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March 2025
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Surround Yourself With Advisors You Admire LEVEL UP YOUR LIFE
A Marketing Genius Samuel Zemurray was a Russian immigrant who worked his way up from being a roadside fruit peddler to running the United Fruit Company, a multinational conglomerate. I took several lessons from Zemurray. First, he was inventive. In an act of marketing genius, he began building his fortune as a teenager by buying up cheap, spotted bananas that were nearly overripe and moving quickly to sell them at a sizable profit in the region around the port of Mobile, Alabama. Eventually, he took control of United Fruit during the Great Depression and assumed the role of president. But Zemurray never tried to micromanage people from a distance. If one of his minions asked for help making a decision, Zemurray would order him, “No, talk to the man on the ground.” That principle has been a big help to me as a manager. A Racing Legend Another member of my imaginary board is the great Formula One driver Ayrton Senna. Like me, Senna is from Brazil. His level of focus and intensity in competition is legendary. Locked in a feverish race in the 1991 Brazilian Grand Prix, Senna almost failed when his gearbox broke. He had to finish the final laps entirely in sixth gear, nearly stalling out on every turn. Senna was so excited to win the Grand Prix
in his home country that he was screaming and near tears. That intensity hit me hard. His pride, persistence, and determination are inspiring. He was a fighter and would never give up. Among others I am considering for my board are Andrew Carnegie, the famous financier and philanthropist; John Boyd, a fighter pilot whose OODA Loop (observe, orient, decide, act) decision-making model has been influential in many fields; and Charlie Munger, Warren Buffett’s right- hand man and the architect of Berkshire Hathaway’s business philosophy. My final lineup will include women — perhaps Ayn Rand for her independence of thought or the famed financier Hetty Green, known during the Gilded Age as the richest woman in America. So, as Read Across America Day rolls around this month, I encourage you to explore biographies of people you admire. Many people pay thousands of dollars to participate in mastermind groups with role models in their field, based on Napoleon Hill’s suggestion. For the price of a book and a little imagination, you can glean some of the same insights on your own. Happy reading! -Adrianos Facchetti
Soon after I graduated from law school years ago, I came across a book called “Think and Grow Rich.” In this timeless classic, the author, Napoleon Hill, recommended that individuals create a council of invisible advisors to help them make decisions. Ever since then, I have intended to apply Hill’s idea in my own life — to identify mentors I admire and respect and imagine what advice they might give me. Now, I am taking the idea to the next level. I am collecting photos of about a dozen individuals for my own “Board of Invisible Advisors” and mounting them on my office wall. Some are well-known in history; some are not. The throughline connecting them is that they are all very intense people driven to succeed. (Those of you who know me probably see those qualities in me, too.) Rather than using my office wall to showcase degrees and past accomplishments, my wall of advisors reminds me always to draw on their intensity and excellence when making decisions. When I look at these photos, it will be a little like asking, “WWJD?” (What would Jesus do?) I want to turn to them at any time, day or night, and to move them around based on the issue of the moment. As we celebrate March 2 as Read Across America Day, I have been thinking about how instrumental these people’s biographies have been in my life. Here are a couple of examples.
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CONSIDERATIONS OF POSTNUPTIAL AGREEMENTS
Could They Be the Solution for Marital Harmony?
No one enters a marriage thinking it will end in divorce; however, when people hear the words “nuptial agreement,” the implication is that the couple has no faith the marriage will stand the test of time. But consider a different perspective. These agreements, whether prenuptial or postnuptial, can also be viewed as intentional steps toward restoring marital bliss, which can be especially beneficial when couples have financial concerns after marriage. Postnuptial agreements, in particular, can assist couples in making the best financial decisions for their marriage. Prenuptial vs. Postnuptial The only difference between a “prenup” and a “postnup” is the time of signing. A couple signs a prenuptial agreement before marriage, whereas they sign a postnuptial agreement afterward. Both types of agreements are contracts both spouses agree to sign to ensure a fair and decent distribution of financial assets in the event of divorce. 4 Common Reasons for Postnuptial Agreements There are many reasons a couple may want to create a postnuptial agreement. Perhaps both spouses wanted to sign a prenuptial agreement but never got around to it, or maybe the couple had a change of heart and wanted one after all. Either way, a postnuptial agreement can assist in the following scenarios. Dividing Interest in a Business: Separate or Marital Properties When dividing interest in a business, the main concern is determining marital and separate property. If the business belonged to one spouse before marriage, it is their separate property. If the business was established after marriage, it’s considered marital property. However, if both spouses contributed to the maintenance and operations of the business,
“A postnuptial agreement has an important place in many marriages and can relieve stress if you have relentless concerns about financial matters.”
it can be viewed as a hybrid property. Postnuptial agreements help couples categorize the business as a separate property to be left to the titled spouse. Determining Inheritance: To Whom Does the Money Go? If a spouse is bequeathed a large inheritance, the couple may choose to discuss the distribution of the funds in case the marriage dissolves. This is especially important if you live in a state where assets are equally dispersed between spouses if the assets were obtained during the marriage — i.e., community property. A postnuptial agreement trumps the community property law, granting the heir their full inheritance. Rebuilding a Relationship Postnuptial agreements can also function as a way to mend a strained marriage. Infidelity, for example, can be devastating to a marriage. As a condition for the marriage, the non-cheating spouse may require the cheating spouse to agree to sign a postnuptial agreement. This can signify hope for the marriage — but only under certain conditions. Protecting Stay-at-Home Parents A stay-at-home parent may have spent years out of the workforce but has equally contributed to the upkeep and harmony of the home. Because of that, the legally unemployed parent may find reentering the workforce difficult and want financial security through a postnuptial agreement. This would ensure they get a fair distribution of assets. Are you considering a postnuptial agreement? A postnuptial agreement has an important place in many marriages and can relieve stress if you have relentless concerns about financial matters. If you’re considering a postnuptial agreement, seek legal advice to navigate the complexities of these legal documents.
