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YOUR MEDICARE PLAN PRO
JUNE 2025
Small-Town Summers and Big-Time Memories Why the Fourth of July Feels Like Home There’s nothing like a Fourth of July in St. David, Arizona. The smell of barbecue in the air, kids running around with sparklers, and American flags waving on every porch — it’s the kind of small-town event you see in classic shows or Norman Rockwell paintings. It reminds you why you’re proud of the little place you grew up in and this wonderful country. I spent many summers in St. David celebrating with my family, and those memories still shape how I see this season today. Though the temperatures haven’t hit the summer highs yet, I’m already looking forward to those moments when we get to slow down and spend time with the people we cherish most.
One of the things I’m looking forward to when the summer arrives is all the extra quality time with my family. The kids will be out of school, and our daughters away at college will visit, a precious time for us all to be together. It’s especially important this year as we will celebrate our third graduating senior, the last one before we soon become empty nesters. So, I know these next few summers will be some of the last where we get the kids all to ourselves before they marry and head into their adult lives. Our summers usually include a lot of time at the pool. My girls love to tan, so we can spend hours at the pool cooling down, having a barbecue, and inviting family and friends over. As you know, beating the heat is a big deal in Arizona. So, we also love to spend time outdoors at a lake. My kids always want me to take off work a little early so we can spend the whole day on the lakeside. We’ve had some enjoyable vacations over the years, and if we can spend a little time at the beach for the Fourth of July, it’s incredible to watch fireworks over the ocean.
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Independence Day is high on my list of favorite holidays and is one of the seasonal events I’m looking forward to most in the next few months. I just love to reflect on the incredible freedoms we have here in the U.S., and people just seem happy. They’re outdoors in the warm weather, loving life and enjoying this great country we live in. Seeing that red, white, and blue
everywhere on this day just warms my heart. It feels like everyone comes together, and as the fireworks pop and flags wave, we’re all one in that moment. Every Fourth of July, I reminisce about St. David, where my dad grew up. It’s my happy place. It’s beautiful and quiet, and I fondly remember summers spent on my grandpa’s farm there. Seeing Independence Day in a small town like that is truly an authentic slice of American life. Maybe my happy feelings for this holiday and the whole season come from my childhood days in Cochise County. Along with the big holiday, every year, St. David hosts Pioneer Days in July, a weekend celebrating American heritage with fun, food, a parade, and the community coming together. As the summer approaches, I can’t help but look forward to all the special moments. From the time spent with family to the traditions that bring us together, these sunny days remind us to slow down and appreciate the life we’ve built. And I’ll proudly wave that American flag on the Fourth of July.
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Adventure Barefoot Father Gemini Hiking Juneteenth
Park Picnic Pride
Sandals Sunburn Volunteer
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CELEBRATE YOUR LOVED ONES WITHOUT BREAKING THE BANK Say Yes to the Celebration, Not the Overspending
When wedding season rolls around and birthday invites start stacking up, it’s easy to feel like your wallet is under attack. Between flights, gifts, and party attire, the cost of celebrating your loved ones can add up fast . But with planning and savvy spending, you can still show up for the big moments without
and graduations you hope to attend. Once you see them all in one place, estimating your total spending is easier. Set a realistic budget for each event, and don’t forget to factor in travel, gifts, and attire. Always do your research and verify prices for flights, hotel rooms, and registry gifts. Cut costs without cutting fun. Once you have a budget, look for ways to trim expenses without missing out on the fun. Instead of buying a new outfit for every event, consider re-wearing something you already own or borrowing from a friend. If travel is involved, check if you can split an Airbnb or crash on a friend’s couch. Be honest about your budget. Money can be a tricky subject, but being upfront about your financial situation can help you avoid unnecessary stress. If an event is out of your budget, have an
honest conversation with the host. Most people will be understanding and actually appreciate your transparency. Be sure to express gratitude and excitement for their big day, even if you can’t be there in person. Stay connected in creative ways. Just because you can’t attend doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate! Send a thoughtful gift within your budget, offer to help with planning, or schedule a video call to toast their milestone. Your presence matters more than your presents, and true friends will appreciate any effort you make to share in their joy. Ultimately, celebrating your friends and family shouldn’t come with financial stress. The best memories don’t come from the most expensive gifts or the fanciest flights. They’re built on laughter, love, and the moments you share, no matter what that looks like.
blowing your budget. Plan ahead like a pro.
Before you say “yes” to every invitation, take a moment to map out your year. Write down weddings, birthdays, baby showers,
TERIYAKI BEEF SKEWERS
Ingredients • 1 1/2 cups light brown sugar • 1 cup soy sauce • 1/2 cup pineapple juice (optional) • 1/2 cup water • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 3 large garlic cloves, chopped • 4 lbs boneless round steak, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices • Bamboo skewers soaked in water
Directions
1. In a large bowl, whisk brown sugar, soy sauce, pineapple juice, water, vegetable oil, and garlic together. Drop beef slices into the mixture and stir to coat. 2. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and marinate in the refrigerator for 24 hours. 3. Remove beef from marinade, shaking to remove excess liquid. 4. Thread beef slices on skewers in a zig-zag pattern. 5. Preheat grill to medium heat and lightly oil the grate. 6. Cook beef skewers for about 3 minutes per side until the meat is cooked through.
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Inspired by AllRecipes.com
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
YOUR MEDICARE PLAN PRO 3521 E. Brown Rd., Suite 101 • Mesa, AZ 85213 MedicareInsuranceAZ.com • 480-442-9498
Jesse Goodman
Stephanie Marino
INSIDE
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Celebrating Family, Freedom, and Fun
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Weddings, Birthdays, and Baby Showers — Oh My!
Teriyaki Beef Skewers
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Meet Procrastination’s Worst Enemy
The Zeigarnik Effect Could Be the Key to Your Success PROCRASTINATION GOT YOU DOWN?
Take a moment to reflect on your high school years. Were you the student who completed all your assignments well before the deadline? Or were you the student waiting until the last second to get started? Maybe you thought you could still do it in time with a passing grade, or perhaps you didn’t know where to begin. Regardless of the reason, you procrastinated.
or assigning yourself a deadline. Instead, commit to doing them for five minutes. Once those five minutes have passed, you can step away from the task. However, oftentimes, you continue working because you’ve found your flow and don’t want to leave it unfinished.
Many people associate procrastination with schoolwork, but you can procrastinate about
If you continue to leave your tasks unfinished after starting them, try breaking them down into smaller steps. Each time you accomplish one of the smaller tasks, you gain motivation to continue your project. If you need to step away from your desk for more than a few minutes, write down the unfinished task. Doing so will keep it at the top of your mind, ensuring you return later to finish. This strategy shifts your mindset and increases productivity while avoiding the stress of starting something new. Unfortunately, procrastination can be a roadblock to a happier, more fulfilling life. So, if other strategies have failed you previously, try the Zeigarnik Effect!
work, household chores, and even fun experiences like vacation planning. Those who struggle with procrastination have likely tried countless strategies to improve their efforts, from adjusting their environment to utilizing time management applications. However, we often overlook one strategy that’s been around for over a century. The next time you procrastinate, try using the Zeigarnik Effect to your advantage. The Zeigarnik Effect is a phenomenon wherein people remember unfinished tasks better than completed ones. Here’s how it works: When you have tasks you need to do, don’t commit to finishing them in a day
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