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JANUARY 2019
HEALTHY, WEALTHY,
&Wise
1 Denver Federal Center Building 45, Entrance E-9, Room 1050 Lakewood, CO 80225
The Generosity of Our Clients A NEVER-ENDING SOURCE OF INSPIRATION
I’ve said it before and I’m sure I’ll say it again: I serve the greatest clients in the world. The people we have the privilege of working with on a daily basis are so remarkable. They do incredible jobs that contribute to this country in myriad ways; they pursue hobbies that would make anyone green with envy; and they do it all with smiles on their faces. In addition to their sense of adventure and passion for their industries, their overwhelming generosity never ceases to amaze me. I had the opportunity to experience that generosity firsthand at our annual cookie exchange and craft fair. Every year, we invite our clients and their loved ones to fill up a box of cookies and shop for gifts from local artisans. Last year was our eighth consecutive fair and our biggest success yet. We hired caterer Kim Beaver to bake our cookies this year, and she did not disappoint. She arrived with 15 different styles of cookies, each more beautiful and festive than the last. In total, Kim baked over 2,800 cookies, ensuring that everybody who attended left with some delicious treats for their loved ones. Supporting local craftspeople would be generous enough on its own, but it’s the price of admission that truly
makes the event special. Instead of charging a ticket price, we ask that everyone who attends bring a new pair of socks to donate to homeless shelters in our area. It may not sound glamorous, but new socks are the most requested item from shelters, especially during our frigid Colorado winters. In asking for socks in lieu of charging for tickets, our fair gives a little back to the community that’s given us so much. IN A WORLD WHERE EVEN THE HOLIDAY SEASON IS USED FOR CRASS COMMERCIALIZATION, IT CAN BE EASY TO GROW FATIGUED WITH ALL THE PHONY CHEER AND OBLIGATORY FESTIVITIES. BUT EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE, A MOMENT OF GENUINE HOLIDAY SPIRIT REMINDS YOU WHAT MAKES THIS TIME OF YEAR SO WONDERFUL IN THE FIRST PLACE. The 2018 fair collected more socks than ever before — a whopping 516 pairs that will keep feet warm this winter. Some guests even brought multiple pairs to
donate. Given that federal employees all have a sense of civic duty and a desire to do good for those less fortunate, I probably shouldn’t be surprised at the overwhelming response. Nevertheless, I couldn’t help feeling an overwhelming sense of gratitude as we gathered all of the donations from the fair. In a world where even the holiday season is used for crass commercialization, it can be easy to grow fatigued with all the phony cheer and obligatory festivities. But every once in a while, a moment of genuine holiday spirit reminds you what makes this time of year so wonderful in the first place. For me, our craft fair was one such moment. It was a reminder — as if I needed another one — that the people we serve are dedicated to giving back and providing for people in need. It’s an inspiration to me and a reminder of just how lucky I am. As we start 2019, I encourage you to seek out opportunities to be generous and giving with others. It’s one of the most rewarding resolutions you can make. Judging by the turnout of our fair, it’s also one you’ll have no trouble achieving. –Ann Vanderslice
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Dancin’, Drivin’, and Livin’
DR. ANNE HAZELTON’S INCREDIBLE LIFE IN RETIREMENT
to juice up.” We’re amazed and heartened to hear that charging an electric vehicle is possible even in the wilds of northern Montana.
You’d think hitting the open road would be enough adventure for most retirees, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg for Dr. Hazelton’s schedule. Nearly every week, she does something awesome. She dances Argentine tango and is a dedicated pickleball player. About twice a year, she travels overseas, occasionally solo. She credits her long list of hobbies with helping her navigate the transition to retirement seamlessly. “I would recommend that everyone find a hobby BEFORE they’re done working, preferably an active and social one,” she says. “I’m the type of person who can’t spend 15 minutes on a treadmill without being bored, but I can dance for hours without it feeling like exercise. I stay healthy, meet great people, and do what I love. You may not be into doing the tango, but you can find a similar passion.” Prior to retiring, Dr. Hazelton had a wonderful career as a physician (MD, MSPH), with her final posting at a VA branch here in Denver. She credits Ann with giving her the sense that she was finally secure enough to retire. “I have to be honest: Prior to speaking to Ann, I hadn’t balanced a checkbook since 1968,” Dr. Hazelton says with a laugh. “I hate finances and didn’t think I was even close to retirement. After speaking with Ann, who understands the federal retirement system as well as anybody, I felt confident that I could retire on my own terms. Ann even gave me the specific date I would be able to retire.” Anne’s retirement hardly feels like settling down. She’s living her life to the fullest and enjoying every day as a result. With the right planning and mindset, you too can have a post-work life as wondrous and mind-blowing as hers.
