Check out the latest edition of our newsletter!
THE JOY OF EXPERIENCES GIVING THE GIFT OF TOGETHERNESS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
It’s that time of year again when we scurry to and from stores, fill our online carts, and get busy wrapping gifts for the family. During the holiday season, we often wonder what the right presents are for our siblings, parents, children, and friends. What about the people outside our immediate social circle, like coworkers, your child’s teachers, or even a new neighbor? With so many people to think of, it can be easy to get lost in what you are “supposed” to be doing this holiday. Instead of focusing on what you’re expected to do, hone in on what you love and enjoy the festivities with those who matter most. First, it is okay if everyone doesn’t get a gift. Sometimes, a simple card that says “Thank You” and “Happy Holidays” will do. What really matters is thinking of the people you care about and letting them know, “I am here, and I care.” This is a thoughtful gesture for your coworkers or people on the outskirts of your circle. You could even donate to a charity group in their name. This way, you can benefit a group in need and also bring a smile to your friend’s face. A small gesture goes a long way.
Every year, Christopher looks over the concert schedule and selects a few good shows to attend. Last year, it was Jason Aldean, and this year, it was 3 Doors Down and Creed. Christopher knows that Ashley loves live music, so sharing that experience together is enough of a gift. This year, we are sharing the experience of attending a football game with our kids, and we plan to give our kids tickets to the Dolphins versus Jets game. (We bought the Dolphins tickets before our quarterback was injured, oops!) We usually buy our relatives theater tickets so we can all attend a show at the Kravis Center together. Past shows for our family have included “Riverdance,” “12 Angry Men,” “The Lion King,” “Cirque du Soleil,” and “Book of Mormon.” There are so many fun shows coming up this next year! After the show, we usually have a bite to eat at Cityplace, either at Bellagio or City Cellar, to spend even more quality time together. In the end, we have our memories. We have our experiences that create memories. We cannot take stuff and all the things with us. It’s the moments we share, the times we spend together, and the fun of concerts and shows we will cherish most. So, spend a little more time with those you love this holiday season and try to spread joy to others. There’s no greater or more loving gift you could give. –Ashley and Christopher Bruce
But for the people you want to share a little extra with, think about giving them not a thing, not stuff, but instead an experience.
This is what we aim to do in the Bruce household each year. Did you know we don’t give each other gifts? We stopped giving gifts at some point when our children were born because it was hard enough to shop for the kids! So, no presents for Christopher or Ashley. Instead, we share experiences.
561-810-0170 • 1
Ready for a tale that really brings home the bacon? Legends dating back to the 1700s tell the story of women who were a mix of beauty and beast — pig-faced ladies! Myths about noblewomen with hog heads lasted in France, Holland, and Britain for hundreds of years. These glamorous piglets were said to roam the city streets, take carriage rides through town, and show up at fancy parties or homes to beg for money. Let’s ham it up royally and take a porky peek at the pig-faced ladies Londoners talked about for centuries. One of the earliest tales starring a woman with a boarish face was in the 17th century. A pregnant Dutch housewife reportedly had a visit from a mysterious poor woman begging for money for her children. The housewife turned her away, and the cast-off beggar cursed her unborn child to be born with a pig’s face. Stories that followed had similar themes of women cursed to look like pigs. Our swine superstar was launched into legendary status in the summer of 1815 when Londoners were celebrating the recent victory of Britain over Napoleon and France. As people packed the streets, a horse-drawn carriage caught their attention. The passenger was none other than the pig-faced lady. Rumors and interest around the event spread, and London’s growing newspaper industry took the story and ran with it. THE FASCINATING TALE OF THE PIG-FACED LADY A LEGEND WORTH ITS WEIGHT IN BACON
Highlights From Our Women’s Empowered Living Seminar FROM SURVIVING TO THRIVING For women contemplating divorce or looking to become more empowered in their relationship, it’s a journey of self-discovery and knowing one’s worth. Our recent Women’s Empowered Living Seminar on Sept. 20 was designed to support women on this path, providing invaluable resources, guidance, and a community of like-minded individuals. The atmosphere was uplifting, and we are thrilled this event was such a success. We had a fantastic turnout of women from various backgrounds eager to learn, grow, and gain tools to look within themselves to build a better future. We treated our guests to a free lunch and other goodies before providing practical tips and advice on healthy self-love and moving forward after a narcissistic marriage. During the session, we guided guests through a relationship autopsy to help them discover where their voices ran off to and patterns that may have silenced them in the past. We also explored ways to speak our minds and desires, how to value ourselves, and how to set boundaries. We loved the engaged discussions during this event and had so much fun enjoying delicious refreshments and plenty of photo ops. It was a true celebration of women coming together to lift each other up. We thank everyone who attended our seminar and helped make this event a success. It was truly a celebration of strength and self-love. We hope the lessons you learned that day continue to inspire and empower you to seek the happiness, love, and respect you deserve.
In the following years, the masses sought proof of these pig-faced women. One woman put out an ad in the paper offering to provide care for a woman with the
affliction. Another paper ran a request from a man with a marriage proposal for the elusive “baconess.” The famous author Charles Dickens even referred to her in a book he wrote in 1861.
Chances are that people born with physical disabilities inspired the pig- faced lady story and reflected the sad way society treated them. The pig-faced lady likely represented London’s biggest anxieties, like
class tensions and women’s limited roles.
So, whether she was the embodiment of society’s fears or just a bit of hogwash, the tale of the pig-faced lady shows how the wildest legends can hog the spotlight for centuries.
Did you miss our seminar? Follow us on social media for resources on starting over, escaping a narcissistic relationship, and much more. At Bruce Law Firm, we’re here to support and guide you on your journey.
Is your friend or client married to a controlling, manipulative, narcissistic husband?
OUR BOOKS CAN HELP!
The book can be downloaded for FREE at DivorceInformationBooks.com
2 • BrucePA.com
HOLIDAY IDEAS THAT CREATE MEMORIES, NOT CLUTTER GIFTS THAT KEEP ON GIVING
Though unwrapping the gifts of the holiday season is exciting, the true meaning of the season is togetherness. This Christmas, why not give the gift of a memorable experience? Instead of buying another sweater or toy, treat your family to a day at the zoo, a trip to a new museum, or an enriching class. Experiential gifts allow you to forge long-lasting memories with your loved ones and bring everyone closer together. Get ready to unwrap adventure with these family-friendly experiences you can give this holiday season. WILDLIFE WONDERS Animal parks and zoos are great places for children to learn about and explore the beauty of the natural world. Not only will they enjoy spotting animals, but it also gives everyone in the family a chance to get fresh air and a little exercise. The Busch Wildlife Sanctuary in Jupiter highlights the state’s local wildlife, like alligators. It offers almost 20 acres of nature trails and habitats to explore. There is no cost for admission, so you can donate to the sanctuary in your family’s name as a gift to your loved ones and this vital nonprofit. You could also buy season or day passes to the Palm Beach Zoo. LEARN AND PLAY Enrich your children’s creativity and curiosity with season or day passes to a theme park or museum. The Fun Depot has various activities, from laser tag to classic arcade games. You can make a whole day out of it by grabbing lunch at their restaurant right next
door. We have a wonderful selection of museums in the area, like the Cox Science Center and Aquarium or the Palm Beach Museum of Natural History.
MASTER A SKILL Does your child love to draw, sing, or cook? Gift them a class or several classes on a topic that interests them to help them learn or develop a new skill. Classes and workshops impart new knowledge and are also a social opportunity that can help young people develop deeper self- confidence. By taking a class with your family, you can bond and leave with an activity you can all do at home, like making a meal or creating art together.
Have a Laugh!
CHICKEN CAPRESE SALAD
Inspired by EatingWell.com
Ingredients •
1/3 cup balsamic vinegar 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
•
2 (8-oz) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced 8 cups coarsely chopped romaine lettuce
• • • • • • •
2 tsp Dijon mustard 1 tsp ground pepper
• • •
1 lb grape tomatoes, halved
2 1/2 tsp honey
1 (8-oz) container fresh small mozzarella cheese balls in water, drained
3/4 tsp salt, divided
1/2 tsp Italian seasoning 1/2 tsp garlic powder
•
1 cup fresh basil leaves
Directions 1. Whisk vinegar, olive oil, mustard, and pepper in a medium bowl. Transfer 6 tbsp of mixture to a smaller bowl and whisk in honey; set aside. 2. To mixture in the medium bowl, add 1/2 tsp salt, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder. Add chicken; toss to coat. Marinate for 30 minutes. 3. Coat a grill pan with oil. Over medium heat, add chicken and cook until grill marks appear on each side, about 5–7 minutes. Transfer to a plate; let stand for 5 minutes. 4. Arrange romaine, tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil on a large platter; sprinkle with salt. Top with the sliced chicken and drizzle with the honey mixture.
561-810-0170 • 3
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
1601 Forum Pl. Ste. 1101 West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Why Experiences Make the Best Presents page 1
Porky Myths and High Society
Thank You for Joining Us page 2
Experience-Based Presents Your Family Will Love
Chicken Caprese Salad page 3
Spot the Latest Marketing Ploys to Avoid Overspending page 4
AVOID OVERSPENDING THROUGH SAVVY SHOPPING
Marketers are magicians at luring shoppers to buy more than they intend. Whether you are shopping online or in a store, vendors use a variety of tactics to heighten the allure of their products, helping drive total U.S. household debt to a record $17.3 trillion. To help combat this, here are four financial tips to keep your budget intact and your debt under control. BE WARY OF ‘BUY NOW, PAY LATER’ OFFERS. These short-term, interest-free loans with fixed payments don’t require a credit check and are quick and easy to obtain. Not surprisingly, they tend to be most popular among consumers already in debt and strapped for cash. The Consumer Financial Protection Board says this puts consumers at greater risk of piling up more debt than they can afford. Also, returning items purchased this way may not always result in a refund. DON’T APPLY FOR EVERY CREDIT CARD OFFERED. Agreeing to apply for a store credit card seems like a no-brainer when you are offered 20% off for doing so at checkout. What’s not to like about that? It dings your credit score, for one thing. Applying for a credit card results in a hard pull
on your credit report. Signing up for loyalty programs can also be self-defeating because they can maneuver you into excess spending to get more points and perks. Also, loyalty programs can discourage comparison shopping, which could otherwise save you money over time. DON’T FOCUS ON MONTHLY PAYMENTS ALONE. When making an installment purchase, car salespeople, real estate agents, and other marketers of big-ticket items will often ask you how big a monthly payment you can afford, then stretch the payments out over the maximum period of time to entice you into a larger purchase. But consider the whole cost and how much the interest adds to that total. It may shock you. Also, notice price-anchoring ploys. Retailers often claim a $76 shirt is on sale for $38 — when they never intended to sell it for anything but $38. ABSTAIN FROM RETAIL THERAPY! Shopping for fun is a major factor driving consumer debt to a record high. Make a list before you shop, and avoid browsing or shopping with friends. Turning shopping into recreation can easily lead to impulse purchases and spending more than you intended!
4 • BrucePA.com
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator