Wolf Retirement Navigation - November 2019

Wolf Retirement Navigation - November 2019

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

As seen on:

November 2019

Face the Mountain

How High Is Mount Kosciuszko?

L ate this past August, I took on the Everest Challenge in Snowbasin, Utah. My goal was to hike the Snowbasin trail 13 times, which is the equivalent of climbing the elevation of Mount Everest, without the snow. As you may have heard, I didn’t conquer the mountain. After 10 miles of hiking, I made it four laps — the equivalent of Mount Kosciuszko, the highest mountain in mainland Australia at an elevation of 7,310 feet. The mountain kicked my butt, which is why I plan to go back next year. The Everest Challenge is an amazing experience. I met a lot of great people during the climb. Even just preparing for the Challenge was awesome. I lost some weight and got in pretty great shape. I just have to “up” my training a notch this year. You don’t realize how steep the mountain is until you get there. Even before I started the climb, when I looked up and saw the ascent, I realized I had a lot more training to do. Every lap burned 1,200 calories and made me regret not spending more time on the StairMaster®. It wasn’t just the climb that caught me off guard. I hadn’t prepared for the dry heat. In Florida, when you sweat, you know you’re sweating. Out in Utah, you feel the sweat on your skin for a second 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

before it evaporates in the sun. I thought I was drinking enough water to stay hydrated, but I was mistaken. After completing three ascents in seven hours, my entire lower body cramped up. I was suffering from significant dehydration and got so ill that I needed to recover for several hours.

After a period of rest and rehydration, I woke up from a nap feeling a lot better. I looked up at the mountain and challenged myself to do one more lap. My knees and body held up, and I successfully conquered that final ascent. It wasn’t Everest, but I was really proud that I got back up there and reached that milestone. Though I didn’t go as far as I planned, I loved the experience. I know what I need to do now, and I plan on returning to Snowbasin next year to conquer all 13 ascents. It’s cool to think about next year’s hike because I know I’ll get stronger and healthier preparing for it. My first goal is to jog the full 5K of Tony’s Turkey Trot at the end of this month, something I haven’t done in years. 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.

Let me take this moment to thank everyone who offered their support and kind words to me during my prep time as well as during and after my Everest Challenge. It really meant a lot to know so many people were cheering for me. Plus, with your support, we raised $4,800 for JaxPAL. That’s amazing! The Everest Challenge is meant to show you what you’re made of. While I didn’t conquer the mountain this time, I know without a doubt I’m capable of finishing that 13th ascent. I plan on working hard this year, and I will conquer the mountain in 2020.

-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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How to Minimize Age-Inducing Atoms THE FREE RADICAL 411

I f you’ve ever picked up a health magazine while waiting at the doctor’s office, then you’re probably familiar with the term “free radicals” — at least enough to know that they get a bad rap from doctors and beauticians alike. But what are they, exactly?

proteins, and even DNA along the way, and that destruction has serious consequences. As Live Science puts it, “Free radicals are associated with human disease, including cancer, atherosclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and many others. They also may have a link to aging, which has been defined as a gradual accumulation of free-radical damage.” Unfortunately, it’s impossible to entirely avoid free radicals and the havoc they wreak. The process that forms free radicals, called oxidative stress, can be kick-started by a variety of different substances found in food, water, medicine, and even the air we breathe, according to the Huntington’s Outreach Project for Education at Stanford University. Unsurprisingly, these substances are things already considered

pesticides, air pollutants, and tobacco smoke.

That said, there is one molecule that is stable enough to stand up to and reduce free radicals: the antioxidant. According to a study published by Pharmacognosy Reviews, antioxidants can “donate an electron to a rampaging free radical and neutralize it, thus reducing its ability to damage.” Synthetic antioxidants exist but can sometimes have harmful side effects, so scientists advise protecting yourself by avoiding free radical triggers like alcohol, processed foods, and red meat, and ingesting natural antioxidants in the form of berries, stone fruits, olives, onions, garlic, and green and black teas. Herbs and spices like cinnamon, basil, turmeric, and fenugreek can ratchet up your antioxidant levels too. While it can’t guarantee immortality, the right diet can certainly help you stave off aging and disease, so why not start today?

According to Live Science, free radicals are atoms

with unpaired electrons that have split off from oxygen molecules in the body and started to “scavenge” for other electrons to pair with. That wouldn’t be problematic, except that these atoms tend to damage cells, lipids,

unhealthy, like alcohol, exposure to X-rays, ozone, fried food, chemical

Big Events You Don’t Want to Miss MARK YOUR CALENDARS

New Reality in Our Retirement Educational Workshop When: Thursdays, Nov. 7 and 14, 2019 Where: University of North Florida

How will the current state of retirement impact your future plans? We will recap current economic, market, annuity, and tax trends, as well as news. Guest speaker Brandon Bascelli of Brightway Insurance will be joining us to discuss home and auto insurance updates and to answer your questions at this special event. Lunch will be served. This is a client-only event, and clients may bring one guest or family member.

The No. 1 concern we hear from baby boomers in retirement is “I don’t want to run out of money!” New Reality in Our Retirement is an adult education class that covers potential financial threats, now and in the future, and provides attendees with the knowledge they need to build a successful retirement. This is a two-day course with morning and evening times to suit your schedule. Register today and learn the secrets to a stress-free retirement! All clients, friends, and prospective clients are encouraged to attend. State of the Retirement Guest Speaker Brandon Bascelli of Brightway Insurance When: Monday, Nov. 18, 2019 Where: University of North Florida

Tony’s Turkey Trot When: Thanksgiving Day 2019 Where: Atlantic Beach

Join us for the best 5K fun run in Florida! This amazing fundraising event supports survivors of traumatic brain injuries. Wolf Retirement Navigation is proud to be sponsoring Tony’s Turkey Trot for the fourth year in a row. Register for the race or sign up to volunteer at RunSignUp.com/Race/ FL/AtlanticBeach/TonysTurkeyTrot.

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2 LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU! Jacksonville & Fleming Island

Your Pre-2020 Financial Checklist

What to Do Before This Year Comes to a Close

2019 is quickly coming to a close, which means it’s time to prepare for 2020. Taking the time to organize all your financial documents during these next two months will give you the head start you need for next year. Here are a few action items to complete before Dec. 31, 2019. Review your estate plans. Check to see if you need to update your estate plan. If it hasn’t been updated in the past 3–5 years, now is the time to do so. Additionally, if your assets have changed, you’ve recently moved to a different state, there’s been a change in the family situation, or your retirement plan has become outdated, you should strongly consider updating your plan. Examine your health insurance. By reviewing your health insurance, you’re preparing yourself for change. Most health insurance plans will reset on Jan. 1, 2020, which means you might

need to schedule an appointment with

outstanding bills for prescriptions, copays, therapy treatments, or health programs, now is your chance to use what’s left in your FSA to catch up. Transition from an IRA to a Roth IRA. Many individuals want tax-free investments for their retirement, which is why they consider a Roth IRA. Under certain requirements, any withdrawals taken from a Roth IRA account will be tax free; however, the problem lies in meeting those requirements. Schedule an appointment with us to see if you can convert to a Roth IRA or to find other options to help you remain tax-free in your retirement. If you need help with your affairs before the end of the year, be sure to call our offices today. Our team at Wolf Retirement is here to help you prepare for the future.

your carrier or agent to see if there are any

changes coming your way that are advantageous to you. You may also want to schedule an appointment to ensure your health insurance

status is ready to go for the new year. Mike Harper in our office is available to discuss Medicare plans. So just give us a call to set an appointment to do so.

Check your FSA. Often, the balance for employer-

provided dependent care doesn’t carry over into the new year. This means that any existing balances on the flexible spending account (FSA) will be returned to the employer, not added to the new balance in 2020. If you have any

SUDOKU

Turkey is, for the most part, a healthy and lean protein. Thanksgiving sides, on the other hand, tend to be a little more indulgent. This year, eschew the classic, creamy green bean casserole in favor of this lighter, healthier, and altogether tastier option.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 lbs whole green beans, ends trimmed • 6 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil • 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

• 1/2 tsp ground ginger • 1 tsp crushed red pepper • Kosher salt, to taste

DIRECTIONS

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. To the side of the stove, prepare a large bucket of ice water. 2. Cook beans in boiling water for 4 minutes. Immediately transfer to ice water. Drain and pat dry. 3. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add garlic and

cook until fragrant, 30 seconds. Stir in ground ginger and crushed pepper. Add green beans. 4. Cook together for 2–3 minutes. 5. Transfer to plate and serve.

Answer on Page 4

2 LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU! Jacksonville & Fleming Island

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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

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

INSIDE

Solution to puzzle on Page 3

• What We’re Made Of PAGE 1

• Tips for Fighting Free Radicals PAGE 2

• Don’t Miss These Great Events PAGE 2 • Check Your List Before This Year Ends PAGE 3

• Green Beans With Ginger and Garlic PAGE 3

• Go to an Art Museum Day PAGE 4

3 Hidden Gems Celebrating American Art

GO TO AN ART MUSEUM DAY

Go to an Art Museum Day, which takes place on Nov. 9, is very clear about how you should celebrate it: Go to an art museum! This holiday is an important reminder of the wealth of art and creativity housed in our nation’s museums. Many facilities participate in the holiday with events and discounted entry fees. While East Coast art meccas like New York’s Museum of Modern Art and the Metropolitan Museum of Art immediately come to mind, there are some hidden gems in our country that deserve a second (or first) look. National Museum of Wildlife Art Wyoming It’s hard to beat the setting of this museum. Located in Jackson, Wyoming, the National Museum of Wildlife Art is nestled into a cliff that overlooks the pristine National Elk Refuge. As if the beautiful environment weren’t enough, the museum is also filled with 14 galleries (over 5,000 pieces) from

artists who evoke the relationship between humans and the natural world, including pieces from Georgia O’Keeffe, John James Audubon, John Clymer, and Robert Kuhn. In 1994, the museum received the Wyoming Humanities Award, and, in 2008, it received its current designation as the National Museum of Wildlife Art of the United States from Congress. Experience American history, art, and design at this impressive museum that was “designed to allow visitors the pleasure of discovery and exploration.” From architecture to impressionist art, the 35 acres of this museum house 39 different structures, each celebrating a subsection of American art. Founded by Electra Havemeyer Webb, an art lover and collector, Shelburne Museum exemplifies her vision of an institution that celebrates both past and present. Shelburne Museum Vermont

Tips forYourTripBack inTime

Chinati Foundation Marfa, Texas

This contemporary art museum carries out the intentions of artist and founder Donald Judd, who sought to create a sense of time and place through thoughtful curation and design. Judd emphasized “works in which art and the surrounding landscape are inextricably linked.” Located on 340 acres of land, the museum includes permanent and temporary installations. The foundation also supports artist residence and educational programs. Judd’s ideas, and their manifestation in Chinati, have helped establish Marfa as an international art destination.

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2 LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU! Jacksonville & Fleming Island