IF you heard about somebody driving thousands of miles in a brand new Tesla Model 3, who would you picture behind the wheel? You’d probably think of a hip, young millennial, and you’d be forgiven for doing so. But Anne Hazelton defies expectations in every way, including undergoing this road trip on her own. “I was on the waitlist for a Tesla for 27 months,” Dr. Hazelton recalls. “Once I finally had the car, it was time to take the trip. I traveled to San Francisco, Seattle, through western Canada, and then back down to Colorado, with camping stops in the Redwoods and Columbia Falls, Montana.” The Tesla, which Dr. Hazelton lovingly named Stellar, was the perfect vehicle for the trip, with high-tech features that made driving easy and had a minimal environmental impact. “There was only one time when I had to reroute my trip in order to find a viable charging station, and that was only because the area I had planned to visit was closed due to wildfires,” Dr. Hazelton says. “It ended up being no problem, because I chatted with a lovely person who owned a motel with an EV charger as I waited for Stellar
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How to Spend Wisely in Retirement
MAKE YOUR SAVINGS LAST
WHAT TO SPEND ON Some of your spending choices will come down to personal preference and interests, but you might be surprised to learn that one category of spending consistently proves more fulfilling than others. Professor Michael Finke of The American College surveyed nearly 1,500 retirees and found that spending money on leisure activities and experiences caused the lowest rate of regret. Finke calls this “social spending” and surmises that it’s favored because it encourages older adults to get out into the world and enjoy their retirements. There is no perfect plan for how to spend your savings during retirement. But there is one very wrong way to go about it, and that’s mindlessly. However you choose to spend your savings, make sure you have a plan.
this system, you simply estimate how many years your retirement will last and divide your savings by that number. It’s better to make a generous estimate rather than a conservative one. A survey of financial planners conducted by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) found that outliving savings is the No. 1 concern of those approaching retirement. Underestimating your life span is an easy way for this fear to come true. Of course, a level spending plan assumes that your financial needs won’t change over the course of your retirement. If you’re the type of person who regularly meets and exceeds your budgeting goals, you can probably make it work. If not, you may want to consider a plan that allocates more money with each passing year of retirement. In the event of increased medical costs or other later-life expenses, an escalating plan provides a financial safety net.
When it comes to retirement and finances, there’s enough material about saving to fill a library. You see commercials on TV showing one tiny domino gradually becoming a massive tower, you hear advice from coworkers and family members, and you read books and articles on the topic. Much less attention, however, is paid to how to spend those savings once you’re actually retired, even though it’s a significant part of the equation. After all, it doesn’t matter how much you save if you blow it all in a year. Here are a few considerations to keep in mind as you begin chipping away at that nest egg. HOW MUCH TO SPEND The easiest way to budget for your retirement is with a level spending plan. In
Train Your
BRAIN!
Chicken Chop Suey
INGREDIENTS
Inspired by The New York Times
• 2 teaspoons sugar • 2 tablespoons cornstarch, mixed with 4 tablespoons water • 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil • Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 large or 4 medium chicken thighs • 3 pounds bok choy, cut into 3–4-inch ribbons
• 4 tablespoons vegetable oil • 3 tablespoons oyster sauce
DIRECTIONS
1. In large pot, boil three cups of water. Add chicken and reduce to simmer, cooking for 30 minutes. Remove chicken and let cool. Once cooled, remove skin and bones, chop, and set aside. Reserve the cooking liquid. 2. In a large skillet over high heat, heat vegetable oil. Once shimmering, add bok choy and cook for 1 minute, stirring throughout. Add half of reserved cooking liquid, cover skillet, and cook for 2 minutes. Remove cover and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Transfer bok choy to a plate. 3. Add remaining cooking liquid and chicken to the pan, maintaining high heat. Heat chicken, then add oyster sauce, sugar, cornstarch-and-water mixture, sesame oil, and bok choy. Season to taste, toss together, and serve over rice.
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issue INSIDE THIS
The True Meaning of the Holiday Spirit PAGE 1 Meet a Retiree Who Loves the Open Road PAGE 2
Spending Tips for Older Adults PAGE 3
Chicken Chop Suey PAGE 3
The Best Skiing Destinations in the World PAGE 4
3 OF THE WORLD’S GREATEST WINTER SPORT DESTINATIONS Who’s Ready for Some Powder?
WHISTLER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA A destination that looks like a cross between a Nordic paradise and Olympic-level runs, Whistler is filled with true magic, winter activities, and a town that captivates the senses. When you see the mountains of British Columbia, you’ll understand why they hosted the 2010 Winter Olympics. The location’s beauty is only part of your stimulating experience, because every curve of fresh powder makes your pupils dilate. Once you’re done flying down the hill where Bode Miller took the bronze, head over to the winter wonderland of the old Olympic Village for a cozy night in a picturesque town. ST. ANTON, AUSTRIA If you want a great location for next year’s Christmas card photo, there’s no better place than the Tyrolean Alps. Nestled in a valley between perfectly molded mountains, the Austrian landscape provides a beautiful backdrop for your winter excursions. The densely wooded areas and the bright reflection of the snow frame the vibrant town that’s just waiting to be explored. When you’re ready for world-class runs, hop in one of the 11 gondolas and zip down the hills that hosted the 2001 Alpine World Ski Championships.
The sound of the first carve through fresh powder is the anthem of all winter sports enthusiasts. Here are three of the world’s best places to experience that powder you’ve been craving all year. BRECKENRIDGE, COLORADO John Denver’s anthem “Rocky Mountain High” is about the freedom he felt here. Where there are great mountains, there’s even better snow. The ski resort boasts five peaks, 187 trails, 34 lifts, four terrain parks, and a renowned cross-country trail. After a day on the slopes, head into the town of Breckenridge for dining and activities that ditch the glitz and glamour of Vail or Aspen and take you straight to the heart of fun.
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