Retirement Planning Strategies - July 2022

Retirement Planning Strategies - July 2022

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

JULY 2022

HEALTHY, WEALTHY,

& Wise

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WHAT HAPPENED TO THE SIGNERS? FUN FACTS ABOUT THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

Imagine sitting in the room in Philadelphia with the Founding Fathers on Aug. 2, 1776, when they started to sign the Declaration of Independence. Tension must have been simmering in the air.

How did they feel in that moment of rebellion?

How strongly did they believe in American freedom to go to war over it?

Every time I think about these questions, I get goosebumps. It’s remarkable that this group of 56 men poured their passion into a document that has sustained our country for almost 250 years. I’ve read several stories about this moment. One thing that stuck with me is that the founders didn’t think this new form of government — the democratic republic — would last for more than 100 years. They thought they were giving their new country training wheels, and in a century, someone else would come up with a better way. But instead, the idea spread around the world! As Winston Churchill once said: “Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all of the other forms that have been tried.” In hindsight, these men were great leaders. But do you know what happened to them after they signed the Declaration of Independence? I didn’t. So, to celebrate July 4, I did some digging on ConstitutionFact.com and discovered a few interesting things about the signers and their fate.

• Two future presidents signed the Declaration: John Adams and Thomas Jefferson.

• George Washington didn’t sign the Declaration. He was too busy commanding the army, which was defending New York City from the British! He did, however, read the document to the troops on July 9, 1776. The most incredible thing I learned during my research was what happened to Adams and Jefferson after their presidencies. They were “perhaps America’s most famous pair of feuding friends,” as CNN puts it, and they both died on the same day: July 4, 1826, on the 50th Independence Day. According to the History Channel, “On July 4, 1826, at the age of 90, Adams lay on his deathbed while the country celebrated Independence Day. His last words were, ‘Thomas Jefferson still survives.’ He was mistaken: Jefferson had died five hours earlier at Monticello at the age of 83.” The signers of the Declaration of Independence were ordinary people like you and me, but they did an extraordinary thing. They took a bold step to create a country we can still be proud of today. I’ll be thinking of them this Fourth of July while I enjoy the weather and long weekend with friends and family. I hope you will, too!

• Most of the signers were born in America, but eight were born overseas.

• The youngest signer, Edward Rutledge, was 26 years old when he added his signature to the Declaration. The oldest, Ben Franklin, was 70! • Roughly half of the signers (25) were lawyers. Others were merchants, doctors, land speculators, farmers, scientists, military officers, and even ministers.

•

None of the signers were killed by the British in the Revolutionary War, although four were captured.

–Ann Vanderslice

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Time for a Gut Check If you’ve ever attended an event with older adults, digestion is bound to come up at some point! As we age, our guts sometimes have a difficult time keeping up, causing stomach issues and complications. When people talk about having a “healthy gut,” they are talking about having a good balance of beneficial bacteria and microbes within their digestive tract. Here are some natural ways to keep things healthy and moving along properly:

5 WAYS TO NATURALLY IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF YOUR STOMACH

connected? By keeping your cortisol levels low, you can eliminate and prevent some uncomfortable gastrointestinal complications. Stress, research suggests, increases the risk of irritable bowel syndrome, so managing stress can lead to better intestinal health. Drink plenty of water. Hydration plays a key role in both softening and bulking up stools, making them easier to pass through the digestive system. It should be noted that liquids that contain caffeine, such as coffee or tea, can actually have the opposite effect on your body.

Eat foods rich in fiber. Fiber, found naturally in many foods, including sweet potatoes, beets, carrots, fennel, beans, broccoli, berries, and whole grains, stimulates the growth of the good bacteria that keeps your gut performing in a healthy way. Fiber is also a great way to relieve or prevent constipation! Get moving. Exercising regularly helps to ensure that everything else in your digestive system moves along regularly too! Research shows that regular exercise promotes the growth of different types of beneficial bacteria within both animal and human digestive systems. Reduce stress levels. Did you know that when you’re stressed out, your mental state is affected as well as your stomach and gut, as they are intimately

Take your probiotics. Probiotics occur naturally in your gut. They help to reduce adverse symptoms of digestion, such as pain, discomfort, bloating, and gas. Ask your doctor to recommend a beneficial probiotic to incorporate into your daily lifestyle.

A healthy gut yields a stronger immune system, comfortable and effective digestion, and an overall better mood! With these tips, you’ll be on your way to a healthier digestive system!

A ROUND OF A-PAWS This Amazing Pup Saves the Day — Twice! A little boy and girl enjoyed the day, tossing a ball back and forth in their backyard. When the girl overthrew the ball, it unfortunately fell into a small pond behind the boy. The girl rushed inside the house to get help, but the boy stayed outside and even ended up leaning over the edge of the pond as he tried to retrieve the ball on his own. This is when a protective German shepherd, lying nearby in the grass, saw everything and immediately sprung into action. The dog first looked into the pond to locate the ball. Then, knowing the boy was in danger as he teetered on the edge, the dog tugged on the little boy’s vest with his teeth, pulling him backward to safety near the back patio of the home. Once the little boy was in a safe location, the dog located a pole net that had been leaning against the house and brought it over to the pond. While his tail wagged with pride, the dog fished the ball out of the pond. The dog then put the net down on the ground near the pond and brought the ball over to the boy, who petted him with appreciation. This German shepherd saved the day for this little boy and girl — and also saved the boy from injury and needing a dry set of clothes! What an amazing canine. He deserves a treat and a round of a-paws!

Heroes don’t always wear capes or stand on two legs — and in a specific case with a German shepherd, this is exceptionally true! A dog noticed that one of his favorite tiny humans was in some serious danger, so he saved the day, two times!

