Check out our August newsletter!
Give us a call! 303-922-4304 federalbenefitsmadesimple.com Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. M–F
AUGUST 2022
HEALTHY, WEALTHY,
& Wise
1 Denver Federal Center Building 45, Entrance E-9, Room 1050 Lakewood, CO 80225
GET THE TSP ADVICE YOU NEED WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM OUR TEAM
Pretend for a minute that your car is making a strange rattling sound. You want to know what the problem is, so you turn to the one place all of us go first these days: the internet. You can get pretty much any piece of information you can dream of online. In fact, you can find more than you need! If you Google “strange engine noise Honda Accord” you’ll get pages and pages of possible answers and end up in a bottomless car repair rabbit hole. However, just reading all of that information won’t help you fix your car. To actually take action, you need something else: advice. A lot of people tend to think information and advice are the same thing, but they’re actually very different. Advice is actionable, and more importantly it should come from someone you trust. You might look up the reason your car is rattling on the internet (getting information), but from there you’d probably take it to your mechanic, share what you think is wrong, and ask for their suggested fix (getting advice.) The same holds true for your wealth and your retirement. Sure, you can look up “best stocks to buy,” but you probably won’t pull the trigger on investing until you get advice from a trusted friend, mentor, or financial advisor. Many of the federal employees we work with ran into the difference between information and advice this summer when they tried to navigate the new Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) system*. As I’m sure you know, the government rolled out an updated version of TSP on June 1. You had to create a new user ID, log in to the new website, and try to find your information in a disorienting new layout. Unfortunately, many people’s account information didn’t transfer correctly. Maybe you’re one of the people who realized your beneficiary information was missing. If so, I’m sorry you had to deal with that. Last time I checked, the wait time for phone calls at TSP was 4–6 hours! When you finally got through to someone, they may have explained the beneficiary problem and fixed it. But if you tried to ask a question like, “How should I allocate my TSP if I’m 10 years from retirement?” they might not have been able to help. That would have been giving advice — and it’s something you can only get from someone who cares about you and knows your situation.
In a perfect world, I’d say you should be your own advisor on these matters. After all, nobody cares more about your retirement than you do, or knows your situation better! But we’re not all financial gurus who know how to make the most of a retirement plan. Some of us have different strengths: We’re engineers, or army generals, or post office workers — and there’s nothing wrong with that. TSP may not be able to help you or your coworkers figure out how to best use your federal retirement benefits, but my team and I will try. We can give you advice tailored to your situation and share the resources you need to help work toward the best retirement outcome. In fact, we’re a great resource for information and advice! Right now, we’re offering a series of webinars on the changes within TSP, and we add another webinar every time we get an update. If you’re not already on our webinar invite list and want to learn more, call our office or email us at info@federalbenefitsmadesimple.com. You may already be totally up to date on TSP, and that’s great! But do you have a friend, coworker, or family member who is stuck and could use retirement help? If you do, ask them to reach out to us. We can have a conversation about their retirement, and help get them the information and advice they need to thrive.
–Ann Vanderslice
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/06/22/thrift- savings-plan-investors-problems-logins/
www.federalbenefitsmadesimple.com |1
Published by Newsletter Pro . www.NewsletterPro.com
Tired of Egg White Omelets?
Has a recipe ever called for just the egg yolks and you’re left wondering what to do with the remaining egg whites? Some recipes require just the yolk of an egg for their emulsifying properties and fat content to provide a smooth, velvety texture and a rich taste. Luckily, you don’t have to toss the leftover egg whites (also known as albumen). There are many ways to repurpose them, and the best part is that they don’t need to be used up right away — they freeze well! 3 WAYS TO USE UP LEFTOVER EGG WHITES
that they come out crispy and delicious, just like in the
restaurants! The recommended
ratio for this is one egg white for every two potatoes that have been peeled and julienned.
GREAT LEAVENING INGREDIENT
TASTY DESSERTS
Egg whites are a great ingredient to give your baked goods, such as cakes, a little “oomph!” When you whisk egg whites, they fill with air. You’ll notice that when you first start whisking, you’ll create big bubbles, but as you continue to whisk, they become smaller with more surrounding bubbles. When the whisked egg whites are folded into cake batters, for example, each air-filled bubble expands during the baking process, resulting in a fluffier cake!
If you used the yolks to make some heavier custards or flan, the egg whites can be used
for great treats as well. Macaroons, muffins, cakes, cupcakes, and brownies all can be made with just egg whites, as long as the referenced recipe calls for the whites!
CRISPY HOMEMADE FRIES
If you’re tired of making egg white omelets or if they just aren’t your style, there are still so many other great uses for this ingredient and tons of creative ways to ensure that they never go to waste. SPREAD YOUR FAIRY WINGS
If you’re whipping up some homemade french fries in the oven, coating them in frothed-up egg whites before baking them ensures
How to Build a Fairy Utopia
and flex their creative minds. Adults can, too! But first, you need to gather the materials:
the fairies. Lay a good foundation so you can begin decorating with accessories and plants. Narrow down your plant selection based on where the garden will be located, for example, whether it’s exposed to full or partial sun. Succulents, small bonsai trees, or even ivy can be great choices for a fairy garden. Finally, once you’ve selected and planted the greenery, you can start laying out the accessories. These can include miniature versions of many things:
• • • • •
A container with drainage holes
Potting mix
Plants, twigs, and/or flowers Pebbles or glass marbles
Garden decorations
If you’re looking for a fun addition to your outdoor space or a crafty project for the kids, creating a fairy garden might fit the bill. You can grow fairy gardens in a small pot, garden bed, or planter, and they typically consist of small plants and trinkets to “attract” fairies to it. Creating your own personalized fairy garden encourages you or your kids to get involved with nature on a smaller scale, and that’s where the real magic is. GETTING STARTED WITH YOUR FAIRY GARDEN A fairy garden offers an enchanted space kids can use to develop their imaginations
Next, get creative and decide on the theme of your garden. You can match your fairy garden to the style of your home or your locale, or dream big and choose whatever you’d like. Popular themes are a wooded wonderland, castles, fairy villages, or even the beach! There truly is no limit. Once you choose a theme, go to your local nursery or craft store to find decorations to build your fairy utopia. BUILDING YOUR THEMED GARDEN After the container is filled with soil, you can use moss or pebbles to create paths for
• • • • • • •
Chairs and tables
Birdhouses Toadstools
Lanterns Animals
Mushrooms Fairy statues
The point of a fairy garden is to create something fun and imaginative. This fun project will add a whimsical, eye-catching area to your outdoor space.
2 | 303-922-4304
Published by Newsletter Pro . www.NewsletterPro.com
LULU THE PIG IS A HERO!
She Saved Her Owner From a Heart Attack
Lulu captured the hearts of the Altsmans when their daughter asked them to pet-sit her overweight pot-bellied pig. The pair quickly fell in love with Lulu, and their bond got stronger each day. This relationship was literally life-saving when the wife suffered a heart attack one August afternoon. Jo Ann Altsman was home alone with Lulu and their dog, Bear, when the incident occurred. Her husband was off on a fishing trip, and the pair didn’t have any neighbors nearby. Bear began to bark to try and get someone’s attention, but Lulu knew she had to do something before it was too late. So, she made her way out of the doggie door, which badly scraped her belly as she exited. Lulu had never left the yard, but today was different. To get some attention, she decided to lie down in the middle of the road and play dead until a car stopped to check on her. After several minutes of lying on the street, several cars passed by but didn’t stop. So, she checked on her owner, then squeezed through the doggie door and lay down on the road again. After 45 minutes, a gentleman on a motorcycle pulled over to check on Lulu. She immediately perked up and began walking toward the house, leaving a trail of blood behind her as she walked. The man followed Lulu and found Altsman unconscious on the ground. He quickly dialed 911 and asked for assistance. When the medics put her owner in the ambulance, Lulu attempted to get in with them. Of course, she couldn’t come, so she began to squeal as she watched the medics take her mom away. Thankfully, Lulu’s wounds were
attended to, and Altsman received life-saving open-heart surgery at the Beaver Medical Center.
Because of her loyalty and creative thinking, this pot-bellied pig became a celebrity overnight! She was a guest on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” and the “Late Show With David Letterman.” Everyone fell in love with Lulu and her heroism.
Thank you, Lulu, for being a loyal and brave pet!
Train Your
BRAIN!
Tasty Bruschetta Chicken
Inspired by Delish.com
INGREDIENTS
• 4 boneless and skinless chicken
• 3 tomatoes, chopped • 2 cloves garlic, minced • 1 tbsp fresh basil, chopped • Salt and pepper, to taste • 4 slices mozzarella cheese • Parmesan cheese, grated
breasts, pounded to even thickness
• 4 tbsp olive oil • 2 tbsp lemon juice, divided • 1/4 tsp pepper • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
DIRECTIONS
1. Add chicken to a large resealable bag. 2. In a small bowl, combine olive oil, 1 tbsp lemon juice, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Pour over chicken and seal. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. 3. Turn a grill to medium-high heat and add the chicken. Discard the marinade. Grill chicken 5–7 minutes per side or until fully cooked. 4. Combine the remaining lemon juice, tomatoes, garlic, and basil. Add salt and pepper, to taste. 5. Before taking the chicken off the grill, top each breast with a slice of mozzarella cheese. Cover and cook 2–3 minutes, then serve topped with the tomato mixture and grated Parmesan cheese.
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
Federal Benefits Made Simple, an E.A. Buck Company is an independent financial services firm helping individuals create retirement strategies using a variety of insurance and investment products to custom suit their needs and objectives. This firm is not affiliated with or endorsed by the US government or any governmental agency. E.A. Buck is an independent financial services firm, offering investment and insurance products to consumers. Securities offered only by duly registered individuals through Madison Avenue Securities, LLC (MAS), member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered only by duly registered individuals through AE Wealth Management, LLC (AEWM), a Registered Investment Adviser. Insurance services offered through Federal Benefits Made Simple an E.A. Buck Company. MAS, AEWM, and Federal Benefits Made Simple, an E.A. Buck company are all separate entities.
issue INSIDE THIS
The Answers to Your TSP Questions PAGE 1
What to Do With Leftover Egg Whites
Creating a Fairy Garden PAGE 2
Pigs Are Brave and Loyal Pets, Too!
Tasty Bruschetta Chicken PAGE 3
What to Consider Before Buying an RV PAGE 4
EMBARKING ON AN RV JOURNEY 3 Tips for Seniors Before Buying an RV
features are must-haves and which you can do without. It’s also a great way to make sure you’re okay being in such a small space with your family, partner, or travel buddy!
DON’T RULE OUT PRE-OWNED RVS.
RVs can be expensive, depending on which model you are looking into. In some cases, opting to purchase a pre-owned RV can save you a great deal of money. And, if you get a great deal on a pre- owned one, you can repair, renovate, and redecorate it to your liking with the money you saved. An additional perk is that insurance is usually cheaper on pre-owned RVs!
You can tour the country without ever having to leave your home — motor home, that is! Seniors around the country are all hopping aboard the RV train because it’s a great way to get up close and personal with nature while being free to go where you want. One morning, your backyard can be Yellowstone National Park, and the next, you’re in the Mojave Desert! If you’re looking to purchase an RV in your golden years, here are some tips.
DO YOUR RESEARCH.
There is much more to buying an RV beyond the actual shopping experience. You have to also learn to drive and/or tow it! Before making a purchase, be sure to research and look up reviews on the driving experiences of other owners of the same make and model. An RV can be a second home, so take your time and make sure you’re getting exactly what you want. Before making your decision and pulling the trigger on your brand- new RV, make sure you’ve done your homework and are prepared for life on the road! A huge adventure awaits — the best thing you can be is prepared!
RENT ONE FIRST.
Renting an RV before you make the commitment to buy one is the way to go, especially if you’ve never taken a trip in one before! This way, you can take it for a nice long test drive and determine which
4 | 303-922-4304
Published by Newsletter Pro . www.NewsletterPro.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator