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FEBRUARY 2023
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Celebrating Valentine’s Day in Sacramento Will You Try One of My Favorite Spots?
2. Stroll through Old Sacramento Waterfront. This part of town goes all out for Valentine’s Day! Lucero and I love wandering through the shops, checking out the over-the-top holiday decorations, and riding the Waterfront Wheel by the river. It’s a fun and affordable way to spend time together on Valentine’s Day. 3. Splurge on dinner at Ella Dining Room & Bar. Ella was Sacramento’s first Michelin-rated restaurant, and it’s a phenomenal place to celebrate a special occasion. Lucero and I ate there the night I proposed! Ella serves upscale American dishes with classic Valentine’s Day ingredients like lobster, truffles, and oysters. Lucero is a massive fan of their wood-fired bone marrow appetizer. 4. Chow on a steak at Echo & Rig. This is our favorite steakhouse in the city. They cook all of their steaks over red oak and serve them with homemade garlic chips and mushroom Rockefeller. If you and your partner love quality meat, I highly recommend a reservation. Lucero and I always have a great time at these four places. I particularly like supporting them because three of the four are local businesses! (Echo & Rig first opened in Las Vegas, but it only has two locations.) Lucero and I shop and eat locally whenever we can because money spent at local businesses stimulates the Sacramento economy.
For Lucero and I, Valentine’s Day is more than just an excuse to buy chocolates and roses. We try to make the holiday more meaningful by spending time together, celebrating how our relationship has evolved over the past year, and talking about our future. It’s one of my favorite date nights of the year! Our Valentine’s Day date night looks slightly different every year, but we have four go-to places that are always in the running. If you’re unsure what to do for Valentine’s Day this February, consider trying one of these activities. You might love it just as much as we do! Lucero, I wasn’t the biggest fan of soup — but she showed me that delicious soup, like ramen, can be an incredible meal! Kodaiko Ramen & Bar is one of our favorite date night spots. Their ramen is always flavorful, you can customize it with fresh vegetables and other add- ins, and they have a wide variety of traditional and fusion flavors. 1. Slurp up noodles at Kodaiko Ramen & Bar. Before I met I recently tried a bowl with crab dumplings and miso butter, and I’ve also seen lobster ramen and “reuben” ramen with shaved cabbage, smoked white cheddar, and egg on the menu. The service at Kodaiko is top-notch too. If you’re unsure what to try, their staff will have an in-depth conversation about your preferences and options.
“Lucero and I love wandering through the shops, checking out the over-the-top holiday decorations, and riding the Waterfront Wheel by the river. It’s a fun and affordable way to spend time together on Valentine’s Day.”
I also like the idea of putting cash into the pockets of my neighbors instead of big-box store CEOs. Hopefully, they’ll spend it on another local product or service and keep the chain going. To me, it’s essential to spread the word about local businesses I love because I know that small companies survive on recommendations and referrals. I see it firsthand in my office. I’m always touched when one of my past or current clients sends a friend or family member to me for help. Working on their trust, business problem, or tax issue helps me keep the lights on and shows me that my clients appreciate my work. It’s one of the best feelings in the world! I’m doing something right if I can give that same boost to a restaurant owner or the guy running the Ferris wheel in Old Sacramento.
Have a fantastic Valentine’s Day!
–Tyler Q. Dahl
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Hi, my name is Tyson; I am a 14-week-old Doberman pinscher. I enjoy playing and running around my huge backyard with my Doberman mom and dad as well as cuddling with them. I follow my human mommy around everywhere she goes, even though she gets mad at me when I go potty in the house (I’m still learning). I love giving my human baby cousin kisses on his toesies, and my mommy says I’m the best boy because I’m so gentle with him. I can’t wait to grow big and strong to protect all my hoomans! Pet of the Month!
The Legal Way to Give a Gift to Your Caretaker
California’s Care Custodian Statute Explained
Whether you’re a senior citizen who wishes to repay your caretaker for all they’ve done, a caretaker receiving a gift from someone you built a relationship with, or a family member of one of the above, you should take the time to educate yourself on California’s Care Custodian statute. Transferring gifts between a patient and caregiver is carefully regulated by the state of California to prevent a form of elder abuse called “undue influence.” Undue influence happens when a caretaker convinces a patient to include them as a beneficiary to their will, trust, or similar transfer of assets. Because caretakers have unique access to their patients and control over significant areas of their lives, there is potential for a caretaker to unjustly coerce a patient into leaving them something. To protect patients in California from this situation, the state presumes all transfers of this nature are fraudulent and, therefore, invalid. This does not include transfers to family members, the patient’s spouse, or gifts valued at $5,000 or less. California considers these transfers fraudulent by default because otherwise, it would be the burden of the beneficiary to prove that the caretaker created undue influence, which can be extremely difficult. Thankfully, if you are a patient who wishes to leave something to your caretaker, there are ways to facilitate this under California law. Because the gift is considered fraudulent, it is the burden of the caretaker to prove that it was not. You can help with a “Certificate of Independent Review,” which requires you to work with counsel who will evaluate whether or not undue influence was used and confirm you are fully cognizant of your actions. This certificate will ensure that your will is followed and your caretaker receives what you intend. A critical risk to fighting the presumption of fraud is that the caregiver must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that there was no undue influence, or else they will be responsible for the costs of the case. This is another step in discouraging unjust claims by caretakers. If you’re seeking assistance with a Certificate of Independent Review or planning your trust, please contact us today to speak with an experienced advisor.
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Tax Credits vs. Tax Deductions What’s the Difference?
WHAT IS A TAX CREDIT? A tax credit will lower the amount of tax you owe or increase the amount you’re owed by the IRS once your tax rate is calculated. If you go through the deduction portion of your return and are determined to owe $5,000 in taxes, for example, then you can lower that amount (and even end up with a return) by applying for tax credits. These credits are generally dollar- for-dollar credits, meaning a $1,000 tax credit will reduce what you owe by $1,000. Of course, this is a very simplified version of how deductions and credits impact your return. There are many more deductions and credits that business owners should be aware of when it comes time to file their taxes. Tyler has a master’s in tax law and knows the ins and outs of these important tax factors. Contact us if you need help navigating your credits and deductions.
Tax law can feel like a minefield for even the most knowledgeable business owners. There are innumerable rules and regulations to follow to get your returns done correctly. To help you navigate that minefield, we’ve broken down two often- misunderstood tax terms: tax credits and tax deductions. WHAT IS A TAX DEDUCTION? When you file your taxes, you work to determine the amount of taxable income
you have in order to calculate the tax you owe. Deductions play a role in finding that amount because they can lower your total gross income. You may be eligible for numerous deductions in two categories: subtract these deductions from your gross income before calculating your adjusted gross income (AGI). They are “adjustments to income” and help lower your AGI, allowing you to be eligible for more below-the-line deductions. 1. Above-the-Line Deductions: You 2. Below-the-Line Deductions: These deductions come into play after you’ve calculated your AGI by applying above-the-line deductions. If you itemize your deductions, you can claim certain expenses, such as medical or dental expenses that exceed 7.5% of your AGI, charitable contributions, and more.
Feta Chicken Burgers
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Try these delicious chicken burgers with a Mediterranean spin on the classic sandwich we all love. Featuring Greek-style toppings and seasonings, this recipe is refreshing and super healthy, too.
Inspired by TasteOfHome.com
Ingredients • 1/4 cup finely chopped cucumber • 1/4 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise BURGERS: • 1/2 cup chopped roasted sweet red pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder • 1/2 tsp Greek seasoning • 1/4 tsp black pepper • 1 1/2 lbs lean ground chicken • 1 cup crumbled feta cheese • 6 whole wheat hamburger buns, split and toasted
“Make the most of yourself by fanning the tiny, inner sparks of possibility into flames of achievement.” –Golda Meir
Directions 1. Preheat broiler and mix chopped cucumber and mayonnaise. 2. For the burgers, mix the red pepper, garlic powder, Greek seasoning, and black pepper. Add chicken and cheese; mix lightly but thoroughly (the mixture will be sticky). Shape into 6 patties about 1/2-inch thick. 3. Broil burgers, remembering to cook both sides thoroughly. Serve on buns with cucumber sauce. If desired, top with lettuce and tomato. Enjoy!
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INSIDE What’s
2. 1. 4 Local Date Spots Tyler Loves Pet of the Month
Important News for Caretakers and Seniors The Difference Between Tax Credits and Deductions
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Feta Chicken Burgers
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Retrain Your Brain With Habit Tracking
Yes, Habit Tracking Actually Works! The Easy Way to Stay Motivated
Back in the 1980s and ’90s, almost every sports movie included a training montage — and no montage was complete without a giant paper calendar hanging on the hero’s wall. As time ticked by and the big game or contest approached, the hero crossed the days out one by one. Each square was a success, and it was another day of training down! It sounds silly, but according to habit expert and “Atomic Habits” author James Clear, that giant calendar isn’t just movie magic. It actually works! For some people, tracking their habits — literally writing down their successes and failures in order to keep a record — is an effective way to build and stick with new routines, like New Year’s resolutions.
In his book, Clear writes that habit tracking works because it makes a
recommends leveraging technology to make tracking as easy as possible. If you want to build better spending habits, put your credit card statements (which track your spending automatically) front and center. If you want to take more steps each day, buy a Fitbit so you don’t have to count them. That said, if you go the pen-and-paper route — or prefer an Excel spreadsheet — Clear suggests tracking your habit immediately after you finish it. That way, you’ll associate your positive behavior with the rush of satisfaction you get from checking a day off the calendar. To learn more about Clear’s methods and download his free Habit Tracker Template, visit AtomicHabits.com/tracker.
particular behavior “obvious, attractive, and satisfying.” Tracking our habits in a visible place (like a calendar on the wall) reminds us to keep our “streak” of good behavior alive and holds us accountable if we mess up. It also just feels good to cross a square off of the calendar. “The most effective form of motivation is progress,” Clear explains. “When we get a signal that we are moving forward, we become more motivated to continue down that path. In this way, habit tracking can have an additive effect on motivation. Every small win feeds your desire.”
You don’t need to use a ’90s calendar to track your habits in 2022. Instead, Clear
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