The Moak Law Firm - December 2019
Find
A Bankruptcy and Personal Injury Attorney You Can Trust
480-755-8000 www.TheMoakLawFirm.com
Sharing Our Light in the Holiday Season
T here are many holidays in joy for a reason! Every day should be joyful, but this time of year, we’re called to look for the joy in life. If you find yourself struggling to see the joy in the season, remember that happiness can be measured in different ways. For some of us, taking time to reflect on our values and commitments, to evaluate what we’ve achieved and what we can do better, can bring greater joy in our lives. Other people rekindle their joy by spending time with their families. Family is a key part in our everyday lives, and reflecting on the joy we share with loved ones can be a powerful force during the holiday season. Finding meaning in life can also be a source of joy. When our lives have meaning, when we feel fulfilled, we often experience a deep sense of joy. Personally, I find great joy in my religion. I’m a Jesus man, so I have contentment in my heart because I know a great price was paid for my happiness. I’m grateful for our Lord and Savior for His sacrifice and find hope in the fact that, because of Him, we have an eternal life of joy. With this contentment in my heart, I’m able to share that joy with my family. There’s nothing deeper and more joyful than knowing December that focus on hope and happiness. It’s called the season of
“If you find yourself struggling to see the joy in the season, remember that happiness can be measured in different ways.”
No matter how much misery you have in life, we all have something to be grateful for — even if it’s just being alive today to see a better tomorrow. I am most grateful for my wife, my children, and my clients. Some people may roll their eyes when I say that last one, but I mean it sincerely. I enjoy what I do because of the relationships I’ve built with my clients. They reach out during difficult times and let me help them through it. That creates a bond, making all the challenges worthwhile. The relationships I have with my clients give my work meaning, adding joy to my life. I truly love what I do thanks to them.
Over the next few weeks, take a moment to find the joy in your life. Look at the meaningful ways you spend your time, the people who make you smile, and the blessings that make your life better each day. This is the season of joy because we bring extra joy into the world. I
you are right with God and right with your fellow man.
Being right with God also means counting your blessings and being grateful for what
you have. Gratitude is a big part of happiness. Research shows that people who practice gratitude tend to be happier. Plus, I think we all know that unhappy person in our lives who only ever complains about what went wrong or what they don’t have.
encourage you to look for ways you can maximize the joy in your life and share it with others.
–Walter E. “Pete” Moak
1
December 2019
480-755-8000 •
More Than Just ‘You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out!’
Lessons Families Can Learn From ‘A Christmas Story’
Kids won’t believe in magic forever. Magical stories about Santa or even “Little Orphan Annie’s” Secret Society fill children’s hearts with wonder but won’t enchant them forever. Belief in certain parts of the Christmas season can fade slowly or die as quickly as the spin of a decoder pin, but parents can always be there to remind children about what’s really important during the Christmas season. Christmas Day can be hectic, and, in the hubbub of it all, sometimes disaster can feel inevitable. Ralphie’s parents certainly experience their fair share of disaster in hilarious fashion when the Bumpus Hounds destroy their holiday turkey and leave nothing but the heavenly aroma. But, when Ralphie’s father takes them out to eat at a local Chinese restaurant, it creates a whole new Christmas tradition for the Parker family. Our holiday mishaps, no matter how tragic, are rarely the end of the world. Sometimes ‘disasters’ lead to new adventures. the IRS. If you don’t file, not only will you still owe those taxes, but you’ll also owe late fees and the penalty for failing to file on top of it all! Keep in mind that if you file for bankruptcy, your debts won’t be discharged until you file your tax returns. If you’re already struggling with debts, putting off filing will only make it harder to find relief. A creditor is threatening to garnish my tax returns! Should I put off filing to protect my money? Recently, a woman came into our office who hadn’t filed her tax returns in several years, despite the fact that she could have claimed a big tax return every year. Because she had a judgment against her and the creditor was threatening to garnish her refunds, she decided not to file in hopes of protecting her money. As a result, she lost out on thousands of dollars.
In 1983, one movie introduced Red Ryder BB guns, fishnet-clad leg lamps, and bright red bars of soap into America’s everlasting Christmas mythos. Now, over 35 years later, “A Christmas Story” continues to delight audiences every holiday season with timeless lessons for viewers of all ages. In a story where kids are clever and kind, and parents are bumbling and wise, “A Christmas Story” has more lessons to offer families than just, “You’ll shoot your eye out!” Your kids are listening to you (oh, fudge!). They aren’t always obedient, but that doesn’t mean they’re not listening. After Ralphie lets slip the “queen mother of dirty words” in front of his father, the narrator reminisces about first hearing that word from his old man — possibly when he was trying to get their furnace to work. He doesn’t admit this to his mother, but it’s a lesson for parents everywhere that kids may hear more than they let on.
Consider one final tip: Do not stick your tongue to any flagpoles this winter! Happy holidays!
Debt and Taxes Is It Ever Okay Not to File Taxes?
You only have three years to claim your tax refund. This woman hadn’t filed for five years, which meant her refunds from two of those years were gone forever. However, she would still have to pay the penalty for not filing in those years, as well as the penalty for not filing her taxes during the other three years. She had to get the whole mess cleared up before she could file for bankruptcy and deal with the judgment against her. As a rule of thumb, you should always file your tax returns, no matter what situation you find yourself in. Even if you owe money, in the long run, filing on time is always better for you financially. Plus, the IRS will be more willing to work with you on your taxes if you file than if you don’t. Struggling with tax debt? Got a big bankruptcy question? We can help! Call The Moak Law Firm at 480-755-8000 and learn the best strategies for dealing with your debt and taxes.
Next month marks the start of tax season as employers begin sending out W-2s. If you’re anticipating a big tax refund, this can be a wonderful time of the year. However, if you’re already struggling with debt and you know you’re going to owe the IRS, the arrival of your W-2 can be one more burden on your shoulders. I can’t afford to pay my taxes! Should I put off filing this year? If you know you won’t be able to pay your taxes, not filing seems like the only option. No one wants to take on more debt they won’t be able to afford. The problem is this act will only increase the amount you owe
Do you know anyone overwhelmed with debt o
2 •
www.TheMoakLawFirm.com
The Safe Driver Pop Quiz 3 Signs Indicating You’re a Dangerous Driver
Are you a safe driver? Take this pop quiz to find out! 1. The light has just turned yellow. Do you speed up? A. Yes, I can make it. B. No, I start to slow down. 2. A driver just cut you off. How do you react? A. I get angry and lay on my horn. B. I slow down to give them enough space. 3. Someone tries to merge in front of you at the last minute. Do you let them in? A. No, they need to learn their lesson. B. Yes, if I can. If you chose A on most of the questions, then you are an aggressive driver. This means you have some pretty dangerous habits when you’re behind the wheel. The insurance company Esurance reports that 2 in 3 three traffic deaths are the result of aggressive driving.
we are quick to react with anger when other drivers “wrong us.” But the reality is that other drivers aren’t out to get you. That person who cut you off may be from out of town and didn’t realize their exit was coming up so soon. The car tailgating you may be carrying a woman in labor. When we remember that drivers are other people and treat them with courtesy, we become much safer behind the wheel. It’s far safer to be a defensive driver than an aggressive one. Alway be aware of other drivers and expect them to react unexpectedly. When you’re coming up to an intersection, always look both ways, even if you have a green light. A driver in oncoming traffic may be distracted and not realize their light is red. Give yourself time to stop if you have to. It’s also smart to practice the three-second rule. Make sure there’s at least three seconds worth of space between you and the driver in front of you. If they have to stop suddenly, you have enough time to react without hitting them. The best strategy for being a safe driver is to remain calm. If running late makes you stressed out, be sure to leave your house five minutes early. If you have a short fuse, try some breathing exercises to keep from losing your temper. We’re sharing the road together, so we all have a responsibility to help make sure everyone gets to their destination safely.
When we get into our car, we can feel a sense of ownership about our place on the road. This is why
Potato Latkes
Word Search
Inspired by The New York Times
Ingredients:
• •
2 large russet potatoes, scrubbed 1 large onion, peeled and cut into quarters
• • • • • •
2 large eggs
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp black pepper
Safflower or vegetable oil, for frying
Directions:
1. Using either a food processor with a coarse grating disc or the coarse side of a box grater, grate potatoes and onion. (If using a food processor, halve or quarter potatoes.) Once grated, wrap in a clean dish towel or cheesecloth to wring out as much moisture as possible. 2. Transfer to a mixing bowl and mix in eggs, flour, salt, baking powder, and pepper.
3. Heat a heavy-bottomed pan containing 1/4-inch of oil over medium-high heat. Use a heaping tablespoon to drop batter into the hot pan, working in batches. Use a spatula or spoon to form them into discs. Fry about 5 minutes per side, until deeply browned. 4. Transfer to a paper towel-lined wire rack to drain, and serve alongside applesauce and sour cream.
HOLIDAYS FLURRY FROZEN
WINTER SLEIGH COOKIES ORNAMENTS REINDEER STOCKINGS
PENGUIN WREATH SNOWFLAKE
who was injured in an accident? We can help!
480-755-8000 • 3
480-755-8000 www.TheMoakLawFirm.com 1820 E. Ray Road Chandler, AZ 85225
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
We are ranked by Ranking Arizona as the #2 Law Firm that deals with Creditor’s rights and Bankruptcy.
INSIDE This Issue
1
Practice Gratitude This Year
2
Lessons Families Can Learn From ‘A Christmas Story’ How Tax Returns Impact Your Bankruptcy Case Are You a Dangerous Driver? Potato Latkes
3
4
How Santa Claus Became Powered by Reindeer
We all know reindeer visit our rooftops every Christmas Eve, but what brings them there? Follow the unique and complicated history of Santa’s reindeer to find out. A visit from who on what night? In the 1820s, Clement Clarke Moore penned a holiday poem that became the foundation for a phenomenon still alive today. Commonly known as “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,” “A
Visit From St. Nicholas” is a beloved story shared by every generation. It is in this poem that reindeer were first credited with powering Santa’s sleigh around the globe. Many popular songs, movies, and plays have preserved Moore’s vision of St. Nick, and his reindeer and their names are no exception. (Well, kind of.) Rudolph wouldn’t join the squad until a department store added him as part of their promotions in the 1930s. What’s in a name? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, and Cupid were all brought to life by Moore, but have you ever heard of Dunder and Blixem? Though we now know the duo as Donner and Blitzen, Moore originally named them Dunder and Blixem— the Dutch words for thunder and lightning — but publishing companies wanted names that would rhyme better with the rest of the poem. Still, it was a few decades before Donner and Blitzen made their
appearances in the version of the poem we know today.
Reindeer burgers, anyone? Moore’s poem paved the way for Santa’s most famous form of transportation, but it was actually Carl Lomen, an Alaskan businessman, who mass-marketed reindeer as Santa’s companions. In the late 1890s, the Sami natives of Northern Europe, who were longtime reindeer herders, made their passage from Norway to the U.S. with a herd of reindeer to invigorate the Alaskan landscape and help their native neighbors. Lomen saw the reindeer as an opportunity and partnered with the Macy’s department store company to create a promotional Christmas parade in which Santa, led by his reindeer, a sleigh, and Sami herders, were prominently featured. Lomen’s goal was to promote his massive reindeer conglomerate for the production and sale of reindeer meat. Instead, a holiday story was born.
4 •
www.TheMoakLawFirm.com
Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.TheNewsletterPro.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4bestazpersonalinjurylawyer.com
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online