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Plan today for peace of mind tomorrow. JANUARY 2024
Embracing the Therapeutic Magic of Laughter
Finding moments of joy and laughter is magical in a world often filled with challenges and responsibilities. As we celebrate Global Belly Laugh Day on Jan. 24, it’s a perfect opportunity to reflect on the power of laughter, how it connects people, and the myriad ways it enriches our lives. Laughter, for me, is not just an activity; it’s a cherished pastime that brings immense joy and lightness. While I may not have sisters, I am fortunate to have many female cousins. Every time we get together, whether for family reunions or casual get-togethers, the atmosphere becomes infused with contagious laughter. We share stories and revisit memories, and the sheer act of goofing around culminates in fits of giggles. These moments are not just about humor; they celebrate togetherness and our unique bonds. On a personal note, while I maintain a professional demeanor when needed, I wholeheartedly embrace silliness, especially with my children. Children have an innate ability to bring out the playfulness in adults, and I find bliss in embracing the whimsy of their world. From imaginative games to jokes and dances, laughter becomes the common language that bridges generations. As a self-professed lover of romantic comedies, compromise is key in my household. While I indulge in the lightheartedness of romantic comedies, I will also watch a romantic action movie with humor seamlessly woven into its plot. It’s a compromise allowing my husband and me to enjoy movie nights together, the best of both worlds. Speaking of humor, stand-up comedy holds a special place in my heart. Clean comedy, in particular, is a family-friendly entertainment choice so I can play it in the house without worrying about muting it for the kids. When my husband and I travel, we seek out stand-up comedy shows, or at home, we often catch touring comedians. Even my children have picked out some comedians they really enjoy, too. “Laughter, for me, is not just an activity; it’s a cherished pastime that brings immense joy and lightness.”
The saying, “Laughter is the best medicine,” reminds me of the time when my dad was a first-base coach for my brother’s Little League team. After an unexpected collision with a runner, my dad had a broken rib. The doctors advised there wasn’t much they could do, and he would just have to rest and heal. To offer a distraction while my dad rested, my mom gathered his favorite comedy movies, only to discover that laughter, while indeed therapeutic, was not helpful. Every burst of laughter caused pain, and eventually, we had to take the comedy movies away. Laughter, it turns out, is a potent medicine unless you have a broken rib!
As we honor Global Belly Laugh Day, let’s revel in the magic of laughter. It’s a universal language that transcends barriers, creates lasting bonds, and infuses a touch of the extraordinary into our lives!
–Andrea Shoup
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Master Your Money With Reverse Budgeting A NEW APPROACH TO FINANCIAL FREEDOM
Cover Your Expenses After setting aside your savings, use the remaining money to cover your monthly expenses and discretionary spending. This process forces you to be mindful of your spending and live within your means. Adjust Your Lifestyle If your expenses exceed your remaining income after savings, it’s time to make lifestyle adjustments. Look for areas where you can cut back without compromising your essential needs. Track Your Spending Keep an eye on your spending habits by reviewing your bank and credit card statements, using budgeting apps, or maintaining a spending journal. This helps you identify areas where you can make further financial improvements and adjustments. Whether saving for a specific goal or simply building a stronger financial foundation, reverse budgeting can be a valuable tool in your financial toolkit. Give it a try!
Managing your personal finances can be a daunting task, and traditional budgeting methods don’t work for everyone. However, “reverse budgeting,” a unique approach that empowers you to take control of your finances and achieve your goals more efficiently, may work for you. In a typical budgeting process, you track your income, expenses, and savings goals in a forward-facing manner, allocating your earnings to various expenses and saving whatever is left over. Reverse budgeting flips this process. Instead of allocating money to expenses first, you focus on saving and investing a predetermined amount before covering your expenditures. Here’s how it works. Set Your Savings Goal Start by determining your financial goals, whether saving for emergencies, retirement, a vacation, or a down payment on a house. Consider creating separate savings accounts for different goals to track your progress. Automate Your Savings Arrange for automated transfers from your income to your savings accounts on payday. By doing this, you treat savings as a non-negotiable expense, similar to rent or utility bills.
MEET AIDA At Shoup Legal, our attorneys are the backbone of our commitment to excellence in client service. Their dedication and legal expertise empower us to navigate even the most difficult cases, ensuring the best possible outcomes for our clients. Aida originally chose to be an attorney because she is passionate about helping others and loves earning clients’ trust. “I enjoy turning strangers into clients and clients into family,” Aida tells us. “It’s a great honor. OUR NEWEST ATTORNEY BRINGS TALENT AND PROFESSIONALISM
Earlier this year, we welcomed a new attorney to our Shoup Legal family. Aida has been practicing law since 2019 and is passionate about providing exceptional legal service with integrity, professionalism, and cultural sensitivity. “I enjoy helping clients to preserve their legacies,” Aida says. “My largest piece of advice for everyone is to take a moment to think about how they would like to be remembered. It’s an essential part of estate planning.”
“I am thrilled to be here. I really enjoy the environment I work in,” she says. “My personal values and beliefs align with Shoup Legal’s philosophy. I feel like I’m practicing law with integrity, and I love the opportunity to make a difference and assure our clients that should something happen, they and their loved ones will be taken care of.”
pianist, she loves being creative. She has already mastered the art of salsa dancing and is currently learning bachata. Originally from Los Angeles, she is discovering the world here in Murrieta and exploring all her new home has to offer. Aida loves spending time with her family and dog and making memories. Aida, we are thrilled that you have chosen Shoup Legal to call home and are fortunate to have you as a part of our family! Welcome!
Outside of the office, she enjoys making music and dancing. As a certified classical professional
Plan today for peace
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Prepare to tantalize your taste buds with a zesty dish that combines salmon with the vibrant flavors of garlic and lemon! Ingredients BAKED SALMON WITH GARLIC AND LEMON
• 2 lbs salmon fillets • 4 cloves garlic, minced • Juice of 2 lemons
• 2 tbsp olive oil • 1 tsp dried oregano • 1 tsp dried thyme • Salt and pepper, to taste
Start Your Estate Plan Today On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we celebrate his efforts and accomplishments in guiding the Civil Rights Movement. He was a dedicated champion of social justice, and it was a national tragedy when he was assassinated. In the following years, his family had to fight various legal battles to keep his property. For example, his travel Bible and even his Peace Prize medal were publicly litigated, with then-President Jimmy Carter serving as a mediator. Because King’s death was shocking and untimely, he likely did not have his estate fully articulated — he was only 39 years old. However, it’s never too early to prepare your estate so your family doesn’t have to work out your wishes amid their grief after you pass. Here are a few strategies to consider. Show Your Love Now Create a will or a trust — and know the difference between the two. This is the first step to establishing your estate. These documents concretely state your wishes, outlining who will receive certain assets, like property or heirlooms. A will goes into effect once the individual has passed , distributing the assets according to those instructions within the document. A trust holds those assets during an individual’s life and distributes them after their passing through a designated trustee or successor trustee. You can create either of these or even both. Having both will ensure your loved ones know your wishes regarding your belongings. Utilize beneficiary designations. These are used alongside a will and/or trust. They specify who will inherit anything not covered in the aforementioned documents. You probably already named a beneficiary if you have a life insurance policy. Other accounts may also allow you to name a beneficiary. The critical thing to remember is that the beneficiary will overrule whoever is named in a will or trust to receive the policy. These are just two of the foundational elements of crafting an estate plan. Give your family the gift of peace and your love now before it’s too late. Estate litigation is stressful, lengthy, and expensive. Please reach out so we can help with your estate planning today.
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375 F. 2. Line a baking dish with parchment paper. Place the salmon fillets on the baking dish. 3. In a small bowl, mix together the garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper. Pour the mixture over the salmon. 4. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the salmon is cooked through. Serve and enjoy!
TAKE A BREAK
e of mind tomorrow.
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Plan today for peace of mind tomorrow. 39755 Date St., Ste. 203 | Murrieta, CA 92563 (951) 445-4114 | www.shouplegal.com
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1 | The Universal Magic of Laughter 2 | Take Charge of Your Finances With Reverse Budgeting 2 | Introducing Aida — Our Newest Attorney 3 | How to Start Estate Planning 3 | Baked Salmon With Garlic and Lemon 4 | Elevate Your Family’s Movie Nights Inside This Issue
Innovative Family Movie Night Ideas Lights, Camera, Action!
Classic Film Night Introduce your children (or spouse) to classic childhood hits or rediscover them together as a family. From “The Wizard of Oz” to “E.T.,” these movies offer timeless entertainment for everyone. Costume Movie Night Encourage your family to dress up as characters from the movie on deck for the night. It adds a layer of fun and immersion to your film- watching experience. Movie Bingo Create bingo cards with scenes, quotes, or characters from the film you’re about to watch. As you watch the movie, mark off the items on your bingo card as you see them. The first person to get bingo wins a prize. Movie Trivia Night After watching the movie, have a trivia game based on the movie you just watched. Whoever
Family movie nights are a cherished tradition in many households, offering a chance to bond over cinematic adventures and entertainment. While the classic movie night with popcorn and your go-to films is always enjoyable, why not shake things up with creative and unique ideas to make these evenings even more memorable? Here are some imaginative ways to enhance your family movie night experience. Outdoor Movie Night Take your movie night under the stars by setting up an outdoor screening. All you need is a projector, a white sheet or screen, and comfy outdoor seating. Enjoy the fresh air, watch the stars above, and immerse yourself in the magic of outdoor cinema. Themed Movie Night Select a theme for your movie night. It could be based on a film genre, a specific actor, or a series. For example, a “Harry Potter” theme could include all the movies from the series along with themed snacks and decorations.
answers the most questions correctly gets to choose the next movie!
With these creative ideas, your family movie nights will become even more special. Whether you’re enjoying the great outdoors, dressing up as your favorite characters, or challenging each other to movie trivia, these memorable experiences will bring your family closer together while creating lasting memories.
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