Brooks & Crowley - January 2021

Brooks & Crowley - January 2021

Review Brooks & Crowley

January 2021

781-251-0555

www.brooksandcrowley.com

439 Washington Street Dedham, MA 02026

*Services Throughout Massachusetts

YOU CAN ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS! 4 Small Ways to Improve Your Finances This Year

If you’re like me, you’ve likely made a New Year’s resolution that sounded a bit like this: “This year, I’m going to stick with and achieve my goal. I’m really going to do it this year!” Chances are you reverted to your old habits after just a few weeks, and your resolution was a distant memory as life became busier and busier. We all promise to be better in the new year, but the unfortunate truth is that many of us fail to do so. Forbes reports that 80% of New Year’s resolutions fail, and by February, many of us have given up on our goals. I believe we can do better this year. That’s right: I believe there’s a way we can set New Year’s resolutions and actually achieve them. The secret, as many experts point out, is to find resolutions that are meaningful and identify the small steps you can take to get there. (The keyword there is small. Many people attempt goals that are too big!) In 2021, try one of these small financial adjustments to help you achieve more financial freedom! Resolution 1: Learn more. Do you know why you’re supposed to save at least 10% of your paycheck or what to look for when investing? If you don’t care, then move on to Resolution 2, but if you’re curious, this just might be the goal for you. Commit to learning more about your world of finance by adding financial podcasts, readings, or classes to your daily schedule. Listen to a podcast as you make breakfast or go for an evening walk and commit to reading up on the world of finance for 15 minutes each day. These little snippets can go a long way to increase your knowledge. Resolution 2: Audit your spending habits. “Audit” is a scary term, but it can be quite beneficial. Set aside time each month to review your credit card statements or budget. Look for unnecessary expenses and things you can cut down your spending on. Look at subscriptions, websites you shop from frequently, and your biggest purchases. Cut out redundancies and look for ways you can save. The best part about this resolution is that it only requires about an hour of your time each month, and afterward, you’ll have a clearer idea of what steps to take to improve your finances.

Resolution 3: Save here and save there. After the holidays, if you’re looking at your bank account with a financial hangover, this is the challenge for you. The 52-week monthly challenge asks you to save a specific dollar amount once each week. For the first week of 2021, you just save $1. Place it in a jar or digitally save it in a savings account. Then, save $2 in week two. By week three, you save $3. This continues all the way through the last week of the year, week 52, upon which you place $52 in your jar. By that time, you will have $1,378 saved throughout the year! That’s the perfect balance to replenish what you spent over the holidays or to offer you a little extra spending cash. Make this challenge easier by setting a reminder on your phone and designating one day each week that you add to your savings. Resolution 4: Combine resolutions. If you want to eat better or give up smoking, combine it with your financial goals. For example, healthy eating is often easier at home, so swap out two takeout nights each month with a home-cooked meal! Get the whole family involved by finding recipes everyone can help make. You might find a few new family favorites, save a few bucks on takeout dinners, and lose some extra weight, too! Good luck with your goals this year, and remember —we’re cheering for you! –Steve Brooks

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4 Tips to Make Getting Outside Easier Let That Fresh Air Fuel You

work simultaneously. Attach a note to your meeting reminders to get yourself set up outside five minutes before you start. 4. Create a schedule. It might feel strange to set reminders throughout the day to step outside, but you easily get wrapped up in activities and overlook breaks, and these reminders are exactly what you need. Start with 10-minute blocks three times a day. If you stick to them, soon you won’t need a schedule to get outside anymore. Winter weather may be cold, but even when you’re bundled up under a jacket and scarf, just 5–10 minutes outside can do wonders for your mood and energy for hours.

Hunkering down and waiting for the dark and chilly winter season to pass sounds pretty nice. But the reality is, if we deprive ourselves of time outside, we do ourselves a big disservice both mentally and physically. Staying indoors all day affects your energy and mood, which makes it hard to get anything done, so here are four easy tips to make it easier to get a little fresh air. 1. Make it a priority. Getting outside means making the conscious effort to do so. If you want to reap its benefits, you have to decide to make it a priority in your day-to-day schedule. If you make the act important to you, you have more motivation to actually do it. 2. Use mornings effectively. Waking up and getting the day started can be hard. But studies have shown that natural light helps decrease your melatonin production, which means you feel ready to face the day sooner. So, set yourself a second alarm to head outside and take a quick walk around the block just after waking. Don’t even wash your face or grab coffee. Just get out there. 3. Take your work outside. If you’re working from home, take some work outdoors. Phone and virtual meetings are a great outdoor option, especially if you’ll just be an active listener and aren’t required to do any

A Cousin Rivalry Gave the Supreme Court Its Power (Yes, Really)

mother-in-law had once spurned Jefferson’s romantic advances, according to Washington legend. In 1803, Jefferson (a Republican) was upset because a judge whom his predecessor, President John Adams (a Federalist), had tried to appoint was suing Jefferson's secretary of state over failing to actually appoint him. This judge-to-be was named William Marbury, and he took his case straight to the U.S. Supreme Court. After hearing the case, Marshall had two options. He could side with Jefferson, even though he believed he was legally wrong, or he could side with Marbury and risk the wrath of the president, who he feared would dissolve the court. In a historic twist, he chose door No. 3. Digging through the Constitution, Marshall discovered a line that required cases to go through a lower court before coming to the Supreme Court. That made Marbury v.

When Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg passed away and Judge Amy Coney Barrett was nominated to take her place, the eyes of the country turned to the U.S. Supreme Court. It’s no secret that the court has a lot of power. Its decisions, like Loving v. Virginia , Brown v. Board of Education , and Roe v. Wade , have reshaped America. But how did just nine people come to hold so much sway? Well, the answer lies with two rival second cousins: Thomas Jefferson and John Marshall. Back in 1803, the Supreme Court was the laughingstock of Washington. It was a collection of misfits (including a man nicknamed “Red Old Bacon Face”) and met in Congress’ basement. When Marshall was chief justice of the court and Jefferson was president, the cousin controversy reared its head.

Madison , which had come to the Supreme Court directly, out of Marshall’s jurisdiction. It also made the law Marbury had operated under unconstitutional. When Marshall pointed this out, it was the first time the Supreme Court had ever ruled on constitutionality, which set the precedent for its power today. If Marshall hadn’t cared so much about opposing his second cousin in 1803, it’s possible that Judge Barrett’s nomination in 2020 would have been much less contentious. To learn more about this crazy piece of history, check out “Kitten Kick the Giggly Blue Robot All Summer,” an episode of the podcast “Radiolab.”

Marshall and Jefferson were in rival political parties and, to add insult to injury, Marshall's

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For leaders at all levels in all types of business, 2020 was a tough year. Those businesses that managed to not only survive but also thrive all have one big factor in common: good leadership. If you want to be a better leader for your team in 2021, here are the latest leadership books you should add to your reading list. 4 LEADERSHIP BOOKS YOU NEED TO READ BE A BETTER LEADER ‘Friday Forward: Inspiration and Motivation to End Your Week Stronger Than It Started’ by Robert Glazer Glazer is an entrepreneur and bestselling author who has taken 52 of the most impactful stories from his inspirational newsletter that goes out to more than 100,000 readers and put them in one convenient book. These stories of struggling entrepreneurs who turned things around can give you the push you need to make an impact in your own circles and end your work weeks stronger than they started. ‘Unleashed: The Unapologetic Leader's Guide to Empowering Everyone Around You’ by Frances Frei and Anne Morriss Frei is one of the world’s foremost authorities on leadership. In her new book, she’s teamed up with Anne Morriss, a leader in the genomics industry. The book teaches leaders how to empower others. Great

