Keystone Law Firm - September 2018

Keystone Law Firm - September 2018

SEPTEMBER 2018

Trust Matters

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Too Fast The Start of the School Year and Growing Up

When I was a kid, this time of year was a drag. The long summer break was coming to a close, meaning I had to start going to bed early, bid farewell to my summer job (and its paycheck), and drag myself into another school year. My kids have had a completely different experience. Thanks to the shortened summer breaks our district uses today, my kids have been in school since early August! While my younger self probably would have resented the shortening of my vacation, I have to say, it’s hard to dispute the benefits. For one, my kids have a far easier time getting back into the rhythm of their school schedules, since they don’t have the time to develop many summer habits. And if we’re being honest, it’s far too hot during the summertime for kids to get out and play much anyway. Having an extra few weeks added on to winter and spring breaks is the kind of luxury I wish I’d had when I was their age. But the biggest benefit of all is that my kids are actually excited to go back to school — each and every one of them. I’m not sure if this is all due to a shorter break or if they just love learning, but either way, I’m not complaining. Gabe and Bella are in the fifth grade this year, Sophie is in fourth, and Zack is now going to school with the big kids as a first grader. Sending them off to school last month, I was painfully aware of just how fast time is passing. It seems like just yesterday that we were dropping the twins off at preschool for the first time. My wife and I thought it was a relief when we finally dropped the twins off without any drama. The grass, of course, is always greener on the other side. Boy, was that a production. Picture both 3-year-olds screaming bloody murder, clinging to my wife’s and my legs for dear life each and every time we dropped them off! My wife and I thought it was a relief when we finally dropped the twins off without any drama. The grass, of course, is always greener on the other side.

By the time Zack was old enough to start preschool, he was raring to go. Wanting to fit in with his older siblings, he’d dance around the house chanting, “I get to go to schooool” over and over. Dropping him off, we couldn’t cling to him if we’d tried. He sprinted off to meet his teachers and make new friends. That was particularly hard on my wife. We almost missed the teary goodbyes. Now all four kids approach school with a healthy enthusiasm. The twins are loving band practice, with Bella learning the saxophone and Gabe taking percussion; Sophie has a tight- knit group of best friends she loves to hang out with inside and outside of school; and Zack barreled into first grade with his trademark enthusiasm! Part of me wishes they all weren’t in such a hurry to grow up. The older I get, the faster time seems to fly by. It seems like every time I turn around, I’m asking “So, are we ready for Christmas?” yet again. But my wife and I wouldn’t have it any other way. We’ve always approached life as a roller coaster, seeing every twist and turn as part of the ride. And when it comes down to it, the best roller coasters are also the fastest.

Here’s to a great ride,

-Francisco

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A side from financial concerns, the No. 1 question that most impending and recent retirees struggle to answer is how they will fill up all their time. While spending time with family and relaxing are priorities for most folks entering the post-career chapter of their lives, these aren’t enough to fill up the bulk of your newly acquired free time. Cultivating a hobby is a great use of your time at any age, but especially during retirement. As Dick Van Dyke once said, “To me, retirement means doing what you have fun doing.” Here are three questions to help you discover a hobby that’s right for you. Do you have a dormant passion? Work has a tendency to put our other interests on the back burner. Maybe you painted for pleasure during college but put the canvas away to focus on your career. Perhaps you were once a chess fanatic, and today you find your board gathering dust from lack of use. Now is the perfect time to rediscover those once-beloved activities. What have you always wanted to do? Discovering new hobbies is just as rewarding as rekindling old ones. Have you ever heard about a pastime and thought, “I’d love to do that, if only I A GUIDE TO PICKING A POST-CAREER HOBBY Newand Rediscovered Passions in Later Life

had the time”? Former NFL quarterback Drew Bledsoe opened a winery after retiring from football. While you probably don’t have the financial resources of a professional athlete, there’s nothing stopping you from pursuing a newfound passion at the same velocity as the footballs Bledsoe threw. Is there a cause you want to support? Volunteer work can be incredibly fulfilling, especially when you have the time and energy to devote to it. Many older adults find that giving back to the community adds meaning and purpose to their lives. The best way to figure out how to donate your time is to think about a cause dear to your heart. From there, find a reputable organization that supports said cause, and see what you can do to help.

Retirement is the perfect opportunity to throw yourself head-first into something you’re passionate about. So what are you waiting for?

Meet the Team!

GET TO KNOW LINDSIE AND SHERYL

Sheryl Keeme, Marketing Director and Assistant Law Firm Administrator How long have you worked at Keystone? This spring, I will celebrate my fourth anniversary of working for Keystone. It’s been inspiring to help hundreds take care of their “stuff” and watch Francisco map out his vision to grow Keystone. What do you enjoy most about your job? I love people. So my favorite part of my job is interacting with people who need our help. I am fortunate to be the first person who meets many of our clients. We have the warmest, nicest clients around. Has Arizona always been home? I moved to Scottsdale, Arizona, in 2000 from Beaver County, Pennsylvania, just outside of Pittsburgh to take a position with the American Cancer Society. It was the best decision I ever made. No more snow! What do you like to do in your free time? Hmmm. I like to keep busy. I run a ghostwriting freelance business to help people write their own books. And I love to cycle on my road bike, kayak the Salt River, cook, taste wine, travel, read, and hang out with family and friends. What’s an interesting fact about you? I have ridden century bicycle rides (100 miles) in Santa Barbara, San Diego, Pennsylvania, Nevada, and three in Arizona. I was also fortunate enough to bike beautiful Provence, France, on a Bike and Barge Tour. It was fantastic! In November, I am riding in the Tour de Tucson, which is 50 miles.

This month, get to know one of the newest and one of the longest-serving members of the Keystone Team! Lindsie Simonson, Associate Attorney How long have you worked at Keystone? I am new to Keystone Law Firm and only have a couple of weeks under my belt.

What do you enjoy most about your job? The environment and people have been wonderful so far. They really make Keystone a great place to be.

Has Arizona always been home? I am originally from South Dakota, so I’m very new to Arizona, but I am loving every minute of it so far.

What do you like to do in your free time? I have two boys, a husband, and a dog, so much of my free time is spent with my family. When I do get a few moments to myself, I really enjoy photography, crafting, knitting, crocheting, and exploring. What’s an interesting fact about you? I am a sponge of “useless” knowledge and really enjoy sharing crazy facts on every topic. So if you ever get a chance to talk with me in person, expect some type of random fact to come up in our conversation.

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DON’T DRAIN YOUR SAVINGS HOW TO PLAN FOR LONG-TERM CARE

(Answer)

Recipe:

Inside-Out Grilled Ham and Cheese

When it comes to paying for long-term or hospice care expenses, many people are unaware of the payment methods used most often.

• Self-pay: If you’ve saved up enough money to pay for the care you’ll need in your later years, that is fantastic. However, with the annual cost of home care hovering around $100,000 or more, you’ll have to do a lot of initial planning to ensure your savings can cover these costs without running out too early. • Long-term care insurance: Just as it is with any other kind of insurance, long-term care insurance requires that you apply and be accepted before you can have access to it. For this reason, our team recommends that you start the application process early. We also recommend you look for a policy that has fixed premiums and gives your beneficiaries any money you don’t use. We are available to counsel you on which policy might work best. • Public benefits: The planning process to receive public benefits like Medicaid requires a lot of foresight. Similar to the application and acceptance process for insurance, our team can help you determine your eligibility for this payment option. One tendency that our team has noticed over the years is people shying away from the last payment option because they do not think they will be eligible for public benefits. We understand that every person’s assets and financial situation is different and that in the vast majority of cases, our clients have worked assiduously to build a life for themselves and for their families to prepare for the future. But some topics (like long-term or hospice care) are so difficult to talk about that proper planning often falls by the wayside. Plus, it’s hard to know who will give you the best care at a reasonable price. The average cost in the Phoenix area in 2017 for a private room was $8,319! At that cost and with the average length of stay, it could drain $299,484 from your savings. To determine which of the three payment options would suit your financial situation best, please contact our team so we can determine whether or not you are eligible for public benefits or which insurance plan will help you and your family the most.

Want to take your grilled cheese game to the next

level? This recipe calls for cheese both inside and outside the sandwich, adding a crispy crunch to

the grilled cheese experience. It’s a quick, delicious weekday dinner option the whole family will love.

Ingredients

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8 slices of bread (Pullman works best) 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (preferably Parmigiano- Reggiano)

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8 ounces ham, thinly sliced 1/2 pound Swiss cheese, sliced 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard 1/4 cup apricot preserves

•

•

•

•

•

Instructions

1. Butter each slice of bread on the outsides and sprinkle with Parmesan. 2. Layer ham and cheese evenly on top of 4 slices of bread. 3. Spread apricot preserves and mustard across the other 4 slices. Press sandwiches together. 4. In a cast-iron skillet or large sauté pan over medium heat, grill sandwiches until golden, about 3 minutes per side. 5. Cut in half and serve.

Inspired by Food & Wine magazine.

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Inside

REFLECTIONS ON THE SCHOOL YEAR WHAT HAVE YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO DO? MEET LINDSIE AND SHERYL WHICH PAYMENT OPTION IS RIGHT FOR YOU? INSIDE-OUT GRILLED HAM AND CHEESE INTERNATIONAL TALK LIKE A PIRATE DAY

YoHoHo, Landlubbers!

CELEBRATE TALK LIKE A PIRATE DAY

Did Pirates Really Talk Like That? The “pirate-speak” popularized in movies and Disney attractions probably sounds nothing like real pirates did in centuries past. Today’s swashbuckling phrases delivered in a strong Southwest England accent can be traced back to Robert Newton’s 1950 portrayal of Long John Silver in the movie “Treasure Island.” Historically, English-speaking pirates probably sounded more like Johnny Depp’s Captain Jack Sparrow. Unfortunately, the pirates of the Golden Age didn’t leave behind any YouTube videos to confirm this. Learn the Lingo, Landlubber Participating in Talk Like a Pirate Day is easy — you just need to know a few key phrases. “Ahoy, matey” means “Hello, friend!” “Blimey, that son of a biscuit-eater hornswaggled me out of me doubloons” means “Darn it, that jerk cheated me out of my money!” “Shiver me timbers, that old salt is three sheets to the wind” means “Wow, that old sailor has had too much beer.” And if a pirate (or your boss) says, “Swab the deck, ye bilge rat, or it’s Davy Jones’ locker for ye!” start mopping the floor immediately.

Ahoy, matey! Wednesday, Sept. 19, is International Talk Like a Pirate Day. Brush up on your pirate vocabulary, grab your eye patch, get your puffy shirt dry cleaned, and bring a little seafaring fun to your office or classroom. The History of These Swashbuckling Shenanigans The holiday began as an inside joke between pals John Baur and Mark Summers in 1995. For reasons not even understood by themselves, they began speaking like pirates while playing racquetball, saying things to each other like, “That be a fine cannonade” (“Nice shot, dude”) and “Now watch as I fire a broadside straight into your yardarm” (“But watch this”). They decided Talk Like a Pirate Day needed to become official, so they chose Sept. 19, which was Summers’ wife’s birthday (and the only date he could remember besides Christmas and the Super Bowl). In 2002, they pitched the idea to humor columnist Dave Barry, who promoted it in his syndicated column, and the concept quickly spread internationally.

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