Check out our December newsletter!
LYN’S LEDGER
Lyndon Thomas Insurance
December 2023
We Help You With Medicare.
Oysters vs. Macaroni and Cheese CHRISTMAS TRADITION APPRECIATION
As traditions pass from one generation to another, it usually takes the younger generation time to appreciate them; some kids see traditions as things being forced upon them. As Kathy and I formed our family traditions, she graciously received the menu for our Christmas Eve dinner that I grew up with in my family. Every year, the Thomas household enjoyed a meal of cheese and crackers, vegetables, and shrimp cocktails. Kathy and I have added Martinelli’s sparkling apple cider. This is followed by the main course of homemade oyster stew. Dessert is strawberries and homemade raisin-filled cookies, the recipe for which has been handed down from my great- grandmother. Known as “Grandma Raisin Cookies,” these treats are a multi-generational favorite. When my brother and I were youngsters, our parents didn’t force us to eat the oysters but let us develop a liking for them. It took a few years. I don’t remember whether I complained along the way. When our three sons were little, the oyster stew was there even if they preferred not to partake. They would ask, “May I have some more cheese and crackers, please?” And we did not force-feed them oysters. When our youngest son, Marshall, was 5 or 6, Joe and Winona Potts, longtime church members, were with us for Christmas Eve. The adults at that end of the table could hear Marshall grumbling to himself as he passed on the oyster stew. Winona leaned closer to hear a muttered, “I sure do like macaroni and
cheese.” For the next several years, she gave Marshall a box of Kraft Mac & Cheese at church the Sunday before Christmas Eve so he wouldn’t have to eat the oyster stew. To this day, Marshall prefers anchovies over oysters. Years later, the shrimp are parsed out into bowls so each has the same number, the oyster stew is enjoyed by most, and macaroni and cheese is now included in the annual menu! Our present-day culture seems motivated to destroy as many traditions as possible. Some are worth keeping. Gatherings of family and friends to continue and strengthen relationships. Despite the commercialization and gift-receiving focus, we must be reminded that giving is essential to a balanced life. As one follower of Jesus Christ noted, “There is a greater blessing in giving than in receiving.” Remembering that the Divine has entered our beautiful but broken world is more than tradition. As we have just come through another Medicare Annual Enrollment Period, Rod, Susan, Beth, and I here at Lyndon Thomas Insurance are grateful to each of you, our clients.
We are blessed,
–Lyn Thomas
1
www.LT-ins.com
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.NewsletterPro.com
Lyndon Thomas Insurance
3 HOME REMEDIES FOR DARK UNDER-EYE CIRCLES
•
Dehydration: If you’re not getting enough H2O, the lack of water can make the skin under your eyes appear dull.
•
Head elevation: When asleep, fluid can collect under your eyes, making the skin appear puffy and dark. Using pillows to further elevate your head can prevent this fluid buildup and shrink dark circles. Cucumbers: While you mainly see cucumbers used in spas, they’re a great tool to help de-puff your eyes. The vegetable is also a great source of vitamin C and water, which will keep your under- eyes hydrated and looking fresh! Cold compress: Place two spoons in your freezer for at least five minutes or until they are chilled. Then, gently place the outside circumference of the spoons under your eyes to shrink dilated blood vessels and reduce the size of dark circles. You could also use tea bags if you prefer.
As you age, you likely see dark spots underneath your eyes. Luckily, dark circles aren’t typically a cause of concern, but you may want to lighten their appearance. Here’s everything you need to know about what causes dark circles and how to treat them. While aging is a common cause of dark circles, other factors could also cause shades of blue, purple, brown, or black to appear under your eyes, including: • Genetics: Many medical professionals say dark circles could run in your family, meaning you’re prone to have the condition as you age.
How can you treat dark circles? Although dark circles are inconvenient, there are treatment options available to you that you can use in the comfort of your own home!
•
•
•
Dermatitis: If you’ve suffered from eczema or contact dermatitis, it can cause blood vessels under your eyes to dilate and become visible. Excessive Rubbing: Sometimes, your eyelids itch! But rubbing or scratching them too much can cause your eyes to swell and the blood vessels under your eyes to break.
There are also medicinal treatments available to help remove dark circles permanently. Consult your health care provider to determine if one of those treatments is right for you!
•
INFORMATIONAL EMAIL SERIES
We live in interesting times. Lyndon Thomas Insurance Agency has partnered with TWH Insurance of Scottsdale, Arizona, to provide information and education on various general financial and insurance topics. This email series features informative content and videos on annuities, long-term care, and life insurance subjects. Received weekly, you may opt-in for more information and topics, opt-out to end, or request a call for more direct information. While we want to get this important information out to you, we also understand that you are inundated with marketing calls. TWH will not call you, and LTIA will only call if you opt for direct contact. We began sending these emails in late November. If you have not been receiving these emails or LTIA does not have your email address and you would like to receive these, please email me at Lyn@LT-ins.com to begin.
2 1211 Maricopa Hwy, Ste 222, Ojai, CA 93023
CA# 0D96309
We Help You With Medicare.
THE MEDICARE NUMBERS FOR 2024
Here are Medicare costs with Original Medicare. You may have already seen the 2024 updates, but we want to ensure you have them. For those with MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT POLICIES (and the accompanying age-related premium increases) these out-of-pocket costs or “gaps” are nearly or completely eliminated, depending on the Supplement plan owned. The Part D Prescription Drug Program is a separate purchase. For those with MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLAN S (with premiums as low as $0 per month), these Medicare amounts are replaced with the copays each plan offers for that year. As medical services are received, the co-pays accumulate toward a Maximum out-of-pocket limit. These copays are usually less than the above-listed Original Medicare amounts, even as low as $0. HMO plans require network pre-authorizations for most services. PPO plans generally do not require pre-authorizations for routine services. The Part D Prescription Drug Program is usually a “built-in” part of the Advantage plan. That’s 2024 in a nutshell. Never hesitate to call Lyndon Thomas Insurance with any questions about Medicare or your plan.
ORIGINAL MEDICARE Part A Hospital Deductible, days 1-60 Part A Hospital copay, days 61-90 Part A Hospital copay, days 91-150 Part A Skilled Nursing (Inpatient) Coinsurance Other Part A benefits, In-Home Skilled Nursing and Hospice Part B Premium Part B Annual Deductible Part B Coinsurance for
2023 $1,600
2024 $1,632
$400 per day $800 per day $0 days 1-20 $200 days 21-100 $0
$408 per day $816 per day $0 days 1-20 $204 days 21-100 $0 $174.70 $240 20% Original Medicare has no limit to the 20%
$164.90 $226 20%
other physician and outpatient services
SKILLET CHICKEN POT PIE
Ingredients
1. Heat oven to 425 F. 2. In 12-inch cast-iron skillet over medium heat, melt butter, then add onion, celery, and carrots. Sauté for 5 minutes. 3. Add flour, salt, pepper, celery seed, and garlic powder to pan and stir. Sauté for 2 minutes. Slowly incorporate milk. 4. Add stock and bring to a simmer, whisking until mixture thickens. Add peas and chicken. 5. Roll out pastry sheet into 16-inch square on floured surface. Cut into 3-inch squares and place overlapping onto chicken mixture. 6. In a small bowl, whisk egg with 1 tbsp water. Brush egg over pastry and place in oven for 25 minutes or until golden and bubbling. Directions
• • • • • • • • • • • • • •
1/2 cup butter
1 cup chopped onion 1 cup sliced celery 2 cups sliced carrots
1/2 cup flour
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp celery seed 1 tsp garlic powder
1 cup milk
2 cups chicken stock
2 cups peas
SUDOKU
4 cups cooked chicken 1 package frozen puff pastry, thawed
•
1 egg
3 www.LT-ins.com
Inspired by TheModernProper.com
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.NewsletterPro.com
Lyndon Thomas Insurance
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
P.O. Box 207 Ojai, CA 93024
INSIDE
CA# 0D96309 | www.LT-ins.com | 805-646-6409
2 1 3 4
Traditions in the Thomas Household
Say Goodbye to Dark Circles With These Home Remedies!
Informational Email Series
The Medicare Numbers for 2024
Skillet Chicken Pot Pie
Your Holiday Guide to Flight Refunds
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.
YOUR FLIGHT DELAY BACKUP PLAN: HOW TO SECURE A REFUND
The holiday season is supposed to be a time of cheer and goodwill, but keeping that spirit alive when you’re stuck at an airport is challenging. If you’re traveling to see family this year, we hope your flight is on time and uneventful. But with large-scale airline delays repeatedly making the news since the pandemic began, it’s wise to have a backup plan. Before you pack your bags, know how to get a refund if the worst happens and you end up stuck at home. Fortunately, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) requires airlines to provide consumers with a cash refund when a flight is canceled or experiences a preventable delay or schedule change. Any refund should include baggage or service fees. The airline may offer a voucher or new tickets instead of a refund, but you can refuse these offers.
Receiving a refund for a canceled flight is pretty straightforward. Speaking with a representative in person or over the phone will usually solve the problem. However, delays can be trickier. Unfortunately, USDOT does not explicitly define a significant reschedule or delay and decides the matter on a case-by-case basis if a consumer files a complaint. Regulations also only require airlines to issue refunds for delays if the matter was “preventable” by the airline. So, you should receive a refund if workers fall behind or there’s a maintenance issue. But if a tropical storm rolls through town or a security threat grounds flights, a refund is at the airline’s discretion. Most airlines will provide a meal voucher for passengers waiting three hours or
more due to a delay. For a particularly long or overnight delay, most also pay for a passenger’s unforeseen hotel stay. However, check your airline’s policy before you book. While most airlines commit to these benefits as a matter of customer service, no law legally compels them. If you believe an airline legally owes you a refund, but it refuses, you can file a complaint with Transportation.gov. However, many travelers prefer to utilize travel insurance for situations that fall into a gray area. Many credit cards offer this service to cardholders for free, and frequent fliers should keep one ready in their wallets.
4
1211 Maricopa Hwy, Ste 222, Ojai, CA 93023
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.NewsletterPro.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator