Retirement Planning Strategies - June 2020

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JUNE 2020

HEALTHY, WEALTHY,

&Wise

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

RECOGNIZE YOUR CORE VALUES And Hold On to Them Through Hard Times

The other day, a colleague shared a clipping out of a school newsletter with me. I won’t go into details, but the basic theme was how, as a Montessori school, their foundation is all about teaching kids how to do the hard things. It made me think about what “doing the hard thing” actually means and how now, through everything the world is experiencing, the “hard things” in our lives are affected by the values we’ve each created for ourselves. My grandpa was a farmer, and the life advice he always gave me was to “do the hardest thing first.” Whatever you have ahead of you during the day, if you do the hardest thing on your list first, then the rest of your day would be easy. Without even knowing this philosophy was part of my foundation, I’ve always just done it. I do my hardest task on Monday instead of Friday, or at 9 a.m. instead of 5 p.m. It’s a personal value that has impacted the way I live my life, and it’s a value I’ve held on to throughout many hard moments. Hard things are what drive us as humans. We all have hurdles we have to face and figure out how to overcome them. Whether we realize it or not, the values

we’ve developed for ourselves dictate how we tackle the hardships we face in life. And when the hardships get truly hard, much like they are now, our instinct is often to just react without thinking. But before you make a decision, stop for a moment to reflect on how your values can make the outcome of your choices so much more meaningful. As Retirement Planning Strategies has had to shift to working remotely, it could have been very easy for us to forget our core values. We have them posted up on our wall in the reception area so that you see them as you walk through the door and we see them all day long. But not many people are walking through our doors these days. Those core values are:

we work from or what constraints we have, our entire team has made sure our values continue to shine through. Slowing down to remember our values and thinking about our actions before we take them allows us to keep doing what we’ve always strived to do: Help our clients first. So if you need us, then we’re still here for you. You can continue scheduling regular appointments, and now you can even tune in to our weekly webinars every Wednesday at noon, where we talk about different topics. During these stressful times, we want to create a service that’s reflective of each of our core values. So if at any time during a webinar you need more information, all you have to do is click a button to schedule a 15-minute call with us. No matter what changes come your way, try to hang on to the values that have made you who you are. Don’t let turbulent times strip you of them. Take a moment to think about what guides you and stick to them. That’s how we stay true to ourselves when the world is trying to force us to change. –Ann Vanderslice

Do the right thing. Make the complex simple. Give first. Provide great value.

Even though our team has had to pivot in response to the effects of this pandemic, I’m so proud to say that no matter where

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After a Lifetime of Working Around the World

MIKE AND MARGARET HAVE WELCOMED RETIREMENT

Mike and Margaret Jaeger have lived a life full of adventure. They first met at Michigan State University where they were earning degrees in zoology. After graduation, they filled their life with work that would best serve their love of studying wildlife. They aren’t strangers to major changes in their lives, so retirement has been a breeze. But they went on quite a journey together before they got there.

Mike and Margaret enjoying Germany.

Bamberg, Franconia region of Bavaria.

“Our story is a long and happy one,” Mike says. After grad school, Mike and Margaret moved to Ethiopia for six years to study bird migrations. They eventually came back to work with the Denver Wildlife Research Center for a couple of years before succumbing to the call of Africa again. This time, they went to Kenya to study bird migrations. They then settled into permanent positions in Denver, only to be sent to Bangladesh to help citizens learn how to research and solve problems caused by vertebrate pests. The following 16 years were spent in California and Utah working with graduate students studying coyotes and the depredation of livestock. They finally retired to Pine Junction, Colorado, for eight years before moving in 2017 to their current home on the Fox River in Illinois.

After a life of constant change, they wondered if retirement might get the better of them. “It’s been nice to discover that Mike is really quite easy to have around the house all the time,” Margaret jokes. “He plays outside and leaves me to keep things the way I like inside.” Margaret’s passion since well before retirement has been fiber arts. Spinning, weaving, and knitting have brought her the joy of a creative pastime and helped her get involved in nearly every community in which she’s lived. She’s attended conferences, worked in fair trade shops, and is a member of three different fiber arts groups. Retirement has also freed Mike and Margaret to do all the traveling they desire. Most recently, they’ve been to Germany to delve deeper into Mike’s ancestry and Iceland to explore its spectacularly rugged countryside. “We’ll always love to travel because it’s such a big part of who we are,” Mike explains. Their next big trip was going to be to Ireland, but the pandemic has altered those plans. Luckily, stay-at-home mandates have provided them with unexpected but welcome opportunities. Mike and Margaret live in a prairie-style home originally built in 1914. It’s got unbelievable character but needs ongoing work and maintenance, creating engaging home projects for Mike. And nothing will stop Margaret from her passion for fiber arts, even if her group meetups have to be done over video rather than in person. Living on the bend of a river next to a small, quiet town also means that abundant wildlife visits them. Foxes, woodchucks, deer, bald eagles, coyotes, and beavers are just a few of the birds and animals they spot in their backyard every day, so their binoculars are never too far away. Retirement has been good, but sometimes, the job you loved for so long has a way of sneaking back into your life.

Mike outside a traditional 9th century Viking house (Iceland).

Mike in the February Iceland landscape in a snow-covered lava field.

“Against the advice of my mother, I always followed Mike on his world adventures!” Margaret admits. While Mike worked in the field, Margaret often worked with the local community, sometimes as a community liaison officer, sometimes as an assistant to university professors, and other times doing volunteer work. She even learned taxidermy and donated an impressive collection of hundreds of birds to the Smithsonian.

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Feeling Renewed at Any Age

2 WAYS TO REVIVE YOUR LIFE THIS SUMMER

If the mercurial spring weather has prevented you from getting out as much as you would have liked these past few months, you might be feeling a bit of cabin fever about now. Luckily, you can still introduce positive changes to your life that help you feel healthier and younger. Here are two ways to awaken your body and mind. ADOPT A NEW ACTIVITY. As you get older, it’s not uncommon to drift further from the lifestyle you had in your 20s and 30s. Things have settled down, and you know a bit more about who you are, what you enjoy, and what you’re capable of. With this better understanding, you can make choices more aligned with your true interests and personality. Think about getting involved with a new activity you may have always wanted to try but never had the chance, like yoga or even a video game. Trying out new things keeps your brain active. You may even discover a new favorite activity along the way! PAY ATTENTION TO MENTAL HEALTH. Although more years provide more experience and knowledge, sometimes they also come with heavy baggage. The loss of a loved one, trauma, and other struggles can impact your life in later years. This is why it’s good to practice mindfulness.

Take some time to focus on the present. Go for a walk and listen to the world around you, feel the fresh air against your skin, fill your lungs, and take in everything you can see. Meditation is also a good way to spend a few minutes to focus on your body in the moment and the things in life that make you happy. Practices like these can help you feel lighter, both physically and emotionally.

Growing older doesn’t mean you can’t feel renewed and positive. This isn’t just an impossible idea — it’s a reality.

BRAIN! Train Your

Fig Caprese Salad

Inspired by BonAppetit.com

INGREDIENTS

• Flaked sea salt, to taste • Coarse ground black pepper, to taste • Olive oil, to taste

• 8 oz buffalo mozzarella or fresh mozzarella • 8 oz ripe fresh figs, quartered lengthwise • Handful of basil leaves, roughly chopped

DIRECTIONS

1. Tear mozzarella into bite-size pieces. Arrange on a platter. 2. Place quartered figs, flesh up, around mozzarella. 3. Sprinkle basil leaves over top. 4. Season with salt and pepper to taste. 5. Drizzle with olive oil.

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Give us a call! 303-922-4304 www.AnnVanderslice.com FAX: 303-416-4358 Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. M–F

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303-922-4304 • www.annvanderslice.com

PO Box 260787 Lakewood, CO 80226-0787

This does not constitute an offer to buy or sell any security. Investments in securities are not suitable for all investors. Investment in any security may involve a high degree of risk and investors should review all "Risk Factors" before investing. Investors should perform their own due diligence before considering any investment. Past performance and/or forward looking statements are never an assurance of future results. Investment products, Insurance, and Annuity products are not FDIC Insured/Not Bank Guaranteed/ Not Insured by any Federal Government Agency/May Lose Value. Securities offered through Cabot Lodge Securities LLC New York, NY 10281-- Member FINRA and SIPC. Advisory services offered through CL Wealth Management LLC-- SEC registered. Retirement Planning Strategies is not controlled by or a subsidiary of Cabot Lodge Securities LLC or CL Wealth Management LLC

issue INSIDE THIS

How Our Values Shape Our Decisions PAGE 1

Mike and Margaret’s Journey of a Lifetime PAGE 2

How to Feel Renewed at Any Age PAGE 3

Help Local Nonprofits in Challenging Times PAGE 4

THE BEST WAYS TO HELP LOCAL NONPROFITS IN CHALLENGING TIMES

Over the past several months, families, businesses, and nonprofits have had to navigate life in this challenging “new normal,” and it can be hard to support your favorite nonprofits when times are tough. Here are a few ways you can help these important entities, even when you don’t have resources to spare right now. DONATE While many people donate generously during the holiday season, remember that nonprofits need donations throughout the year, and different nonprofits need different things. A monetary donation can often go a long way, but never feel obligated to give money,

especially when your budget may be tight. Instead, consider cleaning out your closet. What clothes, shoes, or other accessories can you part with? What about dishware or small appliances? When you clean out your home and donate unused items, you benefit those in the community who need them most. VOLUNTEER In a time of social distancing, volunteering may be discouraged, but nonprofits still need volunteers to operate. The good news is that many nonprofits need volunteers for positions that maintain social distance, such as driving. Food banks and kitchens need drivers to pick up donations or ingredients from donors and to deliver food to people in need, such as the elderly or those with disabilities. ADVOCATE Even if you don’t have time or resources to give, you can become an advocate for important causes around your community. While it might not seem like much, sharing information about local nonprofits on social media can make a genuine difference. Nonprofits need exposure, which is greatly boosted through community support. Sharing useful information about nonprofits — or sharing their posts — increases their visibility so more people will take action.

Why May Is the Best Month to Start

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