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NOVEMBER 2023
The Thrill of the Deal Why I Love the Excess of Black Friday
I love giving presents, so Christmas is my time to shine. And you can’t discuss Christmas shopping without talking about Black Friday. These days, I usually get my deals online; it’s so much easier and more efficient. But the chaos of the unofficial holiday holds a special place in my heart. I grew up in Knoxville, and when I went home for the holidays during college, I usually spent the day after Thanksgiving at Tanger Outlets in Pigeon Forge. The area contains a few miles of outlet stores, other shops, restaurants, and various tourist stuff. People come from all over to shop there, and it’s packed every Black Friday morning like you wouldn’t believe. Technically, I was there to start my Christmas shopping and score fantastic deals on shirts and ties. In reality, the entire atmosphere sucked me in. The outlets are near the Great Smoky Mountains, making the air crisp, and the leaves are changing colors, which creates an incredible backdrop. Then, there’s the indescribable buzz of so many people being out and together in one place. Most people spend Thanksgiving lounging around, eating food, and watching football. It’s nice, but I get a little stir-crazy, and I’m sure I’m not alone. So, it feels exciting to suddenly be around so many other people. Since I was back in my hometown, I could always count on running into people I hadn’t seen in years. We’d often end up making plans during the break after bumping into each other. I find almost every aspect of Black Friday entertaining. I wasn’t the type to head out at midnight and camp out in front of the store, but it’s always fun to hear from those who do. I otherwise never watch the local news on TV, but I always tune in on Black Friday to hear about how long people waited and At Douglass & Runger, we want to get in on the Black Friday fun by offering our clients both new and old some incredible opportunities to save. To learn more about our Black Friday sale, visit DouglassRunger.com/blackfriday. Black Friday Deals
what they bought. The occasional fights and stampedes are a sour note, but I don’t think they reflect the day as a whole.
The business aspect also intrigues me. I love business, sales and marketing, and seeing how various stores go about advertising for Black Friday. I also find the operations of a brick-and-mortar store fascinating in general. Specifically, it’s crazy to think that many businesses operate in the red until almost the end of the year, and their profits come down to one weekend. Meanwhile, I can imagine the strategy for determining prices and analyzing margins to maximize revenue has to be a delicate balancing act. I’ve never worked in retail, but running or staffing these stores can’t be easy. I greatly respect people who do it, especially on a hectic day like Black Friday. In the end, Black Friday is one of the most quintessentially American days in existence. The excess and frenzy are pure USA. It’s easy to mock, but I love and embrace it. There are many worse things than the thrill of big crowds and the adrenaline rush you get from a great deal. Happy shopping!
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SMART SOCIAL MEDIA BUILD BETTER HABITS FOR YOUR TEENAGER’S BRAIN
Social media is a great way to stay in touch with friends and family, stay updated on current events, and cool off after work or school. But, using social media has drawbacks, especially for the developing minds of teenagers. It’s been proven to distract them, disrupt their sleep, and negatively impact their mental health.
Checking social media first thing in the morning also triggers a fresh dopamine reward, creating a cycle of craving throughout the day that keeps your child constantly scrolling for more. RULE NO. 2: KEEP NOTIFICATIONS TURNED OFF! The sound of a notification triggers our brains’ stimulus-response behavior, which is why even you may become antsy when you hear your child’s phone buzzing through dinner. This behavior is also driven by dopamine, meaning your brain rewards you for responding to the stimulus, or in this case, the sound of a notification. And, just like the morning social media, it creates a habit of constantly checking our phones to receive more of the reward. RULE NO. 3: LIMIT AIMLESS SCROLLING. In a study of 460 participants, researchers found that aimlessly scrolling through social media resulted in psychological distress, decreased overall life satisfaction, and diminished mental well-being. If possible, give your children structured time on social media so their scrolling won’t continue for hours. You can also educate your teen on these risks so they can hopefully break themselves out of endless scrolling when they realize it’s happening.
Luckily, you can implement a few simple rules with your teens to make social media better for their brains.
RULE NO. 1: NO SOCIAL MEDIA WHEN THEY WAKE UP. When we wake up in the morning, our brain is still producing a lot of alpha and theta brain waves. These brain waves are associated with deep rest and an almost meditative state, making our brain more suggestible. So, suppose your child uses social media and sees a post that may suggest negative thoughts or behaviors. In that case, they’ll be more likely to absorb and accept that information. Our brains balance out these waves 5 -15 minutes after waking, so it’s a good idea for them to avoid using their device until then. Estate Planning for the Digital Age When they begin the estate planning process, most people have a pretty good idea about the assets they want to protect. They consider their homes, retirement accounts, investments, and heirlooms. But many forget about their digital legacy, which can sometimes be just as valuable. Cryptocurrency continues to grow in popularity, but its unique features present estate planning challenges, unlike other traditional assets. It’s impossible to designate a “Payable on Death” beneficiary for cryptocurrency, and no bank can legally transfer the asset after a person’s death. Any cryptocurrency heir you name in your estate plan will face the difficult task of accessing the inheritance. Since cryptocurrency is stored in secure online wallets or ledgers without personally identifying information, it’s crucial for the owner of the cryptocurrency to leave detailed notes and instructions behind for his or her beneficiaries. An estate plan that does not detail the wallet in which the cryptocurrency is stored and how to access the wallet risks losing the asset entirely. People with cryptocurrency need to engage in a high level of communication about these assets, or the assets will be left unrecoverable in cyberspace forever. Even individuals who don’t invest in cryptocurrency still need a digital estate plan because they lead digital lives. Part of creating an estate plan should be considering who you want to have access to your online accounts. It’s possible to leave responsibility for different accounts to different people as you see fit. You can also name a separate digital executor who is technologically savvy.
Some people may not care what happens to their accounts once they pass away, but their loved ones will. Paying bills, managing subscription services, and accessing online photographs can be an enormous headache without login credentials. It’s wise for everyone to identify and securely catalog all of their online accounts with usernames and passwords with a tool like LastPass or 1Password. Their digital executor can then access and distribute information about the accounts accordingly. The Douglass & Runger team has substantial experience creating effective estate plans for cryptocurrency and other digital assets. If you have questions about the role of online accounts in your estate plan, call us at 901-388-5805 to schedule a consultation with one of our knowledgeable attorneys.
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How to Choose Your Estate’s Executor Key Qualities to Keep in Mind Deciding how to divide your assets after death can be a difficult process, so choosing an Executor for your will often seems simple by comparison. But it’s a topic people neglect at their loved ones’ peril. The wrong Executor can lead to costly errors, court challenges, and unnecessary strain on surviving family members. A surprising number of people choose the person they think “should” be the Executor (such as the eldest child) rather than the person right for the job. However, this is one estate planning decision you should not make emotionally. A good Executor should have several qualities that suit them to the task. Above all, an Executor must be honest. An unscrupulous executor can irreversibly damage an estate through fraud or waste. While these actions are illegal, the assets could be unrecoverable when the problem is discovered. Choose someone you trust to always do the right thing. It’s almost as crucial to choose a person who is responsible. An Executor’s responsibilities involve paying bills, filing taxes, notifying institutions of your death, preparing court documents, and mediating disputes. Someone who struggles with paperwork or keeping a positive balance in their bank account will likely be a disastrous choice, no matter their other qualities. Also, consider family dynamics when choosing your Executor. For example, if you have two children who do not get along, it’s probably wise to have neither serve as Executor of your estate. The bad blood could lead to disputes and legal challenges. Remember, a person doesn’t have to receive an inheritance from your will to act as Executor. Finally, when naming your Executor, consider what you’re asking of them. Being an Executor can be an honor, but it’s also a grave responsibility. Before putting their name in writing, engage them in a conversation and receive their permission. Someone who feels resentful or burdened is less likely to do a good job. The estate planning attorneys at Douglass & Runger cannot tell you who to choose as an Executor, but they can provide valuable guidance as you decide or even assist you in the preparation of a Trust which avoids probate altogether. If you or a loved one need to create or update your estate plan, call our team at 901-388-5805 to schedule a personalized consultation.
Stuffed Pepper Soup
Inspired by TasteOfHome.com
Stuffed bell peppers are a common meal in many households. And as temperatures begin to drop, there’s no better way to warm up than by turning this classic recipe into a hearty — and healthy — soup!
INGREDIENTS • 2 lbs ground beef • 6 cups water • 1 28-oz can tomato sauce • 1 28-oz can diced tomatoes, undrained • 2 cups chopped green peppers • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 tsp salt • 2 tsp beef bouillon granules • 1 tsp black pepper • 2 cups cooked long- grain rice • Chopped fresh parsley (optional)
DIRECTIONS 1. In a Dutch oven over medium heat, cook beef until no longer pink, breaking it into crumbles; drain. Add beef back to the pot and stir in all ingredients except the cooked rice. Bring to a boil. 2. Reduce heat. Simmer uncovered until peppers are tender, about 30 minutes. 3. Add cooked rice and simmer, uncovered, for about 10 minutes. If desired, sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley. INSPIRATION “The soul is healed by being with children.” —Fyodor Dostoyevsky
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1 Curt Celebrates a Uniquely American ‘Holiday’ 2 Help Your Teen Thrive in the Social Media Age Estate Planning’s Forgotten Assets 3 How Should You Choose Your Will’s Executor? Inside This Issue
Stuffed Pepper Soup 4 Paper Folding Fun for All Ages
Boost Your Child’s Cognitive Skills With Origami
If you’re looking for a family activity requiring minimal supplies and effort, origami should be next on your to-do list! Origami might seem too challenging or even not stimulating enough for children, but there are plenty of accessible and delightful shapes to keep your kids endlessly entertained. Plus, they won’t be able to stop themselves from filling your home with paper swans, dragons, and more! Not only is origami a simple activity that just requires paper, but it also offers a variety of benefits to children and adults alike. Discover how origami can boost your family’s brains and the perfect way to start folding! PRACTICE PATIENCE AND MINDFULNESS. No running, jumping, or yelling involved. Children can partake in a soothing activity requiring their undivided attention when practicing origami. Origami is even considered a form of f ocused attention meditation , which involves concentrating on a single object to induce a relaxing state.
their dexterity, hand-eye coordination, and spatial reasoning skills.
ENCOURAGE A MATHEMATIC MINDSET. The shapes and measuring involved in origami are also an incredible way to implement geometric concepts, terms, and formulas. For older kids, you can make origami a geometry lesson! Use different geometric formulas and apply them to various paper shapes. This will help students better visualize and understand these mathematical concepts. GET STARTED. There are endless resources online or at your local library to create age-appropriate origami activities. While you can purchase special origami paper, you can also use standard paper and scissors to cut sheets into the proper size. Fill your table with a rainbow assortment of colored papers and let your kids pick the origami shape of their choice. Before you know it, origami rabbits and birds will be lining your shelves!
Calmly focusing on folding a piece of paper into a unique shape requires you to be present in the moment and can be a fantastic way to introduce mindfulness to your family. IMPROVE HAND-EYE COORDINATION. Origami also helps younger children better understand spatial concepts such as measurements, shapes, and directions. Studies show that origami helps children improve
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