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December 2020 Newsletter
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HOW WE PLAN TO GIVE BACK THIS HOLIDAY SEASON Every Californian Deserves a Full Belly and a Roof Overhead
As you’re well aware, my firm’s mission is to keep as many people in their homes as possible. This is doubly true during the Holiday season when the phrase “home for the holidays” can be truly heartbreaking for those battling foreclosure. This year, my team has helped dozens of families keep their homes despite the hardships of the COVID-19 pandemic. But ensuring that our neighbors have roofs over their heads isn’t the only goal of our firm. When we can, and particularly during the holidays, we also want to bring joy into their lives and make sure they can sit down to a full table. This time last year, I crossed San Francisco in an Uber to deliver a load of Christmas presents to our local branch of The Salvation Army. Those donations were for their “Adopt a Family” program, which we try to participate in every year. “Adopt a Family” and donating food to local food banks are just two of the ways my family and firm give back during the holiday season. We believe that if it’s in our power, we should do everything we can to help people have the best holiday possible. This year that goal is more important than ever. Because of COVID-19, our food banks here in the Bay Area have been asking for donations since the spring. Families across California are going hungry because they’ve lost their jobs and government help has run out. Of course, the pandemic has put new parameters on giving back. When my family donated to our church food drive, for example, we had to leave our donations of canned and packaged food outside the door to maintain social distancing. Then later on, someone from the church came out and brought them in. This is just a small example of how there are more steps to giving right now than in a normal year — and why it’s so important to plan ahead if your family or company wants to support a cause. I know my team, my family, and I can’t solve huge problems like hunger and homelessness on our own, but we’re doing what we can to help. In addition to the daily battles we take on to help our clients avoid foreclosure and win real estate disputes, we’re planning to donate to these three causes this year (and hopefully more!). The Salvation Army San Francisco — The Salvation Army has been helping people cope with homelessness, natural disasters, addiction, the heartbreak of human trafficking, and more since 1865. We’re proud that our donations help our local branch make such a big impact on the community. To learn more about their mission and find out how you can join us in giving back, visit SanFrancisco.SalvationArmy.org.
Alameda County Community Food Bank (ACCFB) — Every $1 donated to ACCFB provides $7 worth of food to our neighbors in need. Not only does this food bank distribute food from its warehouse in Oakland, but it also offers a supplemental nutrition program and fights child hunger with mobile pantries, school food programs, and backpacks of groceries for kids. Visit ACCFB.org to learn more about how to donate, volunteer, or get help if your family needs it. Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano County — This food bank works to provide meals to food-insecure families, connect low- income seniors with free groceries, and ensure everyone has access to fresh produce as well as shelf-stable goods. They serve more than 175,000 people every month. To find out more about their mission and how you can help, visit FoodBankCCS.org. If you have the means, I hope you’ll join us in giving back to the community this Holiday season. We’re doing all we can as a firm, but in order to reach everyone, we need to come together and support
each other. 2020 was a difficult year, but its challenges weren’t insurmountable. Together, we can create a brighter future.
Wishing you happy holidays,
-Jason W. Estavillo
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We Fight to Protect Your American Dream of Homeownership
3 GIFT-GIVING TIPS That Won’t Kill Your Savings
Think beyond store-bought or expensive items.
Ah, the holidays. It’s a time of sweet treats, family, and giving back — and sometimes giving a little too much. When it comes to the perfect holiday gift, many people spend too much money. The average American spends nearly $1,000 on gifts during the December holidays alone! It’s possible to cut back and make it to January without major debt. Here’s how.
Sure, everyone wants this holiday season’s “it” item, but sometimes the best gifts don’t even come wrapped under the tree. Instead, look to your own talents as a clue to what you should give. If you’re a great crafter, create something unique for the people on your list. If you can offer the gift of time, provide a free night of babysitting for your friends with kids or an experience at the local theater. These gifts have a bonus factor: Recipients love the gift when they open it, and they love it when they get to use it!
Set a budget — and stick to it.
Setting a holiday budget ensures you only spend what you can afford. It also narrows down your search. If you choose to buy your neighbor something, but they aren’t your top priority, set their budget at a lower level, like $25–$50. If you have a sibling who has had a rough year and you’d like to make their holidays a little brighter, bump their budget up. This narrows the focus of what you’re looking for so you don’t stumble into something you can’t afford. Ultimately, it’s the spirit of giving during the holidays that makes them so rewarding. With a little ingenuity, you can be generous and avoid the stress of excess debt come January.
Check your list — twice!
The list is going to be your secret weapon to tackling the holidays with your savings still intact. Start by writing down the name of every person you’d like to get a gift for. Now, with the exception of your immediate family members, narrow the names down to your top five — top 10 if you’re really popular. Now, place the names of the people who didn’t make the cut into a second list. If you still feel the need to do something for them, send homemade cookies or a handwritten note instead of purchasing something. This limits how much you actually have to spend!
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spellings of common names. Additionally, the name must match the biological sex of the child: girls with feminine names and boys with masculine names. And another thing, traditional last names cannot be used as a first name. Many other countries have similar laws, including Germany. While the German laws are not as strict as Denmark’s, they state that the name must match the sex and that any name must not bring harm to the child. That is to say, if the child is likely to be bullied because of the name, it may be rejected.
No Running Out of Gas on the Autobahn
Should you run out of gas and require assistance, you must not leave your vehicle, because it’s also illegal to walk on the Autobahn. If
The “no gas” law is designed to minimize hazards and accidents on the road. It’s also illegal to stop on the side of the Autobahn, unless you’re experiencing an emergency or car trouble, such as an unforeseen issue with the engine. Running out of gas is considered a “foreseen” issue, thanks to fuel indicators.
Speaking of Germany, home of the Autobahn, it’s illegal to run out of gas while driving on the superhighway. In fact, driving on the Autobahn comes with many restrictions. That’s the trade-off for accessing an efficient road system where some stretches lack a speed limit.
you do need to pull over, you must do so in designated areas or leave the highway altogether.
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TAKE A BREAK
It’s not always easy to share feelings of frustration, anger, sadness, or other strong emotions — but it’s healthy to share them. Sometimes, we need to vent and get it all out. Venting gives us an opportunity to release these emotions, which often leads to mental clarity. However, when someone comes to you to vent and share their heavy emotional burden, listening can be just as challenging as sharing. You want to be supportive, but you don’t want to interfere. Strong feelings and tough situations may be involved. What can you do to be the listener they really need? It starts with your body language. Open yourself to their emotional needs. Gregorio Billikopf, an interpersonal relationship expert at the University of California, Berkeley says if you begin the conversation standing, invite the person to have a seat with you. Another thing you can do as a listener is position yourself below their eye line. This puts the person venting in a more active “storyteller” position and you in a better “listener” position. While in this position, maintain eye contact. It’s okay to look down or away occasionally, but try to keep steady eye contact. Billikopf also notes that, as a listener, it’s important to avoid interjecting. Don’t offer input, suggestions, or guidance to the person venting until after the person has had the chance to get it all out. “During this venting process, there is still too much pressure for a person to consider other perspectives,” Billikopf says. While you don’t want to interject, you do want to be an active listener. This means you don’t want to be completely silent. This is where “reflective listening” comes in. Occasionally repeat what the speaker says — but don’t use their exact phrasing. Reword slightly in a sympathetic manner. Don’t spin their words or mistakenly interject an opinion, as it may not be the opinion they’re interested in hearing. Alternatively, listening cues like “mm” or “hm” and nods are always welcome. One last thing to keep in mind: You do not need to offer a solution to the person’s problem or concerns. They may just be venting to get their negative emotions out, not looking for answers or explanations. If they are looking for answers or guidance, wait for them to ask. In the meantime, lend your ear and let them know you’re there for them going forward. BE A BETTER LISTENER FOR SOMEONE Who Needs to ‘Get It All Out’
NOT YOUR GRANDMA’S FRUITCAKE
Inspired by SimplyRecipes.com
Ingredients
• 1 stick butter • 1 cup sugar • 1 egg, room temperature • Zest of 1 orange • 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking soda • 1 cup sour cream • 3 1/2 cups mixed dried fruit of your choice, chopped • 1 cup nuts of your choice, chopped • 2 cups all-purpose flour, divided
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 325 F. Line a 9x5-inch loaf pan with greased baking paper. Ensure the piece running the length of the pan stands 1 inch above each side to form “handles.” 2. In a small bowl, mix baking soda and sour cream. 3. In a second bowl, combine fruit, nuts, and 1/4 cup flour. 4. In a third bowl, beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Add egg, zest, and sour cream mixture. Then, add remaining flour and salt. Mix, then add fruit mixture. 5. Pour batter into lined pan. Fill up a separate loaf pan halfway with water. Bake both pans in oven for 1 1/2–2 hours or until a skewer leaves the cake clean. 6. Use “handles” to remove cake from pan and cool completely on a rack before serving.
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We Fight to Protect Your American Dream of Homeownership
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
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The materials contained within this Newsletter provide general information about Law Offices of Jason W. Estavillo, P.C., and do not constitute legal advice and are intended for informational purposes only.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1330 Broadway, Ste. 501 Oakland, CA 94612
Newsletter
1
Will You Help Our Firm Give Back?
3 Fool-Proof Ways to Pay for the Holidays Without Going Broke
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Not Your Grandma’s Fruitcake How to Be a Better Listener for Someone in Need
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Strange Laws Around the Globe
CURIOUS LAWS IN PRACTICE Around the World
No Chewing Gum in Singapore
Company. You can get certain types of gum with a prescription, but if you are caught with more than two packs or are found littering, you may be handed a very steep fine.
Nearly every community around the world has strange laws: Some were established decades or centuries ago to address specific issues that came up once or twice; some were created with good intentions but have since become outdated; and there are some recently created ones that still serve practical purposes. Here are three such examples.
Singapore has numerous laws aimed at keeping the city-state free of clutter, one of which is aimed squarely at chewing gum. As the government made infrastructure improvements in the 1980s and ‘90s, they wanted to curb vandalism and littering so they could keep this new area clean. The result was a crackdown on gum. They take it so seriously that they monitor gum products that pass through the city-state. If it’s en route to a neighboring country, it must be locked up until it’s through. In the past, anyone caught selling, possessing, or chewing gum could be fined up to $100,000.
No Unusual Names in Denmark
When you have a child in Denmark, don’t get too creative with their name. The government maintains a list of around 7,000 approved names, and around 200 names are rejected every year. However, if you choose a name that isn’t on the list, you might not receive an automatic denial. You can get special approval through your local church, then submit the name for approval from government officials. The law looks down on naming children after inanimate objects or alternative Continued on Page 2 ...
In recent years, the law has eased somewhat, thanks in part to gum lobbyists funded by the Wrigley
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