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OCTOBER 2025
GIVE US A CALL! 303-922-4304 federalbenefitsmadesimple.com Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. M–F
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& WISE
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Face the Fear, Reap the Rewards
TURNING PUBLIC SPEAKING PANIC INTO POWER
Halloween is around the corner, a holiday all about scary stuff and fear is front and center. Everyone is afraid of something, and if we let that fear control us, we risk missing out on exciting or rewarding experiences in life. For me, the monster I had to face wasn’t lurking in the dark, it was standing up in front of a crowd and speaking. My nerves would go through the roof, my voice would crack, and I’d feel the pressure each and every time. Flash forward to today, and I’m in a role where I often have to speak in front of others and even help coach people. If I had allowed that fear to own me, my career trajectory might have been entirely different. My fear of public speaking started at a young age and by the time I was in high school, getting in front of a class to speak would seem like an out-of-body experience. I didn’t become comfortable with public speaking until my mid-20s, when I got a job where public speaking was part of my role. In the beginning, my voice still cracked, and I still felt anxious. It was clear I had to do something to overcome my fear.
prepared so much and so ardently believed in what I was going to say that I could probably do it in my sleep.
When I train people, I like to share a story about when I had just accepted that role. I had to stand in front of 300 of my peers and sell them on this role created for me. I practiced nonstop because I was so nervous. I showed up early that day to pump myself up, but another speaker couldn’t make it, and suddenly my three-hour window of prep time disappeared. I think I blacked out for those two minutes, but I gave the presentation I had practiced so many times. Remember, you will get nervous if the content you deliver means something to you. It just means you care. Practice those first two minutes in the car, the shower, and everywhere you go. If you know your first two minutes, you can do anything. You’ll get past the anxiety and be able to move forward. Succumbing to my fear of public speaking would have limited my career success and changed my life. I never would have taken that role if I hadn’t faced my fears. Nor would I have traveled the country and been in front of hundreds of people making a positive difference. It doesn’t matter if it’s a fear of public speaking, flying, or anything else. If you let fear control you, you’ll miss out on incredible things. Facing my fear of public speaking opened up exciting doors for me, and I hope it shows how courage often leads to the most rewarding opportunities — if you believe in what you’re doing and tackle your fears.
In my early 30s, I was hired into another role where I gave presentations. I watched others who were skilled public speakers and learned from them, but overcoming my fear really came down to how much I believed in what I would say. I practiced, prepared, and found many little tricks to help me get through. One of the best tools I share when I coach people today is to focus on the material instead of the
audience. I would go to the event space the night before, stand in the room where I’d be speaking, and
–Jeremy Rafferty
look out to where the audience would sit. I
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CREATIVE TRICKS TO BEAT DOGGY BOREDOM Keep Those Paws Busy
Have you ever come home to find chewed shoes, shredded pillows, or your trash mysteriously scattered across the floor? If your dog has become a one-pup demolition crew, boredom might be the culprit. Like us, dogs need mental stimulation and activities to keep their minds sharp and their behavior in check. The good news is that you don’t need fancy gadgets or endless free time to keep your dog happy. A few simple tricks can go a long way in keeping their tails wagging and your belongings intact. Make mealtime a game. Ditch the food bowl and turn mealtime into a brain workout. Try using treat- dispensing toys or puzzle feeders that make your dog work for its food. You can also scatter kibble around the house or yard and let them “hunt” it down. It taps
into their instincts and keeps them busy in a fun and rewarding way.
Rotate toys to keep things fresh. If your dog has a pile of toys but only plays with one or two, it might be time to mix things up. Keep half of the toys hidden and rotate them out every few days. This keeps things new and exciting, even if your pup has seen the toy before. Teach a new trick. Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks? Training sessions teach obedience and provide mental exercise! Whether it’s “shake,” “spin,” or even “put your toys away,” learning something new gives your dog a sense of purpose and boosts your bond. Schedule short, interactive play breaks. Even five minutes of fetch or tug-of-war can break up the day and add excitement.
Short bursts of play are especially great for working pet parents or anyone with a packed schedule. Enrichment on a budget. You don’t need to spend a lot to keep your pup engaged. With a bit of creativity, cardboard boxes, old towels, and even ice cubes with treats frozen inside can become boredom busters. Think of it as DIY enrichment!
WHY 2025 IS ONE OF FBMS’S MOST IMPACTFUL YEARS YET Life-Changing Career Decisions Made Simpler
This year, federal employees nationwide are experiencing many challenges, uncertainties, tough choices, and life-changing decisions. Many are facing questions about whether to resign, retire early, or navigate the stress of job eliminations. Many have ended up with more questions than answers. At Federal Benefits Made Simple (FBMS), we’re honored to have helped thousands of employees find some clarity as they make these complex decisions. It has made 2025 a record-breaking year when it comes to the number of federal employees we have been able to help. And there’s a few months left to the year. Most of the questions we’ve seen concern Deferred Resignation Programs, Voluntary Early Retirement, and Reduction in Force. Federal employees have been trying to decide if they should voluntarily resign or retire early from their positions, and how they would plan for their future moving forward. With agencies facing Reduction in Force across the country, many are unsure about what will happen to them and their families if they lose their jobs.
far, we’ve hosted free webinars alongside our standard classes, and as a result, we’ve heard hundreds of stories. More than 3,100 federal employees attended our monthly webinars, and nearly 1,200 attended one of our FERS classes. We answered almost 1,000 emails, took nearly 300 15-minute phone calls, and hosted 500 planning sessions to assist employees in determining whether they are in a position to retire. Our various programs and services simplify the complexities of federal retirement and provide strategies to maximize benefits. From understanding the eligibility requirements of early retirement programs to maximizing the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), we’re here to assist your agency and help you to navigate and plan for a secure future. We offer in-person, virtual, or hybrid sessions to meet the unique needs of employees. All of us at FBMS are incredibly grateful for the trust each of you has placed in us, especially given the incredibly difficult decisions you have faced this year. If you would like to learn more about our services, contact us at 303-922-4304 or visit our website at FederalBenefitsMadeSimple.com .
We understand how confusing and serious these concerns are, and we are committed to doing something to make a difference. So
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A HALLOWEEN TRAVEL TRIO Haunted Horizons
If your idea of fun seasonal travel is touring a spooky castle in October rather than hitting a sandy beach in July, here are three vacation ideas that will take your Halloween fun to spine-tingling new heights this year!
boasts the world’s most extensive Ouija board collection.
Bourbon Bone-Chillers If you want to add Southern charm to your Halloween chills, a trip to New Orleans, Louisiana, is in order. From an annual Halloween parade, above-ground cemeteries and ghost tours to ghoulishly adorned shops in the French Quarter (including the must-visit Marie Laveau’s House of Voodoo on Bourbon Street), The Big Easy will surely put you in touch with your spooky side. Detour to Dracula’s Den From the classic 1922 film “Nosferatu” to the Francis Ford Coppola-directed cinematic masterpiece “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” that premiered 70 years later, our cultural interest in vampires has spanned decades, and in the case of Transylvania, Romania, centuries. Anyone with a passport and a desire to
Where Witches Wander When it comes to Halloween-themed
adventures, no other place on the East Coast offers more macabre merriment than Salem, Massachusetts. Known for its infamous witch trials of the late 1690s, the city transforms its dark past into a destination that balances historical facts with tongue-in-cheek kitsch. The weeks leading up to October 31 are filled with more magic shows, tours, special events, and Halloween-themed shopping opportunities than you can shake a broom at. If you decide to partake in the area’s devilish fun this year, visit the Salem Witch Museum and Salem Witch Board Museum — which
catch a glimpse at the real-world aesthetic that helped define the image of Dracula and other distinctive un-dead characters should visit Bran Castle, an amazing monument of Gothic architecture and the long-rumored residence of infamous 15th century-era prince and mass murderer Vlad the Impaler who was widely believed to be the real-life inspiration behind the Dracula character. While many of the legends associated with Transylvania may be more fiction than fact, the locale remains the go-to spot for anyone with an affinity for apparitions.
