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TRANSFORMING PEOPLE’S LIVES JUNE/JULY 2023
8880 Cal Center Drive #190 Sacramento, CA 95826 www.ranchodlaw.com
916-613-3553
A Human Touch
Why I Prefer In-Person Connection to Social Media
Most people’s lives have changed significantly since connecting to platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok 24/7. World Social Media Day is on June 30, but I’m not convinced it’s something to celebrate. Call me old fashioned, but I think social media primarily serves to waste our time. My opinion is backed up by research. At first, social media disinterested me; I didn’t see its appeal. But since I read a lot about neuroscience and productivity, I slowly learned more about the science behind these platforms and realized how dangerous they can be. Some people can moderate their social media use — my wife is one example. But most people can’t or don’t, and it’s not entirely their fault. Companies literally design these websites to addict us and keep us staring at our screens for as long as possible. As a result, our society is more distracted than ever, and many spend more time refreshing their feeds than being present in their daily lives. I prefer to connect with the people I care about one-on-one. And being off most social media is easier than you might expect. Not being available on all these platforms forces people to reach out for an individual conversation. It’s a much more human connection than liking or commenting on someone’s latest post. For people with open immigration law cases, social media use is more than an issue of how we interact with each other. The government can monitor social media feeds, uses them to determine the legitimacy of relationships, and might try to use the content they find as evidence.
I encourage our clients who use social media to be aware of their privacy settings. They should also never post anything they wouldn’t want immigration authorities to see. Those warnings aside, I’m not entirely disconnected. Social media has a place and can do some good. For example, Facebook groups help people with similar interests connect in ways they probably wouldn’t have before. Through work, I’ve also found that social media is a fantastic tool for educating people. After all, I’ve got to meet my clients where they are — and most of them are logged into social media platforms. The rest of the team at the Ranchod Law Group handles most of our social media accounts, but I have a direct hand in our YouTube content. It’s pretty much the only platform I use, and I have to admit making videos is a lot of fun. Our YouTube content allows us to connect directly with people who have immigration law cases and need help. We provide the latest news and updates quickly, so people have the information they need when they need it. If you enjoy watching and learning from online videos, I hope you’ll scan the QR code on this page and check us out. But for those of you who, like me, prefer to connect in slower, more analog ways, rest assured our newsletter isn’t going anywhere.
Follow The Ranchod Law Group’s YouTube channel here!
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Struggling to Pay Your Bills? How an Attorney Can Help
Paying your bills on time isn’t always an easy task. If you’re going through financial difficulties, it can sometimes be impossible to pay your bills on time. Yet, there are still some ways to minimize the damage that can occur when you can’t pay your debts. When your bills pile up, you should always contact your creditors to learn if you can receive any extensions on payment deadlines. Being proactive is critical when managing debt. However, if they are unwilling to offer you leniency, you may face a creditor lawsuit; if that occurs, you should contact a debt settlement lawyer. What does a debt settlement attorney do? A debt settlement attorney can reach out to creditors and negotiate a way to reduce your debt or lower your payments. Finances can be confusing, but there are plenty of protocols and strategies out there — most of us just aren’t aware of them. Debt settlement lawyers are experts in consumer rights and know precisely what lenders can and cannot do. While debt settlement attorneys can assist you in various ways concerning your debt, they will often review your financial status, income, and conflicts in order to negotiate effectively with your creditors. However, hiring a debt settlement lawyer does not guarantee your debt will be reduced; it will give you a greater chance of doing so. What types of debt can they settle? You may not know about the multiple kinds of debt and their particular characteristics. These lawyers primarily work on unsecured debt, which is any debt that doesn’t require collateral. Some examples of unsecured debt include:
While debt settlement lawyers often work to reduce these debts, they can also provide legal assistance on other issues such as car repossession, wage garnishment, debt collection lawsuits, debt collector harassment, and more. If you’re struggling because of debt, they’ll most likely be able to help. Is it expensive to hire an attorney? There’s no simple price tag for hiring a debt settlement lawyer. Plenty of factors influence legal costs. For example, how much debt you have affects a lawyer’s total charge. Also, how many creditors require negotiation and how much you save in your settlement affect your cost. Additionally, if you need to file for bankruptcy eventually, it involves another set of charges to engage that process. You should contact a debt settlement attorney if you’re struggling to keep up with your bills and know you can’t pay them on time. Whether mapping out a payment plan or negotiating with creditors, these attorneys will work to ease your financial stress. Many of these lawyers offer free consultations so you can better understand your situation. If they can help you reduce your debts, they will be a great asset.
• Car loans • Student loans • Medical bills
• Credit card bills • Personal loans
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Ranchod Law Group • www.ranchodlaw.com
TAKE A BREAK
PUPPY POWER IS SCIENTIFICALLY PROVEN How Do Cute Images Affect Your Mind?
“Kawaii” is the Japanese word for “cute,” which apparently alters our brains more than we thought! During The Power of Kawaii study, Hiroshima University researched the effects of viewing images of cute animals, and what they discovered was shocking. Researchers found that these adorable animals can help us improve our concentration, especially on detail-oriented tasks. Participants who viewed images of puppies and kittens could accomplish tasks with greater care and attention than those shown other pictures. How did they measure concentration, and why cute animals? What method was used in the initial experiment? In the first experiment, researchers split a group of 48 participants and had each person play a surgery game similar to “Operation.” Using tiny tweezers, the participants had to grasp small objects without touching the edges. Afterward, one group observed images of puppies and kittens, and the other viewed photos of adult dogs and cats. After viewing the pictures, both groups played the game again. The result? The first group had a significant improvement when playing the game. They approached the game more deliberately and at a slower pace to carefully remove the objects without touching the edges. Meanwhile, the second group showed no difference in their performance. Why do these cute images affect us? After more experiments with increased difficulty, the researchers concluded that the sweet animals made a noticeable impact on our brains. Participants showed higher levels of focus, concentration, and carefulness both mentally and behaviorally. The reasoning may be that seeing baby animals triggers our nurturing side and, in turn, makes us more careful and alert. We sense something needing protection, care, and focus. At a subconscious level, you likely will become more cautious in how you think and behave after looking at pictures of baby animals. So, the next time you need to do something tedious or detail-oriented, prep yourself with a cute puppies and kittens slideshow to ensure you get the job done right!
GOAT CHEESE AND THYME STUFFED CHICKEN
Inspired by BBCGoodFood.com
Ingredients
• 2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts • 3.5 oz firm goat cheese • 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves, plus 2–3 sprigs
• 4 pieces of thin-sliced bacon • Olive oil • 2 zucchinis, thinly sliced • 1 large tomato, thinly sliced
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 375 F. 2. Split the chicken breasts almost in half along the long side, open them like a book, then flatten the sides out. 3. Put the goat cheese on the “open book” side of the chicken and sprinkle with thyme leaves. Fold the chicken over to enclose the cheese, then wrap each breast in 2 slices of bacon. 4. Lightly oil a shallow gratin or casserole dish, then arrange overlapping rows of zucchini and tomatoes on the bottom. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, then set chicken on top. Place thyme sprigs on chicken. 5. Bake for 40–45 minutes until the bacon is crisp and golden and the zucchini is tender.
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Representing Clients Throughout the 50 States SACRAMENTO · STOCKTON
8880 Cal Center Drive, #190 Sacramento, CA 95826
916-613-3553 916-220-3137 (Español)
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
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Why Kaushik Limits His Social Media Use
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Do You Need a Debt Settlement Lawyer?
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Goat Cheese and Thyme Stuffed Chicken Cute Puppies = Concentration
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You’re Legally Obligated to Walk Your Dog?
Walk Your Furry Friend or Get Fined A PECULIAR ROMAN REQUIREMENT:
If you live in Rome and feel too lazy to walk your dog, you better think twice before breaking the law. Wait, the law? Yes! In 2005, the city of Rome passed a law requiring every dog owner to walk their furry friend at least once a day if they wanted to avoid a fine. This was one of the multiple laws protecting the safety and well-being of Roman animals. The city had been dealing
with ongoing problems due to dogs being cooped up in small apartments or abandoned in the streets. Monica Cirinna, who created the law, explained, “It’s good to do whatever we can for our animals who, in exchange for a little love, fill our existence with their attention.” She also told the Roman newspaper Il Messaggero that “the civilization of a city can also be measured by this.” How authorities in Rome can enforce this law is still unclear, but the city also passed other less-ambiguous animal welfare laws. Aside from the mandatory daily dog walk, docking an animal’s ears or tails and selling animals at fairgrounds are also illegal acts. While Rome may seem dog-biased, cat people will be happy to learn the Italian city didn’t forget felines. They passed another law to make declawing a cat for
aesthetic reasons illegal. Additionally, the city will recognize those feeding and caring for the countless stray cats roaming the stone-paved streets. And last but not least, round fishbowls are also illegal, as the circular shape forces the fish to swim in circles, which is disorienting and can affect the fish’s mood and behavior. But Rome isn’t the only city in Italy with animal-friendly laws. In Turin, for example, dog owners are required to walk their pets at least three times a day or face a fine of $650. Meanwhile, in Reggio Emilia, it is illegal to boil live lobsters. The city officials considered this cooking method “useless torture.” Even though Italy is known for stunning landscapes and delicious cuisine, it can also take credit for holding pet owners accountable and ensuring they take proper care of their animal companions.
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