Retirement Planning Strategies - March 2022

Retirement Planning Strategies - March 2022

Give us a call! 303-922-4304 federalbenefitsmadesimple.com Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. M–F

MARCH 2022

HEALTHY, WEALTHY,

&Wise

1 Denver Federal Center Building 45, Entrance E-9, Room 1050 Lakewood, CO 80225

A RETIREMENT TIP FROM MAUI THE TRUTH ABOUT SCARCITY VS. ABUNDANCE

My husband and I spent the month of February working from the island of Maui in Hawaii. While we were there, we lived under strict local COVID-19 rules. Every time we wanted to eat out at a restaurant, for example, we had to show both our ID and vaccination cards. People who weren’t vaccinated couldn’t dine in! This wasn’t a problem for us because we’re both vaccinated and boosted, but it was definitely a hassle to pull out my cards over and over. Once, I caught myself thinking, “Ugh, I can’t believe I have to do this — all I want is a nice plate of seafood and a glass of wine!” The moment I realized where my mind was going, I stopped that thought in its tracks. I realized that I was approaching my life in Maui with what psychologists call a “scarcity mindset,” rather than a healthy “abundance mindset.” A scarcity mindset stems from the belief that no matter what you have, it will never be enough. For example, you’ll have a beautiful slice of pie on your plate, but all you can think about is the rest of the pie and whether you’re really getting your fair share. Or to put it another way, you have a gorgeous Hawaiian island with sandy beaches and 80-degree weather to enjoy … and all you can think about is the hassle of digging out your vaccination card. Whoops! It’s really easy to fall into a scarcity mindset by accident, especially if you’re feeling a little stir crazy from COVID-19. We’ve all been cooped up and frustrated by the fact we can’t go everywhere and do everything we want hassle-free. But the truth is that we’re blessed to live in a very abundant world — even if your bit of that world isn’t Maui. When it comes to retirement, my team and I often have to remind our clients that they don’t have to live in a scarcity mindset. In a way, that mindset can be helpful during your working years because it can incentivize you to spend conservatively and save money for the future. But after retirement, you really should consider shifting your focus to abundance and start to enjoy the wealth you’ve accumulated.

This is harder than it sounds! Some people have more money saved for retirement than they need, yet they may be too stuck in the scarcity mindset to spend it. If that description fits you, it might help to read the book “The Soul of Money: Transforming Your Relationship with Money and Life” by Lynne Twist. It might actually help you examine your relationship with money more closely. Reading “The Soul of Money” helped me understand my own feelings about money (Why do I hang on to it so tightly? Where did my feelings come from?) and helped tip the scales toward big purchases, like the trip to Maui from where we just returned. Let me tell you, the sunshine, sand, and wildlife experiences were definitely worth it! I’ll tell you more about that in next month’s newsletter. After the realization outside of that Maui restaurant sunk in, I worked hard to cultivate an abundance mindset. I recommend doing the same if you have free time this month. Instead of binge- watching the next Netflix show on your list, pick up “The Soul of Money” and try to find a better balance with your bank account.

–Ann Vanderslice

www.federalbenefitsmadesimple.com |1

Published by Newsletter Pro . www.NewsletterPro.com

It’s Time to Garden! Spring has “sprung,” and if you’re someone who cannot wait to get your plants into the ground, you may be counting down the days until it’s time to get in the dirt. You don’t, however, have to wait for the perfect weather to start your garden. In fact, the best time to plant your seeds is 6–8 weeks before the last frost. If you start now by creating your own “greenhouse,” you can cultivate a stronger garden that’s primed for a bigger harvest and a longer growing season.

START YOUR GARDEN WITHOUT GOING OUTSIDE

so they can soak up as much sun as possible. Be mindful of how cold the room gets. Seeds need a lot of heat as well as light. If you need to add lighting, hang fluorescent lighting a few inches above the seeds for maximum exposure. Standard incandescent lighting likely won’t generate enough heat and light. Keep the lights on for 15 hours each day and allow the seeds to get some rest at night.

Find the right balance. Much like a newborn, seeds need balance. Too

much water will cause them to drown, and if they don’t get enough fertilizer, they may not sprout. Finding that balance takes practice, but there are a few basics to keep in mind. First, have a small fan running for an extended period of time each day. This will prevent excess moisture from accumulating. Then, establish a liquid fertilizer schedule. Once per week is usually best, but check the seed packet for directions.

Plant seeds like a pro. Thankfully, gardening experts have invented tools that offer lots of “hacks.” Look for seed trays, which will have small pockets where you can plant your seeds, and look for small holes at the bottom. This will allow excess water to flow out of the seedling’s new habitat so they don’t rot. Review the instructions on the back of each seed packet to determine soil depth, a watering schedule, and needed soil types.

Once the weather gets warmer, start introducing your new plants to the outside world. This transitory time should take just over a week to avoid a shock to their system.

Look for natural light. Once your seeds are in their new pods, focus on a viable light source. A south-facing garage with windows or south-facing windows in your home are best for natural light. Point your seedlings in that direction

For more gardening tips, be sure to visit your local nursery. Happy growing!

FIVE WAYS TO DEAL WITH ANNOYING ROBOCALLS Protect Your Identity and Kick Scammers to the Curb

According to the latest >Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4

annvanderslice.com

Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator