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O vercoming O ur I nsecurities MAKE AN EFFORT TO APPRECIATE YOURSELF
AUGUST 2022
things about getting older is how comfortable I have become with myself. I don’t let outside influences affect how I feel about myself. If there’s something I want to fix, I fix it for myself and not anyone else. When I first started my business, I was in my early 30s and looked even younger. I knew that I was smart enough, had the right amount of experience, and was competent, but people often spoke to me in a patronizing way because I looked so young. It didn’t help that I was also only 5’2”. It wasn’t always intentional, but it left me feeling a little disheartened. I
Nearly everyone struggles with confidence at some point in their lives. No matter how perfect someone appears to be, each and every one of us faces insecurities that can shake our confidence to its core. I’ve struggled with my own share of insecurities, but with time I have been able to overcome them to become stronger.
had to figure out a way to assert myself. I wanted to prove to judges and opposing counsels, who were often older and more experienced, that I was a great lawyer. There were times when I met with a client for an initial consultation only to see a look of disappointment creep across their face after seeing how young I appeared. Over time, I became more and more confident and I can feel how that internal confidence influences how others see me. Though I couldn’t change how young I looked or my height, I was able to develop my voice. I also learned how to leverage that position. If someone was going to treat me like I didn’t know anything, I would play it up and use it to my advantage. As a side note I will say that as I get older, I am now thrilled when others think I am younger than I am. That insecurity has long since passed. It can be difficult to fix insecurities brought on by external sources. I think it is natural to wonder how we can change ourselves so people see us the way we want to be seen. In my experience, more often than not, working to improve ourselves rather than focusing on others’ perception of us, is how to create meaningful long-lasting change. And that type of change is what helps most with self-confidence.
When we’re young, we think that everyone else in the world has their lives figured out. In my case, I felt that I was the only one who struggled with insecurities, but that wasn’t the case. Many insecurities we face on a daily basis are more common than we think. Financial, physical, and family-related issues are fairly prevalent in our society. Still, I’ve found that one of the greatest
I’VE FOUND THAT ONE OF THE GREATEST THINGS ABOUT GETTING OLDER IS HOW COMFORTABLE I HAVE BECOME WITH MYSELF.
- Esther Vayman
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T ax D eduction or T ax C redit WHICH IS BETTER?
A tax credit is a dollar-for-dollar reduction in your actual tax bill. In fact, a few credits are refundable: If you owe $300 in taxes, but qualify for a refundable $1,000 tax credit, you’d get a check for the difference of $700. Because this credit applies directly to your bill, it can often take a bigger bite out of your tax bill than a tax deduction. It’s worth mentioning that, in most cases, tax credits aren’t refundable. However, unlike gift cards, their value doesn’t last into the following year. If you owe $300 in taxes, and have a nonrefundable $1,000 tax credit, you’ll owe zero dollars without getting a check for the difference. In 2021, you may know the government provided pandemic-inspired tax credits for Americans with dependents. However, many credits exist, and some, like savers’ credits, might surprise you. If you’re married and filing jointly, and have a combined income between $43,001– $66,000, you’ll receive a tax credit of 10% of your 401(k) or Roth IRA contributions. A single filer with a $19,750 income or less qualifies for a credit of 50% of retirement contributions.
Have you caught your breath yet since filing your taxes? Well, it’s now time to start planning your taxes for next year! As you create a tax “game plan,” having two ways to deduct your tax bill can be very confusing. Let’s walk through it. We promise it’s a lot simpler than it sounds. Tax Deduction — Getting a Lower Taxable Income Let’s say you’re a small-business owner. Sometimes, you might accidentally or intentionally pay off business expenses on your own dime. Luckily, the IRS doesn’t want to punish small-business owners for this. They consider many business expenses as tax deductible. So, when you file a tax deduction, it lowers your taxable income, and thus reduces your tax liability. The lower your taxable income, the lower your tax bill. Tax Credit — Getting a Tax Bill ‘Gift Card’ Your taxable income can go up or down throughout the year, depending on what you make and types of expenses. However, once calculated at the end of the year, your tax bill is often a fixed number. That’s when tax credits come in handy.
Check out lists online of available federal tax credits for 2022, and make sure to research carefully how they work. If you want a better tax strategy for your next tax bill, this is a great way to start.
O ur P aralegal , M aggie S zutz COMMITTED TO HELPING OTHERS
At Vayman and Teitelbaum P.C., our team is dedicated to helping our clients with their legal needs. Over the years, we have gathered an incredibly talented team of professionals who are committed to going above and beyond to help our clients with whatever they may need. One of our paralegals, Maggie Szutz, has excelled in this area and is always willing to do whatever she can for her clients. Maggie graduated from Towson University in Maryland with a bachelor’s degree in sociology and anthropology with a concentration in criminal justice. After graduating, she secured a job as a legal assistant at a Baltimore law firm. While there, she fell in love with the field and decided to return to school. She earned an accelerated bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies from Stevenson University in Maryland.
She stayed at the Baltimore firm for eight years before moving to Florida with her husband. She continued to grow her legal knowledge in the Sunshine State while working for two different firms. For the most part, she did paralegal work for civil litigation but also worked on plaintiff insurance cases for people affected by hurricanes. After two years in Florida, Maggie and her husband moved again to his hometown of Roswell. It didn’t take long for Maggie to discover our firm, and we knew within minutes of interviewing her that she was a perfect fit. Maggie stays incredibly busy in the office. You can often find her managing her email, drafting documents for clients, helping the attorneys with whatever they need, or doing her favorite task — research! She is a tremendous source of support for anyone who steps into our office. When Maggie is not at work, you can usually find her hanging out with her friends, husband, or two dogs. She has a French bulldog named Randall and a rescue Pomeranian named Cha-Cha. She also enjoys spending time kayaking with her husband along the Chattahoochee River.
We are beyond lucky to have someone as experienced and enthusiastic about their work as Maggie. We know that she will continue to shine as time progresses.
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WHAT’S ONE THING THAT CAN INSTANTLY MAKE YOUR DAY BETTER?
Katie Clark Ice cream Elyssa Williams A kind word Kayte Moore New clothes Mari Sotillo My dogs, Margoti and Lolers Julia Giangualano Listening to music Kathleen Sickler My dogs, Cash and Oakley
Thamara Carvalho A word of encouragement Jenny Ohsberg A good laugh Maggie Szutz My dogs, Pooftastic ChaCha and Sir Randall Piglet Grace Bradford Amazon package delivery Camryn Simmons My dog, Sophie
T asty B ruschetta C hicken
ingredients • 4 boneless and skinless chicken breasts, pounded to even thickness • 4 tbsp olive oil • 2 tbsp lemon juice, divided • 1/4 tsp pepper • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
BRAIN BREAK
• 3 tomatoes, chopped • 2 cloves garlic, minced • 1 tbsp fresh basil, chopped • Salt and pepper, to taste • 4 slices mozzarella cheese • Parmesan cheese, grated
Inspired by Delish.com
Fresh tomatoes and basil abound in August, practically begging to become bruschetta! This recipe turns that appetizer into a main dish.
directions 1. Add chicken to a large resealable bag.
2. In a small bowl, combine olive oil, 1 tbsp lemon juice, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Pour over chicken and seal. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. 3. Turn a grill to medium-high heat and add the chicken. Discard the marinade. Grill chicken 5–7 minutes per side or until fully cooked. 4. Combine the remaining lemon juice, tomatoes, garlic, and basil. Add salt and pepper, to taste. 5. Before taking the chicken off the grill, top each breast with a slice of mozzarella cheese. Cover and cook 2–3 minutes, then serve topped with the tomato mixture and grated Parmesan cheese.
A LITTLE HELP
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PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
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3625 BROOKSIDE PKWY, SUITE 130 ALPHARETTA, GA 30022
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HOW I DEVELOPED MY SELF-CONFIDENCE
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LOWER YOUR NEXT TAX BILL!
LEARN MORE ABOUT MAGGIE
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MAKE MY DAY
TASTY BRUSCHETTA CHICKEN
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A DIFFERENT AND DEEPER WAY OF STORYTELLING
Television and streaming platforms are attracting millions of viewers with their true story films and shows. Television shows like “Pam and Tommy,” “Inventing Anna,” and “Tiger King” have drawn in viewers with their captivating storylines and lookalike actors. Something about knowing the events you’re watching actually happened to real people is a mesmerizing feeling. True Crime No one really wants to admit it, but humans have a natural morbid curiosity. True crime’s sequence of events — the crime, victims, hunt, and capture (hopefully) — really carries the plot and grasps the viewer’s attention. As real life tragedies are more documented and accessible than ever before, true crime has become sort of a guideline for some. When you watch crime documentaries and shows, you may think to yourself about what not to do in certain scenarios. Though the person in the story was in an unfortunate situation, people can learn the signs of a dangerous scenario and know when to leave or not make the same mistakes. Real-Life Inspiration True stories interest people because they show viewers something that is not merely a filmmaker’s imagination. In most films and shows, it begins BASED ON A TRUE STORY …
W hy T rue S tories B ecame a TV C raze
as a fictional thought, but with true stories, people may find a certain situation or character they can connect with in their own lives.
People search for answers — if it is something they can relate to — and find comfort in the fact that other people may have faced similar challenges. You want to root for the underdog, as these seemingly normal characters develop into extraordinary people. The real people from these true stories inspire viewers with their bravery and grit.
Television and streaming platforms are able to take true stories and pique their viewers’ curiosity by reflecting life itself. You might be able to pick up a thing or two when watching true stories. There are some harsh realities people may face, but there are definitely good ones too.
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