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BUILD IT. PROTECT IT. PRESERVE IT.
engine when all they wanted was a faster horse. Now everyone drives cars. That’s the American spirit — we’re not consigned to merely following the rules. We have the power to shape and change them. That’s the country I want my daughter to know she’s growing up in. It’s not just Americans who know that the United States is the greatest country in the world. Several years ago, I took a trip to Rio de Janiero, Brazil, for martial arts training. There was a man giving tours of the Favelas,
THE LAND OF OPPORTUNITY
Brazil’s crime-ridden slums, and I struck up a conversation with the tour guide. He told me his personal mission was to get to America. He said that if he could get there, he could make it. Immigrants
Early in July, my family packs two big celebrations into one. The first is my daughter Kyzlee’s birthday on July 3. To celebrate, my wife and I are planning on taking her to a few different zoos in the area. She’s developed a fascination with animals, and we want to nurture that interest. We’ve already taken her to the Pittsburgh and Oglebay Zoos, and this summer we want to take her to the zoos in Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati. The next celebration, obviously, is the Fourth of July. Every year on Independence Day, I’m reminded of how great America is and how fortunate my wife and I are to raise our daughter here. With hard work and determination, Americans from all socioeconomic backgrounds can garner tools to succeed and live the life they want to live. Those lines of the Declaration of Independence still ring true: In America, we truly have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. When I observe the economic landscape of the United States, I see things that I wouldn’t have thought possible just a decade or two ago. Companies like Airbnb, Uber, and Amazon built massive, multimillion- dollar, or even multibillion-dollar, industries without any sort of property to begin with. That would have been unthinkable 100 years ago, or even 20 years ago. Innovation and adaptation are essential elements of the American way, and they have been since the country’s inception. Henry Ford gave people the V8 REMEMBERING HOW LUCKY WE ARE IN AMERICA
move to this country every day, and thousands of people walk hundreds of miles just to make it to our border. Sometimes it’s the people who weren’t born here, or don’t even live here, who understand just how incredible America is. There are many people who were born in the United States who can’t appreciate the
opportunities they have enough to pick themselves up off the couch. We shouldn’t be people who wait around to have opportunities handed to us on a silver platter. We have the privilege of taking the opportunity for ourselves.
The Fourth of July and Kyzlee’s birthday go hand in hand. I get to spend time with her and reflect on how lucky she is to be growing up in America. One day, I hope she understands how lucky she is, too. When the fireworks light up the night sky on the Fourth, I always tell her it’s because the whole world is celebrating her birthday. In a way, that’s true — they’re celebrating the opportunities that she’ll have for years to come.
–Edward Littlejohn
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WHAT’S NE Spending time outside, Kyzlee’s new favorite word, and much more! Ally and Jeff hosted their annual Cinco de Mayo party, and it included homemade guacamole, cheese dip, and beef brisket. Edward arrived just in time to get a photo of Jeff shredding the brisket. Kyzlee loves being outside — even if it means that she has to do some yard work. There’s only one thing to do after a hard day of work … sprinkler time! Kyzlee enjoys playing with the sprinkler and getting wet! Oh, and did we mention Kyzlee’s favorite word is “NOooo”? She mostly uses it when she doesn’t want to eat her dinner and when she doesn’t want to come inside. Kellee and I just celebrated our third wedding anniversary. Many people follow the traditional wedding anniversary gift list, so this year would’ve been leather for us, but Kellee and I didn’t do it on year one and haven’t followed it yet. Each year, we work on being more mindful of each other and working together better as a family unit. Happy third Anniversary, Kellee!
The bulk of retirement planning is spent discussing how you will save money in the years leading up to the end of your career, but that’s only half of the picture. Once you enter retirement, your focus shifts to the smartest way to divest your money for both your own enjoyment and your continued financial security. There are countless ways to wisely spend your nest egg, such as taking trips, providing for the education of your grandchildren, and more. However, this article isn’t about good ideas. Instead, let’s talk about some of the worst ways to spend your retirement funds. TIMESHARES The appeal of a timeshare seems obvious. It’s a space of your own for a few weeks of the year, and you get to enjoy a nice change of pace from your regular environment. The problem is that these properties are full of hidden costs and have been outpaced by other vacationing options. In a world where you can book an Airbnb with just a few clicks, timeshares are poised to become a relic of a past age. ONLINE SCAMS Hackers and cyberscammers love to prey on the elderly. As gross as it may sound, they know that COMMON FINANCIAL PITFALLS BEWARE THESE RETIREMENT SPENDING MISTAKES
older generations tend to be less tech savvy than their younger counterparts. You should be wary of online offers that look too good to be true. If you have even the slightest doubt, have a loved one take a look at the offer to ensure you’re not being scammed. Never provide your private financial data to a source you don’t absolutely trust. TCHOTCHKES Many of us have walked into the house of an older relative to find a room full of American Girl dolls or a display case of Candlewick glassware. Collecting can be a rewarding hobby when done in moderation, but amassing junk simply for its own sake is a waste of money and space. Make sure you’re acquiring objects because you truly want to treasure them. RUSHED RELOCATIONS In general, real estate-based purchases can be extremely beneficial for retirees. The exception to this rule is a spur-of-the-moment relocation in order to be closer to your family or a retirement community. Because real estate transactions are so expensive, it’s best to approach them with extreme care and due diligence.
LOCAL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT ZENO, POCKL, LILLY & COPELAND
ZPLC is a full-service firm interested in helping your business be more successful. Their highly qualified staff permits them to offer a wide array of services, including Accounting Services, Attest Services, Consulting/Training, and Tax Services. ZPLC is the perfect tax firm to help your business get to the next level. Give them a call at 304-233-5030.
This newsletter is for informational purposes only and no legal advice is intended. Be sure to consult with this law firm if you have a specific question about your situation. And remember that Edward and Jeff don’t take any unplanned inbound telephone or in-person meetings. We believe that each case deserves our undivided attention.
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WITH ME AND MY OWN
CALENDAR OF EVENTS These SEMINARS AND TELECONFERENCE CALLS are FREE. That’s right; there is no charge. We just ask that you preregister, so we can make sure there’s enough space. We want to make sure people make good decisions about their legal situations. UPCOMING VIP EVENTS
July: Estate Planning Call — The 7 Most Common Mistakes Executors Make
August: Real Estate Call — Open Q&A. Call and ask a real estate attorney a real estate question.
September: Estate Planning — Alternatives to the Medicaid Asset Protection Trust and How to Set Your Family Up for the Future. If you see a seminar or teleconference that’s interesting to you or your family, be sure to preregister by calling 740-314-4829 or visiting LittlejohnLawLLC.com. We’ll send you more information as we get closer to the meeting, but only to those who have preregistered. If you have a topic you would like to learn more about, be sure to attend one of our seminars or teleconferences. Send your email requests to office@elittlejohnlaw.com.
IMPOSSIBLY SILKY MASHED POTATOES
Inspired by Food & Wine Magazine
INGREDIENTS
• 4 Ibs. medium Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and halved • 6 sticks cold unsalted
• 1/2 cup heavy cream • Kosher salt
butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
DIRECTIONS
1. In a stockpot or large saucepan, submerge potatoes in just enough water to cover them. Bring to a boil, add 2 tbsp of salt, and simmer until tender, about 20 minutes. 2. Drain potatoes and let cool for 3 minutes. 3. Using a ricer, grate potatoes into the original saucepan over medium heat. 4. With a wooden spoon, stir potatoes until they begin to stick to pan and steam, about 2 minutes. 5. Add butter in four equal batches, stirring constantly and adding each batch only once the last has been fully incorporated into the saucepan. 6. Stir in cream, season liberally with salt, and serve immediately.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
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FOURTH OF JULY REFLECTIONS
THE WORST RETIREMENT SPENDING DECISIONS
LOCAL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
WHAT’S NEWWITH ME AND MY OWN
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UPCOMING VIP EVENTS
IMPOSSIBLY SILKY MASHED POTATOES
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HIKING WITH YOUR KIDS
HIKING WITH YOUR KIDS Watch Their World Expand With Every Step
KEEP SAFETY IN MIND While you’re out on the trail, it’s essential to make sure that both you and your family are safe. Wear breathable, noncotton material and sturdy shoes that don’t expose your toes. It’s important to dress according to the weather. For example, if the day is sunny, wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays and apply plenty of sunscreen on any exposed skin. Bring your kids’ favorite snacks and water bottles for everyone to stay hydrated. It’s crucial that you also bring a fully stocked first-aid kit in case someone is injured on the hike. Starting with one of your local hiking trails can be a rewarding way to spend the day with your kids. You can watch their excitement as they expand their world with new discoveries.
Hiking has many benefits as a family activity, such as mental health
encouraging them to ask questions about flowers, bugs, or animals you see on the trail will help them expand their vocabulary and learn how things work. When they learn they can explore independently and ask about the world around them, they’re gaining the confidence to teach themselves. Getting your children to engage in nature while you’re out hiking can be as simple as bringing a magnifying glass along with you. Let your kids look at leaves, rocks, insects, or anything else you might come across on the trail. You can also bring binoculars to help them look at a bird that might be perched a little too high up. Another option is a bug holder to let your kids catch smaller insects, such as grasshoppers or pill bugs, and give them a close-up look. BRING ALONG SOME TOOLS OF DISCOVERY
improvement,
strengthening your relationships, and experiencing new sights and discoveries together.
It’s also great exercise, and you get plenty of quality time, fresh air, and sunshine. Here are three guidelines to help you and your kids have fun on your next hike. ENCOURAGE THEIR CURIOSITY One of the best ways to have your children learn about the world is letting them explore it. Being there for your children and
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