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LIFESTYLE ADVOCACY FAMILY FINANCE LAFF is a publication of DuPont Wealth Solutions and The Law Offices of DuPont and Blumenstiel, blending original and curated content, and is intended to educate the general public about investing, finance, estate planning, personal injury, and small-business issues. It is not intended to be legal or financial advice. Every situation is different. The information in this newsletter may be freely copied and distributed as long as the newsletter is copied in its entirety.
21 MAY
HOW TEACHERS CHANGE OUR DESTINY
A TRIBUTE TO MENTORS Hello, friends! May the Fourth be with you. I’ve been reading a book recently that talks about the “hero’s journey” and how it’s fairly predictable. Like in “Star Wars,” heroes often have a talent or potential they’re not aware of (or don’t fully understand), and they’re forced to find a guide to teach them how to break free. Heroes always have setbacks — but they also always find guidance to become heroes. That’s how they reach their destinies. In life, we’re all the heroes of our own story, and that makes our mentors and sources of guidance even more important. What makes a great teacher? Some would say that’s mainly a philosophical question, but it’s a question that interests many schools as well. How do you measure a teacher’s performance adequately? Some researchers say it’s not through grades alone. A 2018 study by Northwestern University suggests that teachers who help students improve noncognitive skills, like self-regulation, contribute to their students’ likelihood of graduating high school — more than teachers who help raise their standardized test scores. “Good teachers may affect students much more broadly than through their impact on achievement test scores,” explains the study’s author, C. Kirabo Jackson, an economics professor at Northwestern University. Data on over 57,000 students revealed that teachers who improved noncognitive skills such as motivation also had important impacts on higher attendance, and students were less likely to be suspended. But the importance of teachers doesn’t stop at childhood. As heroes in our own lives, we can be distracted or thrown off-course all the time. Interruptions happen, or as the saying goes, “life happens.” Luckily, teachers come in many forms. Coaches, mentors, friends, family — these real-life people are specifically important for our adult learning process. Why? Because learning from real people allows us to question and challenge what we learn. A 2019 study from the SMS Medical College and Hospital in Rajasthan reports, “Adult learners are autonomous, self-directed, and reluctant to learn new things, and they focus mainly on
immediate implementation of knowledge.” The study explains that, to effectively improve adult teaching-learning experiences, the learner should be allowed to actively involve themselves in the material as well as debate and challenge ideas. That’s why, on National Teachers Day on May 4, I hope you will get a chance to thank the teachers and mentors of your life. We also can’t forget the very first teachers of our lives either — our mothers on Mother’s Day, May 9. I think it’s fascinating that, no matter how bad life gets, we can always rely on finding someone to give us guidance. Thanks for reading this, friends, and may your journey be full of learning experiences.
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HOWTO LIVE TO 99
BETTY WHITE’S SECRETS OF LONGEVITY
Beloved “Golden Girls” actress Betty White is still enjoying her golden years. The famed actress celebrated her 99th birthday this January. While she told People magazine that she’s “blessed with good health, so turning 99 is no different than turning 98,” she also had a few tips for folks looking to make it to their centennial birthday. KEEP LAUGHING “Don’t take yourself too seriously,” White says. “You
hard work. As she told Parade in 2018, “I just love to work, so I’ll keep working until they stop asking.” EXERCISE YOUR MIND In addition to her busy work schedule, what keeps Betty White sharp? Crossword puzzles! She told Katie Couric in an interview, “I’m addicted. An admitted addict. I just can’t put ’em down.” FIND A CAUSE White is a lifelong animal lover. She calls her golden retriever, Pontiac, “the star of the house.” While pet ownership itself comes with proven health benefits, White has channeled her love for animals in bigger causes. She’s been a trustee and board member of the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association for over 40 years and has done work to help protect endangered species in the wild. Funds raised from White’s official fan club, Bet’s Pets,
can lie to others — not that I would — but you cannot lie to yourself.” White has undoubtedly provided many laughs to viewers over the years, but she’s not just playing it up for the camera. Laughter is part of what keeps her young. BE OPTIMISTIC
White says a good sense of humor also helps her keep a good attitude and look for the positive rather than “dwelling on the downside.” Avoiding negativity also gives her energy. “It takes up too much energy being negative,” she told People magazine. STAY BUSY With nearly eight decades of acting under her belt, six Emmys on her shelf, and over 120 screen credits to her name, White is no stranger to
all go to support animal charities.
EMBRACE YOUR VICES White told Parade she loves vodka and hot dogs “probably in that order,” which just goes to show that you don’t have to forgo your treats to live to 99.
WHAT HAVE WE BEEN TALKING ABOUT IN THE PODCAST?
EPISODE 14 : “ Vaccine Injury Claims —
With Guest Braden Blumenstiel”
EPISODE 13: “ Get in Touch With Your Feelings When Investing During COVID-19” EPISODE 12: “Estate Tax Planning in the COVID Era”
EPISODE 11: “ Hey, What’s on Your Mind?”
EPISODE 10: “Taking Out the Trash —
Getting Out of Your Own Way”
WE APPRECIATE YOU
We want to use this space to express our gratitude to the following members of the community who have recently left us a review or have referred someone to our care. Thank you!
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2 | Wealth Solutions 614-408-0004 | Law Office 614-408-0529
5 IMPORTANT BENEFITS OF A 401(K) ACCOUNT
No matter where you are in your financial journey — even if you have a 401(k) — you may not be sure what the real benefits of a 401(k) are. It’s important to understand the wide range of tools potentially available to you. So, let’s go over why your 401(k) is different from a regular savings account. NO. 1: TAX ADVANTAGES Contributions to a traditional 401(k) are taken directly out of your paycheck before federal income taxes are withheld. That lowers your total taxable income, which means you may owe less income taxes, and it could even put you in a lower tax bracket. Your pre-tax contributions are then tax-deferred until you choose to withdraw them in retirement. The premise of this is that, in retirement, you’ll likely be in a lower tax bracket than if you were taxed on the money today. NO. 2: YOU’RE IN CONTROL Contribute as much or as little as you want! Plus, as life changes, you can change your contributions at any time. NO. 3: INTEREST ON INTEREST One of the biggest advantages of a 401(k) is compound interest. It means you earn interest on the principle amount of an investment plus any accumulated interest, i.e., interest on interest. Your 401(k) might not look like much at the start, but compounding interest can add up over the decades.
NO. 4: A 401(K) FOR ANY JOB As you change jobs, your 401(k) follows you. Depending on your plan type, there are several ways to keep your retirement plan invested and growing on a tax-deferred basis. NO. 5: YOU DON’T THINK ABOUT IT Saving early and consistently is essential to preparing for retirement. With a 401(k), your contributions are automatic and effortless. You don’t need to think about the money, and as a result, you enjoy peace of mind about taking the right steps toward your future. If you want to learn the basics of running a 401(k), listen to Episode 5 of Greg DuPont’s podcast episode for expert insights on the basics of running your 401(k) to secure your future.
WORD SEARCH
THAI MINCED PORK SALAD
Inspired by EatingThaiFood.com
INGREDIENTS
5 tbsp uncooked Thai sticky rice
Juice of 1–2 limes, to taste
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4 small shallots, thinly sliced
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1 lb ground pork
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1/2 tbsp chili flakes
4 green onions, thinly sliced
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1/8 tsp sugar
Cilantro leaves, to taste
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1/2 tbsp fish sauce
Mint leaves, to taste
•
•
DIRECTIONS
1. First, make toasted rice powder: In a frying pan over low heat, dry-roast the rice, stirring continuously until it turns golden brown and smells fragrant, about 15 minutes. 2. Let toasted rice cool, then grind into a coarse powder using a mortar and pestle, blender, or food processor. Set aside. 3. In a medium frying pan over medium-high heat, fry pork, breaking it into small pieces as you go, until fully cooked. 4. Remove from heat and add 1 heaping tbsp of toasted rice powder along with all other ingredients. Stir to combine. 5. Taste and adjust, adding more lime juice and herbs to suit your palate. Serve with rice.
BLOOM CINCO COMIC DERBY
EMERALD GEMINI GRADUATION LILY
MEMORIAL MOTHER PARANORMAL VETERANS
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INSIDE
How Teachers Change Our Destiny PAGE 1
99-Year-Old Betty White’s Secrets of Longevity Podcast Info We Appreicate You PAGE 2
5 Important Benefits of a 401(k) Account Thai Minced Pork Salad PAGE 3
Could Vaccine Passports Open Doors for Travel? PAGE 4
COULDVACCINE PASSPORTS OPEN DOORS FORTRAVEL? Are you hoping to travel this summer? Not like how you “traveled” from your bedroom to your living room couch all this past year, but really travel — get out and see the world beyond your hometown. Now, you might be sitting on the same couch you’ve sat on for the past year, thinking, “Well, I would like to travel internationally after I get vaccinated!” However, this proposal is not without concerns. Firstly, health care officials still don’t know if vaccinated people can
With the COVID-19 vaccines finally available, millions of people are becoming immune to the virus that has ravaged the global economy, especially in the areas of tourism and hospitality. Industry leaders in these sectors are understandably eager for the vaccine to bring back tourism. Some are hoping vaccine passports will play a part in jump-starting tourism around the world. Vaccine passports are a means by which someone can prove they have been vaccinated against COVID-19 and are, therefore, free to travel internationally. Some countries are eager for the sort of
transmit the virus. So, even if they’re vaccinated, they could still spread it to unvaccinated people around the world.
