Check out our April newsletter!
Justice MONTHLY
229-888-0888 • www.puttingpeoplefirst.law
APRIL 2021
Support Local Businesses! THE VALUE WE OFFER AS A SMALL LAW FIRM
I’m proud to be a local business owner. This past year hasn’t been easy for many small businesses across the globe, but the value of staying local and supporting small businesses hasn’t waned. My father began practicing law in southwest Georgia in 1974, and I’ve been an attorney since 2007. I officially took the reins from my father in 2010, which means there has been an Underwood representing clients in this region for nearly 50 years. Today, our firm remains small and committed to creating a personal relationship with our clients. Four of us work at the practice daily, and because we aren’t a large corporation with 50- plus employees, we've been able to stay in our office and socially distance during COVID-19. This meant we could safely continue working together without the pitfalls of technology blocking our work. It allowed us to better navigate a strange time. Our smaller office has also had tremendous benefits for the clients we help each day. Each of our clients makes a personal connection with every member of our team. We aren’t some faceless law firm that advertises on late-night TV. You actually get to know me and my team. I believe that’s a powerful component of the work we do every day. We live and work in this town. This is our home, just as much as it is yours. We understand your sacrifice, and because we come to know you as a friend, community member, and client, we become more acquainted with what you need from the legal system. We can better serve you because we understand you far better than a larger firm would be able to. Of course, being small doesn’t come without its challenges. Larger firms have bigger marketing and advertising budgets, so they are in a better position to get your attention when you need legal help. But I believe — and know from experience — that we offer far better service than a larger firm can. We understand how to fight for what you want, not just what we believe you need.
planning and re-planning for various scenarios, business owners have had to face new challenges during this pandemic. There has never been a greater need to show your support for local business owners. This spring, I would encourage you to ask your friends and family about their favorite small businesses. What store, attorney, restaurant, mechanic, or CPA do they always trust when they need help? Do a little research before opting for Amazon or another large retailer and find someone local who can offer you better service without the hassle of shipping. Supporting local businesses puts a lot of good back into your community, and it can be very easy. Plus, there’s no better reward than getting a good product and helping a local family recognize their dream. As the son of a business owner, and as an entrepreneur myself, thank you to everyone who has trusted our team over the years.
The COVID-19 pandemic challenged many business owners. From navigating Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans to
-William F. “Trey” Underwood, III
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FINANCES IN 60 SECONDS
HOW TIKTOK IS INFLUENCING PERSONAL FINANCE (AND HOW TO USE IT APPROPRIATELY)
They say money makes the world go round — so, then, why are so many people financially illiterate? According to a study that examined 150,000 people across 140 countries, only 57% of Americans were financially literate as of 2015. Other studies, like those done recently by the National Financial Educators Council, have found that only 16% of Americans ages 18–26 are hopeful about their financial future.
The bottom line is that TikTok personal finance accounts are great introductions to financial literacy, but they cannot replace expert advice and information. If you want to check it out or offer the Gen Z in your life some quick finance tips, check out these well-established influencers. Humphrey Yang — @humphreytalks Yang is verified by TikTok, which means he’s been authenticated as an online public figure, and he’s amassed more than 21.8 million likes. His advice ranges from breaking down the latest trends in the market to highlighting common financial ideas in simple terms. Rahul Rai — @thelaymaninvestor Any investment advice should always be properly vetted, so Rai’s videos feature him performing “duets” with other personal finance accounts to critique or promote their advice. Delyanne Barros — @delyannethemoneycoach Pulling from her personal experience and candidly sharing her best practices, Barros has amassed nearly 173,000 followers and offers insights into how the market works. Barros’ goal is to retire by 45, and followers can watch along as she pursues that dream.
TikTok influencers are hoping to change that.
