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119 Old State Rd., Ellisville, MO 63021 CapitalAdvisoryGrp.com
JULY 2018
WHAT DOES FREEDOM MEAN TO YOU?
independent. For some, it’s the moment they turn 18, and for others, it’s a longer journey, but it’s always fulfilling when you finally get there.There’s no right or wrong way to do it, as long as you’re making the right choices for you. Most of us may not think of financial independence as freedom, but it’s a freedom not everyone enjoys. In some parts of the world, people are dependent on their government, spouse, or another entity for their livelihood. Elsewhere, people have autonomy, but no access to running water or electricity. It reminds me to be thankful for these amenities and the little freedoms I take for granted most days. When it comes to our work, being independent gives us the freedom to better serve our clients. We’re able to establish and work toward our unique goals, and that makes it possible to strive for excellent customer service. When my dad and I started out, remaining independent was something we valued from the get-go because we knew it would allow us to tailor our service to fit our clients’ needs and goals. Being independent also gives us more versatility with the ability to offer a wide array of services. We have the freedom to do what’s right for our clients.That’s one of the best freedoms we enjoy. We get to
When you think about freedom, what comes to mind? I think about the brave
citizens currently fighting in the military, our veterans, those in government positions who protect our freedoms from the pulpit, and those who gave their lives to maintain our country’s freedom, dating back to the day we achieved our independence. Of course, I can’t help but be reminded of fireworks, a sea of red, white, and blue, the smells of grilling, and the sounds of happy people gathering together. As we prepare to celebrate Independence Day, it seems like a good time to reflect on the many freedoms we enjoy. Freedom extends far and wide in this country, from a person paying off debt to landing the job that will support their family. When an employee is able to retire before they expected with the means to sustain themselves for the rest of their days, that’s freedom. When a college student can pay off their tuition without going into debt, they experience a huge sense of freedom. When a young couple saves to buy their first home and begins to plan out their lives together, they’re starting a journey toward freedom together. Most of you can probably recall a time when you or a loved one became
go home at the end of the day knowing that we did right by ourselves and the people we serve. That’s what we’re here for — to do right by you. It’s something we don’t take lightly. Enjoy all the freedoms you have, and have a wonderful Fourth of July. -Jeff and John Zufall
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Before you know it, summer is more than half over, and it’s time to start thinking about getting the kids back into the school routine. If school tuition is causing you more stress than finding out what happens in the next season of “Stranger Things,” you might consider learning more about qualified tuition plans sponsored by the government. WHAT IS A 529 PLAN? Legally known as a “qualified tuition plan,” a 529 plan is a tax-advantaged savings plan that allows you to save for future education costs.They are sponsored by states, state agencies, or educational institutions. CAN I USE A 529 FORMY CHILD’S PRIVATE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL? Because of changes to the tax code, 529 plans have been extended to cover expenses for qualified K-12 education. Instead of just using a 529 to cover qualified college or university fees, you can now potentially withdraw up to $10,000 per year, per beneficiary, for K-12 tuition, according to federal guidelines. WHAT DOES THE PLAN LOOK LIKE IN MISSOURI? Not all states are following federal guidelines for the plan, but Missouri is one that is currently adhering to federal guidelines.This means that withdrawals from your 529 used for qualified expenses from your 529 will be tax-free. Qualified expenses usually include tuition, room and board, books, and other supplies required for enrollment or attendance.There are no fees to open an account under Missouri’s 529 Savings Plan (MOST). Consult with us to learn more about qualified expenses and if this plan is right for your family. If you’re interested in learning more about how to utilize a 529 plan for the coming school year, contact Capital Advisory Group. Our staff are knowledgeable about changes to the tax code and can help you through the process. An Overview of the New Qualified Tuition Plan CHANGES TO THE TAX LAW BRING CHANGES TO THE 529
Summertime is for swimming, but why settle for a community pool when you can have access to the most beautiful swimming locales in the world? These three exclusive, little-known spots are Exclusive Spots You Must See to Believe SECRET SWIMMING HOLES OF THEWORLD With its spiral staircase of waterfalls, this remote jungle location offers up more than one unique spot to take a plunge. Visitors never fail to be awestruck by the deep blue-green hue of each pool created by the four cascading waterfalls. Hali’i means “to spread out,” which is precisely what each waterfall does, showcasing a serene experience unlike any other. But the beauty of this one-of- a-kind experience is only outdone by its exclusivity.To reach these pools, you’ll have to hike through dense forest, deep marshes, and wide-open pastures of sugar cane. DOS OJOS, MEXICO The Spanish translation of the name for this magical system of caves is “two eyes,” and you’ll want to have yours checked after you see this swimming hole. When limestone bedrock collapses, a sinkhole called a “cenote” is formed.The unearthed water from the natural aquifer balances a color palette of earth tones with the most majestic shades of blue you’ll ever behold.The calling cards for these bodies of water are the Blue Eye and the Black Eye. Both offer unforgettable experiences, but the price of entry is a hefty sense of adventure. You’ll need a full set of scuba gear to get to either hole. THE BATHS, VIRGIN GORDA A day in the Caribbean is like living every moment inside a beautiful pastel painting.The elegance of this location in the British Virgin sure to take your breath away. HALI’I FALLS, HAWAII
Islands will make you feel like you’ve been transported into a cathedral. The large boulders and natural rock formations create shallow caves that will captivate your eyes as you wade through the water in wonder. When you exit,
you’ll witness the sight that gives this beautiful spot its name. A handful of 40-foot granite boulders form private pools as if that was what they were made for.
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WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO?
Cardi B does have a point here. If you give to a group like Save the Children, you’ll get letters from the child you’re helping. It’s too bad Cabinet secretaries don’t write taxpayers detailing where their dollars go. (“Dear Taxpayer: I write to tell you that I dropped $31,000 for a dining room table and millions more for private jet rides.”) Fortunately for Cardi B, it’s not hard to find exactly where each federal tax dollar goes. (One caveat is that it’s not entirely accurate to talk about where “tax dollars” go because the government spends almost $1.20 for every dollar it takes in.) • The biggest chunk — 23 cents out of every dollar — goes to Social Security. Cardi B is just 25 now, so she’s probably not spending much time worrying about retirement, but she can get satisfaction out of knowing that at least some of the money will make its way back to her grandmother in Manhattan. • Medicare and other health care services take 13 cents each. In fact, more than two-thirds of every tax dollar goes toward various social insurance programs, which also include unemployment compensation and veterans’ benefits. • National defense takes 15.3 cents out of every dollar. Interest on the national debt eats up six cents more. And education takes another three cents.
Belcalis Almanzar, known professionally as Cardi B, is a popular musical artist. She appeared as a regular cast member on the VH1 reality television series “Love & Hip Hop: New York.” In February 2017, she signed her first major record label deal with Atlantic Records and her debut single, titled “Bodak Yellow,” reached #1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart, making her the second- ever female rapper to do so with a solo output, following Lauryn Hill in 1998. Cardi B grew up in South Bronx’s Highbridge neighborhood, where the median family income barely tops $27,000. Cardi B couldn’t wait to get out. She spent much of her time at her grandmother’s home across the Harlem River in Washington Heights. Now at just 25 years young, and having accumulated a net worth estimated at $4 million, Cardi B wants to know “where her tax dollars are going.” Since early this spring when she recorded an angry rant demanding to know where her tax dollars go, she has appeared on all the major news networks. “So you know the government is taking 40% of my taxes. And, Uncle Sam, I want to know whatchyou doing with my tax money. Because, you know what I’m saying? When you donate, when you donate to a kid from a foreign country, they give you updates of what they’re doing with your donation.” She complained about rats infesting New York City’s subway, and concluded, like any good auditor, “I want receipts.”
• That leaves just six cents out of every dollar to cover everything else. That total includes all the perennial punching bags that budget hawks love to attack, like foreign aid (one penny per tax dollar), the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (1.2 hundredths of a penny), and the much-maligned National Endowment for the Arts (four thousandths of a penny). We’re willing to bet that no matter how your tax dollars are spent, you’d like to reduce the amount of your annual contribution. So don’t just criticize like Cardi B. Any fool can criticize, condemn, and complain. Call us today. Let’s create a tax strategy plan that mitigates your tax burden and gives you something to sing about.
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529 Plan Basics
Funds Can Be Used for: □ Post-Secondary Trade and Vocational Schools □ Two and Four Year Colleges/Universities □ Post-Graduate Masters and Doctoral Programs □ K-12 Public, Private, and Religious Institutions (Tuition Only). Qualified Education Expenses Include: □ Tuition and Fees □ Books and Supplies □ Computer and Related Equipment □ Room and Board (Enrolled at least half-time.) Qualified Education Expenses Do Not Include: □ Transportation Expenses
□ Invest up to $8000 per year ($16,000 if filing jointly) in Missouri * □ Start Saving Anytime □ Invest Often □ Change beneficiary for excess funds or if beneficiary is not attending approved school. □ Grandparents can contribute up to $15,000 per year tax-free. □ Anyone can contribute to a 529 plan for your child. □ 529 Benefits • Funds Can Be Used to Pay Any Qualified Education Expenses • Federal Tax Advantaged Earnings Growth • Tax-Free Withdrawals • State Tax Deductions or Credits on Contributions • Full Control of All Funds in the Account • No Income Limits on Annual Contributions
□ Healthcare Expenses □ Cell Phone Expenses □ Student Loan Payments
Business Owners - Additional options with even greater benefits are available.
Note: 529 Plan rules are regulated by the sponsoring State. The rules above are for 529 plans in Missouri as of this writing. Please talk to your Capital Advisory Group representative about creating the right strategy for your family. Securities offered through Kestra Investment Services, LLC, (Kestra IS), member FINRA/SIPC. Investment Advisory Services offered through Kestra Advisory Services, LLC, (Kestra AS) an affiliate of Kestra IS. Capital Advisory Group, Inc. is not affiliated with Kestra IS or Kestra AS.
THIS AMERICAN GRUB
How Hot Dogs and Hamburgers Became National Treasures
TAKE A BREAK is much debate over who first decided to place one of these franks in a bun, but by the opening of the 20th century, hot dog stands had popped up all over the Eastern Seaboard. We do know the identity of the I f your plans for this Independence Day involve firing up the barbecue, you’ll probably be cooking two American classics: hot dogs and hamburgers. Come the Fourth of July, families will be grilling up burgers and dogs from sea to shining sea, but it wasn’t always this way. The story of how beef patties and sausages became culinary symbols of our nation will give you plenty of food for thought. THE HOT DOG It was German immigrants who brought the “frankfurter” and the “wienerwurst” to American soil in the 1800s.There
Ingredients • 1 package of your favorite hot dogs • 1 package hot dog buns • 1 bottle Frank’s RedHot sauce • 4 ounces crumbled blue cheese FOR CELERY SLAW • 4 celery stalks, very thinly sliced • 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest • 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice • 1 teaspoon olive oil • Celery salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste man who took the hot dog’s popularity to a national level: Nathan Handwerker. A Jewish immigrant from Poland, Nathan sliced buns for a hot dog stand on Coney Island. After scraping together enough money, he quit his job and opened a stand of his own, undercutting his former employer’s prices by half. Not only did Nathan’s hot dogs outsell the competition, the Great Depression made them the perfect food for a nation suddenly living on a tight budget. By the 1930s, hot dogs had become so unquestionably American that Franklin Roosevelt famously served them to King George VI during his royal visit in 1939. THE BURGER Like the hot dog, the exact origin of the beef patty’s eventual
“sandwiching” is lost to history. Once again, it was German immigrants who brought their recipes for “Hamburg steak” with them across the Atlantic, but reports vary as to who first sold the meat patty inside a bun. Multiple diners and fairgrounds across America claim to be the home of the first hamburger. All of these claims date to the turn of the 20th century, a time when our nation was faced with feeding a growing working class quickly and cheaply. By the 1950s, the burger had become a symbol of the American everyman. Both the hot dog and hamburger embody the history of our nation. Immigrant traditions merged with blue-collar needs to create two uniquely American foods. It’s fitting that we celebrate America’s birthday with the grub that has grown along with it.
BLUE CHEESE BUFFALO DOGS AND CELERY SLAW
Inspired by Bon Appetit magazine
Directions
1. For slaw, toss all ingredients together and season with celery salt and pepper. 2. Grill hot dogs and toast buns. 3. Assemble hot dogs, douse with hot sauce, and top with celery slaw. 4. Top with blue cheese, add another splash of hot sauce if you’re feeling extra spicy, and serve.
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page 1
What Does It Mean to Be Free?
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Must-See Swimming Holes of the World
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New Options for Paying K-12 Tuition
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The History of Hot Dogs and Burgers
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Blue Cheese Buffalo Dogs and Celery Slaw
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St. Louis Local Events
ST. LOUIS LOCAL EVENTS
SAINT LOUIS ARTMUSEUM - ART HILL FILM SERIES Movies on Art Hill are back! Every Friday in July, catch a flick under the stars. Come early to grab a bite from one of St. Louis’ many food trucks! The food trucks and music start at 6 p.m. Films begin promptly at 9 p.m. Guests are welcome to arrive any time to claim their spot on Art Hill. July 8 “Top Gun” July 15 “Rocky” July 22 “E.T. the Extra Terrestrial” July 29 “Forest Gump” PGA CHAMPIONSHIP AUGUST 9-12 AT BELLERIVE COUNTRY CLUB After 17 years, the PGA Championship returns to St. Louis.This isn’t just another competition — it’s the 100th PGA Championship, and it’s taking place in our city. Pros like Justin Thomas
will vie for the title, and you can see it happen right here at the historic Bellerive Country Club.The event goes on over four days in August and should bring folks from near and far to watch. ROUTE 66 EXHIBIT | THRU JULY 16 The story of “Main Street of America” or the “Mother Road” comes to life at the Missouri History Museum on June 25 with the opening of their latest exhibit, Route 66: Main Street Through St. Louis. You’ll learn about the important role this famous road played in St. Louis, but also around the world. As you drive down Route 66, you will see many artifacts ranging from gas pumps to roadside signs. Visitors will even get a chance to drive the road using an interactive display!
FAIR SAINT LOUIS IN DOWNTOWN The Fourth of July is a great reason to visit our new Gateway Arch Park. Not only will you be among the first to experience the Grand Opening of the new museum on July 3, but you also won’t want to miss all the of the entertainment at Fair Saint Louis! St. Louis’ free Independence Day celebration, Fair Saint Louis ( July 4, 6, and 7) returns to the grounds of the Gateway Arch National Park. The festival is three days of festivities featuring entertainment by Jason Derulo, Martina McBride, and the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. You can also enjoy the Boeing Air Show and a finale of fireworks every night of the fair. You’ll also want to bring the family to the America’s Birthday Parade which also takes place on July 4 in downtown St. Louis.
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