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March 2024
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Break Free From Your Screens
Unplug and Reconnect on the National Day of Unplugging
In our fast-paced, tech-driven world, the constant buzz of notifications and the glow of screens have become a ubiquitous part of our daily lives. As our reliance on digital devices grows, so does the need for an occasional escape. March 1 is the National Day of Unplugging and provides a timely opportunity for us to step back, disconnect, and prioritize our well-being in the digital age. National Day of Unplugging encourages tech users to take a break from their screens and embrace the natural world around them. We can remind ourselves to understand our relationship with technology and master it, not vice-versa. Whether spending quality time with loved ones, enjoying outdoor activities, or simply embracing solitude, this day invites us to break free from the digital rabbit hole of endless scrolling. Here’s how to put your tech down and reduce your screen time. Create digital-free zones. Designate specific areas in your home where screens are not allowed. This could be the dining table, the bedroom, or a cozy reading nook. Establishing these zones helps create a screen-free environment during certain times of the day. Set screen time limits. Leverage built-in features on your devices or third-party apps to set daily screen time limits. You can easily manage and track your digital usage and give yourself a gentle nudge when it’s time to step away. Schedule tech-free breaks. Incorporate intentional breaks throughout the day where you disconnect entirely. Whether it’s during meals, outdoor walks, REFERRALS WELCOME Thank you for referring clients to us over the years. You will never be embarrassed by a referral to our office. We’re always available to lend a helping hand to anyone with any legal need. Just give us a call at (314) 961-5678 or visit us at BeckLawMO.com .
or moments of relaxation, these breaks provide a mental reset and a chance to connect with the present. Engage in offline hobbies. Rediscover or explore offline hobbies that don’t involve screens. While I know many people either unwind with video games or e-books, you still need time away from a screen. This could include reading physical books, practicing a musical instrument, or indulging in creative arts and crafts. Engaging in offline activities reduces screen time and adds variety to your routine. Explore nature. National Day of Unplugging in March offers the perfect opportunity to connect with nature, just in time for the weather to start warming up! Plan outdoor activities like hiking, picnics, or a leisurely stroll in the park. Nature provides a serene backdrop for unplugging and rejuvenating. Practice mindfulness. Integrate mindfulness practices into your routine, such as meditation or yoga. These activities reduce screen time and enhance overall well-being, boosting your mental clarity and focus. You don’t have to go all out! Simply sit in silence or listen to light music and let yourself refresh and restart. Communicate offline. Make an effort to communicate with friends and family through traditional means. Write letters, make phone calls, or schedule in-person meetups. Building connections offline fosters a deeper sense of engagement and strengthens relationships. No FaceTime or Zoom! National Day of Unplugging is not just a one-day affair but a gentle reminder to recalibrate our relationship with technology. As you incorporate these tips into your daily lives, you can gradually reduce screen time, reconnect with the world around you, and embrace a healthier, more balanced lifestyle. Taking a step back from our digital devices allows us to savor the moment, including everything and everyone around us.
-Paul Beck
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Debunking the Latest Viral ‘Credit Expert’ Claim
DON’T TRUST STRANGERS ON THE INTERNET
Yet another viral video from a supposed credit expert has made its rounds online. This alleged expert claims that in 2023, Congress passed a new law titled “FCRA law” to “permanently remove any negative debt older than two years and is affecting your credit score.” This person goes on to sell $20 letters written to these companies to help those in need. If you think this sounds suspicious, you’d be right. Unfortunately, this video preys on people with bad credit, including those with massive hospital bills, home loans, or student loans. Though this post garnered over 70,000 likes in two weeks, this law and how it claims to repair your credit do not exist. The law mentioned, FCRA, was actually passed in 1970. It’s called the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and it requires most negative credit information to be removed from your credit report after seven years. You don’t need to send any letters to assure this information is removed, much less one costing $20 and paid to a nebulous online “expert” with no credentials. “I’m not aware of any law that comes close to this,” says David Silberman, the former acting deputy director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, in an interview with the Associated Press. And Richard Franks, the head of Lightbox at Intuit Credit Karma, told USA TODAY, “Another protection under the FCRA ensures that old negative information, like late payments or bankruptcy, aren’t held “Anyone claiming they have the ‘magic bullet’ to remove recent and accurate credit information, no matter how negative, is likely a potential scammer.”
against the consumer forever; credit agencies must remove most negative credit information after seven years, and remove bankruptcies after 10 years.” Several proposals have been made to shorten the seven- year timeline, but nothing has yet passed. U.S. Rep. Ayana Pressley, a Massachusetts Democrat, introduced H.R. 4120 in 2021 to add this amendment for “comprehensive reforms” to the law. The bill includes improvements to the disputing process, free credit scores, removal of adverse information for private education loan borrowers, and credit restoration for victims of predatory activities. The bill has yet to make it out of the House Committee on Financial Services. It’s essential to research and fact-check claims like the one in this viral video. If it seems too good to be true, it most likely is. If someone claims to be an expert, take the next step and check their credentials. Does their social media account lead to another website where you can read their full bio? Did they go to school for their chosen field or otherwise gain mentorship? The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), started in 1933 by Congress to place faith in the banking system after the Great Depression, warns, “Watch out for scammers who falsely claim to be lenders, loan servicers, financial counselors, or representatives of government agencies who can help with your mortgage.” These government agencies and professionals will not reach out through text, email, or phone calls to ask for sensitive information. They are not advertising their services on a viral video and charging $20 for unnecessary credit repair letters. Once again, if it sounds too good to be true, it is. While you can advocate for your credit, beware of claims that someone will help you on your journey. Anyone claiming they have the “magic bullet” to remove recent and accurate credit information, no matter how negative, is likely a potential scammer. By law, no one can remove this information within two years. Use your common sense and triple-check claims, and you can’t go wrong.
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TAKE A BREAK
Do you know the muffin man? We’d be surprised if you didn’t. This nursery rhyme is still passed down in kindergarten classrooms and children’s books in many languages. The origin of this and other popular nursery rhymes is nebulous. While “Ring Around the Rosie” was a time-keeping method for doctors during the Black Death, “The Muffin Man” is allegedly about the British serial killer Frederick Thomas Linwood. Linwood, or the Drury Lane Dicer, is said to have murdered up to 15 children in the late 1500s. Urban legend says he would employ “Looney Tunes” style tactics, tying a muffin to a string and pulling it along the street to lure his victims. Some especially morbid accounts say he also murdered seven rival bakers during his spree. Having that many victims would make him the first serial killer in history. Often, truth is stranger than fiction, but in this case, no actual facts support this creepy origin story. The book “The Singing Game” by Opie and Opie states that the first recorded mention of this nursery rhyme exists in a manuscript from 1820. It is originally a poem with music added later. One version of the song changed Drury Lane to Dusset Lane, home to the first confirmed serial killer, Mary Ann Cotton, but that’s where the similarities stop. This urban legend isn’t sweet enough for our taste, but don’t worry. You can keep singing about the muffin man without fear. The (Supposed) Dark History of This Popular Nursery Rhyme DO YOU KNOW THE MUFFIN MAN? YES, FROM DRURY LANE
AQUAMARINE BASKETBALL BUTTERFLY CLOVER DAFFODIL GREEN IDES LEPRECHAUN MADNESS SPRING TANGERINE WOMEN
St. Paddy’s Irish Soda Bread
Inspired by Epicurious.com
Ingredients
• Nonstick vegetable oil spray • 2 cups all-purpose flour, extra for dusting • 5 tbsp sugar, divided • 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt • 3/4 tsp baking soda • 3 tbsp chilled unsalted butter, cubed • 1 cup buttermilk • 2/3 cup raisins
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 375 F. Coat an 8-inch round cake pan with nonstick spray. 2. In a bowl, whisk together flour, 4 tbsp sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda. Cut butter into the mixture with your fingers or a pastry knife until crumbly. Make a well in the center and pour in buttermilk. Gradually mix until dough comes together. Mix in raisins. 3. Using floured hands, form dough into a ball and transfer to pan. Sprinkle with remaining 1 tbsp sugar. 4. Bake bread for about 40–45 minutes or until golden brown and a tester stick comes out clean. Let bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then enjoy!
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Make the Most of National Day of Unplugging
1
Too Good to Be True
2
St. Paddy’s Irish Soda Bread
3
The Alleged Dark History of the Muffin Man
4 The Marketing Campaign That Cost Red Bull Over $6 Million RED BULL DOESN’T GIVE YOU WINGS Marketing Campaign Disproved in Court
For decades, Red Bull has run the marketing campaign that its energy drink gives people wings. Most assume it’s a joke, an exaggeration of the beverage’s stimulating effects.
go writing a letter to Red Bull for your voucher, know that customers are no longer eligible for this compensation. In Red Bull’s words, they settled to “avoid the cost and distraction of litigation,” noting that their ad campaigns and can labels “have always been truthful and accurate.” Red Bull denied any wrongdoing.
The courts disagreed. A group of Red Bull drinkers in 2014 filed a class action lawsuit
against the Austrian company, accusing them of false advertising. Despite the company’s claims, they alleged that the drink does not give you wings. To be more specific, the suit alleged that the ad campaign uses flying imagery to convey that the beverage is better than other caffeinated drinks. While the brand’s messaging claims it improves response times and concentration, the suit alleges the beverage isn’t much more effective than a cup of coffee. Red Bull settled for over $6 million. They also agreed to compensate customers who were disappointed about the drink’s wingless results. Such claimants could receive $10 or a voucher for $15 of Red Bull products. But before you
What Red Bull did was tread the line between false advertising and “puffery,” the legal term for extravagant claims about a product. The law allows for some lofty claims — such as “World’s Best Coffee” — so long as they are opinions. “Red Bull gives you wings” sounds like a factual statement, so it doesn’t fall under puffery. The energy drink company has continued using the slogan in its marketing in event sponsorship and TV ads. So, while Red Bull may not actually give you wings, it did pay out a lot of money in a court settlement over the claim.
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