Principal Shield Financial - May 2021

Principal Shield Financial - May 2021

MAY 2021

WISE & WEALTHY NEWSLETTER

(619) 994-1110 WWW.PRINCIPALSHIELD.COM

SOMETIMES EVEN REFERRALS GO WRONG WHY YOU NEED YOUR OWN GO-TO GUY

I was recently watching an episode of “Holmes on Homes” on HGTV, and all I could do was shake my head in amazement at how shocked people are when they don’t get what they pay for. In case you aren’t familiar with the show, Mike Holmes is a construction contractor who gets called in to fix other contractors’ screw ups . But, to say that he fixes other contractors’ screw ups leaves out the most important part of the story. What he really does is rescue homeowners from their own poor choices and bad decisions . In most cases, the homeowner hired a contractor they had no reason to trust. Either they had no personal experience with the contractor, or the contractor wasn’t referred by somebody they trust — or worse yet, they based their decision strictly on the price the contractor quoted. I was instantly reminded of a recent refinance transaction I closed where I got to fix another lender’s screw up. My client of over 15 years (who was referred to me by a friend of theirs who is also a longtime client of mine) reached out to me Retirement Secret #239: The IRS gives us choice and control over how, when, or if we pay taxes on our retirement accounts. If we don’t understand that, we do what everybody else does and it can end up costing us a fortune. Are you utilizing the best options? Want to discover more? Request your FREE copy of my book, “ Who’s Stealing Your Retirement? 7 Cunning Thieves Who Are Trying to Ransack Your Nest Egg (And How You Can Catch ‘Em) ,” at WhosStealingYourRetirement.com.

about refinancing in August 2020. They wanted to pull out some cash to remodel their kitchen and bathrooms, and figured they’d take advantage of today’s remarkably low interest rates. They had already met with several contractors and were eager to get started with the remodel so their new kitchen would be ready for Christmas. Over the next three weeks, we exchanged several emails about interest rates, closing costs, and monthly payments. Aside from the cash out for the remodel, they were hoping their new monthly mortgage payment would be lower than their current payment. That’s a pretty tall order since they intended to increase the loan amount by approximately $70,000. I didn’t hear back from them until the first week of November. And this time, they weren’t calling me to refinance. They were calling to ask if I could help them with their retirement accounts. I was both honored and thrilled at the opportunity to help them protect their retirement accounts. But my curiosity got the best of me, so I asked if they were ready to move forward with their refinance. That’s when they reluctantly told me they had decided to go with another lender. Their daughter had just refinanced and was very happy because she “received a great rate and closed in about three weeks.” The other lender’s interest rate was an eighth of a percent lower than what I was offering (3% versus 3.125%) and he promised he could close in three weeks. They just wanted to get the refinance over with so they could to start their remodel. Out of respect for their daughter, they went with her referral. Who wouldn’t? She just had a great experience with him, and his rate was lower.

To say I was disappointed is an understatement. But my disappointment paled in comparison to their anger over the fact that 90 days had passed, and their refinance still wasn’t closed . To make matters worse, they couldn’t get anybody at the mortgage company to call them back. Not even the loan officer. So they had no idea when, or even if, their refinance would close. My client called me the next day and said they were fed up and asked if I could fix it for them. I gladly came to their rescue and closed their refinance in exactly 30 days . The worst part was when they realized that if they had gone with their go-to guy (ME) from the beginning, not only would their refinance be done, but their kitchen and bathrooms might be done, too. To be honest, I’d rather not spend all my time fixing other lenders’ screw ups. I’d prefer to be your go-to guy from the start so there’s no screw up to fix in the first place. But if there is a screw up that you need me to fix, I will be there for you. There was a time not that long ago when people had a family doctor, a family dentist, a family lawyer, and a family tax guy they could trust and rely on. I don’t know exactly why we got away from that, but we shouldn’t have. I want to be your family financial and mortgage guy. If you’re looking for your own financial and mortgage guy who will look out for your best interest and give you the personal attention you deserve, I’m your guy. Just give me a call!

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GET FIT WITH YOUR FAMILY

5 Easy Ways to Get Everyone Moving

May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. As a parent, you probably know exercise is important for your children’s physical development. It helps build healthy bones, muscles, and joints and reduces the risk of developing diabetes and other diseases later in life. But did you know that physical activity also has many mental and behavioral health benefits? It’s been shown to improve children’s cognitive skills and concentration, boost their self-esteem, and reduce symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression. One of the best ways to encourage healthy behaviors in your children is by modeling them yourself. Studies have found that more than 80% of adolescents and adults are not getting enough aerobic activity, showing that children often follow in their parents’ footsteps and that exercising together can benefit everyone. You may be thinking it’s hard enough just to get yourself to the gym, but Stephen Virgilio, author of “Active Start for Healthy Kids,” encourages parents not to limit themselves to traditional forms of exercise. Instead, think of exercise more broadly as “leading an active lifestyle.” And remember that exercise can be fun and a great way to get in more family time.

It’s almost beach-read season! But any time is a great time to read when you’re immersed in a page-turner. While there is no shortage of books on the market — or ways to read them! — sometimes it’s hard to know how to find your next favorite novel or series. Here are three great ways to get a customized recommendation. 1. Use the web. Sometimes you’ve gotta go digital to go analog. There are several great websites that will provide recommendations for readers based on their past favorites. Email the staff of Literary Hub at [email protected] a list of three books you love, and they’ll email you a personalized recommendation. Or you can check out NPR’s Book Concierge online, which lets you filter by the type of book (e.g., memoir, historical fiction, etc.) you’re looking for, as well as different categories (e.g., funny stuff, for sports lovers, etc.). WhichBook.net is similar to the NPR Book Concierge but is even more user-friendly. 2. Ask the pros. The internet is great, but there’s no substitute for an old-fashioned conversation with a fellow word nerd. Librarians may be one of the world’s most underutilized resources. They are often prolific readers and also have a keen sense of what’s popular right now. If you’re not a patron at your local library, support a local bookstore and check out the staff recommendations or ask for help in finding a book in your favorite genre. 3. Join a book club. This is a great way to introduce new authors and subjects into your literary world. Book clubs are usually free to join and come with the added benefit of getting to socialize with fellow readers. Search online for a local or virtual book club or follow along with celebrity book clubs online. If you like fun fiction, follow Reese Witherspoon’s book club, Hello Sunshine, on Instagram. com/hellosunshine. Oprah’s book club remains as popular as ever, as well. Her monthly picks range from fiction that will entertain you while making you think to self-improvement books that could change your life. If you want to go deep on current issues and support authors of color, check out rapper Noname’s book club at NonameBooks.com. Noname also sends her monthly book picks to incarcerated individuals through the Prison Program. TURN THE PAGE ON BORING BOOKS 3 Ways to Choose Your Next Read

Here are five easy ways to incorporate more movement into your family’s day.

1. Create a walking ritual. Start walking around the neighborhood before or after dinner each night. Aim for a 20-minute stroll.

2. Have a dance party. Clear some space in the living room, make a playlist with everyone’s favorite tunes, and boogie down for as long as you have the energy. 3. Turn chores into games. Dirt has invaded from outer space and must be eliminated. Set the scene with your kids, grab your tools, and get to work removing the enemy while having fun. 4. Incorporate simple exercises into screen time. Start by making up fun names for exercises like situps or jumping jacks. Then, challenge each other to see who can do the most during your favorite show’s commercial breaks. 5. Get fit in the great outdoors. Cleaning up the yard, planting and maintaining a garden, or just running around outside are all great ways to get in more movement.

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When it comes to skin care and makeup, it’s easy to accumulate products that clutter your vanity and go unused once you figure out how hard it truly is to master the latest graphic eyeliner trends. This year, though, TikTok influencers are at the forefront of a trend that’s both inexpensive and easy to get behind: skinimalism. As a recent POPSUGAR article explains, skinimalism is “a new wave of natural, minimal, or no-makeup beauty looks where your real skin — texture, pores, blemishes, discoloration, and all — shines through.” This back-to-basics beauty routine is partially fueled by Gen Zers’ desire to purchase and use affordable products that can be easily found. That means they’re more likely to frequent the local CVS or Dollar Tree than the local Sephora — and more likely still to promote those products on TikTok. This has been helpful since makeup sales took a big hit last year, declining 12% between March and July of 2020. However, sales for skin care products rose 1.6% during the same time period, according to Nielsen Global Media. As a CNN Business article notes, “The pandemic has prompted consumers to focus more on their health and well-being, including skin hygiene and maintenance, rather than their makeup routines.” SKINIMALISM Why Less Is More When It Comes to Skin Care