Another concern is a vaccine passport’s potential to create classes of “haves” and “have nots” among travelers. Many developing countries won’t receive the vaccine for another few years. Should they be barred from returning to normal? Similarly, could the vaccine passport be abused domestically, enabling private businesses to bar customers from their spaces without proof of vaccination? Finally, what form would these passports take if they were to exist? Would they be on a smartphone app? A laminated card? A verified doctor’s note?
verification these passports could bring, should they exist. The Seychelles, Cyprus, Romania, and other countries have all said they would welcome tourists who could prove they were vaccinated.
So, while the prospect of traveling far and wide this summer after getting vaccinated is exciting, it might be better to temper your expectations for now and hope for clearer guidelines in the near future.
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Announcing
As we approach uncertain times in our economy brought on by unprecedented spending, the Internal Revenue Service will need to get more aggressive than ever in its search for revenue. At the same time, most of you are getting less and less proper proactive tax guidance. This imbalance leaves you at a distinct disadvantage. We are trying to level the playing field or maybe even tilt it in your favor, legally and ethically. The Internal Revenue Service is coming after your income and your savings. Do you have a team looking for ways to protect you and your family from paying more than your fair share? Mathematically, our country must look for ways to increase future revenue. Most of you are the targets for the increased revenue necessary to fuel the federal, state, and local governments’ budgets. When the Internal Revenue Service comes looking for money, to whom will they look? They will be looking at you. Did you know …
• The top 1% of all taxpayers (those that have Adjusted Gross Income over $540,000) pay 40.1% of all federal income taxes. • The top 5% of all taxpayers (those that have Adjusted Gross Income over $217,000) pay 60.3% of all federal income taxes. • The top 10% of all taxpayers (those that have Adjusted Gross Income over $151,935) pay 71.4% of all federal income taxes. • The bottom 50% of all taxpayers (those that have Adjusted Gross Income under $43,614) pay 2.9% of all federal income taxes. When the Internal Revenue Service comes looking for more revenue, will they be looking at wage earners in the top 50% or the bottom 50%? You need to prepare now. I have learned many things over the years serving as a financially minded lawyer, and I have helped many of you make wise, proactive tax decisions. I have seen example after example where a
Can our team help you reduce your tax obligations now or in the future? I don’t know. Let’s find out. As we introduce the service to you, our family of clients, we are offering a free, no- obligation review of your tax returns to determine if we can save you any money now or in the future with your taxes. All you need to do to take advantage of this opportunity is to provide your most recent tax return and 30 minutes of your time. That’s it. Is it worth 30 minutes of your time to save potentially thousands of dollars in taxes now and in the future? If so, call us at 614-414-3616 to get started now.
few subtle shifts in your tax plan can lead to tremendous tax savings over your lifetime. As the inevitable tax changes occur in the upcoming years, these shifts are more important than ever. That is why I felt the need to step it up a notch to serve you in the future as we face these changes. One of the most important lessons I have learned from my years of preparing legal cases for trial is that an effective advocate does not need to be the expert on all areas. The effective advocates know who the experts are, and they know how to use those experts to build their client’s case. This is where Ohio Tax Advocates, Ltd. comes in. I have formed Ohio Tax Advocates, Ltd. as your portal to a carefully and meticulously vetted pool of tax-planning experts that are now part of your team, supporting a singular mission of providing you proactive tax planning services. These services may benefit you regardless of whether you are a business owner, a regular wage employee, or a retiree. I have found that there are almost always tax planning opportunities for anyone who pays tax — don’t let the fact that you get a refund hide the amount of taxes you have paid. Most people have no guidance on basic ways to manage their current and future tax liabilities. Most accountants, CPAs, and tax preparers do not have the time to spend with you on these tasks, and, in all honesty, they don’t have the time to focus on proactive tax planning due to the growing demands of tax return preparation and keeping up with the IRS changes. Furthermore, many of you do not even use a tax preparer and do it yourself. For the record, any tax planning advice built into these do-it-yourself programs is basic at best, misleading at worst. Proper proactive tax planning goes beyond such standard advice as “max out your 401(k)” and “contribute to an IRA.” Even though I have advanced training and 30 years of experience with tax planning, some of the situations that I’ve seen my selected set of experts put together have been eye-opening and have expanded my view of the possibilities.
P.S. As with all the services that we provide at DuPont Wealth Solutions and DuPont & Blumenstiel, our offers to you extend to your family and close friends as a courtesy to you. So, if you don’t think you will benefit from this offer but think you know someone who might, feel free to let us know, and we will treat them with the same level of expertise and care you have grown to expect from us.
P.P.S. Did you catch that this is a free, no‑obligation offer?
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