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JANUARY 2019
I COME TO FIGHT. I DON’T BARK. I BITE! WWW.THETEXASLAWDOG.COM 817.775.5364
SettingGoals for aGreat
A t the start of every new year, many people turn their attention to setting goals. For me though, setting goals is a year-round thing. I believe you need to have goals, whether they’re big or small, so you don’t end up wandering through the year aimlessly. You need to have a destination in mind. I’m a big fan of authors and speakers Zig Ziglar and Tony Robbins. Throughout their respective careers, they wrote a lot on goal-setting. They’ve been great teachers, helping me to visualize my own goals. They talk about what works and what doesn’t. If you’ve ever had trouble setting goals, or you don’t know where to start, I recommend looking into these two authors. I set goals all the time. I think about what I want to accomplish tomorrow or next week. I set them on a monthly basis, for the quarter, for the year, and so on. I also try to strike a balance and set goals in my personal life, like fitness, financial, and spiritual goals. I keep visual reminders of a goal after I set one. When a goal isn’t written down, it’s easy to forget. We all have things going on in our lives, and it can be hard to focus on a goal when you don’t have a reminder.
I keep a short list of goals tacked up on my bathroom mirror at home, so I see them every single day. Those goals stay on top of my mind, and I’m more focused on what I want to accomplish.
I have more visual reminders in my office, too. I keep a bulletin board beside my desk with a number of goals related to my businesses. It’s just like the mirror in my bathroom. When I can turn to see those goals, they stay on top of my mind. As you keep a constant visual reminder of your goals, your goals also need a set timeframe, whether it’s a week or three years out. Having an end date is another way to keep yourself focused and adds another layer of accountability. No matter what goals you set, it’s always important to celebrate a completed goal. Big or small, recognize your accomplishment. Then, when you look ahead to set that next goal, set the bar a little higher and push yourself a little further. This makes celebrating the accomplishment all the more special. Before I opened my law firm, one of my biggest goals was to go to law school. Then, after I earned my law degree, my goal was passing the bar exam. Following that, it was to build a successful practice. I have a burning desire to succeed — I certainly don’t like to lose. For me, when I achieve one of my goals, it’s like winning, which is incredibly motivating. That’s another important factor of working toward your goals: Find what motivates you. For some people, it’s that celebration at the end. For people like myself, it’s the feeling of winning. No matter what motivates you, you can know when you work toward your goals, you grow as a person, and that, above all else, is what’s truly important.
–Matt Aulsbrook
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Socially Secure Social Media Reminders for Parents Social media has been making the world smaller than ever. The distance among cross-country relatives and friends shrinks with each post or Skype call. And instant updates from loved ones are particularly valuable during the holidays. That Christmas morning video call means Grandma and Grandpa get to see their grandkids in their new holiday outfits, but so can online predators. According to digital and safety experts, half of the photos filtered onto the darknet are stolen from parents’ social media accounts. If these predators are privy to your photos, they’re also able to snag your location and other sensitive information, putting you and your children at physical risk as well. On a less disturbing note, social media content is permanent. Even after you delete a post or a photo, it leaves a digital footprint that could follow your child throughout their education and could even affect job interviews or future relationships. It’s still possible for you to foster a sense of privacy in the digital age, but it’s important to respect what your child deems private information. After all, it’s their future. Consider these rules before you share. 1. Ask your child’s permission. If they can speak, then they can speak for themselves. Children love to see photos of themselves, but they may also be aware of what they are and aren’t comfortable with, even at a young age. 2. Limit the nudity. Everyone loves a beach day, but think twice before posting swimsuit or skinny-dipping pictures. Opt to post safer photos, like the family posing prior to fun in the sun. 3. Check your settings. Your privacy settings may be exposing your family to more people than you know, and if you feel the need to share every minute of your child’s day online, making these settings airtight will protect your children and their reputations. 1. Tinybeans.com is a secure photo-sharing website for parents of babies and young children. The digital photo album app allows you to share photos with only the people you choose. 2. Create a separate, secure group on Facebook. Family, friends, or coworkers in closed groups can still fawn over their little ones in a personal, safe setting. Despite the dangers your digital life can elicit, you don’t have to avoid the digital world completely. Social media is still a great tool for families to stay connected, as long as you take precautions. Go ahead and brag about your kids online — just be safe and considerate of your child’s wishes. Consider some of these safe alternatives to regular public posting:
A BOLD NEW YEAR … A BOLD NEW YOU
With the arrival of the new year, you may be thinking about resolutions. You want to kick a few bad habits and start a few good ones, but where do you start? How do you keep those resolutions up? Here are a few ideas to get you going: Cook healthier. Say goodbye to foods high in sugar and fat. When you incorporate more fruit, vegetables, and lean proteins into your diet and eliminate excess sugar and fat, it’s much easier to get into shape. You simply need accountability. Remove sugary snacks and fast food from your budget, then get a healthy living accountability buddy — someone you can talk to about your food and exercise habits and can help you stay on track. Develop a budget. Hold yourself accountable and create a weekly, monthly, and yearly budget. Set specific amounts for bills, groceries, clothes, entertainment, and so on. If your bank offers a smartphone app, use it to help you track your spending, and couple that with a smartphone app like Mint to make budgeting easier than ever. Minimize clutter. Getting rid of clutter can be harder than getting into shape. We have things that have sentimental value or things we think we’ll need later. Don’t focus on the “later” or the memories. Focus on what is best for you today. Go through your home, room by room, including the garage, carport, or shed, and get rid of things you don’t use, want, or need. Box everything up for a garage sale this spring — or better yet, donate it! Make a bold statement. A great way to feel good in the new year is to change up your style. Pick out a few new outfits (as long as they’re in your budget and you donate old clothes in exchange) or make a bold choice in eyewear. Your eyewear can tell a story of who you are. Say goodbye to conventional eyewear, and say hello to a bold, brand-new you! NewYear’s Resolutions for aBetter You
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WHAT TO DO AFTER A RENTAL CAR ACCIDENT Avoiding Rental Ruin
We all know we need auto insurance for our personal vehicles. But when it comes to rental cars, many people decline supplemental coverage. They assume that because they will only have the car for a short period of time, they don’t need to worry about insurance. In some cases, this is fine, as your current auto policy may already cover you. But that’s not always the case. If the driver has the wrong coverage — or no coverage at all — this can lead to big costs following an accident. If you are driving a rental car and get into an accident, what should you do? At the scene, your first priority is to get your bearings and get medical care. Once you call the police and first responders, and if you are not badly injured, be sure to photograph the scene, including the damages to the cars and the site of the accident. Get contact information from the other driver and any witnesses, and cooperate with the police when they arrive. Just for Laughs
After you leave the scene, notify the rental company. Your paperwork should outline what to do in the event of an accident. Follow their instructions to the letter. This can
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mean the difference in whether procedures go smoothly or if the company takes you to court for damages. Additionally, be sure to see your doctor to follow up on injuries you may have received. MONTSERRAT O S WA L D
If you caused the accident, liability coverage pays out for injuries or damages to other people involved, but it may not cover damage repairs to the rental. If you carry full or collision coverage, these policies may pay out for rental repairs. If you lack any coverage, the rental car company may file a lawsuit against you to recover associated costs. Some credit card companies offer collision coverage when you use their card to rent a vehicle. Most rental car companies, at an additional cost, offer a collision damage waiver when renting a car. This waives your liability when it comes to repairs to the rental, though you may have to pay to cover the company’s loss of income while the car is out of service. If the other party is liable for the crash, the claim generally proceeds like a typical car accident claim. The responsible party’s liability insurance covers your medical bills, lost wages, and other losses. It should also cover repairs to the rental.
If you have questions about rental coverage, please call Legal Insurance Agency at 817.618.6381.
INSPIRED BY DELISH
PEANUT BUTTER AND BERRY FRENCH TOAST
INGREDIENTS
• • • • •
8 slices brioche, 1/2-inch thick 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
• • • • •
2 cups cornflakes
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 large eggs
2 cups mixed berries
1/8 cup heavy cream
Powdered sugar, to sprinkle Maple syrup, for serving
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
DIRECT IONS
1. On a large baking sheet lined with wax paper, place 4 slices of brioche and spread 1 tablespoon of peanut butter on each. Cover with remaining slices, creating sandwiches. 2. In a pie plate, beat eggs with cream and vanilla. In another, coarsely crush the cornflakes. 3. Lightly soak sandwiches in the egg mixture, then dredge in cornflakes, pressing to adhere. Return to baking sheet. 4. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon butter. Once melted and up to temperature, add sandwiches, cooking on one side until golden and crisp, about 2–3 minutes. 5. Return sandwiches to baking sheet, add remaining butter, and repeat on other side. 6. Top sandwiches with berries, sprinkle with powdered sugar, and serve with maple syrup.
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MONTSERRAT OSWALD
INSIDE What Motivates You? 1 Staying Safe on Social Media New Year’s Resolutions for a Better You 2 What Should You Do After a Rental Car Accident? Peanut Butter and Berry French Toast 3 Get the Most Out of Your Windshield Wiper Blades 4 Cases We Handle: • Personal Injury/ Wrongful Death • Criminal Law/DWI
• Business Law • Immigration
When was the last time you replaced your windshield wiper blades? If you’re like most people, you may not remember. As a general rule of thumb, you should replace your wiper blades about once a year, assuming they’ve been through a normal level of wear and tear. However, with a few easy steps, you can make your blades last longer without compromising visibility. • Keep your windshield and wipers clean of debris, dirt, dust, and other particles. Anything on the window or the blades can cause damage. Simply wiping them off with a microfiber cloth can go a long way.
Get More Life Out of
• In cold weather, always clear your windshield of ice and snow before activating your wiper blades. Ice can shorten the life span of most wiper blades significantly.
• Every time you gas up your vehicle, take a moment to clean your windshield and the wiper blades. You can run the squeegee sponge over the wiper blade or use a paper towel.
Your Windshield Wiper Blades
• Watch your washer fluid levels and top it off regularly. When you run a cleaning cycle without washer fluid, the wiper blades deteriorate.
How do you know when it’s time to replace your blades? The first sign is when they start streaking. However, in some cases, streaking may be caused by dirt or other grime stuck to the blades. If they continue to streak or skip after cleaning, they need to be replaced. Thankfully, wiper blades are typically the least expensive and easiest car part to replace. With this in mind, remember that you get what you pay for, and it pays to do research. There are many different blades on the market. Some are suited for icy conditions and some are designed for sunny weather. Take your time to read product descriptions to ensure you install blades that are right for your vehicle.
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