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Nest Egg
THE
JUNE 2021
Inflation is on everyone’s mind. You’re starting to see a lot more media coverage on inflation, and people are asking: “What is going to happen next?” Inflation: Is It Starting to Rear Its Ugly Head? It’s an important question to ask, especially for many of my clients who are generally older and retired. Inflation has the power to erode their income, making it difficult to get back. They’ll need to find new sources of income or generate more money or work to reduce costs. What is inflation? It generally occurs when demand for goods and services is greater than the supply. If the demand is high and the supplier can’t keep up, then prices go up. On a small scale, it’s generally manageable for the average consumer if they can find alternatives. On the large scale, inflation reduces the purchasing power of the dollar. Traditionally, normal things that happen in the world influence supply and demand — weather, labor, logistics, etc. With COVID-19, we have new variables in the mix. The pandemic sent a ripple effect throughout economies around the world. Supply chains, manufacturing, and retail were all disrupted, and we will feel the effects for some time. Right now, demand for so many things is outstripping supply. Part of the problem is a pent-up demand. People want to buy things. With stimulus money going out, people may have extra to spend, and they are. The price of everything from timber to collectibles has shot through the roof. Wages also influence inflation. When unemployment falls, employers have to increase wages in order to attract new workers. When this occurs on a large scale, you traditionally see prices start to rise across the board, triggering inflation.
returned to the workforce as quickly as expected. In some cases, people lost their jobs last year and the positions were ultimately cut. They may be waiting for their position to reopen again. With all of this factored together, let’s come back to the original question: What is going to happen next? Many variables are at play. The tricky thing about inflation is you don’t realize it’s “here” until well after it has started to influence the economy. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell has indicated the government wants slightly higher inflation. They generally try to keep it at about 2%, but may want it to climb to 3% or 4%. What they don’t want is for it to go the other direction to give us deflation. Deflation can encourage people to avoid spending. In the past, when inflation reared its ugly head, the Feds increased interest rates to slow down the economy. However, with the federal government being about $28 trillion in debt, that means raising interest rates is a bad idea. We already owe too much money.
We’re still in a period of elevated unemployment. This is partly because unemployment benefits are more attractive than wages. Many people haven’t
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So, we’re in a predicament. We can’t raise rates, and if anyone wants to make money, they have to turn to the stock market, which is also in a high price
period, which may indicate a growing bubble. Over the next several months, people will hopefully start returning to the workforce and unemployment will go down. Demand will stay high and supply will keep up. The signs of inflation are out there; we just have to be ready for it should it officially arrive.
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-Dan Casey
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Is there anything that feels more like summer than grilling in the backyard while drinking your favorite cold beverage? Barbecuing and summertime go hand in hand, but all too often, so does grilling dried out meat or over- charred vegetables. Mastering the grill is just like mastering any other cooking technique. It takes an understanding of the food you’re cooking as well as the equipment you’re using — for example, charcoal grills operate much differently than gas grills. Regardless of which kind of grill you prefer, you can make the perfect meal by following these tips. Quick brine thin cuts of meat. Whether you’re grilling steak, chicken, or pork chops, there’s a tried-and- true formula to ensure maximum flavor with minimum effort: the quick brine. Quick brining — aka soaking in salty water — thin cuts of meat is a great way to lock in moisture and pack in a lot of flavor without waiting 12–24 hours for a marinade to work its magic in the fridge. To quick brine your meat, you just need water, salt, and about an hour of hands-off time. Dissolve 1/4 cup of kosher salt into 4 cups of water, and you will have enough to brine 1 ½ pounds of meat. You can amp up the flavor by adding aromatics like citrus peels, smashed garlic cloves, whole peppercorns, or herbs. MASTER EVERY COURSE OF A GRILLED MEAL WITH THESE TIPS
grates. And how do you ensure uniform cooking on kebabs that include a mix of vegetables?
To grill veggies that may fall prey to the flames, instead use a cast-iron skillet on top of your grates to contain the veggies. Plus, cast iron has the added benefit of ensuring uniform heat! To create the perfect kebab, use two skewers instead of one. To ensure your vegetables cook evenly, use your longest-cooking vegetable on the kebab as a guide for how to prepare any others. For example, if you’re using whole white button or cremini mushrooms, cut thicker chunks of bell pepper and summer squash. If you’re using cherry tomatoes, which cook quickly, cut accompanying vegetables thinner to accommodate for the shorter cook time.
Don’t forget dessert. Cooling down with ice
cream after a meal on a hot summer day is
great, but before you turn off the grill after dinner, remove any savory food debris and use your grill to amp up your dessert offerings.
Pro tip: Get your meat brining first, then prep any vegetables or sides for your meal in
the hour it takes to brine. Pat the meat dry before grilling.
Peaches and pineapples grill particularly well. Halve your peaches and thickly slice pineapple rings, place them on the grill
Get veggies right every time.
until softened and lightly charred, and serve along with ice cream and your favorite sauce to create a grilled sundae. To add another dimension to a summertime favorite, lightly grill slices of angel food cake before serving with fresh strawberries and whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. Pro tip: To bring your fruit to the next level, sprinkle peach halves with cinnamon, sugar, and a pinch of sea salt. You can also soak pineapple rings in rum before grilling.
Grilling vegetables comes with its own set of challenges. Some vegetables, like asparagus spears, are thin
enough to fall through the
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Buy: Check out the kid-friendly rubber horseshoe set from Wayfair.com,
The warm summer sun may be enough to beckon your family outdoors, but lawn games will guarantee hours of fun outside. If you’re handy, there are plenty of great lawn games you can make yourself. If not, buy an off-the-shelf alternative and enjoy the easy setup. Giant Jenga: Easy DIY All you need to build a giant Jenga tower are two- by-fours that are cut to length. If you’re handy with a saw, you can do this at home. If not, ask to have the wood cut at your local lumberyard. Be sure to sand down the edges before stacking the boards to create a classic Jenga tower! For extra fun, pick a few paint colors and paint each board. Visit ABeautifulMess.com/make-this-giant-jenga to see a complete set of instructions. Buy: Skip the project and buy GoSports Giant Wooden Toppling Tower online, which retails for about $70 and stacks over 5 feet high. Classic Horseshoes: Intermediate DIY Tossing horseshoes is a great way to pass an afternoon. To play, you’ll just need to set up two sand pits in your yard. Get a handful of horseshoes, and you’re ready to go! Many DIY plans are available online, including one from HousefulOfHandmade.com/ultimate-diy- horseshoe-pit.
which requires no installation, can be used indoors or alongside your outdoor game, and is safe for younger children.
Cornhole: Advanced DIY The humble beanbag may be the most versatile backyard game piece. It’s used in the popular game commonly known as cornhole. To build your own cornhole set, you’ll need a couple of sheets of 1/2-inch-thick plywood along with two- by-fours, some hardware, and a variety of tools including a drill, jigsaw, and sander. Visit DIYPete. com/cornhole-board-plans to get both written and video instructions. Buy: Ready to play ASAP? Cornhole sets are available from many large retailers around summertime, or you can order a customized set featuring your favorite team, family name, or characters from your favorite movies by looking at Etsy.com. Whether you buy or DIY, remember to have fun and always supervise your children while playing outdoors, especially when it comes to yard games!
DIY OR BUY? LAWN GAMES FOR FAMILY SUMMER FUN
HAVE A LAUGH
Grilled Chicken Shawarma
Inspired by FeastingAtHome.com
Ingredients
• 2 tbsp ground cumin • 2 tbsp ground coriander • 2 tsp kosher salt • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper • 2 tsp turmeric • 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp ground black pepper • 2 tsp allspice • 8 garlic cloves, minced • 6 tbsp olive oil • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Directions
1. To create marinade, whisk all spices with the garlic and olive oil in a medium bowl. 2. Add chicken to the bowl, coat well with marinade, cover, and let sit in the fridge for at least 20 minutes — or up to 48 hours. Strain off excess marinade before cooking.
3. Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Grill thighs for 10–12 minutes on each side, or until a meat thermometer reads 165 F. 4. Serve with rice, vegetables, or pita bread with tzatziki.
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INSIDE This Issue Should You Worry About Inflation? Tips for Grilling Like a Pro Summer Lawn Games Grilled Chicken Shawarma Pro Tips for a Motivating Workout Playlist
ORCHESTRATE YOUR WORKOUT
Pro Tips to Create a Motivating Playlist Whether summer temperatures drive you to work outside or simply make you want to move indoors where the air conditioner is blasting, having an upbeat playlist can help you quickly pass the time and feel good, too.
by the feeling of a song or how the music makes them feel,” she says. It doesn’t matter if it’s ambient electronic music or a lilting Johnny Cash tune, both of which can be found routinely on Hainby’s cycling playlists. Make It Themed Whether you’re obsessed with ‘90s pop, classic rock jams, or David Bowie, you can use a theme to create workout playlists you’ll love. This is a great trick pros like Peloton instructor Christine D’Ercole use. D’Ercole is beloved by many for her themed classes, which range from an indie rock beginners’ ride to a fan-favorite all ‘90s ride. She also has holiday-themed playlists, like the one for her Women’s History Month ride in March that featured only female artists. You can always hop onto Spotify and check out the Peloton page to see all of their instructors’ recent playlists. Use this for inspiration to create your own list or stream whichever compilation catches your attention for your next workout.
There’s no better way to learn how to put together a motivational playlist than to ask a pro. Peloton’s bikes and treadmills are wildly popular, but now, users are working out through their app because of the high-energy instructors, many of whom have become known for their amazing playlists. Here are two instructors’ tips to put together a killer playlist. Mix It Up Instructor Leanne Hainsby is known for the eclectic, feel-good songs that keep people pedaling hard in her cycling classes. Hainsby credits her vast musical tastes to her time as a dancer, which expanded her playlist for workout music. Which songs make the cut? Ones that inspire. “I think people will be so surprised by how much they will push themselves when they’re moved
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