Retirement Planning Strategies - April 2022

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APRIL 2022

HEALTHY, WEALTHY,

&Wise

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

YOU MUST TRY THIS HAWAIIAN ADVENTURE IT TRULY MADE MY TRIP!

I’ve been back from Maui for a little over a month, but there’s one experience from the trip I still can’t get out of my mind: whale watching.

We were watching the quiet water when — SPLASH! Something smacked the waves right next to us. There was a humpback whale just 15 feet from our raft! It broke the surface so loudly that even our captain was surprised.

Now, I’m no stranger to seeing majestic animals in the wild. Living in Colorado, I’ve had the opportunity to get up close and personal with elk and moose

“Okay, does anyone need a diaper change?” the guide asked.

That was just a taste of the amazing sights to come. Our raft was surrounded by whales. We saw moms protecting their babies and males keeping watch. Some of the mothers had just delivered calves and others were breeding. The males were fighting over the females, headbutting each other in mating contests and chasing their targets through the water just 150 yards from our raft. Their antics looked incredibly well-orchestrated. If I hadn’t just boarded a boat in Maui, I would have thought I was in a wildlife preserve! Our captain told us he’d been running whale watching tours for 14 years and that morning was one of the top five experiences he’d ever had.

more than once. Two years ago, the National Park Service even invited me behind the scenes in Grand Teton National Park to see the famous bear Grizzly 399 and her triplet cubs! But I’ve never felt as awed and overwhelmed as I did on that whale watching expedition in Maui. My husband and I had no idea what to expect on the trip. Several people told us that whale watching in Hawaii was amazing, so we knew we needed to go, but that was it. I read up on our options, and we decided to go out in a 30-foot Zodiac raft, with two high- speed motors, provided by Redline Rafting Co. The second we boarded, we wondered if we’d made a mistake. No one else on the 24-person raft was new to this pasttime. One couple had gone three times, and another seven! When we told them it was our first outing, they said, “What!? You don’t start on the Zodiac — you start on a big whale watching boat where you’re far away from the animals.” I’m pretty adventurous, so I hoped we’d be the exception to the rule. There was nothing we could do about it then, so we crossed our fingers that everything would go well.

During that expedition, I learned a lot of whale trivia that made the animals even more magnificent to me. Our guide told us that whales have such big hearts that

they only beat 12 times per minute, and the pod we saw migrate all the way from Alaska to Hawaii every year without eating. During that migration, each whale could lose up to 7,300 tons of body mass — more than 10% of its 80,000-pound weight! I was blown away by how magical and perfect the whales are and how beautiful our natural world is. If you’re lucky enough to be in Maui between December and March, do yourself a favor and don’t miss the whale watch! Redline Rafting Co. was fantastic, but you can also get the “big boat” experience with the Pacific Whale Foundation in Lahaina.

Oh man, did it ever!

When you go whale watching, there’s no guarantee you’ll see a whale, but our captain and guide had a good idea of where Maui’s pod of humpbacks would be. They steered us right there.

–Ann Vanderslice

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Raise a Glass — Or Several Staying hydrated is one of the pillars of healthy living. In fact, according to the Mayo Clinic, women should drink 11.5 cups (92 ounces) of water a day, and men should drink 15.5 cups (124 ounces) a day. But, if we’re being honest, water can be pretty boring to drink — there are things we’d rather be drinking, and busy schedules make it difficult. Here are some ways to work more water into your daily routine to promote optimal health.

SIX WAYS TO DRINK MORE WATER WITHOUT THINKING ABOUT IT

difference, and you’ll still have lots of flavor while boosting your hydration.

Drink a full glass with medicines. Many of us get in the habit of only taking a large sip of water with pills. However, whether you take a supplement, medication, or vitamin, wash it down with a full glass of water. Carry around a large water bottle. Taking your water with you in a large bottle reminds you to keep sipping wherever you go. Every chance you get, fill it up. The bottomless water bottle is a perfect way to work more water into your day. As a bonus, you can use a measured bottle to see how much you’re drinking throughout the day! Infuse your water. Try giving your H2O an extra kick. Add berries, lemon, lime, or mint to your water to give it some flavor and help make it more enticing to drink!

Begin and end your day with water. Make it a routine to drink a large glass of water upon waking up and before going to bed. “Bookending” your day like this ensures that your body is hydrated for both the day and night ahead. Drink a cup of water with each cup of coffee. Many of us are used to drinking more than one cup of coffee throughout the day. If you drink a glass of water with each cup of coffee, you’re sure to stay hydrated. Keep in mind that while coffee is a liquid and contains water, it’s not very thirst-quenching. Ice is your friend. Each time you pour a drink or make a smoothie, use lots of ice! Your taste buds will hardly notice the

Water is important for a healthy body and mind, so follow these tips and stay hydrated!

PREPARING YOUR A/C UNIT FOR SUMMER For many people around the country, April is the first month they might turn on their air conditioning unit. Even if it’s still chilly where you are, summer is right around the corner so you need to make sure your A/C unit is ready to tackle the summer heat. Once you’ve cleared away all the debris and excess water, check the coolant lines. These lines are usually covered with foam insulation that can fray and crack. If they’re damaged, replace them with new foam insulation sleeves.

A central air conditioner has an indoor air handler and an outdoor compressor. The compressor is where you want to spend your time cleaning and maintaining. More than likely, you didn’t use your air conditioner during the cooler winter months, so you’ll need to do a few things to ensure your unit is in peak condition before turning it on. Before doing any work on your unit, make sure you turn off the circuit breaker. You’ll need to turn off the power to the condenser at the service panel, but most condensers also have a weatherproof disconnect box to power down. Once your unit is powered down, you can begin cleaning and replacing your furnace or air-handler filters. Ideally, you should do this twice a year. If you fail to change or clean these filters, restricted air flow will reduce the efficiency of your unit. In addition to cleaning your filter, you also need to clean the condenser coils. If your unit was uncovered during the winter, leaves and other debris likely found their way inside the coils. Make sure the fan is clear before moving inside the box to check if the coils are clogged. If they are, clean them with a soft brush and use a vacuum to clean the coils from the inside.

Your unit should now be ready for a test, and if everything runs well, your air conditioner should be ready to take on the summer heat. Anyone can clean and complete simple maintenance, but if the system still doesn’t work properly, call in a professional to investigate and handle further repairs.

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YOUR FIRSTBORN IS OFF TO COLLEGE!

Tips on How to Adjust to This Change

Plan visits. Your child may not be able to come home and visit every weekend, but you

It’s a surreal moment when your first child packs their bags and goes to college. This is probably the first time your child is moving away from home. Although this is a huge transition for them, it’s also a big transition and lifestyle change for you as the parents. Here are some tips on how to cope. Find ways to communicate. Although you won’t be seeing your child every day, there are still ways you can stay in touch. FaceTime is a great way to visit with your child and see them — even if you’re miles apart. You may want to check on them daily, but make sure you give your child room to grow. They’re a young adult now, and college allows them to experience more independence. Focus on life. You will worry about your child since you can’t see them every day, but don’t let those worries affect the rest of your life. If you have other children at home, now is your time to strengthen your relationships with them. You can also take this period of life to renovate your home and start new hobbies. This will keep you busy and entertained while your child is away at school.

can schedule monthly visits. Your family can visit the university while your child gives you a tour around campus. Some sporting events have family days where students can

invite their families to tailgate events. This is a great way to meet your child’s friends and the families of their friends. You can also look forward to holiday breaks and the summer when you can spend time together. Sending your firstborn to college is scary because it’s something new — change can be uncomfortable — but as time goes on, things can get easier. Of course, they will miss you as much as you miss them. So, enjoy the time you have with your child and make the most of it.

Train Your

BRAIN!

