Check out our August newsletter!
AUGUST 2025
GIVE US A CALL! 303-922-4304 federalbenefitsmadesimple.com Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. M–F
HEALTHY, WEALTHY,
& WISE
1 Denver Federal Center Building 45, Entrance E-9, Room 1050 Lakewood, CO 80225
NEW CAMPUS, NEW YOU
WHY COLLEGE IS LIFE’S BEST DO-OVER
My advice regarding college has been the same for all four of my children; three have made that journey and, with one more still in high school looking into colleges, it resonates all the louder. College is an incredible opportunity for many reasons, but my personal favorite is that it’s a fresh start for the next chapter of your life. You might say it’s like a do-over, where you get a brand- new start, sort of a clean slate no matter what your reputation or experience was in high school. You get an opportunity to be whoever you want to be. Fall is when students everywhere start looking forward to football nights, new friends, study sessions, and even exams that a new semester brings. It’s an exciting time for young people as they investigate career paths, make new friends, and home in on who they are. As a parent, I’ve shared this experience with my older children several times, and with the youngest just looking into possibilities this journey will offer, it will eventually be a new stage of life for my wife and I as well. I’ve always encouraged my children to make the most of this “do-over” opportunity. They don’t need all the answers now, know precisely what they want their degree to be, or what
joining clubs and getting more involved, she just never allowed herself to do it. After dropping her off for Day 1, I fully expected her to return in a few weeks, but clearly, my advice resonated. She went on, flourished, and became someone I didn’t recognize, in all the best ways. Her involvement even led her to become a founding member and vice president of one of the first sororities on her campus. When I left high school, I was very insecure and lacked confidence. I didn’t go straight to college because I didn’t have the guts to take that big step I’ve tried to instill in my kids. So, I ended up getting my degree later in life. I finally reached a point where I was doing exactly what I would have loved to have been doing my entire working life, but it took a long time to get there. That’s why I try to reinforce with my kids the benefits of stepping out early. From the beginning, we had one rule in our house: Experience all that college offers and get a degree. After that, it was up to each of them if they wanted to jump right into a career, travel the world, or do whatever they wanted — their choice.
Now, with my last child exploring colleges, it will lead to a new chapter for my wife and me with exciting possibilities and experiences to look forward to. Even though this means
the next step in life will look like. What matters most at this stage is supporting and encouraging them to try out new things and explore interests. If they go to school for something they enjoy and feel passionate about, once they graduate and pursue that path, work isn’t going to feel like just a job. It’s going to feel like a career that continues to excite. The challenge is being open to make the most of the opportunity. I’ve witnessed this with three of my kids while in college. My oldest was very quiet in high school. Though she always talked about
I’m getting older, I’m also getting the opportunity to start thinking of redefining and reimagining my life.
I hope the journey for all of my children is as exciting and productive as mine has been, and they take the opportunities to explore and be whoever they want to be. –Jeremy Rafferty
www.federalbenefitsmadesimple.com |1
Published by Newsletter Pro . www.NewsletterPro.com
CREATE A FAMILY COOKBOOK FULL OF LOVE AND FLAVOR A TASTE OF HOME
In most families, holidays, special occasions, and Sunday dinners usually revolve around laughter and food — lots of food. Whether it’s Grandma’s famous biscuits or that secret chili recipe your uncle swears he’ll take to the grave, these dishes are part of what makes your family your family. So, why not gather all those delicious memories into one place by creating a family cookbook? Know your why. Before you dive in, decide what your cookbook is for. Is it a holiday gift? A legacy project? Or a fun way to organize weeknight favorites? Knowing your purpose will guide the tone, design, and care you put into it.
stories, tips, or funny kitchen mishaps. That’s the good stuff that makes your cookbook meaningful. Choose an organizational style. You could go the traditional route with categories like appetizers, mains, and desserts, or get creative with sections like “Grandma’s Greatest Hits,” “Cousin Potluck Favorites,” or “Holiday Classics.” Just pick a format that feels natural, easy to follow and best relays information. Test and tweak as you go. Some family recipes live in the land of vague directions — “a dash of this” or “cook until it smells right,” etc. If needed, test the recipes and jot down more precise measurements or instructions. Trust me, your future self will thank you. Add a personal touch. Photos can take a cookbook from good to unforgettable. Include pictures of the dishes, handwritten recipe cards, or candid
family cooking moments. Even simple design details — like using someone’s handwriting or a family saying — can make it feel special. Pick a format. You don’t need to be a professional designer to pull this off. Tools like Canva, Shutterfly, or even Microsoft Word can help you create a layout. Decide whether you want to print physical copies, go digital, or do both. Don’t forget to embrace imperfection. Remember, it doesn’t need to be perfect! A little mess here and there adds charm. What matters is preserving the joy, tradition, and flavor of your family’s kitchen.
Gather the goods. Now comes the fun (and sometimes
chaotic) part — tracking down recipes from relatives. Send a group text, email, or social media post asking for their go-to dishes. Encourage everyone to include personal
Free FERS Retirement Workshops Through September 2025 From Pension to Paperwork
We know things are shifting fast for federal employees, like tighter agency budgets, changing personnel needs, and evolving retirement rules, all of which are creating a lot of uncertainty. You deserve clarity, and we’re here to help make things as easy as we can for you. Through September 2025, Federal Benefits Made Simple is offering our in-depth FERS Retirement Workshops for free. Though this is usually a paid program, we understand that many agencies aren’t in the position to provide this beneficial training to their employees right now. We want to continue to be a resource about retirement benefits and a place to get your questions answered. As federal employees, you have very robust retirement benefits, but they’re complex. Our workshops are designed to help simplify them and get you to a place where you have everything you need to make confident decisions about your future. Our free workshops will cover how to prepare for a smooth retirement, starting with what you need to complete your retirement application. We spend a lot of time on your pension options, whether full, reduced, deferred, or postponed. Your Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) is the area you have the most control over, so we’ll discuss strategies to maximize this benefit. We’ll also talk about Social Security and the FERS supplement, as well as other related information.
No matter what stage of your federal career you’re in, our workshops can help you more clearly understand your benefits, how to maximize your retirement potential, and create a clear plan for the future. Space is limited in these classes to provide more time for questions and answers. Please RSVP by contacting us at BenefitTraining@federalbenefitsmadesimple.com or call 303-922-4304. FREE FERS RETIREMENT WORKSHOPS When: Aug. 5: 8:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. at the Denver Federal Center Aug. 20: 8:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. MT on Zoom Sept. 24: 8:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. MT on Zoom Limited spots are available. RSVP at 303-922-4304 or BenefitTraining@federalbenefitsmadesimple.com
2 | 303-922-4304
Published by Newsletter Pro . www.NewsletterPro.com
Why Fitness Fans Are Flocking to Bone Broth
The latest viral fitness trend comes from an ancient source: a nutrient-rich broth as old as time. Bone broth — a soup typically produced by boiling chicken, turkey, or beef bones for 12–14 hours — is gaining attention on social media as a “bonus food” that aids recovery after workouts and delivers abundant proteins and electrolytes. Endurance athletes have long guzzled bone broth at aid stations during long-distance competitions to deliver the necessary sodium and energy boost. Now, the tasty brew is appearing on more supermarket and grocery-store shelves as professional athletes, weekend warriors, and health-conscious workout devotees learn about its benefits. What are the benefits? While typical chicken or beef stock might simmer for a couple of hours, the animal bones used in bone broth must be simmered in water for 12–48 hours to extract all the bones’ nutrients. Nutritionists claim that bone broth can be a high-value addition to the diets of athletes and casual exercisers alike. People who work out hard need electrolytes to replace those lost in sweat, and this brew has plenty of them; including calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium. Bone broth also contains collagen, a protein that helps keep
tendons and ligaments strong. A Drexel University nutritionist interviewed by Outside magazine calls it “Nature’s Gatorade.”
Of course, health-food fads can explode and flame out with dizzying speed. With that in mind, here are a few things to consider before gulping down bone broth.
Is it just another fad? While it has many supporters among nutritionists and dietitians, the benefits of bone broth have not been proven in peer-reviewed research. Additionally, adherents must use it consistently to reap its full benefits. Bone broth also lacks adequate protein to meet a person’s total needs. Plus, it may contain heavy metals leached from animal bones and can interfere with some medications, such as blood thinners. Nevertheless, humans have consumed bone broth since ancient times, and it’s still a staple in many cultures. As always, please check with a doctor before adding it to a diet. As food fads go, this one may have some promise.
Train Your Brain!
Hot Honey Mango Margarita
INGREDIENTS
Inspired by HeySnickerdoodle.com
• Lime wedge • Chili lime seasoning • Ice • 10 oz mango chunks
• 1 1/2 oz tequila • 1 oz lime juice
• 3/4 oz Cointreau • 1 tbsp hot honey • Mango slices and additional lime wedges (optional garnish)
• 1/3 cup water • 2 tbsp sugar
DIRECTIONS
1. Coat the rim of your serving glass with chili lime seasoning, using a lime wedge to create the binder, then carefully fill with ice. 2. In a blender, add mango chunks, water, and sugar and purée until smooth. 3. Pour mango purée, tequila, lime juice, Cointreau, and hot honey into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Cover and shake vigorously for 10–20 seconds. 4. Carefully strain the margarita mixture into the prepared glass. 5. Garnish with lime wedge and mango slices coated in chili lime seasoning if desired.
Note: This delicious recipe can easily be made virgin by omitting the tequila and Cointreau!
www.federalbenefitsmadesimple.com |3
Published by Newsletter Pro . www.NewsletterPro.com
Give us a call! 303-922-4304 federalbenefitsmadesimple.com FAX: 303-416-4358 Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. M–F
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
PO Box 260787 Lakewood, CO 80226-0787
Insurance products are offered through the insurance businesses Federal Benefits Made Simple and E.A. Buck Financial Services. Federal Benefits Made Simple is an Investment Advisory practice that offers products and services through AE Wealth Management, LLC (AEWM), a Registered Investment Advisor and Buck Wealth Strategies, a Registered Investment Advisor. Securities offered only by duly registered individuals through Madison Avenue Securities, LLC (MAS), member FINRA/SIPC. AEWM does not offer insurance products. The insurance products offered by Federal Benefits Made Simple and E.A. Buck Financial Services are not subject to Investment Advisor requirements. AEWM is not affiliated with Federal Benefits Made Simple, E.A. Buck Financial Services, or Buck Wealth Strategies. In California, we are known only as E.A. Buck Insurance Services in all solicitations of insurance. Federal Benefits Made Simple, an E.A. Buck Company is not affiliated with or endorsed by the US government or any governmental agency. E. A. Buck Financial Services, Buck Wealth Strategies, Federal Benefits Made Simple, An E.A. Buck Company are affiliated by common ownership. CMP-54050 - 7/25
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
page 1 A Parent’s College Send-Off
page 2 Cook Up a Legacy We’re Here to Help
page 3 Fuel Like a Pro: Why Athletes Love Bone Broth Hot Honey Mango Margarita
page 4 Nantucket’s Timeless Allure
Why Nantucket Should Be a Getaway Whales, Wine, and Whimsy
When many Americans think of vacation destinations, they envision beautiful state parks, sunny beaches in Florida or California, and the mountains of Appalachia and the Rockies. However, many states across the country offer exciting events and beautiful scenery. If Massachusetts isn’t already on your radar, consider giving it a closer look the next time you plan a vacation. Cape Cod has beautiful beaches and a rich history that many don’t know about, and something exciting is always happening in Boston. But if you want to experience the true essence of Massachusetts, take a trip to Nantucket. Nantucket is a small island, only 14 miles long and about 3.5 miles wide. Its history with European settlers goes back over 500 years. First sighted by an Englishman named Bartholomew Gosnold in 1602, the island wasn’t settled by colonists until 1659. Not long after, they spotted whales offshore, which put Nantucket on the map.
Whaling became the ultimate trade for people living in the area, and the island even became the world’s whaling capital until the 1850s. You can still view whales from the island today, and if you want to get the full story, check out the Nantucket Whaling Museum. If whale watching and museum touring isn’t your thing, you can pursue other exciting activities around Nantucket. The island is bike-friendly, and many trails will take you by all the best sights. Many one- of-a-kind boutiques and eateries occupy beautiful historic buildings, and there’s even a public golf course that will leave all your golfing buddies jealous. If you go in May, you may even experience the renowned Wine & Food Festival. Nantucket is full of historic architecture, beautiful scenery, and friendly people. You might even see a famous personality during your visit! This is a vacation you’ll be talking about for years to come.
4 | 303-922-4304
Published by Newsletter Pro . www.NewsletterPro.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4www.federalbenefitsmadesimple.com
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator