Retirement Planning Strategies - June 2022

Retirement Planning Strategies - June 2022

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

JUNE 2022

HEALTHY, WEALTHY,

& Wise

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

THE 3 KEYS TO CRUSHING YOUR GOALS NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE IN LIFE!

It’s graduation season, and for me, one of the best parts of this time of year is hearing nuggets of wisdom from commencement speakers all across the country. There are hundreds of bright people sharing their ideas for the future with graduates right now — and it got me thinking. What would I say to the next generation if I was ever at the podium? After reflecting for a while, I settled on a lesson I’ve learned the hard way over the years: There are three things you need to apply in order to get results and helps you achieve your goals — frequency, consistency, and compounding. When all three of those elements are working together, you can do anything from losing weight to helping yourself save for retirement. I was reminded of this last summer when I set out to take my fitness to the next level. I already worked out daily at the time (I rode my Peloton bike Monday–Saturday and trained arms on Sundays), but I’d hit a plateau and wanted to do more. My cousin happens to be a personal trainer, so he offered to create four additional workouts for me every week. I stuck with that workout plan, and within a few months, I was in better shape than ever!

became part of my routine and I maintained consistency that kept me on track.

3. Compounding: The longer I continued my workouts, the better my results became. The second week’s gains built on the first week, then the third week built on the second week, and so on. I gained momentum week to week. You need to have all three of these elements in place to reach a goal or change a habit. Think about it. If I wanted to save $10,000 and I put away $5 every week (consistency), that would be a great step. But I’d be much more successful if I put away $5 every weekday for a total of $25 per week (consistency + frequency). Doing this in a savings account that earned interest and upping my savings as I discovered new ways to cut costs (compounding), would be the icing on the cake. These principles work for negative behaviors as well as positive ones. If you’re reinforcing a bad habit consistently and frequently, it will be much harder to escape than if you can reduce those factors. Eating a Big Mac once in a blue moon, for example, won’t show up on your waistline. (Wouldn’t it be nice if it did, so we all realized we probably shouldn’t do it again?) But consistently eating several Big Macs a week will quickly add up. Frequency and consistency are the most important of the three principles, because when you pair them, you get into a groove and compounding usually follows. I highly recommend using these strategies to reach your goals, no matter where you are in life!

Why did this work? I think it’s because I had all three elements.

1. Frequency: I completed the extra workouts four times a week. This was fairly frequent, and definitely more effective than adding just one or two extra exercises.

2. Consistency: I stuck with the extra four workouts per week for months. The first 10 days were

Whether you want to go to sleep earlier, save for a trip, or lose that stubborn COVID-19 weight, this approach will get you there. It certainly can help for me.

pretty unbearable (just like they always are when you’re trying to change a habit), but I forced myself through

–Ann Vanderslice

it, and after that, I felt unstoppable! The workouts

www.federalbenefitsmadesimple.com |1

Published by Newsletter Pro . www.NewsletterPro.com

3 Easy Cooking Hacks for Better Nutrition Making a meal plan is a pain, but you still want to get all your necessary vitamins, minerals, and protein through everyday foods. Even if you’re not a cooking expert, you can No. 3: Add frozen spinach to almost anything. Fresh spinach quickly loses its folate, powerful vitamins, and nutritional benefits over time, but

employ a few very simple cooking hacks in the dishes you commonly prepare! You’ll be surprised how these little boosts can reap big, nutritious rewards.

spinach, frozen at its peak freshness, saves the day. That’s why frozen spinach is actually more nutritious than most fresh spinach at the supermarket! Whether it’s for pasta, pizza, scrambled eggs, cheese dip, a smoothie, or curry, frozen spinach is more versatile than you might think. Plus, studies show spinach may have amino acids that help reduce stress and depression!

No. 1: Add quinoa to recipes. Want to add extra texture or color to your steamed white or brown rice? Mix it up with 1 cup of quinoa (any color) and another 2 cups of water or broth. Or, simply throw quinoa into any grain-friendly soup you’re preparing, like a simple chicken soup! Quinoa is rich in antioxidants and filled with fiber to lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels, reducing your risk of diabetes and heart disease. No. 2: Replace cream with almond, walnut, or oat milk. Cream is a popular mainstay in any American kitchen, but it doesn’t have to be dairy cream. Plant-based milk and creamer (such as almond, walnut, or oat milk) are often extra rich in vitamins and minerals and low in fat. They contain no cholesterol and are easy on your digestive system. Because they all have slightly different flavor profiles, you can pick your favorite! Walnut milk works surprisingly well in a creamy pasta sauce.

(Bonus) No. 4: Add chia seeds to cold drinks, yogurt, baked desserts, and more! It’s easy to feel guilty for indulging your cravings for sweet tea, pudding, cookies, and cake. But if you add chia seeds, you might feel a little better about it! These small seeds are densely packed with antioxidants, minerals, fiber, and omega-3 fatty acids, all of which may promote heart health, support strong bones, and improve blood sugar management.

We hope these tips help make your favorite dishes a little more fun and guilt-free! Enjoy!

LIGHT YOUR HOME

The Environmentally Friendly Way

heat. If you’re still using traditional lightbulbs, it’s time to upgrade. Compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) cost a little bit more but last for 10,000 hours. CFLs use a fraction of the energy that traditional bulbs use but are often much brighter and safer. You can also make the switch to LED bulbs, which reduce energy consumption by 80%–90% while also lasting for 100,000 hours. Whatever option you choose, dispose of your old bulbs properly. Every city has different stipulations for recycling, so learn how to dispose of them before you recycle. Unplug your power strips and keep your lights off. The power strip is one of the most commonly used items in households across America. They’re extremely convenient, especially if your home lacks a sufficient number of outlets. While some power strips turn off when not in use, others consistently pull energy when they’re plugged in. Save energy by unplugging any power strips when not actively in use. Additionally, try and keep your lights off when you’re not home or actively using a room. It doesn’t make sense to keep your lights on when nobody is in the room. If the sun is shining, make use of that sunlight to light your house. You don’t need to depend on electricity for light during the spring and summer months so much. Just open your windows!

Did you know that if you aren’t using the right bulbs or even the right fixtures to light your home, you could be negatively affecting our environment? Believe it or not, major changes really aren’t necessary to make your home more energy-efficient, especially when it comes to lighting. Every household in America can make a few small adjustments that can have a big impact on the environment as well as your finances. If you want eco-friendly ways to light your house, try out the following ideas. Switch out your lightbulbs. Did you know that the standard incandescent bulb only puts out 5%–10% of the energy it converts as light? The rest goes out as

2 | 303-922-4304

Published by Newsletter Pro . www.NewsletterPro.com

‘SAY WHAT?!’

Why Hearing Loss Hurts Your Overall Health

Your Heart Experts are still determining a direct link between hearing loss and cardiovascular disease, but the research has found a startling correlation. Those with hearing loss are more likely to also have heart conditions. One suggestion is that those with hearing loss also have diminished blood flow to the ears, which is problematic for the auditory function. Our sense of hearing relies on a strong circulatory system. Your Mental Health Living in a world you cannot fully understand or hear can exhaust your mental well-being. Those with hearing loss may refrain from common social activities for fear they won’t be able to understand what is happening. Furthermore, they may face exasperated relatives whose patience grows thin after repeating themselves or enduring TV volume above an acceptable level. Due to these situations, those who struggle to hear may experience greater social isolation and diminished feelings of self-worth. Depression is common among those with hearing loss. The best way to prevent these health concerns is to seek professional guidance. Speak with an auditory expert about your hearing concerns and discover solutions that will help you hear better and improve your well-being!

