Gold Star Taxes, Inc. - March 2021

Gold Star Taxes, Inc. - March 2021

MARCH 2021

(517) 437-4646 GOLDSTARDIRECT.COM BEYOND THE NUMBERS

How ‘Rich Dad, Poor Dad’ Inspired Me to Leave My Comfort Zone MEET THE BOOK THAT POPPED MY BUBBLE

Referral TV Winners This Past Tax Season

Everyone is raised in a bubble. As kids, we learn pretty much everything we know from our parents, and that’s how we build our worldview. If our parents have W-2s and 9-to-5 jobs, we figure that’s just how life is and we plan to go down that road. The same goes for everything else, from the cars we buy to the food we eat. But every once in a while, something comes along that pops the bubble. For me, it was a book: “Rich Dad, Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money —That the Poor and the Middle Class Do Not!” by Robert Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter. The book tells the story of a kid with two mentors whom he calls his “dads.” One is his real dad, and the other is the father of one of his friends. His real dad is the “Poor Dad” in the story, because he works hard at a typical 9-to-5 job but never manages to get ahead or save up. The “Rich Dad” is an entrepreneur and investor with a lot of cash on hand. The kid in the story is Robert Kiyosaki, and in the book, he shares all of the very different financial tips he learned from both dads. The thing that stuck with me when I first read it 20 years ago was that you can make a good living without going the “normal” career route. It blew my mind to realize there were other options out there, like investing in the stock market or doing real estate. “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” completely changed my thoughts about money and how the world works. I could suddenly see new ways to build a career and create wealth.

But the book inspired me to venture out of my comfort zone. With the Rich Dad’s lessons in mind, my wife, Robbie, and I took a big leap and bought a house to fix up as an income property. For a while we rented houses, and we even flipped a couple and resold them. I felt like a future Rich Dad in action! But the excitement didn’t last. First, I realized that being a landlord isn’t my cup of tea. I also figured out that I’m not

Kody Rubin

Shane and Stephanie Lockwood

Vonda Cekander

much of a handyman. Robbie and I tried to do all of the work on the first flip ourselves, but eventually, we gave in and hired the experts. Hanging drywall, putting in kitchen cabinets, and laying flooring takes a level of skill that I just don’t have. We have since scaled back our house investing but may pick it up again in the future. Written out like that, our real estate adventure sounds like a failure, but I’m actually proud of that time in my life. I took risks, pushed myself outside of my comfort zone, and learned a lot about myself and my limitations. “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” gets some credit for that, and I haven’t stopped reading books about money, investments, and business since I picked it up. If you’re not happy in your career or want to try making some money on the side, I’d recommend checking out “Rich Dad, Poor Dad.” It’s a great way to learn about your options and pop that bubble you might be stuck in. An updated version of the book just came out in 2017, and you can find it pretty much anywhere, including Amazon.

Tyler Gonshorowski

Richard and Patricia Hawkins

Richard Lambright

Randy and Lisa Lane

Paul and Carie Shepherd

When I read “Rich Dad, Poor Dad,” I already loved doing taxes, so I knew I didn’t want to leave the family business.

Thomas and Sabine Young

Have you filed your 2020 tax return yet?

There’s still time, and we’re here to help. Call our office at 517-437-4646 to schedule an appointment, or visit GoldStarDirect.com to learn how to file fromhome.

Good luck, and happy reading!

–Saul Giminez

GOLDSTARDIRECT.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 risk 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, adjust 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 you 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

12 N. Howell, Hillsdale, MI 49242

INSIDE

1

Are You Thinking Too Small? Saul’s Favorite Book Can Tell You

2

How to Improve Your Attention Span!

3

Make Gardening Better With These 3 Ideas Asparagus & Smoked Mozzarella Pizzettes

4

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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