Take a look at our newsletter this month.
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10/19
BUILD IT. PROTECT IT. PRESERVE IT.
they were outside playing basketball. He didn’t see his brother for two years after that moment. This is when he decided to do something different in his life. He would not let a bunch of little moments lead him down the same path as his brother. If this young man wins his election in November, he will write history for his family and make a difference in his community. He sees this as an opportunity to show people that it doesn’t matter where you start — you should dictate where you finish. His hope is to inspire others who come before him to get their life on a different path. It might seem like something small, but this man thinks it can make a big difference, and I think so too.
POWER IN SMALL, RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS
Oct. 26 is Make A Difference Day, which celebrates all the ways people give back to their communities. When I learned about this day, I thought about some of the ways I’ve given back to people. I’m on the board of directors for a few organizations that help people in poverty steadily become self-sufficient. My family and I help out at the Salvation Army on Thanksgiving morning, and we, both at the office and at home, recycle bottles and boxes. But, when I think about really making a difference, I don’t think about community service. I think about all the little things, the random acts of kindness, and the small considerations that end up going a long way. You don’t need to watch the news for very long to see that people can do some pretty horrible things. But after every random act of violence, malice, or greed I learn about, I can’t help but wonder how many little bad things happened to the perpetrator previously to get them to the point of doing something awful. I also wonder if exchanging some of those bad moments, or even just one of them, for a time when someone showed them kindness would have changed everything. I don’t think anyone can know for sure, but showing kindness and empathy in little ways can have immense power in the world. A few months ago, I heard the story of a young man running for judge in his city. When he was 13, this man watched his brother get arrested while WHAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY MEANS TO ME
Sometimes it’s in the stressful and hopeless situations that small gestures of goodwill can mean the world. I knew a woman who used to work reception at the prosecutor’s office, and she would have people coming in frantic on a regular basis. Nevertheless, she would always calmly ask the same question to every one of them: “How can I help you today ?” It was that last word that meant the most. In the face of tragedy or chaos, it’s easy to think miles past what we can control instead of focusing on actions we can take right now. When you can get someone to focus on what they can do today, the problem still might not be easy — but it will be easier than it was before. I’m grateful for small, random acts of kindness and how they can turn less-than- ideal situations into opportunities to be thankful. A few months ago, I was at a business workshop in Boise, Idaho. The day’s activities ended late, and I found myself without a ride back to my hotel. Maybe I could have just used a ride- share app, but a woman named Rebecca, who worked for the company hosting the workshop, offered to give me a ride. She didn’t have to do that, but it was a big help that evening. I hope that in the future, I can pay that good deed forward.
When you perform a random act of kindness, it could start a chain reaction in your community and beyond. If you have ideas for ways to make a difference in
the lives of others but don’t know where to start, email me at office@elittlejohnlaw.com; I’d love to help you get started.
–Edward Littlejohn
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WHAT’S NE I’ve been watching Kyzlee grow and chasing Kyzlee around town … … She went to out to the Amish Country with Gigi … Went out to dinner for her great grandma’s 82nd birthday … Got to try Hibachi for the first time … Saw her first movie, the new “Lion King” … Picked fresh tomatoes out of the garden
College expenses aren’t what they used to be. What used to be affordable to any student with a part-time summer job now can take years to pay off. If your grandkids want to go to college, the cost of education should not be a barrier to their future. Luckily there are ways that you can help ease that financial burden. INVEST IN A 529 SAVINGS PLAN. There are no limits on age, income, or monetary contributions attached to this college savings account, and contributions are tax-deductible in some states. Just like a Roth IRA, the earnings grow over time and can be used tax-free for qualifying expenses, like tuition and room and board. There are a few downsides, however. Funds from a grandparent’s 529 savings plan are considered student income and could hurt your student’s eligibility for financial aid. If you choose to fund through a parent’s 529 savings plan, which doesn’t count as student income, you lose control over the funds you contribute. OF YOUR GRANDCHILD’S EDUCATION DON’T LET MONEY GET IN THE WAY
from the federal gift tax can’t exceed $15,000, but payments toward someone’s tuition, for any amount, are not taxed. Keep in mind, however, that the money can only go toward tuition, not toward other college expenses like room and board or textbooks. HELP THEM FIND OPPORTUNITIES TO SAVE. Even if you don’t have thousands of dollars to give, you can still help your grandkids look for other opportunities to save. There are thousands of available scholarships, grants, and programs to help students pay for college, and helping them look online and in your community can go a long way. College could be your grandchild’s first stop on the path to achieving their dreams. You can be a part of that journey by making sure money doesn’t get in the way of that.
… Went to her first football game
And ... Jeff’s out getting things ready for the upcoming hunting season.
PAY THEIR TUITION. Not everybody has $20,000 just lying
around, but if you do, using it to pay for your grandchild’s tuition isn’t a bad way to spend it. Normally, annual financial gifts that are exempt
Address: 805 University Blvd, Steubenville, OH 43952 Phone: (740) 282-6688 LOCAL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT SESAME GRILL
Serves excellent hibachi, sushi, and Chinese food. We took Kyzlee there to get her first hibachi experience. Although she didn’t like the hot, fiery flames, she did enjoy using chopsticks and eating plain white rice.
This newsletter is for informational purposes only and no legal advice is intended. Be sure to consult with this law firm if you have a specific question about your situation. And, remember that Edward and Jeff don’t take any unplanned inbound telephone or in-person meetings. We believe each case deserves our undivided attention.
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WITH ME AND MY OWN?
CALENDAR OF EVENTS These SEMINARS AND TELECONFERENCE CALLS are FREE. That’s right; there is no charge. We just ask that you preregister so we can make sure there’s enough space. We want to make sure people make good decisions about their legal situations. UPCOMING VIP EVENTS
October: Business Call — It’s the Fourth Quarter. There’s still time to accomplish your goals.
November: Real Estate Call — How to Get Along With Your Neighbor.
December — Estate Planning Client Appreciation Dinner.
If you see a seminar or teleconference that’s interesting to you or your family, be sure to preregister by calling 740-314-4829 or visiting LittlejohnLawLLC.com. We’ll send you more information as we get closer to the meeting but only to those who have preregistered. If you have a topic you would like to learn more about, be sure to attend one of our seminars or teleconferences. Send your email requests to office@elittlejohnlaw.com.
LEFTOVER CANDY SNACK MIX
Inspired by Food & Wine Magazine
INGREDIENTS
• 2 cups mini pretzels, coarsely broken • 1/4 cup light brown sugar • 2 tbsp granulated sugar • 1/3 cup dry milk powder
• 6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted • 12 oz mini candy
bars, such as Snickers, chopped into 1/2-inch pieces
DIRECTIONS
1. Heat oven to 275 F. 2. In a large mixing bowl, fold together pretzels, sugars, milk powder, and butter. 3. Spread mixture on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 20 minutes. 4. Let cool for at least 30 minutes and mix in candy bar pieces before serving.
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352 FRANK LAYMAN BLVD. WINTERSVILLE, OH 43953
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1
HOW CAN WE MAKE A DIFFERENCE? LET US KNOW!
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3 STRATEGIES FOR HELPING GRANDKIDS PAY FOR COLLEGE
LOCAL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
WHAT’S NEWWITH ME AND MY OWN
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UPCOMING VIP EVENTS
LEFTOVER CANDY SNACK MIX
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FALL CRAFTS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
FALL FAMILY FUN Fall Crafts for the Whole Family
LEAF PAINTING Take a trip outside with the kids to pick out some large, unbroken leaves, then head back inside and get creative! You can pull out the construction paper and paint trees, using handprints and “arm prints” as the trunks and branches. Paint the leaves you found to spruce up your trees or use them as decorations on their own. You can also use them for leaf printing or leaf pressing. FUN FINGER FOOD When you’ve got multiple friends and family members coming over and you need snacks, edible decorations are the way to go. You can get a little creative and make elaborate treats, or you can opt for delicious and easy-to-make finger foods with your kids. A good starting treat for your family is a batch of pumpkin Rice Krispie Treats. Add orange food coloring to the mix and get your kids to shape the treats like pumpkins before using a few pretzel sticks to make sturdy stems.
THANKSGIVING CRAFTS Thanksgiving is only a month away, and your possibilities for holiday-themed crafts are endless with just a few supplies like paper, scissors, markers, and string. You can make turkey placemats, tissue paper trees, pumpkin garlands, paper pumpkins, or leaf mobiles to hang from the ceiling. Compile a list of ideas and have your kids pick out which craft they want to do first, then get to work together to create as many decorations as you want to display for Turkey Day. With these engaging craft ideas, the whole family will be eager to make their own decorations and show them off for months to come!
The leaves are turning, the weather is changing, and the holidays are right around the corner, which means
it’s time to bring out the fall decor! To make this season especially memorable for your family, create your own decorations with these fun ideas below. PINE CONE PAINTING Go on a family walk through the park to pick up a few fallen pine cones or take a quick trip to the store to buy a bag. Once everyone has their own hand- picked pine cone, grab a paintbrush and a few colors and have at it! For extra flair, add some fixings like glitter, beads, sequins, string, and more.
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