Check out our March newsletter!
Give us a call! 303-922-4304 federalbenefitsmadesimple.com Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. M–F
MARCH 2022
HEALTHY, WEALTHY,
&Wise
1 Denver Federal Center Building 45, Entrance E-9, Room 1050 Lakewood, CO 80225
A RETIREMENT TIP FROM MAUI THE TRUTH ABOUT SCARCITY VS. ABUNDANCE
My husband and I spent the month of February working from the island of Maui in Hawaii. While we were there, we lived under strict local COVID-19 rules. Every time we wanted to eat out at a restaurant, for example, we had to show both our ID and vaccination cards. People who weren’t vaccinated couldn’t dine in! This wasn’t a problem for us because we’re both vaccinated and boosted, but it was definitely a hassle to pull out my cards over and over. Once, I caught myself thinking, “Ugh, I can’t believe I have to do this — all I want is a nice plate of seafood and a glass of wine!” The moment I realized where my mind was going, I stopped that thought in its tracks. I realized that I was approaching my life in Maui with what psychologists call a “scarcity mindset,” rather than a healthy “abundance mindset.” A scarcity mindset stems from the belief that no matter what you have, it will never be enough. For example, you’ll have a beautiful slice of pie on your plate, but all you can think about is the rest of the pie and whether you’re really getting your fair share. Or to put it another way, you have a gorgeous Hawaiian island with sandy beaches and 80-degree weather to enjoy … and all you can think about is the hassle of digging out your vaccination card. Whoops! It’s really easy to fall into a scarcity mindset by accident, especially if you’re feeling a little stir crazy from COVID-19. We’ve all been cooped up and frustrated by the fact we can’t go everywhere and do everything we want hassle-free. But the truth is that we’re blessed to live in a very abundant world — even if your bit of that world isn’t Maui. When it comes to retirement, my team and I often have to remind our clients that they don’t have to live in a scarcity mindset. In a way, that mindset can be helpful during your working years because it can incentivize you to spend conservatively and save money for the future. But after retirement, you really should consider shifting your focus to abundance and start to enjoy the wealth you’ve accumulated.
This is harder than it sounds! Some people have more money saved for retirement than they need, yet they may be too stuck in the scarcity mindset to spend it. If that description fits you, it might help to read the book “The Soul of Money: Transforming Your Relationship with Money and Life” by Lynne Twist. It might actually help you examine your relationship with money more closely. Reading “The Soul of Money” helped me understand my own feelings about money (Why do I hang on to it so tightly? Where did my feelings come from?) and helped tip the scales toward big purchases, like the trip to Maui from where we just returned. Let me tell you, the sunshine, sand, and wildlife experiences were definitely worth it! I’ll tell you more about that in next month’s newsletter. After the realization outside of that Maui restaurant sunk in, I worked hard to cultivate an abundance mindset. I recommend doing the same if you have free time this month. Instead of binge- watching the next Netflix show on your list, pick up “The Soul of Money” and try to find a better balance with your bank account.
–Ann Vanderslice
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It’s Time to Garden! Spring has “sprung,” and if you’re someone who cannot wait to get your plants into the ground, you may be counting down the days until it’s time to get in the dirt. You don’t, however, have to wait for the perfect weather to start your garden. In fact, the best time to plant your seeds is 6–8 weeks before the last frost. If you start now by creating your own “greenhouse,” you can cultivate a stronger garden that’s primed for a bigger harvest and a longer growing season.
START YOUR GARDEN WITHOUT GOING OUTSIDE
so they can soak up as much sun as possible. Be mindful of how cold the room gets. Seeds need a lot of heat as well as light. If you need to add lighting, hang fluorescent lighting a few inches above the seeds for maximum exposure. Standard incandescent lighting likely won’t generate enough heat and light. Keep the lights on for 15 hours each day and allow the seeds to get some rest at night.
Find the right balance. Much like a newborn, seeds need balance. Too
much water will cause them to drown, and if they don’t get enough fertilizer, they may not sprout. Finding that balance takes practice, but there are a few basics to keep in mind. First, have a small fan running for an extended period of time each day. This will prevent excess moisture from accumulating. Then, establish a liquid fertilizer schedule. Once per week is usually best, but check the seed packet for directions.
Plant seeds like a pro. Thankfully, gardening experts have invented tools that offer lots of “hacks.” Look for seed trays, which will have small pockets where you can plant your seeds, and look for small holes at the bottom. This will allow excess water to flow out of the seedling’s new habitat so they don’t rot. Review the instructions on the back of each seed packet to determine soil depth, a watering schedule, and needed soil types.
Once the weather gets warmer, start introducing your new plants to the outside world. This transitory time should take just over a week to avoid a shock to their system.
Look for natural light. Once your seeds are in their new pods, focus on a viable light source. A south-facing garage with windows or south-facing windows in your home are best for natural light. Point your seedlings in that direction
For more gardening tips, be sure to visit your local nursery. Happy growing!
FIVE WAYS TO DEAL WITH ANNOYING ROBOCALLS Protect Your Identity and Kick Scammers to the Curb
According to the latest data, scammers and telemarketers make 1,528 robocalls to Americans every single second . No wonder they’re driving us all crazy! Some of these calls are legitimate reminders about doctor’s appointments and payment plans, but around 55% of them are just nuisances — and we can’t rely on the government to stop them. If you’re sick of hearing about “your car’s extended warranty” or the “student loans” you paid off 40 years ago, try these five tips to cut down on robocalls and outwit scammers. 1. Explore your carrier’s free tools . AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon all offer services to cut down on scam calls. Some of them are free and/or come with your phone, but others you have to pay for or activate. If you have Verizon, for example, you can download the “Verizon Call Filter” app from the Apple App Store or Google Play. Visit your
carrier’s website or call them to learn about tools they offer.
2. Download an ad blocker. For extra protection, you can download a separate ad blocker from the Apple App Store or Google Play. Hiya is a free app that will give you caller ID and block spam calls. Nomorobo is an award-winning option that’s free for landlines and costs $1.99 per month for cellphones. 3. When in doubt, let it ring out. If you don’t recognize the number calling, don’t answer. You can always call back if they leave a legitimate voicemail.
5. Handle voicemails with care. If you get a suspicious voicemail, never call the number or visit the website given by the caller. Instead, Google the company or agency they claimed to be with and call that number. If the real agency has no idea about the call, you’ve just escaped a trap. By taking all five of these steps, you can protect yourself and your wallet from Ponzi schemes, identity thieves, and annoying telemarketers. For even more specific advice, visit AARP.com and search “The Definitive Guide to Reducing Robocalls.”
4. Suspect spam? Hang up. So, you accidentally answered a spam call.
Whether it’s a person or a robot on the line, hang up immediately! Even saying your name or the word “yes” could set you up for identity theft.
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MEET FRANCE’S FOUR-LEGGED DOCTOR
‘Dr. Peyo’ the Therapy Horse Will See You Now!
Imagine you’re sitting in a French hospital, minding your own business and waiting for a doctor to see you. Suddenly, the elevator doors slide open and a full-sized horse clip-clops out into the waiting room! That might sound like something out of a children’s book, but it’s actually a regular occurrence at the Calais Hospital. There, a therapy horse named Peyo visits sick and dying patients to help ease their anxiety, bring them comfort, and distract them from their pain. Peyo — affectionately known as “Dr. Peyo” by the staff at Calais — wasn’t always a therapy horse. In his early life, he competed in dressage, but it didn’t take long for his trainer to realize Peyo was more interested in the crowd than the competition. In a moving article about Peyo, The Guardian reported, “After shows, he would pick out people in the crowd, approach them, and choose to stay next to them.” This was the first sign of Peyo’s secret talent: Like a bomb-sniffing dog, it appears Peyo can detect cancerous tumors. In the hospital, he uses a raised hoof to point his trainer toward rooms he’d like to visit. Inside, he comforts the dying patients and their families.
“What really pushed scientists to take an interest in him and open the health establishment doors to us was this [seeming] ability to greatly reduce [the patients’ dosage of] all hard drugs and
thus allow a more peaceful departure,” Peyo’s trainer, Hassen Bouchakour, told The Guardian.
Peyo has been working as a therapy horse since 2016 and has stood vigil by the bedsides of more than 1,000 people, bringing them comfort and letting their children ride him through the hospital halls. It’s an amazing achievement for a 15-year-old horse! Of course, Peyo is far from the only animal visiting hospitals to bring people comfort. Here in the U.S., Johns Hopkins partners with more than 15 volunteer therapy dog teams that make patients smile, lower their blood pressure, improve their mood, and reduce their pain. At least 45 hospitals in the country have similar programs.
Want to know if your local hospital employs therapy animals? Visit their website to find out. You might be surprised by what you learn!
Train Your
BRAIN!
Simple Bok Choy Chicken Soup
Inspired by TheSpruceEats.com
INGREDIENTS
• 3 cups chicken broth • 1 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 garlic clove, chopped • 10 leaves bok choy, thinly sliced • 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
• 2 tsp soy sauce • 2 tsp sesame oil
DIRECTIONS
1. In a medium saucepan, bring chicken broth to a boil. 2. Stir in red pepper flakes, soy sauce, sesame oil, and garlic. 3. Add bok choy leaves and rotisserie chicken. Simmer for 10 minutes or until the bok choy is dark green and tender. 4. Enjoy with slices of your favorite whole-wheat bread!
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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. 1234299- 3/22.
issue INSIDE THIS A Message From Maui PAGE 1
Start Your Garden in Three Easy Steps
Handle Robocalls Like a Pro PAGE 2
Meet ‘Dr. Peyo’—France’s Only Four-Legged Doc
Simple Bok Choy Chicken Soup PAGE 3
Four Health Benefits of Spring Cleaning PAGE 4
Sunday, March 20, is the first day of spring — which means it’s time for some spring cleaning. Did you know that cleaning is not just about tidying up a physical space? It’s also about improving overall well-being. Here’s how organization and cleanliness can help you in more ways than you might expect. Spring-cleaning reduces stress and depression. Tidiness and mental health are actually connected. Studies have found that having a clean home is directly correlated to happiness and your ability to focus. Anxiety can spike when laundry is piling up, items are strewn everywhere, and papers get scattered on various surfaces. Clearing the clutter is a great way to boost your mood and increase those feel-good hormones. It prevents illnesses. Doorknobs, refrigerator handles, light switches, phones, countertops, and remote controls are all things we touch many times a day. Cleaning anything that’s used often is one way to reduce the spread of germs. By keeping household surfaces clean, we help thwart the spread of viruses and illness. IT’S MORE THAN JUST TIDYING UP Four Health Benefits of Spring Cleaning
Spring cleaning helps you breathe better. Spring often brings pollen that triggers allergies for many. But pollen isn’t the only thing to blame when people have difficulty breathing. When dust and pet dander build up in your home, your respiratory system is also greatly affected. Deep-cleaning your air filters and vents can make breathing effortless — and it’s truly amazing how this can improve your well-being. It keeps you more active. Off the couch and on your feet! Even just running the vacuum and clearing the clutter from the dining room table will get you up and moving, which is healthy for your heart and body.
This spring, put some elbow grease into your cleaning. It will benefit you in more ways than one. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself later!
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