Shoup Legal - December 2022

Take a look at our December newsletter!

Plan today for peace of mind tomorrow. DECEMBER 2022

By Playing Games Together CONNECTING WITH FAMILY AND CREATING LIFELONG MEMORIES

As we approach Christmas and the new year, many of our kids will be on an extended break from school to celebrate the holidays. During this time, we have more opportunities to spend time with our family and participate in some of our favorite familial activities. For my family, there’s nothing we enjoy more than playing games. We try to play them whenever we can! On Dec. 20, we recognize Games Day, which gives us a chance to play some of our most treasured games. There are many games to enjoy, between board games, video games, sports, and more. Playing games with my family was a huge part of my upbringing, and I’ve carried on the tradition with my own kids. We’re always playing something when we get some free time together. One of our favorite games to play together is soccer. Whenever my family gets together for the holidays, we have one big soccer game. My brother and his immediate family usually play with us. We’ll mix up the teams since his kids are a little older than mine, but that doesn’t take away from the competitiveness. My three oldest kids play competitive soccer, and my brother and his wife play on a team together, so everyone tries to go all out. Playing soccer together is one of my favorite family traditions because it requires us to get outside and move. There’s always a healthy dose of competition involved, which increases the fun

and excitement for everyone. It’s also an excellent way for us to connect as a family. My kids enjoy it because it serves as good practice for them to prepare for their real games. They’re so fast that it’s getting hard to keep up with them! More than anything, we’re making memories that will last a lifetime for everyone involved. And whoever wins gets bragging rights, which serves as a bonus. In addition to soccer, my family plays our fair share of board games. Whenever we get together with my parents, we almost always play Scrabble. It’s usually a large game consisting of my parents, my brother’s family, and my family. This is not a game I’m good at! If I don’t come in last, I usually come in second to last. Nobody can top my mom at the game. Her strategy is usually foolproof. She knows how to maximize her points by playing with simple words. She could play the word “cat” and, in the process, form three other words with one counting for triple points. It’s fascinating watching her manipulate the board. It’s all in good fun, though, and we always leave the table with smiles on our faces. Another game I’ll play with my kids is Uno. This game can create some animosity, but we try to avoid that at all costs. Before we start a round, we’ll ask the kids if they want to play prison or grace rules, meaning do you want to play with no mercy or take it easy? It’s hilarious watching

“Playing games with my family was a huge part of my upbringing, and I’ve carried on the tradition with my own kids.”

my 5-year-old play with David. She’ll play a draw-four on him, look him in the eyes, and say, “prison rules, Daddy.” Games are important because they give us an opportunity to connect with those close to us. All the phones and screens are put away, and everyone can focus on the game in front of them. I remember playing Monopoly and the Game of Life with my family as a kid, and I want my kids to have the same fond

memories. I truly treasure this time I get with them, and I wouldn’t change it for anything in the world.

WWW.SHOUPLEGAL.COM | 1 –Andrea Shoup

4 STEPS TO CREATE A CHRISTMAS BUDGET Don’t Go Broke for the Holidays

3. Find out how much money you have left over: Subtract your total expenses from your monthly income. The number you get will be the money you have left over for discretionary spending, such as dinner out, a concert, or Christmas presents. But make sure you leave some wiggle room for any unexpected costs. 4. Plan out how much you want to spend on Christmas gifts: Write out whom you want to get gifts for and how much you want to spend. Track your spending as you go to ensure you don’t overspend or forget to buy someone a gift. Shop for Christmas on a budget. 1. Look at last-minute sales: Tons of retailers will offer holiday sales as we get closer to Christmas. So, be on the lookout for stores that mark prices down as St. Nick prepares for his journey.

Before you head to the mall or add items to your shopping cart online, you want to ensure you have enough money to cover your

monthly expenses and buy your loved ones Christmas presents. You may feel

overwhelmed about your finances and how you will manage to buy gifts. But if you create a Christmas budget, you won’t break the bank!

How do you create a

2. Recycle gift cards: If you received a gift card to a store you never used (or forgot about), re-gift it this year! Just be sure the card hasn’t expired.

Christmas budget? 1. Write down your monthly income: The first thing you want to do is tally up how much money you bring in each month. This lets you know how much money you have before you take out your expenses. 2. Write down your monthly expenses: You want to tally up the total amount of regular monthly costs, including housing, utilities, groceries, and internet. This also includes cars, credit cards, insurance, and other monthly payments. Be sure to add any streaming or subscription fees to this total.

3. Go thrifting: You can find great gifts at your local thrift store. Depending on where you go, you can get clothes, books, silverware, furniture, gadgets, and more.

Christmas shopping can be stressful, but creating a budget and sticking to it will help you survive this holiday season like a pro.

COMMITTED TO HELPING OUR CLIENTS OUR ESTATE PLANNING SUPERVISOR, CHRISTINA

Every member of our team is committed to helping our clients with their estate planning and legal needs. When we hire new team members, we look for people who are looking for more than just another job; we want individuals who truly care about the field and want to help others. That’s why adding Christina to the team was a no-brainer. In the six months she’s been with us, she’s continued to impress everyone on the team at every opportunity. Christina has always been committed to the idea of helping others. She earned her bachelor’s degree in sociology from Sonoma State University, where she learned about different groups of people and how they interact in their individual societies. After graduating, Christina worked for a farmers and merchants trust company as a trust administrative assistant for three years, helping beneficiaries navigate the often difficult process. She loved her job but had to leave when she moved from South Bay to Temecula. When looking for a new job, she knew she wanted to stay in the same field but wanted to explore it from the legal side, which led her through our doors. With trust administration, Christina made sure everything was ready at the end of the process, but now she’s helping with individuals’ initial wishes instead. She understands the dynamics from both sides, which allows her to serve her clients better, as she can foresee how each decision will pan out and offer guidance.

Christina loves sitting down with her clients and assisting them with their estate plans. Christina is family-oriented and genuinely believes in the idea of family unity. She knows most people do estate and trust planning to protect their family. Christina can identify with many of her clients this way since she has five kids of her own ranging in age from 2–17. Her career is part of who she is, so she always works hard and follows up when needed.

Christina spends the bulk of her free time with her family creating wonderful memories. They spend plenty of time outdoors hiking or going to local community events like the farmers market. We’re excited to have Christina on our team and know she will continue to rise up to meet any challenge.

Plan today for peace

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Winter Vegetable Shepherd’s Pie Inspired by BBCGoodFood.com

Ingredients

•

6 1/2 cups potatoes, cut into large chunks

• 4 garlic cloves, sliced • 1 sprig rosemary •

• • • • •

2 tbsp olive oil 2 onions, sliced

15-oz can diced tomatoes plus liquid

By Creating Your Own Happiness and Success The winter solstice occurs on Dec. 21 and marks the shortest day of the year. When we start to have days with more darkness than sunlight, many people begin to wonder how they can make the most out of each day. There’s no foolproof method to maximize each day, but you can keep a few things in mind that will help you take advantage of your time. I genuinely believe in the idea of taking everything one day at a time. Although you can plan for the future, tomorrow is never guaranteed; we only have today. One of the ways I make the most of each day is by utilizing a routine. I start every morning the same way. I wake up early in the morning before anyone else is up and take time to read the Bible, meditate, pray, and set my expectations for the day. I want to figure out what I can accomplish during the day and plan out steps to ensure what needs to be done gets done. If I don’t take the time to decide what I want for the day, everything can quickly become haphazard. We have to take control of our time to create the outcomes we want to see. This is something I’ve been trying to instill in my kids. When I take them to school in the morning, I always ask them how they can make today a great day. Sometimes, they’ll talk about playing with a specific friend, and other times they’ll say they’re excited to have something specific for lunch. Everyone has the ability to make each day great, but we have to realize it and put a plan into action to make it so. And don’t let negative influences take away your happiness and productivity. Look at it this way — if you had $86,000 and someone took $60 from you, would you throw out the rest of the $85,940? Of course not! There are over 86,000 seconds in a day. If someone upsets you or something negative happens, don’t let it ruin the rest of your day. You’re in control. Fight through it, and you’ll make more out of each day. MAKE THE MOST OF EACH DAY

1 tbsp flour

• •

1/2 cup water

2 large carrots, cut into rounds

1 1/2 cups frozen peas • Milk, to desired consistency

1/2 cauliflower, broken into florets

Directions

1. In a pot, boil potatoes until tender. 2. In a pan, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened. Stir in flour and cook for 2 minutes. Add carrots, cauliflower, garlic, and rosemary and stir until softened. 3. Pour tomatoes into mix and add water. Cover and let simmer for 10 minutes, then remove lid and cook for 15 minutes until thickened. Stir in peas and simmer. 4. Drain and mash potatoes. Stir in milk to desired consistency. 5. Preheat oven to 375 F. Spoon hot vegetable mix into pie dish, then top with mashed potatoes. Bake until top is golden brown.

TAKE A BREAK

–Andrea Shoup

e of mind tomorrow.

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Plan today for peace of mind tomorrow. 39755 Date St., Ste. 203 | Murrieta, CA 92563 (951) 445-4114 | www.shouplegal.com

As the holiday season approaches, the twinkling lights and spectacular Christmas tree attractions are always a must-see! Here are the best travel destinations to catch a glimpse of one of the pillars of the holidays.

was 48 feet high and decorated with 2,500 red, white, and green electric bulbs. A local choir and a quartet from the U.S. Marine Band performed as the tree was lit. The Coeur d’Alene Resort Tree in Idaho Also known as the World’s Tallest Living Christmas Tree, this grand fir holds the record at 162 feet tall. It is festively decorated with more than 40,000 lights that twinkle in time to the music of “Jingle Bells,” and the tree is crowned with a 10‑foot‑wide star!

The Rockefeller Center Tree in New York City

The Rockefeller Center tree is located just west of 5th Avenue from 47th through 51st streets in New York City and dates back to the Depression era, with the first tree placed there in 1931. This beloved tourist attraction draws thousands yearly with its dazzling lights and grand scale. To even be considered a contender for this role, a tree must be at least 65 feet tall and 35 feet wide! The National Christmas Tree in Washington, D.C. This American favorite has long been a tradition. Every year, the ceremony begins with live performances by musical artists, and an annual highlight is when the president delivers a message of peace.

The Biltmore Christmas Tree in North Carolina

This majestic 55-foot Norway spruce tree is in front of the Biltmore Estate and lit as guests make their way down the path of luminaries. With ornaments and miles of garland, this tree is selected for the Banquet Hall each year for guests from all over to see. Some are lucky enough to live near or in a city with a magnificent tree, but if you don’t, consider traveling to one of these locations to enjoy the holiday with your loved ones.

Lighting Up Life One Pine Needle at a Time TRAVEL-WORTHY CHRISTMAS TREES

President Calvin Coolidge was the first president to light the National Christmas Tree in 1923. The tree

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