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Justice MONTHLY
229-888-0888 • www.puttingpeoplefirst.law
DECEMBER 2020
For the Love of Holiday Traditions
I f it were up to me, Priscila and I would be spending every holiday season with her family in Brazil. I would love to ring in the holidays in the dead of summer in Brazil, simply because I hate the cold. (Yes, I think even Georgia is cold.) Ironically, despite growing up in a place with warm weather, Priscila prefers the cooler temperatures! Still, I know she would also like to make it a tradition to visit her family every Christmas. Hopefully, in a world where COVID-19 doesn’t impact travel and we have a family of our own, we can make this a reality. That’s not to undercut the tradition my mom, my sister, and I have. We make it a point to see each other over the holidays regardless of where we’re living. Even during the years when my mom lived in Colorado or my sister was working on TV shows on the East Coast, we still made time for each other. And this year is no different. We’ll all be traveling to Lake Oconee to spend the week of Christmas and New Year's. My sister and her husband will travel from California, while my mom will come from North Carolina. Priscila and I have the shortest drive from right here in Georgia, but regardless of if we were halfway across the globe in Brazil celebrating Christmas or right here in Albany, I’d still make it a point to find time to have a holiday celebration with my mom and my sister. I’ve often found that spending time with family is rejuvenating, especially during the holidays. Everything tends to slow down over the holidays, and everyone is nicer to each other. It makes
Trey with his sister and mom!
me appreciate the simple things in life: spending time with family, laughing with friends, and enjoying each day. Sometimes I even have the chance to see old friends who are visiting family in the region! It’s great to catch up with others when life is moving at a slower pace. The holidays and time spent with family and friends really put everything into perspective, and that’s what we need as we head into a new year. We have a lot to celebrate this year, too. While Priscila and I were married in a small civil ceremony this May, my sister and her husband recently got married in a small ceremony in California. However, Because of the pandemic, we haven’t been able to celebrate together yet, but I’m excited to honor this wonderful time in our lives when we’re able. As we approach this holiday, I’m looking forward to continuing an old tradition with Priscila and my sister’s husband. Our family continues to grow, and that just means we have more reasons to celebrate and more to appreciate every holiday season. However you choose to celebrate this holiday season, I hope you find time to appreciate the slowdown. I hope you can spend it with those you love and cherish the memories you make together.
Rawson has the Christmas sprit!
We will meet my sister's dog, Bernie, for the first time this Christmas!
Have a very safe and happy holiday season!
-William F. “Trey” Underwood, III
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3 GIFT-GIVING TIPS
THAT WON’T KILL YOUR SAVINGS
a great crafter, create something unique for the people on your list. If you can offer the gift of time, provide a free night of babysitting for your friends with kids or an experience at the local theater. These gifts have a bonus factor: Recipients love the gift when they open it, and they love it when they get to use it!
Ah, the holidays. It’s a time of sweet treats, family, and giving back — and sometimes giving a little too much. When it comes to the perfect holiday gift, many people spend too much money. The average American spends nearly $1,000 on gifts during the December holidays alone!
It’s possible to cut back and make it to January without major debt. Here’s how.
KEEP THE HOLIDAYS MERRY And Avoid These 3 Disasters Check your list — twice! The list is going to be your secret weapon to tackling the holidays with your savings still intact. Start by writing down the name of every person you’d like to get a gift for. Now, with the exception of your immediate family members, narrow the names down to your top five — top 10 if you’re really popular. Now, place the names of the people who didn’t make the cut into a second list. If you still feel the need to do something for them, send homemade cookies or a handwritten note instead of purchasing something. This limits how much you actually have to spend! Think beyond store-bought or expensive items. Sure, everyone wants this holiday season’s “it” item, but sometimes the best gifts don’t even come wrapped under the tree. Instead, look to your own talents as a clue to what you should give. If you’re To make sure your holidays are merry and bright, take steps to ensure all the extra decor and baking doesn't create a holiday disaster. This season, avoid stress and grief by preventing holiday mishaps with this helpful guide! Snuff out fire chances. Overly zealous turkey fryers, excited holiday decorators, and busy stocking stuffers have been known to set their holidays aflame.
Set a budget — and stick to it. Setting a holiday budget ensures you only spend what you can afford. It also narrows down your search. If you choose to buy your neighbor something, but they aren’t your top priority, set their budget at a lower level, like $25–$50. If you have a sibling who has had a rough year and you’d like to make their holidays a little brighter, bump their budget up. This narrows the focus of what you’re looking for so you don’t stumble into something you can’t afford. Ultimately, it’s the spirit of giving during the holidays that makes them so rewarding. With a little ingenuity, you can be generous and avoid the stress of excess debt come January.
instant, cracked or broken lights can spark a fire, outlets can burn from overuse, and decor over a fireplace can be set ablaze.
Stay safe up high and on the ground. When hanging or removing Christmas lights, be sure to use a sturdy ladder and ask someone to serve as a spotter. Avoid climbing onto roofs that are icy or wet. Finally, ensure all lights are properly working before climbing up
onto the roof. Once your feet are firmly planted on the ground, be mindful of slick or icy patches and keep walkways clear of decor.
Protect your bank account. The holidays bring out the best in most people, but for others, they bring out the worst. Holiday scammers will play on the giving nature of others by asking for phony donations. Others will offer outrageous deals on gifts or ask for gift cards. Always verify the source before giving away your money and check nonprofits with the Better Business Bureau. Report all scams to the local authorities. If you want more information on how to avoid scammers, visit ConsumerFTC.gov and read advice from the Federal Trade Commission. The holidays should be a time of merriment, but if you are left injured after an accident this holiday season, you deserve proper compensation. Call our experts at the Law Offices of William F. Underwood, III, P.C. at 229-888-0888 and begin your road to recovery with the resources you need.
Let’s start with the food. Only fry your turkey outside, away from your home and after the turkey has completely thawed
out. Always wear protective gloves and glasses when frying and keep children out of reach. In the kitchen, properly clean your oven and monitor it regularly when in use, setting timers to alert you when the baking is done. It may not be as obvious, but items around the home can be just as flammable as the food in your oven. A dry tree can go up in flames in an
P.S. See Page 3 for tips on how to avoid accidents during holiday travels!
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On the Road Again 5 SAFE DRIVING TIPS FOR HOLIDAY TRAVEL
We Value You! At the Law Offices of William F. Underwood, III, P.C., the trust we build with our clients is our most valuable asset. To show our appreciation, we would like to thank our clients who have referred others to us since our November newsletter: Rose Douglas and Eusebio Mitchell Your recommendations are greatly treasured by everyone at our office. Clients can also leave their comments on our services through Google Reviews! These statements give us critical feedback and help other clients facing stressful life situations find dependable lawyers. Previous and current clients can also receive free notary services at our office. Learn more about this service by giving us a call at 229-888-0888. the wheel if necessary. Never drive while drowsy, as it can be just as dangerous as driving drunk! If you’re behind the wheel and you start feeling sleepy, pull off to the side of the road and ask your partner to drive or find a place to rest before you resume driving. Fourth, prepare for any potential disasters by creating an emergency kit. This should include food, extra water, a first-aid kit, basic repair tools, a map, a flashlight, chargers, and helpful guides. Update this emergency kit as the seasons change to include other necessary items, like an extra blanket during the winter. Fifth, leave early! You tend to make better decisions and drive safer when you’re not in a rush. So, if it takes eight hours to get to Grandma’s house, give yourself at least nine hours to get there. You’ll drive more safely and arrive less stressed. Even if you prepare well for the holiday season, accidents can happen. If a car accident leaves you injured, our team at the Law Offices of William F. Underwood, III, P.C. can help you receive the compensation you deserve. Call our team today!
COVID-19 has affected every aspect of our lives, and holiday travel is no exception. Experts believe more people will attempt to travel to see loved ones this year, and many may opt for the roadways to avoid large crowds at airports. You can protect your family as you travel this year with these five steps. First, do a quick car inspection. Ensure your tires have enough air, check your fluid levels, and examine the lights on your vehicle. If possible, have your vehicle inspected before departing on a long trip. An inspection will provide you with the peace of mind that your ride is working properly and help mitigate potential disasters. Second, make a travel plan. While you can’t plan for every obstacle or issue, making a plan provides guidance. Determine how often and where you’ll need to stop for gas. Pack snacks and games to avoid unnecessary — and potentially dangerous because of the pandemic — stops. Keep in touch with family as you travel and have a backup plan in case your original plan implodes. Third, choose a driver. While one person may prefer to drive, it’s best to have two people who can take
HOLIDAY PET FOOD GRAVY
No holiday feast is complete without gravy to pour on just about everything — including your dog
or cat’s food! Get your pets excited about their dry food by revamping it with this quick and easy holiday gravy recipe.
Ingredients • 2 cups low-sodium or homemade chicken or turkey broth • 1 lb low-fat ground turkey • 2 tbsp cornstarch or tapioca flour Directions 1. In a medium saucepan, bring broth to a simmer. 2. In a skillet, brown ground turkey, breaking it up into small pieces. 3. When turkey is cooked thoroughly, strain off any remaining fat. 4. Sprinkle cornstarch or tapioca flour over meat and stir well to coat evenly. 5. Pour broth over meat mixture and bring it to a low boil until it thickens. 6. Let cool slightly but serve warm over your dog or cat’s favorite dry food. 7. Enjoy the holiday feasting together! Inspired by Rover.com
Thank you for trusting us to serve you!
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The Value of Holiday Traditions PAGE 1 3 Fool-Proof Ways to Pay for the Holidays Without Going Broke PAGE 2 Avoid Holiday Disasters With Our Go‑To Guide PAGE 2 Get There Safely With 5 Steps for Safe Holiday Travel PAGE 3
Holiday Pet Food Gravy PAGE 3
5 Ways to Make Your Holiday Extra Eco-Friendly This Year PAGE 4
5 WAYS TO MAKE YOUR HOLIDAY EXTRA ECO-FRIENDLY THIS YEAR
Sustainability is the gift that keeps on giving, so if you'd like to give a gift to the environment this December, make your holidays anti-plastic! Here are five ways that you can use the latest eco-friendly technology to make sure your Christmas is just as convenient as ever. Set up recycling bins. Nobody wants to sort through trash on their holiday, especially if you’re hosting all the parties! To avoid dealing with the waste, set up recycling and composting bins before any home holiday festivities. It’ll make your next trip to a local recycling center so much faster because everything will be organized and easier to manage. Use paper containers for leftovers. Give your celebration a restaurant-from-home feel by storing and giving away leftovers in paper containers rather than plastic. Paper will dissolve and leave behind much less
chemical residue than plastic. Want to make it look extra posh? Stamp the exterior with the family initials! Change up your gift wrap. Why use wrapping paper every year when you can make your packaging extra interesting, colorful, and creative? Use newspapers, magazines, comics, posters, maps, or even art by your kids to conceal your gifts this year.
Rent, borrow, or rethink your tableware.
Localize as much as possible. If you can buy ingredients like fresh meat or vegetables from local farms, you won’t use as much plastic packaging and you’ll support small businesses at the same time! Never buy one-use plastics if you don’t have to. For every holiday tradition, ask yourself: Can I reduce, reuse, or recycle any components to this? We hope you have a happy, eco-friendly holiday!
If you’re missing proper tableware for your holiday celebration, don’t despair — some companies will actually let you rent out their dishes for your special evening! You can also borrow tableware from friends and family. But you don’t have to use metal tableware. Try following another culture’s customs and serve your food on local ingredients, like palm leaves, coconuts, or wood.
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