leadership takes grit, thick skin, and compassion, and “Unleashed” offers advice from top-performing organizations on how to best achieve all three. ‘Personality Isn’t Permanent: Break Free From Self-Limiting Beliefs and Rewrite Your Story’ by Benjamin Hardy Organizational psychologist Benjamin Hardy makes a fascinating argument for why your current personality isn’t the one that’s most important. His new book pushes readers to consider who they want their future self to be, and his ideas aren’t theoretical — they’re full of proven ways to change your priorities, break habits, and use your environment to make you a better version of yourself. ‘Honest to Greatness: How Today's Greatest Leaders Use Brutal Honesty to Achieve Massive Success’ by Peter Kozodoy The turmoil of 2020 has pushed brands to reconsider how they appeal to their customers. Many are walking away from deceitful promises and aiming for radical honesty and authenticity, instead. In his new book, Kozodoy examines how this revolution came to be and why it’s working. His guide teaches leaders how they can embrace these qualities to make their businesses better.

LAUGH OUT LOUD

Slow Cooker Chicken Casserole

Ingredients

•

1 lb potatoes, peeled and cut in large chunks

•

8 chicken thighs or drumsticks, lightly salted

• • • •

2 garlic cloves, sliced 14 oz chicken stock

• • • • • •

1 tbsp olive oil

1 tbsp all-purpose flour 1 onion, finely sliced 2 celery sticks, thickly sliced

1 sprig rosemary

Finely grated zest and juice of 1/2 lemon 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped

2 carrots, thickly sliced 1 leek, thickly sliced

•

directions

4. Transfer vegetables to the slow cooker and add the stock, rosemary, and lemon zest. 5. Cook on high for 2.5–3 hours or until chicken is tender. 6. Check seasoning and add lemon juice to taste. Top with parsley before serving.

1. In a large frying pan, heat oil and fry salted chicken on high until brown. 2. Transfer chicken to the slow cooker. Add flour and stir. 3. In the frying pan on high heat, fry the onion, celery, carrots, leeks, and potatoes until lightly browned. Add garlic and fry for 30 seconds.

Inspired by GoodHousekeeping.com

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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

439 Washington Street Dedham, MA 02026 Inside This Issue

1 The Secret to New Year’s Resolutions 2 Give Yourself the Boost of Getting Outside

The Cousin Rivalry That Gave the Supreme Court Its Power

3 4 Books You Should Read to Lead Slow Cooker Chicken Casserole 4 Good News in Boston

Good News in Boston

pasta with lobster, black garlic, and celery root, it will be a night to remember forever.

No need to book a room for a night — drop by for their Winter in the Wharf season and eat in one of their heated igloos that seats up to six people! Choose from their seasonally inspired meals and cocktail menu, or if you’d just like a cozy hangout, drink some afternoon tea and buy from their fondue specials. You can even make it even more special by selecting a premium package specially designed for holiday celebrations, like Valentine’s Day. If you want a very comfortable, intimate dining experience, take a seat with a date in one of Talulla’s outdoor heated greenhouses right outside of Talulla. The polycarbonate structures only seat two diners, and there’s a window and door that give you plenty of fresh air and service. Chef Conor Denney’s menu is certainly not to be missed, either! Famous for fresh ribbons of Talulla 377 Walden Street, Cambridge 617-714-5584

The Lookout Rooftop 70 Sleeper St., Boston 617-338-3030

Imagine: You’re dining on a rooftop in the middle of a dark winter night, above Boston Harbor — while in a bright, illuminated igloo. Not only is it a gorgeous sight, but it makes you feel like a bioluminescent jellyfish! Just go to the Lookout Rooftop lounge on top of the Envoy Hotel and step into the lounge’s annual tradition of “Ice Boxes,” which are six heated minilounges enclosed by plexiglass that can seat up to six guests. You’ll have panoramic views of Boston while enjoying unique cocktails and small plates from two-time "Chopped" champion Tatiana Rosana! We hope these have inspired some new winter plans! Bon appétit and have a wonderful time!

With limited events (and new regulations while attending sports games), there are fewer and fewer opportunities for new outdoor experiences during the winter. However, supporting your local restaurants can be a bigger part of creating fresh winter memories than you think! Here are a few delicious spots that have revamped their outdoor dining areas to be fun, exciting, and warm.

Boston Harbor Hotel 70 Rowes Wharf, Boston 617-439-7000

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