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August 2017
My Divorce Secret
This is a busy month at Bruce Law Firm, and I dispense more divorce advice than usual this time of year. August is one of the most popular months for divorce, often because the kids go off to college and the time is right for a split. As a result, I’m always getting asked for “divorce secrets.”Want to know my juiciest one?
I don’t really like divorces.
Seriously. I know better than anyone that a divorce can be the best thing for a family, but I’ve also seen divorces happen that could have probably been avoided. Those cases are tragic on several levels; not only does divorce split up a family and add undue stress and strain, but it also costs a lot of money and probably isn’t in the best interest of the kids. I’m not saying that all divorces can be avoided or that you shouldn’t get out of a bad situation. I’m just calling it like I see it, and I see at least a few divorces every year that could have been avoided.
have made all the difference. Sometimes, careers take people in different directions, or an indiscretion drives a wedge that, if handled just right, could be removed. Cases like these are why I started staymarriedflorida.com, a website filled with advice and tips for couples in all stages of marriage. The website places an emphasis on keeping the “good times” good. Maintenance is always easier than repair, and nobody wants to go through the stress of the bad times — or a divorce — if they can be happy and fulfilled in their marriage. When damage is done to the relationship, the website can help you figure out the right move and keep the marriage alive. Even “deal breakers” like infidelity or financial ruin can be overcome with healthy counseling and the right attitude. You may want out right now, but doesn’t your marriage deserve an honest attempt at resuscitation? The advice on the website is taken from the many marriage counselors I know, and they’ve helped me provide some excellent resources, as well. I know that not every marriage is worth saving, but if someone you know is thinking about calling a divorce lawyer like me, why not have them check out the website first? Or, call me, and ask for a referral to one of those great counselors I’ve come to know. If I can direct you toward help that might save a marriage for free instead of getting paid to divide it, I will happily do so. It’s a small price to pay for doing the right thing and keeping a little more love in the world.
“I knowbetter than anyone that a divorce can be the best thing for a family, but I’ve also seen divorceshappen that could have probably been avoided.”
In those cases, it’s usually pretty obvious what happened. Spouses drifted apart for too long, when a kind word or a little more time together would
(561) 810-0170 • 1 – Chris Bruce
AUGUST’S BEST DEALS Back to School = Big Savings
To Strategize Divorce, Learn the Law You don’t need to go to law school to learn about divorce law — that’s my job — but a few of the basics can really help with your divorce. Like it or not, the law will govern your divorce. Learn it now, and you’ll benefit down the line. First, understand that there’s nothing new in your divorce case. There may be intricacies that apply to your specific situation, but odds are the law has contingencies to cover every single aspect of your case. A judge will decide whatever the law does not outline. Most of the disagreements, if any, will likely involve tussles over establishing facts (such as the value of an asset or the amount of someone’s actual or potential income). We like to avoid disagreements — they take time and, as you’re probably aware, time really is money — but if they come up, it’s good to understand how they’ll be addressed and what does (and does not) matter. Keep a notebook and write down questions you want to answer as you learn a bit about divorce law. Write down the answers, too. It’s good to be able to refer back, and writing them down helps you remember them. You’d be surprised at how much of this information you can learn by yourself, although again you want to avoid painstaking legal research that won’t help much. My advice? I have a webinar with all the basics you need to know for a successful divorce. Get the information you need in under an hour at brucepa.com/florida-divorce-law-guide . Does a friend or client have divorce questions? our divorce strategy book can help!
August is back-to-school season, and that means you’ll find plenty of items on sale — everything students and families need to start the new school year right. Retailers, both online and off, are vying for your dollar this month, and they know just how much families love to save. Here’s a sample of the items you’ll find on sale in August. Laptops Finding the perfect laptop for yourself or your kids might take a little research, but it’s research that will pay off in the form of big savings. You’ll find discounts at most retailers that offer laptops, including the manufacturers themselves. Apple, HP, Dell, and others typically offer incentives on top of discounts (such as gift cards), so it’s in your best interest to look around to find the deal that works for you. Storage Containers With millions of college students getting ready to head off to school, many retailers are taking advantage of the fact that these kids need a place to store all of their stuff. You, too, can take advantage of these sales to stock up on storage bins and boxes for just about any purpose, from food to clothing storage. In addition to storage containers, you’ll find many home organization products on sale, as well. Vehicles According to USAA, August is a great time to start shopping for a new vehicle. New-year model cars and trucks are trickling onto lots around the country, and dealerships are slightly more motivated to get rid of last year’s stock. Use this time to do research and browse dealer selection. For even more potential savings, USAA suggests visiting the dealership on a Monday or Tuesday and later in the day.
The book can be downloaded for FREE at BrucePA.com/free- divorce-book If your friend or client lives in the South Florida area we will mail them a hard copy of the book upon request.
2 • BrucePA.com
It’s Time to Revamp Your Elevator Pitch Out With The Old, In With The New
rebranded their mission statement. Both situations would require you to evaluate your elevator pitch and make the necessary adjustments.
As a professional, you know how important it is to perfect your elevator pitch. Without it, you can find yourself fumbling over your words while consequently losing the interest your potential customer or client. You may think that your current elevator pitch is up to par, but when is the last time you actually gave your speech? An elevator pitch is a short summary of your service or company and how it adds value to customers and the world. It’s a useful tool for communicating important information in a time-constrained setting that will hopefully yield you an invitation to have a longer conversation at a later point in time. There are two problems that professionals run into when evaluating their elevator pitches: The pitch is out of date, or it was created on paper but never adjusted to work in actual conversation.
When a pitch sounds robotic and unnatural, people end up feeling pitched at instead of engaged with. As much as our society is driven by a consumer mindset, no one actually wants to be sold to. If you are too busy making sure you sell the benefits of your work, you are neglecting the main reason that people may do business with you: a personal relationship. In order to make your pitch sound natural, it needs to be written in the way that you speak. Using common vernacular makes your pitch sound believable, and asking questions promotes a more spontaneous flow to the conversation.The best way to ensure that your speech sounds natural is by practicing it with people who will give you honest feedback. Rehearse it until it sounds unrehearsed, then get feedback on how authentic you sound. Most times, an elevator pitch needs to be revamped simply because it hasn’t been used in a while. Without practice, your elevator pitch can sound robotic, and a robotic speech can hurt your chances of making positive first impressions. Update your elevator speech and practice with your peers. It could mean the difference between upward movement and a stagnant career.
Keeping your elevator speech updated is just as important as updating your resume. Maybe you have new responsibilities in your job role, or your company has recently
have a LAUGH
Avocado and
Cucumber Cold Soup
Directions
Summer may be drawing to a close, but the heat doesn’t feel like it’s going anywhere soon. Cool off with this light, cold soup and enjoy those last few sunny summer afternoons!
1. 2.
Preheat grill to medium-high. Coat halved avocados with lemon juice to avoid browning. Brush olive oil over avocados, cucumber, spring onions, and jalapeno. Oil grill while hot. Grill vegetables until everything is grilled or slightly charred. Once grilled, remove and place on platter to cool. Chop grilled veggies and puree with lemon juice, cold water, garlic, salt, and black pepper. Once smooth, portion soup into bowls and refrigerate to cool before serving. Garnish with toasted cubed bread, avocados, spring onions, chives, lemon zest, or a drizzle of olive oil, if desired.
ingredients
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Olive oil
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2 medium ripe avocados, halved
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1 large cucumber, halved
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6 stalks spring onions
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1 jalapeno
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1 lemon, juiced
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½ cup cold water
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1 clove garlic
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¾ teaspoon salt
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½ teaspoon black pepper
(561) 810-0170 • 3
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
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My Divorce Secret page 1
How to Save Money in August Divorce Law 101 page 2 Out With the Old, In With the New Avocado and Cucumber Cold Soup page 3
Ignorance Is Bliss … Is It Healthy? page 4
The Effects of Negative News They Say Ignorance Is Bliss … But Is It Healthy?
WhyIstheNewsSoNegative? As news media revenue goes down and people become desensitized, news organizations feel the pressure to show emotionally relevant material such as crime and accidents. At a basic level, for something to be “newsworthy” — negative or not — it needs to be the exception to the rule, not the norm. That means watching the news might give you an inaccurate view of what daily life is like in the world. HowtoFighttheNegativity It’s important to understand important issues of the day. But when the news becomes too much, psychologists encourage you to take a break with some good news — or no news at all. Advances in medicine and technology happen all the time! Seek out those stories, or take a break from news altogether. That’s when no news can become good news.
It’s nearly impossible to log on to social media or turn on the TV without seeing something distressing. Instead of dwelling on what’s troubling, let’s focus on how to protect our mental health. ThePsychologyofBadNews A study by Psychology Today found that people who watch negative news feel worse about pre-existing worries than people who watch happy or neutral events. That means people watching the news don’t just feel anxious about the world — they feel more anxious about their own lives. British psychologist Dr. Graham Davey, who specializes in the effects of media violence, says negative news can affect how you interact with the world around you. As you consume threatening news, you’re more likely to spot threats in your day-to-day activities that aren’t there, which leads to anxiety.
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