While the popularity of some cosmetic products like false eyelashes and mascara have begun to rise again as people want to play up the parts of their faces not hidden under a mask, the skinimalist trend is still projected to be among the biggest beauty trends of 2021. And the increased sales of skin care products have given companies like L’Oréal, which produces CeraVe foaming cleanser, a big boost. CeraVe retails for under $15 and can be easily found at any pharmacy or big-box store. Marc Toulemonde, president of L’Oréal’s North America Active Cosmetics division, said increased attention from TikTok influencers has “absolutely boosted sales” for CeraVe. TikTok users also got #magicshavingpowder trending after many users talked about their love of Softsheen-Carson Magic Shaving Powder, which allows them to ditch their razors and cancel their hair-removal appointments. This product retails for $3, and its simple packaging looks straight out of the general stores of 1901 when the product was first launched. Nevertheless, young users are obsessed.

THAI MINCED PORK SALAD

TAKE A BREAK

Ingredients

Directions

• 5 tbsp uncooked Thai sticky rice • 1 lb ground pork • 1/2 tbsp chili flakes • 1/8 tsp sugar • 1/2 tbsp fish sauce • Juice of 1–2 limes, to taste • 4 small shallots, thinly sliced • 4 green onions, thinly sliced • Cilantro leaves, to taste • Mint leaves, to taste

1. First, make toasted rice powder: In a frying pan over low heat, dry-roast the rice, stirring continuously until it turns golden brown and smells fragrant, about 15 minutes. 2. Let toasted rice cool, then grind into a coarse powder using a mortar and pestle, blender, or food processor. Set aside. 3. In a medium frying pan over medium-high heat, fry pork, breaking it into small pieces as you go, until fully cooked. 4. Remove from heat and add 1 heaping tbsp of toasted rice powder along with all other ingredients. Stir to combine. 5. Taste and adjust, adding more lime juice and herbs to suit your palate. Serve with rice.

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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

10435 Cadwell Rd. Santee, CA 92071

INSIDE

1

Sometimes Even Referrals Go Wrong

2

Turn the Page on Boring Books

5 Ways to Increase Your Family’s Fitness

3

Less Is More When It Comes to Skin Care

Thai Minced Pork Salad

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99-Year-Old Betty White’s Secrets of Longevity

HOWTO LIVE TO 99 Betty White’s Secrets of Longevity

Exercise Your Mind In addition to her busy work schedule, what keeps Betty White sharp? Crossword puzzles! She told Katie Couric in an interview, “I’m addicted. An admitted addict. I just can’t put ’em down.” Find a Cause White is a lifelong animal lover. She calls her golden retriever, Pontiac, “the star of the house.” While pet ownership

Beloved “Golden Girls” actress Betty White is still enjoying her golden years. The famed actress celebrated her 99th birthday this January. While she told People magazine that she’s “blessed with good health, so turning 99 is no different than turning 98,” she also had a few tips for folks looking to make it to their centennial birthday. Keep Laughing “Don’t take yourself too seriously,” White says. “You can lie to others — not that I would — but you cannot lie to yourself.” White has undoubtedly provided many laughs to viewers over the years, but she’s not just playing it up for the camera. Laughter is part of what keeps her young. Be Optimistic White says a good sense of humor also helps her keep a good attitude and look for the positive rather than “dwelling on the downside.” Avoiding negativity also gives her energy. “It takes up too much energy being negative,” she told People magazine. Stay Busy With nearly eight decades of acting under her belt, six Emmys on her shelf, and over 120 screen credits to her name, White is no stranger to hard work. As she told Parade in 2018, “I just love to work, so I’ll keep working until they stop asking.”

itself comes with proven health benefits, White has channeled her love for animals in bigger causes. She’s been a trustee and board member of the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association for over 40 years and has done work to help protect endangered species in the wild. Funds raised from White’s official fan club, Bet’s Pets, all go to support animal charities. Embrace Your Vices White told Parade she loves vodka and hot dogs “probably in that order,” which just goes to show that you don’t have to forgo your treats to live to 99.

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