Stano Law Firm October 2019

Stano Law Firm October 2019

monthly “You are not alone.”

October 2019

FROM THE DESK OF Paul Stano

TRICK OR TREAT — YOU DECIDE

I love handing out candy on Halloween. In our neighborhood, everyone gets into the spirit. Even the

parents will dress up and walk around with their kids as they run up to each house and say “Trick or Treat!” and then after I give them candy, I can hear some parents yell out “Say thank you!” The other day, I got to thinking about how life plays a sort of “trick or treat” game with us. Will today be a trick or treat? You already know that the answer is up to you. Life has enough unexpected tricks in store, and it’s up to us to turn those tricks into treats.

During the chilly nights of autumn, most people turn to one of three piping hot drinks to keep them warm: hot chocolate, apple cider, or tea. But take it from us — you can do much better. There’s no better place to be during the fall than in your warm kitchen experimenting with the plethora of hot drink recipes the season has to offer. Thanks to the rise of celebrity chefs and kitchen keyboard warriors (aka food bloggers), there are dozens of variations on hot chocolate, apple cider, and hot tea out there and even more unique potions splashing onto the scene all the time. First, let’s address the favorites. You can easily improve your hot chocolate game by melting your own chocolate, adding a bit of cinnamon, and using whole milk instead of water, but the world of cocoa is much larger than that. For an extra sweet twist, try using white chocolate instead of milk chocolate or topping it with crumbled toffee and toasted hazelnut pieces instead of marshmallows. You can spice up your drink with pepper to mimic the Aztecs, or make a 21-and-up version by adding a shot of peppermint schnapps and whipped cream. APPLE CIDER AND BEYOND C reative D rinks to K eep Y ou W arm T his F all

How?

The best way I’ve found is to recognize and face those uncomfortable twists that are likely to come up and to make a plan.

Start your plan by attending any of our free seminars.

Call 440-888-6448 to register.

Upcoming seminars in October:

• • •

Thursday Oct. 3 Thursday Oct.17 Wednesday Oct. 30

–Paul

When it comes to apple cider, try getting in the Halloween spirit with Food Network Canada’s Spooky Apple Cider Punch; the recipe calls for cinnamon sticks, cloves, and

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Last but certainly not least are the fall drinks that you’ve perhaps never heard of. Foremost among them, for those of drinking age, is hot buttered rum, which is a warming drink that dates back to colonial days. You can make the rich brew at home if you have rum, butter, brown sugar, honey, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and a pinch of salt. For the younger crowd, try hot vanilla, Oatmeal with a Fork’s alternative to hot chocolate. Not only is it something a bit different, but the recipe is dairy-free, vegan, and paleo. Another healthy option is Green Kitchen Stories’ warm, spicy apple and carrot drink, which is an autumn concoction made with fruit and vegetable juices in addition to the usual spice suspects. That said, there’s nothing wrong with striking an indulgent note when it’s cold outside. Try A Spicy Perspective’s drinking caramel or Lick My Spoon’s maple-bacon hot buttered bourbon for an extra-sweet treat.

floating apples carved to look like shrunken heads. If you’re looking for an adult beverage, mulled wine is a fun alternative that tastes similar. To make a batch, just add a bottle of red wine, sliced oranges, cloves, cinnamon sticks, star anise, and honey to a pan and simmer it for half an hour. For more kick, add 1/4 cup of brandy. As for tea, you can gussy up your cup with a splash of orange juice, a hint of lemon, sugar, vanilla, and almond extract to replicate the recipe for Russian tea from Mel’s Kitchen Cafe. In your quest for a soothing hot drink, don’t forget about coffee. There’s no reason to stoop to the over-hyped pumpkin spiced latte from Starbucks when it’s easy to make your own healthier, tastier version at home with a coffee maker, whole milk, spices, and a can of pumpkin puree. For an indulgent upgrade, drizzle on some of Simply Sissom’s homemade salted pumpkin spice syrup. Fall lattes aren’t limited to pumpkin, either. It would be a shame to go the whole season without sipping a chai — whether homemade with Indian spices or from your favorite coffee shop.

College expenses aren’t what they used to be. What used to be affordable to any student with a part-time summer job now can take years to pay off. If your grandkids want to go to college, the cost of education should not be a barrier to their future. Luckily there are ways that you can help ease that financial burden. DON’T LET MONEY GET IN THE WAY Of Your Grandchild’s Education

toward other college expenses like room and board or textbooks.

HELP THEM FIND OPPORTUNITIES TO SAVE.

INVEST IN A 529 SAVINGS PLAN.

plan, which doesn’t count as student income, you lose control over the funds you contribute.

Even if you don’t have thousands of dollars to give, you can still help your grandkids look for other opportunities to save. There are thousands of available scholarships, grants, and programs to help students pay for college, and helping them look online and in your community can go a long way. College could be your grandchild’s first stop on the path to achieving their dreams. You can be a part of that journey by making sure money doesn’t get in the way of that.

There are no limits on age, income, or monetary contributions attached to this college savings account, and contributions are tax-deductible in some states. Just like a Roth IRA, the earnings grow over time and can be used tax-free for qualifying expenses, like tuition and room and board. There are a few downsides, however. Funds from a grandparent’s 529 savings plan are considered student income and could hurt your student’s eligibility for financial aid. If you choose to fund through a parent’s 529 savings

PAY THEIR TUITION.

Not everybody has $20,000 just lying around, but if you do, using it to pay for your grandchild’s tuition isn’t a bad way to spend it. Normally, annual financial gifts that are exempt from the federal gift tax can’t exceed $15,000, but payments toward someone’s tuition, for any amount, are not taxed. Keep in mind, however, that the money can only go toward tuition, not

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National Physical Therapy Month CELEBRATING THE THERAPISTS DEDICATED TO IMPROVING YOUR HEALTH

physical therapists, and many health providers throughout the U.S.

October is National Physical Therapy Month, making it the perfect opportunity to celebrate the people dedicated to improving the health and well-being of others. Physical therapists are an important part of our society, and their efforts deserve recognition. Here are a few things you need to know about this month’s observance.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

The top priority for the APTA each year is to educate people on how physical therapy can help improve health. Physical therapists want people to understand that they don’t have to rely on medication to go about their daily lives and that physical therapy can even help patients avoid surgery. In addition, National Physical Therapy Month offers a great opportunity to practice self-care to promote better physical and mental health.

WHEN DID NATIONAL PHYSICAL THERAPY MONTH BEGIN?

of physical therapy, and find new habits to become more active. Look into getting involved in a sport, yoga, tai chi, or any other activity that allows you to be physically active. If you know a physical therapist, take the time to talk to them about their profession and thank them for everything they do. Physical therapists dedicate their lives to ensure that people can return to living pain-free, and their commitment deserves mountains of praise.

Originally started in June 1981, the annual celebration of physical therapy took place for one week instead of a whole month. In 1992, the holiday was extended, dubbed National Physical Therapy Month, and moved to October to prevent any conflict with the annual American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) conference held every June. Since then, this holiday has become an icon for APTA members,

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO CELEBRATE?

The best way to celebrate National Physical Therapy Month is to appreciate your physical therapist, learn more about the benefits

Take a Break!

LEFTOVER CANDY SNACK MIX

Inspired by Food & Wine Magazine

This recipe fromMomofuku Milk Bar chef and “Master Chef” judge Christina Tosi makes great use of those extra Halloween goodies. It’s a quick and easy way to both elevate and get rid of unwanted leftovers.

Ingredients

•

6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

•

2 cups mini pretzels, coarsely broken 1/4 cup light brown sugar 2 tbsp granulated sugar 1/3 cup dry milk powder

•

12 oz mini candy bars, such as Snickers, chopped into 1/2-inch pieces

• • •

Directions

1. Heat oven to 275 F. 2. In a large mixing bowl, fold together pretzels, sugars, milk powder, and butter. 3. Spread mixture on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 20 minutes. 4. Let cool for at least 30 minutes and mix in candy bar pieces before serving.

AUTUMN CANDY CANDY COBWEBS

HALLOWEEN HARVEST LEAVES OCTOBER

PUMPKIN SPOOKY

SUPERNATURAL TRICK-OR-TREAT

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE From the Desk of Paul Stano PAGE 1 Your Guide to Warm Fall Drinks PAGE 1 3 Strategies for Helping Grandkids Pay for College PAGE 2 Thanking Physical Therapists for Their Dedication PAGE 3 Take a Break PAGE 3 Leftover Candy Snack Mix PAGE 3 The Secret to a Perfect Jack-O’-Lantern PAGE 4 Jack-o’-lanterns are an iconic part of the Halloween aesthetic, but they can quickly backfire. If you carve your pumpkins too early, you may end up with a moldy mess on Halloween. The first rule of jack-o’-lanterns is to wait as long as possible before you start carving. Here are some other tips to help you achieve the perfect jack-o’-lantern this year. A great jack-o’-lantern starts in the pumpkin patch — or in the grocery store if you’re short on time. Look for a fresh pumpkin with a sturdy, green stem, no bruises, and a flat bottom so it’s stable when you’re carving. Size and shape aren’t important, so long as the pumpkin sparks your creativity. Just make sure you don’t accidentally bring home a small sugar pie pumpkin, which will be harder to carve. FIND THE PERFECT PUMPKIN.

5 Tips for Longer-Lasting Jack-O’-Lanterns PUMPKIN SCREAMS

WASH YOUR PUMPKIN.

little petroleum jelly to the cuts. This will help seal in moisture. The Farmers’ Almanac also recommends spraying your pumpkin with anti-humidity hairspray to lock in freshness.

Before you start carving, mix 1 tsp of chlorine bleach with 4 liters of water and wash your pumpkin to help prevent mold. Be sure to wear gloves!

GO ELECTRIC.

CUT FROM THE BACK.

Using a real candle heats up the inside of the pumpkin, causing it to decompose faster. An LED tealight with a flickering effect will create that classic spooky jack-o’-lantern look and keep the pumpkin cool. Plus, you don’t have to worry about any trick-or-treaters getting burned if they accidentally trip over your pumpkin. These tips are to help your jack-o’-lantern last longer. When it comes to designs, feel free to let your imagination run wild! The best jack- o’-lantern is one you’re proud to show off on Halloween.

Cutting the top of the pumpkin is traditional, but it removes the stem, which helps keep the pumpkin fresh. It also threatens the structural integrity of the pumpkin. Cutting from the bottom is not good, either, because all the liquid inside the pumpkin will ooze out. For the best results, carefully cut a hole in the back of the pumpkin.

APPLY PETROLEUM JELLY.

After you’ve scooped out all the “pumpkin guts” and carved your masterpiece, apply a

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