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Get It Together! DIY Organization Tips to Bring Order to Your Living Spaces
BRAIN GAMES
AQUAMARINE BASKETBALL BLUEBIRD CLOVER GREEN IDES LEPRECHAUN MADNESS PISCES SPRING TANGERINE TULIP
Is there really such a thing as “ organized chaos ”? It depends on whom you ask! If you thrive in clutter, this article isn’t for you. Creating an organized space is simply a matter of ensuring household items have a place to be stored — and not in the one drawer filled with everything from ketchup packets and paper clips to a random Cheeto! Whether you’re preparing for house guests or diving into a spring-cleaning marathon, these organizing tips will bless your cluttered mess! Tension Rods for Shoe Storage Need more shoe space? Not a problem — just grab a few tension rods! If you have two sturdy objects — dressers, a wall and nightstand, etc. — you can place two tension rods between them and create a “shelf” to place your shoes on. Add multiple rows of tension rods for extra storage. Clothes Pins for Cabinet Door Storage Kitchen cleaning supplies, especially lightweight items, don’t always have to be placed on the floor inside the under-sink cabinet. Putting double-sided tape onto clothes pins and sticking them inside the cabinet doors creates an excellent place to hang rags/sponges, kitchen gloves, and sink stoppers. Napkin Holders for Pot Lids Using zip ties and upright wire napkin holders, you can create a lid organizer for your pots and pans. Rather than flipping the lid upside down on top of the pot, you can create a designated space for all the lids to reside. You can even organize your lids from smallest to largest! Pool Noodles as Hanger Spacers Between Clothes Pool noodles work as spacers to keep your clothes hanging neatly. Just take a pool noodle and make one cut length-wise to open the noodle, and then cut it horizontally into 1-inch pieces. Place the pieces on the bar in your closet and hang your clothes according to how many hangers you want between each spacer! Honeycomb Organizer for Socks and Undergarments Drawers that house undergarments and socks tend to get disorganized quickly. Honeycomb organizers are the perfect addition to ensure all items fit in the drawer, making it easier to grab what you need. These organizers are also adjustable, so they’ll fit any drawer size!
Creamy Tortellini Vegetable Soup
Inspired by EatingWell.com
Ingredients
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil • 1 cup peeled and chopped carrots • 1 cup chopped yellow onion • 1 tbsp finely chopped garlic • 3 cups reduced-sodium vegetable broth • 1 (15-oz) can (no salt added) diced tomatoes with basil, garlic, and oregano
• 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
• 1/2 tsp ground pepper • 1/4 tsp plus 1/8 tsp salt • 1 (9-oz) package refrigerated cheese tortellini • 1 (5-oz) package baby spinach • 1 cup heavy cream
Directions 1. In a large Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add carrots and onions and cook for about 5 minutes or until onions are softened. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute or until fragrant. 2. Add broth, tomatoes, fresh basil, pepper, and salt. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium, cover, and let simmer for about 5 minutes or until carrots are slightly tender. 3. Stir in tortellini. Cook until pasta is tender. Reduce heat to medium-low. 4. Add baby spinach and cream. Cook until spinach is wilted. Serve and garnish with additional basil if desired.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1
Walk in the Footsteps of Famed Role Models
Postnuptial Agreements: What They Are and Why They Matter
2
Creamy Tortellini Vegetable Soup
3
Decluttering Hacks Made Easy
4
Food-Based Courtroom Follies
BEEF BRIEFS BIZARRE FAST-FOOD LEGAL BATTLES
quantity of meat in its burgers compared to those other popular fast-food restaurants sold. Decades later, a New York resident launched a one-man mission to prove that one of Burger King’s modern-day competitors, Taco Bell, failed to heed the burger giant’s lead. In the summer of 2023, Frank Siragusa filed a class action suit against Taco Bell, alleging the company had “materially overstate[d] the amount of beef and/or ingredients” in its advertising for its Mexican Pizza and Crunchwrap menu items. Siragusa’s suit includes photographic evidence comparing the robust size of the advertised products versus the actual ones he purchased. While the case was ongoing as of this writing, Siragusa’s love for fast-food beef cannot be disputed. A Vegan Vendetta Vanquished Although only 3% of the adult population in the U.S. identified as vegan, according
to research presented by the Vegetarian Resource Group in 2022, people who refuse to eat any animal-derived products remain a passionate and vocal minority. In 2019, a vegan named Philip Williams took Burger King to court after learning that the patty in his Impossible Whopper — marketed as a meat-free alternative to the popular burger — had been cooked on the same grill as beef products. In his suit, Williams argued that because Burger King had added a plant-based meal option to its menu, consumers were led to believe the meal would be prepared separately from the animal-based items in the kitchen. The judge disagreed, later dismissing the case and noting that Burger King’s marketing of the Impossible Burger promised only a meatless patty and nothing more. The lesson learned? Sometimes, even in the world of fast food, what you see is what you get.
Is seeing always believing? Well, plaintiffs in two of the oddest legal cases in recent years set out to show the world that what ends up on our trays or in our drive-thru bags may not be as scrumptious as fast-food joints promise in their ads. A Clash With Burger King Readers of a certain age may remember Wendy’s’ famous “Where’s the Beef?” campaign that brilliantly marketed the
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