Bob Norton Consulting - October 2020

Bob Norton Consulting - October 2020

NortonAccountingServices.com 985-640-6072 [email protected] OCTOBER 2020 NORTON NEWSLETTER EASE OF MIND • AVAILABILITY • FLEXIBILITY • INDIVIDUAL APPROACH • EXPERIENCE • TAX SAVINGS OPPORTUNITIES THE REAL ESTATE TAX PRO ™

Many of you have already applied for the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL). The application is fairly simple, and the amount of loan that you can qualify for is based on your revenue or gross margin for the period of February 2019 through January 2020. The SBA reopened the application process. To apply, search for “SBA EIDL”and click on the link for the application. FROM THE DESK OF Bob Norton This loan is available to any business impacted by COVID-19 that did not receive PPP funds, although I know of a few companies that received funds fromboth programs. Loan payments are deferred for 12 months, and the loan is for 30 years at 3.75%. Loan proceeds must be spent on operating expenses, which includes owner’s salary. You cannot directly pay off any other loans with these proceeds, purchase any capital assets, or distribute any funds to the owners, other than regular salaries. We can advise on a strategy for doing that. This loan does not impact your credit score, as it is in your business’s name. The loan is also optional, and you can borrow less that the maximum offered. I encourage all business owners to apply, and we can assist you with that.

Create a Passion for Understanding in the Next Generation CULTURAL HERITAGE: IT’S EVERY PART OF OUR LIVES

When a parent or grandparent teaches their children or grandchildren about their family stories and traditions, they instill in the next generation that understanding and value, but it can do much more than that. A young adult who learns more about the connections that tie them to a culture, country, or people is able to find a form of identity that can be applied in all aspects of their life. They appreciate how they came into the world and their unique place in a larger, interconnected group. How does that connection impact their lives? Connecting with their heritage allows younger generations to branch out and explore their own history and identities. The pride they feel in belonging to a significant cultural legacy can help inspire them to live up to the dignity and accomplishments of their ancestors. Not only can this lead them onto a productive path, but it can also build

The culture you inherit is something to be treasured. No matter where you or your family came from, your culture can be with you every step of the way. Humans share an inherent desire to know where they come from, which is why learning about our ancestral legacy is so important. Parents, children, and even the community benefit when cultural heritage is taught and appreciated. It may seem like a huge responsibility to teach cultural heritage because it can be a broad, overwhelming topic, but there are many ways to make it fun, interesting, and meaningful for the next generation. Why is understanding cultural heritage important? When you understand your heritage, you feel connected to it and most likely will aim to protect it and continue learning about it however you can. While this holds true for many areas of life, it’s especially true when learning and understanding heritage.

–Bob Norton

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relationships with the people around them. Strong ties with friends or family members who share the same or similar cultural backgrounds create a sense of belonging and motivation, which can increase overall well-being. What are a few fun teaching methods? Luckily, there are plenty of fun ways to teach cultural heritage to your kids, teens, and young adults. Apart from sitting down with your kids or grandkids to talk about your family’s past, it can be fun to get online and do some research. Dig deeper into your family traditions, family heirlooms, or even the country where your ancestors come from. Learn about what your ancestors’ lives may have been like when they were growing up and the environment they lived in. If conditions permit, you could also plan a trip to the country or community your family comes from. Even just sitting down to plan or start preparing for a trip can be a fun and exciting pastime. However, if travel is out of the question, you and your family can also try recreating a few traditional dishes from your culture, drafting up a family tree chart, or looking into doing DNA tests. With a little thought and effort, you can encourage future generations to understand and treasure their cultural heritage and be proud of who they are and what they can contribute in the future. Catchphrase! Celebrities love to trademark all sorts of things for one simple reason: People associate certain words with the celebrity’s brand, and the celebrity wants to protect that. It makes sense from a business perspective, but sometimes, it can get a little silly. Read on to see what the U.S. Trademark and Patent Office gave its blessing to and which trademarks it outright refused to create. Blue Ivy Carter Just days before their first daughter was born in 2012, Beyoncé and Jay-Z filed for a trademark on her name. The problemwas that a wedding planning company called Blue Ivy was already using the name. Plus, Jay-Z mentioned to the media that their intention was to prevent others from using it. The trademark was denied. Kylie This generic trademark was filed by Kylie Jenner (of the Kardashians and Jenners). Her intention was to use her trademarked name for marketing purposes. The trademark was denied, and Jenner even ended up in a brief legal battle with singer Kylie Minogue. ‘Let’s get ready to rumble!’ One of the most well-known catchphrases of all time was successfully trademarked in 1992 by its creator, boxing announcer Michael Buffer. Even

6 THINGS CELEBRITIES TRIEDTO TRADEMARK—AND SOMEWHO SUCCEEDED

better, it’s made Buffer a very wealthy man. To date, he has made nearly $500 million dollars by licensing the trademark. ‘Rock Star FromMars’ Back in 2011, actor Charlie Sheen had a very public meltdown. During the episode, he rambled off countless phrases such as “Duh, winning,”“tiger blood,” and“rock star fromMars.” In the end, he tried to trademark a total of 22 phrases, but all were rejected by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. ‘You’re fired!’ Donald Trump is known for many things, including emblazoning his name on everything he owns. Long before he was president and while host of “The Apprentice,”he filed a trademark on the show’s catchphrase. It was denied because it was too close to a preexisting (and trademarked) board game called You’re Hired. ‘BAM!’ TV chef Emeril Lagasse was a pioneer in the world of cooking shows. He popularized cooking on TV and captivated audiences by exclaiming one simple phrase every time he added an ingredient to whatever he was making: “BAM!”Naturally, he trademarked his signature phrase, but he doesn’t discourage people from using it as long as they keep it in the kitchen.

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HOW TO BUDGET FOR AND MAXIMIZE YOUR SAVINGS

between 1%–2.2%. So, if you put $10,000 in a traditional savings account with a 0.01% interest rate, then you’d earn $1 at the end of one year. But if you put the same amount into a high-yield savings account with a compounding interest rate of 1%, you would earn around $135 in one year. Pay yourself first. Even if you have a great savings account with a high interest rate, it won’t do much good if it’s empty or not being added to regularly. Many people don’t think about their savings until after the bills have been paid each month. However, it’s actually better to save first! Contributing to your savings before you pay your bills or make other purchases will ensure you prioritize saving and maximize your great interest rate. As a bonus, when you put money into your savings first, then pay your bills, you’ll minimize the temptation to spend on unnecessary extras.

monthly expenses, then see how much is left and how much of that you can put away. Make saving a priority by building this habit into your monthly routine, and you will rest easy knowing that you have a little extra tucked away for a rainy day.

While saving money is difficult for some and easy for others, we can all agree that doing what we can to put a little money aside can help us in the long term. Here are two ways you can get the most out of your savings. Open a high-yield savings account. There are multiple ways to open a savings account, but which is the best? If you want the highest interest rates and low (or no) fees, a high-yield savings account is your best choice. The main difference between this kind of account and a traditional savings account is the annual interest rate. While some brick- and-mortar banks do offer high-yield accounts, many — and those with the highest interest rates — are offered through online-only banks. Why is it worth moving your money into a high-yield account? They offer interest rates that are 20–25 times higher than traditional savings accounts. Whereas a savings account at a traditional bank may offer a 0.01% interest rate, a high-yield savings account offers rates

To figure out how much to save each month, start by making a simple budget. Add up your

Take a Break!

Inspired by MinimalistBaker.com

Pumpkins aren’t just for pie — they make delicious soup, too! This fall, try your hand at this healthy soup recipe and warm up with a bowl. Classic Pumpkin Soup

Ingredients

• • • • •

2 tbsp honey 1/4 tsp sea salt 1/4 tsp pepper 1/4 tsp cinnamon 1/4 tsp nutmeg

• • • •

1 tbsp olive oil 2 shallots, diced

3 cloves garlic, minced 2 1/4 cups pumpkin purée (homemade or canned) 2 cups vegetable broth

• •

1 cup canned light coconut milk

Directions

1. In a large saucepan over medium heat, sauté olive oil, shallots, and garlic for 2–3 minutes. 2. Add the remaining ingredients and bring to a simmer. 3. Transfer the soup to a blender and purée. Pour the blended soup back into the pan. 4. Cook over medium-low heat for 5–10 minutes. Taste and add additional seasoning as desired, then serve!

SCARY SCREAM

HORROR MASKS OPAL POPCORN

APPLES CALENDULA CANDY HALLOWEEN

TREAT TRICK

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE From the Desk of Bob PAGE 1 Getting to Know Cultural Heritage PAGE 1 The Weird Things Celebs Tried to Trademark PAGE 2 How to Save More Money PAGE 3 Take a Break PAGE 3 Classic Pumpkin Soup PAGE 3 Could a Llama Save Us From COVID-19? PAGE 4

Could a Llama Save Us From COVID-19?

MeetWinter, a 4-Legged Hero of Vaccine Research

At least two separate llama studies have shown the effectiveness of these antibodies on coronavirus infections. This summer, a team of researchers from the U.K. discovered that llama antibodies “have the potential to be used in a similar way to convalescent serum, effectively stopping progression of the virus in patients who are ill” when given to those patients in a transfusion. They also suggested that a cocktail of llama and human antibodies could be even more successful at temporarily blocking the virus. Studies of the latter are in the works, and scientists around the world have their fingers crossed for success. In the meantime, Winter will continue peacefully grazing in Belgium, unaware that she just might play a role in saving the world.

for years. That’s because, along with her fuzzy brown coat and long eyelashes, Winter has a unique virus treatment hidden in her blood: llama antibodies. According to The NewYork Times, Winter has participated in past studies for both SARS and MERS —diseases also caused by coronaviruses — and her antibodies fought off both infections. Llamas have also helped out with research for HIV and influenza. It turns out llama antibodies are smaller than the ones found in humans, which makes it easier for them to wiggle into the tiny pockets in virus-carrying proteins. This superpower gives them the ability to“neutralize” viruses, including COVID-19. Studies are now showing that using these llama antibodies in humans could potentially keep coronaviruses from entering human cells as well.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, people have turned to their four-legged friends for help and comfort. In Nebraska, an 11-year-old girl and her pony, Peanut, cheered up nursing home residents through their windows this spring, while in Pennsylvania, an award-winning golden retriever named Jackson starred in videos that kept thousands laughing. Pets like these have given the national mood a boost, but another four-legged critter deserves just as much recognition. Her name is Winter, and she’s the 4-year-old llama whose antibodies could help us beat the coronavirus. At this point, you’re probably thinking, “Llamas? Really?What will these scientists think up next?” But in fact, Winter wasn’t an outside-of-the-box discovery during the COVID-19 vaccine scramble. Llamas have been helping scientists battle viruses

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