Principal Shield Financial - March 2021

Principal Shield Financial - March 2021

MARCH 2021

WISE & WEALTHY NEWSLETTER

(619) 994-1110 WWW.PRINCIPALSHIELD.COM

GETTING INTO THE MORTGAGE BUSINESS TAUGHT ME THE TRUE NATURE OF LUCK

“You’re so lucky!” When I hear those words, I cringe. I cringe because I’ve worked hard for everything in my life and luck had nothing to do with it. I’ve always believed that we make our own luck. In fact, I’ve always believed what the Roman philosopher, Seneca, once said, “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” Opportunities came my way, and I seized them. But with St. Patrick’s Day just around the corner, I got to thinking about my own life and started to wonder whether “luck” played any role. When I was 22, I lived in Los Angeles and desperately wanted to move back to San Diego. However, I was married and needed a job to come home to. One weekend, I was visiting my mom in San Diego, and we decided to go shopping at Price Club. I decided to ask the manager for a job. It was October, and he told me they were only hiring seasonal help, which meant the job would end right after Christmas. That wasn’t going to work for me.

news. The bad news was the only position available was as a janitor. I didn’t exactly enjoy collecting trash, bundling cardboard into the crusher, mopping floors, and cleaning toilets, but it’s what I had to do to get back to San Diego. (You wouldn’t believe how disgusting a public restroom can get.) At that time, I had $26,000 in credit card debt and a baby on the way, so I was working every extra shift and all the overtime I could get. One day, a coworker, who had become a really good friend, asked me why I was working so much. When I explained my situation, he told me his dad owned a mortgage company, and I could make a lot more extra money working a second job with him. That moment changed my life. I didn’t even know what a mortgage was, but I was very motivated to learn, and my friend’s dad was willing to teach me. The rest, as they say, is history. I fell in love with the mortgage business — so much so that I quit my reliable, paid-by-the-hour job at Price Club to work full time on a paid-by-closed- transaction basis. That was a dangerous move, but fortunately for me, it was the right move. If I hadn’t made that move, I wouldn’t be self- employed today, and I wouldn’t have been able to help thousands of families buy homes, refinance, save, and invest their hard-earned money the smart way. Now, I find myself wondering if it was luck that got me a permanent job instead of a seasonal position. Was it luck that I became friends with that coworker? Was it luck that my coworker suggested I work for his dad? Was it luck that his dad hired me?

I have a great many things in my life to be grateful for, and I’ve come to the realization that I need to add luck to that list. While I still firmly believe we manufacture our own luck by seeing and seizing the opportunities that come our way, there is no doubt that luck is alive and well and makes a difference in people’s lives every day. I’ll leave you with this great quote by Brian Tracy. He says, “Lucky people are simply those who think continually about what they want and then attract it into their lives.” I would advise you not to wait for or count on luck coming to your rescue, but don’t ignore it or turn your back on it and recognize and acknowledge it whenever possible. I hope you seize the lucky opportunities that come your way — especially the financial ones! And if you’re looking for someone to help you make the most of those financial opportunities, I would really like to be that person.

Somehow I was able to negotiate my way into a permanent full-time job. That was the good

Retirement Secret #238: When you gamble in the stock market, you’re taking a big risk for a small reward. Believe it or not, a 100% gain can be wiped out by a 50% loss — but there’s a smarter way to play. Want to read more? Download your FREE copy of my book, “Who’s Stealing Your Retirement? 7 Cunning Thieves Who Are Trying to Ransack Your Nest Egg (And How You Can Catch ‘Em),” at WhosStealingYourRetirement.com.

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IMPROVE YOUR ATTENTION SPAN And Transform Your Life!

Since the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the world last year, many things have gotten shorter, like school days and our patience. But perhaps the main thing that’s grown shorter for all of us is our attention spans. In 2019, researchers from the Technical University of Denmark reported that our collective attention span is indeed narrowing — and it may be because we’re bombarded with tons of information that we don’t want to “miss out” on, whether we’re scrolling through Facebook or finding new videos on YouTube. Unfortunately, a poor attention span can affect us in many ways. It may impact our performance at school or work or cause communication difficulties in relationships. It may even result in poor health related to self- neglect and an inability to practice healthy habits.

How do you fix it? Is it even possible to improve your attention span? Yes, you can! But it will take time. Here are a few ways you can get started.

First, accept that you may make yourself a little mentally uncomfortable while expanding your attention span. It simply won’t feel natural to focus on a single task for a longer period of time than normal, but, with a routine, it’ll get more comfortable as time goes on.

Second, give the Pomodoro method a try. Named after a tomato- shaped timer that its creator used, the Pomodoro method has gained a lot of attention over the years as a brain workout, and it’s a great way to slowly expand your attention span while accomplishing tasks. To get started, think of a small task. Then, set a timer to 25 minutes (or longer, if your attention span will allow). Work on your task for 25 minutes straight. Then, take a five-minute break. After the break, repeat the process. After four rounds, take a break of 15–20 minutes. Congratulations, you’ve used the Pomodoro method, which you can repeat as many times as you want. It’s very handy for getting your tasks finished in a flash, despite any attention span issues! Third, meditate, work out, or adopt new educational interests. Anything that keeps your brain, body, and spirit engaged can help you learn how to focus better. There’s plenty of research that shows the benefits of meditation and exercise to your focus — the trick is exploration. Not every form of meditation, exercise routine, or hobby will work for you, so don’t give up right away! Stay curious and keep exploring. We’re living in a technological age where we can learn almost anything and reach almost anyone at the tap of a button, so we have to learn how to create opportunities for ourselves. We hope these tips help you get started!

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DO SOMETHING BETTER IN THE GARDEN 3 Ways to Improve Your Harvest

Go With the Flow

There’s something beautiful about cultivating your own harvest, but you can grow more than simple backyard vegetables. Help your garden “grow up” by trying something unique this spring.

Creating a year-round garden that practically takes care of itself means using principles of permaculture, a philosophy of working with, rather than against, nature. Start by analyzing your space and yard. Determine your soil type and layer mulch or cover crops to protect it. Then, begin planting the same way that’s found in nature — trees grow at the top, shrubs and bushes are below, and other small plants and vines intermingle within. Choose crops that help each other grow (like corn, beans, and squash), and offer aid to your garden without digging up too much soil or disturbing its natural process. Permaculture gardening requires thoughtful planning, but once your crops are in place, nature will take its course.

Plant for Your Health

Mass production of your favorite fruits and vegetables reduces their key nutrients. Instead, choose fresh, home-grown varieties to yield greater health benefits. This is good news for those living with heart disease, joint disorders, or other chronic conditions. You can grow a garden chock full of nutrient-rich foods! Colorful fruits, root veggies, onions, and beans are great for joint health, while leafy greens can boost heart health. Grow pumpkins so you can harvest the seeds for better brain function, while berries can support your liver.

Grow Fun Foods

We plant gardens for a purpose, so why not make it fun! Plant fresh basil, tomatoes, onions, peppers, oregano, and more to create a garden worthy of your next homemade pizza. All you will need to buy is the crust! Pumpkin plants can offer fresh gourds for any Halloween fanatic, while new species of fruits and vegetables can create an exciting home-cooking experience. Try the silver cucumber for a sweet taste or pineberries for a mix between strawberries and pineapples. You just might find a new flavor you love. TAKE A BREAK

Before you dig into these new gardening methods, consult with an expert at a nursery or greenhouse to get the best possible results.

ASPARAGUS AND SMOKED MOZZARELLA PIZZETTES

Ingredients

Directions

• 1 lb prepared whole-wheat pizza dough, divided into 6 equal portions • 12 oz asparagus spears, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces • 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil • 1/4 tsp salt • 1 cup shredded smoked mozzarella cheese • 1/3 cup scallions, thinly sliced • 2 tbsp walnuts, toasted and chopped • 1 sprig of fresh mint leaves, torn • Zest of 1 orange

1. Preheat oven to 500 F and ensure there are two racks in your oven. 2. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper, stretch each piece of dough into a 7-by-3-inch oval and arrange evenly on the pan. 3. On a second baking sheet, toss asparagus with oil and 1/4 tsp salt. 4. Place dough on top rack and asparagus on bottom and bake for 3 minutes. 5. Remove both trays from the oven, sprinkle cheese over the dough, then top with asparagus and scallions. 6. Return pizzettes to oven and bake until the crusts’ edges are golden, about 8–10 minutes. 7. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with walnuts, mint, and orange zest before serving.

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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

10435 Cadwell Rd Santee, CA 92071

INSIDE

1

How to DIY Your Next Lucky Break

2

How to Improve Your Attention Span!

3

Make Gardening Better With These 3 Ideas

Asparagus & Smoked Mozzarella Pizzettes

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3 Simple Hand Exercises to Avoid Cramps

STOP CRAMPING PALMS With 3 Simple Hand Exercises

Hand health is so easy to take for granted — but the minute we start to lose it, we realize just how important it is. If you’re using your hands to type, scroll on your phone, or do other repetitive motions every single day, this can cause problems later on. Luckily there are some simple hand exercises you can do to keep your joints healthy! A quick tip before we get started: If your hands are feeling painful or stiff, try warming them up with heating pads or soaking them in warm water before your exercises. This will make it easier to stretch and move them. No. 1: Finger Stretch You want to be able to use your hands pain-free and with flexibility. Finger stretches help ensure that’s the case for a lifetime. To relieve pain and improve the range of motion in your hands, first, place the heels of your hands on a flat surface. Then, gently straighten your fingers until they are as flat as possible — but don’t force your joints. Hold for 30–60 seconds. Repeat at least four times with each hand. No. 2: Finger Lift To increase your range of motion and flexibility in your fingers, put your hand in a flat, finger stretch position. But instead of focusing on keeping

your hand as flat as possible, try gently lifting one finger at a time

before slowly lowering them. You can also lift all your fingers and thumbs at once, then lower. Repeat for 8–12 times on each hand.

No. 3: Thumb Touch Almost all of our tasks require some coordination between our fingers and thumbs. That’s what this exercise is all about. Press the tips of your thumb and index finger to form an “o” shape with your hand. Create the same shape with your thumb and middle finger. Hold for 30–60 seconds. Repeat this with the rest of your fingers, then do the whole exercise for a total of four times. Going through this workout routine might seem unusual at first, but considering how important our hands are to our daily lives and communication, you certainly won’t regret keeping them in shape. Happy stretching!

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