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NortonAccountingServices.com 985-640-6072 Info@NortonAccountingServices.com DECEMBER 2021 NORTON NEWSLETTER EASE OF MIND • AVAILABILITY • FLEXIBILITY • INDIVIDUAL APPROACH • EXPERIENCE • TAX SAVINGS OPPORTUNITIES THE REAL ESTATE TAX PRO ™
This has been one crazy year! For us, it seems that tax season began in Jan 2020 and never ended with all the COVID and storm extensions. We’re still working on tax returns for this year for Louisiana (and a few other states) that were extended due to Hurricane Ida. I’m planning on having them all done by the first of December. Since we’re ending another year, it’s time for some last-minute tax planning. I’ve already been meeting with clients to review the year and see if they need to make any strategic moves before the end of the year. If you need to defer some taxes until next year, the tried-and-true strategies are delaying invoicing customers (or closing on sales of properties) until January, purchasing business equipment before the end of the year, and prepaying expenses for next year. If your taxable income is lower this year, you could consider converting your traditional IRA to a Roth IRA. You will pay tax on the conversion, but since we’re experiencing historically low tax rates, now is a good time to do that. Income earned in a Roth IRA is tax-free forever! FROM THE DESK OF Bob Norton
Walking is a great form of exercise for people of all ages. It’s simple, you can do it almost anywhere, and you can start at any fitness level. Plus, in addition to burning calories, walking improves your cardiovascular health, alleviates symptoms of depression, improves your mood, and can help with joint or muscle pain. The only problem is that, after a while, it starts to get dull. Doing the same walk over and over again makes things easy but boring, which can tempt you to stop altogether. If your walks have become a slog, there are ways to get that early passion back. Try some of the below tips to add pep to your step. Make Walking Fun Again WHISTLE WHILE YOUWALK
PARTAKE IN SCAVENGER HUNTS/GEOCACHING.
If you walk the same route all the time, the scenery can start to blend together. Bring back mindfulness and start noticing overlooked details by trying a scavenger hunt. There are plenty of options already online, but you can create your own, too. Think of plants, insects, animals, toys, or architectural details you’d like to spot, and then keep your eyes peeled. You’ll see the area in a whole new way. If you’re feeling more adventurous, you can also try geocaching. Geocaching uses the GPS on your phone to help you find hidden containers (or caches) that contain
hidden trinkets or prizes. Going on the hunt for treasure can be quite exciting, and you’ll eventually start to love creating geocaches of your own. To learn the ropes and get started, check out Geocaching.com.
Happy Holidays!
–Bob Norton
TRY LISTENING TO SOMETHING NEW.
A lot of people walk with earphones in, but you could be missing out by sticking only to your favorite tunes. Music is a great motivator, but you should broaden your horizons. Is
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... continued from Cover there a new album you’re curious about or an old one you’ve been meaning to listen to for some time? Load it up on your favorite streaming service, and use your walk as a great time to listen. You also don’t have to stick to music. There are countless podcasts available these days, and there’s sure to be at least one that will spark your interest. Some people listen to audiobooks and motivate themselves by only listening when they’re walking — can’t find out what happens next unless you get your exercise! And if you don’t mind talking aloud while you’re walking, you can even take the time to learn and practice a new language.
from getting stale, as well as a great way to learn more about the area where you live.
DO GOOD DEEDS.
Many of us feel a desire to give back, but it can be hard to find the time. You can support your health and your community by doing good deeds while you walk. For example, if there’s litter on your route, bring some gloves and a small bag and pick it up as you go. Or, if you’re around other people, try paying someone a compliment — for example, “I like your shoes!” or “That’s a great hat!” You’ll likely brighten up both your day and theirs. If any of your neighbors are homeless, you can get more ambitious and start bringing them snacks, sandwiches, or small care packages. And since you’re walking anyway, you can try the free app Charity Miles (CharityMiles.org), which allows you to choose a charity and earn donations from corporate sponsors based on how many miles you walk. It couldn’t be easier to give back! Whatever method you choose to spice up your walking routine, it doesn’t take a lot to make your exercise more interesting. Try something new today, and get that heart pumping!
PLAN NEW ROUTES.
There’s no rule saying you can’t drive to your walk. If the neighborhood is getting boring and you’re tired of looking at the same old houses, start brainstorming a new destination for your exercise. For a scenic view, try a park or a beach. Cemeteries can also be surprisingly tranquil and beautiful, with lots of sprawling land. If you live in the suburbs, drive into the city and start to explore; and if you live in the city, try a rural area with lots of fresh air. You can even pick a random neighborhood on a map, park your car, and check it out. Choosing new routes is a great way to prevent your routine
SNOWSHOEING IS A FUN, EASY OPTION FOR ALL AGES Meet Your New Favorite Winter Sport
1. If you can walk, you can snowshoe! Unlike other energy- intensive sports like skiing and snowboarding, snowshoeing is safe and relatively easy for folks of all ages. Some outdoorsmen and women snowshoe into their 70s and beyond, so a snowshoe outing is a great way for grandparents and grandkids to bond while getting some aerobics in. 2. Speaking of aerobics, snowshoeing is also a great workout . When you strap on your snowshoes, you can burn up to 50% more calories than you would while hiking (depending on your pace and the type of terrain). Athletes who want to really amp up the exercise can even invest in jogging snowshoes! 3. Last but not least, snowshoeing is scenic! When you’re whizzing down a mountain on a snowboard or skis, you don’t have time to take in the view. But on snowshoes, you can soak up all of the winter beauty around you. You can even bring your camera along on your trek to capture pictures of any flora and fauna you see. If you want to try snowshoeing this winter, make sure you start with an easy trail and consult your doctor and/or physical therapist before you go. Always bring along a backpack of emergency supplies like a blanket and first aid kit, too, and consider purchasing or renting hiking poles along with your snowshoes to boost your stability. For more insider tips, visit SnowshoeMag.com.
When celebrities jet off to Aspen, Colorado, for their winter vacations, they might not all be going to ski. According to Forbes, Aspen is also a top snowshoeing destination — and that’s a sport that celebrities and ordinary people of all ages can enjoy. Snowshoeing is a simple activity that dates back at least 6,000 years. It involves strapping large flipper-like attachments called snowshoes to your boots. The attachments distribute your weight and let you walk over banks of powder without sinking. You can use them to navigate flat plains, rolling hills, or steep mountains depending on the type of shoe you invest in.
On top of its unique history, these three major perks to snowshoeing just might make it your favorite winter sport.
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Nothing says Christmas quite like basketball — at least, that’s been the case since 1947. In addition to stockings, eggnog, and general yuletide cheer, each Christmas Day brings about an annual lineup of basketball games featuring the National Basketball Association’s best of the best, and it’s become a time-honored tradition. Why Basketball Is a Christmas Staple MERRY HOOPSMAS!
However, for loyal fans and viewers, the tradition has sparked a few great moments, including the following greatest games, statistics, and achievements — plus a potential record to watch for this year. • Kings of Christmas Day: Since their initial 1947 debut, the New York Knicks have gone on to play the most holiday games of any other NBA team. They have 22 wins and 31 losses, giving them the most losses on Christmas Day. (Until recently, they had the most wins, too, but the Los Angeles Lakers now hold that title.) • Point Pros: This year could be a historic one for the NBA. LeBron James is slated to surpass the late Kobe Bryant for the most points scored on Christmas Day. James just needs 13 points to outpace Bryant when the Lakers host the Brooklyn Nets this year. However, the title for most points scored on a single Christmas Day game goes to Bernard King of the Knicks, who scored 60 points in a 1984 loss to the then-New Jersey Nets.
But where in the North Pole did this idea come from?
While it’s hard to pinpoint an exact reason, the NBA has hosted Christmas Day games since 1947, when the New York Knicks beat the Providence Steamrollers 89–75. For decades, teams across the league would play their regional rivals on Dec. 25, ensuring the basketball season moved forward and players didn’t have to travel too far from their families. That looks different today. In contrast to the National Football League’s Thanksgiving Day games, where the Detroit Lions and the Dallas Cowboys always play, Christmas Day is now reserved for the NBA’s top teams. In many ways, this is a marketing ploy designed to heighten NBA viewership on a day when few other sports host games, and by using their best teams, the NBA can ensure viewers are treated to great games.
You can catch all five Christmas Day games on ESPN and ABC this Christmas Day!
Take a Break!
Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies
Inspired by DreenaBurton.com
Set out these vegan cookies for Santa!
Ingredients
• 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour • 1 tsp baking powder • 1/2 tsp baking soda • 1/4 cup sugar • 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/3 cup maple syrup • 1/4 tsp molasses • 1 tsp vanilla extract • 1/4 cup olive oil • 1/3 cup vegan chocolate chips
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 F. 2. In a medium bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, and salt. 3. In a smaller bowl, combine maple syrup, molasses, vanilla, and oil. 4. Mix the wet ingredients with the dry mixture. Mix in chocolate chips. 5. Place large spoonfuls of dough on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 11 minutes.
CANDLES CELEBRATION JINGLE JOLLY
MISTLETOE ORNAMENT PRESENT SANTA
SLEIGH STOCKING
WASSAIL WREATH
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE From the Desk of Bob PAGE 1 Make Walking Fun Again PAGE 1 Meet Your New Favorite Winter Sport PAGE 2 Why Basketball Is a Christmas Day Tradition PAGE 3 Take a Break PAGE 3 Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies PAGE 3 Helping Hands Monkey Helpers for the Win PAGE 4
NO MONKEYING AROUND Helping Hands Monkey Helpers for the Win
retrieve a canned beverage from the refrigerator, open it, and put a straw in it!
A service monkey can also assist with retrieving things that are dropped or out of reach, turning pages in a book, scratching an itch, pushing buttons on electronic devices, and performing other menial tasks within the home. Each human applicant and the capuchin monkeys undergo a pairing process to find the best fit for placement! A social worker and placement specialist work together to sift through applications and determine which monkeys will be the right choice for the applicants based on lifestyle preferences and the tasks that will be most helpful to the person with disabilities. Plus, Helping Hands Monkey Helpers ensures that the monkeys are completely free of charge to the recipients! The human-animal bond created along the journey after placement is absolutely beautiful. Helping Hands Monkey Helpers brings love, companionship, and laughter to many who are fortunate enough to work with the organization. These monkeys are the best, hands down. And, monkeys, thank you for going to monkey college, and thank you for your service!
You’ve heard of service dogs, but what about service monkeys? For many years now, capuchin monkeys have been lending helping hands to people with disabilities! Helping Hands Monkey Helpers, located at Monkey College in Boston, Massachusetts, is a nonprofit organization designed to help people with disabilities and mobility issues, such as quadriplegia, by pairing them with a monkey service animal. These simian helpers are specifically trained to help with daily tasks while providing companionship, happiness, and a renewed sense of purpose that many struggle with when navigating an injury or disability. When monkeys graduate, they will have developed the ability to navigate major household appliances and electronics as well as basic items within the home. They can even
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