Law Office of Kevin Jensen - April 2021

Law Office of Kevin Jensen - April 2021

April 2021 480.632.7373 jensenlawaz.com

Why I Value American History And the Lessons It Provides

O ne of the greatest values I subscribe to is patriotism. I believe this is powerful no matter what country practices it. When I’m outside of the U.S., and I meet locals who are passionate about their country and the region they live in, and I’m excited for them. That’s how it should be. We should be proud to live where we do because then we will make a conscious effort to come together and continue to make it stronger. I’m proud to live in the U.S. — a country I believe to be the greatest in the world.

moments were when we were standing on those battlefields, picturing what had occurred just 200 years before. If you couldn’t tell, I’m a bit of a history buff. One of my favorite periods to learn about is the American Revolution and Colonial America. I find it fascinating to see the strength and courage of people in that era and then relate it to our world today. It’s amazing to see how far we have come. It’s almost a guide for what we can do in the future. For example, as a history student during my undergraduate career, we had to read a lot of books about various points in history. One of the books I had to read was one I would have never picked up on my own. (That was common.) It was called “The Midwife’s Tale,” and it was all about women who helped other women give birth in Colonial America. We have advanced medicine so far since then, but it’s profound to see where we once were and how that led us to today. JoDee and I try to teach our kids about history — although I’m sure my kids get tired of me talking about it so much — because I believe having a greater understanding of our past will help our children become better citizens. The discussions we have about the work that led to the American Revolution are profound. We discuss why increased taxation was such a big deal to the colonists, who felt abandoned by a nation that

was across the ocean from them, and that usually leads to a discussion about the freedoms we enjoy and fought so hard to have today. There’s a lot of talk these days about “unifying the nation,” and I believe these conversations need to be rooted in our history. We’ve faced a lot over the past year, but it’s not unlike anything we’ve faced in the past. We’ve battled and beaten pandemics. We’ve overcome political turmoil. We’ve persevered in the face of adversity, and our country is stronger because of it.

You may wonder why I’m rattling on about patriotism in the middle of April. With the

exception of the Fourth of July, there is no better time to do so. On April 19, 1775, the American Revolution began with the Battles of Lexington and Concord. To this day, those battles are among some of the most iconic in history. A lot of tension led to “the shot heard round the world,” and it subsequently became the birth of a nation. On that day, our Founding Fathers stood up for our rights. I had the privilege of traveling to those battle sites when I was in law school in Connecticut. We had some friends who lived in Boston, so we had the opportunity to visit the region for a few weeks. Boston is an amazingly historic city, and I really enjoyed soaking up all of the American history while I was there. Yet, the most profound

We can grow together, so long as we are willing to learn from our past.

-Brandon Yost

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Sprout Your Kids’ Imagination

With 3 Fun Earth Day Projects With spring officially underway, April showers starting to bring May flowers, and Earth Day on April 22, now is a great time for outdoor family activities.

Stick With Magic Nature is a magical place. Many kids know

instructions, visit TheSpruce.com and search “pine cone bird feeder.”

An Egg-cellent Planter Save those eggshells from breakfast (and the paper carton, too!) and use them to start a garden! Your little ones will enjoy planting some seeds, watering them, and watching them sprout and grow into something new. When the sprouts are big enough and it’s warm enough outside, you can plant the shell and carton directly into the ground! This easy project just requires rinsed eggshell halves, some lightly moistened potting soil, and seeds of your choosing. Note that smaller seeds, like those for herbs, lettuces, peppers, or tomatoes, work best for this project. For full instructions, visit GardenBetty.com and search “starting seeds in eggshells.”

this instinctively and often point out things adults take for granted or overlook, like bright- colored leaves, fun-shaped rocks, and acorn “hats.” Making a nature wand is a great way to let your kids explore their environment, whether that’s in your backyard, on a neighborhood walk, or in your favorite park. Let their imaginations run wild with what their magic wand can do! This simple project starts with a stick and masking tape. Your kids add all the extra flair by hunting for natural treasures and sticking them onto their wand. Complete instructions can be found at LaughingKidsLearn.com/ nature-wands-outdoor-play.

One for the Birds Making a pine cone bird feeder is a fun and inexpensive project. In addition to creating and hanging your bird feeder, you’ll get hours of extra entertainment from watching the birds it will attract to your yard. If your kids are older, take photos of the birds or note their colors and features and look them up in a field guide or online. This craft just requires a pine cone (the bigger the better), peanut butter, and some twine or string. Top the peanut butter with “sprinkles” of mixed birdseed or small pieces of nuts and fruit to appeal to even more birds. For full

Laugh It Off

It May Be the Best Medicine for Your Post-Divorce Stress

“Divorce is the psychological equivalent of a triple coronary bypass.” —Mary Kay Blakely. Humor can be an effective coping mechanism, even when facing one of life’s biggest changes: divorce. Not only can humor help you process the complicated emotions that come with a divorce, but laughing to relieve stress just might be good for your health, too.

like a divorce, many people experience chronic stress. This puts immense pressure on the body and can negatively affect the immune system and a person’s mental health. It can also have an impact on the cardiovascular, digestive, and hormonal systems and can increase pain and tension in the joints. Laughter is a powerful way to manage chronic stress, and it might be easier to accomplish than you think. Start by finding ways to inject humor into your routine. Even if you’re not in a “jokey” mood, forcing laughter or actively incorporating TV shows, movies, books, podcasts, or people who make you laugh into your daily routine will provide many of the benefits listed above. And if you can, try to find something humorous about your divorce. Or, try to connect with people who faced similar experiences, and your shared commiseration just might elicit a few giggles. Laughter will also make processing the many emotions that come with divorce much easier. When you regularly laugh, you could find a healthier headspace to properly address these emotions. However, don’t use laughter as a way to mask what you’re experiencing. This can create more stress and mental health concerns. Speak with a mental health professional to properly address these thoughts and feelings to better recover from your divorce. Once you do this, humor can become a vital part of your healing process.

Mayo Clinic reports that laughter can have short-term and long-term benefits. When you let out a chuckle, your organs are stimulated and can become stronger. You can also soothe muscle tension, improve your immune system, relieve pain, and boost your mood. Simply put: Laughter relaxes your body, both physically and mentally. This can be extremely beneficial for those going through a divorce. When experiencing big life changes,

If you need additional resources for support during your divorce, please contact us today.

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3 THINGS SINGLE PARENTS AND DIVORCEES NEED TO KNOW Are You Financially Literate?

W hether you have to return to the workforce or face the challenge of becoming a single-income household, the financial obstacles that come with divorce can range from day-to-day concerns to long-term savings questions. Divorce will change the way you approach your finances, but it doesn’t have to lead to stress and worry. Instead, take control of your finances and gain confidence in honor of Financial Literacy Month. Start a Budget Your best tool is a budget. Our friends at Nerd Wallet suggest the 50/30/20 method. Allocate 50% of your income to your needs, like the mortgage or rent, about 30% to wants, and 20% to long-term saving, like a retirement account. Don’t forget to consider alimony or child support as income and adapt your budget as

Set Tangible Goals Setting goals provides a direction or intention for your financial plan. First, consider your retirement or life insurance to protect you and your children’s futures. You may not think you have enough money to save, but an expert can help you find the best place to start. Also, consider budgeting and saving for something fun. If your dream is to visit Paris, but your monthly numbers don’t cut it, consider side jobs, like driving for a ride-share app, selling your crafts, or freelancing. You are in control of the money that comes in and out of your house, which can be a positive thing. But this also comes with a lot of pressure. If you need additional resources or legal guidance, please call the Law Offices of Kevin Jensen today.

you notice trends or as your needs change. And consider personal finance apps, like Mint, which can more accurately track your spending and income. Plan for Tax Changes The IRS cares a lot about your divorce. In fact, even if your divorce was finalized on Dec. 31, the IRS considers you single for the past year and will not allow you to file jointly with your ex-spouse. This can complicate things. Another complex item to consider is what will be taxed. For example, alimony and child support are both forms of income, but only alimony is taxable. Similarly, only one parent can claim a child as a dependent. A licensed tax professional can help, but understanding some of the basic concepts is important to future planning.

Spring Vegetable and Chicken Pasta Bake

LAUGH BREAK

Celebrate spring with this easy, tasty, herb- packed pasta bake.

Ingredients

• •

1 cup cooked chicken, diced

1 14-oz can artichokes, drained and quartered

•

1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped and divided

• • • • •

1 cup fresh asparagus pieces

• • •

2 tsp minced garlic

1/2 cup carrots, grated

1/4 tsp salt

1 1/2 cups uncooked penne pasta

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided

1 3/4 cups chicken broth

1/2 cup fresh chives, chopped and divided

480.632.7373 Directions 1. Preheat oven to 425 F and grease an 8-inch square baking dish with cooking spray. 2. In the prepared dish, stir together cooked chicken, artichokes, asparagus, carrots, uncooked pasta, chicken broth, half the chives, half the parsley, garlic, salt, and 2 tbsp Parmesan. 3. Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 35 minutes. 4. Uncover and stir. At this point, check the pasta to make sure it is al dente. If it’s undercooked, cover the dish and return to the oven until pasta is tender. 5. Remove from oven and garnish with remaining Parmesan, chives, and parsley. 3 Inspired by TheSeasonedMom.com

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We Can Unite by Learning About Our Past

3 Fun Earth Day Projects for Families

It’s Okay — and Maybe Necessary — To Laugh About Your Divorce

Are You Financially Prepared for Your Divorce? Spring Vegetable and Chicken Pasta Bake

Boost Your Home’s Energy Efficiency

With These 3 Products

With the development of accessible, affordable technologies and home products, improving the energy efficiency of your home is easier than ever. On top of that, many of these products give you more options for home automation, so you can save money and stay comfortable without even thinking about it. Here are three investments that will boost your energy efficiency right now. A Smart Thermostat The great thing about smart thermostats is that they offer more programmable options than traditional thermostats. For example, you can buy a thermostat that connects to your home’s Wi-Fi and is controlled by an accompanying smartphone app, no matter where you are. Another awesome feature is that smart thermostats will turn on and off

based on your schedule and temperature preferences. In the long run, this feature can save you money and energy. Next-Generation Insulation While you might be familiar with fiberglass insulation, an industry standard, there are much better options that help you maintain the temperature in your home. For existing homes, spray foam insulation is the best option, as it is the easiest to install and can still save energy. It’s also ideal for insulating attics, basements, and hard-to-reach spots. For new homes or more involved renovations, insulating concrete forms are the most energy-efficient option. A Smart Water Heater Generally, water heaters are not the most energy efficient — especially if you’re in a household

where hot water is in constant demand. But with a smart water heater, you can change that. Much like the previously mentioned thermostat, you can control a smart water heater remotely or set it to heat water according to a specific schedule. This way, the heating elements aren’t running all day, every day. They come in tank and tankless varieties, though tankless is the way to go to maximize energy efficiency without taking up much space.

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