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Justice MONTHLY
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OCTOBER 2023
Are You in Control of Your Finances? DISCOVER HOW TO GROW YOUR WEALTH THIS FINANCIAL PLANNING MONTH
Everyone seems to have Halloween on their mind or is too busy with work to care, but I’m sure you probably didn’t know that October is also Financial Planning Month. While it is undoubtedly a less exciting monthly observance, it is a critical one. We usually underestimate the importance of financial planning, and I’ll be honest, I do too! Even though my undergraduate major was in finance, I won’t act like I’m any sort of expert. Instead of becoming a financial planner, I became a lawyer! But I did learn a few things in school and as the years passed. Compounding is a simple way to watch your money grow; all it takes is time. When you save your money in a compound interest account, the funds will grow as long as you don’t touch it. Here’s an example: If you were to put $10,000 into a savings account with 3% interest compounded monthly, you would have $11,616 after five years. That’s a passive earning of $1,616 just for not spending your savings! Just let the time pass, and your savings will grow on top of itself. The sooner you start saving, the better off you are. However, it’s never too late to get started. It’s surely much better than never saving at all. Whether with a Roth
at a record-breaking $986 billion in the first quarter of 2023. Our credit card balances have grown 20% since last year, and with an increase in unemployment, it’s easy to see why. Postponing or procrastinating on paying off your credit card debt is a surefire way to kill your credit. This will only make things more expensive for you in the long run! Always work with your bank or credit card company to understand the best way to pay off your credit card. You’d be surprised by how much support they can offer (and even reduced rates) just by reaching out to them. Aside from minimizing your debt, saving money for an emergency fund should also be considered mandatory. When you save at least 10% of your income and live frugally, you can create a substantial emergency fund faster than you think. You never know when an accident or crisis will happen, and this savings account can save you in your hour of need. I understand that none of this is easy to understand or implement. They don’t teach us financial literacy in school! However, these tips are simple ways to get started on a more financially secure future. While you begin practicing money management, keep your older kids and teens informed too! Since they won’t be learning to pay bills or save money in school, you can help them understand early on.
IRA or 401(k) savings account, we should all start prioritizing saving our money rather than just spending!
As I said before, I’m no financial expert. I highly recommend that you speak with a professional this Financial Planning Month to get started either opening a Roth IRA or managing your debt. It’s always better to handle financial matters sooner rather than later. Good luck!
Speaking of spending, it’s no surprise that credit card debt is at an all-time high. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, total U.S. credit card debt was
-William F. “Trey” Underwood, III
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LET’S UNMASK HALLOWEEN THE ORIGINS AND LEGENDS BEHIND YOUR FAVORITE TRADITIONS
Here come the scary decorations, pumpkin carving, trick-or- treating, and spooky costumes because Halloween is just around the corner! These traditions are what make Halloween fun and exciting year after year. However, did you know that jack-o’- lanterns come from an Irish legend or that
are some fun facts you might not know about Halloween! Halloween is based on a Celtic festival. Samhain, a pagan festival held from Oct. 31 to Nov. 1, celebrated both the harvest and the “dark” second half of the year. During this celebration, it was believed the barrier separating the spirits from the physical world would come down, allowing demons to enter and the spirits of all who passed away that year to move on to the next life. ‘Stingy Jack’ helped evolve jack-o’-lanterns. The Irish myth of a man named “Stingy Jack” goes like this: Stingy Jack invited the devil for a drink, and because he didn’t want to pay, he convinced the devil to turn into a
the “coin” next to a cross in his pocket that prevented the devil from returning to his original form. Once he freed the devil, Stingy Jack continued to trick him. When he died, God turned away Stingy Jack with only coal to light his way, so he placed the coal in a carved-out turnip to create a lantern. From there, people slowly transformed his “lantern” into the modern-day jack-o’-lantern! Candy corn was once called chicken feed. Candy corn, which the Wunderlee Candy Company began producing in the late 1880s, is an extremely popular Halloween candy. In fact, today, about 35 million pounds of the candy are sold each year! When the Goelitz Candy Company brought it to the masses at the turn of the century, they called the sweet tricolored candy “Chicken Feed” because so many people worked on farms at the time. Their early ads exclaimed, “Something worth crowing for!”
trick-or-treating comes from a historical ritual called “souling”?
