Check out our February newsletter!
THE LEGAL NAVIGATOR FEBRUARY 2023
3 Money Saving Tips for College Education It’s Financial Aid Awareness Month!
FROM THE DESK OF Mike Bryan
Hello everyone! At this time of year, if you’re like me, you have probably stopped writing down “2022” instead of “2023”. Another year has flown by and I’m sure this year will do the same. I’m taking a
break from my usual article this month to feature a very important part of my family — our dog Molly! About six years ago, we purchased her from a veterinarian for $18.00. My first questions were, why the low price and what is wrong with her? Her history was that she was hit by a car on the interstate and had major injuries to her leg. Surgery was performed and they had to remove several inches of bone from her leg. When we were
To this day, I remember the overwhelming feeling I got when my college acceptance letter came in the mail. I reached inside the mailbox, and there it was, the letter that would dictate my future. My hands shook as I ripped apart the envelope to see the college’s decisions. Then, I saw the first word in the letter, “Congratulations!” Since that day, everything has changed. Students will soon hear back from the colleges where they applied. But there’s one thing you want to address before preparing the dorm room — financial aid. In honor of Financial Aid Awareness Month in February, here are some tips to ensure you and your student are financially prepared for their university experience. Apply for Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). FAFSA will determine how much financial aid your child will receive for each academic year. I suggest applying for financial aid as soon as possible. FAFSA opened its application for the 2023-2024 school year on Oct. 1, 2022, and you have until June 30, 2023, to apply. The earlier you apply, the better — you can avoid delays within the application process and receive aid faster. You can update information on what college your child will attend later. Remember your username and password for your FAFSA account on StudentAid.ed.gov because you will need them each year when applying for financial aid.
introduced to her she was healing very nicely. It turns out that other than her injuries, there was nothing wrong with her at all. The veterinarian was holding
out for the right family to take her home. Well, we hit the jackpot! Molly has been a fantastic dog and a great addition to our house. Molly enjoys napping and playing with her toys. (see her “Hippo” featured above) My wife, Carey, seems to have developed an unhealthy addiction to buying new stuffed animal toys for Molly. Molly’s “toy box” was recently upgraded to a larger size over the holidays … we’ll see what this year brings!
Have a great month!
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Search for additional scholarships. While FAFSA is the most-known resource for financial aid, there are additional scholarship resources. You may receive scholarships when applying for FAFSA, but most will be loans or grants. One of the best ways to reduce the debt you accumulate through college is by receiving more scholarships. Here are a few websites to find scholarships that fit your student’s talents, interests, and needs. • Scholarships.com: Students can find niche awards on this website for scholarships that fit their needs and categories. Scholarships.com considers GPA, military affiliation, ethnicity, artistic ability, ACT or SAT scores, and residing state.
and GoingMerry will manually apply for multiple scholarships. The site also includes local awards that are less competitive than national scholarships. Invest in a 529 plan. You can save money toward your student’s education by creating a 529 plan. The money you save can pay for more than just tuition. Not only can you help your student through school, but you will also receive 5% off state taxes by investing in a 529 plan. Contributions may be deducted from state and income taxes. And money withdrawn to pay for school expenses is not subject to federal and state income taxes.
• MyScholly.com: After creating a profile and providing information about the student's background and experience, Scholly will filter through available scholarships and list out eligible awards that are a good fit. • GoingMerry.com: Sometimes, applying for scholarships can seem repetitive and time-consuming. With GoingMerry, students fill out their information once,
It’s important to note that this plan will impact your child’s financial aid eligibility because financial aid loans are need-based. However, since you will be saving money for the future, your child won’t need to take out as many loans. Hopefully, these financial aid resources will help make this transition easier for you and your family. To all students reading this, good luck with your future endeavors!
In today's world of constant typing or holding cellphones, our hands and wrists take a lot of abuse. Many of us are probably familiar with wrist pain that accompanies using a computer all day or the awkward stiffness in our fingers from typing a message on our phones. According to Princeton University Health Services, the most common hand-related issue is tendinitis, which is “tendon inflammation and localized pain in the elbow, forearm, wrist, or hand.” These hand-related injuries are on the rise for people of all ages, which is a problem since they're the extremity we use the most. So to help prevent or find relief from these hand-health issues, try these stretches at home. Wrist Bend Movement For this stretch, you’ll need a flat surface, like a table, to rest your forearm. Place one arm on the table with the hand hanging over the edge. Bend the hand up and down while applying gentle pressure, and hold for a few seconds. Repeat this stretch 10 times with each hand. Pushing Hands On a flat surface in front of you, clasp your hands together so your fingers are interlaced. Then, slowly push with your right hand so your left hand bends backward. Hold for a few seconds before using your right hand to pull your clasped hands back to a neutral, center position. Then, push with your left hand so your right wrist is forced to bend backward gently, hold for a few 3 Easy Stretches to Promote Hand and Wrist Health Lend Yourself a Hand!
seconds, and pull your hands back to the center. Repeat this 10 times. Pinch and Release Hold one hand up, bent at the elbow, so your fingers point toward the ceiling. Then, with all of your fingers, pretend you are pinching something against your thumb. Press down firmly and hold for 5-10 seconds. After squeezing, relax and open your hand so your fingers are again pointed at the ceiling. Repeat this five times with each hand. For best results, complete these exercises every day. Consider starting and ending your day with these stretches to prepare your hands for stressors and release any tension built up after a long day.
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Take Time to Unplug!
RETURN TO WORK RECHARGED
When you start small, you can build from there! Schedule email time. We are all too familiar with
be beneficial to have someone handle anything that may arise. Consider someone trustworthy and reliable, and give them an overview of day-to-day operations. You can explain what can and cannot be done and alert other employees that all questions and concerns be directed to this person. Make time for yourself. When you’re at work, your main priority is to focus on your business and clients. But when you pack up and head home, you must take time for yourself! Do activities you love, spend quality time with family and friends, and put away your laptop and phone. That email or call can wait until the next business day begins. Pulling the plug on technology can feel intimidating as a business owner, but give it a try! You may be surprised at how refreshed you feel returning to work.
an overwhelming email stream. We wake up and fall asleep to it, and if we’re not careful, the constant interruptions can run our entire day! If you want to cut down on screen time, schedule email checks. You can make a commitment to address them in the morning or maybe the late afternoon. But during after-hours, establish a hard cutoff time! Inform your employees and clients of your available time frame — set an expectation for more productivity and communication. Choose a second in command. Suppose you’re dedicated to checking out now and then. In that case, it can
Though technology makes everyday tasks a bit easier, sometimes, the best thing a business owner can do is unplug and recharge! Running a business is a time- consuming and stressful effort. But by stepping back, you can reset and get a fresh perspective on your work. Start small. Create small habits if you can’t go an entire day without technology! Try starting your morning completely unplugged until you get into the office, or step away from your devices for an hour or two during the day.
Take a Break!
Valentine’s Day Dog Treats
Inspired by PrettyFluffy.com
Ingredients
2 eggs
1/2 cup dried cranberries 3–4 tbsp coconut flour
• • •
• •
1 1/2 cups almond flour
1 tbsp coconut oil
Directions
Preheat oven to 325 F.
1.
In a small bowl, beat eggs and set aside.
2.
3. In a separate bowl, combine almond flour, coconut oil, and dried cranberries. 4. Once combined, pour in eggs and mix with your hands. (The dough will be very wet.) 5. Add coconut flour 1 tbsp at a time; mix well after each addition. You want to achieve a consistency that is easy to roll, is not super sticky, and easily forms a ball. 6. Roll out dough and cut treats using bite-size cookie cutters. Tip: Sprinkle a little coconut flour on top of your dough to keep it from sticking to the cookie cutters. 7. On a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper, place your treats. Bake for 15–18 minutes or until crisp. Let cool before giving to your pooch!
Aquarius Bicycle Dream Equality
Festival Groundhog King Lincoln
Muffin Pancake Rabbit Roses
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE From the Desk of Mike Bryan PAGE 1 College Acceptance Season Is Upon Us PAGE 1 3 At-Home Stretches to Help Your Hands! PAGE 2 Ways to Disconnect From Technology PAGE 3 Take a Break PAGE 3 Valentine’s Day Dog Treats PAGE 3 Brushing Up on Cruise Etiquette PAGE 4
Know Your Cruise Etiquette Before Setting Sail After a slump in 2020 and 2021, cruises are back in a big way. If you’re planning your first onboard adventure — or it’s been a while since you last set sail — now is the time to brush up on your cruise ship etiquette. Every passenger should read their cruise line’s policies to ensure they know all the specifics before climbing aboard. In the meantime, we’ve listed some of the most essential do’s and don’ts for the savvy traveler. Know what to wear. Some cruise lines aim for a fancy atmosphere, while others prefer a casual approach. Ideally, review the dress policy before you book your trip. Bring at least one formal outfit in your luggage for dinner, which tends to have an upscale vibe. The rest of your cruise wear should be casual but tasteful, leaving you looking put together. Most importantly, don’t overpack — the stateroom is smaller than you think. Don’t be a chair hog. Everyone wants a prime spot on the sundeck, but you’ve got to rise early in the morning to get one. That’s fine if you can manage it, but All Aboard!
“saving” a seat by putting a towel on it and then wandering away for breakfast or a mani-pedi is the best way to get on your fellow travelers’ bad side. Your cruise may also have a policy against it. Going to the bathroom is one thing; you’re only human. Otherwise, if you want the seat, stay in it. Be on time. Treat your cruise ship like an airplane — if you’re not on time, it’s probably leaving without you. And if you are lucky enough to have the ocean liner wait, your fellow passengers won’t look at you kindly. Set your watch to ship time (not local time) and prepare to be back an hour before the deadline. That way, if you happen to be late, you’ll still be on time. You may miss out on an extra drink or souvenir shop, but nothing will ruin your cruise faster than being left behind at the dock.
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