Check out our September newsletter!
SEPTEMBER 2025
GIVE US A CALL! 303-922-4304 federalbenefitsmadesimple.com Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. M–F
HEALTHY, WEALTHY,
& WISE
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What Positive Could Come of This?
From Fearful What-ifs to Hopeful Hows
I consider myself a positive thinker but that hasn’t happened accidentally. I’ve always been a happy person, someone who enjoys life, treats people with kindness, and tries to be in a good mood. But what was going on in my brain was quite different. I seemed to look for things that could go wrong rather than what could go right. I got to a point about 10 or 11 months ago where I had an epiphany ... It was time to change my mindset. September 13 is Positive Thinking Day. I’ve learned that optimism takes practice and intention. We all face many difficulties where politics and personal struggles can often upset us and sometimes make us feel overwhelmed. I’ve found looking at possible positive outcomes instead of trying to control the perceived adverse situations can result in changing about every aspect of your life.
daughter started to do the same thing, I decided to be more positive. I began to accept that we truly can’t control everything, but we can control how we interact with what’s happening around us. My philosophy now, when I look at a situation and imagine multiple possibilities, is to focus on the best results instead of lingering on what could fall apart. I speak this philosophy out loud to others including my kids. I tell them everyone is afraid of rejection, failure, and uncertainty. But what if we imagined the best instead of bracing for the worst? The fears are real, but they don’t get to sit in the driver’s seat. My daughter is going through it with volleyball right now. She’s worried she might not make varsity. I said, “Number one, you have not been rejected yet, so there’s still a chance you will make the team. Number two, if you end up in junior varsity, you would play the entire game based on your skill level. You wouldn’t have to sit on the sidelines; you would be a star, and how great would that be?” Now, when my daughter or any of my kids is in a negative headspace, I ask what good could possibly come of this? We’re getting to the point where she can say she’s feeling emotional about it but still sees the opportunity for positive outcomes. Because I have a new focus on optimistic outcomes, my interactions with my family have changed and strengthened our bonds. Positive thinking is a way of life you have to work on. Some people are naturally born this way, and I’m jealous, but for the rest of us, it comes down to deciding to change. Now that I have decided to change, it’s shifted how I view everything from work to the struggles my kids go through. It’s been a game-changer for me and has had a positive ripple effect on the people around me. So, next time you find yourself imagining all the things that could go wrong, stop for a moment and ask instead, “What good could come of this?”
For most of my life, I would come up with four to five potential outcomes to a situation, imagining what could happen and trying to control everything. When I started identifying more chances to lose than win, I knew it was time to start thinking differently. I’m a proud father, and when my 16-year-old
–Jeremy Rafferty
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If you want to go the extra mile, you can print a mini menu with drink or bakery specials, try your hand at homemade syrups or infused cold foam, or even use glass jars for sugar and stirrers! According to The Eater, an online resource for all food-related trends, the home café craze exploded as a creative outlet during the pandemic and has stuck around to slow people down and make mornings feel special. Hosting “pop-ups” for your family or friends on the weekend is also incredibly fun. Set out croissants, brew something fancy, and let them “order” their drink. You don’t need to be a trained barista, just someone who enjoys making a little magic. So, whether you’re channeling cozy bakery vibes or your favorite local roaster, a home café is a great way to have fun hosting. All it takes is a little creativity, some coffee beans, and the desire to add a little extra to your routine. THE VIRAL TREND MAKING MORNINGS MAGICAL HOME CAFÉ VIBES
If your morning coffee run is the highlight of your day, you’re not alone. But what if you could bring that cozy café vibe home? That’s the idea behind the wildly popular home café trend where people are turning their kitchens into photo-worthy coffee and bakery pop-ups. The best part is that you can easily do it! This trend taps into the power of cozy rituals and aesthetic spaces. It goes beyond just making a cup of coffee; it’s about creating an experience. Think rustic pastry displays, handwritten chalkboard menus, syrup pumps lined up like your favorite café, and fresh-baked muffins in a tiered stand. The vibe is charming and easy to personalize. Clear a designated “café corner” in your kitchen to get started; a small counter section or rolling cart works perfectly. Add your coffee essentials: a machine, frother, sundry accoutrements, and your favorite mugs. It’s easy to add baskets for pastries, a tiny vase of flowers, and even a special barista apron.
Your dream café may be one kitchen counter away!
Join Our Free FERS Workshop September 24 Free Retirement Help for Federal Employees
The landscape for federal employees keeps evolving rapidly, with new challenges and questions about retirement benefits surfacing every day. Navigating these complexities can feel overwhelming, especially with smaller agency budgets and rapid policy changes. As our way to give back and help provide some clarity during this time, Federal Benefits Made Simple has been offering our in-depth FERS Retirement Workshops free of charge. While this is usually a paid program, we know that many agencies don’t have the resources to provide this training to their teams right now. There is still time to sign up for our final free workshop on September 24. This session will cover the robust lineup of retirement benefits available to federal employees, break down how they work and everything you need to know to maximize your benefits. We will discuss the basic essentials you’ll need when you fill out your application and the steps needed to make your retirement as smooth as possible. Whether you are eyeing a full, reduced, deferred, or postponed pension plan, we’ll cover each option, how to determine which meets your needs, and what to do to make the most of it. We’ll also talk about your Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), one benefit where you have a lot of control to maximize your assets. The workshop also includes information on Social Security, the FERS
supplement, and other topics you’ll need to know as you enter this next phase of your life.
Our ZOOM workshop will take place on September 24 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. MT. Space is limited in these classes to provide more time for questions and answers. Please RSVP by contacting us at BenefitTraining@federalbenefitsmadesimple.com or call 303-922-4304 .
We hope to see you there.
FREE FERS RETIREMENT WORKSHOPS September 24: 8:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. MT on Zoom LIMITED SPOTS ARE AVAILABLE. RSVP at 303-922-4304 or BenefitTraining@federalbenefitsmadesimple.com
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Bordeaux Is France’s Best-Kept Secret Move Over Paris
When you hear about people taking trips to France, your mind likely conjures images of the Eiffel Tower, delicious high-end French cuisine, and a view of the “Mona Lisa” at the Louvre Museum. However, there’s much more to France than the scenic beauty and decadent flavors found along the streets of Paris. If you want to experience the best of France, you must spend time in Bordeaux. While we often refer to Napa Valley and Sonoma County in California as wine country, Bordeaux is the original wine region. Its history with wine dates back over 2,000 years, and you can still experience the area’s love of wine today. Le Bar à Vin and Le Bistro du Fromager are beautifully decorated wine bars that will leave you stunned; unlike anything you can experience stateside. And if you want to take it up a notch, you can visit La Cité du Vin, Bordeaux’s interactive wine museum, and enjoy a glass under a chandelier made from a thousand bottles. Even if you’re not a wine drinker, there’s plenty to enjoy in Bordeaux. Those interested in fashion or shopping will love walking down Rue Sainte Catherine, Europe’s longest pedestrianized shopping street. If that’s too crowded for your liking, you can enjoy shopping in the historic Chartrons district. As you walk through the city, you’ll surely see towers that look straight out of a fairy tale or Disney movie.
If you’re visiting during the first
Sunday of any month, you’ll get to hear the Grosse Cloche belfry ring its 250-year-old bell! For adventurers,
just 37 miles southwest of Bordeaux is Dune du Pilat, Europe’s tallest sand dune, also famous for paragliding.
Now, it wouldn’t be a visit to France without taking in some art, and Bordeaux
won’t leave you disappointed. The Musée des Beaux-Arts and the contemporary art museum CAPC are both worth a visit, and your trip would not be complete unless you stop by the awe-inspiring Monument aux Girondins, a free-flowing fountain over a beautiful bronze sculpture. If a European vacation is on your bucket list, consider visiting Bordeaux when you go. It might just be the highlight of your entire trip!
CREAMY CAULIFLOWER SOUP
Train Your Brain!
INGREDIENTS
Inspired by CookieAndKate.com
• 1 large head cauliflower, cut into bite- size florets • 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, divided • 1/4 tsp fine sea salt, plus more • 1 medium red onion, chopped • 2 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
• 4 cups vegetable broth • 2 tbsp unsalted butter • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg • 2 tbsp chopped flat-leaf parsley, chives, or green onions for garnish
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 425 F. 2. On a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper, toss cauliflower with 2 tbsp olive oil. 3. Arrange cauliflower in a single layer, sprinkle with a little salt, and bake 25–35 minutes until tender. 4. In a soup pot, heat remaining olive oil and cook onion and 1/4 tsp salt until soft. 5. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant, then add broth. 6. Add all but 4 cauliflower florets to the pot and simmer for 20 minutes. 7. Transfer mixture to a blender, add butter, and blend until smooth. Then blend in lemon juice and nutmeg. 8. Garnish with cauliflower florets and serve. Add parsley, onion, and chives as desired.
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Give us a call! 303-922-4304 federalbenefitsmadesimple.com FAX: 303-416-4358 Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. M–F
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PO Box 260787 Lakewood, CO 80226-0787
Insurance products are offered through the insurance businesses Federal Benefits Made Simple and E.A. Buck Financial Services. Federal Benefits Made Simple is an Investment Advisory practice that offers products and services through AE Wealth Management, LLC (AEWM), a Registered Investment Advisor and Buck Wealth Strategies, a Registered Investment Advisor. Securities offered only by duly registered individuals through Madison Avenue Securities, LLC (MAS), member FINRA/SIPC. AEWM does not offer insurance products. The insurance products offered by Federal Benefits Made Simple and E.A. Buck Financial Services are not subject to Investment Advisor requirements. AEWM is not affiliated with Federal Benefits Made Simple, E.A. Buck Financial Services, or Buck Wealth Strategies. In California, we are known only as E.A. Buck Insurance Services in all solicitations of insurance. Federal Benefits Made Simple, an E.A. Buck Company is not affiliated with or endorsed by the US government or any governmental agency. E. A. Buck Financial Services, Buck Wealth Strategies, Federal Benefits Made Simple, An E.A. Buck Company are affiliated by common ownership. CMP-55520 - 8/25
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
page 1 How I Rewired My Mindset
page 2 From Countertop to Coffee Shop RSVP Now for Our Free Benefits Training page 3 The French City That Has It All (and Then Some Creamy Cauliflower Soup
page 4 Superstition’s Grip on Modern Habits
Ever caught yourself cringing after walking under a ladder or when a black cat crossed your path? You’re not alone. These superstitions have been with us for centuries, and they’re just two on a long list of many that people still have today. While some may feel silly, all of them have fascinating origin stories. Of course, there’s a practical, safety-related reason not to walk under a ladder, but the superstition comes from several places. In Christianity, the triangle represents the Holy Trinity. Walking through the triangle formed by a ladder was seen as breaking this perfect unity. Ladders were also associated with the gallows in medieval times. Walking under one was thought to bring death or bad luck — nobody wanted that energy. Black cats got a bad rap in medieval Europe as they were tied to witchcraft. The number 13? That came from stories of betrayal and misfortune. Opening an umbrella indoors? That’s part practicality — no one wants to knock over a vase or poke someone in the eye — and part belief that opening them indoors would offend the Sun God. And carrying a rabbit’s foot for good luck? You have Celtic folklore to thank for that one. The truth is that all superstitions are a mix of history, fear, and habit rolled into stuff we still believe and do without thinking. So, the next time you say “bless you” after a sneeze, remember you’re protecting souls one sniffle at a time. The Quirky World of Superstitions FROM LADDERS TO BLACK CATS
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