Exploring exotic flavors and enjoying memories through scent are just a couple ways our senses allow us to connect with others. But when you struggle with age-related hearing loss, a critical component of how you experience the world can disappear quickly — taking with it your mental well-being. Why is this so? Your Brain Small, challenging activities or “exercises” for your brain can enrich your cognitive well-being as you age. But constantly straining to hear puts the brain into overdrive, and much like overdoing a physical workout, your brain becomes tired very quickly and degenerates. This increases your chance of developing dementia. A 12-year study by Johns Hopkins found that mild hearing loss doubled dementia risk, moderate loss tripled this risk, and those with severe issues faced a risk five times greater than the average person.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also has resources to help you learn more. Visit CDC.gov to access this information.

Train Your

BRAIN!

Grilled Corn and Ricotta Dip

Inspired by Saveur.com

INGREDIENTS

• 6 ears of corn • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream • 1 1/2 cups ricotta • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour • 2 tbsp thyme, finely chopped

• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated • 2 tbsp unsalted butter, diced • Chives and scallions, finely chopped

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 325 F. 2. In a large grill pan on high heat, cook the corn until charred on all sides. Let cool, then cut the kernels from the cob. 3. In a food processor or blender, purée two-thirds of the kernels with the cream, ricotta, flour, and thyme. Season with salt and pepper, and stir in remaining whole kernels. 4. Pour into an 8-inch baking dish. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top, and dot with butter. Bake for approximately 1 1/2 hours, until bubbly. 5. Garnish with chives and scallions before serving.

www.federalbenefitsmadesimple.com |3

Published by Newsletter Pro . www.NewsletterPro.com

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

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

PO Box 260787 Lakewood, CO 80226-0787

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. 1353915- 6/22..

issue INSIDE THIS How to Reach Stubborn Goals PAGE 1

3 Cooking Hacks to Eat Better

Eco-Friendly Ways to Light Your Home PAGE 2

Hearing Loss Leads to Other Health Concerns

Grilled Corn and Ricotta Dip PAGE 3

3 Dreamy Northeastern Hiking Trails PAGE 4

3 DREAMY TRAILS IN THE NORTHEAST Get Your Hiking Boots On!

Want to feel like you’ve stepped into a lush dream? You don’t need to travel too far to experience truly stunning outdoor adventures. The U.S. has plenty within our borders! Here are just a few, located in our Northeastern states. No. 1: White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire If you want to visit an enchanted forest, look no further than White Mountain National Forest! Whether you want to hike its various mountain ranges to spy some gorgeous views, wind through an endless sea of trees, or spot a plethora of unique fauna and flora, this beautiful national forest has a trail for everyone. You can even hike the Appalachian Trail to walk a mile in our American ancestors’ shoes. No. 2: Stepstone Falls (Ben Utter Trail), Rhode Island If you’re in Rhode Island, especially in spring, you won’t want to miss this perfect trail. Follow this walk along a picturesque river and you’ll see fabulous slabs, cascades, woods, and much more. Unlike the popular — and often busy — White Mountain trails, this one is relatively quiet with its narrow foot path. It’s also a gentle walk, being mostly flat with some alternating, gentle ups and downs. It’s a great walk for all ages. No. 3: Camel’s Hump Trail, Vermont As the third highest peak in the state, Camel’s Hump Trail offers unbeatable views in nearly every direction. It’s easy to reach the

trailhead, as it’s just off Camel’s Hump Road with a small parking area for visitors. It’s very convenient, but make sure to arrive early in warmer months and on weekends — the road is not an option for parking. The trail offers stunning views of Vermont because of the high elevation, but it may be challenging if you’re afraid of heights. The last part of the trail is quite steep, but once you reach the peak, you’ll see an incredible 360-degree view of the surrounding area. On a clear day, you can even see Canada!

If you want to live out your outdoor dreams, these are excellent places to start! Give them a try!

4 | 303-922-4304

Published by Newsletter Pro . www.NewsletterPro.com