Crostini With Ricotta, Peas, and Mint

Inspired by AheadOfThyme.com

INGREDIENTS

• 1 French baguette, sliced • 4 tbsp olive oil, divided • 1 tbsp and 1 tsp salt, divided • 1 lb English peas, fresh or frozen • 2 garlic cloves, smashed

• 1 lb fresh ricotta cheese • Fresh mint leaves, sliced • Sea salt, to taste • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 375 F. 2. On a large baking sheet, place baguette slices. Drizzle with 2 tbsp olive oil and sprinkle with 1 tbsp of salt. Bake for about 7 minutes, but do not brown. 3. In a medium pot, add water and 1 tsp salt, then bring to a boil. Add peas and cook for 3 minutes. Drain peas and place them in ice bath. Cool for several minutes before draining. 4. In a medium skillet, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium-high heat. Sauté drained peas with garlic until cooked through. The peas should still be firm, not mushy. 5. On a large platter, layer crostini with ricotta, peas, and a few slices of fresh mint. 6. Season each crostini with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.

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Ann Vanderslice Federal Benefits Made Simple, an E.A. Buck Company is an independent financial services firm helping individuals create retirement strategies using a variety of insurance and investment products to custom suit their needs and objectives. This firm is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. government or any governmental agency. E.A. Buck is an independent financial services firm, offering investment and insurance products to consumers. Securities offered only by duly registered individuals through Madison Avenue Securities, LLC (MAS), member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered only by duly registered individuals through AE Wealth Management, LLC (AEWM), a Registered Investment Adviser. Insurance services offered through Ann Vanderslice Federal Benefits Made Simple an E.A. Buck Company. MAS, AEWM, and Ann Vanderslice Federal Benefits Made Simple, an E.A. Buck company are all separate entities. 1268596- 3/22.

issue INSIDE THIS Whale Watching with Ann PAGE 1

How to Drink More Water

Get Your A/C Unit Ready for Summer PAGE 2

FaceTime for theWin!

Crostini With Ricotta, Peas, and Mint PAGE 3 Snowbirds Are Loving These Locations! PAGE 4

With record levels of snow along the East Coast and crushing, subzero temperatures in the Midwest, you may be considering moving away from your northern home. “Snowbirding,” the act of leaving your home residence during the cold months, is a popular alternative to permanently moving to escape winter, yet travel and stay connected to the community you have up north. If you’re considering the snowbird lifestyle, don’t choose just any city. Check out four of the “hottest” spots for migrating! Phoenix, Arizona If you want a naturally warm winter without humidity, look no further than Phoenix! It’s one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S., but it certainly doesn’t feel like it. Residents appreciate the small-city feel of Phoenix while enjoying large-city amenities. Bask in the beautiful weather and spy the scenic, red-orange mountains that surround the city, knowing that you don’t have to shovel snow or deal with beachgoers. It’s a win-win! Charleston, South Carolina If you want an ocean lifestyle, why not find one with some Southern hospitality? Charleston, South Carolina, enjoys pleasant year-round temperatures, is just a short drive from the beach, and is known for its welcoming community! History buffs will love Charleston’s rich preservation, and there is an outdoor activity for pretty much anyone. TOUGH WINTER? CHECK OUT THESE SNOWBIRD SPOTS

Temecula, California This option may not be within everyone’s budget, but it’s definitely worth exploring. Temecula is a great spot for those who want to be by the action (it’s just 90 minutes away from Los Angeles) but prefer scenic views and a quiet lifestyle. Enjoy locally made wine, hot air balloon rides, and a little gambling. Plus, you could bring the camper and tour the California coast, making Temecula your little home base away from the RV. Friendswood, Texas Don’t recognize the name? That’s the point! Friendswood, Texas is a small-town destination between Houston and Galveston worth adding to your list. Enjoy the warmth and wonderful Tex-Mex cuisine without living in busy, expensive places like Austin or Dallas. Texas is a big state, so imagine all the places and experiences you can have if you lived in Friendswood all winter!

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