Hartwig Law Firm - July/August 2022

Hartwig Law Firm - July/August 2022

THE ADVISOR

JULY/A

UGUST

2022

SUMMERS SPENT WITH THE SOD SQUAD Memories From My First Summer Job

The summer season is an exciting time for kids of all ages. They’re free from school and have more time to spend doing the activities they love, and some will even get their first real taste of responsibility when they start their first summer job. Summer jobs are a great opportunity for kids to learn valuable life lessons that will shape them into responsible adults. I know that was certainly the case when I started my first summer job way back when I was just entering my teenage years. My best friend, Scott, and I have been friends for nearly 40 years now. We initially became friends in the first grade, and our friendship never faltered over the years. As kids, Scott’s dad, Mr. Valentine, drove him and his brother, Neil, around their community to cut grass for those in need. Mr. Valentine wanted to instill a strong work ethic in his children while also providing them with a way to make money. He had many connections through the church, so they normally mowed lawns for seniors and even some churches. I became involved in the business when I turned 13. Mr. Valentine had an old white pickup truck that he loaded with a riding mower, two push mowers, a weed whacker, and some rakes. It was all older equipment, but it got the job done. Mr. Valentine always had oldies playing while driving, so it’s safe to say that all of us became experts in oldies rock. Of course, they needed a name for the business, so Mr. Valentine took one from an

old TV show called “The Mod Squad,” and we became the Sod Squad. Whenever we showed up at someone’s home, they were delighted to see us. We cut grass for people who couldn’t get out much so they always appreciated the interactions. I’m incredibly thankful to Mr. Valentine and Scott for inviting me into that venture. I learned a lot, and it made me even closer with their family. I did get paid for my work, and even though it was a tiny amount, it felt great making money at that age. Mr. Valentine taught me the ins and outs of how lawn equipment worked. He also taught me a valuable lesson in being responsible. If he said he was picking me up at 7 in the morning, I had to be ready then. A lot of the time, the work we did wasn’t necessarily fun. It would be 95 degrees out when we were cutting grass and I was allergic to grass, which made the situation even worse. But I was able to push on, which helped me develop a strong work ethic. I’ve been able to apply many of the lessons I learned as a member of the Sod Squad directly to my current work. For example, I need to be readily available to my clients whenever they need me, just like I needed to be ready to go whenever the Sod Squad pulled up. There were aspects of the job that I simply didn’t want to do, but I realized the people I was assisting truly needed my help, and my rough days didn’t compare to theirs. It’s the same situation with

my current job. When I’m having a difficult day, I think about the people I’m helping who can’t work or pay their bills and realize that I’m working to make life easier for them. Working with the Sod Squad taught me plenty of life lessons, and I’m positive that it’s a big reason why Scott and I have remained friends for so long. I’m still very close with that family and am grateful for the opportunity 33 years later. If you have younger relatives who are starting their first job this summer, I wish them the best of luck. It’ll surely be an enlightening and informative experience for them.

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Hartwig Law Firm | (508) 732-8989

DEPRESSION VS. BURNOUT What’s the Difference?

Work has been more tiring than usual. You’re exhausted and uninterested in the activities you used to love. Are you experiencing burnout or depression? Although these two conditions have similarities, there are telltale symptoms to help you navigate each — even if you are experiencing both at once. Recognizing the differences could help you decide the best solution for you. What is burnout? Burnout is a form of exhaustion that occurs when we constantly feel overwhelmed. It can result in prolonged emotional, physical, and mental stress. The symptoms include exhaustion, loss of identity, and cynicism.

time in toxic environments, overexerting their energy, or experiencing constant stress. However, while burnout is most associated with work-related stress, anyone can experience burnout — especially if they live under intense pressure. What is depression? Depression is a more severe medical illness. It can lead to loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy and many more physical and mental health problems. Common symptoms include a loss of appetite, trouble sleeping, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness, and suicidal thoughts. If you’re experiencing this, you’re not alone. More than 16% of people experience depression at some point in their lives. The good news is that there are many options for treatment, and working out more or adapting

a healthier diet is proven to make a difference in mental health. So, what’s the difference? Although these symptoms may overlap, the key difference is how long

your symptoms last. If your biggest source of stress went away, how fast would you improve? Burnout is typically temporary and disappears after addressed. However, depression is often a long-term battle that can make a person feel empty, create low self-esteem, and affect their overall health. If life feels chaotic, it’s time to take control. Even small steps can build momentum into a happier, healthier future.

People can experience burnout from a lack of control, unclear job expectations, spending

Planning To Start Work After Your Social Security Disability Has Been Approved? 3 THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND

If you become disabled and are unable to work, there are probably a few things that will cross your mind. First and foremost, you’ll wonder what options you can investigate to ensure that you can pay your bills and support your family while away from work. If you’re in this situation, you should give our office a call so we can walk you through the steps of submitting a Social Security disability claim and help ensure it gets approved. You may also be wondering about your return to work and how that could affect your Social Security disability benefits in the future. This situation happens fairly often. Social Security approves your disability application and you’ve been receiving monthly benefits for the past few months, but now you’d like to return to

work. If you’re planning to return to work while receiving Social Security disability benefits, there are a few things you should consider. You should be aware that Social Security has a voluntary program called the Ticket to Work program. This is a resource that helps Social Security disability benefit recipients receive training and provides help with a job search. It’s free to benefit recipients and you can continue to receive benefits while you are trying to get back into the workforce. Additionally, you should also know that if you start working after receiving benefits, Social Security will trigger a trial work period if you earn more than $850 in a given month. This shows that you’re trying to return to the

workforce. If you make $850 in gross wages each month for nine months (they don’t have to be consecutive), Social Security reserves the right to terminate your benefits. What’s most important to remember when you’re thinking about going back to work is keeping Social Security up to date on your income. If you don’t, Social Security may pay you benefits unknowingly after your eligibility has actually ceased. If this happens, you may be asked to reimburse Social Security for those extra benefits paid. The process of receiving Social Security disability benefits can often be confusing and stressful. We’re always available if you have any questions or need help.

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Hartwig Law Firm | (508) 732-8989

Tasty Bruschetta Chicken

At Hartwig Law Firm, we’re committed to helping our clients receive the best possible results for their individual situations. Through hard work, dedication, and experience, we’re able to go above and beyond for our clients as they go through a difficult time in their lives. We couldn’t do what we do without the support of each of our amazing team members. Since we acquired Keefe Disability Law, we’ve had the opportunity to work with so many talented people who have been able to transition over to our way of doing things flawlessly. One such team member is Paul Keefe, who continues to impress us. Meet Paul Keefe WE’RE EXCITED ABOUT HIS FUTURE! Paul started working for his dad at Keefe Disability Law just after he graduated from Longy School of Music at Bard College in Cambridge. He continued his education at Emerson University for post-grad and continued to work for his father part-time while in school. He graduated from Emerson while the pandemic was in its early stages and continued to work at Keefe until we acquired them six months ago. Paul worked in the marketing department for Keefe Disability Law for three years. He put new contacts into a >Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4

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