As we prepare for Oct. 31 activities, here
coin so he could buy their drinks. However, instead of paying, he placed
We often get asked when it is right to settle versus go to court, and our answer is always the same: whatever Trey or Ben says! Since every case is different, there is no correct answer for every situation. While there are various reasons why our team might recommend going to trial, we would only do so if we felt it was undoubtedly needed. Why? Well, going to court isn’t a walk in the park. The time, money, and effort put into litigation might not match the outcome. SETTLE OR GO TO COURT? WHY LITIGATION MAY BECOME NECESSARY
Now you know! Happy Halloween!
years to actually receive it. Court processes can be lengthy, and months are spent with each team communicating back and forth.
Additionally, there is no guarantee of compensation when you go to court. Unlike a settlement where you know you’ll receive payment, a court’s decision depends on a judge and if they deem it necessary. Because of this, we only recommend a trial if we know our client will win. So, when is it necessary to go to court? If our team sees that the settlement offered doesn’t cover our client’s medical expenses, it’s time to fight back. It’s offensive to propose a low payment that can barely even cover medical damages, and in these cases, we know we can win a higher compensation in court. Before we start litigating, we always inform clients that they will have to be more hands-on in this process. While accepting a settlement can be done mainly through our team, litigation also requires clients' involvement, and we understand that this can be stressful. This reason alone is why we work hard to settle outside of the courtroom. But if the defendant is not respecting your case, we will do whatever it takes to get you the justice you deserve, and sometimes litigation is the way to do so. Our team works hard to represent the community and stands up for hardworking people. If you or someone you know has recently experienced an accident or injury, call our team at 229-303-4995. We will help you understand your case and the best options available.
The main factor to consider when it comes to court hearings is time. Even if you get more compensation, it can take anywhere from 2–4
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DON'T MISS THESE NEARBY HALLOWEEN FAVORITES! For those with younger children, you don’t need another reminder that Halloween is coming soon. We know! What you need instead is a few recommendations on what to actually do to celebrate this spooky holiday with your family. While Georgia has plenty of scares and events, finding gems that aren’t a five-hour drive away can be a hassle. Instead, visit these nearby favorites that will become your new Halloween staples! CORN MAZES, HAYRIDES, AND ANIMALS AWAIT
houses: Haunted Montrose. Located on a desolate, middle-of-nowhere farm, Haunted Montrose includes three different haunted houses onsite and a massive cornfield you don’t want to get lost in at night. With over 80 actors and countless rave reviews, this haunted house isn’t for the faint of heart. Teens and up are welcome, so if you think your older kids can handle it, visit HauntedMontrose.com to get your tickets! Whether you wander through the Chehaw Zoo or run through a cornfield maze at midnight, we hope you have a spectacular time this Halloween. If you stop by any of these spots, let us know! We’d love to hear about you and your family’s spooky adventures. Happy Halloween!
Mark’s Melon Patch, Dawson Don’t let its modest size fool you. Mark’s Melon Patch has some of the freshest produce year- round, with people driving to this roadside market from all over. For October, Mark’s Melon Patch opens up its 5-acre corn maze for families to explore and even offers flashlight- led nighttime events on select nights! Aside from the insane corn maze, the patch offers seasonal essentials, including hayrides, petting zoos, pumpkin bowling, and much more. To learn more about this family favorite, head to MarksMelonPatch.com.
Boo at the Zoo, Albany Every year, Chehaw Park & Zoo hosts Boo at the Zoo, a Halloween event that ensures family-friendly fun (and zero jump scares). You can participate in the Halloween merriment by purchasing the zoo’s admission ticket! Stroll throughout the zoo, get up close with the animals, collect candy, and play games along the way. Plus, guests are more than welcome to come in costume! Haunted Montrose, Montrose For thrill-seekers, call a babysitter so you can head to one of the U.S.’s best haunted
JALAPEÑO POPPER MAC AND CHEESE
We Value You! At the Law Offices of William F. Underwood, III, P.C., the trust we build with our clients is our most valuable asset. To show our appreciation, we would like to thank our clients who have referred others to us since our July newsletter:
Ingredients • 2 sticks butter, divided • 1/3 cup flour • 5 cups milk • 8 oz cream cheese • 3 cups shredded white cheddar cheese, divided • 4 cups shredded pepper jack cheese, divided • 2 tsp salt Directions 1. Preheat oven to 375 F.
• 2 tsp garlic powder • 1/2 tsp pepper • 1 lb bacon, chopped and cooked • 8 jalapeños, seeded and chopped • 1 lb macaroni, cooked • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
Naneekia Bell Kiki McGregor
Your recommendations are greatly treasured by everyone at our office. Clients can also leave their comments about our services through Google Reviews! These statements give us critical feedback and help other clients who are facing stressful life situations so they can find dependable lawyers. Previous and current clients can also receive free notary services at our office. Learn more about this service by giving us a call at 229-888-0888.
2. In a large saucepan, melt 1 stick butter over medium heat. Add flour and whisk until fully absorbed in butter. Whisk in milk slowly. 3. Once sauce thickens, stir in cream cheese and shredded cheese until melted, reserving 1 cup of each shredded cheese. Add seasonings, bacon, and jalapeños before removing from heat, then combine pasta and sauce. 4. In a small skillet, melt remaining butter and stir in panko. 5. In a greased baking dish or skillet, add macaroni and top with panko and remaining cheese. Bake for 30–40 minutes and serve warm.
Thank you for trusting us to serve you!
Inspired by TheModernProper.com
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Trey’s Top Strategies for a Financially Secure Future PAGE 1
Halloween's Haunting History
We Weigh the Pros and Cons of Litigation PAGE 2
Make Halloween Memories at These Local Gems
Jalapeño Popper Mac and Cheese PAGE 3
Step Into 536: ‘The Worst Year to Be Alive’ PAGE 4
3 Reasons 536 Was the Worst Year in Human History
When Mount St. Helens erupted in 1980, it poured so much dust into the sky that the sun over Eastern Washington went dark. Ash drifted overhead, traveling into neighboring Idaho and forcing temperatures down by as much as 15 degrees F. Locals spent a few weeks scared and shivering under dull skies. They had no way of knowing it, but they were experiencing a tiny fraction of the horror humans felt back in 536 — a time that Harvard University historian Michael McCormick once called “the worst year to be alive.”
plague pandemic — appeared in Egypt and spread through Europe, killing roughly one-third of the continent's population.
For decades, archaeologists and historians have puzzled over the tipping point in 536. “What went wrong,” they wondered, “to make the sun go dark and trigger snow in summer?” It was a head-scratcher until 2018. That year, researchers finally solved the mystery with help from, of all things, a Swiss glacier! The glacial ice was riddled with volcanic glass. Further study revealed enormous volcanic eruptions in 536, 540, and 547 likely caused “The Dark Ages.” It wasn’t just metaphorically dark — it was literally dark thanks to ash blotting out the sun and coating people’s homes, skin, and clothing. Scientists have traced the 540 eruption to Ilopango, a volcano in El Salvador that’s currently inactive, but they’re still hunting for the source of the 536 eruption. As we write this, volcanoes in Iceland and Alaska are the most likely candidates. We’ve already survived a pandemic this century, so for everyone’s sake, let’s hope both regions stay quiet until at least 2100. We all deserve a break!
For decades, the year 536 was a historical mystery. Records showed that it was a terrible time, stricken by the triple threat of:
1. Unexplained, unending darkness 2. Unseasonably frigid weather 3. Crop failures and famines
Those horrors and the economic and political instability they brought ravaged the globe from Ireland to China. Although 536 was arguably the worst year, things didn’t get better for more than a decade. In fact, they got worse in some areas! In 541, the Plague of Justinian — the first bubonic
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