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SLEEPLESS NIGHTS, STEAMING MUGS, AND SURVIVAL BY CAFFEINE
My Life Runs on Coffee
How do you start your day? For many Americans, there’s nothing better than waking up, rolling out of bed, and heading to the kitchen to make a fresh cup of coffee. It doesn’t matter if it’s a weekday, weekend, or Christmas morning; that first cup of coffee is what gets them out of bed and ready to start their day. The National Coffee Association reports that 66% of Americans drink coffee daily, with the average coffee drinker consuming three cups a day. That’s a lot of coffee! In October, we get another excuse to brew a cup of our favorite blend when we recognize International Coffee Day. I can vividly remember trying my first cup of coffee. When I was a preteen, I went with my dad to the office and immediately noticed that everyone was drinking coffee. I decided to follow suit and made myself a cup. I initially tried it black, which didn’t work. I expected something similar to hot chocolate, but coffee was nowhere close to the
same flavor. Someone eventually suggested adding cream and sugar, but I just kept wondering why anyone chose to drink it. It’s safe to say that I did not enjoy or appreciate my first few cups of coffee, but that relationship with coffee in 2008, when I pledged my fraternity, the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. During that time, I was only getting about an hour or two of sleep each night, and I knew something had to change. I went to the local QuikTrip and decided to give coffee another go. I saw the light and immediately understood the appeal. It affected me like a drug; after a few more cups, I was completely hooked. I knew I didn’t have to feel tired quickly changed with time. I started to develop a positive anymore and thought it was the best! Without coffee, I don’t know if I would have survived the pledge process for my fraternity. Coffee has proved to be a lifesaver countless times. At one point, my daughter joined a cheer squad that was about 45 minutes from our house. Her practices would finish at 10 p.m., and then we would grab dinner, so we weren’t starting the 45-minute trek back until about 10:30 each night. Since I woke up at 4 a.m. most mornings, I desperately
needed a pick-me-up. Coffee was the only reason I was able to handle that. Over time, I felt like my coffee dependency was becoming too strong, so I decided to find some other way to get my caffeine fix. This led me to Voke Energy tablets. It proved to be an effective supplement for me, and even my wife started taking them after thinking she didn’t need them. They eventually replaced coffee altogether for me, but sadly, the company went out of business recently. I loaded up on as many as I could find online, but I have added coffee back into my regular routine. I’ll take a Voke in the morning after the gym and have my coffee after lunch. The two together keep me going all day long! Coffee is one of my greatest loves. Whenever a loved one travels overseas and asks me what I want them to bring back, it’s always coffee or tea. My sister recently got me some delicious coffee from Italy! I’ll be sure to save a cup to enjoy on International Coffee Day! –Duane Hamilton
G et Y our S avings Q uote T oday ! C all 770-744-1855 or scan this code !
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Finding Your People Starts With Doing What You Love Move, Make, and Mingle
As life enters a new chapter, many find themselves craving meaningful activities and meaningful connections. Making new friends doesn’t always come as easily as it once did, but shared interests can offer a natural way to meet others. Engaging hobbies offer more than just something to do; they offer a way to belong. Recreational sports like golf, pickleball, or bowling bring people together through lighthearted competition and camaraderie. These games are less about winning and more about showing up, staying active, and enjoying a few laughs along the way. Community theater offers a behind- the-scenes magic all its own. You
don’t have to be on stage to be part of the show. Directing, costume design, set building, and ushering are all wonderful ways to get involved and meet like-minded people. Volunteering is another powerful way to connect. Whether you’re walking shelter dogs, preparing meals, or mentoring a young person, shared service often sparks lasting friendships built on purpose and compassion. If you enjoy music and movement, dance classes offer both. Whether ballroom, swing, or line dancing, these settings make it easy to meet new people while staying energized. And group fitness classes like water aerobics, tai chi, or walking
groups combine health and community in one uplifting routine. Love working with your hands? Craft clubs bring together quilters, knitters, painters, and other creatives to swap stories and skills. Even amateur or ham radio can be surprisingly social, offering a way to connect across town or the world without ever leaving home. Building new friendships may take intention, but these hobbies make it easy and delightful.
This Halloween, Make Sure the Only Scares Are the Fake Ones
ESTABLISH A PLAN. If you’re going trick-or-treating as a group, make sure everyone is on the same page. Determine your route before leaving home and establish a meeting place if someone gets separated from the group. If possible, give everyone a walkie- talkie to ensure they stay in touch. It’s also best practice to set a curfew that brings everyone back home at a set time. BE RESPONSIBLE. Halloween is one of those holidays where drunk driving becomes more prevalent. If you’re planning to consume, do not get behind the wheel. You are putting your life and many other lives at risk by doing this. Plan ahead and determine whether someone in your group will be the designated driver, or whether you should rely on a rideshare service instead.
At the end of the month, families nationwide will stay up a little later than usual to celebrate Halloween! It’s one of the most exciting days of the year for kids, as they get to dress up in costumes and venture out into the neighborhood in search of candy. Those who don’t trick-or-treat will spend the night visiting haunted attractions, watching scary movies, and attending parties. There’s truly something for everyone during the spookiest day of the year! With the fun of Halloween also comes danger. Whether you’re driving somewhere or walking through your neighborhood, you have to keep your wits about you. Halloween is one of
the most dangerous days of the year for pedestrians. If you want to keep your loved ones and yourself protected this Halloween, you have to take some safety precautions. BRIGHTEN UP YOUR COSTUME. As you traverse your neighborhood, you’ll see costumes that range from terrifying to hilarious, but there are always kids and adults dressed up in dark costumes. Your kid may be determined to dress up as Black Panther or a witch, but is that the best decision for their safety? Consider encouraging them to dress in a more visible costume. If they are adamant about their decision, be sure to add some reflective tape to their outfit.
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T ogether A gain
How to Make the Most of Family Time This Season
As we grow older, it can be more challenging to get quality time with our loved ones. Our kids leave the nest and start lives of their own, raising families and working fulfilling careers. Your grandkids may be busy with school, sports, and other extracurricular activities. Thankfully, the holiday season is fast approaching, providing us with a great opportunity to reconnect with our loved ones. Connecting with our family isn’t as easy as it used to be. In today’s climate, it’s common for groups to spend hours in a room together and barely share a word. The kids have their heads buried in their tablets, and the adults scroll through their phones or focus solely on the TV. If we want to create memories that will last a lifetime, we need to step away from the technology. Here are a few things you can do with your loved ones
that will bring you closer and keep everyone entertained. LEARN ABOUT EACH OTHER. How did you get started in your career? Have you traveled anywhere exciting? What were your kids like when they were young? You may think you’d bore them, but most families would love to learn more about each other. You don’t just have to share information, either. Ask about your children’s and grandchildren’s interests, passions, and favorite things. You’ll walk away from the experience full of new knowledge about your loved ones and a closer bond. PARTICIPATE IN FAVORITE ACTIVITIES. Do you have a favorite board game? Is there a book your kids love to read? Take some time during the holidays to lose yourself in these activities. Your grandchildren will never forget
the day Grandpa or Grandma played Mario Party with them or the first time they played a round of Scrabble or Monopoly with you. It’s these seemingly simple moments that stick with us through the test of time. DON’T LET DISTANCE DETER YOU. Do your kids or grandkids live on the other side of the country or a few states away? We can’t always get together for the holidays, but we can still make sure our presence is felt. A video call allows you to interact and see your family, so take advantage of it!
Open enrollment for Marketplace/ Affordable Care Act/Obamacare coverage opens up on Nov. 1 and continues until Jan. 15. This is a crucial opportunity if you don’t get health insurance through your employer. Just remember, in order to receive benefits starting in 2026, you’ll need to enroll before Dec. 15, 2025. OBAMACARE INFORMATION
Additionally, the Annual Election Period for Medicare begins on Oct. 15 and closes on Dec. 7. If you need to join, switch, or drop a plan, now is the time to do so. As long as you enroll before Dec. 7, you will have coverage starting on Jan. 1. If you like your current plan, we still need to talk about it. Everyone will see a lot of changes in 2026. Call today to schedule your 2026 benefit review. MEDICARE INFORMATION
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Why Coffee Is More Than Just a Drink
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Hobbies That Spark Connection at Every Stage of Life Stay Safe This Halloween! Make Holiday Moments That Matter Open Enrollment Information
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Slow Down Without Stopping Cold
change in your routines or suddenly lose the job-related identity you’ve possibly built over many years. Many people who opt for semi-retirement like the sense of purpose that continuing to work part time gives them. It allows you to continue fulfilling work and gives you a social outlet. FACTORS TO CONSIDER Semi-retirement isn’t for everyone, and there are various factors to consider when deciding whether to stay in the workforce. If you are thinking of going part time out of necessity, look over your finances to determine how much you need to earn to cover your savings gap. It could also be a solid strategy to build more savings so you have a buffer for the unexpected or big plans like travel in the future. If you simply enjoy your work or want to pursue another passion, like freelance writing or running a small home business, semi-retirement could give you a flexible schedule to work with as you plan this exciting new time.
Make Room for Life Without Ditching Work Completely NOT DONE YET? TRY SEMI-RETIREMENT
Who says slowing down means stopping? While your 60s used to signal retirement was on the way, more and more people are using this time as a launchpad for a new kind of freedom: semi-retirement. Whether dialing back your 9-to-5, chasing long-held dreams, or turning a passion project into a new hustle, semi-retirement allows you to remain connected and do what you love while providing financial security. Scaling back and continuing to work can give you a sense of flexibility and safety. STRETCH YOUR RETIREMENT DOLLARS One of the main perks of holding off from fully retiring is the money.
Though you will earn less income working part time, what you make allows you to build a larger nest egg, and even delay when you collect your Social Security benefits. You can continue contributing to your retirement accounts and 401(k). Workers 50 or older also get additional contribution options, like catch-up contributions. PURPOSE BEYOND THE PAYCHECK You may still enjoy your job or love the social setting of your office. Scaling back your hours rather than retiring completely has numerous emotional and mental health benefits. It can be difficult to abruptly make a huge
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