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NORTON NEWSLETTER
NortonAccountingServices.com 985-690-4498 Info@NortonAccountingServices.com APRIL 2026
EASE OF MIND • AVAILABILITY • FLEXIBILITY • INDIVIDUAL APPROACH • EXPERIENCE • TAX SAVINGS OPPORTUNITIES
Getting Out of the Rat Race The Mindset Shift Behind Financial Freedom
I don’t always buy into his advice, but Dave Ramsey has a line I agree with. He says there is no reason why someone can’t be a millionaire by the time they retire. I think he’s right. The question is, if that’s true, why does it only happen for a few people? Earl Nightingale told a story years ago that still sticks with me. Take 100 people at age 25. By 65, only five of them are wealthy or financially free. The other 95 had the same years to work with. Something else is going on. For me, it starts with mindset. Nightingale called his recording “The Strangest Secret,” and his point was simple. You become what you think about. Most people spend their lives thinking and talking like the 95%, so they get the same
get out of it is the idea that you should be saving 10% of your income. Of course, saving matters, but you don’t get rich by saving money. You get rich by putting money into things that grow faster than inflation and start generating cash flow. When you think that way, even basic tools look different. I had a client come in with a Dave Ramsey-style budget. The whole thing started with their income, and they were trying to squeeze their expenses into that. That is scarcity thinking. I told them we needed to flip it. Instead of your current income, start with your expenses and the life you’re trying to live. Use a simple formula to decide what has to be saved and invested, and then ask yourself a better question: How much do I need to be making, and what do I need to do to earn it? You don’t cut your way to wealth. You grow into it. Robert Kiyosaki added another piece I like. He says you’re financially free when your passive income exceeds your expenses. That is why I like real estate. A good rental gives you cash flow. The bank helps you buy it. The tenant pays off the note. Over time, the value of the property
results. That is where the mindsets of abundance and scarcity show up. A scarcity mindset sounds like, “I can’t afford that,” or “We don’t have enough.” An abundance mindset sounds more like, “How can I afford that?” or “What needs to change so we can do this?” When you change the question, you change what your mind works on.
goes up, rents go up, but the mortgage stays the same. On top of that, depreciation shelters some of that income from tax. It’s not a get-rich-quick scheme. It’s buying one solid property at a time and learning as you go.
A lot of our beliefs form early, and we don’t even realize it. Over the years, I’ve been drawn to material that forces you to look at your belief system instead of just your bank balance. One author summed it up by saying everything is “figureoutable.” If something is holding you back, you have to look at the belief underneath it and fix that first. Once you start fixing that mindset, you still need some basic financial literacy. People still talk about an old book called “The Richest Man in Babylon.” What most
A lot of people want one big score. They wait for the perfect deal that never shows up. The person who just buys one rental per year and keeps that going usually
beats them by a mile. My job is to help people get their mindset right, learn the basics, and keep taking
consistent steps until work is optional and their passive income is paying the bills. –Bob Norton
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Pedro Pascal’s Path to Superhero Strength When people saw the Vanity Fair photos and Mister Fantastic casting, they figured Pedro Pascal had always looked like that, but the truth is rougher. Not long before he put on the blue suit, he couldn’t lunge, squat, or even step up without sharp pain in his back and hip. The trouble started on the set of “Gladiator II.” During a stunt, he tackled costar Paul Mescal, dislocated his shoulder, tore a muscle that supports his lower back, and came away with a hip flexor that never felt right again. By the time filming wrapped, he was in his late 40s and starting to wonder if this was his new normal. That’s when he called trainer Jason Walsh. Walsh already knew Pascal from earlier projects and had helped other actors come back from injuries. This time, the first goal was not a superhero body. It was getting his friend to a place where walking, climbing stairs, and picking up a weight did not feel like a struggle. The Work Behind the Headlines
Some of the best childhood memories start with someone saying, “Let’s go outside for a minute,” and then nobody comes back in for hours. You don’t even need a perfect backyard to make that happen. A bit of grass, a driveway, or the corner of the park is usually enough for a fun game. Tag is still one of the easiest ways to get kids running. You can stick with regular tag or switch it up. In freeze tag, one touch turns you into a statue until a teammate rescues you. In shadow tag, you chase the shadow instead of the person, which kids find hilarious on a sunny day. Blob tag is pure chaos. Every tagged player links hands with the “it” kid, and the blob keeps growing. If your family likes a little friendly competition, find old pillowcases and hold a sack race. Parents versus kids makes it even better, especially when adults wipe out first. Some kids are happiest when they can climb, crawl, and zigzag around the yard. You can give them a simple obstacle course using chairs, a broom laid on the ground, a few cushions, and a strip of tape or chalk. Then, let the kids decide how to run it. One round, they might crawl under the chairs. The next round, they hop over the broom and tiptoe along the line. On hotter days, water makes everything more fun. Fill water balloons, and pair everyone up for a balloon toss. The last team with a filled balloon is the winner, but when the sun is beating down, it’s the kind of game you don’t mind losing. Bubbles are also a great way to get water into the mix. Make a simple soap-and- water solution and build wands out of straws and string. Then, see who can make the biggest bubbles in the yard. When everyone’s ready for a slower pace, you can switch to a scavenger hunt or sit down in the driveway and make art or games with chalk. The point of all these activities is to have a little fun and get some fresh air while spending time together outside. SIMPLE WAYS TO UNPLUG AND PLAY OUTSIDE GET YOUR KIDS OUT THE DOOR
Walsh started by shrinking the problem. Instead of throwing
Pascal into movie-style workouts, he focused on small, controlled movements that didn’t flare up the injury. He did a lot of isometric work, where you hold a position and teach the muscles and tendons to fire again. They paired that with careful recovery so his body had time to adapt.
Food also played a significant role. They brought in a chef who prioritized proper caloric intake with the right balance of macronutrients. Combined with his workouts, Pascal’s new diet allowed him to maintain muscle while shedding pounds. The actor eventually began to notice the changes. On the set of “The Last of Us,” he noticed the space between his stomach and a pair of old pants. Pascal ultimately lost 25 pounds during the process and added enough muscle to look like a superhero. By the time the Mister Fantastic suit was ready, so was he. The best part, though, was that all of his hard work left Pascal feeling stronger and able to move again without pain getting in the way.
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THE DOG THAT SAVED A VETERAN FROM A STROKE BARKING AT THE RIGHT MOMENT
When Hank Ford ended his service with the U.S. Army and Marines, he felt completely alone. The veteran had post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and struggled to trust people. But dogs were a different story.
Hank wasted no time driving himself to the hospital, and it was only then that he realized how crucial his dog’s fast thinking really was. The doctor informed him he was experiencing an A-fib or irregular heartbeat. Left untreated, it could lead to life-altering or deadly strokes. “They told me, had he not woken me up, I could have had a major stroke in bed, or not woken up at all,” he said. "He saved my life."
When he received his service dog, a yellow Labrador named Tommy, he gained a steadfast companion who made each day a little less scary.
"Used to be, I walk into a place, and I'm looking for exits,” Ford said in an interview. “I'm watching everybody. I'm just not trusting anything that's going on, and with him, all that seems to have gone away.” Though his four-legged friend had brought so much relief and calm to his life, he never expected Tommy would actually save his life. The pup prevented a massive stroke that could have had dire consequences. Early one morning, Tommy broke all of his usual routines, barking at Hank at an odd time while the veteran snoozed. He was persistent, using his voice like never before and pawing at Hank’s chest until he arose. Clearly, Tommy sensed something
Hank received treatment, and in the months since the incident, he’s been feeling more like himself.
The veteran was incredibly thankful to Dog, Inc., the nonprofit that trained and provided Tommy to assist with his day-to-day mental health needs. Though the Lab was well-trained to handle his owner’s PTSD, Dog, Inc. said his life-saving action went above and beyond.
was wrong, and as soon as Hank stood up, he felt it too. His heart was pounding so hard he could feel it, and when he checked his blood pressure, he was shocked at the number. Zucchini Noodle Pad Thai
Tommy’s feat proves just how close the bond between a service dog and their human really is.
TAKE A BREAK
Ingredients Pad Thai • 2 medium zucchini • 2 tbsp olive oil, divided • 1/2 lb peeled and deveined shrimp • 3 cloves garlic, minced • 1/2 red bell pepper • 3 green onions • 1 large egg • 2 cups bean sprouts • 1/3 cup roasted peanuts • 1/4 cup chopped cilantro (optional) • Lime wedges (optional) Sauce
Directions
1. In small bowl, combine sauce ingredients; set aside. 2. Using vegetable spiralizer, cut zucchini into noodles. 3. Heat large pan on medium-high heat. Add 1 tbsp olive oil (reserve the other half). 4. Add zucchini noodles; cook for 2–3 minutes. 5. Let noodles rest for about 3 minutes. Remove noodles, drain, then reheat pan. 6. Add remaining olive oil and garlic; cook 30 seconds. 7. Add shrimp; cook 3 minutes. 8. Add bell peppers and green onions; cook 1–2 minutes. 9. Add egg and stir until cooked. 10. Add back zucchini noodles, then add sauce, and cook for 1 minute. Then add bean sprouts. 11. Serve, garnishing with roasted peanuts, cilantro, and lime wedges as desired.
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar • 2 tbsp fish sauce • 3 tbsp ketchup • 1 tsp packed brown sugar
Buds Conservation Diamond Easter
Lily Planting Refund Regrowth
Shower Sweets Taxes Volunteer
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper • 1 tsp chili garlic sauce
Inspired by WhiteOnRiceCouple.com
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Norton Accounting Services, LLC
THE REAL ESTATE TAX PRO ™
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INSIDE 1
From Scarcity Thinking to Real Wealth
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Inside an Actor’s Quiet Fitness Reboot Easy Outdoor Games for Busy Families The Barking That Saved a Life Zucchini Noodle Pad Thai
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A Fresh Look at Daily Routines
Small Tweaks for Better Workdays Finding Breathing Room in the Grind
Some nights, you get home, drop your keys on the counter, and feel like the day just happened to you instead of one you had an active role in. Your shoulders feel tight, your eyes are sore from all the screens, and dinner turns into whatever you can put together most quickly. Technically, you made it through, but the ordeal left you drained. Most of us can’t rewrite our job descriptions, but we can do things to improve our days. Instead of hunting for a perfect routine, it’s best to start with a couple of small changes that can make tomorrow feel a little more manageable. First, look at your commute. If traffic leaves you on edge, try adjusting your departure time by a few minutes, or search for a quieter route to work. Is public transportation an option? If so, taking a bus or train once or twice a week can be a nice change from driving. It may take longer, but it gives you time to read or listen to
something you actually enjoy. A calmer arrival at work can make everything else easier.
It’s also worth looking at how you take breaks throughout the day. First of all, are you actually taking them? A moment or two of staring off into the distance doesn’t count. A real break pulls your eyes, mind, and body away from work. That might mean taking a quick walk outside or simply moving to another part of the building and looking out a window. And have your lunch somewhere other than your desk. Eating in front of the same screen you use to answer emails isn’t going to give your brain the reset it needs. Finally, pick a stopping point and protect it. Once the workday is over, close the laptop and leave the office. Resist the temptation to log back in after work or check your emails before bed. Tomorrow’s workday usually feels better if the previous day had a clear, conclusive ending.
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