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HOW TO TROUBLESHOOT A MALFUNCTIONING A/C

Take These Steps Before Calling the Pros

It’s 100 degrees F outside. The sun is pounding relentlessly on the sidewalk. Vegetation is wilting. Meanwhile, you’re huddled indoors, basking in the A/C … until it rattles to a stop. This stomach-dropping scenario happens to hundreds of people every summer. A/C units across America are overstressed right now, and when you run your unit at full blast, it’s more prone to malfunctioning. Fortunately, you don’t have to call in the pros for every little issue. Here are a few DIY ways to fix an A/C problem. 1. Replace your air filter. The experts recommend changing the filter in your A/C system every month. If you don’t do this, it can get clogged and cause your A/C to turn off! Replacing the filter could kick start a nonfunctioning A/C. 2. Double-check your thermostat. We know it sounds basic, but your A/C might have turned off because your spouse reset the temperature, the kids flipped the thermostat from “heat” to “cool,” or the device’s batteries died. Don’t rule these silly problems out without checking them!

careful and handy, you can use compressed air or a shop vacuum to clean the copper tubing and aluminum fins composing the coils, which typically form the side walls of your outdoor A/C unit.

4. Test your circuit breaker. It’s

possible that the entire circuit covering your A/C has been tripped, turning the A/C off with it. To test this, turn your thermostat off and head to your breaker box and look for any switch in the neutral position. If you find one, push it to off (right) then on (left). Wait 30 minutes, then turn your thermostat back on and set it to cool. These four steps may be the only ones you need to fix your A/C problem! If you try them with no success, then it’s time to call in the experts. Of course, you can also make that call from the get- go if you’re not comfortable DIYing your household systems. We promise they won’t judge you! It’s always better to be cautious than accidentally worsen the problem.

3. Clean your condenser coils. Dust, dirt, and pet hair can clog your A/C’s condenser coils and limit the unit’s function. If you’re

Train Your

BRAIN!

Red, White, and Blue Tiramisu

Inspired by TasteOfHome.com

INGREDIENTS

• 3 cups raspberries • 3 cups blackberries • 2 cups blueberries

• 1 cup orange juice • 1 cup heavy whipping cream • 2 8-oz cartons mascarpone cheese • 1 tsp vanilla extract •

• 2 cups strawberries, sliced • 1 1/3 cups sugar, divided • 4 tsp orange zest

2 7-oz packages crisp ladyfinger cookies

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large bowl, gently mix all berries with 1/3 cup sugar, orange zest, and orange juice. Cover and refrigerate for 45 minutes. 2. In a medium bowl, beat the cream until soft peaks form. 3. In another medium bowl, mix mascarpone cheese, vanilla, and 1 cup sugar. Gradually fold in whipped cream. 4. Over a shallow bowl, drain the berries. Dip the ladyfingers in the leftover juice and allow the excess to drip off. 5. In a 13x9-inch dish, place half the ladyfingers in a single layer. Add a layer with half of the berries and then half the mascarpone mixture. Repeat layers, starting with ladyfingers. 6. Cover and refrigerate overnight before serving.

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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. 1394921- 7/22.

issue INSIDE THIS

7 Facts About Our Founding Fathers PAGE 1

Naturally Improve Your Digestive Health

A True Canine Hero PAGE 2

DIY Tips for a Broken A/C

Red, White, and Blue Tiramisu PAGE 3 Travel Destinations for Seniors PAGE 4

EXPLORE THIS SUMMER! Top 4 Travel Destinations for Retirees

St. Martin/St. Maarten If enjoying the tropics by day and hitting the casinos by night seems like a great vacation to you, then St. Martin/St. Maarten sounds like the perfect travel destination for you! Both sides of the island offer many tours and views as well as beaches to relax and catch some sun!

Travel is at the top, or near the top, of most people’s bucket list once they reach or come close to their golden years. With summer in full swing, it’s a great time to plan a vacation to remember. Here are four must-visit destinations and some bonus tips to help with your travel planning! Barbados For those looking for a gentle and laid-back tropical vacation with easy-to-access attractions, Barbados is a fantastic option. From its sparkling turquoise waters to the soft, white sandy beaches, relaxation and rejuvenation are certainly achievable here. The island is relatively small with a flat terrain and many guided bus tours, making it easy to navigate and explore. Travel Tip: The Mango Bay Hotel on the west coast and the Coral Sands Beach Resort on the south coast are both popular resorts for your stay! Tuscany, Italy Visiting the countryside of Italy is a less expensive way to see the beautiful and historic country. Tuscany offers beautiful art and architecture and has so much to explore. You can take many train and bus tours, and from Tuscany, you can visit larger cities and attractions such as Florence or the Leaning Tower of Pisa. This way, you can tour those cities without the expensive price tag of lodging there.

Travel Tip: St. Martin and St. Maarten are each part of the same island. On the north half, St. Martin is governed by France, while the south half, St. Maarten, is governed by the Netherlands.

Jekyll Island, Georgia If you’re looking to stay within the country, Jekyll Island is a perfect place to get away while still feeling at home. With beaches, fishing, biking, golf, tennis, and Sunday dinner dances, Jekyll Island has many activities to keep you busy. Travel Tip: The Grand Dining Room at the Jekyll Island Club Resort has many gourmet dinner events. No matter where you decide to have your next adventure in the summer months, be sure to always remember your sunscreen and check the weather forecast. Even in tropical areas, it can get a bit chilly in the evening! Bon voyage!

Travel Tip: Many trains may offer senior discounts in Tuscany!

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