DuPont Wealth - January 2018

DuPont Wealth - January 2018

L.A.F.F. LAW ADVOCACY FAMILY FINANCE A monthly newsletter providing your family insight about the law and finance (with an occasional dose of humor) from your friends and advocates at DuPont Wealth Solutions and the Law Offices of DuPont and Blumenstiel.

18 JAN

A YEAR OF GROWTH LOOKING BACK ON 2017

I’m not one for New Year’s resolutions. I’ve long since given up the yearly “lose 10 pounds by Thanksgiving” pipe dream. It’s not that I don’t believe in setting goals. After all, I help people set and reach their financial objectives. In a way, resolutions are my job. But doing that job effectively takes a more methodical approach than making vague promises. My mind is wired to the fiscal year, so I set goals quarterly, not annually. Still, the new year is an invitation to reflect, step back, and look at the big picture.

“AS WE LOOK FORWARD TO 2018,

We went through some exciting changes in 2017. On the personal side, we added some much- needed feminine perspective by welcoming Heather and Julia into what was feeling a bit too much like a boys’ club. The families of our team also grew with Kirk and his wife, Brittany, welcoming their son, Theodore, on July 15. Mike and Mimi added a four- legged son, Jake. Much to Sophie’s chagrin, I continue to resist adding a new pup for Bella (our old Bernie) to train. She keeps working on the old man, so watch this space. Knowing me, I will give in sooner or later.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO PURSUE OUR MISSION OF BRINGING YOU THE TOOLS AND SERVICES NEEDED TO NAVIGATE THE MAZE OF LIFE."

is a service that allows us to dig under the hood of a portfolio and see what is going on with your money. By integrating cutting-edge analytics into our proprietary pilot process, we can do an even better job of finding the portfolios and strategies to best fit you and your goals and keep you on track.

In addition to changes in technology, we made a considerable investment in finding an industry-leading partner to assist our clients in dealing with the tremendous cost of college. These services help your children identify appropriate choices for their education, guide them through the application process, and help develop strategies to reduce the financial burden. As we look forward to 2018, we will continue to pursue our mission of bringing you the tools and services you need to navigate the maze of life. We look forward to the changes the new year will bring, and we wish you a prosperous 2018!

On the business side, we started off with a bang by announcing the merger of law practices that resulted in DuPont and Blumenstiel, and then we kept right on running. To accommodate the merger, we doubled our office space, added new resources, and moved toward the development of systems designed to produce a consistently outstanding client experience. Whatever your legal needs, we should be your first call. If we don’t provide the service, we will introduce you to people in our network who can help you. The DuPont Wealth business has also undergone significant growth over the last year. This growth has enabled us to add a host of new tools to help you meet your financial goals. This included integrating Riskalyze, Tax Clarity, and Kwanti into our pilot process. Riskalyze is a risk-alignment platform that is making waves in the investment community. Tax Clarity helps us minimize taxes in retirement. Kwanti

Heck, maybe I will try to lose 10 pounds by Thanksgiving, after all.

-Greg DuPont

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WANT TO SEE BETTER REPORT CARDS IN 2018? MAKE READING A FAMILY RESOLUTION

Every parent wants to see their child do well in school, and there’s one fun activity that benefits students of all ages: reading. In a world with so much stimulation, however, it can be difficult to motivate kids to put down a screen and pick up a book. NewYear’s resolutions are the perfect opportunity to make reading a priority. Here are a few tips to make 2018 the year your kids become bookworms. Make It a Family Resolution There’s no better motivator than solidarity! Plus, we’re guessing everyone in your household could stand to read a little more.You don’t have to read the same books or set identical goals, but it’s a lot more fun when everyone participates. Schedule weekly reading discussions so everyone can share the cool stories they’ve read. Stack your completed books in your house somewhere as a monument to all the knowledge your family has gained. Set Reward Milestones Positive reinforcement will propel your kids to keep reading long after the calendars have turned. For a certain number of books completed or hours spent reading, offer them a prize. You can even create a big end goal to really cement those reading habits. Car crashes, even small ones, can leave you with traumatic injuries. Unfortunately, they’re all too common in this country, and the greater Columbus area is no exception. Between the city traffic and winter ice, you have to exercise caution at this time of year. But you can’t control the drivers around you and won’t always be able to correct for their negligence. If one of these traumatic events strikes, there are some concrete actions you can take to ensure you receive proper treatment and compensation. COLLECT EVIDENCE If you aren’t incapacitated after an accident, you should start gathering information right away. Get the contact and insurance information from any drivers involved, as well as the license plate numbers. Also, collect contact information from any witnesses, as contemporary accounts will strengthen your case. It’s also a good idea to use your phone to take pictures of the crash site.This first step isn’t always possible, you may be too injured to gather evidence yourself. At the very least, be sure to get a copy of the police report. SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION Even if you think you’re okay, the safest thing to do after an accident is to see a doctor. Symptoms of whiplash, like pain, discomfort, and dizziness, can take days to surface.The road to recovery from car-crash injuries is often long, so it’s best to start as STEPS TO AID TREATMENT AND STRENGTHEN YOUR CLAIM

Better yet, set a combined goal that the entire family can work toward. Don’t be afraid to pull out all the stops. If your kids know that reading one book per week through June means an extra-special summer vacation, their enthusiasm won’t wane come spring. Use ReadingApps Goodreads is a social network for bibliophiles. You can find recommendations, share ratings, and create lists of both completed and to-be-read books. Users also create reading lists based on topic, genre, decade, and more. With over 2 billion books added, you’ll never run out of inspiration. Biblionasium offers the same services, but it’s designed specifically for children.Talk to other parents and create a network of friends and classmates. After all, nothing is cooler to a kid than what their friends are doing. Avid readers tend to do better academically from kindergarten through college. In fact, a study from the Journal of Education and Practice found that reading comprehension predicted success in other subjects more than any other factor. If you want to see improved report cards, make a reading resolution for your entire household.

I WAS IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT, NOW WHAT?

soon as possible. Furthermore, if you wait too long, the insurance company may dispute whether your injuries were caused by the accident. If your treatment is prolonged, make detailed notes of your medical, chiropractic, and physical therapy visits. And of course, keep all receipts for any prescriptions or medical devices you purchased due to your injuries. GET LEGAL COUNSEL While insurance companies are supposed to help cover the cost of recovery, they will often seek the lowest compensation rate possible. Having a trained car accident attorney in your corner can help you receive a claim that matches the treatment you required. It will also allow you to focus on recovery, rather than settling disputes with insurance agents. AtThe Law Offices of DuPont & Blumenstiel, we have considerable experience representing clients who have been harmed in automobile accidents. Should you reach out to us after an accident, we will work to ensure you are properly compensated.

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Health care is growing more and more expensive for retirees every year. Costs have inflated by 6 percent since 2016. Fidelity Investments estimates that a healthy 65-year-old couple will need $275,000 to cover their health care costs over the course of their retirement. Worse still, Fidelity’s calculations did not account for the cost of over-the-counter medications, dental services, or long-term care. HSA There are steps you can take now to help weather these rising costs once you retire. One option is to open a health savings account, or HSA. If you are a worker with a high-deductible health care plan, you qualify to open an HSA. These accounts allow you to save up to $3,400 annually, or $6,750 for family coverage. Your contributions are allowed to grow tax-free, and as long as the funds are used to cover qualified health care expenses, you don’t pay any taxes when you withdraw the funds. This includes certain Medicare premiums. Long-Term Care Medicare does not cover long-term care. While it is covered by Medicaid, it often requires a family to completely spend down all assets. The average private room in a nursing home costs more HEALTH CARE: WHAT PRE-RETIREES NEED TO KNOW

than $8,000 per month, according to a survey released by Genworth Financial last year. These exorbitant costs can easily sabotage your retirement plans, as well as your legacy. Don’t be caught unprepared. Have a financial plan in place.

Please contact us regarding health care in retirement. Now is the time to review your plan! Call Dupont Wealth Solutions at 614.408.0004.

SUDOKU

LEFTOVER TURKEY RAMEN

INGREDIENTS

•

4 eggs

•

1 leftover turkey carcass

•

4 ounces bacon

•

6 scallions, divided

•

4 portions fresh, not instant, ramen noodles

•

8 slices ginger

•

6 dried shiitake mushrooms

•

2 cups leftover turkey, shredded

•

16 cups water

DIRECTIONS

1. Remove most of the meat

3. Cook bacon until crisp. Drain, chop, and set aside. Chop remaining scallions. 4. Once the broth is done

from the turkey carcass, shred, and set aside. Put carcass in a large stockpot, along with 3 scallions, ginger, mushrooms, and water. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 3 hours. saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil, then immediately remove pot from heat and let sit for 4 minutes. Transfer eggs to an ice bath to cool.

simmering, prepare the fresh noodles according to package directions. Divide noodles among 4 bowls and cover with broth. Add shredded turkey, chopped scallions, chopped bacon, and an egg to each bowl.

2. Place eggs in a small

(Recipe inspired byTheWoksOfLife.com.)

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INSIDE

2017 in Review PAGE 1

The Resolution That Leads to Better Grades

What to Do After a Car Crash PAGE 2

What You Need to Know About Health Care Before You Retire

Revive That Leftover Turkey! PAGE 3

The Time Is Right for Nicaragua PAGE 4

ESCAPE TO NICARAGUA

THE COUNTRY THAT HAS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE After the hectic holiday season, many of us feel like we need another vacation just to unwind. Luckily, January and February One must-see destination is the Cerro Negro volcano. Just a baby at 150 years old, it’s one of the most active volcanoes in the region. It only takes about an hour to scale its smoking, black gravel surface, and the verdant forests surrounding the peak are a sight to behold. Adventurous travelers can board down the side, reaching ludicrous speeds as they teeter and try not to fall. In fact, it’s almost impossible to travel anywhere in the country without seeing an “I boarded a volcano”T-shirt. are two of the best months to travel. Flight prices plummet and crowds thin out after the Christmas rush.

If you’re looking to escape the dreary winter weather, there’s no better place to visit this season than Nicaragua, the “Central American country that has it all,” as Condé NastTraveler puts it. Whether you’re looking to explore the rainforests

If relaxing on a pearlescent beach is more your speed, take a short boat trip out to the Corn Islands.There, you can amble around the small towns bordering the shockingly blue Pacific, visit a number of laid-back seafood restaurants, get scuba certified for a fraction of the price anywhere else in the world, or just read your book as you swing in a hammock by the waves. You can also visit the gorgeous, alabaster Our Lady of Grace Cathedral in “new” Léon.The biggest church in all of Central America, this unique Baroque and neoclassicist structure was built in 1814. Visitors can climb onto its roof (as long as they don’t wear shoes) and bask in the view of surrounding volcanoes (including Cerro Negro). If you’re planning on heading to Nicaragua, it’s best to do it soon. Neighbor Costa Rica often overflows with tourists, and instead of wading through the crowds there, many travelers are catching on to what Nicaragua has to offer.

surrounding the Río San Juan or get lost in the quirky-yet-beautiful architecture of Granada, there’s something for everyone in this tropical

wonderland.

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