Check out the latest edition of our newsletter!
NOVEMBER 2024
901-388-5808 DouglassRunger.com
Clear the Clutter How Simplifying Your Space Can Boost Your Productivity
A cluttered space leads to a cluttered mind and a total lack of focus. I don’t know if I would qualify as a minimalist, but the older I get, the less stuff I want to have around. I am not one for material possessions; I just have a few treasured items, like my crystal collection, that I continue accumulating. I’ve found that having too much stuff, particularly junk, can have serious impacts on your mental and physical health. Use Less Stuff Day is on Nov. 21, and it’s a great time to focus on decluttering your life and reevaluating your possessions. Our environments greatly influence our stress levels, and clutter is the perfect spark for a panic attack. Think about those moments when you search your entire office or house, simply unable to find your keys. Depending on what else is happening in your world, that could trigger a complete downward spiral of stress, especially if you are prone to being impatient, as I am. You have a much better chance of being productive and staying happy if you are organized and let go of things you don’t need. Don’t open my desk drawer. I still need to go through a ton of stuff and get rid of it. Decluttering and living a more minimalist lifestyle are big goals I have. The truth is, I want to create a more serene and organized environment where each item I own has purpose and meaning. So far, when I have found myself overwhelmed by clutter, I tend to resort to reactionary measures, like a cleaning spree. It’s been effective in the short term, but I’m working to implement a more regular decluttering routine. Clutter in your digital environment can also bring chaos into your life. Most of us work on computers throughout the day and have likely experienced the stressful search for a particular file or a barrage of unread emails or even text messages. A few years ago, I hired a time management and productivity expert to help me better hit my goals. One of the exercises she had me do was to clean up my digital space. So, I spent hours on the computer renaming files and removing unnecessary stuff. I’m not just making personal decluttering my big goal for 2025; I’m also focusing on tidying up on the business side. I’m excited about moving into our new building, and part of the reason is that it will allow us to be more organized. We will have a whole room dedicated to files rather than storing them where we can right now. It’s a chance to
clean up our digital files and server, ultimately making the whole team more productive. At the end of every year, our office closes for a “file cleanout” day, where everyone cleans up their offices and purges old stuff. This exercise has a noticeable effect on people.
As I strive to become a minimalist, I can’t help but be amazed by how much so many of us accumulate over time. If you’re anything like me, you probably have that plastic storage bin full of college memorabilia and souvenirs from your past that you never use. Deep down, we know that many of these items no longer have a real purpose in our lives, yet we struggle to throw certain things away. If something doesn’t add functional value or hold significant meaning, we no longer need to keep it around. As we approach the holiday season, I think it drives home the idea of what “stuff” is truly important in our lives. During Thanksgiving, as we are surrounded by our loved ones, it’s clear that our family and friends matter most. If someone approached us and said we will either take away all your possessions or your family, I think most people’s decision would be obvious. So, as Black Friday draws people out to accumulate even more stuff, we can prioritize spending quality time with the people we love and embrace the spirit of togetherness over materialism. Doing so creates more meaningful memories than any old gadget or shirt that no longer fits.
901-388-5805 • 1
Elevate Your End-of-Year Holidays
The end-of-year holidays are festive but famously stressful, with fighting crowds and busting budgets. Here are five ideas to elevate your holidays by embracing new, simple family traditions. SHOP-LOCAL FRIDAY Avoid door-busting Black Friday crowds by shopping locally. Visit nearby shops as a family and try out their offerings. Or stay even closer to home by gamifying Black Friday into an online scavenger hunt. Make a shopping list and see who can find the best deals on each item. GO HUNTING OUTDOORS Work off that Thanksgiving meal by visiting a nearby park or trail for a hike and scavenger hunt. Give each family member a list of items to find. Small children might look for a pinecone or sparkly rock, while teens could hunt for a bird’s nest or a particular tree species. Your kids will learn about nature while enjoying some adventurous competition. FRIENDSGIVING If you aren’t overwhelmed by relatives during Thanksgiving, consider letting your children plan their own Friendsgiving celebration. This relatively new holiday has become a popular way to relax with your
besties, and hosting a kids’ version can help children strengthen social ties. Serve Thanksgiving leftovers or let the kids plan the menu. YEAR-END GIFT FEST Three gift-giving holidays — Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa — all fall near the end of December this year. Consider making gifts rather than buying them. Purchase supplies for a crafting or baking session and encourage your kids to create keepsakes or treats for loved ones, such as beaded jewelry, photo albums, trinket trays, original storybooks, artwork, cookies, or candy. Your kids will see that many recipients value their effort in making gifts more than the money spent on purchased ones. A YEAR OF MEMORIES The year’s end is a time to remember special people and events. Decorate a glass Memory Jar and ask each family member to recall a few favorite happenings or activities from the past year. Record each one on a slip of paper, drop them into the Memory Jar, make it the centerpiece for a family meal, and take turns pulling out and reading each other’s memories. This simple ritual can spark plenty of fun, plus warm conversations about the abundance that families share.
Ready to Adopt? Steps to Welcome a Child Into Your Family
a stepparent adopts a child from a previous relationship, typically when the biological parents are absent or give consent for the adoption. Families can adopt adults over the age of 18. Many adult adoptions are geared toward solidifying family bonds and formalizing a relationship to give that “child” inheritance rights and other legal decision- making powers. Children in foster homes are available for adoption once their biological parents terminate their parental rights. ELIGIBILITY You must meet the eligibility requirements for whichever type of adoption you choose. In Tennessee, adopters must be at least 18, prove they can financially support a child, and have lived in the state for at least six months. Adopters can be single, married, or divorced. A licensed child-placing agency will also complete a home study, which includes a background check for every family member.
The home study is a way for social workers or adoption specialists to determine if a household is a good fit for a child. DOCUMENTATION Adoption requires legal paperwork and court hearings to ensure the law is followed throughout the process. You will need marriage licenses, birth certificates, and other identifying and legal documents. Working with an adoption lawyer is not legally required, but it’s recommended as the process can be complex. An attorney can guide you through all the documentation and other requirements to make your adoption successful. Adoption is a beautiful gift, and you need to be prepared for the emotional and legal steps ahead. If you are ready to bring a child into your family through adoption, contact us at Douglass & Runger.
Adoption is a life-changing experience, and there are thousands of children waiting for a family to welcome them into their home. November is National Adoption Month, a time to celebrate families formed through adoption and to bring awareness of just how many children are hoping to be adopted. But, beyond preparing to be a new parent to a child, you also need to understand the legal process involved in adoption. TYPES OF ADOPTION Adoption is not a one-size-fits-all process, and there are several different forms of adoption that could be right for you. Each one has its own set of rules and requirements. A stepchild adoption is when
2 • DouglassRunger.com
As the new year approaches, many people start thinking about fresh starts and significant life changes. Divorce is common at the beginning of the year as people come out of the holiday season, a sometimes stressful time that can be a tipping point for couples who are struggling. If you are contemplating a divorce in 2025, it’s essential to understand the financial, emotional, and legal considerations. Here are some factors you should consider as you prepare for a divorce in the new year. FINANCES One of the first things you should do as you prepare for a divorce is evaluate your financial situation. Gather your financial statements, bank account balances, and any other money-related documentation. The end of the year is a great time to discuss finances, as couples usually discuss spending during the holidays. Talk about your investments, retirement contributions, and overall family budget. Make sure to also inventory your assets, like real estate or valuables. The more information you have on your financial situation, the better off you will be when dividing assets. TAXES Your marital status in terms of tax filing is based on your status on Dec. 31. So, if you are waiting until the new year to get divorced, there may be tax considerations you have to account for. You may have to file jointly with your spouse for another year of tax returns. If you have children, you may have to alternate years where you claim them as dependents. YOUR FUTURE As you prepare to leave the relationship, you must start planning for your future. There will be several financial situations and steps to take when you are newly single. If you don’t have a credit card in your name, this is a good time to do it so you have extra funds and can establish credit in your name. Budget out what you’ll need to cover potential moving expenses. Divorce is a major life change and could be a fresh start for you in the new year. Planning ahead, understanding your finances, and considering the tax implications as you make this decision is essential. At Douglass & Runger, we are here to guide you every step of the way. Contact us today for a consultation. New Year, New Beginnings Key Considerations Before Filing for Divorce in 2025
Exquisite Lemon Bars
Ingredients •
2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 cup powdered sugar 1 cup butter, softened
•
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice 2 tbsp grated lemon zest
•
•
• • •
•
1/4 tsp baking powder
4 large eggs
•
1/4 tsp salt
2 cups granulated sugar
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 350 F and grease a 9x13-inch baking pan. 2. In a medium bowl, combine flour and powdered sugar. 3. Cut in butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. 4. Press mixture into prepared pan. Bake for 15 minutes or until lightly browned. 5. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, baking powder, and salt. Pour over crust. 6. Bake for 25 minutes or until set. Allow to cool before cutting into bars. INSPIRATION “If you own this story you get to write the ending.” —Brené Brown
901-388-5805 • 3
2820 Summer Oaks Drive Bartlett, TN 38134 901-388-5805 DouglassRunger.com
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
1 The Art of Letting Go of What No Longer Serves You 2 De-Stress the Holidays With These Simpler Traditions How to Prepare for Adoption This November 3 Your Guide to Preparing for Divorce After the Holidays Exquisite Lemon Bars 4 Play-Doh Alternatives for Endless Kid Entertainment INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Ordinary Ingredients, Extraordinary Fun Cloud Dough and Slime Recipes
Nothing is better than spending an afternoon playing with your kids and enjoying their company. However, finding a game or activity that keeps their attention and focus can be challenging. That’s when we have to get creative to find something fun and
new for our kids. One solution that keeps kids engaged is creating unique items using ingredients from around the house. We’re not talking about the standard arts and crafts here! Younger kids love playing with Play-Doh, but you don’t have to go to the store to pick it up. You can make a few different versions with everyday household items. Your kids will love creating and playing with the dough. Here are a few options you can try the next time your kids want something to do. Just remember to supervise your kids during these activities! CLOUD DOUGH If you want to try a soft and fluffy alternative to Play-Doh, you’ll love creating cloud dough. You’ll need an unscented hair conditioner or one with a scent your children enjoy, food coloring, and cornstarch. Combine a half cup
of conditioner, 4 drops of food coloring, and 1 cup of cornstarch, and mix it all in a bowl. Once it becomes hard to mix, start kneading the dough with your hands until it’s smooth and cloud-like. That’s all there is to it. When your kids finish playing with their cloud dough, squeeze all the air from it and place it in an airtight container to ensure it maintains its form and stays workable. You can also replace the conditioner with yogurt if you’re worried about your little one trying to sneak a taste. SLIME Want something a bit gooier? Then let’s make some slime! Start by combining one 4-ounce bottle of school glue with 2 tablespoons of contact lens solution. Then, add 1–2 cups of shaving cream, depending on how thick you want your slime. Knead it together until it’s no longer sticky, and you’re good to go!
4 • DouglassRunger.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator