FROM THE DESK OF Bill Moist Insider Passive Residual Income THEULTIMATEPASSIVERESIDUAL INCOME TM October2018 The apples , bats & chicken feed S ecret O rigins of H alloween T raditions
Welcome to the Professional Equities newsletter. In this monthly newsletter, we will be discussing where to get more passive residual income. When I was younger, I focused on building net worth, only to later discover that net worth can disappear whenmarkets drop. Now I’m focused on cash flow— the more passive the residual income is, the better. This focus agrees withmany of our partners (members). These members want income for retirement and income for children or grandchildren. On a personal note…Many of you have been aware of my personal health challenge over the past 18 months. In February 2017, I developed a digestive problem that eventually causedme to lose 35 pounds. After running numerous tests and not finding a cause, my primary care doctor sent me to a gastrointestinal doctor who eventually diagnosedme with lymphoma. Since I am anti-chemotherapy, I canceled two appointments with the hematologist while looking for an alternative treatment. Then this past November, when I was looking pretty sick, my daughter, Allison, asked if I would go to the doctor if she went withme. She was so afraid for me, she was trembling. I said yes, since my review of two alternative clinics did not give me a satisfactory assurance. Then in December 2017, my gastrointestinal doctor ranmore tests and discovered the cause of my weight loss. I had three rare lower intestine collagenous diseases. In January 2018, they added a treatment for those extra diseases. I had a great support network duringmy six treatments, including both Allison and her brother Stephen. After the March treatments, I was convinced I was healed. By the end of May, both doctors were convinced that I had no current or future occurrence of lymphoma. The hematologist said,“Bill is not sick anymore.”The gastrointestinal doctor said he did not need to see me again for three years. So, my journey with four diseases had a happy ending. Thank you to all who supportedme during this difficult season.
What’s scarier than being at a Halloween party without a good costume? Being at a Halloween party without anything interesting to add, of course! Avoid this nightmare scenario by learning the fascinating history behind everyone’s favorite Halloween traditions. WHERE DID ALL THESE BATS COME FROM? Halloween decorations tend to rely on scary or supernatural themes. Cobwebs, skeletons, and ghosts crowd the scene, but there are usually a few bats in there as well. Compared to jangling skeletons, these little mammals aren’t that scary. While bats do risk carrying rabies, for the most part, bats are more likely to help people by eating mosquitoes than harm anyone. So why are they part of our creepy Halloween decor? Bats were associated with Halloween long before the first trick-or-treaters. When celebrating the ancient festival Samhain — a precursor to Halloween — the Celts lit huge bonfires. These fires attracted insects, which in turn attracted bats looking for a midnight snack. Bats came to be linked to Samhain and that tradition was carried into modern Halloween. WHAT’S UP WITH BOBBING FOR APPLES? Giving out apples instead of candy is a surefire way to get your house egged by angry trick-or-treaters. On a night that’s all about candy and sweets, how did we come to play a game involving fruit? Surprisingly, the old game of bobbing for apples has roots in some more romantic traditions.
Bobbing for apples was part fortune-telling game and part courting ritual in 18th century England. A young woman would write the name of her suitor on an apple and
- Bill Moist
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century, trick-or-treating quickly became a favorite Halloween activity. However, when sugar was rationed during WorldWar II, trick- or-treating started to die out. You can thank Charles Schulz andWalt Disney for keeping the tradition alive. In 1951, Schulz created a series of Halloween- themed comic strips featuring the Peanuts gang dressed as ghosts and trick-or-treating. The following year, Disney produced an animated short featuring Donald Duck and his nephews, Huey, Dewey, and Louie, engaged in Halloween hijinks. Both the Peanuts strips and the Donald Duck shorts were incredibly popular, and these Halloween specials showed kids across the country the fun of trick-or-treating. When you think about it, Halloween is a pretty weird holiday. But isn’t the weirdness part of the fun?
This candy was meant to appeal to America’s rural communities. Though not initially linked to fall, chicken feed candy was difficult to make and therefore only available between March and November. The scarcity added to its early popularity. In the 1900s, candy makers had to turn down orders because demand was so high! Chicken feed would eventually become candy corn and be cast as the ultimate Halloween candy after WorldWar II. In 1951, Goelitz Confectionery Company — today known as the Jelly Belly Candy Company — had 12 factories making candy corn across the country! Since then, candy corn has made its way into trick-or-treat bags every Halloween. WHO SAVED TRICK-OR-TREATING? While trick-or-treating has its roots in ancient traditions that involve scaring away ghosts and praying for lost souls, modern trick-or- treating owes its existence to a more familiar source. After being brought to the United States by Irish immigrants in the early 20th
put it in a basin of water. If she could grab the apple in one bite, it meant that she and her suitor were destined for true love. Two tries meant their love would fade with time. And three or more bites was a sign that the relationship was doomed. Another version of the game was more of a competition. The first person to bite into an apple would be the first to get married. It wasn’t unlike catching the bride’s bouquet at a wedding. WHY DOWE CARE ABOUT CANDY CORN? Some people adore this sweet mellowcreme treat, while others insist the divisive candy is little more than colored wax. Whatever camp you find yourself in, you may be be interested to know that candy corn was not originally created for Halloween. Developed by George Renninger of the Wunderlee Candy Company in Philadelphia, these little tricolored candies were introduced to the world as “chicken feed” in the 1880s.
Stay weird, and have a happy Halloween!
Early Detection Saves Lives DOYOU OR SOMEONE YOU LOVE NEEDTO SCHEDULE AMAMMOGRAM?
Contrary to popular myths, breast cancer is not caused by milk, microwave ovens, cellphones, caffeine, plastic cutlery, or deodorants.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Organized, in the National Breast Cancer Foundation’s words, to “honor those at every step of the breast cancer journey,” the annual observance has also served to educate the public and raise funds for research. Learn more about this deadly but survivable disease, and find out how you can help.
ANNUAL MAMMOGRAMS ARE FREE.
Early detection is the biggest factor in breast cancer survival. There’s some debate among researchers and insurance companies over the “right” age to begin screening, but most sources agree that women should begin to get regular mammograms in their 40s (and earlier if they have a family history of the disease). The Affordable Care Act (ADA) requires all health insurance plans to cover the cost of annual mammograms for women age 40 and older, and there are many organizations devoted to providing free mammograms to uninsured individuals.
BREAST CANCER IS EXTREMELY COMMON.
According to the NBCF, 1 in 8 American women will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their lives. It is the second leading cause of death in women (behind heart disease). A breast cancer diagnosis is not a death sentence, however. Thanks to research and ongoing education, there are over 3.3 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S. today.
WHAT CAUSES BREAST CANCER?
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
Breast cancer is caused by damage to cells’ DNA. It’s most common in women over the age of 40, though approximately 2,500 men in the U.S. are diagnosed each year as well. The risk of breast cancer increases with age. Most risk factors, such as age, gender, and family history, cannot be changed. However, research shows that exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy diet and weight, and minimizing alcohol consumption may reduce your chance of being diagnosed with the disease. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may also place you at higher risk.
Visit Donate.nationalbreastcancer.org to learn how to help. The NBCF funds cancer research, works to provide free mammograms to low- income women, and serves as a resource for patients and their families. Many cities also have local organizations in need of donations and volunteers.
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THE TOP 5 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
A Powerful Recruitment and Retention Tool
NO. 3: MORE VACATION TIME In the European Union, companies are required to offer at least 20 days of paid vacation to employees. In the U.S., that number falls to a whopping 0. In fact, 1 in 4 American employees doesn’t get paid time off at all. The more you offer, the more appealing you’ll be. NO. 4: WORK-FROM-HOME OPTIONS Technology has made it so that many employees don’t need to be in the office all the time. Because of this, many employees actively seek out jobs that provide flexible work options. Even offering one or two work-from-home days per week can be a huge draw for candidates. NO. 5: UNLIMITED VACATION This policy might sound crazy on first read, but admired companies like Hubspot, Dropbox, and Netflix all offer unlimited vacation. Each company structures their policy a little differently, but they all stress the importance of work-life balance to support happy, productive, and fulfilled employees. If you’ve found yourself wondering why you can’t attract the candidates you want, take a look at your benefits policy. When you can’t compete on that front, you’ll find it mighty difficult to get and keep the best people.
Take a Break! NO. 2: FLEXIBLE HOURS Our lives are busier than ever before, and scheduling conflicts crop up all the time. Employees don’t like having to decide between working and attending their child’s soccer games. Offering some flexibility in terms of when somebody can work, therefore, is extremely desirable. The most powerful employee recruitment and retention tools a business has are the pay and the benefits package it offers. While a killer company culture and creative amenities look great in a magazine spread, they aren’t enough to convince top talent that their future lies with your business. The right benefits package, though, could persuade a prospective employee to choose a position at your company over another that offers a similar salary. According to a study conducted by Harvard Business Review, these five benefits are considerably more desirable than others. NO. 1: HEALTH, DENTAL, AND VISION INSURANCE As the cost of health care has skyrocketed in recent decades, so too has the demand for employers to provide comprehensive coverage. Unsurprisingly, it’s the most expensive benefit to provide. Weighing how much coverage your company is willing to offer may be a delicate balancing act, but the rewards can completely change your business for the better. Companies like Patagonia, with its best-in-class maternity policy, retain employees at a significantly higher rate than average.
Spiced
PUMPKIN SEED CRUNCH
Ingredients
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1/4 cup shelled sunflower seeds
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1 large egg white
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1 teaspoon light agave syrup
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1/4 cup raw cashews, coarsely chopped 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper Nonstick vegetable oil spray
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1/2 teaspoon garam masala or curry powder
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1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
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1/4 cup shelled pumpkin seeds
Directions
4. Using a slotted spoon, strain
1. Heat oven to 300 F. 2. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray. 3. In a mixing bowl, whisk together egg white, agave, salt, and spices. Add nuts and seeds and toss until evenly coated.
spoonfuls of mixture over bowl and transfer to baking sheet. Discard excess egg white mixture.
5. Bake 20–25 minutes, tossing once. 6. Let cool and serve.
Recipe courtesy of Bon Appétit magazine
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE From the Desk of Bill PAGE 1 Secret Origins of Halloween Traditions PAGE 1 October Is Breast Cancer Awareness Month PAGE 2 The Most Sought-After Employee Benefits PAGE 3 Take a Break PAGE 3 Spiced Pumpkin Seed Crunch PAGE 3 Running at Witching Hour PAGE 4 Professional Equities, Inc. BILLMOIST'S Have you ever been driving home after dark and seen someone jogging on the side of the road? You might have thought they were crazy for waiting until so late in the day to go for a run, but there is actually research that suggests running in the evening is better than going for a run at any other time of day. Here are a few reasons why you should save your run until you can join all the things that go bump in the night. Many people who run first thing in the morning find themselves pressed for time. Hitting the snooze button is not an option, and with so little time, breakfast is usually a banana on the way out the door. Moving your run to the evening means you can enjoy a more leisurely morning. Not feeling stressed out first thing in the morning can also lead to a more relaxed day. YOU CAN HIT THE SNOOZE BUTTON.
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A LOVELY NIGHT FOR A RUN Should You Go for a Run After Dark?
YOU CAN PUSH YOURSELF HARDER.
It can be hard to get a good workout in the morning after your muscles have been still for eight hours during sleep. A study at the University of North Texas found that your body is better prepared to exercise in the evenings, since your muscles have been warming up all day. With improved muscular function and strength, you can push yourself harder and see greater improvement. You will obviously feel tired after a good run, so why not time it right and use this to your advantage? Research from the University of South Carolina found that people who ran before bedtime enjoyed a better night of sleep and increased energy levels when they woke up, meaning they felt more awake and better rested throughout the following day. YOU SLEEP BETTER.
The best time to run is honestly whenever you have time to run, but if it works with your schedule, nighttime running might provide your best workout ever. Just remember that if you do decide to save your run for after sunset, you should stay safe by wearing bright, reflective clothing, sticking to the left side of the road, and running only in well-lit, populated areas.
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