Principal Shield Financial - December 2020

Principal Shield Financial - December 2020

DECEMBER 2020

WISE & WEALTHY NEWSLETTER

(619) 994-1110 WWW.PRINCIPALSHIELD.COM

THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS, PERKINS STYLE!

What Holiday Gift-Giving Means to Me

Is it just me, or does the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas” make no sense? Who needs a partridge these days or eight maids a-milking? As silly as the song is, though, my ex-wife’s family had a Christmas tradition that was a pretty cool twist on it. When she was growing up, her parents would give their kids 12 gifts, one per day, in the weeks leading up to Christmas. These weren’t traditional presents, like $25 LEGO sets or fancy dolls. They were simple things that cost just a couple bucks each, but they made the kids feel special. So, when our kids were born, we continued the tradition. My wife would sneak into the living room late at night or early in the morning during our 12 Days of Christmas and slip Shelby and Savannah’s gifts into their stockings. Like I said, the gifts weren’t big but, man, did the kids go nuts for them! I’ve never seen anyone so excited over a five-pack of pencils covered in glitter or a $2.50 bag of Bit-O-Honeys. It was a win-win because knowing they’d be getting daily gifts kept the kids on their best behavior during the holidays. It also cut down on snooping — I never caught them under the tree shaking boxes or using a letter opener to lift up the scotch tape on their presents. Maybe that’s because they were afraid Dad would bust their chops, but I like to think that it was the 12 Days of Christmas tradition that kept them in line! Honestly, though, I think my wife and I were even bigger fans of the tradition than the kids were. There’s nothing better than that warm fuzzy feeling you get when someone opens a gift from you and their face lights up.

I’ve always felt that the saying “It’s better to give than to receive” is right on the money.

When Shelby and Savannah were little, they didn’t understand that yet — all they thought about were presents, presents, presents, mine, mine, mine! That’s why every Christmas morning, the four of us would sit down together and I’d read an inspirational story to start off the day. Sometimes the story was Christmas-related and sometimes it wasn’t, but it was almost always about giving. I wanted to really drive home the meaning of Christmas for the kids. One year, I told a story I read in a “Chicken Soup for the Soul” book about an 8-year-old little boy whose sister told him “There is no Santa Claus.” Panicked, he raced to Grandma’s house, and she told him that rumor’s been going around for years and it’s ridiculous! Determined to prove her point, Grandma decided to take the boy to Kerby’s General Store. She gave him 10 dollars and told him to buy something for someone who needs it, while she waited in the car. For a few minutes he stood there wondering what to buy and who on Earth to buy it for. Suddenly, he thought of Bobbie Decker. He sat right behind the boy in Mrs. Pollock’s second grade class. Bobbie never went outside for recess during winter because he didn’t have a coat, so he decided to buy Bobbie a coat. He settled on a red corduroy one with a hood. It looked real warm, and he knew Bobbie would like that. That evening, Grandma helped the boy wrap the coat in Christmas paper and ribbons, and write, “To Bobbie, from Santa Claus” on it.

Grandma said Santa always insisted on secrecy. She drove the boy to Bobbie Decker’s house as she explained that the boy was now and forever officially one of Santa’s helpers. While Grandma hid in the bushes, the boy put the present on the front porch, rang the doorbell, and ran to hide with Grandma. From there they watched as Bobbie opened his present from “Santa.” Forty years later the boy, now a father himself, still feels the thrill of those moments spent shivering beside Grandma in Bobbie Decker’s bushes. That night the boy realized that those awful rumors about Santa Claus were just what Grandma said they were: ridiculous! Santa was alive and well, and we were on his team. One of my proudest dad moments was seeing the lightbulb go off for my kids during storytime. All these years later, I still don’t think there’s any better feeling in the world than the thrill you get watching someone open a gift you bought or made that they didn’t even realize they wanted, but that you just knew they’d love. The spirit is with you — remember that!

From my family to yours, merry Christmas and happy New Year!

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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. 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

The Middle Ages Snowmen were a phenomenon in the Middle Ages. They were

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.

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.

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.

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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.

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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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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

10435 Cadwell Rd Santee, CA 92071

INSIDE 1

The 12 Days of Christmas, Perkins Style!

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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!

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