Wolf Retirement Navigation - March 2020

RET IREMENT NAV IGAT ION

MONTHLY

4230 Pablo Professional Court Ste. 101 Jacksonville, FL 32224

4711 US Highway 17 Suite C-5 Fleming Island, FL 32003

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March 2020

46% Lucky

How to Prepare for a Lucky Opportunity

A while back, my dad got really intrigued with checking out Ancestry.com. He even took their DNA test. That’s how he found out he was 17% Irish. This was surprising because we had no idea. On the other side of my family, my mom has always been proud to say she’s 75% Irish, a fact she was able to back up when she took a DNA test as well. Now, I don’t trust those testing companies with my DNA. Some of their “terms of service” contracts have some pretty weird stuff hidden in the fine print. But since St. Patrick’s Day is coming up, I got interested in my own Irish heritage and decided to do a little math. I added my parents’ Irish heritages together, divided by two, and called it a day. If the luck of the Irish is a real thing, then it looks like I only have 46% of that luck. I don’t think we have to be Irish to be lucky. We are all miracles. In fact, I think every person alive, no matter his or her circumstance, is pretty lucky. Motivational speaker Mel Robbins once claimed that the odds of your being born are 400 trillion to 1. And the odds of being born in the United States and living with all the opportunities we have today — that’s nothing short of a miracle. Investment Advisory Services offered through Retirement Wealth Advisors (RWA), a Registered Investment Advisor. Wolf Retirement Navigation LLC and RWA are not affiliated. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. No investment strategy can guarantee a profit or protect against loss in periods of declining values. Opinions expressed are subject to change without notice and are not intended as investment advice or to predict future performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Consult your financial

I do believe in luck. I think it’s something we experience every day just being alive. But that luck isn’t something we should count on. We used up our luck just being born, so if we want anything else out of life, then we need to be willing to make it happen ourselves. There’s an old saying often attributed to Roman philosopher Seneca: “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” If you want to feel lucky, you need to put in the hard work so you are prepared to take advantage of those “lucky” opportunities. This is something I think about every day when helping people plan for their retirement futures. When it comes to retirement, you can’t hope to get lucky. Banking on winning the lottery or investing in a perfect stock market scenario isn’t going to give you the lifestyle you have always envisioned for a prosperous retirement. It’s better to put in the work to increase your odds of being successful. Increasing your luck is all about being proactive in what you can control. You can’t control what the market will do, how healthcare costs will rise, or what changes the government will make to the tax system. But you can control your finances. We have strategies designed specifically for you to get on top of your professional before making any investment decision. This information is designed to provide general information on the subjects covered; it is not, however, intended to provide specific legal or tax advice and cannot be used to avoid tax penalties or to promote, market, or recommend any tax plan or arrangement. Please note that Wolf Retirement Navigation LLC and its affiliates do not give legal or tax advice. You are encouraged to consult your tax advisor or attorney.

finances. You can control your market downside losses by electronically monitoring your principal-protected savings. We will show you how to do this. You can control your fees/expenses by knowing what they are and reducing excessive fees, if any. We can definitely help you with that. You can control your federal tax bill by projecting current and future tax rates with how they apply to your situation. We are knowledgeable in this situation, too. When you are prepared, every opportunity feels lucky. Why make life harder by just going off luck and not planning your own future? Like I said, we’re already lucky to be here, so we have to do some of the heavy lifting ourselves.

-Adam Wolf, CPA, CFP ®

Annuity guarantees rely on the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the issuing insurer. Any comments regarding safe and secure investments and guaranteed income streams refer only to fixed insurance products. They do not refer in any way to securities or investment advisory products. Fixed Insurance and Annuity product guarantees are subject to the claims‐paying ability of the issuing company and are not offered by Retirement Wealth Advisors.

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3 Places to Retire Internationally RETIRE IN STYLE

E ven if you’ve always planned for a comfortable retirement in the United States, choosing to live internationally could be a smart alternative to improve your standard of living in retirement. International Living Magazine’s Retirement Index has tracked objective retirement metrics — like the cost of living, democratic stability, and healthcare — for the last 40 years. They also take into account reports of correspondents actively living abroad. Here are some of their top picks for international retirement destinations. Panama Panama ranks No. 2 in International Living Magazine’s list of best places to retire internationally. With its tropical climate, proximity to the United States, excellent health care, and low tax burden, it’s easy to see why. In Panama City, you can expect to pay at least $2,600 a month in living expenses, but housing costs are substantially lower outside of

democracy, safety, and socialized health care that’s only available once you’ve obtained residency, Costa Rica also offers climates for just about everybody — from the lush jungles of the south to the hot, dry beaches of Guanacaste in the northwest. Expect to find large communities of expats to help you acclimate. Mexico The first things that come to mind for most people when you mention Mexico are margaritas and beach umbrellas, but this country offers a lot more than that. For starters, Mexico features an enticingly low cost of living. International Living estimates a couple could live in Mexico on anywhere from $1,500–$3,000 per month, depending on location, including health care expenses. Once you’ve obtained residency status, you can sign up for national health care plans that offer full coverage for just a few hundred dollars annually.

major metropolitan markets. Panama also offers excellent discounts, up to 25% off of things like airline tickets, hotels, and energy costs through its Pensionado program. Costa Rica If it’s a textbook paradise you’re looking for, look no further than Costa Rica. Thanks to a 1948 decision to abolish their military and direct all of those funds to health care and education, Costa Rica is often referred to as the “Switzerland of Central America.” Known for its stable

In the Know Around Clay County COMMUNITY UPDATES

Tim Tebow Foundation Adam recently attended a Tim Tebow Foundation event where Tim gave a heartfelt and motivational talk on personal, spiritual, and business growth and helping kids in need. Inspired by his words, Wolf Retirement Navigation is looking for ways to get involved. Stay tuned for more news on how we are working with the Tim Tebow Foundation and how you can help kids in your community.

Meet-and-Greet With Michelle Cook, Clay County Sheriff Candidate When: Thursday, March 12; 4:00–6:00 p.m. Where: WRN Fleming Island Office Location Informed voters are smart voters. Stop by our Fleming Island office to meet Michelle Cook, Clay County Sheriff candidate. She’ll be greeting citizens, answering questions, and sharing why she wants to be your next sheriff. We are excited to provide the venue for you to visit and to get to know one of your candidates before walking into the voting booth. This event is open to all clients and their friends.

Herbert University Center, Jacksonville, FL Retiring has changed. Fresh challenges have created a new retirement landscape, and retirees are looking for the right education to explain in detail how these challenges affect them personally. In our single-evening Baby Boomer Basics course, you’ll discover how to navigate this new landscape in order to prepare yourself better for success in setting and reaching your retirement goals. This course will cover taxes, Social Security, estate planning, health care, and more! We want you to leave our course feeling more prepared than ever for life after work. Adam is the speaker, and the course is open to all clients, their friends, and prospective clients.

Wolf Retirement American Retirement Institute Educational Course When: Wednesday, March 18; 6:00–7:30 p.m. Where: University of North Florida, Adam

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2 LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU! Jacksonville & Fleming Island

UNSUNG HEROES

Celebrate the Caregiver in Your Life

Let them know their hard work is valued. Caregiving is hard work that so often goes unrecognized. Unpaid caregivers especially are rarely acknowledged for their efforts. Make sure the caregivers in your life know they’re valued. Send them a thank-you card, a box of candy, or a gift certificate to their favorite store. Give the gift of time. Many caregivers spend all their time taking care of someone else and often forget to take care of themselves. The best way to thank a caregiver is to give them the

Caregivers are unsung heroes, dedicating their time to caring for those who are ill, disabled, or elderly. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, more than 40 million Americans are unpaid caregivers, providing care because they want to make sure their loved ones are looked after and cared for. However, this noble pursuit can be incredibly taxing. Caregiver Action, a support organization, found that up to 70% of family caregivers have clinically significant symptoms of depression, and 1 in 10 reports that caregiving has caused their physical health to deteriorate. The huge impact of caregiving is why caregivers have not one, but two holidays! Caregiver Appreciation Day is celebrated on March 3

shoulders. Cook dinner one night, volunteer to go grocery shopping, or clean the bathrooms. To Caregivers: Don’t forget to practice self-care. If you’re a caregiver, don’t forget to appreciate yourself. Find time to exercise for at least 30 minutes a day to maintain your physical health, and meet up at least once a month with friends outside of caregiving as a way to nurture your own mental health. Even joining a caregiver support group, where you can talk about the ups and downs with people who understand, can be good for you and your mental health. Visit Bit.ly/ CaregiverSupportGroups to find a support group in your area. Wolf Retirement Navigation wants to thank all the caregivers out there. Your dedication and loving hearts make this world a better place.

gift of “me time.” Offer to take over caregiving for a day or even just an afternoon. Encourage the caregiver to read a book for a few hours, do some yoga, or enjoy their favorite hobby. If you are unable to take over the responsibility of caregiving, offer to take some chores off their

and November 13. Here are some suggestions to show you care for the unsung hero in your life.

SUDOKU

Rich with fresh, colorful ingredients, ratatouille is a French dish that has experienced a revolution of its own in recent years. Enjoy this vegan-friendly spin on an old-world classic.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 eggplant, peeled and chopped • 1 large zucchini, sliced into 1/4-inch- thick rounds • 2 tsp salt • 3/4 cup olive oil, divided • 5 sprigs thyme

• 1 large onion, halved and sliced 1/2-inch thick • 1 red bell pepper, chopped

• 2 garlic cloves, sliced • 2 pints cherry tomatoes

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat oven to 400 F. 2. In a colander, toss eggplant, zucchini, and salt. Let sit for 30 minutes and pat dry. 3. In an ovenproof pot, heat 1/2 cup olive oil. Add half of eggplant mixture, stirring constantly for 5 minutes. Remove vegetables from pot. 4. Tie thyme sprigs together with kitchen twine. 5. In the same pot, heat remaining 1/4 cup olive oil, and cook onion, pepper, garlic, and thyme for 8–10 minutes.

6. Add half the tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes. 7. Stir in original eggplant and zucchini mixture and top with remaining tomatoes. Do not stir. 8. Transfer pot to oven and bake mixture for 15–20 minutes. 9. Remove pot from oven and remove thyme bundle before serving.

Solution on Page 4

Inspired by Bon Appétit

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904-232-8760 www.wolfretirement.com 4230 Pablo Professional Court Ste. 101 Jacksonville, FL 32224

INSIDE

Solution to puzzle on Page 3

• The Ultimate Miracle PAGE 1

• Retire in Style PAGE 2

• Stay in the Know PAGE 2

• Here’s to Our Amazing Caregivers PAGE 3

• Ratatouille PAGE 3

• 3 Eco-Friendly Home Swaps to Make During Spring-Cleaning PAGE 4

Your Guide to Spring- Greening 3 Eco-Friendly Home Swaps to Make When You Declutter

It takes a special kind of person to enjoy spring-cleaning. For most of us, the satisfaction of a clean house doesn’t quite outweigh the hours of scrubbing, sorting, and slogging through heaps of unnecessary stuff. If you’re struggling to find the motivation to start your spring- cleaning, try flipping the paradigm: Instead of spring-cleaning, think of what you’re doing as spring- greening , and make some eco-friendly swaps along the way. Here are a few ideas to get you started. 1. Swap your plastic spray bottles for bulk or DIY cleaning products. According to a Statista report, in 2019, the household cleaners market was worth more than $31 billion, and it’s continuously growing. You can save money on cleaning supplies by taking the green route. When your current stock runs out, try buying bulk cleaners or making your own. Both options will save plastic because you can reuse your bottles, and they can help you

avoid the harmful chemicals found in most cleaners. Visit UnderATinRoof.com and read the blog post “Zero Waste Cleaning Supplies + Recipes” to get started. 2. Explore alternative laundry detergents. If you’re used to using a plastic jug of liquid laundry detergent, it’s time to step out of your comfort zone. This spring, try exploring greener alternatives like plant- based bulk laundry powder (Molly’s Suds is an excellent source). Or, if you’re feeling really adventurous, you can even try adding all-natural cleaners like soap nuts or English ivy to your laundry loads. For more on the former, search “soap nuts” on 1MillionWomen.com, and read up on ivy detergent at Permacrafters.com/English- Ivy-Laundry-Detergent. 3. Say goodbye to paper towels. Paper towels are a mainstay in American homes, but do we really need them when a good old-fashioned rag can do the job?

According to the Ocean Conservancy, 13 billion pounds of paper towels are tossed in the U.S. each year! This spring, quit paper towels and keep a stash of dish rags under the sink to do your dirty work. When you’re cleaning out your closet, you can even cut up old T-shirts and add them to your rag stash! If you’re brave, try giving up tissues, too — an old-school hanky does the trick. If you’ve made all three of these swaps, don’t stop there! To continue your green journey, visit any of the blogs mentioned above and start browsing.

Tips forYourTripBack inTime

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2 LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU! Jacksonville & Fleming Island