Train Your Brain!
Extra-Crispy Ranch Chicken Cutlets
INGREDIENTS
Inspired by TheCookieRookie.com
• Olive oil • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste • 3/4 cup flour • 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese • 1 oz ranch seasoning, store-bought (1 packet) or homemade • Cooking spray
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 375 F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan with olive oil and set aside. 2. Season both sides of chicken breasts with salt and pepper. 3. Set out three shallow bowls. In the first, combine flour and a pinch of salt and pepper. Add the eggs to the second bowl. Mix panko, Parmesan, and ranch seasoning mix in the third bowl. 4. For coating, dip seasoned chicken breasts in flour, coating both sides. Then, dip the chicken in the beaten eggs and, finally, the panko mixture. 5. Place each coated chicken breast in the prepared baking dish. 6. Spray the tops of the chicken with cooking spray. 7. Bake for 30 minutes, or until the chicken reaches 165 F and is golden brown.
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Give us a call! 303-922-4304 federalbenefitsmadesimple.com FAX: 303-416-4358 Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. M–F
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PO Box 260787 Lakewood, CO 80226-0787
Insurance products are offered through the insurance businesses Federal Benefits Made Simple and E.A. Buck Financial Services. Federal Benefits Made Simple is an Investment Advisory practice that offers products and services through AE Wealth Management, LLC (AEWM), a Registered Investment Advisor and Buck Wealth Strategies, a Registered Investment Advisor. Securities offered only by duly registered individuals through Madison Avenue Securities, LLC (MAS), member FINRA/SIPC. AEWM does not offer insurance products. The insurance products offered by Federal Benefits Made Simple and E.A. Buck Financial Services are not subject to Investment Advisor requirements. AEWM is not affiliated with Federal Benefits Made Simple, E.A. Buck Financial Services, or Buck Wealth Strategies. In California, we are known only as E.A. Buck Insurance Services in all solicitations of insurance. Federal Benefits Made Simple, an E.A. Buck Company is not affiliated with or endorsed by the US government or any governmental agency. E. A. Buck Financial Services, Buck Wealth Strategies, Federal Benefits Made Simple, An E.A. Buck Company are affiliated by common ownership. CMP-57725 - 9/25
INSIDE THIS ISSUE page 1 Conquer the First 2 Minutes page 2 Tail-Wagging Tips to Keep Your Dog Mentally Stimulated A Record Year of Challenges and Service
page 3 Wicked Wanderlust Extra-Crispy Ranch Chicken Cutlets
page 4 Hygge Morning Rituals to Nourish Your Spirit
CREATE HYGGE IN EVERY COMFORTING MORNING STEP Start Your Day the Danish Way
Slip on your walking shoes and greet the world outside. Even a short stroll can awaken a sense of calm. Listen to the autumn leaves rustle, feel the sun on your cheeks. Let nature’s rhythm soften your own. These hygge-inspired rituals help you reclaim mornings with grace, presence, and joy. You’ve earned mornings like these. So let them carry you forward.
There’s a quiet magic in the early morning. It’s a time made for gentleness, nourishing both body and spirit. That’s the beauty of hygge, a Danish philosophy rooted in comfort, mindfulness, and savoring life’s small pleasures. Pronounced “hoo-gah,” this gentle lifestyle encourages you to slow down and enjoy the present moment. And what better time to start than first thing in the morning? Begin right where you wake, still nestled beneath the covers. Before your feet ever touch the floor, take a moment to stretch — not the kind that feels like a chore but one that softly awakens your muscles and soothes your joints. This small act stirs your blood and eases your body into the day with kindness. Let your shower become a sanctuary. Choose a soap that smells like the season — apple, cinnamon, or something crisp and woodsy. Let the warm water remind you that you’re not in a rush, that this moment is yours. As the coffee brews or tea steeps, light a candle. Watch it flicker and think of someone who has touched your life. Offer a quiet thank-you and wish them well. This small blessing is a gift to them and for you.
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