TRAIN FOR THE RAIN 5 WAYS TO PROTECT YOURSELF WHEN DRIVING IN RAINY WEATHER TikTok was launched in 2016 and slowly grew before booming in 2019 and becoming a household staple in 2020. Personal finance experts, like advisors, teachers, and economists, saw an opportunity amid the dance crazes and lip-syncing. Today, personal finance TikTok creators are becoming increasingly popular on the app and offer quick tips about common financial mistakes, saving for retirement, and understanding weird market trends, like the insanity with GameStop, Reddit, and the stock market in January 2021. However, there is a caveat to those relying on TikTok for financial advice: Don’t. While the good influencers creating the videos do offer sound advice worth considering, there are plenty of uninformed “experts” that spout bad advice. Plus, the short length allowed on each video means video creators have to boil down complex market advice into short sound bites. April is known for Easter, baseball, Tax Day, and rainy weather — the last of which can cause significant issues for drivers. Without taking proper precautions or understanding how to navigate wet roadways or puddles, drivers risk accidents and injuries. It’s imperative that all drivers familiarize themselves with the proper procedures for this weather to avoid the risks. Start by assessing the necessity of your venture onto the road. Do you need to drive or travel in the rain? If not, consider alternatives. Order from professional driving services or reschedule appointments to avoid driving during inclement weather. If you have to drive, inspect your vehicle first. Examine your tires for signs of distress or general wear. If your tires are old, you will be more susceptible to hydroplaning, which is what happens when a vehicle skims across the water without gripping the road. If this does happen, let off the accelerator and continue steering in the direction you are going. If your vehicle starts to turn, slowly turn the steering wheel in that direction. Don’t jerk the steering wheel away from the spin — this overcorrection could make the situation worse.
regardless of what time it is. This makes you more visible to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.
Once in your vehicle, stay alert . Driving in the rain is not like driving in ideal conditions, and it’s easy to forget that when nothing goes wrong. You also need to have complete control of your vehicle, so avoid using cruise control . This could cause your vehicle to not grip the road properly, and in the event that you hydroplane, your vehicle will go faster. Finally, be vigilant about driving the posted speed and only change lanes when necessary . Remember, posted speed limits are determined based on ideal conditions. Rainy weather is far from that. As visibility and traction decrease, so does your reaction time. Sometimes it’s impossible to avoid driving in rainy weather, but if you follow these tips, you can better protect yourself from potential accidents. If you do find yourself injured and in need of compensation after a rainy-day accident, the Law Offices of William F. Underwood, III, P.C. can help. Just call 229-888-0888 today .
Be sure to also test your windshield wipers and headlights . You should always drive with your headlights on when it’s raining,
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GOTCHA!
PRANK YOUR FRIENDS WITHOUT CREATING DISASTERS
allergic to or substances, like
April Fools’ Day should really be all fun and games, but it’s not always that way. We’ve all heard stories of pranksters who had to face consequences in court or companies that have had to issue public apologies for bad practical jokes. We want the fun of April 1 to continue all month, but it should be safe and fun. Here are three ways you can ensure the good times roll without incident, injury, or disaster. Mess With Someone’s Tech Avoid destroying or damaging anyone’s tech tools, don’t scam your friends out of money, stay away from scenarios that could potentially be cyberbullying — like posting a crude photo of a friend — and avoid using places with sensitive information, like online banking, as the backdrop for a joke. Instead, keep it harmless. For example, cover the computer monitor in wrapping paper or change a word your prankee commonly uses in text messages to something funny using the predictive text feature. Freak Out Their Taste Buds Food can be an easy, fun way to trick your loved ones into eating something totally disgusting! Avoid foods that your loved ones are
laxatives, that will cause a detrimental reaction. Opt for the shock factor of bad-tasting food combinations rather than wreaking havoc on the
bowels or digestive tract. Imagine biting into a caramel apple, only to get a mouthful of onion juice! (And be sure to make a real batch of the treats you pranked them with as an olive branch after the fact.) Fool With Their Tools We all have items that we rely on every day, and these make for the perfect targets for your next prank! Avoid destroying or hindering any tools that your prankee needs to survive, like a CPAP machine, and don’t make it impossible for the person you prank to get their work done. Keep it simple, like setting their alarm clock for 2 a.m. If you have the patience for it and an understanding family, cover the bars of soap in the shower with clear nail polish. They won’t understand why there are no suds until they hear you snicker!
Stay safe this April!
SHEET PAN CHICKEN DINNER
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 March newsletter: Andrew McDowell, Sandra Malone, and Otha Hopkins 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.
You’ve probably heard of a one-pot meal, but how about a one- pan meal? This easy sheet pan dinner comes together in just 30 minutes without dirtying many dishes.
Ingredients • 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch chunks • 2 medium sweet potatoes, cut into 1-inch chunks • 1 tsp salt • 1/4 tsp pepper
• 2 tbsp canola oil • 1 tbsp soy sauce • 1 tbsp lemon juice • 1 tbsp honey • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper • 1 large head of broccoli, cut into florets
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 425 F. 2. On a large baking sheet, combine chicken, sweet potatoes, salt, and pepper. Drizzle with oil and toss to coat. 3. Bake for 15 minutes. In the meantime, make the sauce by combining the soy sauce, lemon juice, honey, and cayenne pepper. 4. Remove pan from oven and use a spatula to flip the chicken and potatoes, then add broccoli florets. 5. Drizzle sauce evenly over top and return to the oven to bake for an additional 15 minutes or until chicken has an internal temperature of 165 F and vegetables are fork-tender.
Thank you for trusting us to serve you!
Inspired by TheSpruceEats.com
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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
229-888-0888 www.puttingpeoplefirst.law
1918 DAWSON RD. ALBANY, GA 31707
Why You Benefit From a Small Law Firm PAGE 1 Young Viewers Are Learning Financial Literacy With TikTok PAGE 2 5 Tips to Becoming a Better Driver in Rainy Weather PAGE 2
A Go-To Guide for Pranking Safely PAGE 3
Sheet Pan Chicken Dinner PAGE 3
‘Zero to One’: A Book Review PAGE 4
HOW TO GET FROM ‘ZERO TO ONE’ Create and Nurture Original Business Ideas
“What important truth do very few people agree with you on?”
Throughout the book, Thiel shares his wealth of knowledge garnered from a long, successful career of recognizing and acting on original ideas. According to him, and anyone else who has ever tried creating something wholly unique, developing an original
That’s entrepreneur and author Peter Thiel’s favorite interview question. To Thiel, a person’s answer to that question provides
insight into whether they’ll be able to find success as an entrepreneur. Ideally, if you can answer with something like “Most people believe in X, but the truth is the opposite of X,” then you’re well on your way from zero to one and creating an original business idea. That’s what Thiel explores in his book “Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future.” “Zero to One” is all about coming up with and nurturing unique ideas, which are the foundation of game-changing businesses. As a co-founder and investor in a number of companies that have changed the business landscape, Thiel has some authority on this subject. He co-founded
idea is no easy task. The difficulty of originality even led Mark Twain to once say “There is no such thing as a new idea. We simply take a lot of old ideas and put them into a sort of mental kaleidoscope.” But in “Zero to One,” Thiel proves that coming up with original ideas is possible, and he provides readers with helpful tips and lessons for how to get there. One such lesson: Stop trying to be the next Bill Gates or Mark Zuckerberg because “if you’re copying these guys, you aren’t learning from them.” Thiel uses his favorite interview question to try to identify original thinkers. These are the people who take their businesses from zero to one because they looked
Cofinity (which later became PayPal) and invested in startups like Facebook, SpaceX, Lyft, and Airbnb whose ideas were so novel at the start that they were perceived as risky by many.
at past successes and thought, “I can do it differently, and I can do it better.” If you want to be in that group, then reading Thiel’s advice in “Zero to One” is a great place to start.
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