Norton Accounting Services, LLC - May 2021

Norton Accounting Services, LLC - May 2021

NortonAccountingServices.com 985-640-6072 [email protected] MAY 2021 NORTON NEWSLETTER EASE OF MIND • AVAILABILITY • FLEXIBILITY • INDIVIDUAL APPROACH • EXPERIENCE • TAX SAVINGS OPPORTUNITIES THE REAL ESTATE TAX PRO ™

“No wonder he’s getting fat!” That’s what Penny said when I told her I’ve been putting extra food in Charlie’s bowl at night. (He’s our blind cat.) If I don’t do that, he’s pouncing on me at 5 a.m.! And I know when he’s out of food, because when I’m sleeping, he climbs on my chest and licks my face. When I roll over, he walks onto the nightstand and rubs the lamp. He knows that bugs me. (He’s knocked it off several times.) If that doesn’t work, he jumps off the bed and starts pawing at the window blinds. When I tell him to stop, he jumps back onto the bed and begins licking my face again. FROM THE DESK OF Bob Norton

Safety Tips for Online Gaming The Kids Are Online

When I first heard the term “Among Us,” I wasn’t really sure what it meant. Later I learned it was an online multiplayer video game where the objective is to find and cast out the “impostor” among the crew members aboard a spaceship. A few friends of mine were talking to me about how their kids were fascinated by the game and had already put many hours into playing it with their friends. They also expressed concerns as well. Among Us is a cross-platform game that allows people to play together regardless of what device they’re using, meaning gamers can play with more of their friends. But parents need to be aware that this kind of access to a broad online platform also comes with risks. Online gaming, in all its forms and genres, has become a popular form of entertainment for people of all ages. However, as with all things related to the internet, online interactions — even within a video game — can be dangerous. To keep your kids and family safe while gaming, I’ve listed some safety measures you can take.

And then, the whole process repeats.

He doesn’t give up, either. When I finally get up, he runs to the door and heads toward the kitchen. I usually just shut the door and go back to bed. This only gives me a reprieve for a short period of time. He knocks on the door until I reopen it.

When he starts this at 3 a.m., he’s not just out of food — I forgot to set his bowl out!

–Bob Norton

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Keep Personal Details Private

account information or Social Security numbers. Gaming companies will never ask for this information, so if your gamer sees one of these emails, tell them to come to you before hitting send.

When a gamer registers for an account, they may be asked to provide personal details for their gaming profile such as their email address, age, or full name. These profiles allow gamers to identify one another, and they contain a player’s gaming accomplishments, in-game levels, and awards. However, gamers can and should opt to keep any personal details private. Never use personally identifiable information (PII) on a public profile.

Be Careful in Chat Rooms

Many games include chat rooms where players can communicate. Talk to your child about the importance of not sharing any personal information with strangers online through chat or email, no matter how friendly they may be. Similarly, tell your child not to click on any shared links, regardless of who posted them. Bots (online software programs that perform repetitive tasks) and other players can post links in the chat that may lead to scam websites or malware.

Never Share Account Information

One of the most important discussions you can have with your child about online gaming is explaining why they should never share their account information. In addition to PII, a gaming account can also contain credit card information. Tell your child that they should be suspicious of any email from a game company asking for bank

Monitor Microtransactions

Players can make low-cost purchases — called microtransactions — in some games to gain access to new content like a new look or more skills or strength for their character. These purchases may make the game more exciting, and while some of these add-ons are legitimate, scammers can use this avenue to steal players’ financial information. Before your gamer spends money on anything beyond the initial purchase of the game, ensure that the purchase is legitimate and on the game’s official website.

By taking these steps, online gaming can be a fun and safe experience for the whole family. 5 Best Recipe Apps for a Healthier Mind and Body

If you’re always in a rush, it’s quite possible that food delivery apps have been your best friend during the pandemic. But they may also make it difficult to stay healthy! Save yourself both time and money by replacing your food delivery apps with these top-rated healthy recipe and recipe management apps, instead. Tasty You’ve likely seen a Tasty food recipe video on Facebook or social media somewhere. Their beautifully simplistic editing style makes it easy to understand and follow recipes, and you can access their whole library for free with their app! It even includes a grocery list function when you want to take on multiple recipes. Forks Over Knives In recent years, nutritionists and doctors alike have started recommending a plant-based diet for its health benefits. Whether you’re a vegetarian, vegan, or a plant-based omnivore, you’ll love Forks Over Knives’ creative and simple dishes that blend perfectly with your needs. For only $5, you can easily find something to suit your tastes and health needs in the over 400 high-quality recipes from 50 celebrated chefs. You may even stave off heart disease and Type 2 diabetes while you’re at it. BBC Good Food With over 10,000 recipes accessible from BBC’s cooking history, this app brings together both user-submitted recipes and tested recipes

from the BBC Good Food team and celebrity chefs — for free. Create an account and save all your favorites! Paprika You might already have your favorite go-to recipe blogs and websites, such as BudgetBytes and Bon Appetit. How do you manage your cluttered bookmark folders of recipes? Easy! Get a recipe manager app like Paprika! It’s only $5, and you can input all your recipe URLs and easily organize your favorite recipes from the internet. BigOven Only have a few ingredients but need to cook a meal? Just type in three ingredients, and BigOven will search its 350,000-recipe bank to find the perfect options for free. BigOven also makes it easy to follow your favorite food bloggers while staying on top of your food supply! We hope these apps will help you cook and eat simpler, healthier, and faster than ever!

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How to Live to 99 Betty White’s Secrets of Longevity

Beloved “Golden Girls” actress Betty White is still enjoying her golden years. The famed actress celebrated her 99th birthday this January. While she told People magazine that she’s “blessed with good health, so turning 99 is no different than turning 98,” she also had a few tips for folks looking to make it to their centennial birthday. Keep laughing “Don’t take yourself too seriously,” White says. “You can lie to others — not that I would — but you cannot lie to yourself.” White has undoubtedly provided many laughs to viewers over the years, but she’s not just playing it up for the camera. Laughter is part of what keeps her young. Be optimistic White says a good sense of humor also helps her keep a good attitude and look for the positive rather than “dwelling on the

downside.” Avoiding negativity also gives her energy. “It takes up too much energy being negative,” she told People magazine. Stay busy With nearly eight decades of acting under her belt, six Emmys on her shelf, and over 120 screen credits to her name, White is no stranger to hard work. As she told Parade in 2018, “I just love to work, so I’ll keep working until they stop asking.” Exercise your mind In addition to her busy work schedule, what keeps Betty White sharp? Crossword puzzles! She told Katie Couric in an interview, “I’m addicted. An admitted addict. I just can’t put ’em down.” Find a cause White is a lifelong animal lover. She calls her golden retriever, Pontiac, “the star of the

house.” While pet ownership itself comes with proven health benefits, White has channeled her love for animals in bigger causes. She’s been a trustee and board member of the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association for over 40 years and has done work to help protect endangered species in the wild. Funds raised from White’s official fan club, Bet’s Pets, all go to support animal charities. Embrace your vices White told Parade she loves vodka and hot dogs “probably in that order,” which just goes to show that you don’t have to forgo your treats to live to 99.

Easy & Healthy Green Rice

Take a Break!

Ingredients

• 1 cup tightly packed spinach leaves • 1 cup tightly packed kale leaves, stems removed • 1 1/2 cups vegetable stock • 2 tbsp full-fat coconut milk • 1 tsp kosher salt • 1/2 cup yellow onions, finely diced • 1/2 cup green peppers, diced • 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil • 3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced • 1 cup long-grain white rice

Directions

1. In a blender, purée spinach and kale with vegetable stock, coconut milk, and salt. Set aside. 2. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, sauté onions and peppers in olive oil until soft. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. 3. Stir in rice and cook and toast for 1–2 minutes before adding the blended mixture. Increase heat to bring to a boil. 4. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until liquid has evaporated, 15–20 minutes. 5. Remove from heat and let sit for 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork before serving.

BLOOM CINCO COMIC DERBY

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE From the Desk of Bob PAGE 1 Safety Tips for Online Gaming PAGE 1 5 Best Recipe Apps for a Healthier Mind and Body PAGE 2 99-Year-Old Betty White’s Secrets of Longevity PAGE 3 Take a Break PAGE 3 Easy & Healthy Green Rice PAGE 3 Australian Wombats Are Saving the Day! PAGE 4

Australian Wombats in Charge Saving Lives One Hole at a Time

Remember the Australian wildfires of 2019–2020? These fires ravaged large areas of the country, displacing and leaving countless animals to fight for survival. To make matters worse, swaths of the country have been dealing with drought. It’s one challenge after another for humans and animals alike. But one species has taken matters into its own “hands.” Numerous wombats have been discovered digging holes in search of water — and they found it! According to Australia’s ABC News, one group of wombats was discovered on a farm in New South Wales, which was situated over a large underground reservoir. So, the wombats went to work. One farmer, Ted Finnie, reported that wombats dug a hole roughly 4 meters deep by 20 meters

wide (or about 65 feet). Their incredible work made this source of water remarkably accessible. At this particular watering hole, Finnie captured all sorts of creatures on camera — birds, emus, possums, echidnas, and monitor lizards — congregating around the wombats’ creation. What isn’t known is how, exactly, the wombats discovered the water, but they surmise the animals likely picked up on environmental clues and dug until they found what they were looking for. Interestingly enough, wombats have been known to help other animals in the past. During the Australian fires, countless animals were left searching for refuge, and they found it in wombat burrows.

While the wombats weren’t exactly welcoming other species into their homes with open arms, they seemed to “tolerate” the visitors, as one ecologist with the University of Adelaide noted. It was a case of accidental heroism, much like their search for water, but it was heroism nonetheless.

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