction if you sprinkle it around your wheels in an icy spot, and the extra wiper fluid will make all the difference if you run out during a snowstorm.

Once you’re prepared, crank up the Christmas carols and get driving!

We are dedicated to your financial success. 4 •

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